The second morning arrived with a quiet chill in the air, a stillness that felt heavier than usual. I had already made up my mind to take Kai to Fairisles Mansion to begin his punishnt period. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t appear eager about the journey. His usual spark was dulled, replaced with subdued silence as we prepared ourselves for the day.
We sat in the grand dining hall, the morning sun casting golden lines across the polished floors. Breakfast had been served, though none of us had touched it yet. My seat was at the head of the long table—customary and expected. Kai sat to my imdiate right, quiet and tense, while the seat on my left remained empty, reserved for Davian, who had promised to join us but was, as usual, late.
Kai kept stealing glances at , eyes wide and glistening with that unmistakable look—pleading, hopeful, trying to lt whatever resolve I had with a gaze as pitiful as a kicked pup. I ignored him. I had already made the decision. No amount of coaxing would change it.
The silence was broken by the soft sound of footsteps and the long, drawn-out yawn that followed.
"Morning," Davian mumbled, stretching his arms lazily as he entered, his jet-black hair still slightly tousled from sleep.
"It seems you slept quite well, Your Highness," I remarked, unable to suppress the amused curl at the corner of my lips as I watched his languid posture.
Davian smiled, boyish and unbothered. "Indeed, it’s been a while since I had such a great sleep."
He dropped into his seat like a man who had no weight on his shoulders. The maids glided forward, placing plates before us with practiced precision. The clinking of silverware filled the air, and I noticed how Kai was still fidgeting beside , hands in his lap, shoulders stiff. Davian seed to pick up on the tension.
"I’ve been aning to ask since yesterday," he began casually, spearing a piece of fruit with his fork, "but where’s your ever-so-loyal shadow? The one who’s usually stuck to your side like a second limb?"
"Lyall is also punished," I replied, my tone clipped.
"Punished?" Davian’s brow rose as he looked between Kai and . His gaze lingered on Kai, who had lowered his head as if that single word had doused him in sha.
"Ah, that’s why," Davian murmured, a small chuckle escaping him before he turned more fully toward Kai. "Don’t look so miserable, Kai. You learn from things like this. And Master isn’t heartless, he’s probably already forgiven you."
Kai’s voice ca out small, barely a whisper. "He has forgiven ."
Davian blinked. "Then what’s with the long face?"
I answered for him. "Because his punishnt is not going to be revoked."
Davian tilted his head in curiosity. "What punishnt?"
"He’ll be sent away for a while," I said, my eyes on my plate as I cut into the bacon before .
"That’s pretty cruel," Davian said with a pout, as if I had just denied a child dessert.
"Every action has a reaction," I replied, tone even.
"But Kai’s strong," Davian reasoned, "and he helped us a lot during the conflict. Can’t you at least lessen it a little, Master? A shorter term, maybe?"
Kai turned to him with sudden hope, eyes brightening just slightly. He then looked at , that sa spark creeping back into his expression. But I was unmoved.
"I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of this, Your Highness," I said firmly.
Davian’s hopeful expression faltered, lips forming a pout again, this ti accompanied by a quiet sigh. Kai dropped his gaze once more, pushing the food around his plate but not eating.
I glanced once at him—just a flicker of a look—and then at Davian, who continued to study , eyebrows slightly raised, as if silently willing to change my mind.
And for the briefest second, a thought surfaced.
"Fine," I said at last, the word leaving my lips in a asured tone.
Davian’s eyes widened, and Kai’s head snapped towards so fast I half-expected him to injure his neck.
"But," I added, my gaze shifting to Davian with deliberate weight, "since you’re vouching for him, you’ll have to take responsibility. Can you do that?"
Davian straightened in his seat, a confident smile blooming across his face. "I’ll take the responsibility," he declared without hesitation.
Kai turned his head back and forth between us, utterly stunned, clearly unsure if this was really happening.
I tilted my head slightly and smiled, though my tone was sharp as a blade. "Don’t go back on your word later, Your Highness."
"Do I swear on my na for you to believe ?" Davian asked, mock offense on his face, but I could see the sincerity beneath.
I offered a faint smile in return and turned my gaze to Kai, who was still looking at us like he’d just been rescued from exile.
"You’ll be returning to Frosthail after six months, correct?" I asked, eyes now back on Davian.
He gave a small nod. The next half-year would be busy for him—diplomatic events, mandatory appearances, and the celebration ball in Denril marking the success of the peace treaty. His return to Frosthail wouldn’t happen before all that was complete.
I intended to make use of that ti.
"Then I invite you to stay at Ryujin for the duration," I announced.
Davian blinked, visibly caught off guard. "Pardon?"
"You’ll be the instructor for my kids," I continued, casually gesturing toward Kai. "Including him. I want you to train them in how to fight an aura user."
Davian chuckled softly, eyes gleaming with amusent. "You just want them to beat up, don’t you?"
"If that happens during training, so be it. Getting beaten in a safe space is no disgrace—but if they falter in front of soone like you on the field, the consequences could be fatal. So yes, I hope you’ll accept."
He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, smiling with genuine warmth now. "I’ll gladly accept it, Master."
Kai’s jaw dropped.
Just like that, it was decided.
I turned to him. "You’re not going anywhere," I said.
His face lit up, his earlier gloom replaced by a rush of joy, but I held up a finger.
"However," I continued, "you’ll be training with Prince Davian every single day. I expect you to maintain a strict balance between training, studies, and rest. And if I hear even a whisper about you sneaking off to fight another battle on your own, I won’t be so forgiving next ti. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!" Kai exclaid, his voice cracking slightly from excitent. That familiar, untad energy had returned to him, and for a mont, he was just a child again—relieved, happy, and eager.
I glanced at Davian. He was looking at Kai with quiet tenderness, and I knew that look. That silent recognition.
I wondered if he saw his own childhood in him a child scared and alone that was about to be sent away from his only guardian. He must have recalled those dark days from his past when the question about whether his parents were alive or not had been the prominent one. At that ti, I had been by his side so that he would have to carry this burden.
Fortunately, fate had been kinder to him. His parents had survived. That knowledge had spared him the trauma of growing up an orphan. But, I guess the shadow of those mories never truly left.
"Good thing for you, Kai," Davian said gently.
Kai turned to him with a grin. "I’ll learn a lot from you!"
Davian returned the grin, but before he could say sothing foolish, I spoke.
"Teach him what he needs to know," I said pointedly. "And kindly refrain from imprinting your personality onto him."
Davian gasped, feigning offense. "What’s wrong with my personality?"
I raised an eyebrow in response.
He sighed, lips still jutting out in a pout. "Fine..." But when he turned back to Kai, his expression softened once more.
After breakfast ended, I stood and watched Davian lead Kai out of the hall, their voices echoing faintly down the corridor—one light, teasing; the other excited and slightly overwheld.
I turned on my heel and made my way toward my office.
Despite the settled matter with Kai, I still had another duty to fulfill. A new quest awaited, one that would require my presence at Fairisles Mansion.
I walked into my office, prompting all four of my aides to look up imdiately.
"Good morning, Master!"
The younger ones greeted with bright, hopeful smiles. Roan, however, looked like he might collapse under the weight of his towering paperwork.
"What’s so good about this morning?" he grinned wryly.
"Morning," I replied with a nod, making my way to the stand where my coat hung.
"I’ll be back by evening," I added while slipping it on, grabbing the mask from my desk.
"Aren’t you taking Young Master Kai with you?" Roan asked.
"His punishnt’s been changed," I said, prompting his jaw to drop in disbelief.
"What?!"
"And yours might lighten if you stop being careless."
"What—" He started to protest, but one cold look from was enough to silence him instantly.
"I... I understand," he muttered, visibly wilting.
I gave all four a final glance before brushing my fingers over the teleportation pendant. A wash of white light enveloped , and I vanished.
I materialized in the parlor of Fairisles Mansion. The maid serving Lady Elise her tea jumped at my sudden arrival, nearly dropping the delicate, no doubt expensive, tea set. I caught it mid-air using telekinesis and gently placed it on the table.
"Apologies for startling you," I said with a smile.
Lady Elise rose from her seat in surprise. "It’s been a while, Marquis." She curtsied.
"You don’t need to be so formal, My Lady," I replied.
"Even so, I prefer to keep my manners intact, Master," she said with a soft smile.
"Where’s Grandfather?" I asked.
"In his office," she answered before glancing around. "Didn’t Young Master Kai co with you? Marquis Fairisles ntioned he’d be staying with us for a while."
"Well, plans changed. He’ll remain at Ryujin under a different punishnt."
Her smile dimd, gaze falling. "I see... Then, may I visit him?"
"I’d advise against it. I have a guest staying over, and I can’t risk you being seen. But I’ll bring Kai next ti I visit," I assured her.
She gave a polite nod, masking her disappointnt well. I turned and headed to Grandfather’s office.
At the door, I knocked twice. His aide peeked out, imdiately recognizing and announcing my arrival.
When I entered, I found Eric already there.
"Master!" he said, beaming. I smiled in return before shifting my attention to Grandfather.
"Where’s Kai?" he asked at once.
"I’ve revised his punishnt, so he won’t be here today. Apologies for the sudden change," I said with a slight bow.
Grandfather exhaled, rising from behind his desk. He moved toward the couch and gestured for us to sit. Eric and I took the armchairs across from him.
"So," Grandfather began, "what’s the next step?"
I smiled and glanced at Eric.
"It’s ti to move."
"Move?"
"To return Prince Eric to the palace—and show the world he’s strong enough to claim the throne."
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