CHAPTER 38: RELEASE ME

"Alvaro, are you okay?" Sylas shouted again.

There was no answer. He grew more anxious.

Alvaro clenched his hands, which were tied above his head. He could only stare in frustration and resignation as Vlad walked in. The air felt colder and heavier. His breathing was uneven. He knew he couldn’t do anything if the man had bad intentions—like raping him.

Vlad slowly sat on the edge of the bed, gazing gently at the captive, who stared back with anxious, suspicious eyes.

"Why did you bring the Prince here? You promised to take him to the palace," Alvaro said, feeling betrayed. Now he was sure Vlad had captured both of them. He felt foolish for trusting the man.

"You don’t need to worry. I always keep my promises," Vlad said. "Now, I’m claiming my rights."

Alvaro swallowed hard, tightening his grip on the bed. "How can I trust that you’ll take him to the palace?"

"You’ll see," Vlad replied, climbing onto the bed, making Alvaro tense immediately.

"What are you going to do?" he asked in a hoarse voice, breathing heavily.

"Didn’t you promise to serve me and submit to me? Have you forgotten?" Vlad said, bringing his lips closer.

Alvaro turned his head away, trying to avoid him. But then he gasped as Vlad cupped his cheek, forcing his mouth open. The man kissed him slowly.

Alvaro tried to resist, but Vlad’s grip was too strong. He could only swallow his saliva as Vlad continued to kiss him, searching for his tongue and sucking it aggressively.

Alvaro nearly choked trying to hold his breath. His face turned red.

Vlad finally released his grip, staring at him intently. "Okay?"

Alvaro coughed. It took a moment for him to feel better. Vlad picked up a wooden bottle from the table beside the bed, drank from it, then opened Alvaro’s mouth again and kissed him slowly. He let the water flow from his mouth into Alvaro’s.

Alvaro was startled but let the water slide down his throat. Vlad repeated it three times.

Alvaro took a deep breath. Though the method was strange, his throat felt better. But now his lips were swollen from the vampire’s fierce kiss.

What worried him now was that Vlad began to spread his legs. This was what he had feared. He wasn’t ready! He had never had sex with anyone—anyone! He was still a virgin.

And the one who would take it from him was a vampire?

Alvaro tensed as Vlad’s hands gently traced his legs, moving up to his thighs, then caressed his manhood.

Alvaro groaned. "Stop, you can’t do this. They’re outside!"

"Yes? And?" Vlad said indifferently, gently kissing Alvaro’s neck.

Alvaro tried to escape, but the restraints on his hands barely let him move.

"Release me," Alvaro pleaded more earnestly. He didn’t want Sylas to see him like this. Where would he hide his face?

"Hmm? After I grant your request?" Vlad said. "No, not before you satisfy me."

Alvaro breathed heavily. How was he supposed to satisfy this man? Whatever it was, the sooner it was over, the better.

"Hurry up and do it!" Alvaro snapped, annoyed that he was getting aroused. Vlad’s touch was so gentle, it made his erection stand perfectly.

Vlad smirked, lying down beside Alvaro, watching the man’s uneven breathing—his chest rising and falling, his tense stomach.

He had forgotten about the two people he left on the balcony.

Sylas knew it was pointless to force the door or make a scene; Vlad wouldn’t open it. He only hoped Alvaro was okay. He didn’t know what Vlad was doing inside.

Thinking of Alvaro, it was almost impossible to believe Vlad would do anything inappropriate. In all the time he’d known the knight, he’d never seen Alvaro show signs of love or desire. He thought the man was like a robot.

He moved away from the door. But when he turned around, Kai was sitting with his head resting on the balcony edge. Sylas immediately approached him, limping.

"Kai, are you okay?" Sylas asked, kneeling in front of Kai with difficulty.

Kai opened his eyes wide, then quickly sat up and knelt. He felt extremely tired. His head throbbed painfully, especially when he thought about the punishment he might receive tomorrow if Vlad made him stay at the manor. The thought of losing Sylas added to the weight on his mind. His whole body felt drained.

"M-Master..." Kai bowed his head, feeling guilty.

Sylas pulled Kai’s hand, causing the slave to crawl backwards until he reached the balcony corner. He looked at Sylas in confusion. But Sylas gently pushed his body, causing his back to hit the wall, and he fell to the ground.

"Sleep. There’s nothing we can do here," Sylas said. He touched Kai’s bare shoulder. His skin was cold. But Sylas couldn’t offer anything—his own clothes were too thin. Still, he sat beside the slave, shielding him from the approaching wind.

"I know what it’s like to have no strength to resist or fight back. But I think you’re feeling something even worse than me," Sylas said, noticing how Kai always lowered himself as a sign of loyalty. He wondered if the slave ever felt humiliated or ashamed.

"Why didn’t you run away from Omino? Start your own life?" Sylas asked.

Kai looked at Sylas for a moment before lowering his gaze. How could he explain? Omino had so many security measures in place, not a single slave had ever succeeded in escaping.

All slaves were born there, raised from childhood to be treated as property. Some tried to run away, but they didn’t stand a chance against the trainers and guards. Running was like suicide.

For him, there was no other place than Omino. He never dreamed of a better life. His only hope was to find a master who would accept him with all his flaws. He had promised himself to work hard for that master.

Sylas looked at Kai, who stayed silent with his head bowed. "Are you afraid of me?"

Kai looked at Sylas and shook his head. His master was very kind. He bought him when he was nearly dead. He treated him with more kindness than anyone ever had in Omino—not even the so-called kind-hearted trainer Leo came close.

Sylas was different. Kai desperately wanted to serve him, follow him wherever he went.

"P-please don’t leave me..." Kai whispered softly.

Sylas didn’t understand. The slave hadn’t answered his question and instead said that. Kai kept begging him not to leave. Had the slave escaped from the doctor’s place just to find him? If that was the case, he really was foolish. He had come to Vlad’s place instead.

"I don’t know what else to say to you," Sylas said. He was certain that if he left Kai, the slave would chase him around the world.

Kai remained bowed. He couldn’t hide his joy. After so long, he could finally be near his master again. His face was flushed, but he didn’t dare move.

Sylas leaned his head back. "Sleep," he said.

"AARRRGHHHHHHGG!!"

Sylas and Kai were startled by the scream.