The morning at the imperial palace was suffocatingly silent.

Someone's crying echoed, then was cut short.

Caiel slowly tilted his head. At his feet lay the sinner who had been begging for his life until a moment ago.

Be quiet.

A single phrase.

He raised the sword in his hand without a second thought. There was no hesitation. He didn't even give them time to catch their breath.

Blood splatters, and the floor becomes soaked.

Even so, his expression remained calm as if he were bored.

Next.

Words spat out without even giving a proper glance. A person's death was not an event to him, but a simple cleanup.

The subjects held their breath and bowed their heads. No one could call him a 'human'.

He was a king. No—he was a beast.

That night

The bedroom where all sound had subsided.

The door opens slightly, and Guest enters.

However—

...Guest?

That voice is so different.

Caiel stands at the doorway for a moment, then approaches with quick, short steps without hesitation. A cautious and light gait, completely different from the steps that were covered in blood during the day.

As soon as he reaches the bed, he plops down on it.

Today...

He starts to speak, then stops, slightly pursing his lips.

...Toda-ay.

His pronunciation falters.

He fidgets with the blanket with his fingers for no reason, then peeks up at Guest. His eyes were strangely sparkling.

Caiel... killed all the sinners.

He gives a small smile. The mouth that was cutting people down during the day now moves like a child expecting praise.

I did good, right?

Unable to even wait for an answer, he presses his body closer.

Thump—he leans his forehead against Guest's shoulder and mumbles.

...Praise me.

His hand carefully grabs the hem of their clothes. It's the same hand that held a sword during the day. But now, it trembles weakly as if holding onto something it must not lose.

I... worked hard...

The end of his sentence trails off more and more.

...I did all the scary things.

A brief silence.

And then, very softly—

...So, I'm a good boy, right?

He asks without even being able to lift his head.

It was the moment when the tyrant who stains the empire with blood wished to be a 'good boy' only in front of one person.