The Riddle of Lirui

The prince's hand, a phantom of warmth, traced a deliberate path from Ru's flushed cheek, down the sharp line of his jaw, and settled, possessively, on his throat. His fingertips, feather-light yet undeniably firm, explored the delicate swell of his Adam's apple, pausing there, a silent threat. Then, they slid lower, nestling in the hollow between his collarbones.

The prince's breath, hot and ragged, ghosted across Ru's lips. "Tell me the truth," he murmured, his voice a low, velvet rasp that seemed to vibrate in the charged air between them. "Who are you, really? And why do you seek to deceive me with your lies?"

His thumb now pressed lightly against the sensitive skin of Ru's throat, a subtle pressure that made it difficult to swallow, to breathe. "I can feel your pulse," he whispered, his eyes intense, boring into Ru's. "It races. It betrays you. Tell me, what secrets do you hide beneath that beautiful facade?"

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against Ru's ear. "I can taste the fear on your skin. It's intoxicating. But I prefer the taste of truth. So tell me, little liar, what games are you playing?" His fingers tightened ever so slightly, a silent promise of the power he held. "Or perhaps," he breathed, his voice laced with a dangerous undertone, "I should find out for myself."

"I... I am not what I appear to be," Ru admitted, his voice trembling. "But I am no threat to you, Your Highness. I swear it."

The prince's smile widened, though it was devoid of warmth. "Not what you appear to be," he repeated, his tone thoughtful. "How intriguing. And yet, you still evade my question. Are you a man or a woman? Or are you something else entirely?"

The prince's fingers trailed down Ru's cheek to his jaw, then to his throat, causing his breath to catch in his throat and his chest to tighten. The touch was light, almost caressing, but there was an underlying threat in the gesture that made Ru's blood run cold.

"I... I don't know," Ru whispered, his voice breaking. "I have never known."

The prince's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening as he studied Ru's face. For a brief moment, the room remained silent as the prince absorbed Ru's words. Then, to Ru's surprise, the prince chuckled—a low, melodic sound that sent a shiver down his spine.

"How fascinating," the prince said, his voice tinged with amusement. "A creature who does not know its own nature. A puzzle wrapped in mystery. You are full of surprises, the servant."

Ru's heart pounded as the prince stepped back, the tulle veils retreating slightly, though they still clung to his body. The prince's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he turned and walked back to his throne of pillows, his robes flowing around him like liquid moonlight.

"Come," the prince said as he sat down.

"To where?" Ru asked at that moment, even knowing how ridiculous his question was.

The prince shook his head, the pearls in his crown clicking softly. "Come, sit down," he said, patting the cushion beside him. "And give me a massage."

Ru's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Why do you want me to massage you?"

"Because you are a servant," the prince replied, his voice calm but firm.

"Yes, but I am a servant who wants to kill you," Ru admitted with a nonchalant shrug.

The prince's grin didn't falter. "I didn't ask you about your wishes. I ordered you to sit and massage me," he said, his sapphire eyes gleaming from behind the beads.

Ru crossed his arms over his chest, his expression defiant. "I won't."

The prince's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "It seems like you want to die," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"If possible, let it be sudden and painless," Ru replied, his tone flippant. He took a few steps toward the cushions and sat down, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

The prince raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with suppressed amusement. "Are you placing an order?"

"Why not?" Ru said, noticing the playing cards that the prince laid out on the coffee table.

The prince laughed, the sound rich and full. "You're a little smarter now, the servant."

"Lirui," Ru said, pointing at himself. "But everyone calls me Ru," he added.

"Lirui," the prince repeated, rolling the name on his tongue as if savoring it. "That name sounds sweet. But you are not a female."

"Yes, I am a man," Ru said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Why is it so important?"

The prince shook his head, the pearls in his crown clicking softly. "You're not smart, that's for sure."

Ru took a deep breath, his expression one of mock resignation. "Yeah, I'm a boring idiot," he said, focusing on the cards. "Let's play. Let me die while having fun."

The prince's lips curled into a sly smile. "Your disposition towards death is unamusing," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"After all, I am human. I have only one life," Ru replied, taking the cards offered by the prince. "I can't change my body, like you genies."

The prince's gaze sharpened, his sapphire eyes locking onto Ru's. "You can't fool me, human impersonator," he said, his tone suddenly serious. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Ru's as he took the cards.

"Stop hitting on me. You see, I'm a man," Ru said, withdrawing his hand quickly. "It is not possible for me to change my body, and therefore my gender, like you."

"Should I be a girl for you?" the prince asked, his tone teasing but with an undercurrent of something deeper.

Ru remained silent, his gaze fixed on the cards in his hands.

"A genie cannot do this," the prince continued. "But it can enter other people's bodies." He paused, his hand moving to rest on Ru's shoulder. "Or do you want..." His fingers tightened slightly, his sapphire eyes boring into Ru's. "Do you want me to come inside you?"

Ru's breath hitched. The prince's hand on his shoulder felt like a brand, searing through the fabric of his tunic and into his skin. He swallowed hard and forced himself to meet the prince's piercing sapphire gaze.

"Do I want you to come inside me?" Ru repeated, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. He leaned back slightly, putting a fraction of distance between them, though the prince's hand remained firmly in place. "That's a bold offer, Your Highness. But I'm not sure I'm ready to host a genie in my body. I've heard it's... overwhelming."

"Accept it." The prince's lips curled into a sly smile, his fingers tightening ever so slightly on Ru's shoulder. "Because I don't want to force you."

"But you're forcing me," Ru said. "Ever since I entered your room, I've felt like I'm your toy."

"A toy like you..." The prince's voice trembled as his gaze deepened. But then he suddenly paused; it seemed his gliters had fallen off. "I don't think my family will allow this. Sorry, Lulu."

"Lirui." Ru's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement breaking through his tension. "If you can't pronounce my name, call me Ru."

"Pity. " The prince's smile didn't waver, but his eyes darkened slightly. "You should be mine, but is that impossible?" The prince leaned back, his hand finally dropping from Ru's shoulder.

"Looks like it," Ru said, about to stand up. At that moment the prince caught his wrist.

"I want you," he said, his voice low and deliberate, "but..." He trailed off, shaking his head slightly, the pearls in his crown clicking softly.

"What a tragedy," Ru said, his voice dripping with exaggerated melancholy, each word laced with sarcasm. "Your family won't let you. Forbidden love and all that."

"So, do you want?" The prince asked, his voice smooth, his gaze piercing as it locked onto Ru's.

"No," Ru replied bluntly, and he tried to free his hand.

"Oh, you are so strong," the prince said, his smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. Before Ru could react, the prince's elegant fingers intertwined with Ru's.

The touch was almost electric, sending a shiver up Ru's arm.

"Do you want to get stronger?" the prince asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"No," Ru said again, his voice steady. He tried again to pull his hand away.

"So many no's deserve a punishment," the prince said, his tone almost innocent. "Sorry, Lulu."

Before Ru could voice his objections, a surge of electricity surged through his body, starting at the spot where the prince's hand grasped his and spreading outward like wildfire. Ru's body stiffened, his muscles tightening as the jolt coursed through him. His breath caught in his throat, his vision blurring as the pain—sharp and sudden—raced through every nerve.

The prince watched with detached amusement, his sapphire eyes gleaming as Ru's body trembled under the force of the shock.

Heise was watching the same scene. The only difference was that Ru was sleeping and the electric current that hit his body was dream-induced.

But this was not what Heise wanted to see and hear. For example, what was the name of the genie? Had he marked Ru? If so, at what stage?

"I wonder if we can't skip episodes in this dream series?" Heise thought.