Part XLII

At lunch time lord Morrice came way more relaxed than in the morning, with a bundle of clothes.

"These are for you, I want you to wear them." The clothes were thrown on the bed. Joel picked them up. They were all black. The shirt was without frills but there was a leather jerkin and black trousers along with long riding boots.

"One more thing." The lord smiled, handing it to Joel. These were long black earrings with sparkling gems. Joel's eyes turned round. These earrings definitely stood out in the wrong way.

"They are really pretty." Joel remarked with a smile. Earrings, the curse of his life.

"Change your clothes." The lord was sitting on a chair waiting for Joel to do a little show for him.

"My lord, I would like to surprise you." Joel threw Morrice a seductive look.

'Fine. I'll wait."

Joel produced a fake smile and went to the bathroom. Fuck at least he could change his clothes without being watched all the time and flashing his naked butt to enjoy that pervert.

Joel was quick in changing clothes, he admitted that black looked well on him. He tied his blond curls in a messy bun and then put the earrings on. Shit, with a few strands that got away and these earrings he really looked hard to define, man or a woman. Whatever. Joel left the bathroom.

"How do you like it my lord?" Joel smiled again but the lord said nothing for quite a while. He just sat there and looked at him. Then finally he asked Joel.

"Who's your master?"

"You are my Master."

"That's right, you are mine now. Come here." He patted his lap and Joel sat down on the man's lap. The lord touched his ear and looked from close up at his present.

"It suits you, you look good in my colors." The lord's hand kept rubbing Joel's back.

"Thank you my Lord."

"I need to check something in the stables and then meet with a few of my tenants. I'll try to come back as soon as I can."

Noooo, Joel wasn't willing to spend too much time alone in this room with the Lord.

"My lord." Joel made puppy eyes at the man."Could I go to the stables with you, my lord."

Lord Morrice looked at him for a moment then grabbed his chin.

"You are using your filthy tricks on me? Why do you want to go to the stables?"

"To see horses my lord, I like horses."

The lord let him go.

"Fine, you can go with me, but stay close and don't talk to anyone."

"Of course my Lord. Thank you." Joel was up waiting for the lord to lead the way.

If Joel thought that there would be only two of them, he was mistaken. The guard was following him like a shadow.

They went out, crossed the training ground but Joel remembered to keep his eyes on the ground, thus he felt the stares. Even more as he realized he was wearing those opulent earrings. He shouldn't care about it. Joel lifted his head and yes the lord was watching him from time to time. The stables were within eyesight. There were over fifty horses there. Joel enjoyed looking at those fine animals. They were kept well. With glossy hair and looked well fed.

Joel was touching their heads and smiling.

"You really like horses?"

"Yes my lord, just as I said. This one is rare." He pointed at a white horse with light brown spots. "It is from the southern part, they live in highlands and are not easy to catch and train." The horse was trying to lick Joel's hand. It looked funny so Joel laughed.

Lord Morrice was standing still and watching how carefree Joel behaved among those horses.

"My lord, could I have a ride on this horse?" Joel pointed at the white spotted one.

"No my lady, this one is pretty fierce." Joel heard a man behind him.

"I'm not a lady and I'm a good rider." Joel answered before he realized he shouldn't have. He immediately looked at lord Morrice, not sure what to do now.

The lord must have noticed his scared expression as he smirked a bit and said leisurely.

"Not today, but who knows if you behave I may allow you to ride that horse one day."

"That would be nice, my lord." Joel felt relieved. He hated the fact he had to walk on eggshells around that fucker.

"Fin, watch him till I come back." Lord Morrice walked away and Joel was left with the guard he knew from yesterday.

"You look better today, no swollen cheeks." He heard the man behind him starting a conversation. Was he going to mock Joel? Not a chance for that.

"As you see. Do you like my earrings?" Joel crooked his head a bit and sent that guard a bright smile.

"They sure look exceptional." The guard smirked a bit.

"Just like my situation here, it's … exceptional too." Joel wasn't laughing anymore. The Lord was standing in the gate looking at Joel talking with the guard and the expression on his face was … scary.

"People don't change that easily. I should have known." He hissed approaching them. The guard got hit first. The lord sure understood how to punch, even that bulky guard. Joel knew he had to react fast or he will be fucking sorry.

"My lord is your hand all right?" Joel quickly grabbed the lord's hand and looked at it carefully. The lord was surprised for a moment, but Joel managed to continue.

"I'm sorry my lord I should be punished, I was boasting with my earrings in front of your guard. I was too proud. I'm sorry." Joel even forced himself and kissed the hand with scuffed knuckles.

The lord stood frozen, however he didn't remove his hand from Joel's grip.

"Yes, pride is a sin and you should be punished. We will talk about it later. Go back to my room."

Joel was gently rubbing lord's hand.

"Of course my lord, but what about your hand? It needs to be cleaned and dressed." Joel sounded concerned.