The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 33.2
In the worst case, it could have been someone sent by the Empress. If that were true, wouldn’t they use any means necessary to get close? It was frustrating not being able to know the identity of the opponent.
While Leslun was lost in thought, Kailos’s insides boiled with anger.
Even if Robin had come back beaten, his mood would be foul enough—but fragile, frail Leslun? That made it unbearable.
Do not touch the young, the cute, the weak. That was supposed to be obvious. But the world didn’t uphold even that obvious rule.
Of course, it wasn’t as though Kailos had never once thought of teasing Leslun himself. But him doing it, and someone else laying hands on him, were two very different matters.
Kailos was fiercely possessive of what was his.
He glared at Blue. Blue was cute, but not weak. That look of reproach, as if to say “If you’ve awakened me, shouldn’t you also be taking responsibility for protecting Leslun?”—it made Blue’s cheeks tremble faintly.
Kailos let out a sigh. It didn’t sit right with him, as though he was unfairly blaming a cat.
Instead, he turned his thoughts to who it was that had dared lay a hand on Leslun’s face.
“Your Highness.”
The carriage came to a halt. Robin, the aide who followed Kailos down, reported in a low voice.
But even as he listened, Kailos’s eyes remained fixed on the small back of Leslun’s head, walking ahead with his spine held stiff and straight.
***
Count Robert Camilo was in high spirits for the first time in a while.
Acting under the Empress’s orders, he had gone to meet Leslun and, for once, let his nature show—bearing down on him, browbeating, threatening, and forcing him into submission, all while concealing his blade behind a gentle smile.
The shadow of despair that crossed Leslun’s face, the trembling of his eyes, the silence he let slip instead of finishing his words—every last bit of it was a sweet medicine that quenched Robert’s long-held thirst.
And after indulging himself so fully, what awaited him was the Empress’s acknowledgment. Outwardly, Robert bowed his head, but inwardly, a quiet rapture stirred. In his mind, he pictured the future vividly.
Prince Cassian, now Emperor, looked down at him from the golden throne, draped in a crimson cloak. Below, Robert knelt, recognized for his merits.
He would be granted a new title. And every noble in the realm would applaud him.
“Count is not enough.”
Remaining a borderland count could never satisfy Robert’s ambition. To keep climbing rugged castle walls while the Imperial Palace bustled with splendor—what else could that be but throwing away his one and only life?
And so, with a smile steeped in greed, Robert resolved that he would remain here.
For that, the information Leslun brought back was essential.
It had been a wise decision to tail the Crown Prince after hearing from the Empress that he would be going out. Buoyed with excitement, Robert drank well beyond his usual limit before returning to his quarters.
“My world is not far off, that’s certain.”
When it came, he would snap the noses of those who had dared scorn him as a mere country noble. Chuckling at the thought, he was startled by a voice.
“Will I be in that world of yours as well?”
“Who goes there!”
He spun toward the sound—and wondered how on earth he had failed to notice. The man’s presence was overwhelming.
“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Robert dropped to his knees reflexively, his breath rough as he failed to calm his startled heart.
How long had he been there?
Once, he had so longed for a chance to meet and impress this very man. Why was it now only fear that gripped him? Perhaps it was because it had been mere hours since he had seized Leslun and threatened him. At this moment, treating the Crown Prince as though nothing had happened was impossible.
“I thought I’d pay you a visit.”
Kailos spoke as though it meant nothing. But had Robert dared raise his head to look at him, he would have seen it was anything but meaningless.
For he would have met the eyes of someone who looked ready to cut him in half then and there.
Whether by luck or misfortune, Robert took the words at face value. Most likely, Leslun had not only brought the Crown Prince’s information but had even spoken of Robert in favorable terms.
Why else think so? Because no matter how vile the task, Leslun always seemed to twist it around and move in a way that turned out well.
“Wasn’t Leslun your aide?”
At the name, spoken at such a strikingly apt moment, Robert smiled.
“So you knew.”
“Yes. I knew.”
Kailos nodded without hesitation.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
