Unspoken Wounds

The night air was still cold as Blade climbed back up the wall from the outside, his body sliding down almost silently, like a shadow. The hem of his robe brushed the ground as he stepped into the back garden of the Gladiolus Pavilion.

The light of a small lantern was still burning on the windowsill.

And just as his feet touched the pavilion floor, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard.

"Your Highness!"

Luke.

His loyal servant appeared from the veranda, his face anxious, his breath slightly labored.

He hurried over, his eyes sweeping Blade's body from head to toe. "I've been looking for you... all over the pavilion..."

Blade only stared at him for a moment, then took off his outer robe and threw it on a chair near the door.

"I... I thought you left because you felt uncomfortable in this place."

"I haven't felt comfortable since the first day," Blade answered flatly, picking up a water jug ​​and pouring it into a ceramic cup.

Luke clenched his jaw softly, holding back the words he wanted to say. But Blade's expression made him hesitate.

He chose to remain silent, just following Blade's steps who was now walking into the inner room, sitting in front of a low table, sipping water slowly.

Luke lowered his head, then said softly, "If you... want to go, I'll help you."

Blade stopped his movements. Staring blankly at the cup in his hand.

Silence.

Silence hung between them.

"I don't want to go."

Luke looked at him, surprised. "Why?"

"I'm not finished yet."

With that answer, Blade stood up and headed for the bed. Luke stared at his back which was getting further away in the dim lights.

"Your Highness... You just disappeared tonight. If the others find out..."

"They won't know."

"And if they find out, what will they do to you?"

Blade turned his head, his eyes sharp but calm.

"If tonight isn't enough reason to kill me, they won't be able to kill me tomorrow."

Luke fell silent.

And Blade sat on the side of the bed, removing one by one the jewelry from his body.

"Don't worry, Luke. When the time comes... I won't die as a concubine."

That night, there were no more words.

But Luke's heart remained uneasy. He could smell something in the air, danger, or perhaps something more complicated than that.

And far away in the corner of the garden, in the shadow of a plum tree... Someone was watching.

The main door of the Emperor's residence creaked lightly as Sylus pushed it inside, his body dimly lit by the dim oil lamp.

But even before he crossed the threshold of the main room, he could already feel sharp gazes piercing from within.

Xavier stood leaning against one of the wooden pillars, arms crossed over his chest. His gaze—cold, calculating. As if calculating how many ways Sylus could be killed tonight.

Zayne sat on the long sofa, his back straight, one leg crossed over the top, the folder in his lap unopened. His face was blank, but his eyes burned bright red like embers.

Sylus raised both hands, like a criminal caught in the act.

"Very well... Sorry for leaving without permission and without an escort."

Silence.

Then...

"Unescorted?" Zayne greeted in a flat voice. "That's a polite term for 'missing' for three whole hours from the imperial area, without anyone knowing where you are, Your Majesty."

"If I had intended to kill you, I would have done so without further ado," Xavier added dryly, but his eyes were no joke.

Sylus sighed, tossing his outer robe on a chair, then walked over to the small table and poured himself a drink.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***