* * *
On a thunderous night, a visitor arrived—Baron Baker, Nael’s father.
“Baron.”
Nael opened the door and ushered the man inside.
The baron’s rounded belly entered the shabby hut before his feet did.
He wrinkled his nose at the damp and unpleasant interior, pulling out a handkerchief to cover his face.
The dim space was so eerie it seemed an evil spirit might materialize at any moment.
“Lily.”
The baron wasted no time, immediately calling for Lily.
“…Yes.”
A pale and slender figure stepped forward.
The baron clicked his tongue as he surveyed her in her tattered, shabby clothes.
“Let’s go. They’re waiting.”
“Yes, Baron.”
As Lily prepared to follow, Nael stepped in front of her.
Though terrified of the baron, Nael managed to stammer out his words while trembling.
“Sh-she’s sick… It’s raining… Where are you taking—”
“Tch. What’s your sister good for anyway? She needs to do something to earn her keep. How long do you expect me to tolerate her lying around uselessly? Come on!”
The baron grabbed Lily’s frail wrist and started dragging her.
Lily let out a pained whimper, prompting Nael to plead.
“She can’t go. You know she can’t, Father!”
The baron froze at that word.
“Who are you calling ‘Father’?! You wretch! How dare you address me like that when you were born from a lowly woman’s womb!”
The baron’s shout echoed as he shoved Nael’s chest.
The force crushed the blueberries Nael had lovingly wrapped for his sister, staining his shirt a deep purple.
But Nael couldn’t afford to care.
If it meant protecting Lily, he would kneel or beg—whatever it took.
His voice quivered with desperation, his gaze heavy with pleading.
“Please, Father. I’ll go. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it. Lily needs to rest.”
“You?” The baron raised an eyebrow.
“Are you saying you’ll serve tonight instead?”
Nael’s face crumpled in shock, but the dim lighting hid his expression.
He knew Lily wouldn’t survive it.
How could someone who struggled to breathe endure such a thing?
“She won’t make it. She might collapse… or worse, anger the client and bring shame to you, Father. Please, let me—”
Nael bit his lower lip, his voice faltering.
The baron snorted, flicking his tongue in thought as he glanced between Nael and Lily.
“Are you saying you’ll handle it?”
Nael shivered, overwhelmed by cold and anger.
He hated the man who had abandoned them.
Tears blurred his vision, but he forced himself not to cry. There was no time to hesitate.
“Yes. I’ll do it.”
Nael told himself it would be over after a few slaps for being the “wrong” gender.
But he couldn’t have been more mistaken.
Nael found himself subjected to unexpected luxury—a bath and a soft robe.
It seemed unnecessary since he assumed he’d only be beaten.
Yet, under the baron’s watchful glare, he complied without a word.
“Remember,” the baron sneered, “if you’re thrown out tonight, Lily will have to go in your place. So do as you’re told. Don’t resist, even if he hits you. It’ll be your fault anyway.”
The baron grumbled as they approached the guest chamber.
“Should’ve brought Lily. This boy’s useless…”
Two knights stood guard at the bedroom door, their presence intimidating enough to make the baron clear his throat awkwardly.
“Go on. And don’t forget what I said.”
“Yes, Baron.”
Nael took a deep breath.
He just had to endure one night.
As long as he didn’t fail…
The knight opened the door, and an ominous darkness seeped through the gap.
Stepping into the room felt like being swallowed by a colossal storm.
Moonlight filtered through the rain, faintly illuminating the space.
Against that light sat a towering figure, its back to him.
Even without seeing his face, the man’s sheer presence was suffocating.
Nael instinctively clutched his throat, struggling to breathe.
“Who are you?”
The man’s low, chilling voice reverberated through the room, making Nael’s body freeze.
Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay.
Lily’s fate depended on it.
He heard a soft chuckle, followed by the unsettling sound of a drink being poured and swallowed.
“I…”
Nael began, his voice trembling.
“A man.”
The words struck Nael like a blow.
Before he could react, the imposing figure closed the distance between them.
Crimson eyes bore into Nael’s soul, and his legs gave out beneath him.
The man crouched, his long black hair cascading over Nael.
Rough fingers lifted Nael’s chin, his mocking smile freezing Nael in place.
“What’s your name?”
“N-Nael Baker.”
The man repeated the name, a sardonic laugh shaking the room.
Then his tone turned sharp and menacing.
“The baron sent his son? Ridiculous. What did he tell you to do?”
“To… serve you.”
“Lies.”
“It’s true! That’s all he said…”
The man cursed under his breath and issued a curt command.
“Strip.”
Nael hesitated, confused, but eventually untied the robe with trembling hands.
It slid off, leaving him completely bare.
The man inspected the discarded garment before returning his gaze to Nael.
“Open your mouth. I need to check if you’re hiding anything.”
“There’s nothing I’m hiding.”
“I’ll confirm that myself.”
When Nael slightly opened his mouth, a rough, calloused finger forced its way inside, prodding harshly as if digging into the delicate mucous lining.
It stirred roughly, causing saliva to drip uncontrollably as Nael suppressed the urge to gag.
When the man’s finger pressed against his throat, Nael couldn’t help but cough violently.
Transparent saliva splattered as he coughed, unable to swallow.
His stomach churned with dry heaves, and a bitter taste rose from his empty stomach, which had been neglected all day.
Just endure it.
He told himself that if he could just endure this, it would pass without further trouble.
The man’s rough “inspection” left tiny scratches on Nael’s tender mucous lining.
When the finger was finally removed, Nael coughed and gasped for air, wiping the saliva from his chin with the back of his hand.
The man grabbed Nael, who was still struggling to breathe, and yanked him forward with a grip so strong it felt like his wrist might break.
With no strength to resist, Nael was pressed chest-first onto the table.
The man spread his legs apart.
“Wait! Please, wait! Uh—!”
As Nael tried to lift his upper body, a large hand pressed down on his back, making it hard to breathe.
Tears that had been welling up since they were in the cabin finally spilled over, pouring uncontrollably as if a dam had broken.
“Please… hic… there’s really nothing… hic… I swear, Master…”
Nael pleaded with tearful desperation, but the man began his invasive inspection of a place no one had ever touched.
* * *
