5 Chapter 4

***READER'S CAUTION ADVISED. CONTAINS ADULT SCENES. PLEASE SKIP IF YOU ARE BELOW 18.***

The morning sun shone brightly above the Duke of Wintern's estate. The two bodies which had entwined the day before were still lying in each-others embrace. The sunlight couldn't disturb their peace since the blinds of Derek's room were drawn. No one came to wake them up. It was as if they were left forgotten by the whole world which was busy preparing for the spring festival.

Hansel snuggled up to the warmth which was coming from beside him. He had felt this cozy for the first time in his life. A soft bedding which was comfortable for his back, a quilt which provided so much warmth, if this was a dream, Hansel never wanted to wake up. He had spent his childhood in an orphanage, competing for everyday necessities with other kids. He was never good with these things, so even though he had to sleep on an empty stomach for most of the days, he was still grateful for the ceiling above him which sheltered him from rain. After he turned fifteen, he could no longer live in the orphanage and started working for his own livelihood. He joined a guild of mercenaries as a guard. Having a talent for sword, he could quickly grasp the movements just watching his seniors' practice. He gained real experience from big and small strife with bandits while guarding the merchants' goods. At eighteen, he somehow came to join the Wintern estate.

Hansel gradually came to consciousness and became aware of the excruciating pain in his head. The hundred-year-old wine did not go easy on him at all. Last night's memory came flashing to him and his eyes opened wide. The sleeping face in front of him made a loud gasp escape his mouth. The unfamiliar ceiling and his master lying beside him, naked to the boot, this was the most shocking event in his eighteen years of life. He tried to soothe his racing heart. He watched the Second Master breathe peacefully; his eyes still closed. His arms and hands wrapped around Hansel's form. Hansel blushed at the intimacy. He had never been comfortable with physical contact, but somehow, he was lying here, in the embrace of his master, completely fine with no gaps between their bodies as if it was a routine for him. He covered his hot face with his palms, his brain recalled how loud he was last night and how he clung to Derek for dear life.

Hansel wanted to escape before Derek could wake up. Carefully, he lifted the heavy arms on top of him and moved it away from his body, trying not to wake him up. He exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath during this whole process. He then tried to push Derek's leg away to escape the cage he was trapped him.

While he was busy freeing himself, big, burly hands wrapped around him once again and pulled him even closer than before. Derek's lips clung to his ear as he spoke in a hoarse voice, "…Where are you going?"

Hansel was in a state of frenzy. His heart went wild and he shivered in shame in Derek's arms. How could he face his master after what had happened between them last night?

Derek frowned watching Hansel's reaction. "Why are you shaking?" he asked, rubbing Hansel's back with his large hands, as if trying to soothe a child. Derek's frown deepened feeling his protruding spine. Even though he knew Hansel was skinny, this was something on a whole different level. He should really eat more.

Hansel wriggled his body in order to escape the tiger's clutches. Seeing him struggle, Derek smirked. It was going to be fun being with him. Having fun- this feeling was something which had become alien to Derek in the past.

"Don't!" Derek warned Hansel to quit the struggle, "If you don't want to continue the events of last night, just stop…" he did not complete his sentence but Hansel could guess the rest of it on his own. It was 'stop rubbing your body against my thing'. He must escape urgently or he could be devoured.

So, Hansel flailed in Derek's arms, putting his hands on the tiger's chest, he pushed with all his might. Derek didn't budge an inch. Hansel's frail body was no match for Derek, who had trained in strength since a young age. Even though their sword skills were on par with each other, as long as Derek used his monstrous strength, he could easily overpower Hansel. His heavy legs tightened around Hansel even more and their lower bodies were now touching.

Hansel felt something hot nudge his stomach. Instinctively, his hand went under the quilt in search of the object. His entire face went red when he felt the thing throb in his hands. He could easily guess Derek's size even if he didn't want to. Derek clasped Hansel's hand on his member, preventing him from retracting his hand away. He guided Hansel to caress it, hardening even more under his touch. Hansel looked Derek in the eye and shuddered watching them glint with desire. He closed his eyes shut and tried to free his hands. Derek smirked at his reaction. He was getting off from watching Hansel make different faces.

"You know," he freed Hansel's hand, who immediately pulled them to safety, "You were moaning so loudly yesterday that I thought we were finally getting somewhere…but after you got your release…you went to sleep immediately, leaving me hanging. I…I was so embarrassed." Derek pouted, feigning a sad face. Hansel shuddered at the sudden personality switch. He couldn't imagine Derek being embarrassed even in his sleep.

"I…I am sorry." Hansel uttered first words since he woke up. Having his master take care of his carnal desires was an unforgivable behavior, no matter how you see it.

"You were sleeping soundly while I cleaned your body. I had a hard time controlling myself." Derek blinked his eyes a couple of time as if he were deeply wounded by Hansel's behavior and added, "I even washed your clothes with my own hands."

"I am terribly sorry." Hansel apologized once more. To have his master wash his clothes was disgraceful. He was already ashamed as it is and now there was one more thing to add to the list. Derek had even saved him from the knight who wanted to take advantage of his body. He suddenly felt incompetent. "I…If there is a way, I can repay your kindness…" he asked, ashamed of the events which had unfolded last night.

"There is no need to repay me." Derek replied coyly and then finally uttered the awaited words from his mouth, "You just have to take responsibility!"