Without adding another word, Agathos left. 

“This way, sir," a servant pointed out.

He pointed to a bath. Kalos soaked and discovered a world of unknown sensations. He had never taken a bath before and the relaxation the hot water gave him made him melt.

In silence, the four servants started to wash him. They left no stone unturned. Kalos had incredibly felt embarrassed but he quickly realized that they were more embarrassed than he was. So, he chose to be as accommodating as possible.

When he was fully soaped and rinsed, he came out.

“Sir, can you stretch your wrists?" asked the same servant.

Kalos held them out to him and he began to apply an ointment to the bruised areas. The relief was so great that Kalos blurted out, “Thank you.”

The servant automatically replied, “You are welcome, sir.”

Then, two servants began to spread an oil with a scent unknown to Kalos. With each massage, a warmth spread throughout his body.

Kalos saw the fourth servant walk away and return a moment later with a tunic. The other three moved aside and then all conscientiously began to put it on him.

“You are ready now” the servant informed him. “If you wish, you may look at you in this mirror.”

Kalos walked over to a mirror that lay between two trees on the wall.

He had never seen himself like this.

The transparent tunic barely covered him. It opened into a wide neckline, showing his nipples slightly, and ended above his crotch. Kalos swallowed his saliva. He preferred his modest rags and already hated the provocative silk.

“I will take you to Marshal Mei's room.”

Kalos' insides twisted. Nothing could stop it now.

Kalos blindly followed the servant. He did not notice that the corridors were changing in appearance, color, and size.

The servant opened a back door and they crept down a narrow corridor, a door finally appearing at the end. The servant opened it.

They entered a red room. The light was dim. Only a fireplace and two candlesticks on the walls offered light.

Kalos was surprised by the size of the room. He thought it was tiny. The huge bed to their right only reinforced this impression. There was a small writing desk on the opposite and a slight aisle that ended in front of a bay window between both.

“Please sit on this cushion, sir," the servant asked.

Kalos sat down on the red cushion to the right of the door on the floor. The servant gave him a final indication, “Marshal Mei is coming.”

The servant left. Kalos heard him lock the door. He slightly laughed. There was no longer escape.

Then there was silence.

Kalos realized that the servant had given him no indication of the time. He was in no hurry to see his new mistress arrive, but waiting was an activity he hated. He thought it stupid to...

He froze. A part of the wall to the left of the bed and adjacent to the bay window had just receded and slid behind the bed. A hidden door was revealed.

The handle went down.

Marshal Mei entered.

To be continued