Elias rubbed the mark. At first, he thought it was just a reflection of light, but he was surprised when the mark started to glow occasionally.
Gilbert immediately rushed over, startled by Elias’ words. He stood there in shock, just like Elias.
"I’ll call the doctor," Gilbert said right away.
Adrien shook his head. "No, Gilbert. There’s nothing they can do."
Elias looked at Adrien. "Do you know what this mark is, Your Majesty?"
Adrien shook his head. "I don’t know. But I’ve felt a sharp pain in my chest since this afternoon. I’m sure this is a sign of magic. Whoever did this, they want me dead."
Elias looked at Adrien with a troubled gaze. He touched the mark again.
A pattern of overlapping circles filled with glowing ancient runes seemed to pulse in rhythm with Adrien’s breath. The mark sometimes turned deep blue mixed with dark purple, and at other times shimmered silver when light hit it from certain angles. It didn’t look like a wound, but it was clearly embedded in the skin.
Elias lowered his head. His heart pounded uncomfortably. He didn’t want to lose Adrien.
Just the feeling of almost losing him when he was unconscious last time had made Elias want to die. He couldn’t bear the thought of Adrien being gone forever.
"Your Majesty, we have to find that wizard as soon as possible, no matter what it takes. Please send more guards," Elias pleaded.
Adrien stayed quiet, staring at Elias. For the first time, Elias looked panicked and overwhelmed. He gave a small smile.
"Sylas has already sent everyone he can. We’ll wait," Adrien said, pulling Elias closer and holding him tightly against his chest.
Elias rested his head, feeling Adrien’s fingers gently brushing the base of his hair.
"Don’t make me worry," Adrien whispered. "Everyone dies eventually. You or me, we’ll get there. If I die first, promise me you won’t drown in grief."
Elias lowered his head, holding back tears. He held his breath to keep his emotions in check.
"Is this an order, Your Majesty?"
"No. It’s a request. You deserve to live happily. I’ve caused you enough pain already. I don’t want my death to hurt you even more."
Elias pulled back and stared at him intently. His eyes were angry. "I didn’t suffer when I was with you, Adrien. Stop saying that. It just makes me angry."
Adrien went silent, then chuckled. He looked at Elias, who looked sulky.
"Why do you only say my name when you’re angry? You know that’s really annoying," Adrien said, pretending to be upset.
Elias couldn’t help smiling. He hid his face in the king’s chest. "I’m sorry, Your Highness."
"Don’t blame me if I keep making you angry then."
"Oh, Your Highness. You’ve been doing that every day."
Adrien laughed. He hugged Elias tightly. "You’re such a troublesome little squirrel."
The kitchen staff stood around the sofa table, watching Sylas nervously as he watched Kai eat. Sylas looked like he wanted to say something but was holding it in.
The servants looked uneasy, too, seeing how Kai grabbed all the food with his hands. They knew Sylas wanted to correct him.
Meanwhile, Kai sat tensely on the sofa, shoveling food into his mouth. He looked around anxiously because everyone was staring. He had wanted to sit on the floor, but Sylas had forced him onto the sofa. He was sure everyone was angry at him for being rude.
Kai lowered his head and reached for more food with his hands. He saw many utensils, spoons and forks, next to his plate, but he didn’t dare touch them with his dirty hands.
Sylas tried to eat quietly and calmly. He could teach the slave later. But when he saw Kai reaching for the meat in the soup, he couldn’t stop himself.
Who eats soup with their hands?
"Kai," Sylas said, his voice louder than he intended.
Kai, already tense, startled, jumped in fear. He quickly dropped the food back in the bowl and knelt on the floor, bowing his head.
"I-I’m sorry, Master!"
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Sylas was shocked. "No! Kai, get back to your seat!" he ordered.
Kai’s heart pounded. He was terrified. He bowed even lower. His dirty hands had stained the floor, and he quickly wiped it with his shirt.
Sylas took a deep breath. "I really don’t know how to handle you."
Kai said nothing, closing his eyes. Sylas sounded angry.
Sylas asked a servant to help Kai sit back on the sofa.
"Kai, look at me," Sylas said patiently.
It took Sylas half an hour to explain to Kai how to eat properly.
"You can’t use your hands to eat soup. You’ll burn yourself. Understand?"
Kai nodded. He was surprised when Sylas gently pulled his hand and wiped it with a napkin.
"And don’t wipe your hands on your clothes."
Kai stayed silent, staring at his clean hands. Then he looked at Sylas, who was eating calmly and neatly. Slowly, Kai picked up the spoon and started using it.
Dinner, which usually took thirty minutes, now lasted nearly an hour.
Sylas asked the kitchen staff to leave and dismissed the guards outside the room.
He glanced at Kai, who sat with his head bowed. Sometimes Kai looked at him with bright eyes, other times like Sylas was some kind of monster. Sylas really didn’t understand him.
"Kai, go to bed. Get some rest," Sylas said. He figured the slave was tired.
Kai hesitated, then nodded. He watched Sylas take something from the drawer and head to the balcony. Sylas sat down and leaned back in the chair, looking relaxed.
Kai stood up, cursing himself inside. He felt useless. It was like he always made his master angry.
Was he just too stupid?
Kai walked to the bed, passed the bathroom, and lowered his head. Sylas had let him use the bathroom, and now told him to go to bed. There was only one reason he could think of. He didn’t want to make another mistake.
It was almost midnight when Sylas finally felt tired. He jotted down a few notes about things he needed to handle, but he was stuck. He couldn’t think of any solutions.
He stared at the clear sky. The cool air was unusual. It looked like rain was coming in a few days.
He stood for a moment by the balcony railing. Moments brought him peace, even though his mind was still full.
Sylas ran his fingers through his hair and stepped back into the room, closing the balcony door. He put his notes in the drawer and walked to the bed.
He froze when he got there.
His mouth opened, but no words came out.
On the bed, Kai lay completely naked, arms and legs spread as if he was "ready" for something.
Kai stared at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling with anxiety.
What was this again? Sylas had no idea how long Kai had been like that.
"You sleep like that?" Sylas asked, trying to stay calm, though his eyes kept being drawn to Kai’s body.
Kai’s upper body was covered in wounds, but the lower part was smooth, with only a few marks looked similar to those on his wrists.
His genitals, thighs, and the folds of his body were clean. Sylas felt his face flush. From his angle, he could even see Kai’s reddened asshole.
He quickly turned his head, pretending not to see. But the sight had stirred something in him.
Casually, he grabbed a blanket and covered Kai, then sat at the edge of the bed.
"Sleep properly, Kai. You’re taking up the whole bed," Sylas said. He tried to push away his rising desire as his pants started to feel tight.
Kai looked at him, confused. Hadn’t he been asked to get into bed? Wasn’t he supposed to serve? He’d been cold and stiff, waiting for Sylas. But now Sylas seemed unsatisfied and had turned his back to him.
Kai sat up, looking down sadly.
"Sleep," Sylas said again, now lying down and facing away.
Kai stayed sitting at the edge of the bed. How could he sleep when he had disappointed his master again?
Meanwhile, Sylas couldn’t sleep either, thanks to the pressure in his body demanding release. But he fought it. Still, the image of Kai’s body kept flashing through his mind.
It took hours before his mind finally calmed down, and he fell asleep from exhaustion.
The next morning, he woke up to find Sean already by his side.
Sylas looked at the empty spot next to him.
"Where’s Kai?" he asked.
Sean looked around. The slave was nowhere in sight.
"I’ll look for him, Your Highness," Sean said, leaving the room to search the garden. Maybe Kai had gone out for some fresh air.
Sylas sighed. The image of Kai from last night still haunted his thoughts. He got up and headed to the bathroom.
He froze at the door.
Kai was lying on the bathroom floor.