Landon rode in the chariot behind that of the prince. He was happy that he didn't have to share a ride with the prince. That man was pure evil he thought as he recalled what happened in the bathroom earlier as he took a shower.
*****
Flashback
"At least I get to be safe," he uttered out loud.
"Of course," he heard behind him and froze. He only had a light cloth covering his body. The flower petals might have hidden his body under the water but he could still be exposed.
"Why did you stop, keep going," the prince ordered and climbed the side of the tub. He says at the tip of the tub and stared at Landon's soft shoulders. He had met many creatures but the one in front of him was a mystery to him. He had no animal ears, no traits of any species. She was delicate and fragile like glass.
He has never met a creature like her. He was curious about her identity and that was the reason that he was taking her along with him to the palace. She had accused him of taking advantage of her and got the people to point figures at him and he hated that. Even his men thought that he was guilty because he had a lot to drink the hours before being accused.
The truth was not always black and white since he was not at all drunk when it all happened. He was incapable of being drunk even if he drunk a whole tank full of alcohol he would still be sober. He was in his senses when the girl came into his room and wide awake too. Everything she did was because he allowed her to do it.
He looked at the scratch marks on her shoulder and neck and smirked. 'What a cunning sheep?' he thought and put his fingers in the water. He enjoyed watching how tensed she became when he was around.
"Tell me why did you refuse the maids to give you a bath?" he asked pouring water on Landon's shoulder.
"I didn't want them to see the marks of your terrible deeds," Landon replied improvising as to draw the prince's attention away from him.
"I see. That is nice of you to think about me," he said brushing his hands on the place that Landon scratched at the inn. Landon shivered as his hand brushed against his bearskin. The prince got up from the tub and walked away, Landon took released as a sigh of relief when he left. He was glad that the prince didn't trouble him or get too close as his secret would have been revealed.
He closed his eyes and laid his head back on the tub to relax. The water splashed on him with force and he opened his eyes. His sockets went wide as his eyes threatened to escape when he saw the prince with his bare chest in the water right in front of him.
Fear ran down his body, he wanted to leave the tub but his cloth was wet and it hugged his body. If he were to dare leave the tub then the prince would know that she is a he.
"What a..are y..you do..doing in here," he asked nervously.
"Taking a bath. What else would a person do in a bathtub?"
"But I am taking a bath. How can you a woman's bathtub like that? Have you no shame?" he asked scared as the prince moved near to him. He turned around and had his back to the prince, he his chest away from him.
"Why are you shy. Is there a part of your body I didn't see when I...," he said leaving the rest for him to answer? "Lady Lara, have I not already seen you so why turn away from me?"
Landon felt his breath hitch when he embraced him from the back. The prince's hands hugged him and settled on his stomach. Landon closed his eyes and crossed his fingers praying that the prince doesn't move his hands up his chest or down his waist or he would be doomed.
"Let go of me or I will scream. You are not my husband hence have no right to touch me," Landon threatened and the prince laughed loudly next to his ear. His laugh sent trickling sweat down Landon's back.
"I will do with you as I want and no amount of screaming can help you. Just wait and see how I make your life miserable once we arrive at the palace. By the time I am done with you, you won't even be able to scream for help," he declared to Landon.
He held Landon's waist with a force that Landon was sure that he had left a mark on him. He blew hot air on Landon's bare shoulder and make Landon tremble.
"You were right earlier. You will be safe from the world with me, I will protect you from anyone who might want to cause you harm," he said making Landon feel warmth in his heart. He thought that he had misunderstood the prince. After all, he had chosen such a terrible way to become a part of his life for protection and comfort. The prince had every right to be angry with him for a while but he was glad the man had come to his senses and was being a gentleman.
"But no one in the world will be able to save you from me. I will ruin you every single day of your life, I won't rest a day before I destroy a part of you. You will die every day slowly by slowly until you disappear into thin air. To the world, you will know me as my queen but in reality, you will be nothing more than a caged prisoner sentenced to die every single day of her life. This is my promise," he added in a sharp bitter voice that terrified Landon.
He kissed Landon on the shoulder before walking out of the bathtub. He stopped on his way out and turned around and stared at Landon. He winked at Landon and went away.
****
Landon trembled in his seat when he recalled the threat that the prince had given him. His heart began to question whether life in the palace was worth it with the prince as his husband.