IX: Gold.

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Maybe he was going overboard by treating his husband that way at a time like that but, without a doubt, Rex Lapis was having fun, from the beginning he knew that his escort and his husband got along but only the day before did he really understand to the point that they had arrived, there was no doubt that what he saw in their eyes was love. For that very reason, he decided to test the limits of the tenuous situation they were all in and he was pleasantly surprised to see how his heartless escort also suffered from his actions, or at least until he even dared to try to stop him.

He had no idea how far they had come, that is, hours before he could safely say that nothing had happened between them, after years of knowing him he came to understand Alatus as someone completely asexual. Rex Lapis did not stop thinking about it, that small uprising was enough to make him doubt the honor of his servant and to make him consider punishing him so that he could not repeat it. For now, he took some time to think about how he will proceed, talking to Shenhe might clarify some things for him before he acts rashly.

The emperor let out a long sigh as he lit his pipe, he expected the prince to reprimand him for his actions but surprisingly he hasn't said anything since then, he thought that was good, maybe he finally understood his place.

Aether was completely silent, annoyed that his rest time had to be shared with his husband and he wouldn't even let his leave his side to get a book that could distract him, his legs ached since he wasn't used to sitting on the floor, or at least, in the graceful manner that protocol required, even with the cushions he felt uncomfortable. It was clear that even being in the same place, on that elegant balcony from which anyone could clearly see them, was another part of the regal look the emperor was striving to display.

"Rex Lapis, my lord, may I ask you not to smoke by my side?"

The prince politely asked to hope that the obnoxious man next to him would at least consider that small request. The emperor looked at him out of the corner of his eye as if an inferior being was speaking to him but his seriousness turned into a smile before opening his mouth, the man let out the smoke he had just inhaled causing it to hit the prince's face squarely, he, obviously, began to cough closing his eyes as they stung.

"What's happening? You do not like it? Maybe you are too young to enjoy it."

He drawled his words as he watched the prince struggle not to squirm on his spot, he looked at him with clear annoyance once his coughing stopped.

"It makes my head hurt."

He excused himself, rather he was beginning to feel confused and sleepy which scared him since he doesn't want to be vulnerable next to the man who has hurt him so much and who just hours ago gave signs of wanting to continue abusing him.

"It will pass soon, you should get used to it."

He said taking another drag on his golden pipe and exhaling so that the smoke continues to accumulate around them. Aether pressed his fingernails against his thighs surreptitiously to prevent the stupor of sleep from overtaking him, not having slept or eaten didn't help the weariness weigh on him either.

"Could I at least step away for a bit?"

He asked in a low voice already imagining the answer, the prince knew he must be anxious about the situation he was in but little by little his body began to relax.

"No."

Rex Lapis replied, flooding the air around them both with the smoke of the drug he was consuming, he was surprised to see that the prince's eyes seemed to weigh him down to the point of making an effort to look awake, he really didn't expect it to affect him so soon but he was'nt going to complain.

. . .

A tall man with striking hair approached from the corridor, walking so casually to the emperor's restroom, he was even humming happily as he approached the elegant door, of course, Alatus and Shenhe blocked his way before he even got up and reached out to touch it.

"Lord Rex is resting, come another time."

Alatus said firmly, he didn't like having to look up at him because of his height.

"Yes, of course, move at once."

"No, it was explicitly requested that no one pass."

Shenhe replied this time.

"If I yelled to get his attention he's really going to get mad at you, are you sure you want to take that risk?"

Alatus frowned in annoyance, he knew little of him but he understood that the man was a good friend of the emperor so his threat seemed plausible.

"Fine, but I'll go in with you."

The redhead smiled triumphantly, he waited for the youngest to open the door so he could go behind, the sight in front of them surprised them and left Alatus motionless for a few moments, moments that the redhead took advantage of to go ahead and approach the nobles.

"Good afternoon, I see you're having fun."

The redhead casually spoke to the man who was almost a deity in the nation, Alatus felt offended by his behavior but knowing that they had a close relationship it was not surprising that he forgot all protocol when speaking to him.

"It's cute this way."

Rex Lapis murmured as he stroked the sleeping prince's hair, his head was resting on his lap and his body was on the floor next to him, he looked so relaxed that Alatus worried. Alatus frowned, he knows that Aether would not relax that way next to that man so there was only one option left, he was drugged by the opium that Rex Lapis smokes.

"I see."

The redhead said as he knelt to the side so he could get a closer look at the prince. The situation gave Alatus a bad feeling and that the man approached in that way did not like it at all, he took a couple of steps to stay aside as always, the dark look of that redhead warned that he was not thinking of anything well, but since the emperor didn't seem to care, he couldn't do anything.

"Alatus..?"

The emperor turned to look at him as he asked softly, basically waiting for him to explain his presence even though he could already get the idea.

"Seeing that you are not bothered by the presence of this man, I must remain in place to ensure your safety."

Alatus said firmly, at least the man's presence gave him the perfect excuse to stay and watch that nothing bad happened, at least he hoped.

"Sure, you can stay..."

Rex Lapis smiled although Alatus didn't know what could have amused him about their conversation, the slanted-eyed man turned his gaze to the sleeping prince, and just at that moment, he could see how the other man pressed his thumb against the prince's lips. Alatus shivered, even taking a step forward as his eyes riveted on the way the man forced his thumb into Aether's mouth, who frowned weakly but did not move.

"Tiredness was going to overtake him at some point, now he can't even move..."

Rex Lapis whispered just looking at and slowly stroking the youngest's golden hair.

"It would be interesting to play with him."

The redhead also whispered, and despite that, Alatus could hear them clearly. The guard was about to get closer to remove the man's hand, but the emperor's gaze rested on him again, as if judging the actions he had not yet performed.

"Is there something bothering you, Alatus?"

He asked almost as if he was teasing him with his sweet and mild tone, making Alatus think they were doing it on purpose.

" I-I... That man..."

Alatus did not know how to explain himself when in his head he only thought of driving the redhead away, he did not even realize that he was holding his spear almost in position to jump to attack. The emperor was impressed and quite amused by such a reaction but he didn't let it show in his expression, he simply raised his hand to calm the guard who hesitated a bit but had to bite his tongue and return to his firm posture.

"Well, Childe, an insignificant being like you shouldn't be touching my empress."

Despite Rex Lapis's words, the man laughed animatedly, the redhead slid his thumb slowly out of the prince's mouth, he turned to meet the bitter expression of the guard who looked at him with such intensity that he had only seen in enemies that they wanted to kill him, it excited him, to worsen the guard's mood and as a crude mockery he stuck out his tongue and ran his thumb moistened with the prince's saliva as if he were cleaning or tasting it, Alatus shivered with disgust.

"So, can you get to the important stuff?"

Said the emperor completely ignoring the shameless and totally brazen actions of the redhead.

"Of course, of course." -He waved his hand as he sat on the floor in front of the emperor, face to face so they could argue even though his legs were crossed in an ungraceful way.- "As expected, the tide is still rough."

"I can imagine it."

Said the emperor as he rested his elbow on the low table next to him and cupped his cheek with his hand, his gaze of a deep golden color lost for a moment in the redhead's laughing lips.

"Everyone is wondering about your new wife, it seems that his presentation left a mark on the minds of those who saw it and the rumor quickly spread that the new empress was made of gold and for that reason, she will bring even more prosperity to our nation, some talk about her beauty and others speculate about her personality, basically, is popular."

Just by listening to that Alatus finished understanding, why they were so close, the redhead not only advised him with his finances, he was also an extension of Rex Lapis that went into his town and got the information that was useful to him, maybe it's because he trusts him that he does not listen to those who really have that kind of position in his court.

"Is that so?"

Rex Lapis's fingers drummed on his cheek with some impatience, he already expected something so important to be talked about but to say that it is "made of gold" exceeded simple praise for its beauty.

"Some nobles compare him to you, they say that only someone like the Dragon Lord could find a wife on his level, that's why-"

"I understand ."

The older interrupted, his fingers pressing hard on the unconscious prince's head, he didn't want to hear someone who easily fell for their vile game considered a god like him. The redhead just smiled and continued talking about a different topic, he knew him well enough to know that telling him that was going to annoy him but he really didn't want to hide information from him, besides, it was funny that he tried to hide his annoyance over such matters.

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