Chapter 2

The natural light of the sun straining out of the blinds caused Ananeas to stir. He felt his head pounding as he stretched out his left hand to block out the sunlight, which helped little to nothing, his heavy eyelids now opening. He decided to move his body to the left when he felt a weight on the right side of his body. He looked downwards and saw a blanket covering his naked lower areas, a head resting on his bare chest and a hand travelling down from his waist to his crotch. He quickly peeled the body off from his and sat up straight. 

“You're awake?” A male voice perked as his figure sat up straight as well. His hands wrapped around Ananeas' waist and he leaned his whole weight into him. Ananeas shrugged him off, pulling both him and the blanket off his body as he spotted a silk robe on the other side of the room. He stood up and made his way to pick it up in all his naked glory.

Ananeas finally took the chance to look at the other male. He had slanted brown eyes and jet black hair, a round face to match as well, and Ananeas wondered what he was thinking when he brought such an average looking male into his quarters. Now, he had simply drank a little too much wine last night and had picked up the closest and easiest body to use. It just happened to be this guy. 

The other guy was under the blankets, probably just as naked as he was as the blankets barely covered his… jewels. His sultry gaze locked down at his lower half especially, eyes lustfully drinking in the sight. Goodness, Ananeas felt like he was about to get pounced on.

“Leave. Right now,” Ananeas said, his eyes moving away from the naked figure on the bed as he worked his way into the large robe, tying it around his body. He was trying hard to remain calm, hoping his voice was at a controlled volume.

“I really had fun last night.” His words had apparently fallen into deaf ears as the other male; Ananeas could barely even remember his name; got out of the bed, grin now on his face as he started to walk over to Ananeas.

“I said get out!” The volume of his voice increased just as his anger did, bubbling up and ready to finally pop. 

The servant's grin died down, a look of sadness and then, shame took over, regret seeming to have washed over him. “I tried really hard to please you last night after you took me to bed, my prince. Did you not like me? Am I lacking in some way?”

Ananeas rested two fingers on his temple trying to relieve the headache caused by the too many drinks he had last night. He looked the other male in the eye and opened his mouth to speak, “Perhaps you should have realised I was drunk last night when you made your way into my bed. Do not try to play coy, I do remember what happened last night and I for certain did not take you to my bed.”

The servant's eyes fidgeted, mouth opening several times, yet unable to form full sentences, “I… I just… I.”

Ananeas continued, making his way to sit down on the large bed he had been on before, headache very much worsening, “Look, just pick up your things and get out, as long as you keep this from everyone else I won't have to punish you.”

The servant nodded in fear, dressing up shakingly before leaving the room with as silent of a click as the door could make.

It wasn't the first time he had ended up with a servant in bed, let alone a male one at that. He had the habit of letting his sexual preferences show when he had a little to drink. Yesterday wasn't any different, a male servant had taken matters into his own hands and slipped himself into his arms while he had made his way into his room.

Yes, Ananeas had certain odd tastes, tastes that he wished to keep a secret. He enjoyed the sexual company of men more than he would a woman. Each time with a man felt more thrilling than several nights with women. 

Now, he knew very well that it would be over. His lust for the body of men would be over when he found his bound. He also knew there was no doubt that his bound would be female. Afterall, it was the norm to be bound to the opposite gender and since he is heir, no heir could go past the norm. Not if they wished to be denied their rights to the throne. It didn't matter if he fucked around with all the male slaves or servants in the world, just as long as his bound was female. It just had to be female.

His younger brother was already gaining way to the throne, the ambitious bastard inching his way into his father's heart just to take away his birthright. It was already bad enough that he had way too many drinks unlike his brother and had been seen with men, a few too many times. If he managed to catch a gaining on him, Ananeas would be screwed, kicked out of the palace at the sense of a bigger mistake.

“Your form is wrong again.” At the sound of the words, Ananeas flung the sword to the ground as hard as he could before turning to face his teacher, an older man in his early fifties. He was a lean man and seemed to grow shorter and shorter as the years passed by, but even still, he was very much skilled enough to remain his sword partner after having fought several wars with his father. “I'm trying, okay?!” 

The older man, Elpheus, shook his head, his eyes closed at the earlier outburst from Ananeas on his face. He stayed still, unflinching just like he always was, before opening his eyes once more to look his student in the eye. “It didn't look like you were this time, kid,” Elpheus said.

He analysed the younger before moving to pick up the flung wooden sword. “You had a little too many drinks last night again, didn't you?”

Sword training was mandatory for every prince bound to this country's land, and especially for the crown prince. He had constant sessions and with each step he took today, he could feel the weariness of the drinks continue to wash over him. His master had probably noticed that, just like he always did. He had been his master since a very young age anyways.

“It's none of your business, old man.” He snatched his sword from the old male and went into his usual stance. 

The old man's chuckling caught his ears as he also went into a stance. “Try to beat me one day then maybe it won't be my business anymore. You're still lacking and your brother is pretty much ahead of you in terms of skills.”

Ananeas frowned at the mention of his brother. “Could you not? Seems like everyone comparing me to my brother is the trend these days,” he said, evading Elpheus' vertical slash.

“You're the crown prince, kid. No one's going to give you the luxury of pampering you and not telling the truth. It's obvious your father has set his eyes on your brother becoming heir instead of you. I'd literally be killing you by not telling the truth,” In a burst of quick movements, Elpheus' sword ends up pressing lightly on his neck. “Your brother clearly desires the throne.”

Ananeas dropped the sword to his feet with a loud clatter. He could have sworn the sword left a slit at his neck as he felt growing pain just in that area, unable to make a sound or move an inch unless he wanted to draw blood. 

“How about you prove it to your father then?” The old man suggested, taking back the sword from his neck and freeing the young prince. “That you're worth so much more than Aleandar will ever be.”

“Since Elfmale simply do not know how to use what they have to their advantage. We can gladly accept it from them instead,” Ale said smugly, a small smile on his face as he gracefully took a bite out of the small slice of beef.

The King's smile turned insidious. “Ah, yes. You never fail to make me see new opportunities.”

He turned over to Ananeas, his smile slowly fading. Of course, the disappointed look. Quite the usual for a disappointing first son. “What do you think I should do next, child?”

Ananeas cut into the small piece of steak left on his dish, aggressively. “I'm not quite sure, Father,” He said through gritted teeth, still cutting through the piece of meat. His knife made a screeching sound as it repeatedly scratched the plate.

Aleander glanced at his brother, nervously laughing before turning his gaze to his father. “I'm sure Anan is just a little bit tired today. He means no harm, Father,” he said, his voice a sickening facade of concern.

From his line of sight, he could see his father shake his head before he took the last bite from his dish, “Why don't you meet me later? We need to discuss your plans in the future.”

“Of course, Father.”

King Salius walked out of the dining room with a flick of his robe, the guards following him out as well. Soon enough, Ananeas heard a small snort from the seat opposite from him. He looked over and could see his brother holding in a laugh and trying to gain composure, brown hair covering his eyes as he bent over.

“I hope you realize Father is just worried about you.”

“You can drop the act now, Ale.”

“What act?” Aleander blinked 'innocently', smile growing on his face.

“Just stop it.”

“It's not my fault Father prefers me to you. Heaven and down knows you'd be screwed if you make one grave mistake. I'm simply helping you out, brother.” Aleander said, his honeyed tone laced with a hint of pretense. If Ananeas didn't already know what type of person his brother was, he would not have heard it. 

“You don't want to make it way too easy for me to snatch up the throne, do you?” Aleander asked, smiling once more before resuming with his dinner.

Aleander was his step brother. He was somewhat of an illegitimate child after being born to one of the King's concubines. Still, it had been a son, and the King was not about to let go of the chance of another potential heir. Ananeas being the only heir was not enough guarantee that the throne wouldn't be lost to someone that wasn't from his bloodline.

“Says an illegitimate son,” Ananeas said, dropping the cutleries to the dish with a loud clatter. 

The tip of Aleander's ears reddened as his face twisted into one of contempt. Ananeas slowly stood up from his seat and made his way to the exit. “Don't be so cocky, Ananeas. You'll regret saying that soon enough!”

The path to the throne room was pretty scarce. Not even guards were allowed to come as close to the doors. It was tradition, one his father was bent on keeping. They could only be found just around the main door that led to the throne room gates. Ananeas walked through the echoing sounds of his footsteps surrounding him. His father had called for him. Something that was not so common, even though he was Crown Prince. He only called for him when it was regarding the state of the country or when it had to do with his arranged marriage.

The dinner of few hours ago ran through his mind. It was the reason why he had been summoned to the throne room. A firm reminder that he was not the fine, first born his father had wished he would be.

He didn't hate his brother, or at least he tried not to. There was only so much he could take. Still, it was natural for him to be competitive against his brother. Just one slip and the spot of crown prince would be given away. Even if he held his head up now, his brother would do whatever it took to drag it down to the ground. He only needed to stop that from happening. Cutting off any point of weakness was his only option.

Ananeas was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of the huge doors closing, and then, a flash of red stumbled across, as if the hallway wasn't wide enough. He felt a small bump against his shoulder. He would have almost complained and shunned said person but then... a burning pain passed through his body. A feeling of growing heat remains right in the center of his chest. It burns so hot but yet, he's unable to let out a sound, mouth left wide open. He places a hand to his chest, and just as it came, the said person — and the pain that came with them— is gone.