Chapter 2
The soft sensation of hands playing with my short hair wakes me up. I keep my eyes shut trying to remember what happened last night to make me end up in bed with another person. Then I recall Mikhail knocking on my door and kissing me. I can’t think on why we are in bed together though. All the same at realizing who is in the bed next to me I pull away from him only to notice that he is awake as well.
He smiles at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up.” He says making me guess that he means by playing with my hair.
“Why are you in my bed?” I ask him noting my voice raise slightly. His grin widens upon my words before he speaks again.
“Indeed, why are you in my bed?” He says seeming to keep himself from laughing until I realize that it is his bed we are in. Then I suppose the look on my face does make him laugh for a few minutes he cannot help himself, then he just grins. “I honestly do not know; I passed out shortly after kissing you. So I do know that that is all that happened. I assume you helped me to my bed and ended up falling asleep yourself. Again I apologize, I drank too much last night.” With his words I almost have a vague memory of something like he says but I don’t know if I am imagining it or if it happened much like he said.
A knock comes on the door before I can think overly much on it and I remember that the castle would have a field day if it were to be known that Prince Mikhail and I spent the night together. “I will speak to you later.” I tell him managing to rush into my own room prior to the opening of his door. It does not surprise me though to find Charles already in my chamber with a skeptical look on his face. “Good morning, Charles.” I tell him and then he seems to keep himself from laughing at me as well. Of course he has had more practice at it than Mikhail and Charles is able to keep silent.
“Good morning, my lord.” He tells with a smile still on his face though he asks nothing.
“Charles, nothing happened. Mikhail was very drunk last night and… and why am I even bothering to explain this to you. Is my bath ready?” I ask him instead for some reason feeling the need to bathe after lying next to Mikhail for half the night. At my words rather than responding Charles goes to the attached bathing chamber. I yawn before following Charles into the room. “What am I to do today Charles?” I ask him as I watch him heat the pipes forcing the water to come out when they are hot enough.
“Nothing, your schedule for the day has been cleared so that you and Prince Mikhail may spend the time together getting to know each other.” He tells me slightly amazing me for the freedom we have been given.
“Is this the King’s wishes?” I ask not sure why my father would do this other than to torture me.
“No, it is the Prince’s. He wishes to get to know the man he is to marry.” Charles tells me all this time not turning from the bath. I sigh wondering when this could have been arranged for me.
“Very well. How does that begin?” I ask him wearily while I take off the remaining garments I am wearing. The bathing tub is now full and Charles turns to look at me, it seems like when he notices that I’m naked he lowers his gaze to the floor.
“My lord, your bath is ready.” I look at Charles wondering what has changed to make him act this way. Still I get in the bath any way because I am wondering what is going on. Charles’ eyes return to gaze at my face when I am seated in the warm water of the bathing tub. “Prince Mikhail is to meet you out at the stables for you to show him around the grounds after you break your fast.” Charles tells me now answering my question even as he starts to wash my hair.
“Am I to eat breakfast with Prince Mikhail as well?” I ask him dimly wondering just how much of my day has been arranged for me.
“I am not sure, my lord. I do not remember being told such in any case.” Charles tells me softly and I do not bother to reply as he continues to bathe me.
When I am clean and dressed in riding leathers I find that I do get to eat on my own before having to go meet Mikhail. When I arrive at the stable I find Mikhail already there in the same riding leathers as the other day. “Thank you for joining me, Prince Gael. I was not sure if you were going to.” He says the later part softer almost as if does not mean for me to hear him.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I say not truly meaning my words. Still he smiles before mounting his mare and waiting for me to mount up as well. Once I am astride my horse I start to lead us out of the castle grounds to the gate. Mikhail seems to wait until just after we clear the last guard to say anything.
“Prince Gael, are you…” He hesitates, for once seeming unsure about himself. “Never mind.” Against my better judgment I ride closer to Mikhail so that I can look at him.
“What is it you meant to say?” I ask softly slightly wondering why I should even bother. He looks me up and down as if wondering whether or not to say then his mouth slowly opens.
“May we go see that lake you were at the other day?” He asks slowly and I notice that he has become more reserved since last night.
“If we do, will you tell me what you were going to say just now?” I ask him, starting to smile at his avoidance of my question.
“Maybe.” He says softly again. All the same I lead my horse to the lake in a canter. It doesn’t take long to get to the clearing and when we arrive Mikhail dismounts and takes off his riding half boots. At first I start to wonder if he means to swim as I was doing yesterday, but instead of continuing to take off his garments he simply sits next to the lake with his feet in the water. I take off my riding boots as well and sit next to him with some space yet between us.
“So what were you going to ask me?” I ask outright. He smiles shyly at me like he is ashamed to be speaking.
“Gael, do you even like me? Or do you think you could learn to like me?” The second part he says more rushed as if meaning it more than the first. I stay silent for a moment trying to think of how to answer his question, yet then I just sigh.
“Mikhail, I feel as if I do not know you enough to know if I like you. If you are asking if I am attracted to you then I am not. I have never found myself attracted to any male.” I say softly trying to make him feel better somehow by the fact that it is not just him.
“So your lack of attraction to me is solely due to my gender?” He asks me his voice still staying wearily soft. I just nod my head slightly to agree with him. “Have you ever been in love before?” He asks me this time his voice sounding a bit louder. I move to look at him staring right into his blue eyes.
“No, if I had I suppose I would be marrying that person instead of you.” I tell him wondering just what he is getting at. “Why do you ask, have you been in love?” I ask him.
“Yes. There was a servant’s son that I made friends with growing up. I convinced my father to let him train with and eventually join the castle guard. He became quite a fine soldier.” Mikhail eyes meet mine, but he does not continue his story.
“What happened to him?” I ask assuming that something must have happened to him if Mikhail is here to marry me rather than marrying his soldier.
“He went off to fight in a neighboring province and got injured. He ended up falling in love with the woman that nursed him better. So he did not return with the rest of the guard; he just sent back a letter to me saying he was sorry.” I find myself saddened by his tale. “I do not tell you this to make you feel bad for me. I am telling you because I wish for you to know more about me. I know that you do not even like me and that you have probably decided that this marriage is just for show, but please for my sake can we try to see if there is any chance that we do like each other?” His eyes show such sincerity that I feel I cannot refuse him. I nod my head slightly to agree with him. At seeing me nod he moves slowly closer until his lips are a mere breath away from my own and then he just closes his eyes and stays still. I know he is waiting to see if I will kiss him. I take a deep breath before moving my lips to his.
I’m surprised by how soft his lips feel at first, but then he moves them slowly making me move mine as well. I feel his tongue then, lapping softly at my lips, and it makes me gasp slightly and open my mouth for him. His tongue enters my mouth then intertwining with my own. I gasp again at how good it feels to be kissing him. My body seems to move on it’s own towards Mikhail and he picks up the speed on kissing me. His body moves to meet mine, pressing up against me. I move towards him trying to press my body against his, but then I lose my grip of the ledge we are both sitting on, and we find ourselves falling into the lake.
Mikhail starts laughing even as he stands up in the knee-deep water. “My apologies. I did not realize… I did not mean for us to fall like this.” He manages to say still laughing as we both now stand in our soaked riding leathers.
“Easy for you to say.” I tell him raising my hand through the water to splash him. He just continues to laugh though.
“Well at least we know you can kiss me without being disturbed.” He says with a knowing grin and I know he would laugh at how obvious it was that I was getting turned on from the kiss. I smile very slightly at him.
“I was not the only one who seemed to be enjoying it.” I say back lightly and he just smiles back at me with a wide knowing grin. As we get back to the shore of the lake Mikhail surprises me yet again as he strips off first his blouse and then his trousers. I look at him even as he goes to take off his breeches as well. “Mikhail, what are you doing?” I ask him but he looks at me as if he has done nothing wrong, stripping off his last garment just as fluidly.
“What? Well I am not going to wear my clothes while they are wet. They will dry quicker this way. Is there a problem with my being naked?” Then he seems to think about it. “I suppose my people are just a little more open about these things.”
“What do you mean?” I ask curious about how it could be all right for him to wear nothing like this.
“My castle does not have piping like yours for bathing. Instead it is built on top of a natural hot spring, which everybody uses regardless of age or gender. So it is not a big deal for us to see each other in the nude.” He says and while in a way that makes sense it still seems weird to me.
“So everyone bathes together? Men, women, and children?” I ask and he nods.
“It is not sexual to see everyone it is just… natural.” He explains and I shrug. By this point he has removed the last of his garments and laid them on a nearby rock in the sunlight to dry. “With that in mind would you care to get out of those uncomfortable garments? I won’t look if you don’t want me to.” He offers and I know that he is right about our clothes drying faster without being on us but it does seem strange to be naked in front of him, especially after that kiss we just shared. So I do not answer him but I take off first my shirt and then my trousers laying them on a rock as well to dry. I cannot bring myself to remove my silk breeches though, regardless of how they hide little with being wet and clinging to my now more obvious half-hard dick. He just smiles and does not say a word though.
“Mikhail?” I ask his name to call his attention to me, and when I know he is listening I go on. “You said that you were in love with that man, did you… lay with him?” I ask him amazed that I can even get those words out.
“You mean did I have intercourse with him?” He asks me boldly and I just nod. “Yes, he and I were in love and I did think it likely that I would marry him. So yes I did.” He says it softly not as if he is ashamed to admit it but more as if it pains him. I do not say anything after that, yet he seems to go on all on his own. “Would you like to know something about that? How it feels or anything?” He asks not seeming to mind.
“Does it hurt?” The words seem to jump out my lips before I can stop them, yet he just smiles at me.
“Yes. At first it does hurt; it feels really good though. It is worth the pain because it just feels so… I cannot even describe it.” He says before staying quiet for a moment. “I take it you have not lain with a woman even?” He asks me and I shake my head acknowledging he is right. “Have you ever done anything with yourself?” He asks me and the question makes me blush slightly, and yet I bring myself to nod. He just smiles, “It is about ten times better than that.” He tells me and I cannot bring myself to say anything else on the matter. “Do not worry, you will see in time. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.” He says still with a smile on his face.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask him not sure if I should.
“Well, I mean that we have to for our wedding. It would make it easier for that though if we have already. That way it is not so awkward, and you will know what you are doing beforehand.” He tells me even as he sits on the ledge we were on earlier again with his feet in the water. I make myself walk over to him and sit next to him despite how my body is reacting to his words.
“So you mean to go to bed with me before we wed?” I ask him and he just grins before facing me again. For a moment I fear he is about to kiss me again but instead he speaks.
“Yes, if you would like to.” He says softly all this time never seeming to doubt himself. I just smile slightly at his words not knowing what to think of them but knowing that I did like kissing him. He just smiles at me, and I feel like he can tell what I am thinking. I place my hand upon his cheek and his grin softens before he moves toward me slowly. My lips touch his again, slower this time, as I take the lead to explore his lips and mouth with my lips and tongue. This time I am better able to control myself so that we do not end up falling in the lake again. Though I have to admit that I am slightly more worried about being turned on because it would rather obvious right now.
He pulls back from the kiss first, and I pull back to look at him. “If you would like to ask me anything else let me know.” He tells with a knowing grin but then he just stands up and walks over to a ledge that is above a deeper part of the lake. He pauses for a second and in that second I notice that I am not the only one being affected by our kisses, then he jumps into the cold water. I huff and let my body fall back on to the ledge. This boy is going to be bad for me I can tell.
I don’t bother to get in the water myself; partially because I do not feel like stripping off the rest of my garments. I really do not want to be so close to Mikhail right now either though. I walk back over to where our riding leathers are drying and even though they are not yet dry I grab my trousers and slip them on. I scarcely hear water moving and then turn around to see Mikhail getting out of the lake with water dripping down his naked body. I am glad to have the material blocking my firmer erection at this point. “Did I do something wrong?” He calls out to me and I just pause for a second trying not to look at him.
“No, just perhaps I did.” I say not answering him truly as I pull on the rest of my garments. “This is too strange. I cannot just… I am not comfortable with this. I need more time to adjust to this. Please keep your garments on around me and do not speak to me in such terms.”
“I apologize Gael. I did not mean to offend. I just… I really do think you are breath taking. I feel I cannot help myself.” I turn the other way as he also gets redressed. “Perhaps now we should get back to riding and you can show me some more of the grounds. Or we can go back and eat our midday meal.” He offers making it obvious that I have a way out of having to be with him for the rest of the day. Still I do not wish to be that rude.
“It is all right. I will show you around the grounds.” I tell him before mounting up on my horse and ignoring the wetness yet remaining in my attire.
For the rest of the day Mikhail and I do not mention the earlier incident and he does not try to kiss me again. We skip our midday meal but we are back at the manor for our evening meal. Yet then when we return Mikhail tells the servants that we will take our meal in his rooms I start to panic slightly. I follow him back to our chambers without a word though before I go and change into drier attire not to mention such that looks appropriate for dinner rather than riding. Although I am curious as to why Mikhail is having us eat alone in his room I go along with his words and meet him in his chamber through the main door.
“Good evening, Gael.” Mikhail says with a smile when he opens the door.
“Good afternoon, Prince Mikhail.” I reply as I step inside of the chamber. “Is there a reason that we are eating inside your chamber rather than in a dining chamber?” I ask him softly. He grins lightly at me.
“I am too tired to want to be around others; I thought you might feel the same. Also I wanted to keep up appearances that we are getting along. Since it seems to worry you.” He tells me softly and I do not bother to reply. Instead I sit down across from him at his table and shortly before he is able to speak again a servant shows up with our first course; a light salad of spinach, chicken, mandarin orange slices, and walnuts with a tangy sweet vinaigrette. The salad is light and refreshing and the cherry brandy served with it compliments the sweet and tang of the salad.
By the time that one of us talks we have moved onto the entrée; a venison steak with hollandaise sauce, sautéed greens, and creamy polenta. Mikhail smiles at me taking a drink of his port wine before he speaks. “The cook here is very good.” He says lightly and I can tell he is simply looking for a way to start the conversation.
“I will have Charles let him know for you if you like.” I say trying to be diplomatic as he is.
“How well do you know him?” Mikhail asks me his finger lazily tracing the rim of the crystal glass of wine.
“My chef?” I ask him finding the question a bit odd.
“No, your manservant, Charles.” He answers like something might be bothering him.
“I grew up with him, I have known him all my life. Why do you ask?” I set down my cutlery to look at him. He raises his glass haphazardly toward his lips but does not yet drink.
“The two of you just seem a bit too close. I thought he might fancy you.” With his words completed he takes a sip of the drink in his hand.
“You think that Charles likes me? I have never heard anything so preposterous.” I tell him almost wanting to laugh but then I remember the way Charles was behaving earlier when I was bathing and how he had not acted so… possessive before Mikhail showed up. Also there was his freely given confession to me that he has had sexual relationships with other men. All the same Mikhail seems to half believe me as he shrugs before downing the rest of his glass.
“All the same just be careful. It would be a tragedy for me to have come here only for you to fall in love with your servant.” He still speaks as if it does not truly affect him yet I seem to think it is merely a ruse.
“I thank you for your advice, Prince Mikhail.” I tell him knowing my voice might sound cold. “However I told you before I do not hold feelings of that sort for any one, much less my servant.”
“I know you have said that but perhaps you just do not pay enough attention.” He tells me softly, yet before I am able to reply he rings the bell on the table calling for the servant to serve us the last part of the meal and clear away what is left. A desert of poached pears atop delicate pound cake with crème fraiche and served with a pale strawberry sherry. “Gael, please just think before you let your emotions run away with you. I know you are vexed with yourself for how you acted earlier this day, and I am sorry for egging you on. It is just that I do like you, I am very attracted to you Gael, and you make it almost too simple for my emotions to carry me away.” He states and I know he is right about my being unhappy with my earlier actions, though I am unlikely to admit such. I slowly take a bite of the sweet desert before answering him.
“Again I thank you for your advice, and I will try to think before I do anything foolish with anyone.” I say with a pointed look at him that seems to make him sadden. With that we finish the rest of the meal in silence. When we finish I simply wipe my lips with my cloth napkin and stand to leave his room. Mikhail stands as well and opens the door connecting our chambers to lead me through it.
“Gael, I am sorry for all of this.” He tells me softly before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. My body betrays me wanting more of his kisses but instead I walk to my empty bed and go to sleep for the night.
He smiles at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up.” He says making me guess that he means by playing with my hair.
“Why are you in my bed?” I ask him noting my voice raise slightly. His grin widens upon my words before he speaks again.
“Indeed, why are you in my bed?” He says seeming to keep himself from laughing until I realize that it is his bed we are in. Then I suppose the look on my face does make him laugh for a few minutes he cannot help himself, then he just grins. “I honestly do not know; I passed out shortly after kissing you. So I do know that that is all that happened. I assume you helped me to my bed and ended up falling asleep yourself. Again I apologize, I drank too much last night.” With his words I almost have a vague memory of something like he says but I don’t know if I am imagining it or if it happened much like he said.
A knock comes on the door before I can think overly much on it and I remember that the castle would have a field day if it were to be known that Prince Mikhail and I spent the night together. “I will speak to you later.” I tell him managing to rush into my own room prior to the opening of his door. It does not surprise me though to find Charles already in my chamber with a skeptical look on his face. “Good morning, Charles.” I tell him and then he seems to keep himself from laughing at me as well. Of course he has had more practice at it than Mikhail and Charles is able to keep silent.
“Good morning, my lord.” He tells with a smile still on his face though he asks nothing.
“Charles, nothing happened. Mikhail was very drunk last night and… and why am I even bothering to explain this to you. Is my bath ready?” I ask him instead for some reason feeling the need to bathe after lying next to Mikhail for half the night. At my words rather than responding Charles goes to the attached bathing chamber. I yawn before following Charles into the room. “What am I to do today Charles?” I ask him as I watch him heat the pipes forcing the water to come out when they are hot enough.
“Nothing, your schedule for the day has been cleared so that you and Prince Mikhail may spend the time together getting to know each other.” He tells me slightly amazing me for the freedom we have been given.
“Is this the King’s wishes?” I ask not sure why my father would do this other than to torture me.
“No, it is the Prince’s. He wishes to get to know the man he is to marry.” Charles tells me all this time not turning from the bath. I sigh wondering when this could have been arranged for me.
“Very well. How does that begin?” I ask him wearily while I take off the remaining garments I am wearing. The bathing tub is now full and Charles turns to look at me, it seems like when he notices that I’m naked he lowers his gaze to the floor.
“My lord, your bath is ready.” I look at Charles wondering what has changed to make him act this way. Still I get in the bath any way because I am wondering what is going on. Charles’ eyes return to gaze at my face when I am seated in the warm water of the bathing tub. “Prince Mikhail is to meet you out at the stables for you to show him around the grounds after you break your fast.” Charles tells me now answering my question even as he starts to wash my hair.
“Am I to eat breakfast with Prince Mikhail as well?” I ask him dimly wondering just how much of my day has been arranged for me.
“I am not sure, my lord. I do not remember being told such in any case.” Charles tells me softly and I do not bother to reply as he continues to bathe me.
When I am clean and dressed in riding leathers I find that I do get to eat on my own before having to go meet Mikhail. When I arrive at the stable I find Mikhail already there in the same riding leathers as the other day. “Thank you for joining me, Prince Gael. I was not sure if you were going to.” He says the later part softer almost as if does not mean for me to hear him.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I say not truly meaning my words. Still he smiles before mounting his mare and waiting for me to mount up as well. Once I am astride my horse I start to lead us out of the castle grounds to the gate. Mikhail seems to wait until just after we clear the last guard to say anything.
“Prince Gael, are you…” He hesitates, for once seeming unsure about himself. “Never mind.” Against my better judgment I ride closer to Mikhail so that I can look at him.
“What is it you meant to say?” I ask softly slightly wondering why I should even bother. He looks me up and down as if wondering whether or not to say then his mouth slowly opens.
“May we go see that lake you were at the other day?” He asks slowly and I notice that he has become more reserved since last night.
“If we do, will you tell me what you were going to say just now?” I ask him, starting to smile at his avoidance of my question.
“Maybe.” He says softly again. All the same I lead my horse to the lake in a canter. It doesn’t take long to get to the clearing and when we arrive Mikhail dismounts and takes off his riding half boots. At first I start to wonder if he means to swim as I was doing yesterday, but instead of continuing to take off his garments he simply sits next to the lake with his feet in the water. I take off my riding boots as well and sit next to him with some space yet between us.
“So what were you going to ask me?” I ask outright. He smiles shyly at me like he is ashamed to be speaking.
“Gael, do you even like me? Or do you think you could learn to like me?” The second part he says more rushed as if meaning it more than the first. I stay silent for a moment trying to think of how to answer his question, yet then I just sigh.
“Mikhail, I feel as if I do not know you enough to know if I like you. If you are asking if I am attracted to you then I am not. I have never found myself attracted to any male.” I say softly trying to make him feel better somehow by the fact that it is not just him.
“So your lack of attraction to me is solely due to my gender?” He asks me his voice still staying wearily soft. I just nod my head slightly to agree with him. “Have you ever been in love before?” He asks me this time his voice sounding a bit louder. I move to look at him staring right into his blue eyes.
“No, if I had I suppose I would be marrying that person instead of you.” I tell him wondering just what he is getting at. “Why do you ask, have you been in love?” I ask him.
“Yes. There was a servant’s son that I made friends with growing up. I convinced my father to let him train with and eventually join the castle guard. He became quite a fine soldier.” Mikhail eyes meet mine, but he does not continue his story.
“What happened to him?” I ask assuming that something must have happened to him if Mikhail is here to marry me rather than marrying his soldier.
“He went off to fight in a neighboring province and got injured. He ended up falling in love with the woman that nursed him better. So he did not return with the rest of the guard; he just sent back a letter to me saying he was sorry.” I find myself saddened by his tale. “I do not tell you this to make you feel bad for me. I am telling you because I wish for you to know more about me. I know that you do not even like me and that you have probably decided that this marriage is just for show, but please for my sake can we try to see if there is any chance that we do like each other?” His eyes show such sincerity that I feel I cannot refuse him. I nod my head slightly to agree with him. At seeing me nod he moves slowly closer until his lips are a mere breath away from my own and then he just closes his eyes and stays still. I know he is waiting to see if I will kiss him. I take a deep breath before moving my lips to his.
I’m surprised by how soft his lips feel at first, but then he moves them slowly making me move mine as well. I feel his tongue then, lapping softly at my lips, and it makes me gasp slightly and open my mouth for him. His tongue enters my mouth then intertwining with my own. I gasp again at how good it feels to be kissing him. My body seems to move on it’s own towards Mikhail and he picks up the speed on kissing me. His body moves to meet mine, pressing up against me. I move towards him trying to press my body against his, but then I lose my grip of the ledge we are both sitting on, and we find ourselves falling into the lake.
Mikhail starts laughing even as he stands up in the knee-deep water. “My apologies. I did not realize… I did not mean for us to fall like this.” He manages to say still laughing as we both now stand in our soaked riding leathers.
“Easy for you to say.” I tell him raising my hand through the water to splash him. He just continues to laugh though.
“Well at least we know you can kiss me without being disturbed.” He says with a knowing grin and I know he would laugh at how obvious it was that I was getting turned on from the kiss. I smile very slightly at him.
“I was not the only one who seemed to be enjoying it.” I say back lightly and he just smiles back at me with a wide knowing grin. As we get back to the shore of the lake Mikhail surprises me yet again as he strips off first his blouse and then his trousers. I look at him even as he goes to take off his breeches as well. “Mikhail, what are you doing?” I ask him but he looks at me as if he has done nothing wrong, stripping off his last garment just as fluidly.
“What? Well I am not going to wear my clothes while they are wet. They will dry quicker this way. Is there a problem with my being naked?” Then he seems to think about it. “I suppose my people are just a little more open about these things.”
“What do you mean?” I ask curious about how it could be all right for him to wear nothing like this.
“My castle does not have piping like yours for bathing. Instead it is built on top of a natural hot spring, which everybody uses regardless of age or gender. So it is not a big deal for us to see each other in the nude.” He says and while in a way that makes sense it still seems weird to me.
“So everyone bathes together? Men, women, and children?” I ask and he nods.
“It is not sexual to see everyone it is just… natural.” He explains and I shrug. By this point he has removed the last of his garments and laid them on a nearby rock in the sunlight to dry. “With that in mind would you care to get out of those uncomfortable garments? I won’t look if you don’t want me to.” He offers and I know that he is right about our clothes drying faster without being on us but it does seem strange to be naked in front of him, especially after that kiss we just shared. So I do not answer him but I take off first my shirt and then my trousers laying them on a rock as well to dry. I cannot bring myself to remove my silk breeches though, regardless of how they hide little with being wet and clinging to my now more obvious half-hard dick. He just smiles and does not say a word though.
“Mikhail?” I ask his name to call his attention to me, and when I know he is listening I go on. “You said that you were in love with that man, did you… lay with him?” I ask him amazed that I can even get those words out.
“You mean did I have intercourse with him?” He asks me boldly and I just nod. “Yes, he and I were in love and I did think it likely that I would marry him. So yes I did.” He says it softly not as if he is ashamed to admit it but more as if it pains him. I do not say anything after that, yet he seems to go on all on his own. “Would you like to know something about that? How it feels or anything?” He asks not seeming to mind.
“Does it hurt?” The words seem to jump out my lips before I can stop them, yet he just smiles at me.
“Yes. At first it does hurt; it feels really good though. It is worth the pain because it just feels so… I cannot even describe it.” He says before staying quiet for a moment. “I take it you have not lain with a woman even?” He asks me and I shake my head acknowledging he is right. “Have you ever done anything with yourself?” He asks me and the question makes me blush slightly, and yet I bring myself to nod. He just smiles, “It is about ten times better than that.” He tells me and I cannot bring myself to say anything else on the matter. “Do not worry, you will see in time. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.” He says still with a smile on his face.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask him not sure if I should.
“Well, I mean that we have to for our wedding. It would make it easier for that though if we have already. That way it is not so awkward, and you will know what you are doing beforehand.” He tells me even as he sits on the ledge we were on earlier again with his feet in the water. I make myself walk over to him and sit next to him despite how my body is reacting to his words.
“So you mean to go to bed with me before we wed?” I ask him and he just grins before facing me again. For a moment I fear he is about to kiss me again but instead he speaks.
“Yes, if you would like to.” He says softly all this time never seeming to doubt himself. I just smile slightly at his words not knowing what to think of them but knowing that I did like kissing him. He just smiles at me, and I feel like he can tell what I am thinking. I place my hand upon his cheek and his grin softens before he moves toward me slowly. My lips touch his again, slower this time, as I take the lead to explore his lips and mouth with my lips and tongue. This time I am better able to control myself so that we do not end up falling in the lake again. Though I have to admit that I am slightly more worried about being turned on because it would rather obvious right now.
He pulls back from the kiss first, and I pull back to look at him. “If you would like to ask me anything else let me know.” He tells with a knowing grin but then he just stands up and walks over to a ledge that is above a deeper part of the lake. He pauses for a second and in that second I notice that I am not the only one being affected by our kisses, then he jumps into the cold water. I huff and let my body fall back on to the ledge. This boy is going to be bad for me I can tell.
I don’t bother to get in the water myself; partially because I do not feel like stripping off the rest of my garments. I really do not want to be so close to Mikhail right now either though. I walk back over to where our riding leathers are drying and even though they are not yet dry I grab my trousers and slip them on. I scarcely hear water moving and then turn around to see Mikhail getting out of the lake with water dripping down his naked body. I am glad to have the material blocking my firmer erection at this point. “Did I do something wrong?” He calls out to me and I just pause for a second trying not to look at him.
“No, just perhaps I did.” I say not answering him truly as I pull on the rest of my garments. “This is too strange. I cannot just… I am not comfortable with this. I need more time to adjust to this. Please keep your garments on around me and do not speak to me in such terms.”
“I apologize Gael. I did not mean to offend. I just… I really do think you are breath taking. I feel I cannot help myself.” I turn the other way as he also gets redressed. “Perhaps now we should get back to riding and you can show me some more of the grounds. Or we can go back and eat our midday meal.” He offers making it obvious that I have a way out of having to be with him for the rest of the day. Still I do not wish to be that rude.
“It is all right. I will show you around the grounds.” I tell him before mounting up on my horse and ignoring the wetness yet remaining in my attire.
For the rest of the day Mikhail and I do not mention the earlier incident and he does not try to kiss me again. We skip our midday meal but we are back at the manor for our evening meal. Yet then when we return Mikhail tells the servants that we will take our meal in his rooms I start to panic slightly. I follow him back to our chambers without a word though before I go and change into drier attire not to mention such that looks appropriate for dinner rather than riding. Although I am curious as to why Mikhail is having us eat alone in his room I go along with his words and meet him in his chamber through the main door.
“Good evening, Gael.” Mikhail says with a smile when he opens the door.
“Good afternoon, Prince Mikhail.” I reply as I step inside of the chamber. “Is there a reason that we are eating inside your chamber rather than in a dining chamber?” I ask him softly. He grins lightly at me.
“I am too tired to want to be around others; I thought you might feel the same. Also I wanted to keep up appearances that we are getting along. Since it seems to worry you.” He tells me softly and I do not bother to reply. Instead I sit down across from him at his table and shortly before he is able to speak again a servant shows up with our first course; a light salad of spinach, chicken, mandarin orange slices, and walnuts with a tangy sweet vinaigrette. The salad is light and refreshing and the cherry brandy served with it compliments the sweet and tang of the salad.
By the time that one of us talks we have moved onto the entrée; a venison steak with hollandaise sauce, sautéed greens, and creamy polenta. Mikhail smiles at me taking a drink of his port wine before he speaks. “The cook here is very good.” He says lightly and I can tell he is simply looking for a way to start the conversation.
“I will have Charles let him know for you if you like.” I say trying to be diplomatic as he is.
“How well do you know him?” Mikhail asks me his finger lazily tracing the rim of the crystal glass of wine.
“My chef?” I ask him finding the question a bit odd.
“No, your manservant, Charles.” He answers like something might be bothering him.
“I grew up with him, I have known him all my life. Why do you ask?” I set down my cutlery to look at him. He raises his glass haphazardly toward his lips but does not yet drink.
“The two of you just seem a bit too close. I thought he might fancy you.” With his words completed he takes a sip of the drink in his hand.
“You think that Charles likes me? I have never heard anything so preposterous.” I tell him almost wanting to laugh but then I remember the way Charles was behaving earlier when I was bathing and how he had not acted so… possessive before Mikhail showed up. Also there was his freely given confession to me that he has had sexual relationships with other men. All the same Mikhail seems to half believe me as he shrugs before downing the rest of his glass.
“All the same just be careful. It would be a tragedy for me to have come here only for you to fall in love with your servant.” He still speaks as if it does not truly affect him yet I seem to think it is merely a ruse.
“I thank you for your advice, Prince Mikhail.” I tell him knowing my voice might sound cold. “However I told you before I do not hold feelings of that sort for any one, much less my servant.”
“I know you have said that but perhaps you just do not pay enough attention.” He tells me softly, yet before I am able to reply he rings the bell on the table calling for the servant to serve us the last part of the meal and clear away what is left. A desert of poached pears atop delicate pound cake with crème fraiche and served with a pale strawberry sherry. “Gael, please just think before you let your emotions run away with you. I know you are vexed with yourself for how you acted earlier this day, and I am sorry for egging you on. It is just that I do like you, I am very attracted to you Gael, and you make it almost too simple for my emotions to carry me away.” He states and I know he is right about my being unhappy with my earlier actions, though I am unlikely to admit such. I slowly take a bite of the sweet desert before answering him.
“Again I thank you for your advice, and I will try to think before I do anything foolish with anyone.” I say with a pointed look at him that seems to make him sadden. With that we finish the rest of the meal in silence. When we finish I simply wipe my lips with my cloth napkin and stand to leave his room. Mikhail stands as well and opens the door connecting our chambers to lead me through it.
“Gael, I am sorry for all of this.” He tells me softly before placing a soft kiss on my cheek. My body betrays me wanting more of his kisses but instead I walk to my empty bed and go to sleep for the night.