Kilian moved slightly, but even then his whole body ached, and he had to push himself to get out of bed.
It was evening, and a bath had been set up for him, in his room.
There was no sign of Dante.
'Did he leave before a maid arrived?'
"Tsk."
'He just did what he wanted.'
His waist was stinging, and the muscles in his legs were in pain again.
The cane supported him, as he walked across the floor to get in and soak his body in the warm water.
It helped his tired body, and soon after a maid came in to help him get dressed.
It was fine clothes. His grandfather had not spared anything to show off the difference in status between a count's family and the Archduke of the country.
The colors were light, with golden thread, and a golden brooch with a light blue gem were keeping the jacket in place.
It fit him well, but he sighed when running his fingers over the golden threads.
His grandfather had sadly the same taste as the king in showing off wealth.
Rings and jewels had been offered, but he had declined, he was still not used to wearing them, and instead made sure the medallion with the Griffin hang visibly outside his clothes.
'knock'
"Enter"
Kilian had already guessed who it was and did not turn to greet the person entering. He still had a grudge against the way this man had handled him earlier, though the thought of it made him blush faintly.
Dante had done things to Kilian, he never thought the red-head would do.
He did not mind, his body had accepted it, but something about the behavior had alerted Kilian. It had had a feeling of possessiveness, and Kilian did not want anyone to control him anymore.
'If I leave it like this, it might get worse.' He fastened a belt, and grabbed the cane by the bed, turning to let the person who entered know he was ready.
"Let's go, Dante."
Dante felt as if something had hit his stomach, taking his breath away.
The young man in front of him was simply stunning, and he did his utmost to not reach out and touch the skin of this person, he had greedily touched earlier.
Right now the presence of Kilian felt like a wall. Like something untouchable. Still, this being had laid under him, enjoying those touches to the fullest together with him.
'Is this even the same person?'
The confident stare of Kilian bore into Dante, and he realized he had not heard what the young Master had said, and simply nodded.
The two of them exited the room, leaving the residence to meet Cratos Valen, who already stood waiting, outside by the carriage.
Kilian entered the carriage followed by the Archduke. Many of the knights had done their utmost to get a glimpse of Kilian, and he had given them a smile in return.
"I feel like a young Lady, rather than a young man with those stares."
"Hmm?"
Kilian had thought out loud, and it made his grandfather look out of the carriage at the many knights riding alongside them.
"I could remove their eyes if you want."
Kilian did not laugh, it had not been a joke, and if he had said yes, he was sure the man would do it.
"No," he sighed.
"It is ok, I guess they don't have much else to gossip about on the training field."
Now it was the Archduke who smiled, and Kilian could hear a low chuckle.
"Don't worry, the ones who came with us from the mansion, only talk about your deeds on the battlefield, they would not be swayed if even the Lady herself descended."
The man then smirked, and his smile turned more devious.
"It seems the knights stationed in the capital have become lazy and chasing skirts, I will have to make sure they get special training lessons from tomorrow."
Kilian followed the look of his grandfather and looked out of the window in the carriage.
Red flaming hair stood out among the rest, and Kilian saw the imposing figure Dante had when riding his horse.
'Those hands touched me all over just earlier.'
The memory of Dante's arms holding him stirred his insides and he spaced out thinking back, replying without thinking to his grandfather.
"Haven't you heard? I am The Lady."
A laugh broke Kilian's thoughts of the kisses Dante had left along his skin and gave his grandfather a cheeky smile.
Kilian recognized the residence when they stopped at the entrance.
His grandfather left the carriage first and he saw how the servants of the Heathgraves were all outside, standing in line, all bowing in unison to greet the Archduke.
Kilian smirked and took the hand his grandfather held up at the door, using it together with the cane to step down from the carriage.
This view made it look like his grandfather was a mere servant helping his master out, and the confused looks on the servants were a small reward for Kilian.
'This is going to be a nice evening.'
He gave the servants a bright smile, one of those fake ones that melted the people oblivious to its nature, and some of the servants could not stop staring at him.
It was rude, and poorly reflected on their Masters, but none of them were able to take their eyes off Kilian, while the Valens ascended the stairs to the entrance.
"Hmph."
Kilian could tell his grandfather was not amused, and the demeanor of the man had become imposing.
"Is this how you educate your staff Count?"
The Count of Heathgrave, Kilian's father had come to the door, to greet them, but Cratos had stared him down refusing to extend his hand.
"We were invited, yet they do not greet your guests, It is unfortunate that the daughter of mine lives with these uneducated people."
Kilian smiled, thankful his grandfather had brought up his mother.
All the eyes around them flashed in fear, and several of them quickly bowed to Kilian, though some of them were too stunned to even move.
"Where is she?"
Kilian knew his grandfather was not a patient man, and even if he was here to assess the situation, he was not shrewd or scheming either.
He had no reason to be, if he wanted something he did not need to scheme, he could just take it.
The Count had ignored Kilian, acting like he was not even present, but put his hands together and smiled sleazily at the Archduke.
"The Countess is currently resting, she was so excited to see her father, that she became ill."
The words were obvious lies, but both Kilian and his grandfather nodded, following along. It did not matter.
They all arrived at a large table set up in an elaborately decorated room.
The Count was showing off wealth even worse than Cratos and the King would, Kilian thought, and sighed while waiting, standing by the table.
Normally a servant would move the chair out for the guests before they sat, and Kilian kept standing on purpose, as this was not happening for him.
The Archduke had been seated, and the two sons, Lucien and Francis had joined, both being seated together with the Count, before their last guest.
'Bang.'
The clenched fist of the Archduke hammered down on the table, creating a sound that startled everyone present, even Kilian had been shaken but stood still, as if he was unfazed by it.
"Your servants keep showing discourtesy, and are uneducated."
By the Count's nod, a servant ran over and sluggishly moved out a chair for Kilian, who then finally sat down, by the right side of his grandfather.
A sneer ran over Lucien's face, and Kilian sent him one of his many fake smiles.
"Apologies Archduke, we assumed Kilian would feel at home to do as he please."
It was a vague excuse, but Kilian instead focused on the food, taking delight in savoring the food in front of the stares, that were piercing him from across the table.
His family was a bunch of proud hyenas, but the food was good.
"We did not expect our youngest to know much etiquette, he was always lazy when studying, growing up."
Francis had bravely addressed the Archduke, trying to continue with an excuse.
"The countess always spoiled the kid."
Kilian's finger almost bent the fork he was holding, while trying to keep in his anger that was now rising.
'How dare they."
However he knew none of this would phase his grandfather, they were here for a purpose, not for petty antics and snide remarks.
He was wrong. It was as if the room went cold, and Kilian had miscalculated the presence called Cratos, who was now sitting without moving. The entire room felt cold and heavy, and nobody dared move.
It was as if something heavy was pressing down on everyone there, even Kilian, who could not withstand it and coughed slightly under heavy pressure. It then immediately went away.
A big hand rested on his shoulder, and Kilian caught his breath.
His grandfather had been angry because of him, he had not expected the man to lose his composure that easily when it came to Kilian.
The same thoughts went through the Count, who quickly made sure to gesture at a servant to bring Kilian more water and help him sit up.
"It seems both my grandson and my daughter, are not treated well in this house, how is that?"
The words were low but it was clearly heard among them all.
"No, no the Countess is just resting…"
The Count got on his feet, and Kilian could see the fear that drove the man to be as pale as a white sheet.
The two sons were both looking down at their plates, none had the courage to lift their heads.
"Sign this."
Cratos Valen took out a document from his jacket and almost smashed it to the table, the sound of the impact startling everyone again.
"Sign."
The Count hesitated but the impatient look in the ice-blue eyes of the archduke, had him come over to study the piece of paper.
"This… How dare.."
Cratos looked at the man, who now seemed smaller than anyone else in the room, but the eyes flashed with anger at the archduke.
'His pride is hurt…his pride is gonna be his downfall one day?' Kilian thought, knowing exactly what the paper said.
"The king has signed it, just get it done."
The Count signed the paper and stormed out of the room.
Francis and Lucien looked at their father, confused, not knowing what was going on but soon followed after.
The Archduke turned to Kilian with a solemn look and spoke.
"Where is she, Kilian? Where is my daughter?"
Kilian looked up at the man, with regretful eyes. He really wished he did not have to take his grandfather… there.