Light split through the bedroom windows and lit the room completely. Zayden was lying beside him. Caspian opened his eyes slowly, looked at Zayden's sleepy face, and touched the hickey he had left when he bit him on the nape. Then he leaned toward him and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Thank you," he whispered softly as he got out of bed. The moment his feet touched the floor, he felt the pain in his lower back.

"Hsssss," he hissed slowly, but the pain only lasted for a while. The joy he felt erased his pain. He slowly walked to take a shower. Then he saw himself in the mirror, and something was different about him. It wasn't his confidence or happiness — it was his pale blue eyes, edged in brown. His mouth opened in shock as he giggled and touched his eyes again and again, like it was the most amusing thing for him. He excitedly got out of the shower. Zayden was still sleeping. He just stared at him for a while his lips didn't stop the smile that was lingering on them. He had never seen Zayden sleep this peacefully. The room was filled with the mixture of his and Zayden's pheromones. Caspian got a new dress from the wardrobe and changed into a beautiful, comfortable dress happily. He walked out of the room.

TCHAK! "What the hell are you talking about?"

He heard the sound of a slap and someone yelling from the lower floor. Shock appeared on his face as he had never heard anyone fighting in the palace. He quickly ran down the stairs and saw her.

Amanda, yelling and screaming curses at Mrs. Vesper.

Anger flared in his pale blue eyes, and the brown edges only made him more beautiful. He quickly walked toward her and stepped between them.

"Why are you hitting Mrs. Vesper?" Caspian's gaze locked with Amanda's as hatred flared in her eyes.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Huh! Just because someone showed mercy on you doesn't mean you can cling to them your whole life!" she yelled at him.

"Who I am, what I do, and what I don't do is none of your business," Caspian yelled back. The palace shook with their voices.

"You motherfucker, get out of my way!" She nearly screamed at him.

"Shut up!" Caspian yelled, but his voice shook with anger and hurt as tears filled his eyes.

"Curse me however you want, but don't curse my mother," he stared at her angrily.

Everyone's breath stopped at the sudden heat in the atmosphere.

"Young master, please get out of the way," Mrs. Vesper tried to persuade him. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I will not," Caspian folded his hands in front of his chest stubbornly.

"Okay, so you're asking for it." Amanda lifted her hand and swung it through the air to slap him.

Caspian closed his eyes tightly, but the slap never reached his face. He opened his eyes and saw that someone had grabbed her hand. He turned toward the person.

"Darius!!!" Every guard watched with horror at Darius's hands like it was their lifeline. They all exhaled the breath they hadn't realized they were holding. Even Mrs. Vesper sighed in relief, though her own cheek was still red from the slap.

"What does this mean, Darius?" She glared at Darius angrily.

"Sorry, ma'am, but you can't hit him. Anyone but not him."

"What do you mean?" She threw Darius's hand away and pointed a finger at Caspian.

"I'm not hitting him in the first place. He's in my way. If you don't want to lose your head, tell him to back off, now!" She slowly growled and yelled at the end, but Darius didn't flinch.

There was a mess everywhere. And the one who was the reason — the one who, for the first time in his life, had been sleeping like it was his only mission — was still upstairs.

"Ma'am, please leave. When the boss wakes up, you can ask him. But right now, I don't have the authority to order the young master."

Darius spoke professionally and tried to handle the situation.

"Young master!" Amanda scoffed at him. She stared at Caspian with the same hatred he had always faced, but today it didn't hurt him, because for the first time he had stood for someone and fought for them.

"Fine! Tell him that I will come back tomorrow at 9:00, so be ready to answer every question he tried to bury for years."

Darius just nodded. Amanda handed her purse to Darius, who held it quietly. She walked a few steps toward Caspian and smirked as she said,

"Enjoy, little darling, until I come back. You have just a little bit of time here, so use it."

She turned around and walked out of the palace. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as the sound faded with her steps. Darius bowed lightly to Caspian in respect, then followed Amanda outside.

Caspian turned on his heels.

"Mrs. Vesper, are you fine?" His eyes filled with worry as he inspected Mrs. Vesper's face.

"Don't worry, young master, I am fine."

Mrs. Vesper lied, but her hands were trembling slightly, maybe because she was old or because she was afraid something had happened to Caspian.

"Don't be here. Just go and rest," Caspian told her.

"Don't worry, young master, I am fine," she tried to convince him again.

"Just go. Don't make me repeat myself," Caspian said frustratingly, but every head turned toward him.

Mrs. Vesper looked at him with wide, surprised eyes, because this was a very well-known line in the palace. Someone always said it when they had made a final decision.

"What is it?" Caspian looked at her surprised expression, confused.

"Ah, it's nothing, young master," Mrs. Vesper quickly faked her emotions.

"Then go and rest," Caspian persuaded her again.

"Okay, thank you, young master." She turned and walked slowly toward her quarters while Caspian sighed in relief.

---

Zayden's eyes opened slowly as he felt the emptiness beside him. He got out of bed, took a shower, and changed into a black suit. He looked in the mirror, as always looking handsome and charming. He combed his hair and walked out of the room. He walked down the stairs, and his eyes scanned the area for Caspian. That's when he saw him sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast. He turned around, and their gazes met. Zayden saw it — the pale blue eyes edged in brown. They were subtle, but he had eagle eyes, so he noticed it immediately. His eyes widened in surprise, but unaware of his reaction, Caspian smiled at him with beautiful, sparkling eyes.

"No way!" Zayden whispered in shock and surprise as something flashed in his memory.

---

AUTHOR NOTE FOR MY LOVELY READERS...

To everyone reading _Flowers Bloom Under Protection_ — thank you for staying.

Some stories are written with ink. This one is written with your comments, your determination, and the quiet faith you leave in reviews. Every time you come back for the next chapter, this book grows a little more alive. You are the protection this flower needed.

If any chapter touched you, even for a second, please leave a comment. Tell me what you felt, what line stayed with you, or what you're hoping to see next. I read them all, and they're what keep me writing through tired nights.

A rating or review takes 10 seconds, but it helps _Flowers Bloom Under Protection_ reach readers who are searching for a story like this. If you love it here, your words can help it bloom where others can find it.

Thank you for being here. For protecting this story with me. The best chapters are still ahead.I am deeply sorry for taking your time. I wish you all the best.

With gratitude,

Your Author.