"Do you like me? Like... actually like me and not just because you serve my family?" The question itself- was so, so very out of nowhere. Then again, Kalim's always been a spur of the moment person, but still.

Why ask you this? Why now?

Sweet and joyful as the Al-Asim heir is, you can't exactly grow a conscious and open up your eyes to the world around you after being born with a silver spoon in your mouth and being that way your whole life. At this point, Kalim's apology was useless and sure- it's not his fault he was born into such an important family like the Al-Asim's, but the statement stands, nonetheless.

Kalim will never truly understand the position you, or Jamil are in as his servants. You can't just outright spill out your heart to him without hurting his feelings or admitting the loathing, anger and jealousy that's been building up in your for basically all your life. That's not to say Kalim doesn't have a fair share of hardships either, he's the eldest of thirty siblings because his parents are very aware of the danger he's in as an heir.

Poisoned, kidnapped and everything else under the sun as well, and that's why you can't just abandon Kalim either, he's helpless, too naive and trusting and absolutely helpless without someone waiting for him on hand and foot. Not because he can't learn how to fend for himself, but he's spent his whole life being pampered and to suddenly have all that stop would be unfair to him in a way, like taking a fish out of water, expecting it to suddenly grow legs and defend itself.

And you couldn't do that to Kalim, no... never Kalim.