Part L

All his anger, and helplessness, and frustration hit him like a tidal wave.

"I did all you said and even more. After all, my tongue is pretty skilled. Michael goes crazy when I do it with him." Joel licked his lips.

"So cocky again? Because you believe Michale will protect you. Watch out, my pretty one. I can wait. One day you will set a foot out of this castle and my men will be waiting. When I put my hands back on you you will regret every single word you've just had." He hissed.

That was bad, he reacted without thinking. Joel was fully aware this man was no joke. Be smart Joel. Michel's affection may not last forever.

"My lord I said all that because you make me angry, because I'm still scared of you. Michael never forces me, he is gentle and kind. I've seen what you have done to that servant and heard what happened with other boys. Why my lord? Why? Fin has done nothing yet you hit him and then you had him taken away?"

"You think Michael is so different then I am?" Morrice smirked. "You are very young and naive. We are no different. He is using his sweet words to keep you here and bend to his will. Do you like wearing dresses? If you stay with him you will do that for the rest of your life. Pretty bird in a cage." The lord was very close now. "True, if I want something I become very possessive, just like all men with a bit of power. You haven't really opened up to me. We might be happy together." The lord touched Joel's cheek. Somehow that lord was able to make him stand still, he was good at taking over his basic instincts. His black eyes were absolutely paralyzing.

"I loved when you were touching me, sitting on my lap and kissing. I liked your morning service and when you were combing my hair." The lord's fingers were fumbling at Joel's hair.

Joel was about to say something when he heard the duke's voice.

"I wanted to apologize for being late but I see you found an enjoyable company." Joel sensed anger in every word that left the duke's mouth.

"Morrice I was about to tell you that Joel will be staging with me, but I'm glad to see you as we have a lot to talk about." The duke came closer and pulled Joel to him, placing a kiss on Joel's forehead.

"You look stunning, that blue dress matches your pretty eyes. I need to talk to Morrice, I will meet you later."

Joel was sent away. He left looking one last time at the lord. Morrice was looking straight at him with those dark eyes.

Joel returned to Michael's room. He didn't want to be seen in female clothes. Sitting alone in that room made him clear that his situation hasn't changed much. He was confined to that one room, he didn't have his own place or anything productive to do. He was dependent on the duke and needed his favors. A kept man, what men like him were called right? That's bad. The fucking lord was right, they weren't that different. The lord was violent and psychopathic, but the duke was cunning and pretty overbearing.

Right now the two of them were talking together. The duke knows how that lord treated him, what he has been doing to other men, about his cruelty. Was he going to scold him off? They seemed on pretty good terms. Joel was actually curious what they were talking about. Maybe Michael is going to break contact with him? Joel has been waiting for almost half of the day but the duke hasn't come back yet. That's it. Joel decided to go out and check what's going on.

They were in the dining room, both of them. Joel heard them laughing. They were eating and chatting. Joel didn't come in, he overheard it standing at the door. Joel went back to Michael's room. He took off the fucking dress and undid his hair. He looked through the duke's closet and found clothes that more or less fitted him. Then he went out again. He was marching straight to the inner gates and then to the stables.

"Sir, these are the duke's horses." he heard a young boy saying as he was checking which horse he should pick.

"There should be one horse ready for me, my name is Joel." He said with full confidence.

"It's here." An older stable boy showed him to the box. It was a fine horse. Joel checked the saddle and found a pouch with gold hidden inside. That will do. Joel sat on the horse. Fuck them. He rushed the horse and left the castle.

That's it he was on the horseback again riding in the direction of the town. He was heading for an inn. He was hungry, pissed and wanted to have some fun. That's right. He won't give a shit about the duke or the lord. The ride didn't last long. Soon he reached the outskirts and then he entered the main road. He found a pub. From outside it looked inviting. Joel stopped, got off the horse and handed the reins to a boy with a dirty shirt and lots of freckles on his face.

"Take care of the horse." Joel added and went in.

There were a few men inside as well as two women, one was quite pretty.

"One beer." Joel ordered and took a seat next to the window.

Soon the younger one came with the beer.

"For you handsome." Joel gave her a bright smile. For the women Joe's smile was an invitation enough, she sat down opposite to him.

"You must be new here, I haven't seen you around."

"Yes, It's my first time here." Joel drank some more beer.

"Jess, my darling. Come here!" A tall bald man called for the woman sitting next to Joel.

"Don't want to Dan, you're not too pretty." She answered loudly and Joel smiled again.

The man got angry,he stood up and came to Joe's table.

"I see two pretty ladies here." He smiled showing crooked teeth.

"Get your eyes fixed." Joel answered with a grim expression.

"Now, now, don't get too angry. May I sit down?"

Joel nodded in agreement. There was no need to raise a fist.

"Wanna play a round?" The bald one asked while taking out cards.

"With your cards?" Joel smirked.

"What's wrong with my cards?"

"Fine, give them to me." Joel knew some tricks, he learned them in Belmont city, which seemed now ages ago.

Joel has chosen three cards, one of them was king of hearts.

"You're Dan right?"

The man nodded.

"Find the king." Joel shuffled the three cards and spread them.

"Here."

"Correct. Bartender beer for my mate." Joel called.

"Hej pretty boy, I like you!"

"Another round?" Joel asked innocently.