Chapter 325 – Lesha (1) Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan In a garden, a small boy with light brown skin ran on light feet. His curling silver hair glistened in the sun, and swiveled around as a butterfly caught his attention, fluttering ahead of him. Maids watching nearby laughed as they saw him dart by after the insect. He was so adorable, they couldn’t help themselves. The boy flashed a smile in their direction at the laughter, but did not take his eyes from his quarry. Patiently, he stalked the butterfly through the garden until it landed on a flower some ten paces away. The boy bit his lower lip. His golden eyes glittered as they focused on his prey. His breathing slowed as he crept forward, his footsteps making no sound. But just as his golden eyes flashed, glowing with intent, someone called out to him. “Lesha!” The boy turned to find a tall, thin man behind him, his long hair tied back in a ponytail. Bending, the man picked Lesha up in his arms. “You shouldn’t be out alone,” he admonished. “Buffly, Momo!” He exclaimed, pointing at his prey. “Look, buffly!” Morga bit his lips at the nickname, trying to keep back his laughter. He was the worthy chief of the Snake Tribe, and he should not be seen laughing like a child. “One must not kill without reason,” he told the little boy sternly. “The more blood stains your hands, the more you will be consumed by the instincts of a beast. Only kill when you are in danger.” “Danger?” “Do you understand, my prince?” “Yes, Momo,” Lesha replied, nodding his small head. Morga looked at him with satisfaction. Young Kurkans didn’t know how to control their savage nature. Their behavior tended to betray the fact that they were not human. It wouldn’t have been a problem, if they were in the desert, but in the royal palace of Estia, the young Prince needed to be taught early how to restrain himself before humans. Ishakan himself had asked Morga to teach his son. Mura also watched over Lesha occasionally, but since she was Queen Leah’s lady-in-waiting, she did not have as much time to devote to the Prince. Every time she heard Morga had had time alone with Lesha, Mura could only stamp her feet with envy. “I couldn’t give up Leah, but I can’t give up Lesha...” She had sighed. But if she were forced to choose, Mura would choose Leah. She still cooked all the Kurkan foods that the Queen liked, and in any dangerous situation, she became her guard. After Leah had been injured in the fight with Cerdina, Mura had felt that she had found her destiny. Leah became the second-most important person in her life, after Haban. Mura knew that her loyalty to Leah even exceeded her loyalty to Ishakan. That was why Morga shouldered most of the responsibility for looking after the Prince. Among all the Kurkans, he alone had this honor. Morga was very proud of it. “Prince.” Despite his strict lessons, Morga had ways of keeping the little boy’s love. Casting a simple spell, Morga blew black smoke into the air, and then turned into butterflies. “Momo!” Lesha exclaimed. “Bufflies! Momo made bufflies!” He threw his arms around Morga’s neck, beaming. “I love Momo!” Momo had to cover his mouth with the back of his hand, his shoulders shaking with repressed laughter. This time it was impossible to maintain his stern bearing. A smile broke irresistibly and he looked quickly around, then hugged the little Prince back. “I can show you many amazing spells,” he said. “What else do you want to look at?” “Wolf!” Morga knew very well what kind of wolf Lesha wanted to see. The skilled magician blew out more smoke and shaped into a small silver wolf that ran through the air. “That’s me!” Lesha’s small chest swelled with pride. “He looks like me!” “You are even better than a wolf.” “Wolves are best,” Lesha told him firmly. “That is true,” Morga was forced to agree. He knew how hard this little cub had fought to live in the Queen’s womb. “Let’s go back to the palace,” he said. “I’ll read you your book.”