AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter has been edited a lot (a little under half of it is missing) to conform to the M-rated guidelines. Please visit my profile to find out where I've currently got the uncensored version stored. Thanks!

Part Four

It barely seemed like a week ago when they had first been forced to tolerate each other, and now, they were closing in on their second anniversary. It had been difficult; they both lived halfway across the world from each other, but those moments they were finally close enough to touch each other made the months apart seem like nothing.

This was not one of those moments. This was pure, selfish sex; to make up for lost time since Robert's last visit to America, and whilst once he never even knew what he was missing, he now craved the feeling of his lover's lean, muscular body wrapped around him every single day he was without it.

As Gustav poured the Jasmine tea out for his master, Robert unfolded the newspaper which was sitting beside his breakfast plate. One look at the front page, and the nobleman closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

"Bring the tea to my office. I am expecting a telephone call." He sighed as he stood up and headed off in preparation.

He hadn't seen any photographers at the airport, but he really hadn't been given the opportunity to see very much at all, thanks to his enthusiastic lover. But there they were on the front page of the most popular national newspaper, amidst a passionate kiss.

It wasn't a long article, but his full name was mentioned enough times to know his uncle would be completely livid.

Michael had been slow to take a bath and wander down to the informal dining room. He was still stretching out his limbs as he made his way in. The previous night had left him feeling like he had done several of Judy's last-minute training sessions!

There was an abandoned plate and a newspaper at the head of the table, which Gustav was quick to apologise for upon his return to the room.

"So, is Robert coming back for this, or what?" His guest was polite enough to pull up a chair at the side of the table, but that's where his manners ended, as he reached over and dragged the setting in front of him.

Gustav tried his best to keep his disappointed frown internal. "No, I do not imagine so."

"All right! Check it out - I'm on the front page!" Michael cheered, holding the newspaper up and grinning at himself. "This is going on my wall."

He laid the paper out on the table and stared at the German text, picking out a few familiar words, but not understanding most of it. He could see his name, and that was the important part.
"What does the headline say?"
"It is a crude joke about good sportsmanship." The butler answered.
Michael laughed as though he'd read it himself. "Well, they've got that right."
"Would you like me to translate the article for you, Master Michael?"

Robert wouldn't be back until he had finished his dreaded phone call, and if Gustav could distract the boy from overhearing the inevitable argument, it would be better for everyone involved.

It was not the sensationalised article the American boy was used to. There were no fake rumours or exaggerated details, just a simple description of what the reporter saw. It was nice.

"I wish they'd write things like that back home." He was still smiling about how sweet his relationship sounded to someone looking in.

The older parts of the castle were relatively soundproof with their ancient stone walls, but both the informal dining room and Robert's office were in a newer extension. Luckily, to Gustav's trained ear, it sounded like the phone call was wrapping up.

Michael had finished his ill-gotten breakfast, and was looking at himself in the newspaper again, when the master of the castle returned.

"And they call that journalism? It is pathetic." Robert made a gesture which meant he required more tea, and the butler hurried away, without a word spoken between them.
"It's a cute photo." Michael insisted, adding with a cheeky smile, "If you look real close, you can see how far my tongue is down your throat."

The knight dismissed the joke with a huff. "That is physically impossible."
"You want a recap, then?"
"Is that all you ever think about?"
Michael reached under the table to stroke his lover's leg. "I didn't hear you complaining last night."

"There is a party tonight." Robert changed the subject, whilst grabbing for the adventurous hand. Once captured and pinned on the table by the wrist, he added apologetically. "My family expect me to attend."

He didn't want to go, but he knew all too well what he wanted was of no concern to the Jürgens.

"Sounds like a riot." Michael had met Robert's aunt and uncle once before, and he had never felt so inferior in his life. "And I forgot to pack my ermine coat."

"A shame. They would have liked that." It was difficult to tell if he was meeting the sarcasm with his own, or being serious. "If you do not want to go, I would never ask you to."

He had been aware that the party was being organised, but he was hoping it would fall later in the month - after Michael's visit. He was determined to make sure none of his personal turmoil was ever revealed to him.

As arrogant as Michael appeared, there had been times behind closed doors when he had admitted his doubts - that he wasn't good enough for the love of royalty... that he didn't belong in a castle. The last thing Robert wanted was for him to know just how much his family agreed with those sentiments.

He knew it was a bad idea letting his common lover accompany him, but if his family could just see how happy they were together... maybe they would grow to accept him?

It was a ridiculous hope; a romantic dream fit for a teenage girl, but somewhere deep inside, he wished with his every fibre that the party might not be the nightmare he fully expected it would be.

The palace where it was being held was huge, so if things went badly, there was enough room to get away from judging eyes. When forming a battle strategy, it was important to have a plan of retreat... and knowing his family, he was going to need one.