The walk back to Prince Kyle's residence felt longer than usual.
The corridors of the imperial palace were quiet, yet Kyle could feel the weight of unseen eyes everywhere. Servants moved silently through the halls, bowing as he passed, but whispers trailed behind him like shadows.
News traveled fast inside the palace.
Faster than wind.
By now, almost everyone probably knew.
The prodigal prince had bought an omega slave.
And brought him into the palace.
Kyle sighed as he walked.
"Well," he muttered under his breath, "so much for keeping a low profile."
Luis Stark walked beside him, his armored boots echoing softly on the marble floor. The knight commander remained silent, but his sharp gaze swept across the hallway like a predator watching its territory.
Finally, Luis spoke.
"You handled the emperor well."
Kyle glanced at him.
"Did I?"
Luis nodded once.
"His Majesty dislikes excuses."
Kyle scratched the back of his head.
"I didn't really have one."
Luis almost smiled.
Almost.
They reached the doors of Kyle's residence.
Two palace guards bowed as they approached.
"Welcome back, Your Highness."
Kyle pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The warm light of the room greeted him.
Clara and Livia were standing near the center of the room, speaking quietly with Joshua.
When Kyle entered, all three turned toward him.
Clara looked relieved.
"Your Highness!"
Joshua immediately stood up from the couch.
His posture was straight, almost stiff.
"Your Highness… welcome back."
Kyle waved casually.
"Relax, it's not a battlefield."
Joshua lowered his gaze slightly.
But he sat down again.
Kyle noticed the small change.
Good, he thought. Progress.
Luis stepped aside, leaning casually near one of the pillars.
Clara approached Kyle carefully.
"How did the meeting with His Majesty go?"
Kyle shrugged.
"I'm still alive."
Livia covered her mouth to hide a small laugh.
Joshua looked worried.
"Did I cause trouble for you, Your Highness?"
Kyle blinked.
"No."
Joshua's fingers tightened slightly in his lap.
"I heard the rumors in the market…"
Kyle waved his hand.
"Forget the rumors."
He dropped onto the couch beside Joshua.
The omega stiffened slightly.
Kyle leaned back lazily.
"If I worried about every rumor in this palace, I'd go insane."
Luis spoke from across the room.
"You are already close."
Kyle looked at him.
"Wow. Thanks for the support."
Luis ignored the comment.
His gaze shifted toward Joshua.
The commander had been quietly observing the omega ever since they left the auction house.
Joshua noticed the attention and lowered his eyes respectfully.
Luis finally spoke.
"Joshua Violet."
Joshua blinked in surprise.
"…Yes?"
"You are literate."
It wasn't a question.
Joshua hesitated before answering.
"Yes."
Kyle sat up slightly.
"Oh?"
Joshua glanced at him nervously.
"My previous master… allowed me to study."
Luis's gaze sharpened slightly.
"That is unusual."
Joshua nodded.
"He believed educated servants were more valuable."
Kyle frowned slightly.
That sounded disturbingly practical.
But it also explained something important.
In the novel, Joshua eventually became a brilliant strategist and healer.
That intelligence had to come from somewhere.
Kyle leaned forward.
"What else can you do?"
Joshua looked confused.
"…Do?"
"Skills."
Joshua thought for a moment.
"I know basic medicine… herbal treatments… and a little accounting."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"Accounting?"
Joshua nodded quietly.
"I used to keep records for the household."
Kyle whistled softly.
"Wow."
Clara looked impressed.
"That's more than many palace servants."
Joshua looked embarrassed by the attention.
Luis crossed his arms.
"Interesting."
Kyle suddenly grinned.
"Perfect."
Joshua blinked.
"Perfect?"
Kyle pointed at him.
"You're hired."
Joshua tilted his head.
"…Hired?"
Kyle nodded.
"Yes."
Joshua looked genuinely confused now.
"But… I am already your servant."
Kyle shook his head.
"No."
He pointed at Joshua again.
"You work for me."
Joshua still didn't understand.
Luis spoke calmly.
"He means you will be paid."
Joshua froze.
"…Paid?"
Kyle nodded again.
"Yes."
Joshua stared at him.
For several seconds.
Then slowly—
His eyes began to shine with something unfamiliar.
Hope.
"I… have never been paid before."
Kyle smiled faintly.
"Well now you will."
Joshua lowered his head quickly.
"…Thank you, Your Highness."
Clara suddenly spoke up.
"The guest room is ready."
Joshua immediately stood.
"I will go there."
Kyle waved his hand.
"Wait."
Joshua paused.
Kyle stood up.
"I'll show you."
Joshua blinked in surprise.
"That is unnecessary—"
Kyle was already walking toward the hallway.
"Too late."
Joshua hurried after him.
Luis followed quietly behind.
They walked through the corridors of Kyle's residence until they reached a smaller wing.
Kyle opened one of the doors.
"This one."
Joshua stepped inside.
The room was simple but comfortable.
A soft bed stood near the window.
A wooden desk rested against the wall.
Shelves filled with books lined the corner.
Joshua's violet eyes widened slightly.
"This is… for me?"
Kyle leaned against the doorframe.
"Yep."
Joshua walked slowly toward the bed.
His fingers brushed the soft blanket.
For someone who had slept on cold floors for most of his life…
This felt unreal.
He turned toward Kyle.
"I do not deserve such kindness."
Kyle sighed.
"There you go again."
Joshua lowered his gaze.
Kyle walked over and gently knocked on Joshua's head.
"Stop saying that."
Joshua blinked in surprise.
Kyle smiled slightly.
"You're part of my team now."
Joshua whispered softly.
"…Team?"
Kyle nodded.
"Yes."
Joshua looked confused but nodded slowly.
"…Understood."
Luis watched the interaction silently.
His thoughts were becoming increasingly complicated.
Prince Kyle Gray had always been selfish.
Arrogant.
Lazy.
Yet today he had shown compassion.
Patience.
Responsibility.
Luis's eyes narrowed slightly.
Something was definitely wrong.
But strangely…
He didn't dislike the change.
Kyle stretched his arms.
"Alright."
He pointed at the bed.
"Rest."
Joshua hesitated.
"And you, Your Highness?"
Kyle grinned.
"I'm going to eat."
Joshua's stomach made a small noise at the word.
Kyle noticed.
His grin widened.
"Oh right."
He looked toward the hallway.
"Clara!"
The maid quickly appeared.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Dinner for three."
Joshua froze again.
"Three?"
Kyle pointed at him.
"You're eating with us."
Joshua looked horrified.
"That is improper—"
Luis interrupted calmly.
"Refusing a prince's invitation is also improper."
Joshua's mouth closed.
Kyle laughed.
"See? Commander Stark agrees with me."
Luis looked mildly annoyed.
"I did not say that."
But Joshua had already bowed.
"…Then I will join you."
Kyle clapped his hands once.
"Great!"
---
Dinner that evening was… strange.
The long dining table usually held only Kyle.
But tonight three people sat around it.
Kyle sat at the head.
Luis sat calmly to his right.
Joshua sat carefully to his left.
Several servants brought dishes one by one.
Roasted meat.
Fresh bread.
Soup.
Fruit.
Joshua stared at the food nervously.
Kyle noticed.
"Eat."
Joshua hesitated.
"You first."
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"Fine."
He grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite.
"There. Now eat."
Joshua slowly picked up a spoon.
The soup was warm.
Rich.
Delicious.
His eyes widened slightly.
Kyle grinned.
"Good?"
Joshua nodded.
"Yes."
Luis watched them quietly while eating.
The atmosphere felt oddly peaceful.
For the first time in years, Prince Kyle's residence felt… alive.
But somewhere else in the palace—
The mood was very different.
---
Inside the crown prince's private chamber.
Edward Gray stood beside a tall window overlooking the city.
A noble knelt before him.
"The rumors are confirmed, Your Highness."
Edward's voice remained calm.
"Prince Kyle bought an omega slave."
"Yes."
"And freed him."
Edward's eyes flickered slightly.
"Freed him?"
"Yes."
The noble hesitated.
"And he brought the omega into the palace."
Edward turned slowly.
His expression remained composed.
But his mind was working rapidly.
"Interesting."
The noble lowered his head.
"Do you wish us to investigate further?"
Edward walked back toward his desk.
"Yes."
He sat down calmly.
"Watch him closely."
The noble nodded.
"Understood."
As the man left the room, Edward leaned back in his chair.
His younger brother Jonathan suddenly appeared from the side door.
He looked amused.
"So?"
Edward folded his hands.
"What do you think?"
Jonathan shrugged.
"Kyle is being weird."
Edward nodded.
"Yes."
Jonathan laughed.
"Maybe he finally went insane."
Edward looked toward the window again.
The lights of the capital glittered in the distance.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"Something changed."
Jonathan tilted his head.
"You're thinking too much."
Edward smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
But deep inside—
The crown prince had already begun to wonder.
What exactly happened to Prince Kyle Gray?
And how would that change the future of the empire?