CHAPTER 37: HE IS MINE!

"Where is he?" Sylas pressed. What did he mean by safe? The man had taken his knight by force. His pulse quickened with anxiety, and anger simmered beneath the surface. He had every reason to demand answers. Alvaro’s disappearance wasn’t to be taken lightly, especially under such suspicious circumstances.

Vlad chuckled at how the two watched each other. It seemed he had misjudged the prince. Rather than answering Sylas’s question, he focused on Kai’s fright.

He tilted his head. "You’re taking good care of that slave. But you shouldn’t steal other people’s slaves, Your Highness."

Sylas narrowed his eyes. Was the man serious? He was the one who had stolen and forced Kai, and exploited him. And now he was accusing him of stealing Kai? His audacity was truly remarkable.

"Legally, he is mine, Lord Vlad, if I may call you that," Sylas replied.

Vlad smiled. It turned out Sylas was smart enough to know who he was.

"Is it common for the royal family to claim others’ property?"

Sylas looked annoyed. "It seems you’re the one being unreasonable, Lord Vlad. I bought him. It’s my right to do whatever I want with him, including freeing him. You have no legal claim to him."

"Didn’t you just say you freed him? That means he wasn’t yours when he came to my place. From that moment on, he was mine, Your Highness."

He wouldn’t lose Kai. The slave’s blood was refreshing, and he didn’t want to lose his delicious food.

Sylas gripped Kai’s hand tightly. "Better tell me where Alvaro is. You’re a noble—you must know that kidnapping a royal knight is a serious crime."

Vlad smiled. "Calm down, Your Highness. He followed me willingly, without coercion. Now, isn’t there anything else you should think about? Shouldn’t you return to the palace?"

Sylas narrowed his eyes. He didn’t know if he could trust this man. What was Vlad’s motive for asking that?

"Isn’t it very unpleasant to be a prince without territory and power?"

Vlad’s words were calm and expressionless, but they cut deep into Sylas’s feelings. But that was the reality. His father had made an agreement with the nobles that he would only receive power once he became king.

Meanwhile, he knew that in kingdoms like Emeria, the crown prince was given special powers and territory to lead, as preparation for the throne.

Sylas realized that, as a result, he didn’t truly hold any power in the kingdom, making him extremely vulnerable. That was also King Adrien’s concern—why his father wanted him to marry Princess Eresia of Ganesh immediately.

He was still under the protection of his father up until now. He was fragile and weak. And Vlad had just spoken the truth.

Vlad smirked at Sylas, who was silent. "I won’t interfere with kingdom affairs. I’ll just take you to the palace," he said.

He had fulfilled his promise to Alvaro.

"On what basis are you helping me?" Sylas asked. He had to know what Vlad wanted.

"None. I’m just bored."

Sylas furrowed his brow. A ridiculous reason.

"Kai, you’ll return with me," Vlad said.

Kai bowed his head. He couldn’t refuse. But he felt Sylas’s grip tighten.

"No. He’s coming with me!" he said firmly.

"No. He’s my slave."

"I won’t leave him with you."

"You’ll have to pay dearly if you want to take him away."

Sylas tightened his grip on Kai’s wrist. He wouldn’t let the slave suffer at Vlad’s hands. That man wasn’t a good master. Who knew what Vlad had done to Kai? He was sure the man had drained blood from Kai, judging by the wound on the slave’s neck.

"How much do you want?" Sylas asked.

Just as he finished speaking, Vlad stood before him. He was startled. The man’s towering figure loomed over him. Reflexively, he stepped back.

Vlad smirked, leaning his face close to Sylas’s. "I don’t need money, Your Highness."

"What are you doing?!" Sylas snapped. He was caught off guard when Vlad grabbed his waist. How dare this man touch a prince’s body?

Kai was afraid Vlad would hurt Sylas, but despite his trembling, he had to do something. He didn’t want Sylas hurt by Vlad. What if that man tortured Sylas?

Vlad knew he couldn’t touch Sylas carelessly. He knew his limits, but teasing the prince was too enjoyable. His handsome face now stared back at him in surprise. It looked adorable.

"I’m starving because you took my slave away. In return, give me your blood," Vlad said, almost whispering, his face very close to Sylas. He could smell fresh blood on Sylas’s body.

Sylas pushed the man away, but Vlad didn’t budge.

"Lord Vlad, please stop this madness. I’m human, not food. You can’t just take my blood. That violates rules and human rights. Eat bread or something," Sylas said, trying to stay calm, even though he wanted to curse the man. But he believed words could solve the problem.

Vlad grinned. "I’m not a human. How can human food satisfy my thirst?"

Sylas pulled Vlad’s hand away from his waist, but the man was stubborn. Meanwhile, Kai grew increasingly frightened by Vlad’s actions. The slave walked closer, grabbed Vlad’s clothes, and knelt beside the man.

"Master... don’t hurt him. Please take my blood," Kai said softly, his body tensing. It was possible that the man might kill him, but he was willing to die if it could save his master.

Vlad looked at Kai. Of course, he wouldn’t drink the slave’s blood, given Kai’s current condition. But seeing the slave protect Sylas attracted his interest.

Vlad released his grip on Sylas’s body, but before he could touch Kai, Sylas blocked him.

"Don’t touch him," he said firmly, standing in front of Kai and pulling the slave’s body away from Vlad. He couldn’t move much with the wound on his leg.

"Are you serious about protecting that slave?" Vlad asked, displeased. Kai was his slave.

"He is mine, if that’s the phrase you use. I have the right to him. You must not touch him, Lord Vlad. This is my order as a prince." Sylas reminded Vlad that no one was allowed to touch anything belonging to the royal family.

That made Vlad laugh, because he had come there to help the prince, and Sylas was busy protecting a slave.

"If you manage to return to the palace, I remind you to learn to prioritize the important things, Your Highness." Vlad smirked, but he wouldn’t touch Kai if that was Sylas’s order. At least not for now.

Vlad stopped teasing the prince. He still had his favorite toy at home. And he didn’t want to bring Sylas into the palace himself. He didn’t want to get involved in anything right now.

"Tonight, you will sleep at my house. Tomorrow, Terion will take you to the palace," said Vlad.

Sylas gasped. "You mean Lord Terion, Duke of Thalden?" he asked cautiously.

"You don’t need to worry. He fully supports your father. I’m sure he’ll help you," said Vlad.

Sylas was unsure. Since he was currently a prisoner, he wasn’t sure Terion would help him enter the palace.

"He won’t refuse me," continued Vlad, understanding Sylas’s anxiety.

Vlad stepped forward, grabbing Kai’s hand.

Kai was startled, but Vlad’s movement was so swift that his stomach had already landed on the man’s shoulder a second later.

"Ugh!" he groaned in surprise. He tensed as Vlad’s broad hand slapped his buttocks like a sack of wheat.

Sylas glared sharply.

"Climb onto my shoulders. You won’t reach my house on foot, Your Highness," Vlad grinned.

Sylas looked at Vlad’s outstretched hand; he didn’t know what the man would do besides walk. But he found out a moment later.

Vlad hoisted both of them onto his shoulders. Sylas felt his stomach churn as he was jostled by the vampire’s movements. He could only close his eyes as they soared through the air, and Vlad’s speed was extraordinary.

Vlad chuckled softly as both of them clung tightly to his arms. He darted from one tree to another. Upon reaching the house, he immediately dashed to the balcony and set them down there.

Sylas and Kai collapsed onto the floor, their heads spinning and their stomachs churning. Sylas looked around. Where was he?

He stood up, gazing into the darkness in the distance. Moonlight illuminated a lake. Then he turned, gazing at Vlad standing in the doorway, blocking his view inside.

Sylas was about to walk closer when a scream was heard. He widened his eyes because it was Alvaro’s voice.

"WHY DID YOU BRING HIM HERE?! DON’T LET HIM SEE ME!" Alvaro yelled at Vlad, who was still standing in the doorway. He could see the shadows of Sylas and Kai. Why did Vlad bring them here instead of the palace?!

Don’t let Sylas see him naked and tied up like this!

"Oh, sorry, my love. I thought you’d be happy to see them," Vlad teased. He knew the man wouldn’t be pleased to have his naked body on display, so he blocked Sylas and Kai’s view.

He then turned around and looked at Sylas. "It seems he doesn’t want to meet you. I’ll take you to the next room once I’m done with him," he said.

Sylas was about to speak, sensing something was off. But Vlad had already closed the door.

"Alvaro?" Sylas called out, making sure the man was okay. He tried to open the balcony door, but it was locked from the inside.