The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 81.2
“Come out.”
Kailos’s voice rang low and firm.
From the darkness where no light touched, someone stepped forward.
Leslun tried to see who it was, but just as he was about to focus, someone pulled back the curtains. The sudden flood of light made him reflexively shut his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again, he saw the faces of those who had been inside.
He froze on the spot, forgetting even how to speak.
“Mother, Father…!”
His voice burst out uncontrollably.
Leslun hesitated for half a step before running straight to his parents.
The middle-aged couple blinked in surprise, then broke into warm smiles and embraced him.
For a long moment, they stroked Leslun’s back with slow, gentle hands.
Kailos watched their reunion in silence before rising to his feet.
There were many things he wanted to say to Leslun, but this was a moment he had to yield to him.
As he stepped out, Robin, who had drawn the curtains earlier, followed him.
“I thought you would keep them hidden for longer.”
It had not been difficult to retrieve Leslun’s parents, but being told to bring them here so suddenly had been unexpected.
Kailos shook his head.
“This was the perfect time.”
He recalled the sight of Leslun earlier, unable to hide his joy.
“This is my gift to him.”
Robin nodded, then quietly closed the door behind him for Leslun’s sake.
Inside, Leslun tried to calm the flood of emotions that welled up as he stood in his parents’ arms.
“You did well. You endured so much until now.”
Hearing his mother’s voice unraveled all his efforts to stay composed, and tears welled up.
She was not his birth mother, but she had embraced him and loved him as if he were her own son.
Even when he had been taken away by the Crown Prince, he could not stop worrying about his parents.
That was why this reunion was even more precious to him.
“Have you been well all this time?”
“We have been fine. And you…”
His father’s voice trailed off as he cupped Leslun’s face with one hand.
He had imagined his son’s face would be gaunt, but instead…
“You look better.”
Hearing those words made Leslun let out a small laugh.
His tear-stained, smiling face was a mess, but it was warmer than any moment he could remember.
“I have been doing well.”
“Yes, I see…”
For the first time, Leslun was able to let out a sigh of relief within his parents’ embrace.
***
Even after returning from seeing his parents, Leslun’s eyes were still wet.
He quickly wiped the tears with his sleeve and took a few deep breaths, only to suddenly lock eyes with the Crown Prince waiting just outside.
He stopped in his tracks, startled.
Why had Kailos waited for him in the hallway?
Perhaps it was because of what Prince Shaiman had said earlier, but Kailos’s thoughtfulness weighed even heavier on his heart.
Kailos spoke in his usual calm tone.
“I was here in case you came looking for me.”
“Thank you.”
“Is it because you saw your parents? You look happy.”
At that, Leslun lowered his head without saying a word.
The favor Kailos had shown him felt so great and priceless that he thought he might never be able to repay it for the rest of his life.
“You do not have to hold back. It is all right to be happy.”
The affection hidden within Kailos’s gruff words made Leslun feel his suppressed emotions well up again.
When he quietly lifted his head, Kailos came into view.
Leslun felt his heart race.
Not just his heart — it felt as though his whole body was trembling.
‘This is strange. My heart is beating too fast… I can hardly breathe.’
This was not simply being unwell.
Leslun realized then that he had completely fallen for the Crown Prince.
It was not just respect or gratitude.
Kailos had kept him from being lonely, and on some days, had given him a reason to go on living.
He had been the one to give Leslun a goal to pursue in this story.
His heart, his warmth—Leslun loved it all.
To think he had fallen for the man who was the original story’s villain.
He knew he should avoid him, yet he could not deny his feelings.
Once he understood what his emotions were, fear followed.
Would he be able to stand at Kailos’s side when he became Emperor?
He knew he might become Kailos’s weakness.
Even so, he could not suppress what he felt.
When he was with Kailos, he found himself smiling without realizing it.
How could he not love him?
Leslun’s heart had already leaned toward Kailos.
Irreversibly, and deeply.
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