Xiao

I narrow my eyes at the Monstadt diplomat. I know what he's trying to do, but unfortunately for him, Rex Lapis is not in fact gay. Years of abstinence sure made him seem that way, but his aversion towards women is grief for Guizhong, not an affinity towards men. I'd tried many times to find him high-class women to fill the hole in his oh-so-pitiful heart, but no foreign princesses or dainty duchesses could seduce his despair.

Well, this poor diplomat is in for a surprise. A wagon train of Monstadt specialties, ranging from aromatic Philanemo mushrooms to jars of valberry jam, is led by no other than a slave wagon containing a singular young man, a pleasure slave by the looks of it.

"Oh great and mighty Rex Lapis, Emperor of Liyue, I come bearing gifts from the prosperous nation of Monstadt. I hope we can solidify our trade routes so we can both benefit. Here are some of our nation's finest products." The diplomat bows.

Rex Lapis scowls, saying nothing. I can hardly hold in my laughter.

A few awkward moments pass before I relieve the poor man, "You may rise. I am the Yaksha Alatus, nice to meet you."

"I am Ambassador Harold, very pleased to be in your presence." He turns to Rex Lapis, "Rex Lapis, I have hand-picked you personal gifts in the first wagon." Harold scurries towards the slave wagon and brings out a bottle of dandelion wine. "This is our finest variety, aged for more than a hundred years! I do hope you enjoy it, Rex Lapis." He offers a sheepish grin.

"Wonderful." Rex Lapis is not amused, he nodded and waved the guards over "Bring these wagons into our storehouses. Ambassador Harold, we will hold a feast tonight to welcome you and your cohort to Liyue, we can discuss business matters tomorrow."

With a swirl of his cape, Rex Lapis is speeding back towards the palace, leaving Harold wondering what went wrong.

Later that day, I catch Rex Lapis on his daily stroll in the lotus gardens.

"So... Rex Lapis." I start, catching up to his long strides.

"Alatus?" He does not slow down for me.

"The slave in the first wagon earlier, is he still in the storehouse?"

"I'd expect so." Rex Lapis takes an abrupt turn into the rows of silk flowers.

"Can I... since you... you know... um... aren't going to use him?" I stutter.

"Alatus, do whatever you want, we aren't in need of a bard and I certainly have no interest at all, although I am looking forward to trying that dandelion wine..."

"Thank you!"

I dash the rest of the way to the palace storehouse.

Venti

It's cold. I'm cold. I'm hungry. I'm tired. It's dark. I'm thirsty.

I press closer to the sides of the cage. My lyre is on the other side, glistening in the dim storehouse light, mocking the state of my life.

Although, I can't really complain, can I? I'm about to be an Emperor's slave. That in itself should be a comfortable life, even if he doesn't like me much. Back in Monstadt, I'd still be playing tireless hours at the whims of thankless noblemen.

I'm right about to fall asleep when the storehouse doors open and the Yaksha from earlier today steps in. Perhaps it's time for me to show off my skills? I scurry towards my lyre and eye the strings. Are they even tuned? I should've tuned them on the way here.

"Hey. What's your name?" he's fiddling with the lock of my cage.

"Venti, sir."

"Alright, well you already know mine I'm assuming, I'm Xiao." He thrusts open the doors of my cage. "Unfortunately for you, the Emperor has no interest in you, but I do. Come." He holds out a tattooed arm, gesturing me to take his hand. "We'll go on a test run today, and maybe you can play some music after it all."

I step off the wagon and follow him through endless winding hallways and staircases. A sense of dread is dawning upon me and I'm not certain why. Did the Emperor really take one look at me and decide he didn't want me? What exactly did Xiao mean by "a test run" and then music *after*. Perhaps Liyue customs were just beyond my understanding.

Moments after I arrive at our destination, I begin to realize what exactly is going to happen. This is Xiao's bedroom, it seems, not somewhere I can publicly play music. The stockings and corset wrapped around my body suddenly feel far too revealing.

I barely have enough time to yelp before Xiao slams the door shut behind me and swoops me into his arms. We lock eyes for only milliseconds but the raw hunger I glimpsed is enough to make my hair stand on end.

"Sir?!" I finally squeak out.

He throws me onto the bed and brings his finger to his mouth, "Shhhhhh. Do as you're told."

I've seen this happen a million times in Monstadt. I was trained for this. I knew how to do it, how to please my master, but I'd never actually done it. I was what they called "flowered", not yet deflowered, but no training could prepare me for the paralyzing fear.

Xiao's much gentler now, his hands are guiding me to turn around so he can undo the corset. I oblige, taking in deep breathes. My corset wiggles free, and my blouse follows soon after.

I find his bed is rather comfortable, definitely feather down pillows and silk sheets, much better than anything I've ever slept in. As my shorts and my tights are peeled off, I try to focus on the comforts of the bed and stare at the ceiling instead.

Though no matter how hard I try to avert my focus, fear is consuming me and Xiao's golden eyes are all I can see.

Xiao

I should probably slow down a bit, he's looking a little terrified? The boy's naked on my bed and hardly moving. He's quite the specimen: impossibly lean, almost translucent pale skin, wide teal eyes, and two pigtails framing his face. Although I really thought they would be trained for this sort of thing.

A horrible thought crosses my mind. What if... he actually is just a bard? I pull away from him and hop off the bed. I've scattered his clothes everywhere in my room and I begin to gather them, maybe return him to some semblance of dignity.

He squeaks again. "Sir?!"

"Hm?" I pick up the last of his clothing and make my way back to the bed.

"Sir, why did you stop?" He's still lying there, unmoving.

I'm a bit taken aback, perhaps I'd misjudged my misjudgment. "Venti... What kind of slave are you exactly?"

He bolts upright and runs towards the door. For a moment I think he's going to escape until he picks up his lyre and blusters, "I can do many things sir! I can play the lyre very well, any song although I'd have to learn new Liyue songs. I can do anything to please you sir! I'm trained very well even though I've never actually done it. Never had sex... my previous master said I was flowered and that means I should be very valuable but if you don't want me then I can still play the lyre! I can also sing! I can sing about your adventures if you'd like anything you want-"

"Hey. Hey, that's enough." I shake my head, "By the way you were acting just there I didn't think you were prepared to go that far."

Venti's eyes grow even wider. "No sir! I was just a little scared, it is my first time. I'll do it now though!" He scampered back onto the bed. "Just tell me what you want me to do."

I chuckle, this was better than I had hoped for. I'd been begging Rex Lapis for a personal servant for a while now, not necessarily a bed slave, but this definitely exceeded any expectation I had. Afterall, the other nobles all had their own servants, why couldn't Rex Lapis dig into the treasury to get me one?

Venti

My fear had been replaced with a new one: fear that Xiao did not actually want me. I decided that it was worse for him to avoid me because I was undesirable than for me to be on the receiving end of something I've only experienced with my eyes before.

But oh god, is he big. I know that it'll hurt.

Xiao caresses my cheek with one hand and supports his weight with another. This time, he is truly on top of me and I no longer feel afraid. His muscular figure and sad eyes cage me into the bed.

I immediately regret my decision when I feel it. Pain explodes stars in my vision but I don't have the energy to scream. I'm vaguely aware of my limbs flailing, but they are quickly pinned by a gust of anemo. Nowhere to go, no place to be, nothing to feel but pain and the slight hint of pleasure. Each thrust feels worse than the last, and when I finally find my capability to scream, Xiao's hand is on my mouth.

All I can do is stare into his sad, hungry, amber eyes.

By the end of it, I am numb. The invasive presence is no longer in me, but I still feel like death. I'm shuddering, shivering, and sobbing. Xiao lies down next to me and holds me in his arms. He plays with my braids and strokes my thighs, wiping away the fluid. I'm not sure why I take comfort in his embrace when he was the one who made me this way.

We lay there for what seems like hours, my mind reliving the pain over and over, but at some point he leaves me in the bed alone. As I regain my sensibilities I remember the feast. Of course, Xiao is some big-shot Yaksha who needs to be there... and I am expected to play the lyre. At this point I am too afraid to even shift my body on the bed, how could I sing and play?

Another dilemma is brought to my attention when my stomach growls. In Monstadt, the noblemen would tip me scraps of their food or if the noble children would feel sorry enough they'd sneak me a strudel. How would I earn my food in Liyue?

"Master Xiao?"

He appears next to the bed, "Yes, Venti?"

I burst into tears again, "I'm sorry sir, I don't mean.. to cry." I say in between sobs.

"Don't worry, you'll recover within a few days and you'll be good as new." He takes a seat on the edge of the bed and pats my shoulder. "You'll get used to it."

I think about the mind-searing pain again and I sob even harder.

Xiao just cackles. "I need to get ready for the feast now, Monstadt and Liyue trade routes are of the *utmost* importance. I'll order you some dinner since I won't be here."

Dinner? For me? I stop crying. I suppose now my main source of food would be from sex. Perhaps a full meal every time! He may not be the Emperor, but I would be satisfied with this arrangement.

Xiao

The feast is a tiring, formal affair. Liyue traditional dancers, opera singers, and court jesters performed one after the other as the Liyue court and Monstadt diplomats ate side by side, chattering about arranged marriages and the dairy economy. As the leading Yaksha, I sat to the right of Rex Lapis and had a vantage point of the whole hall and a up-close view of Rex Lapis's disapproving demeanor. Hopefully he'd be in a better mood for tomorrow's trade discussions.

"How was he." Rex Lapis breaks the silence.

I almost spit out my tea, "What?"

"The bard. How'd you like him?" He gestures for his cupbearer to pour more dandelion wine into his glass.

"Well...he's quite the timid creature." I chuckle, "Very eager to please. Honestly good thing you didn't get me a servant earlier, may have been a blessing in disguise. I'd like to keep him, the boy, if you don't mind?"

"Of course. You said it yourself, I won't be using him. If I do want to hear some Monstadt tunes, I would ask of course." He paused, twirling his chopsticks, "You should train him for combat, though, for when you're in the field."

"Rex.. I'm an assassin."

"I sense he has the potential to receive a vision."

"What? He's a slave." I'm now intrigued.

"He is. Alatus, even slaves have the potential for a vision. It is not only aristocracy and the privileged. You, for example."

Uncomfortable memories press into my consciousness. "And I will forever be grateful for what you have done for me." I bow my head and pass the rest of the feast with small talk and trivial court drama.

I return to my room, exhausted. Putting up a smiling front towards the cocksucking noblemen and diplomats sure is draining. I'd almost forgotten about the bard until I crawl into my bed and feel a warm presence.

"Master Xiao?"

I startle out of bed. How did I forget after that wild afternoon? "Venti. I forgot you were there. Did you get your dinner?"

"Yes sir, thank you sir, it was very good sir. Would you like me to leave your bed now?"

I'm not sure how to respond to that, I don't exactly have a bed available for him elsewhere. "No, stay, it's autumn, Liyue's getting colder in the nights anyway."

I crawl back into bed and put my arms around his frame, quickly drifting into a fitful sleep, consumed by nightmares.

Venti

Where am I? I'm enveloped in soft warmth, like a cloud! Maybe I'm in heaven.

My eyes adjust to the brightness and I realize where. Xiao's bedroom. His bed. My behind fucking hurts, but I need to pee.

Very slowly, I maneuver my way out of the bed. Xiao is nowhere to be seen, but I need to go. Turns out he has a personal bathroom, but it is far too fancy. The toilet glistens with cleanliness.

My masters at Monstadt would never let me use their toilet, but they also never ordered me dinner either. Besides, how would Xiao find out anyway? He's not even here.

Just my luck, when I'm pulling my tights up, Xiao waltzes into the bathroom. My fight or flight response kicks in and I attempt to run past him into the bedroom. I don't get that far. He catches me on my shirt.

"Hey, where do you think you're going? I need you to run me a bath."

Run a bath? I don't know how to do that! I eye the fireplace in the bathroom. How was I supposed to light that without pyro?

"Venti, don't look so worried, all you need to do is heat some water for me. Use a torch from my bedroom." Xiao lets go of my shirt and I'm free.

Torch. What did a torch look like? Fire. Fire. Pyro. Heated water. I'm just a bard and a pleasure slave, I don't know anything about being a maid!

And goddamn my butt still hurst like hell. I can only really waddle at this point. But I mustn't take too long or else Xiao might get impatient. That would be no good.

When I finally found a torch and managed to deliver heated water into the bathtub without much delay, I realized something was oozing out of my asshole. Nervously, I reached behind to feel what it was. It was white and slimy.

I quickly slithered out of my tights so they wouldn't get soiled, and when I was bending down to remove them, I felt a slap on my bare butt.

"Venti, why did you take off your pants." Even as I straightened up, Xiao was pinching my butt cheeks.

I showed him my finger, where I had a glob of the white gooey liquid.

Oh.

It was cum from yesterday. How did I not realize?

Xiao gestures for me to come. "Take a bath with me." I step into the bathtub and he guides me so that I am sitting on him. "This should get you pretty clean, Venti." His hands dance across my chest and abdomen, his fingers lightly stroke on my thighs and waist. I shiver with the sensation.

I feel his skin brushing up against mine and his breaths down my neck. The water is wonderfully warm and I'm beginning to enjoy myself until I feel something press against my butt. I am not prepared to do this so soon.

Xiao must've sensed my panic because he brings me out of the water and steps out himself, delivering both of us a towel.

I can't help myself. As soon as I see him with an erect cock I start crying. I wrap the towel around myself and waddle out of the bathroom. This time, he doesn't catch me. I hope he didn't see my tears because how terrible of a pleasure slave would I be if I cried every time.

Xiao

I was not actually going to fuck him so soon, if that's what he was afraid of. He is quite the crybaby, and frankly, it's annoying. He can't run away every time I approach him.

Disgruntled, I toss my towel to the side and search for him in the bedroom. It's not very hard to find him, he's whimpering under my blankets. I peek underneath and he's curled up in a ball, tears streaming down his face.

"Venti," I sigh, "Come out of there."

"NO!" He snatches the blanket out of my hands and buries himself deeper.

Is he fucking with me? I summon a burst of anemo and my blanket, with Venti still in it, flies off the bed. He hits the floor with a soft thud and the blanket unravels. I'm about to slap him when we make eye contact and the most pitiful, terrified puppy-dog eyes beg me to stop.

"Master Xiao?" he rises into a kneeling position. "I'm sorry sir, I will make it up to you sir, I'll-"

I shut him up mid-sentence by forcing my dick down his throat. His eyes grow wide again and he gurgles, but I can't stand listening to his whiny voice anymore.

It's obvious that this isn't his first time, though, because he begins to lick and suck with fervor. I hold his head in my hands and help him get a little more leverage when deep-throating.

Naturally, by the time I'm done, he's crying and sniffling again.

"Th-thank you sir, for not making me..not making me do it again." He crawls back onto the bed and curls up on the pillows.

"You're such a baby, you know that?" I loom over him. "Why do you keep crying every single time." I wipe away his tears with my thumb.

"I-I'm scared sir. I'm sorry sir, I'll try not to! I'll be good, I promise!"

Jesus, why is he so desperate for my approval.

"Hey, look, you've already been good, ok, Venti? Even if you haven't, what's going to happen? What are you so afraid of?" I'm truly perplexed at this boy.

"If I'm not good, I don't get as much food and I get.. get beaten. Like just then when I said NO! That was very bad of me sir, I shouldn't talk back like that or refuse you. I need to be punished, sir, oh I'm so sorry sir!" He cried even harder.

What the fuck.

"How's this. Your punishment is to stay in my room until I get back, ok?"

He nodded vigorously, "Yes sir! I won't leave the room sir!"

Alright, with that, I felt satisfied to go and fetch the boy some breakfast.

Venti

If I was unsatisfying... what if he sent me back to Monstadt. I'd play until my fingers bled and my throat was hoarse but I was still background noise. Not enough to be noticed, to be fed, but if I stopped, then everyone would turn to me, they'd know I stopped, I'd be caned and I still wouldn't be fed.

Oh, how I miss waffles and sunsettia strudel. The Windblume Festival was always the peak, no one would notice if I pocketed a baguette or two.

I don't even know why I'm still hungry, I had dinner last night. An entire fish! I couldn't believe my eyes. It was worth it.

I'm not sure why Xiao thinks keeping me in his room is a suitable punishment, but this is a big upgrade from my cage in Monstadt. There's lots to explore in his room. I leap out of bed and waddle to the balcony. The door is ajar and sunlight is streaming in. I can't step outside though, the space is too open, the sky is too high. A sickening feeling of anxiety overwhelms me, so I turn away. There's a weapon stand of interest in the far corner of the room. I approach the centerpiece, a rich, green winged spear, seemingly glowing with energy. It's mesmerizing.

I reach out to touch the shaft and the moment I make contact, it emits a shock-wave of anemo, knocking me back. I'm a bit dazed, but when I come to, I realize that it knocked everything in the room back. There are papers strewn on the floor, books face down next to the bookshelf, and framed pictures are fallen and cracked. I really fucked up. There's no way that Xiao would come back happy about this.

My fear and anxiety bubbles up again, how do I even clean this up? I can't un-crack glass or put back the books exactly where they were. I suppose I'd have to try, so I dash around, picking up fallen figurines and stacking papers back onto his desk. I'm at a total loss at the picture frames though, it's cracked glass!

The bedroom door swings open as I'm musing over a picture. It's of Xiao and four other similarly tattooed warriors, smiling at the camera.