Kristof stepped outside the palace after he’d finished his talk with the King. Or actually, it was more the King’s financial adviser who’d done most of the talking.

It appeared that the King wanted to visit his mine. Kristof couldn’t refuse, one could never refuse his King, so they made an appointment straight away. He thought he could also bring Armin, to show him his life’s work.

Kristof owed his wealth to his business. It was a diamond mine, the only one in the country.

While traveling all over the world when he was younger, he somehow learned everything there was to know about the mines and though he himself was not the best miner—because he was short on one hand— he did know everything there was about mining and geology.

With a small fortune that was left to him from his inheritance, he hired the best geologists, miners, and other workers needed for the mine to run. Once that was settled, they started digging and his mine was born. Soon after, the first diamonds were found. Thankfully the business went well because there was a risk that his whole plan would fail if no diamonds were found or if the diamonds that were found were beyond subpar. He would have been left without a single penny in his pocket. In fact, it went so well that it made him the wealthiest man in the country, even richer than his own King! Unfortunately, his wealth made the royal family his enemy for they were green with envy and greed.

Kristof, kind as he was, often donated away big amounts of money to the royals and the palace, but it was never enough. Their hunger for money was like a bottomless pit, it could not be fulfilled; they always wanted more and more. They always spent the money on useless things and then desired for more of Kristof’s money.

Kristof himself never really cared for expensive things. It was handy to have money, he did know that, but he also came to know that there was one thing that money couldn’t buy.

The one thing he wanted the most in the world.

Love.

He thought about the offer he made to Armin’s father. Somehow, he did buy the boy, even if it was a mutual agreement.

Armin’s father had told him that Armin would be pleased to marry him. He knew Armin probably wanted to marry him for his money, but it was alright. It was enough for him. He knew that he would probably never find real love anyway.

It was five years ago when he first laid his eyes on Armin.

It was in the town’s center, at the market. He’d watched the beautiful boy with so much admiration, but it wasn’t just beauty that he saw. There was something about Armin. His bold character, his spirit, his energy...it made Kristof fall for him that day.

However, Armin was only sixteen years old at the time, while Kristof was twenty-seven. So, once he was out of his sight, he was out of his mind. Armin had never known that someone had been spying on him for almost an hour that day.

Now years later, they would get married. Tomorrow! A warm feeling came over Kristof.

He hopped in his carriage. When he would return home, Armin would be there. At their house.

Kristof couldn’t wait...

✧══════•❁❀❁•══════✧

Armin was waiting for the inevitable. His wooden trunk was already filled with belongings that he wanted to take with him to his new house.

His parents and brothers and sister would go with him to the castle. But while they would return home, he would not, because this was the last day that he could call this house his home.

Home.

Miserable and disgusted; that’s how he felt. But above all, he was angry. Also at Roan, who didn’t even come to say goodbye. Yes, yesterday he had told Armin that he would not come over because goodbyes were too painful, but still, Armin silently had hoped that his lover would come around and would show up at his doorstep.

He waited until the end, but Roan never came and Armin was heartbroken. He felt used. Was this love? Was this what love was all about? Did Roan ever love him? Or did he just want his body? Is that why he had been with him all this time? Counting down the days that he would bed him?

“There they come, there they come, the carriages!” Armin’s little sister, Lavina, yelled.

Her curls bounced up and down when she enthusiastically jumped and pointed at the three carriages that were approaching their house.

“Do you see them, Armin? I can’t believe we’re going to a castle! And that you will live there! I am so jealous right now!”

Armin chose to ignore her stupid comment. The girl was just a kid, twelve years old. What did she know? Maybe when she’s older, she’ll understand that there is nothing to be jealous of.

The whole family walked outside and watched as the first carriage stopped right in front of their door. Slowly the door popped open and a young man stepped out.

Armin was happily surprised! The man wasn’t all that ugly as the people said he was! He was actually quite handsome. Armin didn’t see any scar on his face either. Maybe he should look more up close. Maybe it was just very small.

He sighed with relief.

“Good day, family Rogers. My name is Adam. I am here on behalf of Kristof to guide you to the castle. I’m afraid that Kristof himself is delayed.”

“What?” Armin asked in surprise and disappointment.

So his relief was all for nothing? The handsome man in front of him turned out to be someone else. And on top of that, Kristof had the audacity to not even show up himself while he said he would pick them up!

Well, this was a great start to a wonderful marriage!

“I’m sorry, Kristof received an invitation from the King himself. It was yesterday and he couldn’t refuse.”

“Of course, of course, we understand,” Theo replied.

“Have you prepared everything you want to bring?” Adam asked.

“We did.”

“Okay, I will have everything put in the carriage for you.”

Two men came in and took all the belongings that the family wanted to bring and placed them in the last carriage.

Adam then turned to Armin. “You must be Armin,” he said, reaching out his hand to shake Armin’s.

Armin shook it and nodded.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, I am,” Armin spoke truthfully.

The ride would take about three hours. Armin shared the carriage with his father, Lavina, and Adam while his mother and brothers were in the second carriage.

He was silent the whole ride long, listening to all the different kinds of topics the others talked about.

Lavina had many questions to ask and Adam answered them all. That man will be so tired after this three-hour-long ride. His little sister could be pretty tiresome.

He watched the view outside and felt sad. He wondered what his life would be like from now on. Who was Kristof? Why did the man want to marry him and if he would ever be happy again? What was Roan doing?

That bastard was still in his head, even though he didn’t deserve it. For six months they called each other boyfriends. And he didn’t even show up to say goodbye?! Armin would probably never see him again. Maybe he should be glad about that.

But he wasn’t...

Without showing the rest of the people, he wiped away a tear that had fallen from his eye. He felt so much pain inside him.

He luckily fell asleep for the last hour of the ride. His father woke him up when they stopped in front of the castle. It was a small castle, nothing too overdone.

Armin learned that Kristof owned multiple houses, but this little castle was the place where they would live together.

Adam opened the carriage door and went out first. He then helped Lavina step out of the carriage. Armin was last to get out.

They waited for the second carriage and they all walked in together. All servants were waiting in a straight line next to each other to meet their new young master.

Armin felt strange. His family never had servants. When Armin walked past them, they all took a bow. Adam introduced him as their new master and Armin nodded at the servants and followed Adam further inside.

The whole family took place at a large table and they got the best dinner they ever had but Armin didn’t eat anything. He just couldn’t swallow any food.

Adam noticed it. “Are you okay, young master?”

Armin wished they would stop calling him that, and just called him Armin.

“Can you please call me Armin or Sir or something like that? No more young master.”

“Very well, Sir. Kristof also doesn’t like it when he is being called master.” Adam smiled. “Are you tired? I could show you to your room if you want to have some rest.”

“Yes, please.”

Armin wanted to leave. He just wanted to be alone for a while and so, he said goodnight to his family, who were still busy dining and happily laughing like it was all that great. Only his mother had a concerned look in her eyes.

Adam walked Armin to his room. It was about five minutes of walking.

When Adam was gone, Armin looked around for a bit.

In the hallways, while following Adam, he also looked around, in search of some portraits of Kristof, so he would know how the man looked. He thought it was maybe better to be prepared for the worst.

But there was no portrait anywhere. Also not in this room. Was this Kristof’s room?

After some time, Armin sat on one of the chairs and looked outside through the large window. It was a spectacular view. In the distance, he saw another carriage coming, very small before it got bigger and bigger, till it stopped in front of the castle.

A servant walked over to the carriage door and opened it and a man with black hair stepped out of it. Armin couldn’t see it very clearly because the distance was too great for small details, but it had to be Kristof.

What should he do now? Go downstairs to meet the man? Confront him? Stay hidden in the room?

Armin felt his heart rate go up. This was the man he had to spend the rest of his life with. He decided he would wait in the room. Maybe Kristof would come or maybe not.

About half an hour later, Armin heard footsteps in the hall and saw flickering candle light shining from under the door.

Then three knocks came.

“Who is there?” Armin asked but he knew the answer before he asked the question. He could feel it.

“Kristof,” said the man on the other side of the door.

.