Chapter 3

This for the best

Voltaire was shattered at the sight of his grandson making love to someone, to be specific, a slave. "What is going on?" He whispered to himself. The room was so silent that it could be heard, and their lips finally divided. Kai had the same amount of shock on his face like his grandfather; while Tyson couldn't help but contemplate on what he just did.

"It's not what you think it is sir…" Tyson said as he stood and confronted Voltaire. Anger then crossed Voltaire's face. "I forced you grandson into that, he had nothing to do with it. He's a good child, and I suppose I applied at the wrong place. I guess I should be packing then your highness." Tyson said, his head hung with regret. "It's best you do that now…" Voltaire said as he walked past the slave to his grandson. "Anyway…" Tyson said as he faced Kai who was kneeling on the floor, "We're better off this way…" Tyson said as a thin smile graced his face. He then left the room and the two were left.

"How foolish of you to fall into his trap" Voltaire said as he sat on the bed, he then gestured to his grandson to be seated beside him. "But…" Kai said as he was filled with guilt. "You know better grandson." Voltaire said as he looked at his grandson. "But… I… I…" Kai did his best to talk or say what he felt, but something was stopping him. The mere fact Tyson sacrificed his job just to keep Kai's slate clean, it was something painful.

"Grandfather, the truth is that, I was the one who pulled him into that…" Kai said. The words had finally escaped his mouth; it still wasn't relieving since that wasn't going to change anything. Tears then escaped Kai's eyes and they ran down his cheeks. He then ran out the door to Tyson's room.

When he was on his way, Ray caught sight of him and caught hold of his arm. "Where are you going? The ball's about to end" Ray said. "Just a little side trip is there a problem?" Kai said trying to break free from the tight grasp on his arm. "You can't possibly go anywhere else aside from here." Ray said getting Kai to look at his eyes, his yellow hypnotizing eyes.

Then, from the corner of the room, someone had caught Kai's attention, Tyson. He then looked at the boy who was carrying his heavy bag, in his rugged over-coat and dirty shoes. Kai couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor boy that made his way through the crowd which he stood out from so much because of his appearance. Ray was then curious so when he was able to catch sight of what Kai was looking at, there was a grin that appeared on Ray's face.

"There's something about that boy, isn't there?" Ray said slyly. Kai abruptly shook his head, trying once again to break free from the grasp. Voltaire then made his way down the stairs. He surely wasn't in a hurry since he seemed to be drudging down the stairs when he caught sight of his grandson being held down by a Count.

Kai finally broke free from the grasp and made his way to the door. As Tyson was still making his way, Kai decided to go in the same direction. It was at that moment Voltaire was awakened and he hurriedly went down the stairs. He followed his grandson with an average amount of distance.

Ray was surely enjoying the sight of sheer humiliation that he was to bring upon soon. "If you're planning something better think fast." Bryan said as he approached Ray, while Tala stood behind Bryan. "Somebody seems supportive." Ray said facing the light haired Count. "Just think about it this way; if you were in the Prince's shoes, what would you feel right after?" Bryan said, and with that, he left.

When Tyson reached the outside, "Tyson." A familiar voice said. Tyson turned around to see who it was. On the other hand, Ray went to Voltaire, who was nearing the doorway. He then whispered something in his ear, and it seemed he was truly alarmed. "Uh… why are you following me?" Tyson said, putting the heavy suitcase down. "Because I don't want you to go…" Kai said as his eyes started to tear up.

"This isn't helping…"

"Why?"

"I'm bringing you down…"

"You aren't…"

"Why are you saying that!? I could be the reason you could lose the throne and--"

"I don't care."

"What? Why?"

"Because for once in my life I found what it was like for someone to finally care."

"Just because I served for you for a week doesn't mean you can do this."

"Yes I can…"

"Don't be foolish, you heard your grandfather, you know better than to--"

"Aaww… so the lion fell in love with the lamb, then he'd devour the lamb anytime soon."

A voice interrupted from behind Kai. When they looked to see who it was, it was Ray. "What do you want now Count?" Kai asked with a furious tone. "Oh nothing really, I just want to give your slave a little piece of advice. It is true, sooner or later you'd let him go when you'd find someone else." Ray said as he neared Tyson. "You don't stand a hair of a chance, I told the King about it and who knows what he'll do to you." Ray said as a smug expression came by on his face. "He knows already, why do you have to tell him anything else?" Tyson said as he tried to keep collected. "Oh… well… let's say… I lied just a bit and…" he was cut by Kai who began to snarl. "Oh… what's wrong your highness? I thought we had something going on?" Then Kai's growling was taken aback by what he said. "Don't believe him Kai! He's engaged already!" Tyson said, Ray was then shocked at what he just heard.

"What did you just say?" another voice interrupted them. "Grandfather…" Kai said when he looked at his grandfather, who was obviously angered by what he just heard. "Grandfather it's not what you think!" Kai exclaimed as he tried to stop his grandfather from nearing Tyson, but the guards took him. "Let me go you tits!" Kai said trying to squirm free from the guards. "See sir, didn't I tell you? I bet you something has been happening behind your back this whole time." Ray said with a tone of self-righteousness.

The two only stared at each other at that moment. "You think you have all the authority in the world, to call my grandson by his name." He said obviously still angered. "I don't need authority, I still have my dignity don't I?" Tyson said.

"You? Dignified? Don't make me laugh…"

"You've fallen into it too haven't you?"

"Pardon?"

"Into this whole discrimination thing."

"Poppy-cock, what are you talking about?"

"If you could call us slaves by our first names, then why not call our master's by their first name? Aren't we all people anyway?"

"There's a difference between you and I boy, and it's more than just money."

"Is it just because I'm not qualified to call him that, or some other reason I'll never really know?"

"You're beginning to get on my nerves boy."

"It's kind of obvious anyway, so… I'll read your mind and grant it for you."

With that Tyson picked up his suitcase and kept walking. "NO!!!!" Kai shouted. Tyson didn't stop walking. He didn't want to hurt anymore. "Stop! Please! Come back! I have to tell you something!" Tears just began to run down Tyson's face just like Kai's. "Bring him to his room, he and I have to talk." Voltaire said looking at his grandson with eyes that read "you are a disgrace".

Since Kai knew that after this he'd never be able to see Tyson anymore, he decided to confess and just let it out. "TYSON!!! I LOVE YOU!" It seemed that the whole world stopped at the moment he said those words. Tyson then stopped and turned around and shouted back, "YOU MUST BE CRAZY!" Kai then shook his head at the moment he heard those words.

Voltaire then entered the palace followed by the guards who brought Kai in their arms. Ray then followed but stayed with Mariah. "I have to go somewhere tomorrow." Tala whispered into Bryan's ear. "Then let me come with you…" Bryan replied. "You can't… you'll be going into the village with me if ever, and I don't think you'll receive a kind reception." Tala said desperate to stop his master from going. "I don't really care… besides, I'd like to see where you grew up." Bryan said with a smile. Tala sighed, "Alright, but…" he was cut by Bryan, "Yeah… I know the drill." Tala then looked around, "I suggest we go back now…" Tala whispered again. "Sure…" Bryan said, and with that the two left the palace.