10.| Not A Trophy To Be Had

[Song For Scene: Savage - Bahari]

The cold bath had done little to abate his… problem. He'd tried everything to calm down his raging libido without actually touching himself. He couldn't do that. Not while the memory of Gunter was still freshly imprinted on his mind.

So there he sat, curled up on his bed in nothing more than a towel as he fought to keep his hand from wandering down to stroke at his frustration. How would he ever look at Gunter the same again if he did that? How would he ever look at him the same at all.

Burying his face into his pillow, he let out an annoyed muffled yell. Why oh why couldn't he stop thinking about it? Why did his mind supply him with the reminder of how right it felt to be pinned down underneath him?

It was a fight he was losing horribly and it was becoming painful not to touch himself, not to find relief in the thoughts of Gunter's warm lips pressed on his skin, saying such sinfully, tantalizing things in his ear.

His hand unraveled his towel and he let out a whine that was lost in his pillow. Reaching down, he finally grasped his hardened member, flushed an angry red and dripping with precum. Biting his lip hard enough to bruise, he gave it a stroke, toes curling into the bed sheets.

He kept stroking and stroking, feeling himself nearly reaching a climax when the bedroom door was pushed open. Marcellus. He stood there, his intense crimson gaze locked on Yuè's sinful acts.

He froze, hand still holding himself, chest rising and falling as the reality of what was happening caught up with him. Wide dual colored eyes stared at the alpha leader in shock. "I-I it's not what you think!" He cried, removing his hand from his cock as he frantically sat up.

Marcellus didn't say a word. He closed the door behind him and crossed the room as though he were going to tear Yuè apart, and there was nothing the silver haired man could do but sit there like a deer ready to take an arrow to the heart.

When he reached the edge of the bed, Yuè recoiling in fear, Marcellus' large hand gripped his flushed cock tightly, those crimson eyes leering into his soul. A moan was torn from him as he came, spilling all over that hand, curling inwards at the intensity of it.

Yuè couldn't help but feel that Marcellus was cruelly and silently judging how fast he'd came from a simple touch and menacing glare. Was it amusement that he continued to watch, his crimson eyes flicking down and then up before Marcellus brought his own hand up to his mouth to lick the cum free.

The silver haired man didn't have any time to respond. Marcellus was already heading for the door, leaving out and only simply saying, "Put on the dress and come down stairs."

Yuè stared at the door, his mind numb. He blinked rapidly, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

There was no way that happened, right? That had to have been some twisted hallucination his mind conjured. Yeah, that was it. That's what he would tell himself.

Crawling from the bed, he stood on weak legs, shivering in the cool air as he walked over to the pile of clothing that had been left on his dresser. Yuè scrutinized it closely. It was similar to the hanfu that Gunter made for him, but definitely more feminine.

If he was being forced to dress like a woman, then no doubt did that mean they were most likely dealing with Marcellus' father. That thought alone was enough to terrify him. It seemed there would truly be no rest from the bizarreness that was his life now.

***

Anxiety coursed through Yuè as he descended the stairs to the dining hall. He had been ordered by Marcellus by all people, to dress like a woman, and after what had happened moments before, he couldn't help but feel as though it were a form of humiliation. It wasn't like he had a choice but to comply, or face the wrath of the ruthless prince once more.

He wore a silk white gown that hugged his slender figure, revealing his curves and smooth skin—its elegant hem embroidered with pink flowers and green leaves. A few years ago, his father had told him how his mother used to wear her hair, and on sheer memory alone, Yuè managed to replicate it.

His long white hair was braided and adorned with pearls and flowers. His face was painted with rouge and kohl, accentuating his delicate features and almond-shaped eyes. He looked like a beautiful and exotic doll, but he felt like a prisoner.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, his gaze roamed over the table filled with food. There were plates of bread, cheese, fruits, meats, pastries, and more. The aroma smelled heavily, but Yuè had no appetite. He felt everyone's eyes on him as he walked towards his seat.

At the head of the table sat Marcellus, his dark long dreadlocks falling over his shoulders. His crimson eyes gleaming with amusement and malice as he saw Yuè. Today he wore a black velvet coat held closed with a gold brooch. He looked powerful and imposing.

Next to him was Emery, sporting a blue silk tunic and a silver pendant that complemented the gold of his hair and icy blue eyes. Yuè noticed he seemed different, stiff. He would've thought that maybe it was because his father had come to the reason he had to dress like a woman, but Yuè noticed a man he didn't recognize across from him.

He had short brown hair and green eyes, and was wearing a red tunic and a fur cloak. He looked wealthy and arrogant like he got whatever he wanted when he wanted it.

"You did an excellent job at the tournament, the people of Salthelm were intrigued. You never seem to disappoint." The man grinned, his golden teeth sinking into an apple he plucked up from the table while his gaze seemed to linger on Yuè a little too long.

The look made his skin crawl and he looked away, staring down at the table instead. The sense of foreboding he'd been feeling before intensified and his hands clenched together in his lap.

Marcellus rested his chin on a fisted hand. "They didn't bestow me with such a name because I'm a gentle man, Lord Peyton. But what would be the reason you came to visit so early in the morning? I would've prepared a better feast had I known."

"You're too kind," Lord Peyton laughed, and Yuè could tell it sounded forced. "Who is that woman?" He asked Marcellus, pointing at Yuè.

Marcellus' crimson gaze drifted over to where Yuè sat.

"Wasn't she at the Erosta celebration? The one your father was angered with?" He pressed on.

"Her name is Yuè." Marcellus finally said after taking a sip of his glass of wine.

"Ahh. I see. I've never seen such a young woman with white hair and pale porcelain skin. It's so vastly different from the dark haired and tan skinned people of my lands. Where are you from, dear?" Lord Peyton licked his lips to collect the crumbs left behind.

Yuè tensed at being addressed, eyes flickering to the brothers before they went back to the man. Swallowing, he made sure to speak softly. "I know not the name sir. I was very young when I was forced from home." He said, using the same excuse Emery had before.

"Interesting. But why keep a woman banished from another unknown place? Normally we keep those kinds of people as slaves. I just-"

"She's my wife." Emery cut in, his voice sharp and angry, unlike his usual smooth and relaxed tone.

"That's your brother's wife?" Lord Payton repeated with disbelief, though ignored Emery and only spoke to Marcellus. "Don't lie to me, I know that is not your brother's wife. He's an embarrassment. She truly must be your slave."

Lord Payton laughed in sheer mock, causing Emery's jaw to tighten. His laughter grated Yuè's ears, and he fought not to fidget. Biting his lip nervously, he stared between the three men as discussed him like he was a piece of furniture.

Marcellus shrugged. "Call her what you will. The truth is, she was banished and I took her for myself. She is mine, either way. But a man such as myself could never explain that to his father, who is a king. It'd be a disgrace."

Emery straightened up even more, his gaze filled with silent disbelief.

Lord Payton leaned forward and stared at Yuè with interest that made him shift away, dread pooling like ice in his stomach. "Oh. I never thought you were such a crude man, Marcellus. Then you know where she truly came from? Where did you get her? He looks nothing like the people of this land."

"I captured her from LánWēi," Marcellus spoke casually, almost as though Yuè was some prized possession or object. "You know I sometimes travel. She caught my eye."

Lord Payton let out a piggish snort and nodded with approval. "She is indeed a rare specimen. She has a beauty that is almost unnatural. How much do you want for her?"

Marcellus let out a raspy laugh that didn't touch his cold, crimson eyes. "She is not for sale."

Yuè's jaw clenched in anger. Sale? He wanted to buy him as though he was a toy?

Lord Payton frowned. "Don't be greedy, Marcellus. Everything has a price. Name yours, and I will pay it."

Emery looked to Yuè, then between his brother and Lord Payton as he slammed his hands on the table. "She is priceless to me!"

Lord Payton snorted. "Emery, look at you. You have nothing in your name. No power. No king that stands behind you. Naive man, you have no claim on him or anything else."

Emery grabbed Yuè's hand. "I do have a claim on him. He is mine by right of the first Mate law. We will Marry."

Tears sprang to Lord Payton's eyes as he laughed hysterically, wiping them as he spoke. "Marriage? What marriage? You cannot marry a slave. In fact because of your crime, you can't marry at all you celibate, unwanted, bastard."

"Law means nothing to me. I'm not bound to them if I'm an outcast. We are married in our hearts. I need no title, fool. Emery bared his teeth.

Yuè's cheeks pinked at his words, staring at Emery with wide dual colored eyes. Despite all of the slanderous words he still fought to protect him. It made his heart ache at the unfairness in which Emery was being treated. He didn't know what he had done in the past, but it could not possibly warrant this sort of disrespect. It reminded Yuè all too much of how the villagers treated him.

Lord Payton rolled his eyes. "Spare me your sentimental nonsense, Emery. You know as well as I do that this is Marcellus' land, and he makes the rules here. He can do whatever he wants with his property, including selling it to me."

He turned to Marcellus again. "Give her to me, Marcellus. I want her for myself."