The guest room door slammed hard enough to rattle the frame.
Caspian flinched.
He didn't need to look up to know it was Zayden. He knew the weight of those footsteps, the way the air in the room went heavy and sharp the second he walked in. Anger clung to Zayden like a second skin.
Caspian stayed quiet. Silence was safer. Anger and violence were the only two things he'd ever learned to fear properly.
Zayden pulled out the chair beside him and sat. No word, no greeting. He just started serving food in his plate with precise, irritated movements—meat, rice, vegetables—like he was in a bad mood right now.
Caspian had already finished lunch. His stomach twisted uncomfortably, but he didn't say it. He just sat there, fingers twisting together in his lap, eyes fixed on the table.
Footsteps echoed behind him. Light. Deliberate.
Amanda.
He didn't turn. He knew that sound. Knew the way her heels clicked when she was walking before. Then her voice cut through him sharply.
"Hey, you. Stand up. It's my seat."
Caspian turned his head slightly, enough to see her, but he didn't move. His body didn't agree to it. His heart was pounding too fast to obey.
Amanda's eyes narrowed. "Did you not hear me? What I said?"
The fork and spoon in Zayden's hand hit the table with a sharp clang.
He stood.
The whole room went still. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.
"Marcus," Zayden said, voice low and cold.
Marcus was at his side in a second. "What is it, Boss?"
"Throw her out."
"What?" Marcus blinked, stunned.
Amanda and Caspian both looked up at the same time, shock wiping away everything else.
Zayden didn't explain. He turned and walked out, leaving the order hanging in the air like a blade.
"Darling? What are you—" Amanda lunged after him, but two guards were already moving. Strong hands caught her arms before she got three steps.
"Marcus, did you fucking lose your mind?" she snarled, struggling against them. But no one listened. She was dragged out, cursing, while Caspian sat frozen, watching it all unfold like it wasn't real.
Then—
"Caspian?"
Mrs. Gable's voice pulled him out of it. She stood a few feet away, hand extended toward him. In her palm were small, plump blueberries, deep blue and glistening.
Caspian blinked. He'd never seen them up close.
He took them all, popping them into his mouth at once.
"Wow… they taste so good," he murmured, surprised by the sweetness.
Mrs. Gable smiled, brushing a hand over his head. "Good child. If you want more, go to the garden. There are plenty. Eat as many as you want."
"Can I go there?" His eyes lit up for the first time since Zayden walked in.
"Of course, if you want." She patted his back gently.
"M-Mrs. Gable?"
"Hmm?"
"Zay… didn't eat. Ah you see,he was Angry. so he went to study room.Do you think he got weak?"
Worry was clear in Caspian's voice, and Mrs. Gable had to hide a small, mischievous smile. _So that's how it is._
She composed herself, putting a hand to her forehead like she was panicking. "Is that so? Ah, he's not listening to me anymore. Young master, could you take him some food in the study? If I prepare a tray for him?"
Caspian hesitated. "Ah… umm… I…"
"Young Master, he'll listen to you," she pressed, voice urgent. "Make sure he eats everything. Otherwise, he'll get weak. You don't want that, do you?"
Caspian's eyes hardened with determination. "No. I won't let that happen."
"Good. So I will prepare food. I'll bring you the tray."
---
The study door opened without a knock.
Zayden didn't look up. He knew. No one else dared. Only one person in this house was reckless enough.
Caspian set the tray down and immediately noticed the desk was buried in files. Without asking, he started clearing a space, moving papers aside with careful hands, making room for the food.
Zayden finally glanced up when Caspian took the file right out of his hand.
The anger drained from his face the moment he saw those light blue eyes.
"Caspian…"
Caspian ignored the way his name sounded when Zayden said it. He pushed the tray closer, determined. "Eat the food first."
"What if I don't?" Zayden leaned back, amused. It wasn't often someone tried to order him around. Especially not this little beauty who looked like he'd break if he raised his voice.
"Then…" Caspian lifted the file toward the open window, face serious. "I'll throw your files out."
Zayden had to bite back a laugh. "Pfft. You think you can throw them?"
"I… I can throw the whole bunch! Don't underestimate me."
Zayden grinned, wide and real for the first time in whole day. "Okay, okay. I'll eat. Don't throw them."
Caspian sighed in relief. "Good. You won't get weak."
He tried to put the file back, but Zayden caught his wrist and pulled him down, settling him on his lap before he could protest.
Caspian flushed, fingers clutching at Zayden's shirt to steady himself. "W-what… what do you want?"
Zayden's smile softened. He was too close. Too warm. "I'm tired. Can you feed me?"
Caspian's heart slammed against his ribs. Their eyes locked, and for a second he couldn't breathe. He turned his face away quickly. "O-okay… let me."
He lifted the spoon, feeding Zayden slowly, avoiding his gaze. But he could feel it—Zayden's eyes on him the whole time, quiet and heavy and possessive in a way that made his skin burn. Blush spread across his cheeks.
Zayden didn't look away. He wasn't going to waste this rare, quiet moment.
---
Later, Caspian closed the study door behind him and leaned against it, exhaling shakily.
"We were too close…" he whispered to himself.
Mrs. Gable was waiting for him
"Did he eat?" she asked eagerly.
"Yeah," Caspian whispered, cheeks red.
"Why are you so red? Did you catch a fever?"
"N-no! I'm fine!" He shoved the tray into her hands and hurried past her. "Excuse me, I need to take a shower."
Mrs. Gable watched him practically run toward the bedroom, smiling to herself. _Well, well._
The study door opened again. Zayden stepped out, and she could see it—he was in a good mood.
She greeted him. He smiled back, something rare and soft, before heading down the stairs.
He was calm now. Satisfied.
But
Zayden had still someone he had to deal with.
Marcus followed him, and the guards fell in step immediately. Zayden's grin turned sharp as he headed for the basement— the torture room was waiting.
---