King Wu YiFan was satisfied.

 

He was contended.

 

He was happy in commoner's terms.

 

His recent purchase had been performing very well he, himself, had been surprised. The boy was well trained and behaved according to the rules. With whatever the King ordered, the boy responded immediately without any hesitation. There were times the King tested the other's patience to the point the other almost fainted from exhaustion, but still, his sacrifice did his work without as much as uttering a single word, not that the other had a choice anyway. And the most important thing was:  the boy never once showed any signs of rebellion.

 

YiFan liked that.

 

 

It had been a little over a month when YiFan had decided that he should give the other a break for being obedient and good behavior. However, since YiFan wasn't used to his sacrifices being this good, he had no idea how to reward the other.

He had thought about letting the boy see his family, but found out through short conversations or more like interrogations that the poor soul had been sold into the slave house and had no one to turn to anymore. His Ministers had opted for letting the boy do something of his own, but he had rebuked that immediately, reasoning that it would give the other too much freedom and leading it to the boy learning to stand up for himself. And YiFan wasn't keen on having that.

 

YiFan's eyes trailed to the boy sitting on the back of his heels with his hands perched on his laps, attentively, waiting for any orders from him.

 

Maybe he could ask?

 

"Tao," 

 

Before he knew it, his lips had already formed the name of the other and he could see the other's posture turn stiff, waiting for an order.

 

He heaved a sigh. He really needed some time out. Why in the world did he call the boy if he had no idea what to say to the latter. All he was famous for was barking out orders and punishments.

 

"Y-yes, your high-highness?," came the nervous reply.

 

The boy was still afraid and nervous around him and it started to irk him. He had thought within the four weeks, the other might have warmed up to him already and would act less afraid of him. But, seeing the other's reaction, he was proven wrong.

 

YiFan frowned to himself.

 

"Are you that scared of me?," YiFan blurted out.

 

The raven haired boy blinked in surprise. It took him a few seconds of hesitation before he remembered he had yet to reply the King, his master.

 

"Ye-yes, your... highness," the boy almost whispered out, but YiFan caught the quiet words anyway.

 

The boy stayed quiet.

 

And YiFan just stared at the other.

 

Why did his chest hurt at the answer?

 

==

 

Tao felt his heart hammering harder and harder with each beat. His master, had just thrown a random question at him at which he most likely would say 'yes'. He had considered not answering, but a flashback of his first night at the palace had forced him to think otherwise.

Before he could let his mind do some reasonable talking, his mouth had already let out the truth he had been keeping since day one.

And he regretted it immediately. What if he angered his master with his answer? He shouldn't have given that answer, even though it was the truth.

 

He had tried to adjust to his new surroundings, but him being the annual sacrifice, he somehow felt a heavy load on his shoulder. As if everything depended on him.

 

Tao waited for his master's response in a stiff position, waiting for whatever his master had in store for him. However, to his surprise, his master only heaved a sigh before everything went quiet. He sensed the other wasn't finished yet and waited patiently.

 

"I will be having guests tonight. Pick out my finest robes and let me know when you are done," came the curt response.

"Yes, your highness," Tao almost breathed out in relief.

 

He could do with his master's orders way better than having a normal conversation.

 

Tao got up quickly and made his way over to the walk-in closet of his master. Letting his eyes trail down the queue of royal clothes, he wondered which one should be considered 'finest'. In his eyes, everything that was specially made for the King was 'finest' already. He had no idea what to choose. The King would look fine with just anything. His master was blessed with a well built body anyone would be envious of, even Tao was.

After a couple of minutes of brooding, Tao finally decided on something simple, a white satin robe colored with a golden dragon on the left side and a pair of comfortable black shoes. With the King's outfit and shoes in his hands, he made his way back to his master.

 

"Good. Have my bath ready and go the left wing. I want the guestroom all cleaned and ready for guests. They will be staying a while," YiFan nodded in approval after his eyes fell down on the choice the latter had made.

 

==

When the king had mentioned that he'd have 'guests' come over and stay for a while, Tao had thought they would come the next day or a couple of days later, however when he was summoned back to the King's side, he hadn't expected the guests to have already arrived that same day.

Tao learned the guests were the King's younger brother, Prince Sehun, who lived in another side of the country and his personal servant, Luhan. The Prince was tall, handsome, quite fair and looked less intimidating to Tao. Compared to the King, the Prince had approached him way better than the first one did. And as for the personal servant, he was very pretty and beautiful it was a shame he was a servant.

 

"Ah, so I see the news were true after all," Prince Sehun clicked his tongue as his eyes trailed to his brother sitting opposite of him in a big spacious room that was served as the King's private office. He watched Tao's every movement and couldn't help but praise his brother for making such a great decision. The boy was truly a beauty as he was told.

 

"So, what is his name?," Sehun asked.

 

When the Prince got no response from his brother, he turned to look at the boy himself. A small smile made its way to his stoic face and he motioned for the other to come closer with his hand. But when he saw the other hesitating and staying put on his place, he could feel himself slightly frown at it.

 

"He only follows my orders," YiFan finally said as he let his eyes go over the boy standing a little away from the couch. He couldn't help but think the boy looked so fragile as he had since day one.

 

He had often stolen quick glances to the other, hoping to catch something different, special, a trait of the other, but until now, he still hadn't gotten any. Only for now, he could say the other's beauty had captivated him and he wanted to keep that.

 

Seeing his younger brother pout like a little kid, he rolled his eyes and waved for Tao to come closer. The latter obeyed, taking small steps forward, with his hands clasped tightly together.

 

==

When Tao finally stood close enough to the Prince, he could easily see where his master got his looks, it runs in the family, the royal line. Because just like the King, the Prince was handsome too in his own way. 

 

"Come, sit here. Nevermind my brother," Sehun said cheerfully as he grabbed Tao's left hand.

 

Tao was about to pull away instinctively, knowing it was forbidden to sit without his master's approval and on top of that, next to a royalty, but when he caught his master's slight nod, he knew he got permission and let himself be seated down by the prince.

 

Sehun kept on smiling at him with those eyes turned into crescents and Tao was awed at how beautiful and innocent the other looked like. He had decided he liked the prince very much then.

 

"Tell me, did brother treat you well? I am sure there are a lot of mean words people say about brother, but trust me, he is just a softie when he wants to be. But, since he is King, he has to hold up a front so people don't think he is easy to mess with," Sehun said.

 

Tao only listened patiently to the other's words. After all, he wasn't sure what to say or what not to say. His eyes darted to the Prince's slave kneeling close to the Prince's feet and silently wondered if the Prince treated Luhan like an equal too. Maybe he could ask Luhan?

 

"Brother, you really got yourself a beauty. He's very handsome and cute," Sehun continued on without a pause. "I like him,"

 

He leaned in closer to Tao, their noses almost touching, inspecting every inch of the other's face, hoping to find some flaws. He couldn't find any. Satisfied with his inspection, he leaned back with a bright smile. He approved. This was what his brother needed, someone who can shed some light in his dark and lonely life, because the moment Sehun laid eyes on Tao, he could practically see a glow enlightening Tao's body.

 

"Brother, you got to let me have him," Sehun commented.

"Absolutely not!," YiFan snorted immediately, his eyes shooting flames to his sibling. "Get your own! Or... you have Luhan already,"

"But! But! Look at him! You know-," Sehun whined like a child who was refused of his toy, his arms encircling the other in a possessive hug.

"No, Sehun. And if it's a no, then it is a no. Go bother Luhan instead," YiFan growled impatiently while glaring once more.

"Fine!,"

 

Sehun pouted grumpily. But his distaste was short lived, because in a second he suddenly turned from a whiny kid into a cheerful one. 

 

"Let's go out some time," Sehun commented suddenly, giving Tao his brightest smile.

 

==

 

Tao had the greatest time of his life. Lately, he had been spending more time with the prince and his master hadn't said anything as of yet. The prince had practically dragged him everywhere in and around the palace with the prince almost talking his ear off. He liked how the other told him stories, experiences and what not. It was the first time in his life since someone even tried to treat him like he existed, like he belonged somewhere and for who he was. 

However, he wondered why the prince would rather take him along instead of Luhan or have Luhan come along. There were times he found Sehun sending Luhan away to do errands or just tell the other to stay put while he and the prince spent their time together.

 

What he hadn't realized in the short span of time he kept spending with the prince, was how Luhan would sent him silent glares and curl his hands into fists when the prince became too friendly with him.

 

 

He listened to Sehun chatter away like usual. Since the prince arrived, Tao found himself constantly in the other's presence despite the King's disapproving looks. Well, the King hadn't exactly forbidden him to stay away from the other. But, sometimes he caught this unexplicable look on the King's face he couldn't help but wonder what the King was thinking about him.

Was the King disappointed in him? What did the King think about him? Tao knew it wasn't wise to let himself get carried away by the Prince, but how could he resist the latter? He wasn't in any position to do so either. 

 

He really hoped that he wouldn't be in any trouble just for spending time with the Prince.

 

==

 

"Tao, what do you think of my brother?," Sehun suddenly asked.

 

Both he and Sehun were currently sitting in the royal garden underneath a big oak tree. It has been almost a week since Sehun had stayed in the castle and have Tao around him no matter what his brother said. Numerous scoldings and reprimandings hadn't changed the way how Prince Sehun treated his brother's slave.

If King YiFan scolded Sehun for taking his Tao away and leaving Luhan alone too many times, Sehun paid no heed and continued to hog the boy to himself. He would give his brother a triumph smirk when the King was too prideful to take back what originally belonged to him. He would cackle soundlessly at how his brother fought his innerself to not act too rash and un-King like infront of him.

Sehun knew Tao had a special place in his hyung's heart. He just knew it. That, he had noticed just day two when he stayed over at the palace. His brother acted way more possessive towards Tao compared to his previous slaves. And it was then that he knew Tao meant a lot to his brother. The latter only hadn't noticed that just yet, that dummy. And Sehun had fun poking fun on his hyung just to see the other's reaction. 

 

==

"Uhm, the King has been kind towards me...,"Tao started.

"No, no, no. I meant, what do you personally think about him as person?," Sehun cut him off quickly, waving his hands quickly. Sehun had to know the answer.

 

For a moment, Tao stayed quiet, not knowing if it was a good or bad thing to tell the prince his inner thoughts about the King. After all, whoever dared to voice out his or her personal opinion about the King, good or bad, would be punished. And he definitely didn't want to be on the receiving end of the King. And what with the odd behavior his master was showing, Tao would rather avoid doing something that would enrage the other even more.

 

But still, the prince's question had made him suddenly think about the King. What did he think about the King?

 

The King had by all means treated him well after he was chosen as the annual sacrifice. Except for the incident where his hair was almost ripped off his scalp and the time when he almost fell face first (dead) by the immense workload his master had suddenly ordered him. Other than that, the King had nothing but treated him great compared to how he was treated by his former master back at the slave house.

 

He was given an own room, a few sets of clothes, three time's a meal and from time to time he was given rest when the King deemed he deserved it. All in all, Tao had nothing to complain about in his current situation.

 

But then again, the prince meant something more and not just how the King treated him in general. He had not particularly given any thoughts as to what he personally thought of the King himself, so it was a little hard for him to answer the question truthfully.

 

A warm hand clasped around his right brought him out of his reverie. He blinked a few times before ducking his head replying "I don't know" shamefully.

 

 

He never noticed the pitiful look the other gave him.

 

"It is alright. Brother is the King after all, so of course you wouldn't know. But I have a secret to tell you...," Sehun grinned childishly as he scooted closer to Tao, the other's hand still clasped in his and whispered "...he is a big softie,"

 

And Tao could only blink in surprise.

 

What was that supposed to mean?

 

==

 

Tao didn't know why but after the talk with Prince Sehun, he found himself extremely alert and observing towards his master. Whatever the latter did, Tao paid more attention to the details. He had noticed how the King had started to caress him on the head from time to time without any reason. And then there were those small wry smiles the other had on his handsome face when he sneeked a quick glance occasionally. At those times, Tao would quickly duck his head, his cheeks flaming in embarrassment or more without him knowing. He wasn't used to those looks.

 

It has been almost two weeks since then and he came to two conclusions. And that was: the King was a perfectionist. Of course, with the King having to rule the land and giving the best example, the King had to do better than the best and the people who are ruled by him should respect him for that. Whenever something was done and it was deemed not good enough, punishments were delivered till the King's desires were satisfied.

Tao had shuddered in fear when he had witnessed how other slaves were beaten until they could barely stand up. He knew then words of the King being cruel were true after all. But, when work was done properly the King gave out rewards too in the form of letting his subordinates have a proper meal or whatever he deemed was suited for him or her. 

 

And the second conclusion was the King had either a hidden identity and would only shed his cold exterior when Tao was around or the latter had woken up with some other soul possessing his body, because why was the King suddenly requesting his presence more and more in the King's chambers? The King wouldn't say much, but only motion for him to sit beside him and watch him intently.

Tao even remembered one time the King whispered 'beautiful' while caressing his cheek. He had blushed nonetheless and without realizing, his heart had leapt a few times making him uneasy at the sudden thought of the King's liking to him. He had heard tales about the King getting anyone he wanted with just a snap of his fingers.

 

Was he becoming one of them too?

 

He had wanted to tell prince Sehun what he had just discovered when he was called by one of the maids to return back to the King's chamber. Tao had just finished his daily chores and quickly did as told. Once in the chamber, he immediately sought out his master but frowned in confusion when he couldn't find the latter anywhere.

 

"Master?," Tao called out carefully, his head turning left and right.

 

When he heard nothing he called a second time, this time a bit louder and almost stumbled in shock when he was met with his master appearing behind him. 

 

"Uhm... ma-master! I...I...," 

 

Tao stumbled over his words not knowing what to say and decided to stay quiet in the end. He had made enough of a fool of himself already and he didn't want to make it even more worse.

 

"Do you like Sehun?," the King blurted out.

 

==

 

YiFan wanted to dig a hole and crawl in there not coming out for the rest of his life. What was he saying? He had wanted to ask Tao the question, but not like this! He mentally smacked himself and praised himself for managing to keep a stoic face. The latter wouldn't notice how uncomfortable he was feeling at the moment.

His eyes were trained on the other, waiting anxiously for an answer. He could see the shock written all over Tao's face and would have laughed out loud if it wasn't for him being King who had to keep his head cool in any situation, embarrassing or not.

 

"Ye-yes, master... I... the Prince has been very good company to me. I do like him,"

 

YiFan's chest constricted immediately. He clenched his fist in fury. Of course his slave would like his brother. Who wouldn't? His brother was a likeable person after all. Why did he feel so suffocated all of a sudden? He should've been used to it already that he was the less favored one when it came to who was the most favorite in the royal line. But hearing Tao's confession YiFan felt that familiar ugly being called jealousy crawl its way out of its shell.

 

Yes, he was jealous.

 

Jealous of his younger brother, Sehun. He finally admitted it. His heart clenched. He had tried numerous times to make his slave see that he cared deeply for the other, hoping the other would somehow know he had taken a liking to him lately. However, his slave didn't know and since YiFan did not want his slave to like his younger brother, he was going to make that happen too.

 

He wanted, needed and made sure the other knew who he belonged to.

 

==

 

"You are mine! You belong to me, you understand?!," YiFan growled out, his voice laced with anger and possessiveness. The King's eyes turned into slits when Tao stumbled into the his chest by the sudden harsh pull. Tao's fingers latched onto his fabric unintentionally as he tried to find his equilibrium in his master's sudden tight hold.

 

 

"Ma-master... I...,"

 

 

 

Before Tao could utter anything he found himself frozen in place when suddenly he felt the King's soft lips connect with his in a deep and fierce kiss. He was completely shocked to say the least. Even though his master's lips were soft, it was...This was wrong! Why was the King kissing him? Driven by the thought that the kiss was a sinful thing, Tao gathered all the strength he had to push the other away.

 

And it was the biggest mistake he had ever made since he was born on earth.

 

 

---------

A/N:

 

Okay, finally... a long chapter I see, but I hope it is good. I am thinking about ending it soon, but I don't know how just yet. Because I want the angst in it as tagged. /evil laughter

Anyways, thank you my loyal readers for reading this. Please do comment and let me know what you think about my story, writing, anything! Do not forget to upvote and subscribe :)

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