The New Servant

Kai En sat on the cushioned seat by the low table, fingers drumming absently against the lacquered wood. His gaze flickered toward the newly acquired servant standing near the entrance, his body language stiff, wary.

A sigh threatened to escape him. What exactly had possessed me to take in a servant without any vetting? 

His mother would certainly have words for him once she heard of this impulsive decision.

He, who kept to himself, who rarely let anyone close, had suddenly found someone intriguing enough to disregard all common sense.

It was absurd.

And yet, he found himself unable to deny the curiosity.

Sira had been a competent servant, sharp-tongued when it suited her but ultimately more loyal to his mother than to him.

He had grown up with her, and though she sometimes challenged him, there was no novelty in it.

Not like this.

Even now, the so-called servant's first instinct was not to cower, nor await orders, but to scan the room with sharp, calculating eyes, noting every possible exit and blind spot. He did not fidget, did not bow his head as deeply as the others, did not even pretend to be meek.

Kai En's annoyance deepened. "Are you always this tense, servant?"

The servant's gaze snapped to him, dark eyes unreadable. "I wasn't aware my posture displeased Your Highness."

If he were a spy, he would know to be more discreet. If he were an assassin, he would have already made his move. That left an overly cautious servant, which was equally strange.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

Sira entered, pausing at the sight of the unfamiliar figure.

"Your Highness." Her brows arched as she turned to him, her voice gentle but probing. "Who is this?"

Kai En glanced at the new servant, noting the flicker of surprise that crossed his face at her words. He was waiting, watching, to see how Kai En would answer a servant's bold tone.

Kai En's fingers curled against his knee.

Does he think I need to explain myself?

He waved a hand dismissively. "A new servant. He'll be assisting you in attending to me."

Sira's lips pressed into a pout. "Am I not enough?"

Kai En resisted the urge to snort—an unprincely gesture—and instead shook his head with a faint smile. It seems we've spoiled her, he thought, not unkindly.

Turning back to the newcomer, he realized he had already forgotten his name. "What was it again?"

The servant lowered his gaze briefly before answering, "Xiao Liu, Your Highness."

"Right." Kai En nodded. "Sira, teach him my preferences. The way I like my tea, my schedule, everything."

"Come," Sira huffed, motioning for the servant to follow.

Xiao Liu had not moved. Had not bowed again.

Had not looked away.

Kai En arched a brow, deliberately holding his gaze.

A challenge.

The air between them felt weighted, though neither had spoken.

Then—just as Kai En considered calling him out for it—Xiao Liu dipped his head.

Irritation curled in Kai En's gut.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to break that control or test it.

"Hey? Come!" Sira called, already close to the doors. 

Xiao Liu sighed and followed after her.

As they left, Kai En leaned back, exhaling slowly. The moment Xiao Liu stepped out of his chamber, he felt as though he could finally breathe properly again.

What sort of servant has such a presence?

His frown deepened. And why is he even here? Palace servants were betas—chosen specifically to avoid… complications.

Yet Xiao Liu was unmistakably an alpha. The ill-fitting servant garb only emphasized his build—not that Kai En had been looking.

His fingers instinctively moved to rub the back of his neck, where a strange tingling sensation had lingered ever since the servant had gotten too close.

Was he falling ill?

And why, of all things, had he noticed the way the ill-fitting servant's garb only accentuated the build beneath? It meant nothing, he scoffed to himself.

Shaking off his distraction, he pulled a report toward him, scanning the latest intelligence from the borders. Suspicious gatherings had been reported in Feng Wei's territory.

Kai En rubbed his forehead, irritation creeping in. Why had his honoured father, the Emperor, seen fit to grant such a vital military asset to a blatantly power-hungry prince?

His lips pressed into a thin line as he drafted a quick correspondence to his spy in the region. He wanted names, reasons, and above all, plans.

He set the parchment aside to dry, just as a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," he called.

Lian stepped in. He had that look again—hesitant, as though he had something to say but wasn't sure how to phrase it.

Kai En arched a brow. "Since when do you knock?"

Lian closed the door behind him, rubbing the back of his head. "Didn't know if you were busy."

Kai En gestured for him to sit. "What is it?"

A pause. Then, finally "The palace is too quiet."

Kai En understood immediately. After years of war, of constant movement and tension, the silence of the palace felt… unnatural.

Suffocating, even. It was the reason he buried himself in work, filling the void with reports and logistics.

Lian studied him for a moment before remarking, "You seem healthier since we returned."

Kai En scoffed. "It's been three days, Lian. You were worried over nothing."

He reached for another report, failing to notice the way Lian's expression softened.

Lian, however, caught himself, clearing his throat before quickly asking, "Did you get Minister Zhao arrested over that case?"

Kai En glanced up, nodding. "There's a conspiracy at play. If left unchecked, it could topple the kingdom." He exhaled sharply. "The people are already restless. Land stolen, lords executed… I find it hard to believe the Emperor is fully aware of the consequences."

Lian hummed in agreement. His hand absently reached for a document just as Kai En did. Their fingers brushed.

Lian jerked back like he'd been burned.

Kai En frowned in amused confusion. "Why are you blushing like a maiden?"

Lian opened his mouth, likely to protest, but before he could stammer out a reply, the door opened again.

Sira entered, followed closely by Xiao Liu, carrying a tray of tea and snacks.

Lian immediately sat up, his gaze sharpening as he studied the new servant.

Kai En noted the shift in his expression. So he noticed it too, he mused.

Xiao Liu moved with calm, sure steps, setting the tray between them before stepping back, posture polite.

Lian spoke first. "I don't recall seeing this one among your household before."

Kai En waved off his concern. "He's new. That's why he forgot to serve the tea."

Xiao Liu's eyes flicked up, locking onto Kai En's.

There it was again—that silent challenge.

Amusement curled in Kai En's chest. Few people dared to meet his gaze, let alone glare at him outright. This servant had done it one time too many since their meeting.

He tapped the table lightly. "Well?"

Xiao Liu finally stepped forward, voice soft as he apologized and poured their tea.

Lian observed him curiously, while Kai En tried his best to ignore the strange tingling at the back of his neck.

His attention shifted back to their conversation as he looked down at the report. "The Liang family's territories still haven't been divided," he mentioned, picking up another report.

The sound of porcelain shattering made his head snap up.

Xiao Liu had dropped a teacup.

He had gone utterly still, hands clenched tight, shoulders tense.

Sira rushed over, sighing in exasperation as she shooed him aside to clean up the mess.

But Kai En wasn't looking at the mess.

He was looking at the servant's face.

Something had changed. For the first time since entering his service, the man's composure had cracked.

He had reacted to the name "Liang."

Interesting.

Kai En leaned back, watching as Sira swept up the shattered porcelain. Xiao Liu had already stepped away, his posture composed once more. If not for that brief, frozen moment, Kai En might have thought nothing of it.

"Clumsy," Sira muttered under her breath. "You'll have to do better than that if you want to last here."

Xiao Liu dipped his head—too shallow to be a real bow. Not quite defiant, but not entirely submissive either.

Kai En's fingers stilled against the table. Cheeky.

"Be more careful next time," he said lazily, watching for a reaction. "Sira, make sure he's trained properly. I don't have time for incompetence."

Xiao Liu—Jael—bowed stiffly. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Leave us," he dismissed them. 

She scoffed but said nothing more, dragging Xiao Liu off with her.

Lian exhaled, shaking his head. "You really are in a good mood today."

"Am I?" Kai En mused, picking up his report once more. "We have much to discuss." 

He didn't think about it after that.