The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

Leslun was deeply absorbed in his book, and by the time he came to his senses, the sun had already set.

The academy felt unusually peaceful without Prince Tarensiu around. There were fewer eyes following him than usual, and for once, Leslun could move freely through the academy.

When he arrived at the library out of habit, the librarian happened to be preparing to go out. Saying he had something to give him that he hadn’t delivered last time, the librarian asked Leslun to wait a little while and quickly disappeared.

Since Kailos had also mentioned he would be late, it seemed like the perfect time. Moreover, there was that unfamiliar space he had glimpsed before when following the librarian.

‘I wonder what’s inside there…’

Even though Leslun visited the library often, that area felt strange to him. Acting on a hunch, he went to check, but unfortunately, it was locked.

He had already confirmed the existence of illegal weapons hidden in a secret area of the academy once before. His instincts kept pulling him toward that mysterious space again.

As he thought about it, Leslun moved quietly between the bookshelves.

It was late, but not yet closing time for the library. Even so, he was the only one left inside.

Having stilled his presence, the space became wrapped in silence.

He inhaled the scent of paper and looked around the rows of books. For some reason, the familiar space felt oddly foreign tonight.

“Something feels strange.”

The librarian still hadn’t returned. Perhaps he wasn’t coming at all tonight.

A shame, but maybe he would have to wait for another chance.

“So this is how it feels at night.”

The moonlight streaming between the desks lit Leslun’s feet in soft, square patches.

Even the floating dust shimmered faintly. It felt as though the whole world was holding him gently in its arms.

“This really is nice.”

The library was like a second home to Leslun.

But he knew he shouldn’t stay too long. Just as he was about to turn to leave, a flickering shadow entered his sight.

Beyond the falling moonlight, the shadow moved as if alive. A dark shape swept across the floor, lingering atop the book spines like rust beneath an old lamp, then gradually drew closer to him.

A chill ran down his spine. A strange warmth seeped against his back, so near it felt like it might touch his breath.

When he instinctively turned around, his heart nearly stopped. A familiar presence was quietly looking down at him.

***

When an already irritable Kailos returned to his office, only Robin was there to greet him. Who would have thought that granting a single day of rest would make someone return this late?

On top of that, the surroundings were in utter disarray, as if someone had caused a commotion.

“Blue suddenly showed up and made a mess before leaving,” Robin said.

The culprit—or rather, the criminal cat—had made his displeasure quite obvious before disappearing again. Lately, he has been wandering around without his master more often.

All these changes had begun after Leslun started attending the academy.

“In that case, I suppose I’ll have to go bring my stabilizer myself.”

It was obvious where Leslun would be at the academy.

When Kailos arrived at the library, he felt an odd sense of déjà vu.

Leaning his right arm against the bookshelf, he looked down at Leslun. When Leslun turned, their eyes met.

How much time passed like that, neither could tell.

Unable to look away from the bright light in Leslun’s eyes, Kailos forced out his voice.

“Kailos…”

Leslun barely managed to say his name before Kailos reached out first and pressed a kiss against his lips.

“Mmh…”

“When we’re alone, you should call me differently.”

His tone was gentle yet absolute—an intimate command never heard in public.

“Kail… why are you here…?”

To Leslun, the man’s presence felt almost unreal. He struggled to catch his breath as he asked in confusion.

“I came to see if my aide was working hard.”

Kailos spoke casually while glancing around, as if it were nothing important. Yet there was no real reason for the crown prince, who should be in the capital, to personally come all the way here.

As Leslun’s lips parted soundlessly, Kailos’s eyes curved slyly, filled with teasing that wavered between authority and mischief.

“You’ve gotten even prettier since the last time I saw you.”

“Your Highness…”

“No, I should say you’re still just as beautiful.”

Anyone overhearing would think it had been a long time since they last met, though it had only been a single day.

Even so, the prince’s face showed no trace of boredom. His expression said clearly that having Leslun before him in any form was enough.

“The meal, the parasol, and the carriage you sent this morning… thank you.”

There were too many things to list one by one, so Leslun’s voice trailed off midway.

“Of course. They’re gifts for my aide.”

Could any crown prince and aide share such a relationship? Even the boundary of taboo between them seemed to blur under the night’s cover.

Leslun took a step back. The faint distance felt like he could finally breathe again, as if freeing himself from the prince’s overwhelming scent. It was enough.

“Is that all you have to say in thanks? If it were me, I’d want to do more.”

That was exactly why he had to keep his distance.

He couldn’t afford for anyone else to see them together.

“Does anyone else know that Your Highness is here?”

“No.”

Kailos’s reply was firm. Leslun couldn’t bring himself to feel relieved.

“You should return. They’ll all be looking for you, wondering where you’ve gone.”

He tried to sound calm and rational, but the tremor in his fingers betrayed him. He clasped his hands together and turned his head aside.

Kailos stroked his chin in silence, as if weighing the potential consequences of staying or leaving.

Before long, the dark shadow in his expression lifted, replaced by a familiar glint of mischief.

“Then let them think we’re secretly meeting under the moonlight.”

The playful smile made his forehead and cheeks subtly shift with amusement. Just as Leslun hurried to protest, a tapping sound came from the window nearby.