“Do I know you?” Gerd looked him up and down. “You seem familiar somehow.”

“I hear that often.” Joel lied. “May I sit down?”

“Be my guest.” Gerd moved a bit and Joel sat next to him.

“It’s going to be a bit awkward but there is a young girl who has an awful crush on you.“ The surprise was written all over Gerd’s face. “She’s so not your type, I mean she’s plain, with small tits and has no talents at all. I will pay you for pretending to like her for a week or so and than dump her in the worst possible way.” Joel looked at Gerd carefully waiting for his response.

“Do you … like this flat, dull and ugly girl?” He asked in return. Joel only needed a second to think it over.

“Yes, I’m a real weirdo.” He hid his face in his hands.

“Oh man,” Gerd patted his shoulder,” I’ll do that for you. Thus you don’t look like the type to chase women rather like you are the one being chased after by women or men.” The last one was murmured.

“Oh” Was Joel’s whole answer, he didn’t know what to reply, it was a compliment, right?

“What’s the girl’s name?” Gerd asked.

“It’s Francine, she has blond hair and blue eyes. She works in the garden or in this house too.” Joel took out two silver coins he prepared for it.

“This is for you, half now and the other half when you dump her.” Joel placed the money on the table and Gerd took it quickly. It was all going in the right direction.

“Horace, bring some beer to my friend, what’s your name?”

“Joel and thanks man, I need that beer.”

In the end Joel drank three beers in total that made him a bit tipsy and in cheerful manner decided to leave this place. Hopefully this idiot will do as Joel suggested. His plan was going smoothly so far. Going out he messed with the corridors and landed in the bathroom. There was a single giant tub there filled with warm water. No one was there and Joel was all sweaty from scrubbing the floor. It will be difficult to wash with all the women, so Joel decided to take advantage of the already prepared bath. In is half drunken state he took all his clothes off and slid into the tub diving under the water. It felt so good that it took him a while to surface. He took the prepared soap and started to rub his body and hair. It was only than that he realized he wasn’t alone anymore.

“Who are you?” A deep voice shocked him to the core.

“I’m a man.” He spouted without thinking.

“I can see that much.” The voice owner was a tall bulky man with sharp dark gaze and shoulder long brown hair. Hes jaw was well defined and he had a long straight nose and a three day’s beard.

“Than ask properly so I can give you a clear answer.” Beer made Joel cocky, he was foaming his hair as the man came closer looking at Joel.

“I haven’t seen you around, You are not a guard and these clothes …” Than he leaned closer to Joel making him flinch. “Nice earrings, flowers? Interesting choice.” He smirked.

Fuck. He totally forgot about those earrings. For a second he was thinking desperately than he blurt out.

“It’s a fashionable jewelry, not for a shit eater like you.” He pouted and foamed his long hair back. “Get lost, I’m not a sight for a simple soldier of your kind.” He decided to play this card to discourage the other man.

“Simple soldier, a shit eater?” Joel could hear steel beneath his calm voice.

“Whatever, just leave. I want to finish. ALONE.” Joel gave him a look full of disdain.

“Who do you belong to?” This question surprised Joel.

“To someone you are no match.” Joel dived again washing all the foam off.

“Like the owner of this castle?”

“Yes, precisely.”

The man smiled and crossed his arms, he looked intimidating. Joel started to feel very uncomfortable at this moment. He wasn’t shy but something in this man’s look made him squirm inside.

“And what’s your name?”

Joel wasn’t willing to tell this man his name, he actually was really sorry for making a hasty decision about the bath.

“As if I ever would tell you.”