CHAPTER 36

I had been on my knees for hours. Time had lost all meaning inside the tent; I couldn't tell if the sun had set outside, if night had fallen, or if it was just the flickering red haze dancing before my eyes. My legs had long since gone numb, but I didn't even feel it—my body resisted any movement that might break the silence. Every muscle, every thought, every breath of mine... was frozen in fear of punishment from Cassian. Yet he simply lay in bed, silent.

He lay at the very center of the bed. One arm draped over his forehead, the other resting at his side. His black shirt clung to his broad shoulders and muscular torso—his chest was firm, and the outline of his abs could be faintly seen beneath the fabric. He appeared to be resting, yet his body wasn't fully relaxed; as if he could leap to his feet at the slightest sign of danger. His long, wavy brown hair was spread across the pillow. The light cast copper hues along its ends. His face was flawless—high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and expressionless but threatening lips. His eyes were closed, yet his presence... still felt awake. Like a restless god in uneasy slumber.

I still couldn't take my eyes off him. His presence extended beyond mere visual weight—it filled the tent. Especially with his scent. Faint, yet unmistakable. A mix of metallic cleanliness, dry wood, and warm fabric. Impossible to describe, yet unforgettable. It didn't burn me; instead, it wrapped around me slowly—a darkness that addicted subtly.

Then... that familiar feeling returned. The tent seemed to tremble slightly. Not with magic. But with energy. Or more precisely, the absence of it. I turned my head and my eyes caught the black stone on the table again. Small, motionless, silent. But unease seeped from it. As if it were slowly draining all good things from the tent, dulling the atmosphere.

Cassian's breathing grew irregular. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his brows furrowed. Was he truly asleep? Or was the stone silently consuming him as well? But the strangest part... was me. The stone's effect spread to every corner of the tent—but not to me. It tried to approach, but something blocked it. My energy rose like an invisible wall, keeping it at bay. This cautious distance was even more unsettling. The stone fed on Cassian's calm, but it couldn't reach me. And with this awareness, that familiar thought returned: something was happening again. And if I intervened, everything could get worse.

But... what if this stone was affecting Cassian's decisions? How could a man surrounded by such unease make a sound choice? Maybe this explained Kaedin's strange behavior lately. The magic wasn't just affecting space—it was affecting people.

I turned toward the stone. I tried to reach it with my mana. Failed. There was a barrier around it—unseen, yet solid. I changed my approach. I extended my mana like a rubber band from my body and tried to spread it like a shield over Cassian. But the effort demanded immense power—the moment my mana extended, it rebounded violently. My body trembled.

I couldn't fully cover the space. Maybe... I needed to get closer to Cassian.

I tried to stand, but my feet were still numb. I lost my balance and fell. I turned to see if the noise had awakened him—but he was already up, silently standing over me.

I flinched in fear. "Ah!" I cried out. My voice cracked from disuse.

Cassian leaned down. He grabbed my chin and lifted my face, forcing eye contact.

"Why was I seeing you in my dreams?"

His words echoed within me. I hadn't expected him to begin like this. And there was no way I could ever let him learn the truth. Even Lucian had nearly lost his mind when he found out I came from a game. If Cassian found out... only the gods would know what he'd do to me.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty," I said, forcing calm into my voice. "I'm just a novice mage in training. It's not possible for me to affect dreams. Are you sure the person in your dreams was me?"

Cassian studied my face closely. He leaned in a little. "It feels the same."

His voice was soft but resolute. His closeness made me uneasy. But in this proximity, I realized something—the stone wasn't affecting him. Our closeness… was shielding him. Or maybe I was.

Without a word, Cassian rested his head on my shoulder. I tensed up entirely. I was afraid he might kill me with a sudden move. At the same time, I tried to sense whether the stone's pull was still active. "Your Majesty—" I began, startled, but he cut me off.

His head still on my neck, he inhaled deeply. His breath tickled my skin, and I shivered.

"Just like in the dreams… my headache fades when I'm near you."

So close, such a clear admission… I didn't know what to say. I blinked rapidly, trying to collect my voice, and stammered,

"I-I don't know why that happens… but I'm glad I can ease your pain, Your Majesty."

He didn't respond. He remained still. I felt like I was lying in front of a lion on a safari, praying not to be noticed. I broke the silence.

"During the hunt… I didn't mean to intervene. I lost my balance, and the dragon noticed me, Your Majesty," I lied.

Cassian, without changing his posture, said, "Your heart races when you lie."

Now I was sure it was beating even faster. I instinctively tried to pull back, and he let me. Embarrassed, I said, "No, Your Majesty. I beg your pardon… it's not the lie—it's just… because you're so close."

Cassian straightened from his crouch and looked down at me with cold eyes. His eyes were pitch black.

"If King Althar finds out that his plan was jeopardized because of a mage's imbalance, you'll be executed. And the rest of the mages will be accused of conspiracy—and also killed."

I was horrified by what he said. He spoke such terrifying words with complete calm. I could do nothing. I would have to beg. Suddenly, I threw myself at his feet.

"Please, Your Majesty. The others did nothing wrong. Please spare them. If anyone is guilty, it's me. I haven't even finished my training. It's all my fault." Tears ran down my cheeks.

Cassian was unmoved. He continued. "It would be a shame to lose something this interesting so quickly. I could take the blame for you but…"

I looked into his eyes. I knew he was manipulating me. But I had no other choice. For the tower, for Lucian…

"I'll do whatever you ask, Your Majesty. Please…"

I caught the faintest curve of his lips—satisfaction.

"You'll become my personal attendant."