The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 80.1
When the Empress reached out her hand, Cassian glanced briefly at Kailos. He wanted to speak with his brother a little longer, but there was nothing he could do. Soon, the child took the Empress’s hand.
“Where are we going?”
“His Majesty has called for Prince Cassian.”
“Wow.”
At the child’s brightened reaction, the atmosphere shifted.
“See you next time.”
The Empress met Kailos’s eyes lightly, then turned to leave. Cassian looked back as he walked away, but Kailos was drinking tea as if he had been alone from the very beginning.
***
Leslun was leaning against the shadow of a pillar along the corridor leading to the garden, his eyes closed as he felt the passing breeze. That was when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching in measured rhythm.
It was Robin, the aide, dressed with not a single wrinkle in his clothes and wearing the same calm expression as always.
“Prince Tarensiu is asking for you.”
Leslun wondered why the prince wanted to see him, but he still turned toward the garden.
At that moment, the door leading to the garden opened, and Crown Prince Kailos appeared. He approached at an unhurried pace and glanced toward the two men.
Robin bowed his head upon seeing him.
“Your Highness. Prince Tarensiu is looking for Leslun.”
Kailos’s eyes narrowed as if displeased.
“You must have grown quite close at the Academy.”
“We are in the same group. I believe he is looking for me because of an assignment.”
“Is that so?”
When Kailos gestured for him to go, Leslun gave a light bow and walked toward the door. As Kailos watched his retreating back, he spoke.
“I keep seeing his back today.”
“Would you like to see mine as well?”
Robin made a dry joke, but Kailos ignored him and left the spot.
***
When Leslun reached the reception room, he knocked and then opened the door. At that moment, he stopped at the sweet fragrance that drifted toward him like a breeze. It was not strong, but it was deep and lingering.
“This way.”
Prince Tarensiu, seated in front of a low table, gestured toward him. In front of the prince were two teacups, a teapot with a thin gold rim, and in the center, a silver tray with dessert.
Seeing Leslun’s curious look, Prince Tarensiu tilted his head slightly.
“Apple mousse.”
Though it was a short answer, Leslun understood immediately. The dessert was shaped like flower petals layered with thinly sliced apples, rising in a gentle mound.
Prince Tarensiu pointed toward the dessert and spoke.
“Apple, saffron, honey. Soft and sweet.”
Leslun expected it to be cloyingly sweet, but the taste was completely different.
The cream melted softly, and the apple slices crunched as he bit into them. The faintly spreading freshness made Leslun blink.
A pleasant fragrance seeped through the roof of his mouth. The sweet scent of honey was overlaid with a familiar floral aroma, brushing the tip of his nose with every breath.
Leslun stared with wide eyes, his hand still holding the fork without lowering it. Just like the first time he had ever tasted cake, all his senses seemed shaken by this single bite. It was neither overly sweet nor heavy, yet the flavor was unmistakably deep.
“It is surprising that fruit soaked in honey can taste like this.”
The words escaped him almost as a sigh of admiration.
“Come by often.”
Prince Tarensiu slowly pushed the plate with the apple mousse toward him until it reached where Leslun’s hand could touch it.
The prince only drank his tea.
“I will give it to you whenever you come.”
Though he spoke lightly, as if it were just an ordinary remark, the words pierced Leslun’s heart in an odd way.
He had taken only one bite, yet he felt as though he would want to sit here again tomorrow. It was astonishing that something could draw a person’s heart this strongly.
“May I really do that?”
Even as he asked, his eyes stayed fixed on the plate.
“Of course.”
Prince Tarensiu answered as if it were nothing.
Leslun lifted his fork and took another bite of the apple mousse.
Then, suddenly, he came back to his senses.
This was not the time to be doing this.
“I have not yet heard the reason you called me.”
Leslun’s cautious tone carried a trace of confusion.
What came back was only a short silence, followed by,
“You are slow to ask.”
It was a single, lightly spoken remark.
The look in Prince Tarensiu’s eyes clearly suggested that Leslun should have asked as soon as he arrived. Though his gaze held no particular emotion, it was oddly oppressive.
Leslun glanced away briefly and gave an awkward smile.
“I apologize.”
His voice was small. It was true that he had been too preoccupied with the apple mousse.
“The hawk.”
He gave no lengthy explanation. That one word was all.
As soon as the word fell, Prince Tarensiu turned his gaze toward the window.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
