Chapter 232: KAI LENNOX
The next time Kai opened his eyes, he saw that it was already morning. The other boy was not beside him.
They had eaten dinner together in the room the previous night because he didn’t feel comfortable enough to eat dinner in the dining room with the princess’s family.
There was movement at the door.
His gaze turned to the door that was being opened.
A few maids walked in.
"Good morning, child. It’s time for you to have a bath." One told him.
Kai got down from the bed.
"Good morning. I-I can wash myself." He refused with a stutter. His face had flushed from embarrassment when he noticed that the maids weren’t leaving.
"The princess told us to help you take a bath. We cannot defy her orders." One of the maids said, already helping him take off his clothes.
Kai was whisked away to the bathroom for a bath.
They bathed him and dressed him in a new set of clothes. The clothes felt snug and comfortable against his skin. They fit him well, almost as if they were tailor-made.
"So this is what nobility wears..." He muttered, feeling the soft, smooth texture of his clothes.
"You are to join the princess for breakfast. Follow me."
"A-alright." Kai followed behind her.
’Everywhere’s so big and shiny.’ Kai thought, looking around at the grandiose mansion.
The maid led him to the garden.
He saw that the princess who had saved him was seated at a table alongside Owen and the young lady. There was also a little boy he knew as the princess’s younger brother sitting beside her.
She smiled on seeing him.
"Have a seat, Kai. You’re just in time." She pointed to an empty chair.
Kai sat down at the table as a maid filled a teacup for him.
They began to eat.
"Why aren’t you eating?" Aristia asked Kai.
"Huh? Oh." Kai snapped out of his daze and picked up the toast on the table.
"I didn’t think we had proper introductions." Aristia said, munching on her buttered toast. "I’m Aristia Amberale, third princess of the kingdom, and first child and daughter of the only Grand Duke and Duchess of this kingdom, Imperial Prince Wilson and Imperial Princess Catherine."
She pointed to Alaric beside her, "This is my younger brother, Alaric. Second prince of the kingdom. You should have met him when you first arrived at the mansion yesterday."
"I am Adeline Towsen. I am the beloved princess’s first and only personal maid." Adeline introduced proudly, not forgetting to praise Aristia and boast about herself while at it.
"Owen Hale." Owen said simply, sipping his tea somewhat nonchalantly.
"Um, I am Kai Lennox." Kai said. He turned squarely to Aristia. "Thank you for helping me, princess."
"I’ve already told you. No need to thank me." Aristia waved her hand.
"I..." Kai paused.
’You will find someone who will treat you well. When you do, be loyal and grateful.’ His mother’s words echoed in his mind.
Even if his mother hadn’t said those words to him, he was already deeply grateful to Aristia.
Kai pushed his chair back and knelt down with his knee on the ground and his other leg up on the ground.
[Uh... What’s he doing?] Aristia thought.
Kai looked her straight in her sparkling purple eyes and placed his hand on top of the other. His silver eyes shone unnoticeably.
"I, Kai Lennox, swear my loyalty to you, princess Aristia, to serve you faithfully with all my powers, according to my abilities, my princess." He pledged, his hand sifting to rest on his chest.
[What powers? What’s he talking about?] Aristia thought, amused.
"Okay, okay." She waved her hand, not taking it seriously.
Unknown to her, the pledge Kai had chanted was an oath used by mages to bind themselves to whoever the oath was being made to.
"Then I, Aristia Amberale, accept your oath of loyalty." Aristia said.
A thin red thread materialized, binding Kai to her.
Millie’s eyes narrowed.
’Just as I thought. He’s not simple. I knew there was something unique about this boy.’ Her gaze shifted to the oblivious people and Aristia, thinking, ’You really have a gift for finding people with extraordinary abilities.’
She hummed and bit into a cherry with a languid look on her face.
Aristia and the rest remained oblivious.
Kai took his seat, going back to finishing his food.
"You need to rest properly. You’re injured and malnourished. After that, you will join Owen to train. You look like you’ll be carried wherever the wind blows." Aristia said.
Kai’s cheeks turned red.
"Yes, princess."
Aristia got up to leave with Alaric.
Everyone else got up too since they had finished eating.
When Aristia entered the mansion, she saw the head maid, Mrs. Jacqueline Cedmond coming in their direction.
"Princess, the room is ready." The head maid said.
"Thank you, Mrs Cedmond." Aristia said.
She went upstairs with Kai and Alaric.
The room was on the same corridor her room was in.
Aristia opened the door. The servants had done a great job in making the room cozy and warm. It was comfortable.
"This is your room, Kai." Aristia said, stepping into the room.
"This is my room? Thank you, princess."
"Your clothes are in the wardrobe." Aristia said, pointing toward the walk-in closet. "We got you new clothes, all according to your measurement."
"How did you get my measurement?" Kai asked curiously, wondering when they had gotten him measured. Could it be when he as asleep?
"Trust Adeline." Aristia laughed.
Adeline had that gift. She didn’t even need to take a measurement with a tape. Just her eyes and hands were enough.
"Anyway, we’ll leave you to get accustomed to your room." She put both hands on Alaric shoulders, gently moving him toward the door.
She stopped in front of the door and turned to Kai, asking. "Can you read?"
"Yes..." Kai nodded. It was necessary for them.
"Oh... okay. That’s good. You’ll be able to use the library then, just like Owen. Then see ya later~" She said in a singsong voice, pulling Alaric along with her.
The day carried on uneventfully.
The family of the Grand Duke was lounging at home. None of them planned to leave the mansion.
Part of the reason was the rain.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
Large drops of rain fell on the closed glass window.
Aristia listened to the rain and lay down to take a nap. When it rained was the perfect time to go to sleep. Maybe it was the sound the rain made while falling, but it just had the mysterious power to lull someone to sleep.
The rain and dark clouds turned the sky dark even though it was afternoon.
The mansion was quiet now.
Aristia closed her eyes. Just as she almost fell asleep, in the drowsy state between being awake and asleep, she remembered something.
Her eyes shot open and she gasped, sitting up quickly.
"Kai can use magic!"