Authors note: Sorry for the wait but I have returned with this long awaited chapter. I hope everyone is still enjoying this and now there's a special twist on top of a twist. Have you figured out who Matty is in love with? Please read, review and enjoy.

Rights of honor

If the red head thought that this little trip was going to get his mind off the idea that Mail could be in love with him then he was wrong. The longer the corridor the more his thoughts caught up with him and the more he came to the conclusion that it had to be his father. There was no other reason for the red head to come to this castle if it weren't his father, the King , that he was in love with. Then again, Mello resided in the same castle so it could just as easily be him.

He scowled, why did he keep thinking about this? It was like he wanted the red head to be in love with him. If anything he was nothing more than a strange child that his father brought into their home to be his lover. But those beautiful green orbs that could easily warm a soul or freeze it continued to intrigue him. Everything about the boy intrigued him. That was something he didn't like.

"Are you okay?" Mail finally commented as he turned around corner. Either he had been wandering around on his own while Mello wasn't watching him or he was very good at remembering where things were here. Even to this day Mello still found places he had never been in this castle and yet the red head was managing to make his way through without even trying. "You've been quiet since we left the room. Are you worried about what your father might say to you?"' He quizzed lightly with a smile playing on his lips. It was something that bordered immoral and Mello forced himself to look away.

He took a few seconds to steady his mind and hoped that his voice would follow. "Why would it matter what my father has to say? You are my servant." He watched green eyes flicker in the torch light they passed. Did Mail look humorous? What did he find funny about this situation?

Instead Mail shrugged, "You're an interesting one, my prince." His voice was clipped as he slowed to a stop.

Mello followed nearly shoving him to make him move again. Instead he glanced up to find his father watching them with an amber gaze. There was challenge there. The same one that the man always held. Anyone who entered the castle knew that the king was a fickle man and even more so a frightening person to cross.

"Mail." He said lightly. Mello watched as the boy glanced down at his hands as if he had done something wrong. "I'm glad that you've managed to stay out of trouble recently." There was a wordless nod from the red head. "And how is my son treating you?"

Mail bowed, "Fine, my king."

Mello nearly erupted. How was he treating his servant? What the hell did this man care? He was the one that gave him the red head to begin with so why was he asking if Mello was treating him well?

"Father Matt is becoming a good servant." He said dryly. Even he could hear it as his father's gaze drifted to the side and finally rested on him for the first time since they encountered him. "I'm sure he could do better but so far he's learning."

A serpentine smile appeared on the King's face. "Learning indeed." He replied in a gentle coo. "Matt? Oh, you've changed his name? And so soon?" He questioned hearing the laughter in his own voice. Mello glared but the king continued. "Mello only names things that he finds precious. Congratulations Mail, you've become precious to my son in only a week."'

Mail looked taken aback, "Precious?" He echoed looking at the prince who was struck, mouth open wide in disbelief. "My King, I doubt someone with such a humble background as mine would be able to find favor with the prince of the lands."

Raito shrugged, "Perhaps. I'm glad you two are getting along. I have something for you to do Mail. Escort Mello to the garden where someone will be waiting for him." At Mello's look he smiled, "It's not your brother, simply someone I wish for you to meet with. Stay with Mello the whole time Mail. That is your duty, from the King."

Mail bowed deeply, "Of course my king."

"I'll be seeing you soon, Mail." With a wave of silken caps and fine embroidery the king passed the two and continued on his way.

Mail released a breath that Mello had no idea he had been holding. Did being around his father make Mail uptight or did he put that cute ruse on for everyone so they wouldn't suspect him? He faintly wondered if his father knew of Mail's true nature and took great perverse pleasure in the idea that it was only him that knew and that his father was being kept out the loop.

"Why are you acting like that? I'm sure you've spent plenty of time with my father alone." Mello's voice was dark but the red head didn't respond for several minutes. Instead he moved forward heading towards the gardens. "Matt." Still no response until the blond grabbed him by the shoulder and jerked. "I'm calling you dammit."

Green eyes watched the other with a mixture of emotions that the blond couldn't place. He wanted to and searched frantically for them but to no avail. Almost as quickly as he saw them they were gone. "I'm to lead you to the gardens Master." He replied softly as if he had been chastened already.

"I'm well aware of where you're supposed to be taking me. What's wrong with you is what I'm asking." He watched intelligent eyes search his face. It was now that he got the impression that Matt was intelligent. He knew it should have come to mind sooner after he found out about the manipulation, the darkness that bleed deep into Matt's thoughts but it still never occurred to him. Now as he watched the boy search his face to find something to say to him to silence him he knew. He couldn't play games with this boy. This boy was playing games with him.

Instead of an actual answer Matt shrugged. He turned his gaze away and continued down the corridor with the prince at his wake. If Matt didn't want to tell him now what was on his mind he would certainly get it out of him later.

The sun beat high in the sky shadowing a majority of the garden. In the bit of light that was present was yet another table like the one Near had sat at before Mello had been shot. Instead of Near there was a woman glancing into the distance with a dreamy expression on her face.

Matt and Mello exchanged looks as Mello took a seat in front of her. She smiled slowly finally panning her gaze to Mello. He wasn't sure when she realized they had entered if she ever actually did.

"My father sent me to meet you?" He said awkwardly watching as she extended a hand.

She nodded, "Of course, I am your betrothed."