CHAPTER 152: VILLAGE OF SCULPTORS

’This seems to fit Kai,’ he thought excitedly.

"Give me the smaller size," Sylas requested.

His hand kept pulling out several pieces of clothing that he thought would fit Kai’s body. He even turned to the winter collection that was still on display.

"Give me that fur jacket. The smaller size," Sylas said.

The staff looked confused because the size Sylas requested was clearly smaller than what the king would wear. But they just smiled and arranged each piece of clothing carefully and neatly.

Sylas looked at the ten bags in front of him and still felt there was something he needed to buy for Kai. But before he could decide, he heard Eresia calling for him.

Sylas hurried out, and several staff members carried the bags to the carriage.

"Did you get what you wanted?" Sylas asked when he saw Eresia’s sulky face.

"Not what I wanted, but I took one for myself," she replied, glancing at the staff carrying several bags of clothes.

"You bought a lot of clothes? Why didn’t you ask the palace tailor?" Eresia asked in surprise.

"What’s wrong with that? They have nice clothes," Sylas said, not explaining that all the clothes were for Kai.

They then toured the city. Eresia was very happy to enter a famous jewelry store.

Sylas accompanied her, occasionally glancing around. But he was sure Kai wouldn’t understand jewelry. Every corner, every place, Sylas would automatically think of Kai.

Then they arrived at their last stop. Eresia seemed satisfied and wanted to return immediately. But Sylas had already announced that they would visit that place. If they returned early, who knew how many people would be disappointed.

Eresia accepted Sylas’s hand as he helped her down from the carriage. Her eyes looked at the people who seemed unfriendly. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she looked around.

Beautifully carved and detailed statues filled the area. Everyone seemed busy, as if they didn’t care about their arrival.

It was Sylas’s first time there. The welcome he received was not very friendly, unlike other places. It seemed they only came to see him because of the palace’s orders.

Sylas greeted and followed a large, muscular man through the beautifully carved gate. The village was a village of sculptors. Most of the beautiful sculptures sold in the cities came from this village.

There was also a famous sculptor in that era, Trechen. His sculptures were always sought after because of their unique details. But the man was too proud and only made sculptures for people he respected.

Sylas walked while looking at every house where everyone was busy with their work. Several times, he stopped in front of people carving shapes that interested him, asking a few questions.

Sylas regretted not bringing Kai there. He was sure the young man would have enjoyed it.

Maybe next time.

"Can we go back?" Eresia complained, her legs feeling tired.

They had only reached the middle of the road. Although he still wanted to explore further, he knew the girl was exhausted. So he nodded.

"Let’s go back," he ordered.

Alvaro and Amos immediately rushed to prepare everything for their return to the palace.

***

That afternoon, Kai headed to the oak tree in the dormitory courtyard, with everyone staring at him as he passed. He didn’t care. His hands carried several math books. Mrs. Manu was already waiting.

Manu saw Kai’s bandaged hand. "What happened?" she asked.

Kai looked at his hand. "I was punished this morning, and also this afternoon," he replied softly.

In the first class, he hadn’t brought his book and ended up being whipped several times on his hand and made to stand in front of the class until the lesson was over.

In the last class, he was punished again for placing the plate on the dining table incorrectly. It was something every servant should already know. He had learned a little from Sylas but forgot it. He cursed himself for being stupid.

The lashes on his hand didn’t hurt because he was too busy blaming himself. And the ridicule from the other students didn’t make him feel any better.

"You nepotistic child! You know you’re uneducated, yet you stubbornly entered the palace," said a girl, her words stabbing Kai’s heart more than the other students’ ridicule.

He kept his head down, once again feeling sorry for Sylas for having a slave like him who was stupid and uneducated.

"Don’t daydream!" snapped Mrs. Manu, bringing Kai back to reality with a start.

Kai quickly looked at his book, writing the numbers slowly with his sore hand, doing the calculations.

Mrs. Manu saw Kai’s progress and smiled with satisfaction. The young man could calculate correctly. She then looked at Kai’s hand, which was bandaged and stained with fresh blood.

"You have to clean it again. Go to the medical room and ask them to change the bandage. I’m sure you can’t work with your hand like that," said Manu.

Kai nodded.

"What did I teach you? Answer with words, don’t just nod your head. Hold your head up!" said Manu a little loudly.

Kai swallowed hard, immediately lifted his chin, looked at his teacher’s face, and nodded. "Y-yes, Madam!"

"Do it with confidence. Take a breath, say ’Yes, Madam’ loudly!"

Kai obeyed, his loud voice surprising even himself. He never raised his voice, except maybe when screaming because of pain.

Mrs. Manu patted Kai’s shoulder. "Remember, the palace is a battlefield. Every day you have to fight with your work and the people around you. One thing: they are all enemies you must be careful of. Don’t trust anyone! Do you understand?! I always say, never belittle yourself. Be respectful, but don’t belittle yourself."

Kai took Manu’s words to heart. He understood now. He felt for himself how everyone tried to get rid of each other. Making up false stories to secure their own positions. Not hesitating to throw fellow servants under the carriage.

They were all terrifying.

"You understand what I’m saying, right?" said Manu.

Kai nodded. "Yes, Madam."

Manu almost chuckled at Kai’s template answer. But she saw that the young man’s gaze had changed now. It was no longer like the first time she saw him. Kai’s eyes now showed more determination. She hoped Kai could pass the test at the dormitory.

"You can already read well. You just need to keep practicing. You can also count correctly. This week will be the last lesson. Next week, His Majesty wants you to practice horseback riding and archery. So, you have to prepare yourself physically. And don’t forget, keep practicing reading," Manu advised.

Kai looked at Manu. Horseback riding? Archery? Sylas hadn’t said anything to him about that.