CHAPTER 124: RUMORS IN THE GARDEN

Visen stared at Isla, who was now lying with bruises and wounds all over his body. The man couldn’t even move on the bed.

"I heard from Jeremy that you were injured. What happened? Who did this?" asked Visen. Who would dare to hurt a royal guard?

Isla struggled to open his eyes, his body feeling broken. He was lucky to have escaped from Vlad. But in the end, he collapsed at the palace gate. He didn’t know how he ended up in his room.

But he couldn’t explain what had actually happened. His position was very important. He was already at the same rank as the royal family’s knight guards. It would be easy for him to get information. He didn’t want to lose everything.

"I don’t know what happened. A group of people suddenly attacked me," Isla said softly, his voice trembling as he tried to hold back the pain.

Visen looked at Isla’s body. Not an inch of it was free of bruises. Everything was blue, some even black.

"What did they look like? I’ll look for them," said Visen.

Isla shook his head. "They wore hoods. I couldn’t see them at all."

Visen looked at Isla with anger and pity. He was furious that none of his guards had seen Isla being attacked.

"I’m sure they’re from the border," Visen growled. Festivals are usually used by rioters to make money. But what did they gain from Isla?

Isla stayed silent, not wanting to create more lies that would only cause him trouble later.

Visen then asked a guard to call the palace military doctor to examine him.

"Rest. I’ll check the capital to find those rioters. They will get what they deserve," Visen promised.

Isla just nodded. He knew no one would ever find Vlad.

***

Kai was escorted back to his room by a guard. Garry was waiting at the gate. The man waved as soon as he saw Kai dismount from the horse.

Kai stood still for a moment when he saw Garry, then walked closer.

"You’re back. What happened? Did something happen?" asked Garry, since he hadn’t seen the young man return to the dormitory.

Kai didn’t answer. He didn’t know what to say.

Garry looked worried and curious about what had happened to the young man. But seeing that Kai stayed silent, he didn’t ask any more questions.

"You know, Mrs. Gremblin is letting me stay here for a while after I told her I would watch over you for her," said Garry, walking beside Kai.

It seemed the old woman also felt guilty for making Garry faint last time. As long as he didn’t bother her and helped watch over Kai, she would turn a blind eye. Besides, Bram knew Garry and said he was a kind bodyguard.

Kai smiled, glad at the news since Garry looked so happy. Even though he didn’t know why the man wanted to stay in the dormitory.

In his heart, Kai was grateful to Garry for taking him to meet Sylas yesterday. Even though a lot had happened, he was very happy.

Of the frightening things—the caravan and the strange man in the tent—the memory of Sylas’ kiss stood out most. That night felt so warm with Sylas’ arms around him, their skin touched.

Kai couldn’t hide his gratitude. Then he remembered he had to meet the king later that night. Immediately, his heart began to pound again. What if he made a mistake? Would he be banned from seeing Sylas again?

Kai didn’t listen to Garry, who kept talking all the way until they entered the dormitory.

"All right, see you later! Don’t forget to eat. I made some soup and I put it on your desk!" Garry called out, his voice deep and heavy.

Kai turned when he heard him mention soup. He nodded. "Thank you..."

Then he entered his room.

The cramped room felt strange. His bed was messy. The table was clean, but there was no soup as Garry had said. Could he have put it in another room?

Kai walked to the bed and picked up his carving for Sylas. Could he finish it today?

When he reached for the carving tools under the table, he felt something was missing. He sat down, trying to remember.

His eyes widened. His coin pouches!

He had received several, but only the one Gremblin had given him first remained.

He opened it. At first it had only a few copper coins, but now there were two silver ones inside. But many pouches he had before had more than five coins in total.

Where was his coin pouches?

Kai knelt on the floor, searching under the bed, under his suitcase, and in every corner he could see.

Nothing.

Kai was confused.

At that moment, Gremblin entered. The woman saw Kai still kneeling on the floor.

"You’re home finally! Where have you been?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Kai turned quickly and stood up. "Ah, I-I went to the festival... And..."

Gremblin cut him off. "I really don’t care where you went. But you’ll cause me trouble if the supervisor asks about you. And you know, in the new class later, you’re not allowed out after 10 p.m.!"

Kai looked down and nodded fearfully. "Y-yes, I’m sorry..."

Gremblin looked at him again. "And you know everything isn’t free here. You should give me half the coins you earn. You’re not planning to keep them all and let me take care of you, are you?"

Kai looked at her. Coins? He immediately realized she had taken his pouches. So he had to give it to her?

He wasn’t surprised. In Omino, slaves also had to hand over their earnings from certain jobs to their trainers.

Kai just nodded. "I’m sorry..."

Gremblin turned and walked out of the room, leaving Kai behind.

Kai exhaled and sat on the edge of the bed. There were many things he didn’t know. The world outside Omino was vast, and that made him anxious at times. There would be more people who judged him and might wish him harm.

Kai stared at the small statue in his hand. Then his gaze fell on the bracelet on his wrist.

Only one remained. He had to wear the other pair. He then removed the bracelet and grabbed a chisel, finishing the final details. He would give it to Sylas later.

It would be better if he could paint it.

***

Dinner time arrived, but the summer sun was still visible. Alvaro had the special task of bringing Vlad’s slaves to eat together in the palace garden.

The not-planned event turned out to be an exciting and fun dinner for the servants and guards who suddenly joined in.

The atmosphere was lively, with lights and decorations everywhere and the sound of firecrackers. They brought out food from the palace kitchen with James’ permission.

The off-duty guards shared bottles of drinks, filling the place with laughter. The servants were busy chatting, free from their duties.

Alvaro looked at Vlad’s slaves sitting quietly at a long table. Food was laid out in front of them, along with alcoholic drinks.

Obi ran over after playing with the older servants at the next table. The boy quickly blended in with everyone. When he reached Alvaro, he smiled brightly.

"Are we going to the caravan again tonight? I want to see the circus. The woman there said they’re having a circus today," said Obi, full of hope.

Alvaro stared at him, expressionless. "Why are you asking me? Just ask your master to take you there," he said coldly.

Obi immediately pouted. "But you’re Master Vlad’s lover. If you invite us, I’m sure the master won’t mind," he said.

Alvaro immediately glared. He looked around as several guards turned their heads because of Obi’s loud voice.

Alvaro pulled the boy and sat him down on a chair. "Can you not talk nonsense?" he said softly, almost whispering, handing Obi a piece of cake.

Obi stared at the cake, then turned to Alvaro. "I’m not talking nonsense. Didn’t you sleep with Master Vlad? You don’t know how sad Master Vlad was for days—" Obi gasped when Alvaro suddenly covered his mouth. "Mmnh!"

Alvaro chuckled nervously, looking around. "I don’t know what he’s talking about. He looks milk-drunk," he said, pressing Obi’s mouth even tighter as the boy struggled.

The guards looked at each other. Some of them had seen the knight’s body covered in kiss marks on the punishment field. They had wondered who the man’s lover was, certain there was a servant the cold knight cared for.

But it turned out none of their guesses were correct.

In fact, that name now made everything clear. They just didn’t know who Master Vlad was. Could it be Lord Vlad, the vampire feared by nobles?

Although they had heard the name, no one had actually seen his face. The guards who had seen him said he always appeared suddenly during palace meetings, and that was many-many years ago.

Now that name was heard again, accompanied by rumors about Alvaro.

John, who was sitting across from Obi, looked around and felt the tension. He told Obi not to talk anymore.

The atmosphere was still lively at the next table, but some of the guards were more focused on listening. Alvaro was sure the news would spread quickly after this. But if he forced them to be quiet, it would only make people more suspicious.

Alvaro closed his eyes and cursed silently.

Obi looked at Alvaro innocently. "Can we go back to the caravan?" he whispered this time.

Alvaro wanted to strangle the boy. His hands clenched tightly.

"You better shut up or I’ll shut your mouth with a bottle," Alvaro said sharply.

Obi immediately fell silent. He didn’t understand why the man was so harsh.