Betrothed To The Prince...

Love or Lust?

After the breakfast, Ae lead Pete towards the surprise that he had prepared for him which was non other than the room that was exclusively designed for Pete to paint. When they moved towards the castle, Pete frowned thinking about the past incidences.

"Ae, why are we here?" Pete asked while pouting. "Because the surprise is here." Ae replied. "I don't want to be here.... I don't want to see the faces of those concubines." Pete said in protest. Ae stopped in his tracks and then turned around to face Pete.

"Love, there are no more concubines. After the incident, they all were sent back and this place is now converted into a place for indoor sports. Come along so that you can see the changes." Ae explained while holding Pete's hand and pulling him along.

Pete walked in reluctantly while still being doubtful whether Ae was speaking the truth or not but the moment, they stepped inside, the large hallway came into view with a big library. Some of the officials were busy going through the books and the maids were busy cleaning the desks.

"See, I told you... Come now, I want you to see the special place I have prepared." Ae said while pulling Pete along as he moved through the place, passing various corridors before he finally arrived in front of a huge door. It was magnificent and beautifully carved. Pete could see his name being carved into the wood.

"This is my gift to you. And you can spend your time here as much as you want." Ae said as he moved to push the door open. When Pete took a step forward, the large room filled with all the necessities for painting came into view. Pete could see the easel, brushes, canvas and paint being arranged neatly. The huge windows were covered with heavy curtains and the room was brightly illuminated.

"Ae..." Pete called in surprise while he looked around. He was not able to believe his eyes. "This is your own place for painting. I have arranged everything you need and in case there is anything I missed, please let me know." Ae said. Pete's eyes were filled with tears when he saw how much efforts Ae was putting in to make him happy.

He turned around and hugged Ae while crying in happiness, face buried in the chest of his husband. "Thank you Ae... Thank you so much..." Pete said in between sobs. Ae smiled as he circled his arms around Pete and squeezed him against his chest. "I am glad that you liked it. I tried to make it as comfortable as possible." Ae said. "This is more than beautiful." Pete assured.

Ever since Pete returned, he was being bombarded with the surprises by Ae. First the ball, then the gazebo, followed by their bed chamber and now this.... He didn't have words to explain how he was feeling.

Things were going fine at the palace and Oraphin was being watched thoroughly by guards. As for Pete and Ae, their relationship too was going so smooth that the emperor and his wife too were impressed. Satra was being careful to keep an eye on the odd things that would occur especially when he found that someone tried to escape the prison.

Ae had been busy whole day with the court matters and when he finally got time, he thought of making a trip to market to buy something for his beloved husband. He headed straight to the market square while wondering what he should buy when he stumbled into someone.

"I am sorry." Ae said without looking at the person in front of him. "Ae... It's been long. Did you miss me?" A female voice inquired. Ae looked up to see who had dared to call him with name when he saw Khem looking at him. "First learn to address the royalty." Ae reminded.

"Well... Your highness... I thought you missed me so you have come here." Khem said. "Missed you?? For what?? There isn't anything good about you to miss." Ae shot back. That made Khem's ego being crushed into pieces and she couldn't take the insult.

"Oh... So now that you are sleeping with that faggot so you think I am less important? If you have forgotten than let me remind you. It was me, whom you chose over your husband, to whom you came to relieve yourself, whom you trusted more than him. And now that he just took the attack on him, you think he is good enough? Can he give you the same pleasure as me? I can bet, definitely not because what I can do is not something he can." Khem said.