he scowled. "unique? what an insulting thing to be called." when he was offered an apology he pushed hiim away. "what happened to your spine? before you were defiant, now you are just insulting and simpering and rather droll like any other woman. have you a fondness for acting outside of your sex wife?"

He took a half stumble back as the hands shoved him away. "If I did trust me that I wouldn't be here." The words felt harsh coming from his lips, and taking a step forward the marquess took up his spot again. "If I enjoyed acting like a woman I would have found something much better to do than sit here and pretend to be what I'm not. The only reason I am here and dressed up is to save the people, and the reason I stand before you in defiance be because I do not care if you raise your hand against me. I'll still have my pride."

he barked a laugh at that. "have you not heard me wife? i am angry in part because you show no defiance any longer. you will not defy me but i did not expect you to bend like grass in the wind. you disappoint me wife."

An ugly scowl etched itself onto his face as the words reached his ears. The words spoke nothing but truth, but even as he heard them he could feel his pride swelling inside, keeping him obstinate as he refused to yield for the Prince. "Well then maybe I won't bend for anything, especially not you."

this time his face feel into a warped grin and moving forward he pushed the other male down before getting to his own knees to lean over the other. "then you will break like an oak branch in a storm."

For only a brief moment his senses were taken, the abrupt shove to the ground leaving him confused until the Prince started closer. Immediately a hand was raised to press the other away, but his resistance only proved to be poor as a hand was brought back to strike against his cheek. His jaw was clenched firm as though made of iron, which only grew tighter as he noticed the look of authority plastered across the Prince’s face. Several times the marquess’ mouth opened to speak, but as no words came out he allowed it to close without so much of a sound before lifting a hand to strike back against the Prince. His hand was quick, slapping against a pale cheek with enough force that it gave a satisfying sound, though even he knew the reaction he’d drawn from the other would be much less satisfying. Still, it didn't come right away. Looking at the Prince all that could be seen throughout his entire face was shock. no anger, no upset, only a moment of silence confusion. Eyes remained fixated on the agape face until he realized it to be a moment for him to flee, a moment for him to escape the danger he'd just unleashed. Pulling away the marquess removed himself from beneath the Prince, and quickly straightening he did not offer a look back towards the frozen man, and instead fled with a quick pace until out of sight. Then, he broke into a run

he was shocked to the point of confusion as pain blossomed across his face and the lad under him stopped moving and pulled away. he could do little more than stare at retreating billows of fabric and slippered feet as the other left and not until he was alone to gather his thoughts did he understand what had happened, by the time he had risen to his feet he was livid

He'd fled to the comfort of his chambers, knowing that at least his rooms could keep him safe, for a short while. He did not leave for the first meal, or the second, and in exchange for his cowardliness he received talk and chatter from the help. The Prince sounded to be angry, and no one really escaped his harass, especially not the maids, and it left him feeling hypocritical. He had come to fix his sister's cowardliness, and in exchange the help were protecting them without hardly realizing. Feeling a sick feeling settle into his stomach he pulled himself free of the bed to get changed for the last meal. He'd fix his mistake

he left the warmth and safety of the kitchen when they started the evening meal and everyone he passed was met with blank looks. they seemed frightened and he wondered if any of them had ever wished to strike him. he hurried to his closets

He received mixed looks of both disdain and in difference, both coming from various members of the help. Though the reason for either look confused him, but he pushed them both from his mind and continued through the busy hall towards the hot and bustling kitchen. The marquess was mindful of those carrying food and tried his best to keep out of their way, though once he entered the room if it all he couldn't help it. Only the help of a sweet and plump lady that worked to keep it all in order was willing to answer his question for where the Prince could have been. He gave his thanks and went to leave, though the lady was quicker than he was and pushed a bag of candied nuts and fruits into his hand before shooing him away

he expected the knock and bid the servant entrance though when he was greeted not with food but with his wife he set aside his reading, "attacking a prince is punishable by death wife"

His mind was quick with a quip, and though his tongue was willing to cooperate the marquess was able to bite down before it had a chance to speak. "I brought you some candy nuts and fruit, my lord." giving the small bag in hand a crinkle the boy held it out with a soft presentation

raising a brow he looked down at the small wrapped parcel. "you have committed on of the worst crimes imaginable and you seek to bribe me with sweets?"

Calmly he strode away from the door, closer towards the side of his husband's bed. Many possibilities of what to say to the man passed through his mind, but he found that none of them fit what he wished for, and instead said nothing. Taking one of the hands into his own, he turned the palm up to press the parcel into the hand before curling the fingers around it and his around them both

his first thought was to reject the offer and throw it across the room but seeing the boy's face he softened his blow and turning his hand over opened their fingers and let it fall to the floor instead. "pick it up wife"

A soft frown fell onto his face as he watched the nuts and fruit call to the floor with a depressing thud. Kneeling down he took the small package in hand, and regaining his stance he opened his hands to offer it back to the man who'd dropped them

when he felt the weight of it he dropped it again and commanded the other to once-more pick it up though this time as the other tried to give it back he snatched up a thin wrist and kissed the pale fingers. "you will pick it up a thousand times if i tell you to. know your place wife, the lesson will be crueler than just a moment's effort should it happen again"

As lips brushed against his fingers he could feel his grip on the candies begin to lessen until they dropped free, landing onto the bed beside the Prince with a soft crinkle. Twisting his wrist between strong fingers he allowed for the lips to continue to play. "Yes my lord. It won't happen again"

he knew it was a ploy to distract him but he felt no urge to break away and reprimand him, instead he continued to kiss the soft fingers as the other turned and fluttered in his grasp leaving him to kiss each spot as another popped up until he had covered every bit. halting the hand as a pale wrist was bared he moved his hand down to capture and still the hand and worked his way up the lad's arm

He could feel the tension in the room dissipate and shrivel as easy as a burning wick, leaving only forgotten ashes scattered. While the ashes remained scattered they started to emit a soft feeling of want and impatience into the air, and it clearly effected the Prince. He watched with indulgent eyes while the other trailed across his wrist. Smoothly he brushed away the deep plum sleeve to reveal a pale arm which only drew at the Prince's attention. It tickled as he drew closer to the joint of his elbow, the skin so soft that only the other's lips were softer yet, and as the impatient tug pulled him closer he allowed for himself to fall close enough to give the man enough room to indulge his desires

his skin was so soft even flowers were certain to be envious of it and paler than the moon as well. reverently he pressed over a soft vein and stilling his trek and lightly breathing over the flesh dared it to melt like snow under the sun. "...i would gladly go to hell for you right now my lord"

He shuddered slightly as the word he was expecting was replaced with such a name he hadn't heard since he'd left home. It was both frightening and wonderful at the same time, and he couldn't help feeling hungry for more of it. "If you promise to go to hell with me, my lord...there is always more you could have than my arm."

his eyes flickered up at the lads face and what he saw was both unerving and refreshing, there was desire, always there was desire from those he laid with. shame too, another thing he was familiar with but something else as well, he almost could not see it for it's scarcity. sincerity. the lad wanted this and would take his fate over god and over his own life. the thrill of power frightened and thrilled him making him and to flee and to pull his false wife underneath him and take what was offered. instead of either of those things he remained where he sat with the thin hand in his own. "you are not ready"

He'd felt so sure as the words left his mouth, and even afterwards, but as the Prince spoke back he could feel it begin to fade. He'd been kidding himself if he thought that the night would go well and that the Prince wouldn't have been disappointed in him when he couldn't go through with it. After all, he'd barely been able to use the second dowel thus far. Emitting a soft sigh he gave the hand holding his own a light squeeze. "You're right, my lord. I am sorry."

no sorrier than he and less eager too he would wager, still holding the hand that pressed at his own he moved to kiss it again though as his lips touched the other's his fingers freed them and he pulled away. "you are free to skip practice with your box tonight and because i am not cruel you may also omit visiting my chambers tomorrow if you so wish"

The offer had been pure temptation to him, and even so he couldn't bring himself from spending the evening by himself. He'd offered so much to the Prince and in exchange he received nothing while he'd been issued a fair amount of embarrassment and guilt, which he decided could be made up by visiting. Knuckles rapped softly against the door before the voice from inside issued him to enter. Eyes flickered up to the Prince as he stepped in, his face first seeming bored as though he'd been thought to be a servant before changing to a look of excitement and delight. As he took another step away from the door he could see it quickly masked into the face he'd seen so many times before he arrived, and it laid a discreet smile across his own face

he truly had not expected the other to come willingly and it was a pleasant surprise that he did though any indication was hidden with a mask of apathy and boredom and he looked across the room. "i am certain you know by now what i want wife"

He stilled at the foot of the bed as he let his gaze linger on the man. The mask that he laid across himself was one that could hardly be penetrated, though even he knew the emotions he concealed behind it. "Of course, my lord. Though while I have brought myself to your chambers I did not bring the box. I believe those exercises will be practiced while alone this evening..."

lightly he flicked his hand as if to brush the words away. "and i said you are not to practice that tonight, what i want is your sin, wife." shifting so that he was facing the other he leaned forward. "more than anything else tonight i want to see what you would do for me alone"

He could feel a soft and bare shade of blush brush across his cheeks, the words of the Prince having sounded softer in mind, a wanton and nearly sensual air having been added. He was also able to quickly gather that while the man was delighted he'd actually decided to arrive that evening, he knew he was impatient as well. Carefully he sat on the farthest edge of the bed before drawing up his skirt and giving the Prince a show of what he longed for

this time was different from the others, there was no shame this time only indulgence as if the lad knew he was doing something desirable and his mouth all but watered as he watched the face tease him. shifting he slid down the bed where the other was sitting causing him to stop. "...i....want to touch you wife"

Feeling the bed begin to shift and dip as the Prince slid closer he eased his movements to a halt. His breath still fell soft, though the blush had still remained on his cheeks, and flushed even brighter as the Prince addressed him. "Are you sure, my lord?" Only a brief pause laid between them before the other spoke again, and even though he doubted the other may have been kidding he couldn't help feeling surprised. "I gave up my soul for this, I am certain." Faintly nodding he removed his own hand,l leaving himself for the Prince to do as he wished

saying nothing he shifted until he was on the bed fully and pulling the other by the arm pushed him against the footboard even as he crawled on top of him and lightly he kissed the soft neck. when the other leaned in he could only offer a light 'my lord' before deft fingers found what he was wanting and stroking it lightly as he had seen the boy do gave a biting kiss

He'd grown to enjoy the soft kisses the other always seemed to be willing to give, and already he'd begun to love the sound of the way the man called him lord. So when the feathery lips teased at his neck as soft fingers did elsewhere he all but melted against the other, willingly bending to allow each touch the Prince was willing to give

he found touching to be immensely more gratifying than simply watching and what he lost in sight he more than made up in feel and it swelled under him even as the lad went limp in his arms leaving him to his own devices

The other's pace remained slow, soft, and steady, but the boy held no objections against it, everything still felt better than he'd experienced thus far. Yet, even if the sweet touches weren't enough he could feel the Prince begin to draw closer, crowding him against the foot board while lips still bit at the hollow of his throat, leaving the end imminent

there were no screams, no moans, no shaking or grunts or arches to tell him the lad had spilled his seed only a near inaudible intake of breath and a pervading warmth as the fabric that had halfway fallen back over pale thighs leached milky ichor. he stopped his caresses though he did not pull away from the hand or the neck, "my lord, what would please you?"

Even after the moment passed, he was left entirely limp beneath the body that still remained close, and the desire for something only incrementally better than what he'd just received. However, he certainly wasn't willing to ask the Prince for what he'd just happily received, and instead spoke the second truth in a quiet voice. "For you to go to hell with me, but I am afraid that cannot be had until the end of the week."

he offered one more kiss to the tender throat before moving up to speak into one curved shell of an ear. "i would go with you now if i thought you would not cry"

Feeling the hot breath rolling across his ear as the words fell inside he was left wanting to go to hell more than before. He'd even opened his mouth to object that he wouldn't cry, but even his mind had caught his tongue before it sprouted the blatant lie. Instead the boy turned his head, warm cheek brushing against the other's as he said something he was determined to make an absolute truth. "Then by the end of the week I assure you I will not cry, my lord."