Part LII

"Well the last time I saw you, you were having troubles. Your hands were tight and you practically begged me with your eyes for help." Gerd was standing leaning against a tree and seemed to be a bit off.

"True." Joel admitted. "It was precisely as you said. However, you didn't help me." Joel remarked making room for Gerd to sit on a bench next to him.

"I did. I informed the duke as soon as we got back." Ger took a seat next to Joel.

"Where were you heading? Were you on a mission?" Joel got curious.

"We had some important letters to deliver and we were supposed to check some places." Gerd, noticing Joel's interest, decided to act important.

"What places?"

"Can't tell, it's a secret."

"I see." Joel suspected it had something to do with the bold plans of overthrowing the majesty.

"What happened to you back then in that inn?" Gerd asked quietly.

"I got caught by a crazy lord who seemed to be obsessed with me. And I don't want to talk about it either."

Gerd was looking at the ground for a moment.

"Has he done anything to you?"

"It's a secret. " Joel decided to use this word against Gerd's interest in Joel's private matters.

"You are back to being with the duke?"

"As you see." Joel was kicking dirt with his fine looking shoe.

'You don't seem very happy." Gerd said these words really quietly, Joel barely heard them still he replied almost automatically.

"Yeah, I'm not."

Gerd raised his head and looked at Joel's face.

"Why, it looks like the duke cherishes you a lot."

Joel shrugged his shoulders. After a few seconds of silence he asked out of the blue.

"Gerd, what do you think about me, when you look at me?" Joel straightened his pose a bit.

"To be honest with you, when you sit like that, wearing that dress it is really hard to believe you are a man. You make me all confused."

"Do I really look like a woman to you?" Joel looked with round eyes at Gerd.

"Well yes, don't blame me. It's the dress and you have a really pretty face."

Gerd raised his hands as if he wanted to surrender

"Right the dress." Joel was looking back at the ground beneath his feet.

"Why are you wearing a dress if you don't like it?" Gerd leaned closer to Joel.

"Because I have no other clothes." Joel replied bluntly.

"I see." Gerd nodded. "You need to talk to the duke Joel."

"I already did."

There was an awkward silence when neither of them looked at each other.

"I need to go to the stables." Gerd finally said.

"Can I go with you?" Joel suddenly asked.

"Yeah, sure." Gerd smiled. He stood up and reached his hand towards Joel.

"My lady, may I?"

"That's a fucking lame joke Gerd." Joel hissed in reply, getting up on his own.

"Well you should live it to the fullest enjoying the perks females have, you know?"

Joel started laughing as they went out of the garden. Just then he noticed the duke talking to some guards and looking straight at Joel accompanied by Gerd.

"So, lend me your arm." Joel asked Gerd, giving him a sweet smile.

Gerd followed Joel's request.

"You shouldn't smile like that at any man. That smile messes in my head Joel."

"I'll keep that in mind sir." Joel giggled just as he has seen some servants doing it.

"Stop it, I mean it. You are becoming way too good at that." Gerd warned him as they were getting closer to the inner gates. There were two guards standing. Joel didn't know them. They must have been new.

"We are going to the stables." Gerd informed them trying to pass but was stopped.

"I'm sorry lady Joy, but you are not allowed to leave the inner ward."

"What?" Joel was so surprised that he was unable to produce a proper question.

"We are acting on behalf of the duke's order."

"I see." Joel composed himself and let Gerd's arm go.

"Since it's as far as I can go, I guess I have to say bye." Joel forced a smile on his face, turned around and strolled slowly back to the castle. On his way he saw the duke. He was standing alone and waiting, apparently for Joel. Joel took his sweet time, he wasn't in a hurry. He was angry as he just realized he was back in prison. Comfortable, luxurious but still a prison. Even from afar Joel could see a deep frown on the duke's face. The man himself was pissed as hell. Good, so was Joel.

"Lady Joy, enjoying yourself I see." There was some mockery in his voice.

"As you see your grace. I enjoy my freedom within the limits I am allowed." Joel decided to pay him back with this same attitude.

"Why, you wanted to go for a ride with Gerd?" The duke almost hissed through his gritted teeth.

"Wouldn't dare your grace, a woman alone with another man on a horse ride, how indecent." Joel bobbed and decided to leave the duke before he started shouting at him.

The duke however grabbed Joel's arm and pulled him closer.

"I believe we need to talk, my fine lady." The duke's eyes were throwing daggers at him. They will quarrel again so it was better to do that in a closed room than in an open space for everyone to see.

"As you wish, your grace. After all, you are the Master here." Yes Joel was adding fuel to the fire.

Joel's arm was grabbed and pulled behind the duke. He had to walk really fast to match Michael's pace, who was darting back to his chambers as soon as he could. Joel stumped on the stairs but the duke held a firm grip on him not letting him fall. As soon as they reached the bedroom the duke actually pushed Joel inside and slammed the door. His face was red from fury. Joel has never seen him so angry before.