The guards grabbed Felix by the arms before he could say a word.
He didn't resist.
He barely even moved.
With confused eyes and a flicker of pain on his face, he let them escort him out.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Thrown out without explanation.
Felix wandered down the hall in silence, unsure what to think.
He headed toward the guest rooms, hoping to run into Sylra. But when he arrived — nothing. He wasn't there.
He glanced around, then spotted a nearby maid.
"Hey, excuse me — have you seen Sylra?"
The maid gave a polite bow. "I'm not certain, sir. But a little while ago, I saw him leaving. It looked like he had his gear with him ."
Felix nodded to himself.
"Ah… right. Probably headed to work."
Without wasting time, he turned on his heel and made for the exit. His footsteps echoed in the morning light as he rushed through the quiet halls of the estate, hoping to catch him outside.
But by the time he reached the outer courtyard, there was no one.
No Sylra.
No sign of him either.
He looked around, then muttered under his breath,
"Huh. Weird guy. Could've at least told me he was heading off. We could've both left for our own stuff..."
He sighed, brushing hair from his face as the breeze passed.
"Whatever. I guess I should head out too. Gotta pack and start the deliveries."
Turning around, he jogged back toward his room.
Halfway there, he nearly bumped into someone —
"Ah, Felix," the familiar voice called.
It was the butler, once again.
Felix smiled awkwardly. "Heh. We keep bumping into each other."
The butler gave a small chuckle, then his face turned apologetic.
"About earlier… I'm sorry. Master Kaelan just woke up. He's disoriented, maybe even scared. He's not thinking straight."
Felix waved him off. "Don't worry. After a night like that, anyone would be shaken."
The butler gave a slow nod. "If he calms down… I'll let you know. Maybe then, you can speak to him."
Felix smiled. "Sounds good."
Just as Felix started to walk again, a soldier ran down the corridor, panting.
"Sir… sir!"
The butler turned sharply. "What is it now?"
The soldier looked troubled.
"It's Master Kaelan. He… he left the guards behind, kicked out the maids, and locked himself in his room. He's not responding to anything — won't open the door or even answer."
The butler's face tightened in alarm.
"You're telling me one young man fooled all of you?!" he shouted.
The soldier lowered his head. "Apologies, sir."
"Forget that — come with me."
The butler moved fast, the urgency in his steps sharp and direct. Felix followed quietly behind.
When they reached the hallway leading to Kaelan's room, two maids were already at the door, pleading softly from the other side.
"Master Kaelan… please talk to us…"
No response.
The butler strode forward and knocked firmly.
"Master Kaelan! It's me. Please open the door."
Nothing.
He knocked harder.
"Please… if you don't open up, we'll have to force it open."
Then — from the other side — a quiet, broken voice answered:
"Please don't… My life is over…"
The butler's eyes closed, voice strained.
"Don't say that, Master Kaelan. We care about you. We always have."
"You don't understand…" Kaelan's voice cracked. "None of you do. You wouldn't — not unless you lived it. Just leave me be."
The butler's voice softened even more. "Maybe we can help. Please… let us try."
Kaelan's voice rose again, more forceful, more bitter.
"Help? No one can help me. No one ever could."
A pause hung heavy in the air.
Then, from behind, Felix stepped forward.
He leaned in and whispered to the butler,
"Let me try."
The butler turned to him in disbelief. "How? He won't even let us speak."
Felix smiled, not smug — but gentle.
"Just trust me." "leave it to me."
To be continued..... My G