The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 50.1
Perhaps it was a warning not to forget the station of an aide, and not to stand out excessively.
Kailos, perched half on the desk with his arms folded, looked at the pensive Leslun.
“……Perhaps being a scholar would suit you more.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
All the while, Kailos had been quite busy. Even after the completion banquet, there were envoys who did not return to their own lands but instead sought the Crown Prince, and he had to receive them.
During that time, Leslun had carried out his duties as aide splendidly, yet there had been no chance for the two to meet.
Somehow, it felt as though his aide had been stolen away from him.
“Ah, of course. For me, this present favor is more than enough. A scholar, you say—that is far too much.”
At last understanding the Crown Prince’s words, Leslun added a reply. That answer pleased him somehow.
“Even at this late night, sunlight seems to stream in.”
Leslun looked around, then belatedly grasped the meaning. He had been flustered when Robin was aide as well, but even now he could not receive such words with composure.
But why must he say things like that so often… as though sending out cuckoo calls.
So startled was he that he even recalled expressions from his former life, long forgotten.
“You must grow accustomed.”
“I… will grow accustomed.”
“And you must learn to use it, as well.”
“……”
Realizing what he meant, Leslun suddenly felt his heart pound as if it were going to burst. He understood that Kailos was telling him to call him by his pet name, and focused on steadying his breath.
“May the sun rise upon Kail… upon Your Highness’s head.”
It sounded almost as if the words had trailed off, but Kailos realized otherwise and laughed richly.
“Well done.”
That was sufficient; he pressed no further.
Moonlight poured down over the two of them.
***
Two days later, with the academy’s entrance ceremony and the commemorative party for the students approaching, an order from the Crown Prince was delivered.
“Have a formal suit prepared.”
At first, Leslun thought it meant to summon the tailor for Kailos’s attire.
“I will see to it.”
“Leslun.”
As Leslun bowed and turned to leave, Kailos called him, his voice layered with meaning.
“When I observe, your mind works well enough—yet when it comes to yourself, it stops.”
He did not understand. Robin, who had been silent, explained the situation.
“They’re waiting. Leslun, you should go in there. They’ll measure you first.”
Thanks to Robin’s intervention, correcting the crossed words between Kailos and Leslun, Leslun’s delayed reaction burst out.
“Me?”
Kailos smiled in satisfaction, while Leslun looked flustered.
“I have no need for new clothes.”
At that, Kailos tilted his head with an exaggeratedly quizzical look.
“Shall I take it to mean you intend to go in naked?”
“That is not it… I only meant I do not need to buy any separate attire.”
Leslun smoothed the clothes he was currently wearing. It was not as if he went about unclothed, as the Crown Prince had jested; for him, this formal uniform was sufficient.
Kailos clicked his tongue and stepped toward him. Leslun drew back in alarm, and so Kailos moved again to close the distance.
“Tsk. You know one thing but not another. You are not attending the party solely as my aide, are you.”
Though presented as a celebration for the advancement of scholarship, in truth it was no more than a debut stage for the noble youths entering the Academy, to build connections.
But Leslun held that being an Academy student was enough; there was no need to purchase a separate formal suit.
Because the Crown Prince kept drawing closer, he grew increasingly burdened, clutching at his clothes while retreating.
“I prefer these.”
“Yes, it is indeed a point of pride that you are my aide.”
Leslun tried to say once more that he was fine as he was. But already his back had touched the door.
And not only that—the Crown Prince was far too close.
When Leslun glanced at Robin, seeking help, Robin only gave a small shake of his head. His look seemed to say, you should have obeyed His Highness from the start.
“If it troubles you so much, then we shall not have it custom-made separately.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, you should be thankful—since I myself will choose it for you.”
“…What?”
Leslun looked up at Kailos, wondering if he had misheard. But then he realized again how close they were, and was at a loss what to do.
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