Part LIX

A knock on the door. Persistent and vibrating in Joel's head. Fuck, somebody was trying to forcefully wake them up.

"Sir, sir please it is urgent."

Joel grabbed the duvet and covered himself trying to cut off the irritating noise. He heard Michael rustling in the bedsheds trying to get up. He was cursing as he walked to the door.

"What is it?" Joel heard Mikel asking the poor subordinate.

"There are two suspicious men downstairs. We caught them early in the morning, they were trying to get away with the wagons."

"I'll be right downstairs."

Joel heard the door being shut and immediately realized that he probably knew those two men. Unwillingly, he got up from the bed.

"What are you doing? Stay in bed, I will be right back." Michel hugged Joel as his right hand slipped right to Joel's buttocks. "We will have some more fun later." He whispered into Joel's ear.

That was dangerous, Joel was a bit sensitive after their intense night.

"Michel, I think I know who those men are." Joel sighted.

"Are those your merchants?"

Joel nodded in response.

"Fine, I will settle it with them." Michel started to dress up.

"I'll go with you." Joel looked around, he only had that slutty outfit, so he put it on.

"In that dress? No way. Be good and stay here." Michel was heading to the door.

"No." Short answer that made the duke stop.

There was a moment of hesitation before the duke turned around. He was looking at Joel, waiting for further explanation.

"Michel, as much as I enjoyed our last night, there was a reason why I left. In that matter nothing changed, right?" Joel noticed how veins on Michel temples popped. The man was holding back his anger.

"Joel, can we please talk about it later? Let me deal with it. I will treat them fairly and then we'll talk."

Joel felt the tension and decided not to push any further. They indeed need to talk things over. However the merchants were probably waiting for him.

"They might be worried about me…" Joel tried again to reason with Michel.

"I'll tell them. Don't worry."

The duke left. Joel sat down on the bed. He sobered from the heat of the night. He lost his mind for the duke and he had to admit that he had feelings for him but there was still that one thing. Joel wasn't a woman and he didn't want to be looked down by everybody as the duke's infamous mistress. He wanted to stand next to the duke in the broad daylight. Joel knew his own value and wanted to be a bit more equal with the duke.

There was a small mirror in the corner, next to a bowl with water. Joel washed his face and pinned up his hair. He was still in the female outfit. He had no spare clothes. He even put on the earrings he got from the black lord. Yeah he looked , well unimportant. Time was passing slowly and Joel was immersed in his thoughts when he heard some commotion downstairs. Despite the duke's order he opened the door. There was one guard standing next to the door and watching the whole show happening downstairs. Joel came closer to the stair railing to have a better view. The guard looked at him with curiosity while Joel was looking downstairs.

Yes he knew those two idiots. It was Bergon and Piro. Bergon was throwing a tantrum and it was because of … Joel.

"I will talk to him." Joel said to the guard and walked downstairs.

"Bregon, Piro! Good to see you men." Joel came closer with a wide grin.

"Joel, are you all right." Bregon asked immediately, trying to free himself from a tight grip of a rather bulky man.

'Yes, I'm fine. Actually the commander and I know each other well. I guess you have received the money, right?" Joel decided to act carefree despite all the looks that were focused on him. One person especially was boring holes in Joel's back.

The two merchants nodded.

"Well then it's fine I guess. Go back, no need to make a fuss."

"And what about you?" Piro asked as Bregon wasn't able to speak anymore, he was just looking at Joel.

"I need to clear some things. We're good." Joel stepped back, the duke's expression said it all. Joel disobeyed the duke's order and now was in the center of attention, surrounded by men and most of them were drooling at the mere sight of Joel.

"Let's go Brego." Piro grabbed his comrade and gave Joel a meaningful last look.

"Everybody out, get ready to leave immediately." Duke's voice brought everyone back to reality. The men rushed out getting ready for departure.

"Follow me." Michel went back to the room they shared last night. Joel was right behind him. The old stairs creaked as they were walking up.

Michel opened the door and let Joel in. Joe felt that something was off. As soon as Michel closed the door, Joel sat down on the comfortable chair. His dress slipped and his leg was visual again. the duke's eyes were glued to that slim pale leg.

"For fuck's sake Joel I can't concentrate when you sit like that." The duke sighted and sat down opposite to Joel, who was trying to cover himself. It wasn't easy as the dress was made with a clear intention.

"I don't know how to deal with you. You disobey my orders, you do as you please. All the men were staring at you with their dirty eyes and even filthier thoughts. I hate that Joel. I can't help that I'm jealous." The duke suddenly stood up, approached Joel and kneeled in front of him. The duke's hands landed on Joel's ankles and slowly caressed Joel's calves, knees till they reached his tights.

"You are playing dirty, Michel."

"So do you, wearing that outfit." The duke looked up at Joel.

"Stay with me, please."