Chapter 122: Chapter 122

Adrien saw the red marks on Alvaro’s neck, which made him curious. He had already suspected that he would see something unexpected. The kiss marks were clearly visible on Alvaro’s neck, chest, and stomach.

Adrien shook his head and looked at Sylas. Then his eyes widened when he saw the red scratch marks on Alvaro’s upper waist.

Sylas held his breath. He was also shocked to see Alvaro’s body, but he was even more upset by his father’s gaze.

Adrien exhaled sharply, his disappointed eyes shifting from Alvaro to Sylas.

"It has nothing to do with you?" Adrien asked in disbelief. "You... you saw his body. Oh, Sylas... my son..." Adrien sighed, at a loss for words. He never expected his son to be so wild.

Sylas tried to defend himself. "Father, it’s not what you think, alright? Can you listen to me?"

Adrien stared at Sylas. "You have to admit it. How could you do that to him so roughly, look at his body... then you tried to avoid it and cover it up. That’s not the attitude of a future king. You know I didn’t raise you to be a coward, Sylas."

Sylas looked down, took a deep breath, unable to accept it. He really couldn’t understand how his father could come to that conclusion so easily.

"Father—" Sylas said.

Adrien cut him off by speaking to Alvaro, who was looking down uncomfortably.

"Alvaro, what did my son do to you? Did he force you?" Adrien asked.

Alvaro looked at the man and shook his head. "Your Majesty, it’s not what you think. Prince Sylas and I have no romantic relationship at all. And..." He stopped when he wanted to explain about Vlad.

But he couldn’t say it.

Alvaro fell silent, searching for words, before finally continuing. "...this is just my personal matter, Your Majesty. It has nothing to do with Prince Sylas."

"Did he ask you to hide it? For the sake of his reputation?" Adrien asked, sounding more accusatory than curious.

Sylas frowned in displeasure. "Father, you heard Alvaro yourself. We didn’t do anything. And I will never have a romantic relationship with him. What are you really thinking?"

Adrien still stared at Alvaro. "Alvaro, I’ve spoken to your father, General Huron. You don’t need to be afraid to talk to me. If you and Sylas really love each other, I will give my blessing."

Sylas and Alvaro immediately looked at each other, their mouths agape.

"Father, you don’t trust us?" Sylas asked, hurt.

"I already said I would approve. You don’t need to insist on hiding it. I hope you don’t exploit Alvaro just because you can and have the power to," Adrien replied calmly.

Sylas just gaped, completely at a loss for how to explain it to his father. But he knew Alvaro wouldn’t like it if he brought up Vlad. That would only complicate things.

"Father, Alvaro and I are not in a romantic relationship. Alvaro already has a partner, alright? And I’m not the one who slept with him. I can’t believe I have to say this, but your accusations are really outrageous," Sylas said quickly, almost in one breath, because he was so angry.

Adrien saw the anger in Sylas’s eyes. He began to listen to both of them, but he still wasn’t sure they weren’t hiding anything.

He turned to Kai, who had been silently looking down.

"Who is he?" Adrien asked. He knew this must be Sylas’s favorite servant, the one he had brought to the festival and who stayed overnight at the royal retreat. But he wanted an explanation about the confusing relationship between the three of them.

Sylas was silent. He thought hard about what he should say to protect Kai. He didn’t want a repeat of what had happened before. This time, he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself if Adrien laid a hand on Kai.

"He’s just a servant. He’s undergoing training to become a palace servant at the dormitory," said Sylas.

Adrien noticed how Kai had been limping earlier. He immediately understood what had happened. The servant was the same one who had made Sylas kneel before him to save him. He knew because the report had said the servant had a limp.

Adrien smiled. Sylas was trying to protect the servant.

"Are you the one named Kai?" Adrien asked.

Sylas stared intently, barely blinking, as Adrien said Kai’s name. He was already sure that his father had been targeting Kai for a long time and was just waiting for the right moment to make his move.

"Father, can you not interfere? He has nothing to do with me or you," said Sylas.

Adrien smiled. "I’m asking him. I don’t know when I’ll die, so I have to make sure the people around you don’t have bad intentions."

Sylas was silent. He looked down, and the atmosphere immediately became heavy. He didn’t like what Adrien said. It made him feel uncomfortable. He wasn’t ready for Adrien to leave him.

"Father, you don’t need to worry. I can take care of myself. You already know how loyal Alvaro is, and Kai... he wouldn’t hurt me," said Sylas, looking at Kai, who appeared calm.

Adrien looked at Kai. "Do you love Sylas?" he asked suddenly.

Kai was surprised to hear Adrien’s question.

Sylas was equally shocked. He was even more surprised when he saw Kai nod immediately, without thinking, without hesitation. Meanwhile, he was terrified, imagining the bad things that might happen to the young man.

Adrien interrupted Sylas and asked again, "Do you know what happened between Sylas and Alvaro? Did Sylas tell you about their relationship?"

Sylas and Alvaro sighed because Adrien was still convinced they had an intimate relationship.

Adrien looked at Kai, this time his gaze softened, almost pitying as he looked at the young man. Then he looked at his son with disappointment.

"I really don’t know what you’re thinking. But I hope you’ll be more responsible with other people’s feelings," Adrien advised.

Sylas almost brought up his father’s actions toward his mother, how unfair he had been, and now he was lecturing him because of a misunderstanding. But he couldn’t open his mouth. He kept his anger inside.

"Once again, I have never had a relationship with anyone. Not even with Alvaro. He is like a brother to me. Imagining a romantic relationship with him really makes me sick. It’s up to you if you don’t believe me. As for Kai, please don’t interfere," said Sylas.

Adrien was silent, then nodded. He stared at Alvaro’s still exposed body. He didn’t know who he could trust at this point. He only knew that Sylas would do anything to hide his lover.

He looked at Kai. "How old are you?" he asked.

"18 years old, Master," Kai replied.

’Your Majesty...’ Sylas corrected, whispering in Kai’s ear.

Kai swallowed nervously. "Uh... Y-your Majesty..."

Adrien smiled, seeing how comfortable his son seemed around the servant.

"Kai, come for dinner tonight. Where are you sleeping? The guards will pick you up," said Adrien, making Sylas anxious.

"Father, he’s not a servant. He still lives in the dormitory," said Sylas.

"Alright, a guard will pick you up at the dormitory," said Adrien.

"Father—" Sylas objected. He was really afraid that his father would hurt Kai. He couldn’t let Kai be alone with his father.

Adrien looked at Sylas. "What’s wrong? Didn’t you say he was just a servant-in-training? I’m inviting him to dinner, isn’t that an honor? Why are you so worried? You don’t admit that he’s your lover, so why are you objecting?"

Sylas took a deep breath. The old man always knew how to trap him with his words. "I didn’t say we weren’t in a relationship. I just said you didn’t need to interfere."

"I’m not interfering. I’m just inviting him to dinner."

Sylas clenched his fists. His chest felt tight.

"If that’s what you want, I’ll go too," Sylas finally said.

Adrien stared intently at his son before chuckling. He was now sure that Sylas had feelings for Kai. He had never seen his son this anxious.

Kai stood tense. He was invited to dinner? What did that mean? He had never received an invitation before. What should he say?

But it seemed he didn’t need to decide anything, because Adrien said he would send a guard to pick him up.

Adrien looked at Alvaro again. "Alvaro, you really don’t love Sylas?" he asked again.

Alvaro shook his head firmly. "I like him as a friend and as a prince I must protect, Your Majesty. Nothing more than that. Once again, I have no romantic relationship with Prince Sylas."

Adrien nodded. "Do you have a lover?"

It was clear that Alvaro had a lover with that many kiss marks. If it wasn’t Sylas, then it must be someone else.

Alvaro swallowed hard. Suddenly, his tongue was tied. What should he say? He couldn’t say Vlad was his lover; their relationship couldn’t even be considered a couple. But he had to say something to clear up this misunderstanding.

"Yes, I do," replied Alvaro.

Adrien stared at him before smiling. "That’s too bad. I would have been happy if you were with Sylas. But... it’s okay. I think you should talk to your father. He thinks you and Sylas are in a relationship. You’d better tell him who your lover is and propose to him soon. He must be worried."

Alvaro looked down. It seemed all these rumors came from Huron. But he obviously wouldn’t say anything to the old man.

"Your lover, is he one of Sylas’ guards?" Adrien asked.

Alvaro immediately shook his head. "No, Your Majesty." Fınd the newest release on NoveI★Fire.net

Adrien nodded. But his deep gaze seemed to carry a judgment that made Alvaro feel ashamed.

Alvaro was sure the king was thinking all sorts of things about him. But it was best not to care.

Meanwhile, Sylas was still worried about Kai’s fate that night.