Chapter 61: Chapter 61

In the morning, Alvaro headed to Sylas’ room. Amos was seen coming out of the prince’s room.

The young knight turned his face away when he saw Alvaro approaching and quickly walked in the other direction. Alvaro just clicked his tongue, used to Amos’ strange behavior. It wasn’t just him, Amos seemed to live in his own world and rarely interacted with the other guards.

But that wasn’t his concern.

Alvaro nodded to the room guards. The guards simply opened the door.

Alvaro entered the room and saw a male servant dressing the prince. He was used to the sight, but this morning he froze in the middle of the room.

Sylas was wearing black attire, the formal uniform of nobility usually worn for funerals or other tragic occasions. Alvaro felt his heart almost stop.

Had King Adrien passed away? Why hadn’t he heard anything?

"Your Highness, what happened?" Alvaro asked cautiously.

Sylas turned his head, looked at Alvaro, and without saying anything, adjusted some folds in his clothes.

"I must go to my father’s room," said Sylas. His expression was calm, not like someone who had just lost a loved one. However, his face looked tense.

"Is His Majesty..." Alvaro couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

Sylas looked at Alvaro again, then at his clothes. He realized what Alvaro might be thinking. He chuckled softly.

"It’s not that bad. His Majesty is awake. I’m truly impressed with Doctor Ibran," Sylas said. He looked at his wrist as the servant adjusted the fold there, then looked back at Alvaro and walked toward the sofa.

Alvaro had already heard the good news. But why was Sylas wearing mourning clothes?

"Then why are you wearing that attire?" Alvaro asked curiously, walking closer to Sylas.

The servant put on shoes matching the outfit. Black and shiny.

"Thank you, Sean," Sylas said, then looked at Alvaro.

Sean bowed and walked out, feeling his task was done. He had to prepare the dining room for Sylas.

Meanwhile, Sylas took a deep breath after Sean left. He stared at Alvaro for a long time before speaking.

"Father is awake. He told me what he suspected during dinner before he lost consciousness. He was with Prince Anam and my uncle at the dining table," Sylas spoke carefully.

Alvaro was curious. "Then?"

"As I suspected, and as you accused, Uncle planned all of this. Father heard everything as if in a dream, but he couldn’t open his eyes or move his body. Uncle came several times to talk to him, saying he was sorry that he had to take the throne by such means."

Alvaro swallowed hard. He felt his heart racing. So Virouse was really behind all of this.

Sylas continued, "Doctor Ibran said there was something blocking the medicine from working on my father. There is magic controlling his body. I’m afraid it’s also my uncle’s doing."

Alvaro looked worried. "Then what can we do?"

"Doctor Ibran said he could suppress its influence, but he couldn’t remove it completely. If the one casting the magic makes a move, he could kill Father."

Alvaro felt his head spinning. "I’m not sure it’s Prince Virouse. Why would he do that? He could have killed him directly. Wasn’t that his plan? He used poison to kill His Majesty?"

Sylas shook his head weakly. "I don’t know. I’m completely lost. I’ve never seen anything happen in the palace. At least not that I know of."

Alvaro fell silent. He grew anxious thinking about King Adrien’s condition.

"So, His Majesty isn’t fully healed yet?" Alvaro asked.

"We need to find a stronger sorcerer to remove it," Sylas replied.

Alvaro closed his eyes, unable to offer a solution. His head suddenly ached. He then looked at Sylas.

"But what does that mourning attire have to do with it?" Alvaro asked, still not understanding why Sylas was wearing it.

"Because I’m in mourning," Sylas replied, leaving Alvaro even more confused.

Sylas then stood up from where he was sitting and walked out.

"Let’s go to Father’s room," said Sylas.

Alvaro immediately followed.

The guard quickly informed Adrien of Sylas’s arrival. A few moments later, he opened the door for the prince.

Sylas walked in, seeing his father sitting up in bed, with Elias sitting on a chair beside him.

Seeing him, Elias immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. The man was small, with a handsome face and a gentle smile, his manner refined.

"Good morning, Your Highness," he greeted.

Sylas only nodded politely. Despite repeatedly telling him not to address him formally, the man always used titles as if he were a servant. Adrien was tired of reminding him.

Sylas bowed respectfully to Adrien, greeting him.

"Good morning, Father. How are you?" Sylas asked.

Adrien handed the empty plate to Gilbert, but Elias quickly took it.

Adrien looked at Sylas. "If you’re here about that again, I can only say you should leave, my son," he said.

Sylas took a deep breath. "I have no other choice, Father. I beg you to grant my request."

Adrien stared at Sylas intently. "Forget it. We discussed this last night, and I haven’t changed my mind."

Sylas was silent for a moment, pressing his lips together. But his eyes were filled with determination. He looked around him. Only he, Adrien, Gilbert, Elias, Alvaro, and a room guard were present.

He looked at Adrien again. "Please save that slave, Father. Please expose Uncle Virouse’s crimes. You know he’s the mastermind behind it all."

Adrien shook his head. "I have a plan regarding that. Removing him from his current position will only strengthen him, considering how many troops he has gathered so far. I don’t want to leave you in such a difficult situation."

"His crimes deserve the death sentence," Sylas emphasized, startling Gilbert.

This was the first time Gilbert had seen him so vengeful and passionate.

"Sylas, trust me. I have a plan for that."

Sylas shook his head. "If Father doesn’t expose his crimes, that slave’s life will be wasted. He’s innocent!"

Adrien remained silent for a moment, but it was clear he wouldn’t change his mind.

"He fulfilled his duty as your servant. I will compensate his family," Adrien said.

Sylas seemed dissatisfied by his father’s words. "He has no family. I brought him to the palace so he could improve his life. But I’ve endangered his life instead."

"That’s the consequence he must bear."

"But he’s not guilty. I’m not guilty. He doesn’t deserve to be a victim just because you can’t punish Uncle."

Adrien stared at Sylas intently. "Stop. Get out."

Sylas shook his head. "Father, he saved my life many times. I beg you, please, save him," Sylas pleaded.

Elias, standing not far away, looked down. He kept glancing at Adrien, as if begging the man to listen to Sylas. He was a servant. He knew what it felt like to be powerless. He was willing to die to protect Adrien, but that didn’t mean servants were destined to die in vain. He saw Sylas as he had seen the young Adrien, who had protected him with his life. He was sure that this servant was no ordinary servant.

"Your Majesty, please consider Prince Sylas’s request," pleaded Elias.

"Don’t interfere, Elias," replied Adrien.

Seeing the man looking upset, Adrien finally sighed. "I didn’t mean to snap at you, Elias. Forgive me. But I cannot grant the prince’s request."

Elias bowed his head, turned away, and walked toward the balcony.

Gilbert looked uncomfortable with the situation. He and Adrien exchanged glances.

Adrien took a deep breath. Then he looked back at Sylas.

"Can you leave? We’ll talk about this later," Adrien pleaded, looking too anxious at Elias’s attitude.

This annoyed Sylas. The man always put Elias before anything else in the world, including himself.

Adrien only saw him as the heir to the throne, nothing more.

"Father, I beg you. Save my servant. I won’t leave until you decide something. He will be executed tomorrow. I don’t have much time," Sylas urged.

"Sylas, get out. I’ll think about it," Adrien said, trying to look calm.

Sylas was stubborn. He didn’t move from his spot. "I beg you."

"Father, declare him innocent. Please."

Adrien hit the pillow next to him with his fist, showing his anger. But Sylas was just as stubborn.

Alvaro remained silent. If they argued, they could easily end up fighting for days if left alone.

Gilbert just stood there calmly.

Sylas knew his father wouldn’t change his decision. He felt hopeless. Finally, he humbled himself.

"Father, please listen to me. I won’t be able to live in peace if Kai is executed. Even if I ascend the throne, my crown will be stained with the blood of an innocent man. I beg you, Father." Sylas softened his tone.

Adrien remained firm. He didn’t say a word.

Sylas took a deep breath.

What the prince did next made everyone’s eyes widen.

Sylas lowered his body and knelt beside the bed.

"Your Royal Highness..." Gilbert approached and asked Sylas to get up. But Sylas refused.

Alvaro did the same. No one could stop him. Finally, Alvaro lowered his body and knelt behind Sylas.

Gilbert looked uncomfortable.

Adrien stared at his son without blinking. How important was that servant that Sylas would act ? If it turned out the servant met the same fate as the previous one whom Sylas loved, it would endanger the kingdom’s future. Thıs content belongs to novel·fire.net

"Sylas, get up. You know I won’t change my decision. The punishment has been announced. I can’t possibly revoke it. Stop, get up," Adrien demanded.

Sylas didn’t move. "I won’t leave here until Father helps Kai."

Adrien closed his eyes. He tried not to pay attention to him. Sylas would get up when he was tired.

But Sylas didn’t move from there until noon, making Adrien unable to move or receive guests.

Adrien held his head. Where did his son get that stubbornness? He wondered. Sylas didn’t move from there at all, even though he looked tired and weak.

Adrien finally took a deep breath. "Stand up."

Sylas felt his legs tingling, his body stiff, his head starting to spin. But he was still determined not to leave until Adrien brought Kai out of prison.

He couldn’t imagine seeing that slave hanging from a gallows. His innocent, adorable face... how could he bear to see him like that? He would be haunted by guilt for the rest of his life.

He would do anything to save Kai’s life.

"Sylas," Adrien called.

"I won’t stand up until you free Kai."

"I’ll think about it."

Sylas shook his head, unsatisfied.

Adrien sighed. "Alright. But I have one condition."

Sylas immediately looked at Adrien with hopeful eyes.

"Whatever it is," Sylas said.

"I’ll find a way to get him out. As long as you marry Princess Eresia of Ganesh."

Sylas’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t anticipated such a request.