CPG | Chapter 6

Rayyan’s hands moved quickly, but occasionally paused. Each time, he glanced at the prince, whose expression remained calm.

‘Is it okay to touch him?’

Unaware of Ternnis’s desire for contact, Rayyan flinched each time he touched him. His fingers had lost sensation from repeated contact. Or rather, it felt like the accumulated sensations had overwhelmed him. Trying to ignore it, the sensation surged like a wave. It was so ticklish he wanted to scratch his hand, but he resisted, occasionally wiggling his fingers.

Initially, the sensation was confusing. But after experiencing it a few times, he understood what it was.

‘It feels good.’

Which made it even more confusing. He didn’t know why. Feeling the sensation again, Rayyan bit his lip.

‘First, this.’

His priority was to finish dressing the prince in his elaborate attire. With only the waist knot left, Rayyan knelt on one knee.

As he tied the knot, Ternnis suddenly looked at Rayyan.

“Were you born in the empire?”

“…Yes.”

Surprised by the sudden question, Rayyan quickly answered. Ternnis tilted his head.

“If you’re not some hidden illegitimate child, you must have had the basic examination.”

“…”

The basic examination, also known as the first test, identified children around eight who showed potential for special abilities. If they exhibited tendencies of an Esper or Guide, they were registered with the state and received support to become knights, mages, etc.

To undergo this examination, one had to be a registered citizen. But not everyone could take it. Illegitimate children, not officially registered, couldn’t be tested.

“Ah, but it doesn’t matter if you’re illegitimate.”

Things had changed. Illegitimate children were registered as commoners and tested. If they showed special abilities, they were acknowledged as legitimate offspring. The treatment and expectations for children with abilities like Espers or Guides were significant.

Rayyan understood why Ternnis asked. Though perceptions had changed, allowing illegitimate children to be tested, some still hid it to avoid exposing their flaws. Ternnis wondered if Rayyan hadn’t been tested because he was illegitimate.

“…I’m not illegitimate.”

Technically, he was the legitimate child being chased by an illegitimate one. Whatever Rayyan thought, Ternnis continued his own thoughts.

“If you were insignificant from birth, you’d be serving like this.”

So, he’s not a Guide?

Ternnis still couldn’t figure Rayyan out. He’d considered the most likely possibility yesterday, but asking directly ruled it out. If he’s not a Guide, what is this reaction? Even now, the places Rayyan touched were less painful.

***

“Whoo.”

Closing his room door, Rayyan sighed deeply. Serving the prince and managing the castle had exhausted him. Dealing with the prince’s odd behavior all day had drained his energy.

Unable to support himself on his shaky legs, Rayyan leaned against the door. He tilted his head back, feeling suffocated, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

– Can’t become a Guide?

– Yes.

His family had produced Guides for generations. Every descendant was naturally born with Guide abilities, and it became an expectation. So, the head of the family couldn’t accept Rayyan’s test results.

If a mutant had been born, it might have been understandable. But a completely ordinary child with no abilities was incomprehensible.

In the tense atmosphere, Rayyan sat silently, unable to breathe. He couldn’t lift his head at his father’s disappointed face. Noticing this, the butler spoke sympathetically.

– Even so, the young master is exceptionally bright, so there should be no problem leading the family.

– Why wouldn’t there be? Everyone will question his abilities.

– Though Guides have led the family, it’s not a prerequisite for becoming the head.

– It was taken for granted.

Becoming a Guide was so expected that it wasn’t questioned.

– Our family’s strength came from calming and stabilizing Espers. But if he succeeds me, how can the family maintain its power?

– The family has been established for a long time. It’s already a prestigious line…

– Enough.

The head waved his hand dismissively.

– Without becoming a Guide, it’s useless.

Though only eight, Rayyan was exceptionally bright and understood the conversation. I can’t become a Guide. I can’t succeed my father, and I’ll be cast out.

– Then what about the young master…

– Attach him to his mother. Cut off all support except the minimum.

Rayyan didn’t mind being cast out. But he worried about his mother, who would be exiled with him for giving birth to him. Her frail health couldn’t handle the strain.

– But… the former Countess is there.

The current head’s mother, Rayyan’s grandmother. The head thought of her briefly, then waved dismissively.

– She has served her purpose by giving birth to me. Don’t worry about her.

As expected, his father abandoned him.

– Should I arrange separate accommodations?

– Yes, get them out of sight.

The head agreed with the butler’s suggestion, rising as if he had no more time for Rayyan. He strode across the room, and just before leaving, he looked back at Rayyan.

– Useless.

He’d never shown affection. As the eldest son and legitimate child, he’d only received the bare minimum of attention. But now, even that was over. As soon as Rayyan was deemed not a Guide, he fell out of favor.

– When is Breya’s examination?

– In three months.

The name of his half-sibling, only a few months younger, was mentioned. Exactly three months later, Breya was confirmed to have Guide potential.

Recalling the conversation from the day his life fell apart, Rayyan’s eyelids trembled. That’s when his misfortune began. He survived under the butler’s care but eventually had to hide like this.

Rayyan looked down at his hands. Calloused from years of hard work since childhood.

– If you were insignificant from birth, you’d be serving like this.

The prince was right. If he could have been a Guide, he wouldn’t be living like this. So, Rayyan was indeed useless.

Clenching his hands tightly, Rayyan slid to the floor. Dust rose from his movement. Unlike the perfectly maintained outside, Rayyan’s room remained in its original state.

***

“Not a Guide?”

While Rayyan examined his hands, Ternnis was also looking at his own. He held them up to the moonlight and brought them close to his eyes.

They were hands that had scratched everything, never given a moment’s rest. He’d scratched his body and the walls until his nails broke. They were hands that had writhed in pain, but now they were different.

His broken nails were healing, and the wounds on his hands were scabbing over. He hadn’t scratched them again, so they were healing easily. It meant he hadn’t had an episode since arriving at the castle.

All of this was due to one person. Rayyan, the insolent servant with a surprisingly clear and fair face, was the reason.

“If he’s not a Guide, then what is this?”

Still without answers, Ternnis suddenly laughed.

“Interesting.”

For the first time, he was curious about a person who eased his pain. He decided to observe the black-haired servant and let him touch him as much as possible. With that decision, he suddenly remembered his situation.

“I thought I’d die soon.”

When he was abandoned at the castle, he was expected to die at any moment. But strangely, as the castle became cleaner, he felt better. Well, most of him still hurt, but it wasn’t as unbearable as before.

Ternnis rubbed his stomach. He’d eaten not long ago, but hunger returned. Licking his lips, he turned to where Rayyan had stood.

“I’m hungry.”

Thinking of the meal Rayyan prepared, he also craved something else.