Important Author's note, please read before proceeding!
(DarkSideoftheLoon I'm looking in your direction)

Okay, there is a part in this chapter that might not be to anyone's taste.
It's pretty graphic, not rape as such but heavily implied non-consensual content and hinted prostitution but it fitted so perfectly well into the story that I didn't want it to be left out.
I know those are delicate topics that some are uncomfortable with.
You can skip it if you like, the beginning and the end of it will be announced by a bold warning
You won't miss anything plot related if you skip it, though.

Disturbing images begin to stir...

The whole meeting had been…rather strange.
Amelda had spotted right away that the pink haired self-satisfied egomaniac, Kaiba continuously referred to as 'Siegfried', and 'Seto', which to his annoyance Siegfried was calling him, had some history together.
Or probably some math; cold, calculating suits as they were.

They had been granted a tour around the new facility, which obviously was still under construction, by the man himself, as Kaiba had briefed his secretary in a quiet moment.
Siegfried von Schröder, heir and CEO of Schröder Corporation and oddly enough, technological prodigy.

Siegfried led the way through a ridiculously ornate corridor, lined with white marble and gold and heavily guarded by cameras.

Posh upbringing, heir taking over company at young age, gaming industry…Amelda was starting to spot one or two similarities…
He even had a younger brother, obviously not cut out for the business, and he shared the same strange passion, or should it be called obsession, for this silly little card game.
Though there was something Kaiba possessed, yet he lacked.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Amelda could see Siegfried eyeing him boldly.
Modesty…

Kaiba, obediently followed by his secretary, was led into an office, one of the few already finished rooms, where a few men in suits were already waiting at the table. Board members, as Amelda was sure.
Amelda was uneasy.
Was it the tension between them which was worrying him? Perhaps he was a bit upset by the way Siegfried was ogling him shamelessly, and was showing his affection by lewd comments and brazen compliments.
And was it normal for a meeting room to have this many cameras?
Amelda cast a glance at Kaiba, who seemed completely indifferent to every sector he was shown and to any kind of information Siegfried provided him with.
He put him in mind of an emotionless, unmoved penguin.
Which was a bad sign.
It meant, as Amelda had learned in the past few months, that Kaiba was concerned.

While Siegfried made it quite clear to his subordinates that he would not tolerate any interruptions, Amelda took in the extravagance this meeting room possessed.
There had been posh and fancy rooms at Paradise.
Though Dartz complicated assemblage of precious paintings and historical artefacts seemed insignificant, compared to the lavishness on display.
Tableaus adorning the walls, ancient vases and other paraphernalia, one would normally associate with museums.
And there were faces of posh people, somewhat resembling Siegfried, looking down at the plebs gathered around the table, from canvases and through dead eyes of marble busts.

Ah yes, the Schröder family.
Despite being based in Germany, the company was run by Austrian aristocrats in the fifth generation.
Amelda had taken a closer look at the company's ratings and prospects, beforehand.
A little research had soon adumbrated what Siegfried was up to…

"Zis concludes our little tour," Siegfried announced as he took a seat at the head of the table.

Kaiba continued his indifferent behaviour and treated Siegfried to a stern and cold stare;
Observing and waiting for the pending explanation.

"Of course," Siegfried continued, "I'm a little bit dissatisfied zat our encounter could not have been postponed until ze building had been finished properly. But you know how it is, Seto. Good staff is hard to find."
He leaned back in his leather chair, the long glossy, pink hair flowing over his shoulder.
"Vat do you think of it, Seto?"

Kaiba considered this for a while.
"Pompous and tasteless. Lacking style and modesty," here Kaiba paused for dramatic effect, "so, I'd say it suits you very well."

Amelda looked in shock back and forth between Kaiba and Siegfried.
He was not at all accustomed to this side of Kaiba and hadn't been entirely sure what to make of it.
Though Siegfried continued to smile undisturbed.

"Oh Seto, brazen and indiscreet as always," he laughed, "Zo, I vill spare you ze etiquette of small talk and light conversation and cut straight to ze point. I prefer more direct approaches," here he cast a glance at Amelda which made him feel uncomfortable.
"Showing you my future premise vas as you vill have guessed not ze main motivation behind my invitation. I vill be frank and speak my mind at zis point: I am planning on a little cooperation viz KaibaCorporation. For a new project, I take it vould be ze best to focus on a close collaboration."

Siegfried was aware of the stare Kaiba shot him.
"This is just some kind of informal meeting for sounding you out. No negotiations as such, vhich is vhy I only brought my closest associates with me."

Kaiba was handed some documents, which he eyed up critically.

"Your cute little typist can have a copy too, zo she von't get bored vhile ve talk."

"She is not a typist, but head-secretary and my personal assistant."
Kaiba's tone of voice had dropped to a threatening growl.
Amelda was impressed and somewhat confused. Never before had he been a 'personal assistant' in Kaiba's eyes, but a faceless incompetent burden whose first name wasn't even worth remembering.

"I'm impressed zat you are capitulating before ze oppressive dictatorship of vimmin's quota,"
Siegfried was oblivious to the vicious glint in Amelda's eyes as he continued.
"Really, Seto. Zis submissive side of yours surprises me."

Amelda's expression was frozen in a neutral smile.
This was no comment to tease, Amelda was pretty sure he was speaking his mind unabashedly.
Because he's influential and rich and can do as he pleases...

Siegfried sighed wearily.
"An annoying formality. And an ineffective vun too. Since ve both know, zat it is illusory to entrust a voman with a leading position. Zey are just not cut out for ruling with an iron fist. It's zose pheromones and hormones preventing zem from thinking straight."

The look on his secretary's face encouraged Kaiba to groan.
"So let's add chauvinism to the list of your major flaws as well."

"Well, who can blame zem," Siegfried continued, ignoring Kaiba's remark while crossing his legs, "Being surrounded by us gorgeous leader types... it is only a natural zing to happen..."

Amelda smiled, though he wasn't entirely able to prevent his disgust from showing. And Siegfried had spotted it.

"Die Kleine ziert sich ganz schön." (*She seems a bit reluctant.)
Siegfried had been adressing his German speaking subordinates as he chuckled, "Ich denke es braucht mehr als Blumen und ein paar nette Wort, dass sie die Beine für mich breit macht." (*It will take more than flowers and a few compliments to have a leg over.)

Amelda froze with disgust. Taken-aback he was unable to find any words to comment on this disrespectful and highly offensive remark.
It stung. His impertinent behaviour really hurt.
He tried to smile away the repulsion and continued to behave like he was oblivious to the private German parallel conversation Siegfried had with his subordinates, while Kaiba was studying the contract intensely.

"I thought ranks and titles had been outlawed in Austria," Amelda blurted out and cursed himself instantly for his unrestrainable tongue.

Siegfried gave the self-satisfied smile Amelda had learned to hate during the past half hour.

"Hanako, Liebes*…" (*'Liebes' or 'Schätzchen' both mean something like 'dear', though they are sometimes used pejoratively)
Siegfried smiled bemusedly. "Rules and regulations. Vat are zey for a man like myself? Sheer formalities, I can assure you."

He cast a triumphant glance at him.
This is the moment where I should be enrapt by his conquering ego, Amelda deducted.

"But vell spotted," Siegfried continued, visibly puzzled by the unmoved secretary, "Though such 'crimes' are hardly sanctioned. Ze 'Adelsaufhebungsgesetz' is an old relic, deriving from days long gone, times ven titles vere enriched by privileges and prerogatives."
He sighed with envy.
"It is my ancestry and I'm proud of it. Besides ze sanctions are preposterous. Ze fine had been stipulated almost 100 years ago, ze former '5.000' Schilling an insignificant fee, to keep my little delight."
Siegfried smiled pleasantly.
"I take it, you have been to Austria before?"

"Once and only briefly," Amelda stammered unable to decide whether this had been the right answer.

"And did you enjoy your stay in my home country?" Siegfried continued after he had ascertained that Kaiba was still leafing through the documents.

"Yes...I learned how to play Tarock there," Amelda stated politely.

"Vonderful, "Siegfried exclaimed, "It is an extraordinary game, hardly depending on fortune and luck, but strategy. And vhile it needs four players it follows a fundamental rule of gaming and love: the more the merrier."

Amelda didn't even force a smile on his lips, but stared at his opponent indifferently.
Siegfried was not used to this, he could tell.
He was probably wondering right now, why Hanako Sotha hadn't already ripped off her clothes and had thrown herself at his feet screaming 'take me'.
Siegfried was looking at Amelda directly, eyeing him up unabashedly.

"Ihr Haar und diese Züge…" (*Her hair and those facial-features...)
Siegfried was looking in Amelda's direction, who evaded his gaze.
"Sie sieht fast so aus wie eine von den hübschen Prostituierten, Ihr wisst schon…viele von Ihnen haben rotes Haar…sie sind geflohen aus…wo dieser Bürgerkrieg war…wie hieß das Land noch gleich?"
(*In a way she resembles those lovely prostitutes, you know...many of them are red-haired...they fled from...country torn by civil war...what was that country's name again...?)

Amelda felt the icy-coldness creep over his body, as his mind went blank.
Red hair...
Well, back home his hair colour had been quite common.
And surely...
Amelda hated thinking about this kind of thing. It made him uneasy, did he dare ponder what would have become of him hadn't he met Dartz.
Of course not everyone had been this lucky. Families had fled, many of them had been torn via the process. Couples had been parted, husbands died and woman and widows had remained alone. He could imagine where many a woman's way had led them in despair. Sweatshops, cheap labour and prostitution, the modern forms of slavery.
To think where they might have ended up.
In factories, in brothels...
Or on screen...
Amelda shook off the disgusting feeling that ususally crept over him, had he stumbled across porn movies labelled as 'Redheads'.
How could he?...Why did he even know...?
Panic had overruled his common sense as one disquieting thought was replaced by another.
What if he told Kaiba?

"I'm of Belgian and Japanese ancestry," Amelda snapped shaking with fury and fear.

The conversation had ceased, the party at the other end of the table had fallen silent instantly.

"Thank you Miss Sotha," Kaiba stated disinterested, "I'm sure our company is quite aware of that fact."
Kaiba rearranged the sheets in front of him and continued unperturbed.
"Concerning your proposal, there are still one or two things I'd..."

Kaiba's explanations came from somewhere far off. Amelda was still panting, gaze locked with Siegfried, who had, due to Ms Sotha's previous statement learned his lesson about not checking his rival's personal assistant's cv. Especially the part about languages they could speak.
For a moment the azure gems were disturbed by a flicker of fear.

"What do you think?"

Kaiba's question brought him back to reality, the brief interval of regret blown from his face.
"I think it's a splendid idea," he stated levelly.

After terminating his work in Kaiba's study, Amelda was heading back to his room, for a long and hot bath to rinse away the disgusting feeling caused by Siegfried's remarks.
He had lost control over his senses. He had blurted out the answer to a question he shouldn't have been able to understand.
Amelda felt weak and shaky.
He hated losing control.

Amelda buried his face in his hands and let out a long sigh.
As much as he hated Kaiba, there was something they secretly shared.
The fear of losing control.
Amelda looked up.
And averted his eyes instantly.

Cameras.
Everywhere he went, every step he made, every movement was monitored and observed.
The cold electronical stare...

XXX

Warning: graphic part starting below the line, if you want to skip it scroll further down until you reach the next line

XXX

"Open your mouth"

Amelda recalled the unfamiliar sensation bubbling up inside of him. Though he had met the desperate needs of quite some men (and plainly speaking who acquiring nocturnal services wasn't desperate), this time it had been different.
Was it still back then, when he'd been content with any demands in exchange for food or some place warm to spend the night? No, maybe not.
Perhaps after Dartz' and his paths had crossed again once more.
Being able to be of service for Dartz had made him proud.
And he had been hard on himself, exhausting his own limits in order to get stronger or simply to still his childlike curiosity to see whether he would collapse under the pressure.
But always for him.
Serving him.
Be of use to him.
Whether it was a contract, secret documents, information or other necessities, Amelda was willing to trade what talents he possessed, or if he lacked the needed traits, he would make up for it in different ways.
And he would do it for Dartz.

Perhaps it had been around this time.
Maybe before, maybe after.
Though he couldn't recall names or faces. No place, not even his purpose in those unfamiliar circumstances sprang to his mind.
He couldn't remember.
Nevertheless the experience had left its mark on his soul and burned itself into his subconscious. Something had gone wrong. He had had to make up for it, and this was when he had lost control…

"Acting so coyly now," he was mocked by the man in front of him, "The look of the blushing virgin does not become you."
He had removed his belt and unbuttoned his trousers, so he could stroke his erect flesh shamelessly in front of Amelda.

His cock felt disgustingly warm and moist as he gave it a few experimental strokes.
Amelda was shaking, barely able to hide his fear and repulsion.
Obediently following the man's instructions he was aware of someone else's presence.
Someone was watching them, observing the hideous act.
Though he wasn't the reason for his uneasiness.
It was the camera he had been holding.

Amelda groaned absentmindedly digging his nails into his thighs until they drew blood.
Despite him noticing the water's temperature had gone from barely seething to lukewarm.
Or was it the shame burning up inside of him?

Throughout his service Amelda had avoided looking at the electronical device and its lifeless eye directly.
He felt the dead eye's cold and penetrating stare.
Recording, monitoring his misery...

No.
Stop already.

Amelda let himself glide deeper into the tub in order to drown his thoughts. Drown out the disgusting panting and moans.
Drown out the revolting taste in his mouth and the repulsive feeling of the disgusting mix of his saliva and pre-cum dripping from his forcefully opened mouth.

Amelda took a deep breath before sinking deeper into the floating warmth.
Those were the shadows of days long gone.
He had survived and now he was in control.
But the dark sensations hibernating in his subconscious were rather persistent this time.

Close your eyes.
Don't look.
Don't feel and it will be over soon.

Amelda didn't feel nails digging into his skin.
He didn't feel fingers being pushed forcefully into his mouth, shoving it wider apart until tears sprang to his eyes.
He didn't feel the disgustingly warm flesh moving against his tongue.
His throat conquered, stifling his screams.

But he felt the stare electronical onlooker.
The camera shoved into his face.
And he didn't dare look.

"You're sure you've done this before? Come on…Use your tongue more…"
The obtainer was growing rather impatient.
Hands were buried in his hair as his head was shoved and jerked; picking up the pace the obtainer was so desperately moving at.
Amelda dug his nails into the man's thighs, barely able to suppress his gag reflex.

He didn't feel the slabs he received as punishment burning on his cheek.
Neither did he hear the mumbled curses.

Don't feel...

Amelda felt the obtainer pull away, the disgusting taste still lingering in his mouth.

His chin was forcefully pulled upwards.
"Open your mouth and show me!" he heard the command.

The panting subsided, as the obtainer's place was taken by the onlooker, camera still in hand.

"I said show me!"
He was yanking at Amelda's hair, pulling his head further up.
"Stick out your tongue. Show me my load."

A good shot was taken of this, the sound of the camera zooming in ascertained that.

"Now swallow."

He obeyed.

He often pondered, no...
Deep down Amelda knew and feared that this short clip, those dreaded minutes of desperation were still existent, possibly not only on the monitoring device itself, but on some pornographic video sharing website as well.
The thought of people getting aroused by this display, was making him sick and itchy all over his body.
Perverts watching his abuse while pleasing themselves...

XXX

Okay, we're in the clear again

XXX

He loathed the feeling of being watched, being observed.

Amelda stifled a sigh as he sank deeper into the warm liquid bed, the water brushing soothingly against his shaking body.

Dartz had been pleased with his offering.
He knew. Of course, he always knew.
He hadn't said a thing, but Amelda saw it in his eyes.
The compassionate bi-coloured stare.
Dartz had briefly thanked him for his commitment and brushed against him as had kissed his cheek amicably, yet without affection.
Like a master patting his dog.
And would leave him.
Yet, he had stopped.
Then he had turned around and had embraced Amelda, who willingly gave in and let his fears and insecurities be secured in those strong arms.

Dartz cared.

Amelda had finished brushing his hair and was already dressed for the night.
While still living at the Paradise headquarters he would sometimes find strands of the thick turquoise hair entangled in his brush or on his clothes.
The sight of it would make him smile.
...Dartz' soft embrace...
His skin brushing against his cheeks...
The soft hair Amelda loved to run his fingers through...

Amelda cursed himself for sometimes doubting his master.
He cared.
Of course he cared and would always protect him.
Dartz had been here for him, he could always rely on him.
And Amelda would do anything for his master in return.

Amelda sighed as he switched off the light and pulled the blanket further up.
And right now he longed for his support.

Thanks to DarkBia for your advice on this chapter. You are awesome!