Hello! This is my first Captive Prince fanfic ^^ Rated M for content later on. Hope you enjoy the first chapter!
-Brooke
He hadn't expected to wake up to rough hands grabbing at him and dragging him from his chambers. No, this was something not even Laurent could've predicted. He had about a million different insults in his arsenal but was cut short by a gag promptly secured in his mouth. As his eyes darted about, he spotted Nicaise watching from the shadows, his eyes sullen and his face a mix of different emotions. Laurent simply shook his head, hoping Nicaise would get the clue to stay out of this.
They led him through the familiar winding hallways Laurent had known since he was little. His blue eyes followed the intricate designs that twisted and decorated the walls. The hallways were silent, save for the guards' heavy footsteps as they dragged Laurent along. The echoing whispers of nearby pets could be heard throughout the hallways and courtyards. Laurent's always strategizing mind was already thinking up ways he could possibly get out of this. There was no way he could overpower all of these guards himself. He'd need a diversion of some sort, something to loosen their grip on him so he could slip away, but only pets loyal to the court and their masters populated these hallways, and the gag prevented him from speaking.
Going past the courtyards, he knew he was being taken to the court where his uncle, the Regent, waited. Still, he continued to drag his feet and make the short trip as difficult for the guards as possible. That is, until he felt a sword in his back.
"I'd behave if I were you, pup," Govart's voice warned, leaving Laurent no choice but to continue to walk with the position he was in.
He knew Govart relished to see him bound and gagged like this, unable to make any snappy comebacks.
"I love seeing you like this. Not so high and mighty now," he whispered by his ear, making Laurent's skin crawl.
He soon was led into the court, accompanied by surprised gasps from the people there along with their pets. They were soon ordered by the Regent to leave so that it was only him, Laurent, Govart, and the other guards holding him down.
"You can remove the gag. I'd like to speak to my nephew," the Regent motioned for them to do so.
Laurent gasped once the gag was removed, coughing a bit as he breathed in cool air through his mouth. His blue eyes met the Regent's as he was forced to kneel in front of him with his arms still bound behind his back.
"What's the meaning of this, uncle?" he spat, teeth bared and eyes piercing.
The Regent kept his relaxed composure as he chuckled to himself, walked, and kneeled so he was nearly at Laurent's eye level.
"I didn't mean for you to be treated so roughly, nephew, so I am sorry about that. You hold a dear place in my heart just like Auguste did-"
"Get on with it already, old man," Laurent hissed.
The Regent only smiled and patted Laurent's head in a friendly gesture. "Oh, yes, I know you like to get straight to the point as always."
He now stood up and peered down at Laurent as he spoke , like a king to a servant.
"I know that I only hold the throne for you, but I'm starting to wonder if you'd be the right fit for a king."
"I am the rightful heir! What are you blathering about?"
"I can't simply have you killed. You're still my sweet nephew, and I care about you, but you are the only obstacle that stands in my way of my power over Vere."
"Y-you want to be the permanent king? Ha! You must be joking or going senile already," Laurent sneered.
"Therefore, I've come up with an alternative solution that won't involve having to kill you," the Regent continued, ignoring all of Laurent's comments.
"Guion," he called the ambassador over.
Guion promptly walked over, standing next to the bound Laurent.
"You will take my nephew and have him prepared as a slave. I've been in contact with the King of Akielos and have informed him of a gift for his son, Damianos," the Regent's gaze met Laurent's as he said the prince's name, relishing the expression on Lauren's face. "I want him sent out today."
"It shall be done, my liege," Guion bowed.
He turned to the guards holding Laurent down. "Put the gag back in, take him, and follow me," Guion ordered.
The guards nodded in compliance and grabbed onto the back of Laurent's neck to replace the gag.
"Uncle! Will you please listen to one last request from your nephew?" he called out as he struggled against their hold.
With an amused smile, the Regent held out a hand for them to stop. "And what is this request?"
"I request that a pet accompanies me. Please, so I at least have a familiar face from Vere with me. That's all I ask," he begged, though he hated having to do this with nearly every fiber of his being.
The Regent studied him closely, contemplating the request. "And how do I know you won't use this pet to try to escape?"
"Escape? How would I escape from Ios? It's on a cliff and surrounded by troops and guards. I swear to you, uncle, it's only for familiar company. Won't you grant this last request from your dear nephew?"
The Regent thought some more, leaving Laurent standing there in a cold sweat, waiting for his reply.
"And what pet would it be?"
"Nicaise. I'm rather close with him. It would make my days in Akielos better," he blurted almost immediately after the question.
"Oh, so you've thought about this. Nicaise, hmm? I suppose I could accept that request. I'm not sure what you're planning by choosing him, but it shouldn't interfere with the grand scheme. Fine, nephew, I will grant Nicaise to be offered to Akielos with you. Now, prepare him," he waved them off as he sat back in his throne again.
Laurent breathed a sigh of relief before the gag was secured over his mouth again, and he felt the rough hands wrap around his arms. "Damianos.." his uncle was quite cruel in picking him: the man who had killed his older brother Auguste.
He was escorted to a room with a bath awaiting him. Sunlight shone through an open window, creating shifting lights on the ceiling from the water's reflection. The gag was removed once again along with the bindings on his wrists and arms, though these were replaced by several hands still holding him in place. Guion observed as Laurent was stripped of his clothes, though it took a bit of time due to the Veretian clothing. Once all of the ties were undone, his clothes were shed off, leaving him completely nude, sun shining against the rarely seen fair skin of his torso.
"Clean him," Guion ordered two pets that had been brought into the room. "And don't worry. The only thing dangerous about him is his mouth."
The timid pets nodded, holding damp, soapy cloths in shaking hands as they lightly scrubbed Laurent's body.
"You must be quite pleased with yourself," Laurent said smugly. "You get to sell off the Prince of Vere to Akielos."
"Oh, the Regent didn't tell you? You no longer hold that title. To Akielos, you'll just be another pretty pleasure slave, and I suggest you learn to act like one. You'll make a fine gift for Prince Damianos. You're just his type," Guion replied and approached Laurent. "Blonde hair, blue eyes, and light, fair skin," he chuckled as he reached a hand out.
"I can still bite a finger," Laurent threatened.
Guion only shook his head and retracted his hand. "You'll just have to learn proper manners."
They both jumped as the door slammed open suddenly and Nicaise entered the room, being obedient and not having to be escorted. He raised an eyebrow at seeing Laurent exposed and being washed by two pets.
"I..was summoned here?" he directed the question to Guion but continued to stare at Laurent.
"Yes, you and Laurent will be given to Akielos as slaves. The prince has been stripped of his titles. These are direct orders from the Regent himself. Now, I need you washed and cleaned, but I'm sure you can do that yourself," Guion informed.
Nicaise's gaze met his now and nodded obediently. He promptly stripped, leaving his clothing in a pile on the floor as well as his earrings before stepping into the bath. While Laurent was forcefully scrubbed, Nicaise elegantly cleaned himself in the warm, clear water. It trickled down his light skin. Laurent gazed back at him only once before closing his eyes and reluctantly let himself be cleaned.
Loose fitting, Akielon style clothes were forcibly put on him. His whole chest was nearly exposed save for one strap that went across it with his milky toned legs showing since the cloth only went down to his mid thigh.
"Akielons like it simple, so there's no need to doll you up like in Vere," Guion informed coldly.
He had Nicaise dressed the same way and stripped of his jewelry except for the earrings which he absolutely refused to give up. Nicaise's wrists were bound behind him for formalities just as Laurent's were. As they were taken outside the palace, Laurent couldn't help but look back at the home he had grown up in, though he gazed back with scorn.
"Mark my words, you haven't seen the last of me, uncle," he whispered under his breath.
Laurent and Nicaise were kept in a covered wagon under heavy guard for the journey by land. He was kept ungagged and able to talk freely with Nicaise, informing him of the situation. Nicaise could definitely be difficult at times, but he was loyal and a good ally. Laurent had to admit that he was grateful.
From there, they were taken to Ios by ship on the Ellosean Sea. The first thing that caught Laurent's eye were the colossal limestone cliffs the palace sat on top of. Him and Nicaise exchanged looks before they were pushed forward. Guion ordered Laurent to be gagged again before they entered the palace.
Laurent scarcely had time to take in his surroundings before him and Nicaise were forced onto their knees once they entered the throne room. Gazing up, the King of Akielos, Theomedes sat before them accompanied by the queen.
"Welcome, ambassador. I was only expecting one Veretian slave, yet there are two in front of me."
"King of Akielos, you are correct. The blonde one is the one we intended to bring for Prince Damianos, but the Regent insisted on the other one as well. He can be given to whomever you'd like," Guion informed, bowing his head.
"Why is the one for my son gagged? Is he untrained?"
"He has quite a mouth on him, but I have no doubt that he can be trained properly here. Your son can think of it as a challenge. The other one is trained and rather obedient."
"Then, I will grant that one to my other son, Kastor. And what are their names?"
"The blonde is Laurent, and the other is Nicaise."
The king nodded. "Very well, I will gladly accept these gifts. Summon Adrastus," he called for the Keeper of the Royal Slaves.
Adrastus was in the throne room within minutes.
"You summoned me, your essence?"
"Have these slaves brought up to my sons' chambers. The blonde, Laurent, will go to Damianos, and the brunette, Nicaise, to Kastor's," he instructed.
Adrastus bowed his head and motioned for the guards to escort them. He was soon separated from Nicaise and plopped into Damianos' chambers. Adrastus nodded at them to remove the gag and untie the restraints.
"I know you are untrained and do not behave as a royal slave should, but I expect you to be on your best behavior for the prince. You are his now, and he will be here soon."
Golden cuffs were welded onto his wrists along with a collar around his neck right there under Adrastus' supervision. Lastly, he was pushed onto the bed and secured there by a chain attached to the collar. Laurent only scowled at him and sat back on the bed to await his new master's arrival while the cold metal squeezed against his skin.
The sound of heavy footsteps on the stone floor woke Laurent from a light nap. His blue eyes focused on sandaled feet and trailed up to behold Prince Damianos standing before him.