Chapter 7: A Normal Day in the Mansion
The morning sunlight poured into the grand dining room, casting a warm glow over the polished oak table. Kai sat at the head of the table, his usual air of laziness settling around him as he leisurely picked at his breakfast. The delicate clink of silverware echoed in the room, but there was something undeniably cozy about the quiet that lingered between Kai and the three men who had become a constant presence in his life.
Edward, as always, was stationed close by, his sharp eyes never far from his young lord. He was ever vigilant, anticipating Kai's needs with a quiet grace, though his presence was soft and unobtrusive. Beside him, Noah was devouring his food with a particular enthusiasm that was uncommon for someone who had spent so much of his life in captivity. The warmth of the mansion, the comfort of being treated with respect, and most importantly, the kindness that Kai had shown him—Noah couldn't help but be a little enamored. His tentacles fidgeted slightly under the table, as if they too shared a desire for more attention from their strange, oblivious master.
Then, there was Charles. The fox-shifter sat silently, his nine tails curled beneath the table, but the constant, watchful way his amber eyes followed Kai made it clear that the young lord had captured his heart as well. The warmth of the mansion, the regular meals, and the fact that Kai had taken him in—Charles couldn't stop the overwhelming feelings of gratitude and affection that had blossomed into something far more. Every time Kai's eyes met his, his heart fluttered, though he remained stoic, unwilling to show his growing obsession.
Kai, blissfully unaware of the storm of affection brewing around him, took a bite of his food and glanced up at the trio. They were all looking at him with varying degrees of intensity, their eyes trained on him in a way that might have unsettled someone more perceptive. But Kai, being Kai, simply shrugged it off, his attention drifting to the garden outside the window.
"After breakfast, I think I'll take a walk in the garden," Kai murmured lazily, pushing his plate away with a soft sigh. "It's too nice outside to stay cooped up in here."
The three men, hearing the faintest hint of a command in his words, immediately straightened and exchanged silent glances. It was a rare thing, really—a day when their lord sought to venture outside, to breathe fresh air and perhaps see the world beyond the walls of the mansion. The chance to accompany him was not to be missed.
"Shall I prepare your coat, my lord?" Edward asked, his voice smooth and attentive, the ever-dutiful butler.
"No need, Edward," Kai responded with a lazy smile. "It's just a garden walk. I don't need anything fancy." He stood up and stretched, his body languid, as if the idea of a walk was more of a passing thought than a real plan. "Come on then, let's go. It's not like I'm going far."
Noah's tentacles twitched in excitement at the idea of being so close to Kai. He had no real reason to be as excited as he was, but the thought of following Kai into the garden felt oddly thrilling, as if every step closer to the young lord was a little victory. Charles, too, felt his heart race. It was rare for Kai to leave the mansion in such a casual manner, and he didn't want to miss a second of it.
The four of them exited the mansion and made their way through the meticulously maintained garden. The paths were lined with vibrant flowers and winding vines, the soft hum of nature filling the air. Kai walked ahead, hands stuffed in his pockets, his eyes barely registering the beauty of the garden as his mind wandered. He had a slight frown on his face, as if the simple act of walking was the only thing keeping him occupied.
Behind him, the trio followed closely, as always. Edward's presence was like a shadow, always within arm's reach, always ready to protect his lord from any threat, real or imagined. His eyes flickered constantly to the surrounding area, ensuring no one dared to get too close.
Noah, too, was at Kai's side, his tentacles tucked carefully behind him, though they were always slightly twitching. He had always been a little on edge, but around Kai, that tension melted away. He found comfort in his lord's calm, though he longed for more—a bit more of Kai's warmth, a touch of his attention.
Charles walked a step behind, though his amber eyes never left Kai. He admired the way the young lord moved, the casual grace with which he navigated the world, and the way his mere presence seemed to soothe the turbulent emotions that raged within him. Kai's kindness had awakened something deep within Charles, a need to protect and adore. Every moment spent in Kai's company made him more and more certain that this was where he belonged.
The day passed quietly as the four of them walked through the garden, Kai meandering in a way that suggested he had no destination in mind. The trio, however, found themselves becoming increasingly aware of their own closeness to Kai. Their need for his attention—though Kai himself had yet to notice—was growing. They weren't just following him out of duty anymore; there was an almost desperate quality to their actions, an unspoken desire to be near him at all times.
Kai paused by a rosebush, absentmindedly reaching out to brush a few petals with his fingers. "The roses here are much too... bright," he said, though his words seemed more to himself than to anyone else. "I prefer the darker flowers."
Edward, as always, was quick to respond, his voice soothing, "Perhaps you'd prefer the lilies in the back garden, my lord. They bloom later in the year, and their scent is more subtle."
Kai shrugged, not particularly interested in the topic, but the fact that Edward was eager to contribute his thoughts seemed to please him. He simply nodded. "Maybe. But I don't care much for flowers anyway."
Noah couldn't help but smile slightly at his lord's indifference. He liked that Kai was not some prim and proper noble obsessed with appearances. Charles, too, felt a deep sense of attachment to the way Kai seemed to float through life, uninterested in the expectations of others.
They continued walking, the three of them sticking close to Kai, their need for his approval growing more palpable with each passing moment. Yet, Kai remained blissfully unaware of just how deep the bond between them had become. To him, it was just another ordinary day, with nothing more than the quiet rhythm of his life and the strange, increasingly possessive presence of his three companions.
But to Edward, Noah, and Charles, each moment spent with Kai felt like a step closer to something they were no longer sure they could live without. Something that would be theirs, and theirs alone.