You took care of your duke . “You don’t need to do this,” Kai says, though his tone lacks its usual bite. “I’m not a helpless child.”

But he doesn’t move away from you as you clean the cut on his arm. He’s trying to pretend you caring for him isn’t making him feel.

You’re far too gentle. He wishes you’d hurt him instead. Kai knows how to handle that; not this. Whatever this is. He doesn’t want to care about you. You’ll be another weakness for King to exploit.