Then suddenly, he felt someone hug him—and that pulled him back to reality.
Before he even noticed, Dominic had come close and was now embracing him. Shiao Yi could see Louis's shocked expression.
He was shocked too.
When did that happen? How could he not notice someone getting that close? That was careless beyond belief.
Why couldn't he sense Dominic' presence? No—that wasn't it. He didn't feel the need to be cautious. That was why his subconscious sensors didn't react.
Why? Was it because this man kept treating him like a child and holding him all the time?
"Shiao. Don't make that sad face," Dominic said quietly.
Sad? Shiao Yi hadn't realized he looked that way.
"Louis," Dominic said, turning to his second-in-command, "What I mentioned earlier—send it to the royal capital right away. This is urgent."
"Oh... yeah. So we're sending the official request now, huh?" Louis replied, still looking a bit dazed.
When Louis gave a slow nod and turned away, Dominic walked out of the office while still carrying Shiao Yi in his arms.
...
No—he was shocked. Absolutely stunned.
It wouldn't be surprising if the world turned upside down right now.
Honestly, this was more shocking than the sudden attack by a massive horde of magical beasts.
The magical beast attacks, no matter the size, were still something they could technically expect.
But this—this was so far outside of anything Louis could've imagined.
Captain Dominic who is know as the Iron Knight himself, was walking through the fortress while carrying the boy he had just rescued in his arms.
Not just supporting him—no, the captain was holding the boy in his arms like he was something precious.
Everyone in the fortress was left speechless, their eyes were widened in shock unable to do anything but watch them pass in stunned silence.
Dominic, who had never so much as cracked a smile, not even a twitch of a facial muscle. A man so expressionless that people joked that his face was made of stone.
And if he did look your way, that sharp, piercing gaze was enough to make your heart stop.
Even His Majesty, the beloved king of the Rosaria Kingdom, had never received a smile from him.
It was said that Dominic had never once smiled at his own parents or siblings.
He had dazzling golden hair and a face so perfectly shaped it almost glowed.
He's only 24 years old but with a sword, he was unbeatable. His magic was devastatingly powerful.
Born into a noble family that was tied to the royal house, he had risen quickly to become the Captain of the Knight Order Second Division.
Three years younger than Louis—but he was clearly on another level entirely.
Whether woman or man, old or young, anyone who laid eyes on him felt like their soul had been taken.
But those blue eyes—those cold, blade-like eyes—were so sharp that they were filled everyone with fear.
And yet here he was… carrying that boy with care.