Chapter 94

The prince was violent, rude, and savage.

The priest lay on his back on the carpet, the extinguished candlestick in
his hand had long since rolled aside. He wore a mysterious smile, relishing the
passion the prince brought him. At the same time, he felt that the prince’s
heart was as madly fervent for him as his body, which resonated through his own
heart and body, bringing intense pleasure.

The priest’s hands wrapped around the prince’s neck. He tilted his head
back, parted his lips, and his sharp teeth ground against the prince’s soft ear
bones, while his tongue and lips tenderly and moistly licked the prince’s
earlobe. His skill at seduction was incredibly adept, an extremely potent
stimulation for any man.

The prince turned his face away, grasping the priest’s chin with one hand
and kissing him fiercely. The priest returned the kiss with the utmost
gentleness as if soothing the agitated prince. Indeed, the prince was enchanted
by him, even pausing his actions to focus solely on kissing the priest, their
tongues entwining in a way that made it seem as though they were passionately
in love.

When the prince relaxed, the priest’s arms coiled around the prince like a
snake, and with a powerful move, he reversed their positions.

Both the priest’s and the prince’s expressions twisted momentarily.

This intense physical pleasure could make one forget everything briefly.

The priest slowly arched his waist, his hands climbing from the prince’s
abdominal muscles to his shoulders. Half of his body lay on the prince’s chest,
his lips resting on the prince’s Adam’s apple as he whispered, “Do you
remember what I said you smelled like in Colby?” Answering his own
question, he said, “A horse, a magnificent horse…” The priest
lightly kissed the prince’s Adam’s apple. “Back then, I thought…”

Sweat beaded on the prince’s temples as his hands, gripping the priest’s
waist through his clerical robe, watched the pale face slowly rise in the dark,
the crimson lips flashing a faint smile. “Someday, I will tame you, and
just like now…”

The priest moved slowly, his tone laced with mocking arrogance, “…I
will ride you.”

The prince forgot all his plans, everything he intended to say.

They cooperated perfectly, intensely, the rhythm making them forget
everything, immersed in this dark rendezvous…

“Tell me, why me?”

The prince kissed the priest. “I must have some redeeming qualities,
don’t I?”

“You want me to praise you?”

The priest’s hand caressed the prince’s face, fervently kissing the prince’s
lips, hot breath escaping from his mouth. “Then I must admit you are
wonderful, you are indeed wonderful.”

The prince’s hand pressed against the back of the priest’s neck, a crazy
idea was flooding his mind. He kissed the priest’s lower lip, his magnetic and
deep voice irresistibly commanding, “I want you to come to my ball.”

“Your ball…”

The prince kissed deeply. It wasn’t a question, but a certainty. His
dominant love was clear; he knew the priest had always understood his feelings.
The priest had been deliberately toying with him, which had nothing to do with
how he courted him. If he were humble, the priest would only be more cruel
because he was inherently malicious.

He did not want to defeat him or conquer him. He would love him, offering
his sincere, pure, unique love, like a convict presenting his fragile neck to
the executioner. He was determined to love him this way!

The carpet was left in disarray, and then they soiled the sofa and bed. On
the bed, the prince held the priest, caressing his smooth shoulders, placing
kiss after kiss on the priest’s forehead.

“Eugene, from today on, I will call you Eugene,” the prince’s tone
seemed to have everything planned, sounding confident. He had a goal and a
plan, and his steps were much firmer. “I don’t care how many lovers you
had before. From now on, I will not allow anyone else near you. Whoever dares
to do so, I will take his life.”

The priest said, “Then I will collect his remains, pray for him, and
send him to heaven.”

The prince seemed not to hear, needing to discern which of the priest’s
words were sincere and which were deliberate provocations. He was sure the
priest sometimes did it on purpose, to anger and humiliate him. This malicious
trait was something the prince had never felt in anyone else. He was neither a
devotee of God nor an emissary of the devil. He was something strange and
special in between.

The prince looked into the priest’s green eyes, hoping that these eyes would
regain their light. That way, the priest wouldn’t only see his ugliness but
also how sincerely he was courting him.

***

The master and servant met at the bedroom door.

Bill was surprised. “Your Highness.”

The prince was calm. “Is everything taken care of?”

“No…” Bill quickly corrected himself. “Yes, it’s done. The
monks in the church have taken care of it.”

The prince’s expression softened, and Bill was astonished by his
transformation. Cautiously, he said, “Your Highness, actually, I didn’t go
to Colby for that poor man’s burial.”

“What?”

Bill conveyed his deductions to the prince verbatim. His loyalty to the
prince left him unable to conceal anything. “I thought that even if she
were a poor girl, Your Highness, you would still want her. I intended to bring
her back so she could attend the ball tomorrow and truly make you happy.”

Touched by his servant’s good intentions, the prince silently lifted his
hand and gripped Bill’s shoulder firmly. “Bill, I will leave you the most
fertile land in Oss.”

Bill smiled. “You know I don’t seek rewards from you. I only wish to
ease your troubles. But it seems you’ve already resolved most of them yourself.
You look much better. So, is there a girl causing you much distress?”

“Your eyes are sharp,” the prince said, pushing open the bedroom
door. “That’s why I keep you by my side. Come in; I have something very
important for you to do.”

***

The palace, long overshadowed by the revolutionary party and the crown
prince’s defeat, finally came alive on this day.

A grand ball was to be held, a truly magnificent event. Nobles from across
the capital and even those from other fiefdoms were invited, bringing their
eligible sons and daughters.

Prince Oss was famously known for his disabilities, disfigurement, wealth,
and the many strange rumors surrounding him, making him incredibly mysterious.

Sharman’s defeat in the Falklands campaign caused both regret and scorn, as
it was evident that if such a person became king, Lecy would fall completely to
the revolutionaries.

The remaining Prince Daina indulged in hedonism, the only kingly aspect of
him being his numerous mistresses. Prince Joyce, on the other hand, squandered
his time and wealth traveling. By comparison, Prince Oss, also known as Prince Randes,
had unexpectedly become the best candidate for Lecy’s heir.

The nobles, resigned, consoled themselves with the thought that at least
Prince Oss had managed to make the Oss fiefdom prosperous. Surely, he could
lead Lesey to a bright future too?

The capital’s inns were packed, and on this day, the nobles eagerly awaited
nightfall, the start of the ball. Similarly, in the palace, the prince was
preparing. He donned the attire he had not tried on the previous day, making
adjustments as the palace tailors promptly modified it.

The prince requested the tailor to sew a layer of fabric inside his left
boot. “I want my feet to look symmetrical.”

The tailor understood the prince’s intent. “I am happy to serve
you.”

The prince had never taken great care in dressing himself, not even before
his disfigurement. He did not care about his appearance; to him, looks were the
least commendable trait of a person.

While the tailor busied himself, the prince picked up the mask from the
table.

Perhaps to avoid frightening the guests with his face and to prevent any
unnecessary embarrassment, tonight’s ball was a masquerade.

The mask in the prince’s hand was specially crafted. It perfectly concealed
his forehead and the left side of his face, scarred by burns, revealing only
his powerful eyes, prominent nose, and resolute chin. The prince had not seen
himself for so long that he could barely distinguish his beauty or ugliness. He
asked the tailor, “Do I appear dignified like this?”

The tailor only glanced up briefly before confirming, “Of course, Your
Highness. You are remarkably handsome.”

Power can embellish one’s appearance. The prince chuckled self-deprecatingly
and removed the mask. Standing by the window, he saw a group of monks walking
along the garden path below, likely there for the daytime baptism.

***

Bunier complained bitterly, “I admit that baptizing the prince is an
honor, but it should be done in the church. In the palace, it feels so
unholy.”

The priest calmly replied, “The king is gravely ill. He wishes to
witness the prince’s baptism.”

Bunier remained unsatisfied. “Then the king should come to the church
to witness it. That way, God can see his sincerity and relieve him of his
illness.”

“Enough, Bunier, you complain too much.”

Bunier shut his mouth and looked at the group of black-robed monks behind
him. “I brought as many people as you requested, at least thirty monks,
though there are only thirty-four monks in Kansburg, and a few are away on
studies.”

“I must inform you, we are short on personnel. However, I was fortunate
enough to meet Father Anthony from the Tikus Monastery while I was in Corby for
a burial. He agreed to help with today’s baptism.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes,” Bunier turned to the crowd. “Father Anthony, come and
greet our priest.”

Father Anthony spoke in a low voice. The priest expressed his gratitude and
asked him to send his regards to all the monks at Tikus Monastery.

The priest asked Bunier to take a rest with the others. As Bunier was about
to leave, the priest called Anthony back, saying he had specific instructions
to prevent any discrepancies between their practices.

Anthony stayed behind.

After the door closed, the polite smile vanished from the priest’s face.
“Archill, what disguise are you using?”

The impostor priest scratched his itchy fake beard. “You wouldn’t want
to know.”

“I only need you to remain undiscovered.”

“Don’t worry, few people in the capital know my face.”

“That’s excellent.”

This was Archill’s first time in the palace. He could scarcely believe he
had infiltrated it. Since joining the revolutionaries, he had dreamed of one
day entering the palace, dragging the king from his throne, and questioning his
governance. But that had always seemed like a fantasy. Even though the
revolutionary cause was advancing, he had always lacked confidence, feeling he
might be dead before his dreams came true.

“Eugene,” Archill said, touching the gun and dagger hidden under
his robe, his excitement and fervor rising, “Should we act during the
baptism?”

“No,” the priest replied firmly.

“Why not? It’s the perfect opportunity!” Archill argued.

“It’s the worst timing.”

“Shooting in the king’s chamber won’t let you escape, and the news will
be tightly controlled. You’ll be dismissed as a mad assassin, not a
revolutionary voice for the people. You need a chance for everyone to know who
you are, Archil. Do you understand?”

Archill calmed down immediately. “You’re right, Eugene.”

“Good, I’m relieved. Let’s confirm once more, you’ll follow my
instructions, correct?”

“Yes, I’ll follow your lead.”

While they were discussing, someone knocked on the door.

The priest raised his hand, signaling for Archill to be silent. “Who is
it?”

“It’s me, Bill, esteemed Father.”

The priest immediately lowered his voice, telling Archill, “Hide in the
bathroom.”

Bill came to deliver a box, which wasn’t too heavy. He placed it beside the
sofa and said, “Father, this is something the prince instructed me to give
you. He said you would know what to do with it.”

“Okay.”

Bill should have left after completing his task, but he couldn’t help but
speak, thinking of the prince’s strange behavior all day yesterday.
“Father, the prince is a man of high moral character. He doesn’t care
about social status or differences. His love is sincere and passionate. Based
on my years of accompanying the prince, I believe he will only truly love one
person in his life. I know you are also a noble person. I hope you can support
the prince as he supports you. Can you? Consider this my request.”

The priest was silent for a moment before smiling. “Okay.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Bill nearly jumped for joy. “I knew you would support him. Thank God.
May tonight be the happiest night of the prince’s life!”

Bill left happily, and after the door closed, Archill emerged from the
bathroom. “Eugene, are you and Prince Oss close? Is he a good
person?”

“He is a noble,” the priest replied curtly.

Archill noticed the box at the priest’s feet. “What’s that? A bribe from
him?” he joked, then laughed at his own words. “No, a prince wouldn’t need to
bribe a humble priest.”

“I don’t know what it is either,” the priest said. “Why don’t you open it
for me?”

Archill was more than happy to do so. He didn’t hate all nobles and was also
curious about what the prince might have given the priest.

When the box was opened, Archil was silent for a moment. He reached in,
rummaged through the contents, and then became even more silent.

“What is it?”The priest asked.

Archill looked up at the priest, then back at the contents of the box, his
tone complicated. “It’s women’s things—some dresses, high heels, and such…”