Now that prince Hadrian has nothing to distract his attention, he could notice my looking, so I keep my eyes on the floor. Soft breeze comes through the window, cooling my skin. The room is quiet except for the occasional splashing coming from the tub.

'Teach me to be happy', he said. But they are happy. Never hungry, never wishing for something they cannot have, never missing their loved ones, never forced to survive on their own. They have it all. I have nothing. Is that fair? Shouldn’t they pay for it?

They will. One day, they will.

Without a warning, a large door on the other side of the room opens. I glance up instinctively, and see a tall, wide-shouldered man with black hair and neatly trimmed beard walk in.

Ferox. The older brother.

Again, I contemplate attacking them. If I could eliminate both heirs to the throne, it would be a considerable blow for the king. But even if I could defeat the two of them I would never make it out alive, and the King would just proceed to have a few more children. Not the kind of revenge I want.

"Still not dressed? " Ferox says. "The feast is about to begin. We have guests."

More lazy splashing sounds come from the bathtub. "Do you mean that Wido merchant?"

"Among the others, yes. Father wants to convince him to give us those ships. How do you like it, a royal family begging some merchants for assistance? I say we take those ships without asking, and he should be thankful that we even allowed him to help."

"Sounds like a plan," Hadrian says brightly. "Except that it will ruin our trading alliance with Flarber."

"I know, I know. Father will never agree to that. But I say, sometimes it should be less politics and more doing what has to be done, and letting others deal with it."

Ferox sits down on the side of the bathtub, his wide back concealing Hadrian from me.

"We're stronger than Father admits. You know what I would do?" He gestures around. "I would grab those ships, add them to our fleet, send them right away, together with the troops. The moment is perfect. Oflana sisters barely hold to their throne now that their father is dead. They need a man to tell them what to do, and if the man arrives with an army and a fleet, they won’t be able to say no. If they look good, I may even agree to marry one of them." He laughs. "Maybe you could marry the second one. Can't get a stronger claim to Oflana's throne than that."

"Please don't count on me for that."

"Oh come on, you don't have to actually sleep with them. It's only politics. If you want, I could keep both sister satisfied." He laughs again.

"You're just annoyed that they refused your marriage proposal."

"That, too, but mostly I just want to grab a well-to-go neighboring kingdom when it's there for the taking. Showing those two bitches their place is only a nice addition."

"As you wish." Hadrian stands up in the tub. "Will you pass me that?"

Ferox retrieves a blanket from the nearby marble stand with toiletries and throws it at his brother. Then he looks my way. My blood goes cold, and I bow my head quickly. If he noticed my staring…

I hear him coming my way. My muscles tense. If he pulls a blade out of its sheath, I will…but he stops before reaching me, in front of the slave woman kneeling by my side.

"Do you mind if I borrow your slave's mouth for a minute?" he says. "This marriage talk got me horny."

No reply comes, but it seems he didn't expect any. From the corner of my eye I see the woman move—or rather being jerked up by her hair. She's still on her knees but sitting tall now. I glance aside and see her face pressed to Ferox's crotch, his hand in her hair forcing her head back and forth.

My fingers curl into fists. The bastards. She's not allowed to look at them, but she's good enough to suck their cocks.

"I don't know how you do this," says Hadrian. "Touching slaves. Disgusting. Especially in such a way, it's like fucking a dog."

"You watch your mouth," Ferox mutters. "You and your reputation, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out you're fucking dogs for real."

His breathing gets fast and loud. With my eyes on the floor I can't see anything but the sounds are unmistakable. He is moving rapidly now, and the woman makes occasional choking sounds. Her hands hang limply by her sides. She doesn't protest. How could she?

At last, he grunts and pushes her away. She sinks back to the floor and adopts her previous posture—her head bowed, her back bent, her hands on her knees. Her dark hair partly covers her face but I can see a white streak running down her chin. She makes no attempt to wipe it off.

"You're right," says Ferox. "They're no good, but sometimes you just need a quick relief." He moves away. "Get ready. I'll be downstairs. It's time to show that fat pig some hospitality."

*-------------------------------------------------------*

* If you enjoy this story, please like or comment! Thank you! *

*-------------------------------------------------------*