The hallway was quiet as they all walked toward Kaelan's room.
Halfway there, Felix broke the silence.
"So… how many children does the Duke really have?"
The Commander chuckled, a bit surprised by the question. "Why? Planning to apply as one of them?"
Felix grinned. "No, just curious. That butler said the Duke would raise hell if something happened to Kaelan — chaos in the capital, maybe the entire kingdom. Got me thinking... maybe Kaelan is his favorite?"
The Commander rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… the Duke has three children. Two daughters first. Kaelan's the youngest — and his only son."
Felix tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. And what if... just for fun... Kaelan wasn't actually a guy?"
The Commander blinked. "You joke a lot, don't you?"
Felix laughed. "Just a wild thought, that's all."
But the Commander's face turned serious.
"If the Duke's son turned out to be a lie, it would destroy public trust in the Duke's family. Kaelan could be punished. Maybe even caged — not for who they are, but for deceiving the people."
Behind them, Sylra walked in silence, listening carefully.
They finally arrived at the room. The door was already open, and inside, the butler stood near Kaelan's bedside, with two maids attending.
The Commander approached the butler first.
"I want increased security," the butler said firmly. "This should never happen again."
"It won't," the Commander assured. "From now on, no one will set a single hostile foot inside this estate."
The butler nodded. "Good. I'm counting on you."
Felix stepped forward. "Is Kaelan… alright now?"
The butler turned to him and gave a deep bow. "Thanks to you, yes. You have our deepest gratitude, and I will ensure a reward is arranged."
Felix looked flustered. "You don't need to. Really. I didn't do it for that. But… Kaelan? He's safe?"
The butler straightened. "Yes. He only drank a mild poison — it knocked him unconscious, but it won't leave lasting harm. He should wake by morning."
Felix sighed in relief. "That's good. Then we should just protect him till then."
The butler's eyes narrowed. "Speaking of protection… what happened to your leg?"
Felix scratched his head, smiling. "Just a scratch. Carelessness."
Sylra interrupted. "He's lying. He got hurt saving Kaelan from a knife."
The butler frowned, then barked a soft order to a maid. "Tend his wound."
Felix quickly waved her off. "No need. It'll be fine by morning."
"Take a rest. That's an order," the butler said firmly.
Sylra guided Felix out. As they walked down the corridor, Sylra glanced sideways.
"You've been weird all day. Asking strange questions. About Kaelan. About her being a girl…"
Felix paused. "It's nothing. I'm just tired. Thinking out loud."
Sylra didn't buy it. "You're hiding something. I won't pry. I respect privacy. But don't expect me to pretend I don't notice."
Felix smirked. "Wouldn't expect anything less from you."
They parted ways and went to their separate rooms.
That night, sleep came heavy but brief.
The Next Morning...
Felix woke early. He dressed quickly and slipped down the hall, past the quiet maids and guards, toward Kaelan's room.
The door was slightly open. Inside, Kaelan was awake — half-sitting in bed, speaking quietly with the butler and another servant.
Felix stepped in. "You're awake already, huh?"
Kaelan immediately turned red. Clenching his sheets , touching his collar bone ..
"GUARDS!" he blurted. "Take him away! Right now!"
Felix blinked, stunned… then just smiled.