8

I am posting cleaner version of the story here. You can still enjoy the heart of the story. However, if you want to get down and gritty, I will be uploading the Explicit version on my Patreon. Your can search me on Patreon by RHROSE. Or You can copy paste the link from here (https://www.patreon.com/collection/669317).

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Robin wasn't feeling well. He usually prided himself for having a great immune system. He couldn't remember the last time he had fallen ill. He must have caught something at the King's court. He shouldn't have gone there for more than one reason. 

Robin started attending his father's court three years ago when he turned sixteen. His father didn't care what he did with his free time. Robin didn't think his father knew he came to every assembly. Robin wanted to keep himself up to date on the Kingdom's governance, be it political matters, trade or judiciary. Well, he hated the judicial system of his country. Most of the laws were extreme. Most crimes, even the petty ones, were subjected to execution. Robin didn't agree with his father's politics. He made a detailed report on all the policies that he thought needed to be changed, removed or reformed. One day he wanted to present the report to his father. Change things for the better. 

When he saw Victor in the offender's line, he was shocked. For a second he thought his uncle found out they hadn't had sex. But then his Aunt came forward and Robin knew why he was being punished. He wondered why Victor denied having sex with Aunt Katrina when he had been doing it for the past two years. The prospect of him not doing it because of Robin, made him feel weirdly happy. But there was nothing happy about the consequences of his action. RObin didn't want to think too much about it. This Alpha was taking too much of his head space as is. But then the executioner started to flog Victor and Robin went still. Robin had never been hit before, so he didn't know how much it hurt but from the looks of it he knew it must hurt a lot. The cotton shirt Victor was wearing was tatted to shreds, the fabric painted red with blood. It was hard to watch. He could almost feel the blows on his own back. For a second he thought about going to his father and requesting him to stop the unjust punishment but his father had already, leaving Victor to take the punishment without mercy. 

"I brought the healer, young master," the maids said, knocking on the door. 

"Great. Let him in." Robin sat up straighter.

"What is the matter, Robin? Sia said you haven't been feeling well," the healer said, putting down his equipment on the bedside table. 

"Yes. My whole body is aching, I feel queasy, and feverish."

"Let me see." The healer checked his eyes, tongue, poked at his tummy, listened to his heartbeat and checked his temperature as well. 

"You seem fine. Have you been sleeping well?"

"I..uhmm…not really." Robin couldn't tell the healer that thoughts of a certain Alpha was keeping him up at night.

"That might be the reason. Here," the healer prescribed him camomile tea. "This will make you sleep better."

"That's it?"

"Yes. There is nothing wrong with you."

"So you are saying I am feeling this awful, almost like I am dying, because I didn't get enough sleep?"

"It could be."

Robin wanted to scream in frustration. He thought he would prescribe some antibiotics, painkillers, or downright anesthesia, but all he gave him was some tea. 

Robin stayed in bed for two straight days on the third day he felt somewhat better. Better enough to get out of bed and take a bath. He decided to take a walk in the palace garden, get some fresh air. 

He sat under the apple tree, breathing in the fresh scent of spring when his eyes fell on the herd of slaves just outside the palace grounds. They were being hurled into the wheat fields. Feeling curious, Robin walked closer to them and stood behind a wall to watch as their handler counted them. His eyes searched for Victor in the crowd but he was nowhere to be seen. 

Robin lurked in the area, trying to get a glimpse of Victor. He wanted to see if Victor was doing okay after the flogging. He grew tense when he didn't find him. Robin went to the handler, who looked shocked to see him, to ask where Victor was. 

"Where is…ahh…" Robin didn't know what they adressed him as. The handler eyed him with fascinated curiosity. All the slaves wispered among themselves, their eyes roaming his cloth covered body. It made Robin itch. Slave or not Alphas could be overbearing. 

"He is looking for Buddy," one of the slaves chimed in. 

"Yes. Where is he?" Robin asked, looking at the man. 

"He is in his cell."

"Thank you," Robin said, before turning back and leaving the area as fast as he could. 

Robin walked to the slave cells. The guard at the entrance looked equally surprised to see him there. It was as if they thought he was a ghost. 

"I need to go in."

The Alpha bowed. "You need special permission for that, young master."

"Do you want me to get the King involved for such a petty matter. You think he slacks around all day?"

"No, I didn't mean that, sir. You need permission from the head warden."

"Head Warden? I have higher authority than him, why should I go to him for permission. Open the gate, let me in or I will have to consider removing you from the palace guard position."

The guard seemed to be in a dilemma. A small part of Robin didn't want to put him in the position but he did what he had to do to get his way. Every royal member bent the rules from time to time, it was time Robin did so too. 

The man finally let him in. 

Robin walked along the empty cells, the guard accompanying him.

"You can go. Sit where you were sitting. I will be fine," Robin said, turning around.

"But sir," the guard hesitated. 

"I said, I will be fine. Do not tail around, it makes me uncomfortable."

His eyes widened before he scurried away from the prison. Robin looked around for Victor to find him at the end of the hall in a small prison cell. 

Robin's heart gave a painful thud. He was hurdle on the side of the hard bed, sleeping on his front. His back was on full display. Welted, red and infected. The cold cell looked uncomfortable, Robin wondered how he hadn't died yet. Robin wanted to call his name, talk to him, ask him what he needed. The thought of him in so much pain pulled at Robin's heart. He wished he could just take him away from this awful place. He knew if he intervened now, asked the guard to send him to his room, then his aunt wouldn't be happy. If she sensed something between them she would do far worse than a few lashes. She could get Victor killed. 

There was only one way to save Victor. 

Robin cleared his throat to get Victor's attention. Victor's body tightened at the sound. He raised his head to look at Robin. 

"You look awful," Robin commented. 

Victor smiled, his sunken eyes lighting up with the gesture. "Have you come to check on me?"

"I thought you died."

"Not so easily, princess."

"Your wounds look infected. Has the healer checked on you?" 

There was something behind Victor's eyes that Robin couldn't quite place. 

"How did you get in here?" Victor asked.

"I threatened the guard. Now answer my question."

"Yes. The healer gave me some medicine," Victor answered.

"Pain killers?"

"I think feeling the pain is part of the punishment. So no, no pain killers. Just antibiotics."

Robin squeezed his palm. The thought of Victor withering in pain in this cold cell, made him want to swing open the gates and take him away where he would be safe. 

"You need to sweet talk my aunt into letting her call you to her bed chamber."

"Why would I do that?" he asked. 

"You need a place to rest. This prison cell doesn't look sanitary. No matter how bad my aunt is, she cares for you. If you could just make her believe…"

"Make her believe what?" Victor snapped. "I thought you hated the idea of me sleeping with your family members."

"It doesn't matter how I feel. Your only priority should be how to survive."

"I will survive, don't worry. I don't need to lick your aunt's boots or anyone's for that matter."

"Do you see what state you are in? I can only imagine what sleeping on the stone bed feels like when you are incapacitated."

"I appreciate your concern but I will be fine. I have survived worse."

"Why are you being stubborn? When you can get a perfectly good bed to sleep in, proper food, clean water. Why are you hell-bent on hurting yourself?"

"Your aunt will expect sex in return."

Robin opened his mouth then closed it. He hated his aunt for being such a bitch. "So? You have slept with her before. What has changed now?"

Victor stood up from his bed and walked to the bars. "You want to know what has changed?"

Robin breathed heavily. Daring him with his eyes to explain further. 

"I don't want her anymore. Or anyone else."

"Why?" Robin asked. 

"My body seems to prefer a certain omega I met recently."

Robin toes curled at his confession. He took a step back and shook his head to clear it. "Don't say things like that. I am a Royal prince and you are a war prisoner, saying things like that can get you killed." He saw Victor's jaw clench. "Stop being stubborn and ask for my aunt's help. Do you understand?"

"What do I get in return?" 

Robin frowned. "What do you mean? This is for your benefit."

"What do I get in return, Robin?" Victor asked again.

Robin huffed. "What do you want?" 

"A kiss."

Robin's heart thudden at his demand. The overbearing son of a bitch. Even if Robin felt angry at his abashed demand he couldn't help the tingle that spread through his body. 

"No!" Robin snapped. "Why would you even ask that? Have you forgotten who you are?"

"I know who I am. I want to know who you are, Robin."

"I am king Marcella's son. Prince of Marcella Kingdom. And that's all you need to know. If you want to rot in the jail cell because your ego is too big to ask for help, then so be it. I am not going to kiss you!" 

"Are you sure?" Victor asked, a predatory glint in his eyes, as he licked his bottom lips. They looked quite inviting but Robin couldn't let Victor distract him. 

"Yes! Is this even a question." Why was his stomach twisting? 

"You were going to have sex with me on our first meeting."

Robin put his hands in the air in exsasaration. "That was different. It was my initiation day." 

"So? It's just a kiss."

"I think the pain is clouding your brain," Robin said. He should have left then. Let him do whatever he wants. Instead of standing there and listening to him make illogical demands. 

"Perhaps. You could distract me from the pain for a few seconds."

Robin bit the inside of his cheeks. Hating that he was considering it. "Will you ask my aunt's help if I kiss you?"

"Yes."

"You promise?" Why was he doing this?

"On my life."

Robin stepped forward, took his face and pulled him forward. "Let me be clear, I am only doing it because I pity you."

"Got it," Victor said, sounding delirious as his eyes roamed Robin's lips. 

"No tongue," Robin said. 

"No tongue," Victor agreed, breathlessly. 

"Keep your hands to yourself," Robin added. 

"Alright."

Robin tilted his head and touched his lips on Victor's.There was a rumbling groan from the man. He gripped the prison bars as he opened his mouth and sucked on Robin's bottom lips. Robin didn't know a simple kiss could feel like this. It was like being electricuted my thousands bolts of current. His body came alive, needing a touch, wanting an Alpha's warmth, an Alpha's claim. Robin stepped back, holding on to his chest, his breathing erratic. He saw Victor's eyes were almost black, his chest heaving.

"There," Robin said. "Happy now?"

Victor smiled, rubbing his tongue on his bottom lips, as if tasting the remnants of Robin. "For now, yes."

"I thought you didn't want to have sex with me."

"Who would not want to have sex with you, Robin?"

"So you lied to me?" Robin asked, crossing his arms and giving him a cold stare even though his body hummed with awareness. "Why?"

"Because if I told you how much I wanted you…you would have run away."

"Stop," Robin snapped, clearing his throat. "You are too full of yourself, you know that?"

"I have heard that before," Victor said with a smirk. 

"Will you ask my aunt to take you in?"

"I will ask your aunt to take me in, yes."

"Good. Make sure you take care of yourself."

Victor nodded, his eyes still fixed on Robin's lips. Like he was a starved man looking at his last meal. 

"Bye," Robin said, walking away from Victor's cell.