The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 40.2
Unlike at first, when he had hesitated, once he opened a book he quickly became absorbed.
Kailos sat on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, and watched Leslun. His gaze followed Leslun’s every movement, sharp as though ready to seize upon something at any moment.
Not being properly dressed, Leslun seemed cold. He curled in on himself more than usual as he read. At some point he drew his knees up, folding himself small—and in that moment, he looked like a tiny animal.
The kind of animal that could be swallowed in a single bite. His round knees, flushed faintly red with chill, looked almost ripe and ready to be eaten.
—He dared to try and shake me, so I built a wall without thinking. But perhaps… it may not have been necessary.
That had been his thought as he looked down at Leslun, standing between narrow alleys.
He had been too annoyed at Blue’s attempts to unsettle him to think of anything else.
But Kailos was slowly realizing the possibility—that he could see Leslun as more than just an aide.
Surely he wouldn’t fail to seduce such a small, insignificant aide.
It was almost laughable, the thought that the imperial throne might rest in the hands of such a pitiful aide.
Naturally, Leslun didn’t seem to dislike kissing, or other touches, in particular. Perhaps Kailos could make good use of that, teach Leslun a useful lesson.
The world was merciless. Even real parents, when power was at stake, could find their own children troublesome and wish them gone. Foster parents, all the more so.
Whether Leslun’s foster parents truly cherished him like their own child—no one could answer that but them. Perhaps they only hoped to profit from his clever mind.
Had he not, in fact, become the aide of a Count purely through his own ability?
Even if, in childhood, they had raised him without thought of reward, later was another matter. Greed had a way of twisting people hideous.
And so Leslun, too, needed to be taught.
He had to learn what the world was truly like—so he would not give his heart away too easily. So that if his foster parents abandoned him later, he would not be broken beyond repair. He needed to be trained, starting now.
‘That’s what I’ll do for him.’
The Crown Prince himself would take it upon himself to discipline Leslun.
If there had to be a reason—it was because he was his.
And then, once that was done, Kailos could hold him easily in hand, and play with him at will.
Even as Leslun’s face flushed and his eyes sparkled brightly over a scrap of text, Kailos did not look away. He only sank deeper into his own thoughts.
***
The Hall of Gold within the Imperial Palace.
Beneath the soaring domed ceiling stretched a long crimson carpet embroidered with the Imperial crest. The red light of the setting sun streamed through stained-glass windows, scattering colored rays over the noble blood of two nations.
The Crown Prince of the Empire and the Prince of the Kingdom met.
From aides to guards, many surrounded them. The atmosphere was stifling in its gravity.
It had always been inevitable that they would meet, though it came sooner than expected.
Leaving Leslun behind in the study, Kailos encountered Robin. Robin quickly informed him that the Prince was waiting.
Kailos told him to wait a little longer, that he would go to meet Prince Tarensiu.
Leslun stood behind and to the left of the Crown Prince, his eyes on Prince Tarensiu. The oppressive air lingered, but since he had already spent time with him once before, he felt less burdened than he did pleased.
Prince Tarensiu seemed a good man.
He had urged him to try cake, had listened attentively to his words. Interpreting the Prince’s short speech had been amusing, and even the massive hawk had been fascinating.
To Leslun, it had all been unforgettable.
Just then, his eyes met Prince Tarensiu’s. Leslun greeted him with a faint smile and a nod.
The Prince sipped his tea without response. Then he drew the plate of cake toward himself.
He still likes cake, Leslun thought, oddly pleased.
Kailos observed Tarensiu’s behavior from across the table. Drawing the plate of cake to himself was an insignificant motion, yet even so, a faint current seemed to flow within it.
He couldn’t see Leslun’s face. But just the fact of his presence made the air between them feel subtly askew.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
