"Are you sure this will help?"
"Yes. I've calculated its success rate; 100%."
"Hmmm…Hubert?"
"Yes?"
"Are you actually okay with this?"
"…Yes. I am. It'd keep me reassured that someone can be with him and keep him safe."
"Well, if you put it that way…"
"Your majesty, I must get going. I've already handed Pascal the item so rest assured; your results will soon prove to be most satisfying."
"Alright, then. I'm counting on you."
Asbel sat on the bench by his front yard. It felt great to be back in Lhant and finally be somewhere he felt the most comfortable, having known the people in town for almost his whole life. However, things would've been much better if it weren't for his reason for actually being there.
"And so, that is why I believe I would be your perfect match. Don't you agree?"
Sitting next to him was the next lady Asbel had to meet with. Asbel couldn't even remember the girl's name. However, Asbel tried to act friendly, smiling every now and then and nodding to everything she had said, as he was under the watchful eyes of his mother. "Yeah. But uh…I don't know. There's nothing great about me. I mean, I'd be pretty busy a lot of the time and like, we might not be able to see each other-"
"Excuse me, but are you friends with the King?" the lady interrupted.
Asbel raised an eyebrow. "I am merely his knight to fend by his side as long as we live."
"Hm, well. If you think that maybe we aren't for each other, possibly I am more of a match for his highness?"
Asbel was sort of surprised at how direct to lady was. "Uh…I don't know-"
"What do you mean you don't know? I come from one of the most respectable families in Strahta and my father and his highness have met on several occasions. He has also danced me during a ball once."
It was at that moment when Asbel felt something in his stomach and it was the most uncomfortable feeling he has ever felt. Trying his best to shrug it off, Asbel smiled at the lady beside him. "Oh, well, I'm sorry. I-I guess you might be-"
"So you think I am fit to be his wife?-"
"-No!...I-I mean.. I don't know…"
"Ugh, what is with you? Do you think I'm fit or not? Why do you keep answering with stutters and uncompleted sentences? How ungentlemanly like."
Both people sat in silence, and having felt the awkward tension between the two, Lady Kerri decided to step in. "Oh, dear my, it's getting late. Angelique, why don't you start heading home? I've prepared a coach for you-"
"No need." The lady elegantly lifted her hand to stop Lady Kerri and glanced at Asbel, only to give him a deathly stare. "Please do not be alarmed if I don't return." The lady then picked herself up from her seat and walked off.
"Glad that's over-Ow!" Asbel winced as Lady Kerri slapped his arm.
"That's the third time Asbel! I don't understand how you just chase girls off like that. Do you even try?"
"…I don't know. It's just going so fast-"
"What do you mean it's going too fast!? You are twenty now, Asbel. Even his highness is looking for his own wife at your age! Do the same, would you? For your mother?"
Asbel gazed at the sopherias. They were just tiny buds that have bloomed yet. "I'll try…"
"Thank you. You have the day off tomorrow, right? Use that time to reflect on yourself and your performance for the next girl," Lady Kerri said. She then stood beside Asbel and smiled at her son, before giving him a tender hug. "I love you Asbel and as a mother, it is my job to see that you become happy with someone you can grow to love, even if you didn't like them the first time. Just like your father and I."
Asbel hugged his mom back, as they became reminded of their husband and father. "Alright."
Asbel departed from Lhant later that night and headed back to Barona castle. As he entered, an array of guards and servants ran around with a nervous look on their faces, all yelling and screaming King Richard's name. Duke Dalen then spotted Asbel who had arrived and quickly leaped over to the knight.
"O-Oh, Sir Asbel!…King Richard, King Richard!"
" What? Did something happen? Where is he?"
"K-King Richard is missing and he hasn't been seen since this morning. We can't find him and we have searched everywhere in the castle and city but he's nowhere to be found!"
Asbel bit his lip and nodded his head, trying to keep himself calm. "I'll look for him, as well. Don't worry. For now, just try to keep everyone calm and reassure them. Alright?"
Duke Dalen anxiously nodded his head. "T-Thank you."
Asbel then wasted no time to run off.
As Asbel went through the streets of Barona, he asked everyone he had passed if they've seen his highness anytime during the day, but all have replied the same. Asbel headed towards the Barona Catacombs, although he wondered why Richard would even set foot in there ever again with all the bad experiences. Asbel poked around within, setting foot in the place that always pulled chills down his spine. Slicing down any monsters that dwelled within, Asbel grew more anxious as he couldn't find the King. Asbel headed back up inside the castle and met with Duke Dalen.
"Sir Asbel! Have you found him yet?" Duke Dalen asked, sweat coming down his face.
Asbel shook his head in disappointment. "No, I'll keep looking. Don't worry, I swear on my life that I would protect the King no matter what. You have my word."
Duke Dalen managed to let out a small smile as he felt relieved by Asbel's words. "Thank you, Sir Asbel. It's always a pleasure to depend on you. Please, find him soon."
Asbel took off once again and headed out the castle gates. It had become dark and Asbel grew more anxious.
You should check the outskirts of town. He might be there.
Asbel ran out to the north of Barona. He had remembered Richard taking him to the little cliff by the end of the hillside that was past a small cottage. Asbel decided to ask within the cottage and knocked on the door, hoping they would know where Richard was. To his surprise, when the door opened, a blonde-haired man opened up.
"Richard!"
"Hello, Asbel."
Asbel rubbed his temples. "Have you really been here all this time? Do you know how worried everyone has been? Duke Dalen especially! And me!" Asbel yelled, dropping his formalities.
"Asbel, calm down. Here, come in," Richard gently pulled the frustrated knight inside the cottage, which was warm from the lit fireplace. Both men took a seat by the small dining table.
"Isn't this someone's house?" Asbel finally asked, although still frustrated by Richard's behaviour.
"Yes. Well…no. During our adventures, we would always come here, right? Whether it was to rest or to check and loot that chest over there which always magically seems to restock itself."
Richard was right. There has only been one or two people in here when the group had visited but no one seemed to actually live there. "It's like it's been made for travellers, hasn't it?"
Richard sat quietly drinking a sip of what seemed to be tea while staring intently at Asbel, making the knight grow a bit uncomfortable. "W-What are you looking?-And also! Why have you been here for the whole day without even telling at least Duke Dalen? You've made everyone worried sick!" Asbel said, bringing up the topic again. Richard merely smiled in his cup and shook his head. "Don't worry. Hubert will tell them."
Asbel cocked his head to the side. "What?"
"I told Hubert to arrive at a designated time-which is now-and he has been tasked with the job to tell the Duke where I was. So relax…we have the whole night to ourselves," Richard said. He then slowly placed down his cup on the table and began to lean towards Asbel, who of course, didn't hesitate to jump out of his chair away from the King.
"H-Hey…What are you doing? I'm going back. Stay here if you'd like."
Richard smirked. "Really? Would you really leave me here alone? Oh, but what if I'm left alone and bandits come and kidnap me? Or monsters just burst through that wooden, unsecure door and kill me? Yes, we could all hear it now; 'King Richard gruesomely murdered by unknown source in woods without the protection of his faithful knight.'"
"B-But I have a date tomorrow! That you set up!"
"Ah, yes. I had Hubert cancel that for you as well. Your day is completely free tomorrow, other than to spend time with me."
Asbel glared at his King. He tried to think of another argument but it was futile. In the end, Richard was right. Asbel would never leave the King by himself in this area. Even if this was just a bluff, Asbel was determined to stay by his side no matter what. Plus, he was kind of relieved to not be stuck with another date. "F-Fine. Look, it's late. I'll head outside and keep watch. Just go to slee-"
Asbel was cut short when Richard pulled Asbel into an embrace. "Stay here." Asbel blushed at the King's deep voice in his ear but squirmed out of Richard's arms, which let go immediately.
"What are you doing? Look, I have to protect you. So let me go outside."
"I could let you do that. But look, that window looks so unsecure. Anyone could just break through it and take my life in a second once they know you're outside."
"God damn it-why are we even in this place when everything's so unsecure!? Let's just go back to the castle."
"I'd rather not. Duke Dalen has me signing all these papers and-"
"So you're running away from your job!? Don't drag me down with you!" Asbel could feel the heat coming to his face as he clenched his fist. Richard took a step closer but he was stopped by Asbel's hands.
"Don't step any closer. What the hell is wrong with you…You just, go missing for a whole day, then get everyone to become worried sick for you only to have my brother just waltz in at night to finally tell them where you are? On top of that, you make me go through all these…these dates to find a wife for you. Why can't you do this yourself? Why can't you just find someone you love yourself!" Asbel yelled but felt almost relieved to have let it all out.
Richard crossed his arms and sighed. "I have though," he said quietly.
"What?"
"I have found someone I love. Someone so precious to me, someone I would die for."
Asbel felt a pang in his chest, not knowing the reason. But was Richard really telling the truth?
"Y-You have?"
"Yes. I love him with all my heart. Everytime I see him, I just want to take him and make him mine. But he keeps stopping me," Richard said, a frown on his face.
"What's stopping you? You're the King! You can just-wait. Him?"
"Yes. Him." Richard slowly walked closer to Asbel, a dark look on his face despite Asbel's protests. "R-Richard?"
"I love you, Asbel," Richard whispered in Asbel ear's. The words were said so tenderly. Asbel's heart began to skip beats the more Richard stayed so close to him. He felt a weird and unknown sensation welling up inside him. It was making him feel weak.
"I-I…!" Asbel's body was beginning to fail in all areas. He clutched onto Richard's shoulder for support and looked up at Richard, his face tearing. Why was he suddenly feeling so weak? Every movement Richard made got him so anxious…anticipated…needy? What was this desire that climbed up inside him so fast? "I really…I really…R -Richard…-!"
Asbel was interrupted by the rough lips that smashed against his own. The King forcibly thrusted his tongue into the whimpering mouth that tried to usher his name. Richard had dreamed of this day every since he had set eyes on Asbel when they reunited in the Catacombs. He had contained the feelings for all these years and finally…finally; tonight Asbel would be his. Asbel's felt like he was bursting in flames with every flick of the tongue that Richard did in his mouth and his legs threatening to cripple at any moment wasn't helping either.
Even though the taste of his cute Asbel's wet mouth did nothing more but arouse him, it wasn't enough to satisfy the immense throb in the lower region of Richard's body and probably Asbel's, as well. Richard then began wasting no time in pulling off every single piece of clothing that prevented him from feeling the soft skin hidden beneath it with his hands. When a spot of skin revealed itself, the blonde would bite down and savour the taste of it, humming to himself, letting his voice vibrate throughout the tender body that could barely hold itself up. As soon as Richard pulled the last piece of clothing, Asbel fell to his knees with Richard barely catching him; his body had become too vulnerable to the strong sensation of another man's kiss on his body.
"I don't think I can…take it much longer…" Asbel panted breathlessly. He damned himself for being so sensitive to every single touch that Richard pulled on him. It was unbearable and Asbel couldn't understand why even though he wanted Richard to stop, his body was showing the opposite.
"Mm, I don't think I can take much longer, as well…" Richard agreed before swiftly picking up the body in his arms and tossing Asbel on the nearby bed. Asbel had no muscle to lift his own arms and legs and all he could do was gaze above at the smirking King slowly unbuttoning his own dress shirt.
"I don't think you understand how painfully beautiful you are, Asbel. It's hard enough to restrain myself from ravishing every…" Richard's eyes moved from Asbel's lips, "…single…" Nipples, "…bit…" Stomach, "….of you." Richard licked his lips as he laid his eyes on the adorable quivering member that screamed for a touch of someone else against it. The dress shirt had finally come off and the blonde moved forward to the desperate flesh that cried for his mouth, which he happily gave it.
"-Rich-Ngahh…!" Asbel screamed in guilty pleasure as moist lips made contact with his cock. Richard's mouth playfully lapped itself against the head of the hard member that entered his mouth and the cute whimpers coming from his dear Asbel only encouraged the King to continue. Richard's wet tongue then slid itself along the shaft, moving his direction to every jolt that the burgundy made. Asbel felt heat emit from his body and tried to clutch on the bed sheets yet his hands suddenly moved itself to Richard's scalp.
Richard groaned at the sudden push of his head and looked at the shaking Asbel. Richard lifted his head despite the protest of Asbel's hands, revealing the burgundy's member covered in a mixture of saliva and pre-cum.
"So greedy, Asbel…" Richard whispered with a smirk.
Asbel whined in response. Why was it now that every time Richard said his name; his heart wanted to burst through his chest?
"E-End it…now…" Asbel managed to cry out.
Richard raised an eyebrow, "You want me to stop?-"
"-No!" Asbel widened his eyes from what he had blurted out. There goes that teeny tiny bit of dignity he had left in him. The amused face of Richard's wasn't making anything better either for the restless knight.
"My body f-feels so hot and I-I," Asbel started to tear up and brought his hands to face to cover them. He didn't want his face to be seen by Richard of all people, "a-and I don't know what's going on but I can't stop needing you, Richard. I'm being driven nuts and it's tearing me-mmf…!"
Richard couldn't take it anymore. The words that voiced through Asbel's lips were more than enough to drive the King to his edge. Richard tore apart Asbel's hands from his face and ravaged upon the luscious lips. The hot, wet kiss became almost violent with only so much time to break apart from each other and catch their breaths. Richard was at his limit; stealthily unzipping his pants, he revealed his own aching cock that yearned for the twitching hole that he believed would easily invite him in. Asbel had heard the zip.
"W-Wait…! Please, Richard…I think I'm going to explode If you do anything more…!"
"Asbel love, I'm actually at my minimum. You don't know how much I'm holding back for you. So I order you to shut the fuck up and let me screw you," Richard said menacingly.
Asbel was flushed, "W-What-Nnnaaaaaaaggghh..!" It was too late. A newfound, hard flesh had pushed its way inside of him and the pain was almost horrifying. Richard grunted at the tightness he was experiencing and barely let out a snicker, "You're squeezing me so much, Asbel. You clearly love this more than me, you naughty thing."
"N-No, R-Richard…Nnnagghhh-" It was too hard to think or do anything besides sound pathetic and helpless under his best friend fucking him. Richard began to slowly move in further, much to Asbel's whimpering protests and weak hands that couldn't hold the King back. The hard girth began to pick up speed and soon, Richard was at a rhythm; holding Asbel's legs up with his hands, earning him a spectacular view of the flustered knight. Richard was in heaven and Asbel? He was undoubtedly getting there as well.
Asbel whimpered and moaned and he couldn't believe how quickly the pain was beginning to fade, replaced with an all knew sensation. With every pump, Asbel began to anticipate Richard's hard thrusts that pushed itself into him. The hot mess then suddenly gasped and arched his back, not knowing why it felt so good all of a sudden.
Richard hesitated, fearing that he had actually went too far but when he heard the sweet moans, he continued again even faster, smiling at the writhing body that gave himself to him, "I must have hit a sweet spot for you, Asbel," Richard bent down and hugged the knight under his arms. "See? Just let yourself go and let me make you feel good…" Richard whispered seductively into Asbel's ear.
This was all that was needed to get the burgundy haired knight to spill himself all over their chests. Richard grunted at the sudden tightness around his cock and came right after, filling the hole up. Asbel let out broken whimpers as he clenched onto Richard's back, leaving harsh scratches on the flesh as Richard pulled out.
"R-Richard…I-I…"
"Sh…don't talk." Richard kissed the top of Asbel's forehead and caressed the flushed face. "Hold onto me."
Asbel obeyed and held onto Richard's chest. His energy was slowly dwindling and sleep was beginning to penetrate him.
"I love you, Asbel," Richard whispered.
"…I…" Before Asbel could reply, he passed out.
Silently by himself, Richard did gentle circles on Asbel's back with his hands, soothing the boy. Before Richard fell asleep himself, he smiled, having achieved his greatest dream in life.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"You WHAT?"
A/N: YAY. Finally a chapter for this! Okay, so there is going to be ONE MORE FINALLLLL chapter for this story because sex is never a good ending (but sometimes it is) and there are still some things I need to patch up before I could call this story completed. Thank you to everyone who has read this story, reviewed, favourite, subscribed or whatever and I appreciate it so much! Thank you for sticking it out with me to the end and waiting for this chapter to come out. So for now, please wait for the final chapter, and I promise, it will be short! Thanks!
