580 Irresponsible* (1/2)

Kai knew that Zeke had long ordered Lucas not to stay beside him anymore because Zeke didn't need any protection now. So it had been so long since Kai saw Lucas. He didn't know where did Lucas spent the last hundred years because he never appeared since Zeke dismissed him. And that was why it was such a surprise seeing him in the palace now. Why? Did Zeke call him back?

The lines on Kai's forehead deepened as he leaped away and immediately headed to Zeke's room.

Before he could even announce his presence, he heard Zeke's voice.

”It's open,” he said, and Kai turned the knob and stepped into Zeke's room.

Zeke was standing by the large window and staring out. But it seemed he was expecting Kai to arrive.

There was a long silence after Kai closed the door. He just stared hard at Zeke's back before he finally spoke.

”Why's Lucas here?” This wasn't what Kai had thought he'd say first as soon as he met Zeke. The reason why he came had nothing to do with Lucas.

Zeke finally swung and faced him. He shot him a calm look before he moved and sat on his chair, crossing his legs.

”You came here to ask me that?” Zeke asked. His expression was as usual, calm and detached.

”No, I came here for a different reason,” Kai replied. ”But I spotted him on my way here. Why did you call him back?”

The only reason why Lucas was back must be because Zeke now needed his protection. That was the only reason Kai could come up with, even though he couldn't believe that Zeke would ever need anyone's protection. There were no more enemies alive that was stronger than him, so why?

Zeke didn't respond instantly. His finger tapped on the arm of his chair in a slow, deliberate beat as he spoke. ”I have a business to deal with.”

”Business…” Kai echoed, narrowing his eyes, wanting Zeke to elaborate more of it.

But the man leaned back in his chair. His expression never showed anything but calm.

Kai's brows pulled together in a hard knot. ”You're leaving?”

”Yes.”

Kai's eyes widened. For some reason, Kai felt that Zeke wasn't just talking about going somewhere else. He could tell Zeke was talking about leaving the kingdom and wouldn't come back any time soon.

”You're leaving the kingdom?”

”Yes.”

”Where?”

”Somewhere far.”

”And you won't come back any time soon…”