the ball

The carriage was silent, Gilbert sat staring at the window, his back was straight and muscles tense.

The discomfort was radiating off him. Facing him was the man who destroyed him and ripped him apart. He forced his eyes to look at the window trying his best to ignore the giggles filling the carriage. The woman who sat by the lord was like a savior for Gilbert, as long as she was around that man ignored him.

From the side of his eyes, he glanced at the woman who was dressed beautifully and decorated in the most luxurious jewelry. Gilbert didn't know if he should be grateful to her or pity her for marrying that monster.

It was always the same. For any big occasion or party, he dragged the so-called wife and the temporary heir with him. Gilbert wasn’t sure if he and that woman were just accessories for this powerful man.

As the carriage stopped and the servant opened the door he followed after the count and his wife silently. As usual, as soon as the count of house Craigfall set foot in the ball hall Nobel men and women gathered around him like flies seeking his approval. This kind of sean always reminded Gilbert of how influential this man is and why he can’t escape him.

< tsk.. > An annoyed sigh came from his side and Gilbert glanced at the woman who was standing not far. She was yang, beautiful of noble blood, yet she was sold to this monster by her family. Being the 3 ed daughter and powerless yet she was smart enough to play the role of the charmed yang wife. Gilbert knew everything that was about her, he once considered her his lifeline, until he realized she wasn’t any better.

—

< your .. son .. > he wasn’t sure what came over him yet he found himself asking < he should be 6 right? > The cup in the lady’s hand shook and her hand trembled as she glared at Gilbert. < he.. is the right age …. You should be careful..>

Crake...

The group turned to look at the lady who stumbled and fell to the floor covering her bloody hand with the wine < oh gosh.. > she sighed as her husband walked to her < I think I am sick from the ride .. > she murmured but loud enough that the close people would hear her.

< ooh darling ..> her husband sighed and helped her up, pretending he didn't notice her bloodied hand< it is my fault for not paying attention ..>

< Gilbert, help your mother to the resting room ..> he smiled at the yang man,

He knew that this was because of him, he enjoyed seeing his lovely wife and ex-lover bickering because of him.

< yes .. > Gilbert answered in a neutral voice and the woman obeyed and walked with him without fuss as if she didn't crush a wine glass in her a wine because of his words.

< ooh my they get along very well >

< they don’t even live tougher >

< you have such a lovely family count >

Comments about how amazing the count’s wife and adopted son were thrown in as soon as the opportunity arose.

Gilbert's fist by his side clinched. Most of them knew .. these nobles knew of Count Craigfall’s twisted hobbies, yet none cared…

—

Gilbert regretted his words. He watched the lady use her handkerchief to wipe her bloody hand in silence. < you need to see a healer ..>

 < he is his son .. > 

The woman's voice cut him off. 

Lady Ezabella Craigfall looked up to the beautiful young man standing before her. 

She was no fool.

She had her suspicions and with time she realized the truth. 

She looked at the man standing staring at her. To say he was beautiful was an understatement.

Most ladies of the high society dream of a glance from him. Noble men joked about understanding her husband's interest in him. 

His well-balanced and symmetrical face was so pale and enticing. His blond long hair was tied neatly in a white ribbon that lost its luster in comparison. his clear azure eyes that stared at her were dead. 

Everyone complimented this young man for his beauty and elegance, but when she looked at him all she saw was her biggest fear, she saw her son. Her lovely Robert, her beautiful happy innocent boy turns into this dead doll. 

Her lips trembled and she fought the tears back. < Robert is his son !> she hissed in anger . The yang man didn't say a thing for long and then he looked away < yes … yes .. you‘re right. He is different > 

Lies ..

Izabella clinched her hands and looked at her lap. 

< I want to be alone ..> 

< yes my lady ..> Gilbert bowed respectfully and left the private room 

Click 

Izabella couldn’t hold it back and as soon as she heard the door click she threw the water jug in front of her to the floor.

Then tears that were held back now flowed down nonstop. 

Lady Izabella huffed and walked slowly to the window ..

< it won’t happen … > 

She stared at her reflection. She slowly wiped her tears. Fixed her makeup and her appearance with calmness.

Her angry eyes were now calm < I am sorry Gilbert… you had no one .. but Robert has me ..> she finished putting on her lipstick and started at the big ring that reflected light. < I will kill him first ..> 

Izabella was a mother.

And a mother would do anything to protect her children. That was one thing the great count Richard Craigfall underestimated.

—

Gilbert felt guilty. he wanted Izabella to be aware of the danger the little boy may face in his own home. He never met Robert, but he wanted to do whatever he could to protect the child. He walked slowly to the ball hall where yang ladies gathered around him and started chatting with him. He was tired, he felt drained, and he really liked Izabella for how honest she was. Her fear for her son was clear, he wondered sometimes if his mother was still alive, would she protect him the same way.

At some point, his cup was filled again and again, and Gilbert didn't refuse. What’s the point of resisting …

He felt dizzy and a hand reached for the cup before he drained it again < that’s a bit too much .. > came a soft voice. Gilbert's back stiffened and looked back to the man smiling at him.

Leopold Alpine the man he once considered a friend.

Gilbert pushed him off and staggered silently grabbing a servant, < get my carriage, I am leaving ..> < leaving so soon? > The fuss quieted down as the older man approached.

Richard smirked at the boy, ah no, he is no longer a boy. He looked at the yang Nobels gathered around his little canary like hungry wolves. Who could blame them with him looking so charming He slowly walked and returned the greeting directed at him. < it seems my son had too much fun drinking.. > the canary didn't answer or react he just stood there tense. As Richard looked at the young man who was trying to pick up his son. his eyes flashed as he remembered this young man. The Alpine family's eldest son. The little crush his canary was trying desperately to hide.

Richard smirked as he sipped his wine thinking of how to amuse himself. < yang Leopold, I remember you had a good friendship with my Gilbert, would you be kind and escort him back home ?>

Gasped rose around and murder of envy. All these little flies gathering here wanted a chance to approach the count’s heir.

Count Richmond was the treasury holder, the right-hand man to the king himself, and one of the most influential Nobel men in this kingdom.

every single person lusted for this power. And the fact that Gilbert looked like an enchantress while drunk gave these young nobles desires a much of bravado.

Offers rose around to escort the yang-drunk Gilbert.

Richard couldn’t hold his smirk as he started at the obvious lust these people had for his boy.

They all wanted his little canary

—

Gilbert took another glass from the servant who was standing beside him. He drained it and leaned on the poor man for support as he stared to the show as if it had nothing to do with him.

Is Richard thinking of selling him ? ..

Nah .. this man sought entertainment and these people didn't have anything that would entice him enough to sell off his so-called hier as bed warmer.

Gilbert stared at the empty glass and tried hard to hide the fear and doubt in his heart, maybe he did drink a bit too much.

He felt that strong arm reach around his waist again as he felt a wave of dizziness and felt powerless but followed the lead of the man walking him away from the noise.

—

—

Gilbert pulled at the necktie that decorated his shirt in discomfort, he felt dizzy, and had a headache already. he felt a cold touch to his cheek and neck and slowly opened his eyes.

Leopold was leaning close to him wiping his face and neck with a cool towel. Gilbert stared at the man's eyes for a bit and all he saw was lust. He felt disgusted and slapped that hand away < get off me .. > he tried to yell but his voice came like a soft purr to the other man’s ears.

< you’re still angry with me .. > Gilbert stared as the other man sat back in his seat clinching the towel. < Gilbert… I .. can’t help it .. I can’t help but fall in love with you .. >

Gilbert leaned back and didn't answer, what was Richard thinking? Was this the entertainment he sought? Making him uncomfortable?

< what do you want? > he asked, this man would take any opportunity to approach him begging for forgiveness.

Forgiveness … the audacity

< I was yang .. I was drunk .. I .. you .. > he just stared as the other man was desperately trying to explain his actions.

Gilbert's eyes drifted to the window of the carriage as he remembered that day. His one and only friend pushed him onto the sofa and crazily tore his clothes like a beast biting and liking his exposed skin ..

Gilbert closed his eyes trying to erase these memories..

He felt sick ..

He wants to throw up

< I love you ..>

Gilbert glanced back at the man sitting in front of him with indifference.

< Gilbert.. i am madly and desperately in love with you ..>. Leopold continued as he covered his face with his hands. < I was yang .. I was stupid ..I was drunk.. and ..> he looked up throw the cracks of his hands.

The carriage stopped

< my lord we're here >

< wait ! > A strong voice rang in the carriage and Gilbert frowned.

He tried to reach to the door but the other man was faster pinning him in place.

< do you have any idea what you look like? You’re a living lust manifestation .. >

< get off me .. > hissed Gilbert feeling his headache stronger.

< you look at me with these cold eyes .. what can I do? How can I prove my heart to you ?>

< Leopold.. I am warning you ..> Gilbert glared at the man,

< even when you're this cold, the way you talk, the way your soft hair falls on your delicate skin, you move ..>

< Leopold …>

< your lips … I want to kiss you.. I want to bite your neck .. I can’t forget that sweet taste .. >

< last warning .. > The air around Gilbert cooled as he glared at the man he once trusted reach out to touch him

< you’re driving me insane .. I want you so bad .. >

< MAXIM !!>

Gilbert's voice rang as loud as he could master in his state.

Before Leopoled could react the door to the carriage was yanked so hard it fell off broken.

A hand reached out and yanked the dignified yang nobleman throwing him to the floor.

servants gasped around in shock and fear.

Leopold opened his eyes in shock to see a tall man standing by the carriage staring at him condescendingly.

The man was tall, with untamed curly hair and servants close stood there glaring at him in silence.

< fuck .. > Gilbert s voice brought him back to reality as he shook off the hands that were trying to help him up < I fucking WARNED you .. > Gilbert said as he leaned half falling off the carriage.

Leopold stared as he saw the man who hunted his dream and drove him creasy carelessly lean over to the big servant who silently reached up to help him down.

An arm around that slender waist and a hand supporting that fair hand.

—

Gilbert felt his legs weak.

He was scared.

He was really scared in there.

He leaned into Maxim and pretended to be calm as he stared at his friend Betray him again.

< I won’t ever forgive you Leopold.. > he felt anger. This man dared to beg his forgiveness and now he is repeating the same thing ..

animal

< escort lord Alpine to his estate ..> he ordered the servant around and closed his eyes.

He was tired

< lord Craigfall invited me to stay in the estate for the night. >

Gilbert froze.

What?

What the fuck does that man want?

He breathed and held his throbbing temple

< maxim .. I am tired .. take me to my room ..>

—

Maxim’s arm around his lord tightened and walked with him slowly into the estate.

< is this how the Craigfall treats their guest? Your servant threw me to the ground ..>

The stranger's mocking tone made everyone freeze including Maxim and the man in his arms.

< you .. > The hand holding Maxim’s for support tightened and he turned glaring at the unwanted guest.

The man patted his clothes and walked closer. Maxim was alert. He Heard the fuss in the carriage like all the servants but was stopped from moving by the others.

He jumped as soon as he heard his name and acted on instinct. He realized what a great offense it was for a mere servant to lift a hand on a noble, he wasn’t even a Garde. And wasn’t given any order.

Fuck .. he was going to be killed ..