CHAPTER 133: NEW FRIEND

Sylas heard Frans’ report that Amos had returned, but he hadn’t had a chance to see him yet. That afternoon, he asked Amos to come to his room.

Alvaro had also just arrived in the room. Sylas had just returned from the festival with Adrien. Seeing the knight, he immediately noticed his unusual gait. Every time Alvaro met Vlad, it was always like this.

"Are you okay?" asked Sylas.

Alvaro nodded. "I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you last night. I won’t let it happen again," he said, feeling uneasy.

"No, it’s okay. Did Lord Vlad treat you badly again?" asked Sylas.

Alvaro shook his head.

"I heard someone confronted you, who was it?" Sylas asked again.

Alvaro immediately remembered Huron and felt uneasy. "Ah, that... General Huron. He saw Lord Vlad in the garden."

Sylas nodded, smiling slightly. He and Alvaro believed that the news about their romantic relationship came from the general. Even so, Sylas was sure it was only because the old man was so worried about Alvaro.

Alvaro then asked about the king’s condition, and they were engrossed in conversation. Until finally, Amos arrived.

The knight bowed respectfully.

"You’ve finished your duties early," Sylas greeted him.

Amos nodded. "I have fixed my mistake, Your Highness. You saw for yourself that His Majesty has recovered. So, I beg you, please don’t tell anyone about me," he said softly.

Sylas looked at Amos. The young man’s aura was so different. Just looking at him made Sylas feel intimidated.

"So, you really broke the spell?" asked Sylas.

Amos nodded. "I have cleansed everything I have done. After this, I will not interfere anymore, Your Highness. Forgive my audacity."

Sylas stared intently at Amos before nodding. "Whatever it is, thank you for helping His Majesty. I think, without you, my father would not have survived."

Amos bowed his head. He would not say anything about what had actually happened. He had already made things difficult enough for himself.

Amos then looked intently at Sylas. "Your Highness. May I speak with you privately?"

Sylas was silent for a moment before finally asking Alvaro and the chamber guard to leave, leaving the two of them alone.

"What is it?" asked Sylas.

Amos looked down before raising his eyes again. "I want to become a wizard, Your Highness. I will leave the palace."

Sylas was surprised to hear this, even though he had already expected the possibility.

"You’re leaving? Where to?" Sylas was curious.

"Anywhere..." Amos looked down.

Sylas took a deep breath. "Well, I can’t stop you. But you know, I want you to stay in the palace. I want to gather the wizards and ask them to protect the kingdom, like they used to. I hope you can start that."

Amos looked at Sylas.

"I’m serious. But right now I need to finish a few things. So, can you practice at the palace? I’ll provide a special place for you. Just do it carefully. You know the situation isn’t safe for a wizard right now."

Amos couldn’t believe that Sylas actually supported the presence of wizards in the kingdom. For years, wizards had been considered pests, and during King Adrien’s reign, they had been expelled. It would be very difficult to bring them back.

"I know it won’t be easy," continued Sylas, seeing Amos fall silent.

"You won’t imprison me?" asked Amos, still remembering the prince’s threat last time.

"No. I know you are capable now. You returned to the palace even though you had the chance to escape. I am actually asking for your help to restart the wizard group at the palace."

Amos was silent for a moment, then nodded. "But allow me to be by your side, rather than Alvaro, Your Highness."

Sylas was a little surprised to hear Amos’ request. "Why?"

"I don’t want to be a backup. I want to be your main guard, Your Highness."

Sylas was silent.

"You always prioritize Alvaro and look for him instead of me. I feel like you never need me."

"No, who said that? You and Alvaro have your own duties. I can’t just let either of you go."

"I insist. I want to protect you as your chief knight."

"Amos..."

Amos bowed his head, as if he wasn’t willing to accept any argument.

Sylas looked at the young man like a child who was jealous. He knew Amos had always been jealous of Alvaro. And now the young man was saying it openly. But he couldn’t just let Alvaro go. There were many things Alvaro knew better than the other guards.

Finally, Sylas made his decision. "You will be my chief knight. I grant you that."

Amos stared in disbelief that the prince had accepted his request so easily. But what about Alvaro?

He was a little disappointed when Alvaro was called in and told that the two of them would carry out their duties together as chief knights.

Alvaro was surprised, but it seemed that Sylas had thought it through carefully. So he remained silent. He just stared at Amos, who was looking at him coldly.

How could they work together in this situation?

"I will ask General Huron to make you my chief knight alongside Alvaro," Sylas decided.

They both fell silent, and the atmosphere became awkward. Sylas cleared his throat and invited them to leave. They had many things to take care of.

At that time, Kai was in the servants’ quarters. Since he arrived, everyone seemed to be avoiding him. He didn’t understand what was going on. Some servants even avoided his gaze.

Kai walked toward the laundry area. Everyone there seemed busy. He approached the person in charge of the laundry. To his surprise, the man smiled when he saw him, even though the man had been scolding him for the past few days.

"You don’t have to work today, you better rest," said the man.

Kai stood there confused. But he was there to work. He saw piles of dirty clothes and everyone busy.

"I-I can fetch water," said Kai.

The man immediately pushed him gently. "No, you don’t need to. Go to someone else, but there’s no work for you here."

Kai walked away after being gently dismissed for the umpteenth time. He then went to the kitchen. The same thing happened. In the burning area, it was the same. They asked him to leave.

Kai looked down, walking along the corridor with a sad face. It seemed like no one wanted to hire him. So, what could he do now?

"Hey!"

Kai turned when he heard someone call his name. He saw a girl dressed as a kitchen maid approaching him quickly. She had a beautiful smile. Her eyes were a beautiful blue.

Kai bowed respectfully.

"Do you want to go to the garden? I’m on break right now," said the girl.

Kai looked at the girl in confusion. He didn’t know her. Why was she suddenly inviting him to the garden?

The girl looked at Kai and immediately held out her hand. "My name is Alora, I am the daughter of Earl Vemming from the capital."

Kai stared at her slender hand. He hesitated to accept it, but Alora quickly pulled his hand.

"Your name is Kai, right?" said the girl before Kai could speak.

Kai remained silent as the girl pulled him into the back garden. There, he was surprised when the girl gave him a piece of bread from the basket she was carrying.

Usually they got lunch from the palace, but the girl brought her own food.

Kai accepted the beautiful piece of bread. He stared at Alora, who was eating so heartily. The girl was very cheerful.

"You must be confused because everyone is avoiding you, right?" said Alora, wiping her lips elegantly.

Kai was immediately intrigued by the question. He didn’t know why they were acting that way either. Usually, they would get angry and yell at him. But today was worse, in his opinion.

"It’s because they know you are Prince Sylas’ favorite servant. They are afraid of making a mistake with you," said Alora, chewing the piece of cheese.

Kai was silent, shocked by that statement. Sylas’ favorite servant? Him?

"You know, here, everyone in power can do anything. They’re afraid that if you end up with the Prince, you’ll hold a grudge against them. So they play it safe by not interfering or getting close to you," continued Alora.

Kai looked down. He didn’t know if this was good or bad. He just wanted to work.

"I won’t be working here anymore?" asked Kai.

Alora looked at Kai. "You’d better wait for Sir James to arrive. He’ll definitely give you a job."

Kai looked down, but he finally nodded. Whatever it was, as long as he was still useful, it would be better.

"You are very handsome, how did you charm Prince Sylas?" asked Alora, her voice cheerful. She took an orange from the basket and peeled it.

Kai was silent, eating his bread. "I-I’m not Master’s favorite servant."

"Hm? Master? You call Prince Sylas master? Isn’t that an insult?"

Kai looked at Alora in confusion.

"Princes and other royal family have high status. They have their own titles. Calling them master is like saying they are of low status."

Kai almost choked when he heard that. He had never heard of such a thing. Since birth, he had only known to call everyone master. To him, that title was an honor.

"Anyway, do you want to be friends with me?" said Alora with her sweet smile.