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       #Post#: 3--------------------------------------------------
       Chapter One
       By: BadWolf12 Date: June 11, 2019, 11:39 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It begins.
       #Post#: 4--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: guest2 Date: June 11, 2019, 11:56 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Life is fleeting. It is a delicate and precious thing, all the
       more so for its fragility. Yet what if that was no longer the
       case? If you could prolong your life several times over, would
       you do it? Or would you refuse it?
       Once, a long long time ago there was said to be a very special
       group of people called the Estraela, or People of Starlight, who
       were said to possess amazing life - prolonging abilities. A
       peaceful people, they couldn't stand against the might of the
       humans who had come to hunt them, anxious to get their hands on
       a power they didn't even understand. All the humans cared about
       was protection from death and disease.
       Due to this greedy nature of the humans, the Estraela were
       enslaved, forced from their homes and made to live in cramped
       conditions, treated no better then chattel. This proved to be
       disastrous, as despite living long lives the Estraela suffered
       low birth rates, and their forced captivity only made it worse.
       These beings, nourished by the light of the stars, continued to
       weaken. Yet humans could be callous and cruel to those who they
       view as beneath them. The adults endured the painful cultivating
       process of their 'power' yet one adult, wanting to spare his
       child this slew his human overlord. Outrage ensued.
       Instead of wondering why such a method was used or if perhaps
       the Estraela in question had been abused the arrogant humans
       decided punishment was in order. It was a way to assert their
       dominance and prove who was the master. They forced the
       remaining Estraela to watch their own burn, an event most
       traumatizing for the wife and son left behind.
       Time goes on however, and despite their best attempts the adult
       captives started to die, leaving what few children remained.
       Including one such child, a young boy forced to watch his own
       father die for trying to protect him. As the youngest of the
       Estraela, he was seen as exceedingly valuable. If he died, so
       would they, a fate they feared beyond anything. If his human
       captors wanted him alive keeping him a prisoner wasn't possible
       so his captors embarked on a plan. They would enclose a fair
       sized patch of forest, once a sacred place to his people, where
       he could live and have the illusion of freedom. There, within
       those trees, the boy would wander, seemingly the last of his
       kind, still hunted by those cruel humans who took everything
       away from him.
       It's a story often told to children. A cautionary tale of how
       pride and greed can get the better of you and lead to ruination.
       It was a story often read at bedtime, just another fairy tale.
       It was something of fiction and no more. Or was it? If there was
       even the faintest hint of truth to it, what would you do?
       #Post#: 5--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: BadWolf12 Date: June 12, 2019, 12:40 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The branch on the tallest tree had broken a few nights ago. It
       was a terrible loss. The captive stood on tip toe, his wings
       extended out for balance, to press his fingers against the domed
       glass. The star light twinkled onto his face, and the light
       sharpened his eyes to silts. This was the only section of the
       dome that the trees had grown enough for him to touch the glass
       barrier. The barrier made little sense to him. Jaan couldn't
       remember it as a child. However, the warmth of the stars and the
       moonlight rained on him. He closed his eyes, slowly resting back
       onto his toes, and then onto his hunches to stare up at the
       moon. A full moon, a born moon. He spent no time glancing below
       him. He perched at one of the highest trees as though it was
       nothing at all. His dark blue starry wings nestled slowly around
       him. They were not of a smooth shape. Hacked squares were cut
       from the thin membrane, and tight green lines followed along the
       cuts where he had bleed. There was a fresh cut on his cheek and
       arm from the resistance. Still, it didn't seem the outsiders
       knew of this high tree. Jaan didn't think he'd be allowed close
       enough to touch the glass otherwise. It was the only place in
       his forest that he had noticed such a gap.ear.  He leaned back
       and stared at the starlight. Time passed, and the Ezraela knew
       nothing of it. He felt he could hear his mother's voice among
       the stars, a soft song, singing, and his father's strong words
       at stories. They were there. He closed his eyes. Before he knew
       it, he had fallen asleep on the thin, wirey branch high above
       the forest. His cut, but healing wings hugged the thin limb, and
       his practiced body lounged.
       There was something moving in the forest. His eyes shot open.
       Clouds had covered the stars. His eyes widened as they injested
       the darkness, and he looked below. Something moving, something
       alive. A sharp gurgle went through his stomach. Jaan scrambled
       up to a hunching position and tracked the darkest shadow below.
       The shadow stopped, circled, and seemed to feed below. Jaan
       pushed off. His wings could glide his descent, slowly him, but
       it was nothing like flying. His body tackled into the shadow,
       and his claws dug into it. His teeth found the neck, and bit
       hard into it. Blood swelled into his mouth. The creature kicked,
       kicked, the life leaving it, and then stopped. Jaan paused,
       slowly unclenching his mouth, and looking down at the fawn. Now
       that he was closer, his eyes could identify it. His hands
       quickly found the neck, and twisted it. Even if it was already
       close, he would not have it suffer. It was against his father's
       stories. His fingers paused. The fawn had a plastic... thing...
       in it's ear. He knelt his face near it, biting it slightly. It
       was not of the creature. It seemed to have symbols on it. With a
       shuddder, he ripped it off, muttering in his language, "[i]Not
       of life,"[i][/i][/i]. The deer's meet was cut, dried, and hung
       for jerky. No fire would be made in Jaan's presence. He
       straightened as he finished, the blood dripping from the trees.
       He looked amongst the large forest. From where he stood now - it
       seemed endless in all directions. He could run, glide and run
       into nothing. It was only when he went up that he found that
       glass barrier... but it was also where he had found the stars
       and the moon. The Ezraela slowly sighed, sitting down on the
       grass, then laying down. His eyes turned to his wounded wing,
       running a hand along the cut and healing part. Fire briefly came
       across his mind, and he shut it down. No nightmares tonight,
       only stars.
       ~~
       Michael turned over in his silken and thick bed, and vomited
       profusely into the bucket next to him. His dark, ungelled hair
       fell over his face. He never slept with anything, but it seemed
       especially useful now as he barely made it to the bucket. There
       was hardly any food in the vomit, just bile and blood. He sat
       up, one hand immediately coming to his mouth, and the other to
       the  still body next to him. "Sorry," He muttered as he pushed
       the covers off. He took a step or two, then returned to the
       bucket for a final spit. "Fuck..." Michael wobbled over to his
       bathroom. Everything was steely modern, by no means inexpensive,
       but when the King looked at himself, he found a man that he
       hadn't recognized a year ago. Hollow cheeks, hollow hazel eyes.
       His hair was a mess and unkempt. He was rapidly losing weight
       and he could see it in him. His chest heaved up and down, and
       there was a small rustle of curtains. Michael turned
       aggressively, furious someone would interrupt him in such a
       vulnerable time, but it was only Nicholas. Nicholas was nothing.
       The man servant looked him up and down, and his face darkened.
       "Your majesty.."
       "Don't call me that," Michael grabbed a silken towel, wiped his
       mouth, and threw it away before Nicholas could pay attention to
       the crimson stain.
       "Michael," Nicholas said more firmly. "I will wake up Master
       Sai. You must do something," his voice was still low, firm.
       "He knows something is happening."
       "Everyone knows something is wrong, Michael, look at you!"
       Nicholas hissed, stepping into the restroom and closing the
       door. "All the concubines are terrified of being thrown on the
       street if you are sick and lose yourself. The other Kings notice
       you not coming to the engagements. You're going to be hustled
       out before you go if you don't make some sort of public
       appearance that suggests some stre-"
       "I am going to suggest some strength into your face if you don't
       get out of my fucking restroom, Nic," Michael growled, pinching
       his nose between his fingers. Nausea still cramped his stomach
       and the grip on the marble counter was less out of anger than
       support.
       "Michael..." Nicholas's voice calmed, but it was urgent, "Lien
       is your Prince. If you... if... would he be ready to..."
       "Stop," Michael whispered. It was the terrifyingly weak whisper
       of a strong man. The King's eyes rolled over to Nicholas. "Lien
       is not to be anything, but what he is right now. Protect Sai."
       Nicholas stood there, his modest servant clothes undermining the
       advise the man had given over the years. "If you leave just
       those two, it will be for naught. It will become the Three
       Kings. When you were with..." Michael glared. "You were both
       Kings as Princes. Neither of your Princes have become Kings.
       You... You can't... You need to do something, Michael. Go to
       another appointment."
       "They can't do anything."
       "Everything will be lost," Nicholas said, firmly. When Michael
       looked at him, he believed the manservant's advise. Still...
       "Get the fuck out of my sight, Nic, before I beat that smart
       mouth off of yours." Michael had looked away. He was leaning
       over the sink, his hair hanging over his face, chest breathing
       deeply with every word.
       "Master," Nicholas started slowly. He began to reach one hand
       for Michael's back, then paused, slowly withdrawing it. "Sir, I
       think this is the only time in your life, that I would best you.
       Don't let the others see it." With that, Nicholas swept from the
       restroom, closing the heavy door behind him.
       Michael bowed his head. His hands reached forward to cup his
       forehead. His forehead was sleek with sweat, his mouth tasted of
       bile, and everything was crumpling around him. He was too young
       for this. He should be able to live longer, to protect his,
       but... his insides were bleeding. Surgery would cause more
       bleeding. The taste of blood was strong in his throat.
       ~~
       When morning broke, Michael was sitting next to his bed. He
       hadn't returned to sleep, and the blackness under his eyes
       proved that. Still, one gentle hand rose, shaking Sai awake next
       to him. When it didn't wake him entirely, Michael leaned forward
       and rubbed his nose against him. The King's hair was due for a
       trim, and hung far past his eyes. "A gift," he whispered softly
       through chapped and bleeding lips. "Sai, wake up."
       #Post#: 6--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: Shinigami Date: June 12, 2019, 4:00 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It was difficult to hear his lover be sick. There was no
       mistaking the pungent scent of bile with the coppery tang of
       blood underneath. It was like this every night, and it seemed to
       be getting worse. All Sai could do was lay there, still and
       quiet in the dark, while the sickness twisted and tore at
       Michael's insides. It was enough to break his heart.
       He felt just as helpless now as he had a year ago when he found
       out Michael was sick. Over the last twelve months he'd become a
       light sleeper, the slightest creak of the bed would jolt him
       wide awake. He would be forced to lie there, hearing that
       wracking bloody cough and feel absolutely helpless. He wanted to
       comfort his lover,  to be a source of strength for him but
       Michael was a very proud, as a man and as a King; it would not
       let him be seen as weak in front of anyone, especially Sai.
       Seeing the one you love in pain was difficult; being unable to
       do anything was agonizing. Yet he knew time was not on their
       side and that made Sai afraid.
       Somehow he must've drifted off, the drone of Michael and
       Nicholas' voices from the bathroom blending together to lull him
       back to sleep. Within the depths of a dreamless sleep he thought
       he heard a whisper. Was that his name? He turned towards the
       sound. Then it came again, clear as a bell, "Sai" and he opened
       his eyes. The sun coming in through the window turned his irises
       to liquid gold and they were warm as he focused on his lover's
       tired weary face, his short dark red hair framing his pale face.
       "You should be resting. It's still early yet. " Hoping to tempt
       him, Sai flung back the covers and scooted back against the
       pillows and patted the space in front of him. Beneath he wore
       one of Michael's oversized shirts and his legs were bare. "Lie
       down with me. I'll hold you until you fall asleep."
       #Post#: 7--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: BadWolf12 Date: June 12, 2019, 5:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The sheets shifted, silken beneath Michael's thinning hand. His
       eyes did catch the pale leg of Sai, and his hand reached to
       stroke his inner knee as he slid into the bed. He fell back
       heavily into the pillows, eyes half closed. His stomach still
       felt sick - churning and bloody. One hand went to his mouth and
       he seemed to steady himself a moment, before looking at Sai. A
       smile crossed his face. Michael had never known the life of
       someone whose smile didn't open doors - his full lips and white
       teeth could inspire confidence, charm, and desire. However, his
       teeth were dimmed and the smile showed the gauntness of his
       face.
       "Here," he said. He opened the white ivory end table next to
       them with a smooth and familiar slide. He handed something
       wrapped in sky blue silk, embodied lightly with white thread.
       Inside, Sai could feel two items jingle loosely together.
       Michael leaned against Sai as he opened the cloth. One arm fell
       familiarly around the others shoulders, and his head rested
       against Sai's locks. Two objects tumbled from the cloth. One was
       a wooden figure of a carved dog. It was clearly not
       professionally done and the details were choppy, but the figure
       was readable. Michael reached out with his long fingers, scooped
       it up to show Sai closer. "I tried my hand at woodworking. Not
       the best," he squeezed Sai to him, sitting up slightly more.
       "Still, I wanted to see the face of an old friend." He nestled
       into Sai, and went quiet for awhile. His fingers turned the
       wooden dog thoughtfully. He had carved small waves in the wood
       to show the weaves of the fur. The mouth was open, appearing to
       pant. Michael sighed, shifting Sai in his grasp. "Nothing
       special," he began dismissively, "just figured someone else
       should know him."
       Again, a brooding silence before Michael picked his second gift.
       It was a wooden hair pin, the edge sharp and pointed. "Sai, my
       love," Michael began, turning the finger length pin in his hand.
       He seemed to struggle to start, then "Sai, your beauty is
       attracting. It has brought me to you like a fly, and I am
       willfully trapped." Tender lips against his neck. Hot words
       against his neck. "I am yours. But the knowledge of that isn't
       alone to this bedroom. Turn," he said, as a man used to getting
       exactly what he said. He shifted Sai around, his hands sliding
       down his legs. His hands found Sai's neck, rose into his hair,
       and then pinned it back into a messy bun, using the pin as a
       securement. Michael seemed to pause to look at him, hollowed
       eyes taking in the sight of his healthy love. His arms were
       scarred and pale, but they were still well formed and the ghosts
       of muscles remained.
       "One day," he began slowly. "You will be alone and you will need
       to defend yourself. Someone as treasured as you by me will be
       sought by others." Michael's hand gripped Sai's controllingly,
       then brought Sai's fingers to the pin. He pushed the fingers
       firmly so that Sai gripped it. "I will not lose you twice," he
       breathed, "to my absence, or to another." Swiftly, Michael drew
       Sai's hand and the pin out, letting Sai's hair drop. Michael
       tilted his chin upward, pushing the pin against his jugular,
       gripping Sai's hand so that he couldn't let go. "You push here,
       and you push hard. There will be blood and it will be warm, but
       you must be hotter. Kill, then flee. Find Nicholas. That
       cockroach will live anything." Michael's light eyes tracked
       Sai's hotly and truly. He meant his words thoroughly.
       #Post#: 8--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: Shinigami Date: June 12, 2019, 6:58 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Sai couldn't help but look at Michael in horror. "Don't talk
       like you're saying goodbye. If you go, I'll follow. I don't want
       to be alone again. You promised. I don't want to be here if you
       aren't." His hand trembled in Michael's strong grip. "You're
       going to be fine. Everything's going to be just fine."
       Only it wasn't. He only need look at his lover to know the truth
       of it. His illness was killing him, and pride would not let
       Michael give it a voice. He would suffer if it meant saving
       face, not letting anyone in to see his pain. That was his
       stubbornness, his pride, but also his way of showing love. It
       was so hard, to love such a man. It hurt.
       #Post#: 9--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: BadWolf12 Date: June 12, 2019, 8:40 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Michael's mouth twisted at Sia's words. His grip didn't release
       right away, but gradually, as his words came to advocate for
       themselves. Michael leaned forward, gently kissing Sia before
       letting go. "Don't forget what I've said," he said, nearly to
       himself, as he looked Sia's hands over. He seemed to melt, as
       though the interaction took his remaining strength, he sank into
       the pillows, then slowly allowed himself to lay down. His eyes
       closed. "Tell Lien I will be coming to see him," he said so
       softly that it wasn't clear that he had said it. There was no
       excitement, eagerness, or anything in his voice. A simple flat
       order.
       #Post#: 10--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: Shinigami Date: June 17, 2019, 6:45 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       What else was there to do but obey? "As you wish," Sai said in a
       strained voice. "I'll tell Nicholas right away, so you just
       rest." Before he left he reached down to draw the blankets up
       over Michael and kissed his forehead. "I'll be right back."
       It was hard to leave him there even if it was but s moment but
       an order was an order and he had to obey as much as he didn't
       want to. Sai would relay the message then come back as soon as
       possible.
       -
       The bedroom was lit with early morning sunlight. It was quiet
       except for the soft breathing of its single occupant. In the
       middle of the large bed under a mound if blankets was a lump.
       The only thing visible were yards of shimmering silver hair. The
       door opened without a sound and a small blond haired figure
       carrying a tray entered. This room was almost a holy sanctum to
       those of a lower rank in the harem, and to the young servant it
       was a great honor to be able to cross its threshold.
       In most of the pleasure palaces of the great city the worker
       classes were considered air, something there yet unseen. It was
       hard work, but then again that was life. Orphans with no other
       place to go often sought out these places for work and hopes of
       a place to stay. Many had aspirations to be discovered, to rise
       through the ranks and become somebody yet for Theo it was enough
       having a roof over his head. Life in an orphanage could be mean,
       yet here it was relatively fair. Hard , yes but there was always
       a warm meal and a place to sleep, something he sometimes did
       without.
       Having been one forgotten child among many, Theo had found a
       comfortable place among the workers of the harem. He'd been
       happy with that, with knowing he would be staying in the same
       place. Never would he have expected to be serving the Prince
       himself on a regular basis. He'd only been there a year yet he
       was grateful for the work, and to be allowed entry into this
       special room. Being a servant who worked under the Prince
       alloted certain perks, including his own, albeit small, room
       close by so he was easily available. It offered him the privacy
       he was unfamiliar with.
       Walking further into the hushed room, Theo set the breakfast
       tray down on the night table before picking up a pale blue silk
       robe thrown across the bottom of the bed.
       "Master Lien, it's time to get up. Your breakfast is ready."
       The lump stirred and the top of a silver head emerged to show
       sleepy sea-green eyes. "Go away."
       Yep, a morning like any other. Theo simply held the robe open
       between his hands. "Your food's going to get cold, sir. We both
       know how much you hate that."
       There was a sigh, some grumbling then a naked figure emerged
       from beneath the blankets. Prince Lien was striking, with silver
       hair all but touching the floor and lovely sea-green eyes set in
       an effeminate face. He was pale, and far too pretty for his own
       good. He easily stepped into the opened robe and belted it as
       Theo moved to pour him his first cup of coffee from the carafe
       he brought with his breakfast. Lien sat back on the rumbled bed
       as he waited, a sleepy-eyed beauty who was used to being waited
       on.
       "What's on the agenda for the day?" He inquired, reaching out
       with one slender manicured hand for the cup Theo handed him.
       "King Michael intends to come see you some time today," said the
       boy as he opened up the curtains to let in the light and open
       the window. He pretended not to hear Lien's reply of "Oh joy."
       It was easier not to linger long on the charged subject of
       Prince Lien and King Michael's troubled relationship, that was
       something you learned very early if you wantes to stay in the
       harem. "Except for that, you're free until this evening."
       A meeting with Michael. Oh boy. Wasn't that going to be fun.
       #Post#: 11--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: BadWolf12 Date: June 17, 2019, 8:37 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Michael’s hand rose as Sai pressed his lips to his forehead. He
       caught a strand of Sai’s hair, rubbing it between his fingers,
       before allowing his hand to fall. A strained, pressured breath
       rattled from him, and he turned to hug the pillow. He waited
       until he heard Sai leave before allowing his hand to clench into
       a fist on the pillow. The taste of metal was still strong in his
       mouth.
       Of course, a bitter thought taunted in his brain. Of course
       you’d bleed right out. Bloody heart, leaking insides. Body
       escaping you in bloody little chunks. Michael’s finger nails dug
       into his pillow, and he began to hear the threads rip. “Weak,”
       Michael muttered to himself, throwing the covers aside. “Dead on
       the streets, fucking weak,” he stood shakily. He caught the
       table to steady himself, the other hand rising shakily to his
       face. Dead, and then they will be too.
       Anger was easier.  If Michael truly thought about what was
       happening to him, the thought of leaving this world with so many
       he held dear so young and vulnerable… Anger was the only safe
       emotion. It bit away at emotions that would leave him weaker
       than he was. Michael’s gaze became unfixed, staring at the tile.
       Without thought, he reached into the end table. Sai wouldn’t go
       into Michael’s drawer, but still he reached to a hidden hatch.
       He pulled the bottle of dark liquid out. With a familiar flick
       of his hand, he twisted the top of and drank deeply in the
       morning light. He closed his eyes as the liquor’s strong taste
       overwhelmed the metal lingering in his mouth. He twisted the cap
       on, and returned the bottle to its hidden spot. What did it
       matter? His body was already poisoned.
       
       “Nicholas,” he said and the manservant appeared. Without a word,
       Nicholas began to strip Michael of his nightgown. It was a
       simple robe, but Nicholas knew that this was a time for him to
       be a shadow. Michael’s glazed eyes turned to the window as
       Nicholas dressed him. Nicholas provided him fitted pants and a
       loose white shirt. Michael slid them on, his mind miles away.
       Nicholas then slipped on tunic and began to work on tightly
       lacing the loops on the arms. Michael liked it tight, guarded.
       Nicholas finished and stepped back.
       Nicholas watched Michael. He watched Michael roll his neck,
       stressed, and then turn and leave the room without as much as a
       good bye. He could remember this man as a child, and it had been
       a long time since he had seen this caged look on Michael’s face.
       Michael didn’t use to have that bottle in his end table, and he
       didn’t use to have such a tightness in his face. Nicholas feared
       what he was watching come of Michael and to think of the boy he
       had once pushed down a vent just steps outside the grave…
       Nicholas stopped the thought. It wasn’t productive. It…
       “Be quiet, Sol.”
       “No, Sol, up, up!”
       “He isn’t jumping on this comforter Mika, it is brand ne- Sol!”
       Michael’s childish laughter.
       Nicholas blinked, and a hand come to his face. That… he hadn’t
       been back to that harem mentally for years. He had escaped it
       physically and didn’t want to think of it mentally. But…
       ~~
       Michael walked stiffly along the halls. His harem was made of
       marble, much of it hard and dark, but there were soft candles
       all over. There were many rooms, more rooms than Michael could
       account for, but Nicholas told him that the servants and
       concubines could rest easily in the harem. At one time, this had
       pleased Michael. He had wanted the workers to be at peace in the
       home, as there was enough turmoil in life. Now, he didn’t much
       care. His mind was on the difficulty he had walking, clinging to
       the small buzz the chug had given him. It eased his pain, but he
       felt more muddled and dull. Fine. He didn’t want to feel death
       anyways. Michael couldn’t remember when the illness transitioned
       from mere sickness to something more fatal in his mind. It could
       have been the weight loss, the violence of his sick nights. He
       could feel himself being taken away, bloody vomit by… Stop.
       Michael’s hand came to his forehead, trying to block the
       insidious thoughts from assaulting his mind. This is not how you
       will spend the end – by dwelling on it. You have strings to tie.
       Go.
       He stepped into Lien’s room. His eyes briefly swept to the
       servant and then back to Lien without seeing Theo. He took in
       Lien in the early morning light. “Stop, you’re hurting me!” The
       ghostly memory came instantly as soon as he took in those
       sea-green eyes. He hadn’t stopped. Would that sin be what sends
       him to Hell? Probably. Michael couldn’t see how one could live
       his life and go somewhere peaceful to rest. His gaunt face took
       in Lien before moving in, stiffly sitting on his bed. “Good
       morning Prince,” he said slowly. He swung two fingers at the
       servant, dismissively. Get out.
       ~~
       Nicholas was standing in Michael’s room. He was breaking his own
       rule. He should have been hidden until needed, but his mind was
       wrapped in memory. He looked up at Sai’s return, and Sai could
       see an expression on Nicholas’s face that he wouldn’t have
       recognized. Hell, Nicholas shouldn’t have been so visibly alone
       in Michael’s room. “Yo… you’ve missed him. He has gone. He
       couldn’t sleep.” His lips moved, as though wrestling with
       himself. He turned and knelt into a kneeling bow. “Master Sai,”
       he whispered urgently. “May I speak to you?” He swallowed, “I
       would like to speak to you about something that…” treason,
       “cannot be said to our King.” The manservant looked up, plain
       amber eyes pleading with the man so above him in station. It was
       a punishable request, even for someone of such importance as
       Nicholas.
       #Post#: 12--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Chapter One
       By: Shinigami Date: June 17, 2019, 9:33 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Knowing his place Theo bowed and took his leave, though not
       without one last look at the pair sitting on the bed. There was
       such distance between the two of them that had nothing to do
       with where they were sitting. It struck Theo as very sad.
       "Good morning to you, sire." Such formality, where before there
       was such warmth. Once titles and station didn't matter; now it
       was all that connected them. "Please forgive my disgraceful
       appearance." He gestured towards his robe, the unkempt hair. "I
       did not expect you so soon."
       -
       "Nicholas, please. You don't need to do that. Such things make
       me uncomfortable." A little embarrassed by the whole thing Sai
       helped Nicholas to his feet. "You look worried. Did something
       happen? If it's about the harem you can tell me anything. Come."
       Without waiting for a reply Sai led the other man by the hand to
       two chairs on the other side of the room. "Talk to me."
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