The silence inside the cart was tense, broken only by the rhythmic clopping of the horse as it pulled them through the narrow paths of Pagad's noble district.
Cael sat on one side, arms crossed tightly, his jaw clenched in frustration. His blue eyes stared out the small window, but his mind was still at the park—still at her.
Kira.
That brief moment—the way her eyes met his—had been magic. Until Jack ruined everything. Again.
"I had it under control," Cael muttered coldly. "It was a moment."
Jack, who sat across from him, shifted nervously. "Your Highness… I—I only meant to protect your name. A noble shouldn't—"
"Stop," Cael snapped. "You don't understand anything. Just... shut up."
But Jack didn't stop. He tried to explain the same tired reasoning about rules, bloodlines, and honor. His voice, once calm, grew more desperate as he saw Cael's expression darken further.
"…If word spreads that the prince of Vaelen was flirting with a former slave, it'll disgrace your entire lineage—"
Then it happened.
A cold, commanding voice interrupted from the front of the cart.
"What nonsense are you yammering about now?"
Jack froze.
Cael's body stiffened.
The curtain between the horse-driver's seat and the cabin lifted slightly—and standing there, looking down at them both, was Simon Vaelen, Duke of Vaelen, the Iron Lion, and Cael's father.
His piercing eyes scanned the two silently.
Jack gulped and tried to recover. "Y-Your Grace… I was simply explaining to the young lord… about a certain incident—"
Simon raised a brow.
"Incident?"
Jack hesitated.
He knew this man. He'd seen him gut a traitor with a flick of the wrist. And while Simon seemed calm now, Jack could sense the sharpness behind the silence. Like a blade waiting to swing.
He had two choices: speak and risk Cael's wrath… or stay silent and risk Simon's.
He chose survival.
"At the park," Jack said, swallowing thickly, "Your son showed… interest in a girl. A former slave."
Simon's eyes narrowed.
Cael immediately stepped in, trying to shield Kira from the consequences. "It's nothing, Father. She was just—"
"Was she with Vael?" Simon interrupted sharply.
Jack nodded, sweat forming at his temples. "Yes, sir. She's… living with him now. The same man from Archeon."
For a moment, Simon said nothing.
But Jack saw it—the subtle shift in posture, the flicker of cold rage beneath his controlled face.
Simon turned to his guards without even looking at them.
"Send for a hunter," he said. "One who's good at making problems disappear. The girl—deal with her."
Cael stood up, alarmed. "Father—!"
Simon silenced him with a glance.
"You," he said sternly, "will remember your blood. And you, Jack—"
Jack stiffened.
"Return to the slave markets. You've forgotten your place."
Jack opened his mouth to protest, but Simon's expression darkened further.
"Before I sell you in your own damn cages."
Jack sank into his seat, face pale, as if his soul had fled his body. His heart pounded loud in his chest. No words came out.
Simon then looked back at Cael.
"Is it true?"
Cael didn't meet his eyes. He nodded, shoulders slumped.
"Yes, Father."
Simon turned away in disgust.
"Shameless. You would risk everything we've built—for a slave?"
Cael stayed silent. He didn't want to argue—not here. Not yet. But as his father barked more commands to the guards, Cael's hands curled into fists on his lap.
In his heart, he knew something was wrong.
Kira was more than what Jack or Simon saw.
And now… she was in danger.