Saving Kai

Early morning, the room was quiet and calm. The person in bed was still asleep. Sunlight shone brightly through the tiny c***k in the window and shone over the young man’s sleeping face, painting a faint golden halo around him. With it, he looked even more radiant like an angel. The delicate cheeks appeared blushing under the rays of the sun. His long silver hair shimmer under the gentle light. Altogether the young man looked like a doll, unrealistically beautiful. If someone walked into the room at this moment, they would think they’ve travelled to a fantastical place with a sleeping little prince in it. But all of a sudden, his brows formed a faint frown. The tranquil expression became one of pain and suffering. A faint layer of cold sweat formed over his bright and clean skin, as though he was trapped in the midst of a nightmare. Under the thin eyelids, his eyes rolled about non-stop as if he was struggling to wake up with all his might. A long moment passed, he seemed to have defeated his enemies within his dreams and he abruptly opened his eyes! And what sort of expressions did his eyes convey? One conveyed a deep and heavy dejection born from a harsh life filled with waves after waves of change. An expression that did not fit his perfectly beautiful appearance. With wide open eyes, Lee Kyun's chest violently surged up and down. After a long while, he finally calmed down from his panic. He felt like sighing. Why wasn’t he dead yet? Oh right, he died. But somehow he was still alive. Though not as Lee Kyun but as a young lad named Kai. Sighing Kai slowly stood up, ready for the day. He don't know why but he can feel that today will be different. **** Kai sat quietly observing the ruckus from his vantage point near the vast fireplace in the great hall, watching his guardians meet with the newcomers. There had been a sudden influx of new people, a sense of urgency in the air, of anticipation. He knew better than to ask why. He had learned long ago to be submissive and docile, to hold his tongue, to keep his thoughts hidden behind a screen of quiet compliance. The things he was told by his tutors and guardians were never entirely truthful. But recently, it seemed as though his guardians wanted him better—better with a sword, better with a pistol—as though something were coming, something they wanted him ready for. Finally, all eyes turned upon Kai. He stiffened, realizing with honed instinct that these people had come for him, that his days here were at an end. Ever since he woke up and remembered his past as Lee Kyun, he always wanted to see what lay beyond the stone walls of the place he knew as home, but he was terrified of what kind of world lay upon there. It took all his courage to sit quietly as they approached. Two of the men seemed to be in charge, and their bearing indicated a military position, their cold, merciless demeanor sending a chill down Kai’s spine. Then they bowed to him. “My prince,” they murmured, giving a crisp salute that made Kai’s fingers tighten upon the arms of his chair. What nonsense was this? He looked to his guardians in confusion, the four men who had always been in charge of his upbringing. They looked back with him with grim smiles, watching his reaction with cold satisfaction. “You are Prince Kaillen Nellan Askara, my boy. You were deposed and now it is time to take the throne back in your name.” The eldest guardian, Hasan, spoke, the smoothness of his tone gave Kai the shivers, the sudden revelation of his heritage bringing nothing but dread. There was something happening here that held the whisper of political maneuvering. The very lessons they had taught him, now warned him. He did not react for long moments, only watched them unblinkingly, his vivid green eyes bottomless with his own thoughts. Despite his youth, with those eyes, the long silver hair—such a rare color for the young—he was the image of his father, and a shudder seemed to pass over everyone in the hall. Then the moment was broken, he lowered his eyes submissively, and they relaxed. “You are to go with these gentleman and follow whatever they tell you to do. They have your best interests at heart—your highness.” There was a subtle contempt in his guardian’s tone. Kai doubted they cared at all about his best interest, but he nodded, trying to subdue his raging thoughts enough to think clearly. “We will be leaving come first light, your highness. I am General Gerald and this is General Melville. We will be your protectors and your mentors from this day forth, and we look forward to your cooperation. After all, this is to your benefit to be returned to your birthright, is it not?” The question held weight as they watched his reaction keenly. Kai glanced at his guardians once more, then again lowered his eyes. “As you say, my lord, this is to my benefit. I will do as you wish.” His low voice held only quiet obedience, as always. The generals smiled in satisfaction. And Kai only felt was dread... ________________________________________________