The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 136.1
Cassian looked around his silent chamber before stepping outside.
Ever since the kidnapping attempt, he had grown to hate his bedroom. So whenever he could, he left it.
At times, he even slept beside the Empress. Fortunately, she never kept her distance.
Today, however, his mother was away from the palace. The palace felt even larger and emptier than usual. Classes were temporarily suspended, so there was far too much time for him to be alone.
Standing by the window and gazing out at the distant sky, Cassian murmured softly,
“It would’ve been nice if Blue were here.”
Blue had not been seen for days. His father’s spirit beast was also nowhere to be found. Perhaps the palace’s stillness was because of that.
After looking at the seemingly empty palace for a while, Cassian decided to visit Leslun.
He thought Leslun might be able to break this silence.
“It’s fine. I’ll just be gone for a while.”
He went to his brother’s office and knocked. When the door opened, Leslun appeared. Startled at first to see Cassian, he soon smiled warmly.
Cassian smiled back.
“I had some free time, so I came.”
***
“Blue hasn’t shown up?” Leslun asked in surprise.
Cassian nodded.
“I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find him.”
Spirit beasts often wandered as they pleased, so Leslun had assumed that was the case again. But since even Prince Cassian hadn’t seen him, a faint unease began to weigh on Leslun’s heart. A bad feeling brushed through his mind—something might have happened.
“What about Lia?” Leslun asked. Lia was Cassian’s bird.
When Cassian had found it and taken care of it before, Leslun had personally applied ointment to its wounds. Once healed, the bird often fluttered back to visit Cassian whenever it pleased.
Cassian shook his head slightly, looking downcast. The sight made Leslun’s chest tighten.
“Then shall we look for them together?”
“Really?” Cassian’s eyes lit up. Joy spread across his face.
He was thrilled, like any ordinary child would be. Though it was only a walk around the palace, it felt like an adventure to find Blue.
Leslun couldn’t help but smile. Seeing that innocent expression warmed his heart.
There were few children Cassian’s age in the palace, and everyone around him was always busy.
Even Kailos had been pestering Leslun for an answer to his proposal, though he hadn’t managed to for long—he was far too busy himself.
“Shall we go then?”
As Leslun stood, Cassian hopped down from his chair. His small hand reached out to hold Leslun’s.
Even the nannies didn’t dare hold the prince’s hand so boldly. It was a closeness that even the Empress seldom showed.
Leslun didn’t pull away. He held the boy’s hand firmly.
“Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
And so, their little adventure began.
Cassian looked around with curious eyes, while Leslun quietly watched his side profile.
Despite the uneasy feeling in his chest, Cassian’s steps were light. Leslun could only hope that nothing bad had happened to Blue.
Not long after, Kailos entered the room looking for Leslun. He had wanted to tell him that he had found a way for them to marry.
But the room was empty. Kailos sighed.
“Couldn’t wait even a moment, huh.”
***
The Imperial Palace was vast. Kailos hadn’t been exaggerating when he once complained that it was unnecessarily large.
In the past, when there had been many members of the royal family, space had been scarce. But generations later, few royals remained. The Emperor had only two sons, and though Kailos was of age, he had yet to marry.
In such a place, finding Blue was no easy task. Normally, Blue would be the one to find Leslun first.
Hiding his growing unease, Leslun tightened his hold on Cassian’s hand and began searching nearby areas first.
Even covering a single floor required opening and closing dozens of doors—it was exhausting work.
“This isn’t working,” Leslun said at last.
By now, even Cassian was panting for breath.
“Searching door to door like this is too reckless.”
“Then what should we do?” Cassian asked.
“We should choose one of two ways,” Leslun replied. “Either we go to places Blue might visit, or we find a way to make him come to us.”
“Blue always came to us,” Cassian said, repeating his words.
“That’s true,” Leslun agreed, smiling faintly. “But he only ever came when he wanted to. So this time, let’s be the ones to call him.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
