Some other soldiers noticed their officers behavior and started to make comments that put a deep red blush on Joel’s cheeks. This is all going wrong. On the way back from kitchen to the table he was stopped by a guard with an empty cup, Joel filled it and wanted to move wen a hand suddenly grabbed his arm and stopped him. It was handsome Gerd. He looked agape at Joel. Joel thought that there is a limit to how much of ill luck can happen to him in one evening.

“Yes sir, how can I help you?” Joel asked innocently softening his voice as much as he could.

“Joel? Is that you?” There was a deep shock in his eyes. Well it’s not that Joel hasn’t thought about the possibility of meeting Gerd in female clothes so he simply said with a light laughter.

“No sir, Joel is my brother. I’m Joy and we are twins.” Joel smiled again.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He let go of Joel’s arm. “It’s amazing you really look alike.”

“Well I hoped I look prettier.” Joel smiled and winked the surprised Gerd.

“Yes, madam you do.” He composed himself right away and Joel left to pour vine hoping for the feast to end soon.

That was not the case, shortly a wrestling competition was initiated and a few men with bare chests were competing against each other accompanied by loud cheers and supporting screams. Joel was peeking at the fights from time to time. The men had broad shoulders and looked amazing, Joel felt envious. They really went all serious about it and the fight was fierce with tossing and hitting. Joel was cheering the bald bulky one with a dragon tattoo on the shoulder, but he didn’t win. The winner was a slightly older soldier with mustache and some scars on his back. Gerd talked to Joel a few times while pouring vine but he stopped being suspicious, instead he was really courteous. In the dark corner Joel could see one of the maids kissing with a soldier whose hands were all over her. The celebration was in full bloom and Joel felt tired. He needed a piss so he took a chance. He went back to the kitchen and placed the jug on the table. There was still a little vine left so since no one was looking Joel sipped a little bit of the red pleasure and moved out the outer toilet. On the way he decided to not go there as Rose advised him not to walk around in the dark he just finds a quiet unattended corner and comes back. On the way to the great hall he saw another couple making out. Joel entered the kitchen picked up the jug filled it with vine when the cook said he should bring some more bread and cheese on the tables. So Joel went with the plate and placed it on the table. After the third round Joel was stopped by the grim officer who pulled him into one of the corridors leading to the keep.

“Sir, please let go of me.”

“It’s OK.” The officer was tipsy and Joel needed to be careful. “I’ll do you no harm. You caught my eye.” He stroke Joel’s cheek. “I’ll ask duke about you, I’m a serious man. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

Joel was speechless, was he just confessed? No, more he was proposed? What?

“Sir, I’m afraid my heart is already taken. I have a fiance.”Joel bit his lower lip and looked down trying to make himself miserable in officer’s eyes.

“Who is it?” The officer was visibly angry.

“His name is Brian and we come from the same village. We know each other from the childhood.” Joel explained with almost watery eyes.

The officer sighted and let Joel’s arms.

“Just my luck. Is he a soldier?”

“No, he is a simple servant.” Joel deliberately didn’t say anything more, after all he needed Brian to plan his getaway and this crazy officer might harm him.

“I need a drink.” the officer looked down. “Should you change your mind ...” he didn’t finish but Joel reacted quickly.

“Thank you sir, I’ll remember that.” Than he smiled. The officer left him without saying anything more.

Joel leaned on the cold wall stone, he really wanted this feast to end.

“What a show.”

This short sentence put Joel back on his tiptoes. He turned around and saw no one else but the duke himself. The scary man was standing right behind him and with a single hand move the duke flipped Joel’s hair.

“Nice earrings.”

Joel said nothing. This is not happening.