CHAPTER 156: THE FALL OF ARROGANCE

Sylas was still angry about what had happened to Kai and about Eresia coming at such an inopportune moment. Even so, he accompanied the girl and walked toward the garden.

Eresia felt an oppressive silence between them. Along the corridor, only the sound of their footsteps and the guards walking behind them could be heard.

The girl was still sulking. She was upset because Sylas hadn’t apologized to her for making her jealous. The man seemed calm and cold. In fact, now she was the one who felt bad.

But she felt that it was all Kai’s fault for making Sylas act like this.

"Sylas, I want to take a walk by the lake," she said, sulking.

Sylas stopped and looked at Eresia. It seemed he was trying hard to hide his annoyance.

"Princess, we have already spent time together today. Get some rest," said Sylas.

Eresia pouted. "So you can be alone with that slave?"

Sylas was overcome with irritation and couldn’t hold back. "Once again, please don’t call him a slave. And yes, he made me worry today. I have something I need to take care of. So can I take you to your room now?"

Eresia folded her arms. "This isn’t fair!"

"What’s not fair? I spent a lot of time with you today. Princess, please, don’t make things difficult."

"Me? Making things difficult? I wouldn’t be like this if you cared about me even a little!"

Sylas was silent for a moment and took a breath. He held his forehead. "What do you want now?"

Eresia pouted. "I want to go to the lake!"

"Fine! We’ll go to the lake!" Sylas looked angry.

Eresia gasped. This was the first time she had ever seen Sylas so angry. What had she done to make him this upset? She should be the one who was angry!

They got on the carriage and remained silent until they reached the lake. Neither of them tried to start a conversation.

"What is he—"

"Don’t talk about him. Please," Sylas interrupted, already knowing what the girl wanted to talk about. He didn’t want to lose control.

"Why are you angry with me?"

"Princess, you are going to be a queen. I can’t believe I have to deal with this kind of nonsense. One more thing, I respect your privacy. I won’t enter your room without permission. I want the same from you."

Eresia felt her chest heave with anger. Sylas just called her nonsense? After he had made out with his lover right in front of her?

"Sylas, you know I love you. And don’t forget, I was the one who made my father call off the war between us. So shouldn’t you show a little gratitude?"

Sylas stared intently at Eresia. The girl always knew how to threaten him. But it was true, she was the one who made Obaze refrain from causing trouble with Valigria.

"I don’t know how to act in front of you, Princess. What else do you want me to do? I respect you, I try to fulfill your needs. We see each other almost every day. I try to make more time for you. What makes you think I don’t know how to be grateful?"

"You care more about him than me," said Eresia, pouting.

Sylas took a deep breath. "I’ve already told you. You will never win my heart. I can’t just ignore him. But am I running away from my responsibilities? I still care about you. Haven’t I told you that from the beginning?"

"I didn’t know he was a slave! I wouldn’t have a problem if he were a prince."

"Please, stop! Don’t say that again. You’ve said it dozens of times. He’s not from the nobility. And I don’t care. He gives me something I can’t get from anyone else."

Eresia stared at him. "What is it? I’ll give you everything. I’ll give you children and whatever else you want!"

Sylas shook his head. "He makes my heart warm and calm."

Eresia pursed her lips. She felt increasingly angry. The man clearly said that Kai had something she didn’t have, and that something was intangible and inexplicable. How could she accept that?

Eresia was about to speak when Sylas cut her off. "We’re here. Do you want to get out or go back to the room?"

Eresia held back her anger. She was no longer in the mood to go anywhere. Her heart was filled with disappointment, and the man was so calm after hurting her. She didn’t expect Sylas to be so heartless.

"Your Majesty, I want your full attention. I want you, your body, your love, completely for me. Before I cancel the wedding," said Eresia, overcome with anger.

Sylas was silent, clenching his fists. He looked away. He was really annoyed at having to explain it a thousand times. The girl still didn’t understand that he could never love her.

Sylas asked the coachman to return to the palace. Eresia’s eyes widened.

"I don’t want to go back!"

Sylas didn’t care. As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the royal residence, Eresia got out and stormed off in a huff. Her servant, who was waiting there, looked confused.

Meanwhile, Sylas quickly walked back to his room.

Everyone wondered what had happened between them.

***

That morning, Kai woke up with Sean already beside him. He was surprised and tried to get up.

"No need to rush," said Sean, helping him sit up.

Kai looked around. Sylas was not beside him.

"Master? Where is Master Sylas?" asked Kai, wanting to get out of bed, but Sean stopped him.

"His Majesty asked me to watch over you today. He is busy at the moment," replied Sean.

Kai was silent, nodding in understanding. Sylas was always busy. He felt bad about it. It seemed like the man always got into trouble because of him. And the girl from last night, the future queen of Valigria, made him sad.

Even though he didn’t say anything, he heard everything Eresia said and how she looked at him, an ugly slave who was unworthy of a king.

Why did his heart ache so much? His body was covered in wounds, but right now, the feelings in his heart were heavier and more painful. He felt like a burden.

"Let me take off your clothes?" Sean asked politely. His hands were already holding a bowl of liquid.

Kai was embarrassed and bowed respectfully. He took off his own clothes, but Sean quickly helped him. In a moment, the wounds on his body were covered with medicinal liquid.

"I’ll prepare breakfast. Please wait here," Sean said.

Kai hurriedly stopped him. "Um... Can I go back to the dormitory? I have class this morning. They will punish me again," Kai said fearfully and anxiously.

Sean smiled. "You won’t be going there anymore. His Majesty has prepared a new room for you. So you will be staying in this palace from now on."

Kai’s eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"His Majesty will explain it to you later. You don’t need to worry. Get some rest, I’ll bring you breakfast."

Kai looked confused. No more dormitory? Then what would he do? Worry immediately overwhelmed him. If he was no longer useful, how could he ask Sylas to keep him?

Meanwhile, at the dormitory.

Amelia called Clark early in the morning before breakfast, making his roommates wonder. They knew what the young man had done to Kai.

Rumors about the royal family’s knight coming to take Kai away also spread quickly. Especially seeing that Kai was no longer in the room. This made them certain that Clark being called to Amelia’s room had something to do with Kai.

They were curious, as no one had ever dared to touch Clark, including the teachers. This was the first time Clark had been called by the dormitory supervisor.

Inside the room, Amelia stared at Clark.

"Before you threaten me, Mr. Barn, sit down and listen to me," Amelia said as soon as the young man entered the room.

Clark stared nonchalantly. "What is it, Miss?"

"I have never had this kind of mess in my life. First, why did you beat up Kai? Why? What did he do?"

Clark looked at Amelia. "I hit him yesterday, why are you calling me now?"

"I need an answer!"

Clark sighed lazily. "I don’t know. I just don’t like to see his face. How can a disabled person like him enter the palace?"

Amelia folded her arms. "You know he shouldn’t be in the palace, but he’s here! That means someone brought him in!"

"I don’t care. He broke the rules."

"And you shouldn’t have hit him!"

"Well, no one can say I started it. He started it first."

Amelia shook her head in disbelief. "Everyone knows that boy wouldn’t cause any trouble."

"Does that matter? My father will make sure this doesn’t continue. You can send him away."

Amelia took a deep breath. "That’s why I called you here. Your father asked me to send you to the palace prison."

Clark, who had been relaxed, suddenly widened his eyes. "What? That’s impossible!"

"You don’t know who you’ve hurt, Mr. Barn. He is the Young King’s lover. They might execute you!"

Clark was still in shock. He stood there with his mouth open. "That’s just a rumor! Besides, my father—"

"As I said, your father sent the order to arrest you."

"No way!" Clark couldn’t contain his emotions. Who was Kai to do this to him?

But in reality, whoever that boy was, Clark was in big trouble.