That day, Kai ended up sleeping in Sylas’s room again. Even when James arrived, the slave was still clinging to him like a frightened puppy, refusing to let go.
Sylas glanced at Kai, who was fast asleep beside him. His arm felt slightly numb from being hugged for hours. Carefully, he pulled his arm away.
The slave didn’t seem to notice, only stirring a little before settling back down, breathing softly.
Sylas felt strange about his own feelings. Normally, he wouldn’t situation. He had tried to get Kai a better place, but the slave kept acting , overwhelming him.
Yet instead of feeling bothered, he was amused. He also enjoyed the slave’s presence in his room, which now felt oddly warmer and less empty than usual. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn N0velFire.ɴet
"What should I do with you?" Sylas murmured, as if Kai could hear him. His hand moved on its own, gently stroking Kai’s head.
The fear on the slave’s face was completely genuine. Sylas couldn’t be angry or upset. Looking at Kai’s face now filled him with tenderness and a strange ache he couldn’t quite name.
The next day, James waited outside Sylas’s study before the prince arrived.
When Sylas saw the old man, he already knew what he wanted to talk about.
"You’re here at the right time, Sir James," Sylas said after greeting him.
James followed him into the room and sat when invited.
"I need to settle this matter quickly before I can sleep peacefully, Your Highness," James said. He wanted to make sure the schedule he had prepared for Kai’s lessons was carried out. But the slave still hadn’t entered the dormitory, and that frustrated him.
Sylas nodded. "Forgive him, Sir James. I’ve spoken to him. He’ll leave today."
James frowned. "He must learn how to behave in the palace, Your Highness. Especially since he will be your servant. He can’t act like a child."
Sylas smiled. "If I didn’t know him, I’d say the same thing. But he’s been through more than you can imagine. I can’t blame him for being scared of certain people."
Sylas also understood why Kai was afraid to follow Visen. He knew the slave didn’t understand the guards’ duties, that they acted on orders, not personal grudges. But to Kai, Visen or anyone else who seemed like they might hurt him would always feel like a threat, over and over again.
Even when James came, Kai had immediately hidden behind Sylas. Sylas didn’t know what James had done to cause that fear.
James spoke again. "I’m only doing my job professionally. But if he remains difficult to control, forgive me if I have to request a stricter instructor for him, Your Highness."
Sylas met his gaze. "I understand. But you need to see Kai as a special case. He’s a slave from Omino. His life experience is completely different from most people. I know he’ll follow orders, you won’t have trouble making him obey. But I really don’t want you to be harsh with him."
Sylas cut him off. "There’s one more thing you should know, Sir James. He’s saved me three times. He’s one of the reasons I’m still alive today."
Sylas’s voice softened, but his eyes stayed serious. "So please, guide him. I want him to learn without pressure. I want him to feel safe."
James looked at the prince’s expression and sighed silently before nodding.
"All right, Your Highness. But I won’t let him do whatever he wants."
Sylas smiled, knowing the old man’s nature. "I know. You can still be professional with him. I just ask that you don’t burden him more than necessary, now that you know his background and mental state."
James finally nodded. "Understood. I’ll send a servant to pick him up after lunch."
Sylas nodded. "Thank you, Sir James."
Before James left, Sylas stopped him. "Do you know why Alvaro didn’t show up today? Wasn’t he supposed to work?"
James nodded. He had also received a note from Huron, since he oversaw the servants and guards in the royal family. But he didn’t understand why Alvaro hadn’t come. He assumed the guard was still recovering.
"I’ll find out, Your Highness, and tell him to see you immediately."
Sylas nodded. "No hurry. I’m just curious where he is. I didn’t see him in his room or anywhere else."
James bowed respectfully. "I’ll let you know as soon as I find out."
That afternoon, Sylas had already packed Kai’s suitcase on the table. He looked back at Kai. The slave was about to promise to follow the servant, but his face was still tense and downcast.
Sylas caught his gaze several times before Kai quickly bowed his head. Even during lunch, the slave kept his head low, his face twisted with sadness. Was he really thinking he’d been abandoned?
Sylas sat him down on the sofa. "Why are you sad? We’ve talked about this all day, you promised you’d obey, didn’t you?"
Kai looked at him, nodded, then lowered his head again.
Sylas lifted his chin so their eyes met. "Look at me, Kai. Do I look like a liar?"
Kai looked into Sylas’s beautiful eyes and felt his face heat up. He wanted to look away, but Sylas held his chin firmly.
"Study hard, then come back to me. That way, no one will look down on you," Sylas said softly.
Kai stayed silent, but he saw the sincerity in Sylas’s eyes.
Sylas gently stroked his cheek. "I like you. I won’t make things hard for you. So trust me, understand?"
Kai stared at him without blinking. Sylas’s words left a warm, glowing feeling in his chest that he couldn’t remember feeling before.
The handsome master said he liked him? He, who had been cursed since birth and labeled worthless, tortured endlessly and only given misery, was being told he was liked?
Kai blinked, and his eyes grew wet. Those simple words meant the world to him, like sunlight breaking through years of darkness.
Sylas was surprised when the slave’s tears began to fall.