Vaxen remarked, "Now, now, no need to be hasty."
Caspian stepped forward anyway.
The pressure radiating from Kazzal was suffocating, yet Caspian still growled,
"Let her go. Otherwise, I swear to the very heavens I will hunt you down to the ends of this world and ensure you live out a torture for the next millennia—so excruciating you will wish I had simply ended your pitiful existence!"
Kazzal laughed sinisterly, mocking him.
"Was that meant to scare me, boy? You—unevolved—think you can stand against me? Without that little trick of yours, you'd be hiding behind gramps over there."
Pure malice gleamed in his eyes as he ridiculed Caspian.
Vaxen sighed, his gaze never leaving Kazzal as he spoke calmly,
"Your Highness, allow me, if you will."
He stepped forward—once, then twice.
Kazzal's mocking expression shattered, fear surfacing for the first time as he backed away and pressed the blade closer to Kala's throat.
"Don't be stupid, old man. I can kill her long before you kill me. Let me leave, and I'll let the girl go. How about that?"
His amiable façade vanished in the next moment.
Vaxen didn't answer with words—he answered with action.
He lifted his hand and gently waved it, as if swatting an annoying fly.
"I don't make deals with nobles like you—those who give the rest of us a bad name."
Kazzal reacted on instinct as his poisonous aura flared, but in the next instant, shadows smothered him, suppressing the poison with effortless ease.
Darkness crushed in around him.
In desperation, he shoved Kala forward to buy himself a moment, then hastily conjured a portal. Before even Vaxen could react, Kazzal vanished, leaving behind his parting words:
"It's personal now, boy. I'll make sure I kill you for this."
Caspian ignored the threat entirely.
He rushed forward, dropping to his knees beside Kala. He pulled the cloth from her mouth and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
In a rare show of vulnerability, he said quietly,
"I'm sorry. I was too weak… too overconfident. And you suffered for it."
His eyes conveyed the sincerity behind every word.
Kala was taken aback.
This was a royal prince—the embodiment of confidence and power since the moment she met him—yet here he was, blaming himself for her pain.
In that moment, she finally allowed herself to believe he was different.
Truly different.
She met his gaze, those same eyes that had made her feel safe and seen since their first meeting.
"I'm fine. It's not your fault," she said softly."If anyone is to blame, it's me—for being too presumptuous. For thinking I couldn't get stronger just because I'm a commoner. For being content with my fate instead of challenging it."
She inhaled deeply, as if her next words would erase a line she'd drawn in the sand long ago.
"You made me realise that. You made me realise a lot of things in such a short time."
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she continued,
"Thank you, Cas… for truly caring. And for coming for me."
Caspian's heart, which had been aching moments ago, finally eased.
If anything, it beat faster.
"Looks like you're finally expressing how much you care about me," he said lightly."Well, I am Caspian Drake. How could you resist?"
From the side, Vaxen listened, unsure whether Caspian was serious or joking. He shook his head regardless.
"So uncanny," he muttered."Just like Thalric… especially when it comes to love and women."
Kala rolled her eyes playfully and giggled.
"That's the Cas I've come to know—the confident, teasing trailblazer."Then, more softly, "Promise me… don't let what happened change you."
Her eyes pleaded.
Caspian, surprised by her words, simply whispered as he caressed her cheek,
"I promise. This hasn't dissuaded me.It's motivated me."
_______
Caspian reflected silently.
I've been too overconfident since I woke up.
For many reasons, I've breezed through most conflicts, expecting everything to work out. I knew from the start that this world is ruthless—filled with beings who see me as nothing more than an ant.
My real mistake wasn't arrogance… it was passivity.
Like I told Kala—this is motivation.
I have people I care about now. My mother… and Kala.
There may be more in the future, but today will never fade from my memory.
A wake-up call.