Ash wanted to see if he could use him instead. The difference would be that when he used someone innocent, he would always make sure the other didn't make a loss. All human interactions could be considered as an exchange; as long as he gave someone an advantage, he could use them in return and nobody would feel abused. This approach also permitted him to get his way without hurting his own conscience. Well, here, the key word was "innocent"; he wouldn't have any remorse using and breaking people who weren't. After all, his morals weren't that good to begin with.

Since this little servant seemed to be already gay, he wanted to try and seduce him. Even if the other person remained a guy, Ash didn't really care. No matter what one's gender was, they were still human; as long as both parties were willing, he wouldn't care about the details. As for the reason why he wanted to use this servant's feelings, he just wanted to keep someone loyal by his side, someone he would be able to use in his plot, which he needed the most right now. After all, the only thing that could make someone willing to follow you, apart from money and glory, might only be love.

Thus, while he was calmly walking on the sand and toward the fence, Ash focused his gaze on the youth, observing his bright eyes, the way the latter averted his gaze in shyness and the way he gripped his towel as if it were the only thing keeping him in life.

When he saw that Prince Ayden was indeed more or less walking in his direction, Benedict felt his heart beat madly, his face reddening, and he wondered if the nobleman was actually eyeing someone else behind him. He didn't dare believe the other really looked at him with such an intense gaze. Even though he knew the latter had a fool's reputation, he still couldn't help but feel bashful.

He watched whilst the prince calmly bent to pass below the fence, just a few steps away from him, and dazedly looked as the man stretched his hand to take the towel. However, he didn't take it from Benedict's hands but directly leaned toward him to wipe the sweat on his face, dangerously close. Ash chuckled lowly when he saw the other's red face and wide eyes that didn't dare to look elsewhere, as if bewitched.

"Cute." He commented in a low voice, with a teasing smile.

Then, he straightened his back, letting go of the towel the youth was still holding in a daze, and left with a smirk hanging on his lips, while the servant wanted to shyly cover the blush on his face. The latter quickly lowered his head to hide his bashfulness, wondering in disbelief what happened. Yet, when he thought the prince had already left, a deep voice sounded behind him.

"Benedict." Ash called him.

Startled, the youth felt his poor little heart couldn't take any more: His Highness actually knew his name!

"Y, yes?" He turned and stammered, his fingers trembling nervously.

Now, the only thing he could hear was his own loud heartbeat and he even forgot to use the other's title to answer. Yet, the second prince didn't seem to be angry at his lack of etiquette. He even looked amused, a half-smile hanging on his thin rosy lips.

"Follow me." Ash simply ordered before turning toward the castle, not waiting for Benedict's response.

The latter was momentarily stunned but he quickly trotted behind him, dazedly thinking about the prince's sexy lips, under Philip's thoughtful gaze.

After Ash heard the footsteps following him, he focused on the castle in front of him. It was made of white stones and decorated with statues of knights, angels and other gargoyles. The doors and windows were made of sturdy carved wood; some depicted epic scenes of dragons and knights, others displayed peaceful scenes of gardens full of roses and women. A few threes gave shade to the people coming and going on the paved path under the chirping of little birds while the grass and flowers were well maintained, offering an elegant but peaceful exterior where nobles could rest their mind and get a breath of fresh air.

Ash estimated that, despite this peaceful façade, the security remained thorough. With a quick glance, he noticed the lack of exits; the only one available he could see was the castle's gate. The walls seemed in good shape, with no chance for any crack where someone would be able to go through, and there weren't any secret passage in Ayden's memories of the place.

Moreover, a few royal guards were keeping the place in order, recognizable thanks to their golden armor and stern face, but at the moment, they were already sweating buckets despite the slightly cool morning breeze. They were either patrolling outside, guarding the doors of the castle or silently checking the inside's security. Ash could guess they were well trained despite the lack of danger, thanks to the way they moved, the way they looked around with a cold gaze and the fact that they easily sensed his observing glance.

One of them, Fernand, had been watching the princes' match. He ran to keep up with Ash and Benedict since he was Ayden's personal guard. Philip also had a royal guard at his service; the two of them had been given by the King to protect his sons. As a result, Fernand stayed professional but he wasn't particularly zealous, only taking his orders from the King and nobody else. Ash also wanted to use him considering that the guard could help add a layer of protection around him but he knew it would be a bit more difficult than seducing a young gay servant.

Once inside the castle, a red carpet absorbed all the sounds from footsteps and only hushed voices could be heard from time to time. The walls were decorated with paintings and tapestries lined with gold and, when the sunlight dimed, the place was lit thanks to beautiful chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings. The air smelled of heated carpet and varnished wood while a few potted plants added a touch of freshness. The castle thus appeared luxurious but not too grand, with just the right balance between noblesse, solemnness and warmth.

After going through the numerous corridors and stairs, Ash finally arrived at Ayden's princely suite, Fernand and Benedict tailing him. The royal guard stood at the door to perform his duty as the prince and the servant came in. The vast living room they entered was connected to the other rooms of the suite: the bathroom, the bedroom, the study and the balcony. The study could also be accessed by the corridor they just left while the bathroom and the bedroom were linked by a door. The balcony also had a few potted plants in full bloom, surrounding a tea table and a few chairs. The suite was luxurious but warm, showing Ayden seemed to actually be someone who wanted to get close to other people but was restrained by his own status.

The prince's maids had already prepared his bath so when he arrived, they ushered him in the bedroom to undress him. Ash got his clothes off by himself as he wasn't willing to let them touch him; just thinking about it would make him feel nauseated, shivering in disgust, even though he completely didn't care being looked at.

Still, he had always been sensitive to other people's gaze and mood and, under one of the maids' intense stare, he felt a little uncomfortable. Anyway, he didn't intend to react and just acted as if he didn't notice since it wasn't even his own body; and regarding its original owner, the latter was usually pretty wild and lacking in decency, sometimes even taking liberties with his maids. He doubted that the prince would get shy when being looked at.

He knew someone probably framed Ayden in the storyline by inserting evidence in his study and the person who did it was most likely a servant. Ash thus deducted the maid observing him may be a spy sent to observe him but he couldn't guess who could have sent her as there were a lot of possible suspects; most probably the King or Philip. Yet, he wasn't that eager to get rid of her since she could become a double-edged weapon at his service. After all, apart from having a few loyal servants, he also needed to control the flow of information around him.

Meanwhile, Benedict, forgotten at the side, didn't know what to do. The second prince asked him to follow him but now, he could see the man's broad naked back. His muscles were refined and powerful but not too bulky, just the right amount to look both sexy and dangerous. The youth felt his fantasies were becoming more and more disrespectful to His Highness so he lowered his gaze as his face heated up.

"I saw you seemed interested." Ash said but his tone held an implied question.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't mean to be rude." Benedict quickly replied; this once, he didn't forget to use the prince's title but he completely misunderstood the question, thinking the man had noticed his intense gaze.

"I was talking about the training." Ash smirked and teased. "What did you think I was talking about?"

"N, Nothing, Your Highness." The youth weakly stammered while searching for a good and believable excuse. "I was just lost in my thoughts despite how disrespectful it was, which is the reason why I apologized. As for the training, I was indeed interested in it. Your Highness' moves were fast and efficient, truly amazing."

He didn't forget to sincerely praise the prince even though he didn't know if the latter would like it. He also looked up by reflex but then quickly lowered his head as he was greeted with a handsome naked figure. Thanks God for this beautiful view, he couldn't help but guiltily think. After seeing this ass, I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight... Wait... I shouldn't refer to God when I'm thinking about dirty things...

"I wish I were able to use the sword but I know it would be too presumptuous for a mere servant like me." He added after swallowing a mouthful of saliva, trying to get rid of the images in his mind.

Ash lightly glanced at him over his shoulder while he asked, a half-smile hanging on his lips.

"Would you like to learn?"

He then entered the bathroom without waiting for the response. He passed in front of the full length mirror, stuck to the wall. Ayden was tall and slender but not in a delicate kind of slender; his body seemed powerful even though it wasn't that obvious. Just like a cheetah, he had a lazy air around him yet it also felt dangerous; people could feel that he might nimbly spring into action in a second. He also had a head of blond hair; paired with a high straight nose and vivid blue eyes, he indeed looked like a prince.

He had a lot of charm but, contrary to Philip who appeared elegantly noble in a dignified way, Ayden looked more like a predator, a depraved, lazy and corrupted noble. Ash couldn't help but think that he had his job's face: a villain indeed, a handsomely devilish villain. No wonder the young servant would redden in shyness at every glance he spared him. It made his plot to seduce him easier but he still intended to do it seriously, cultivating the good feelings between them.

However, there was something amiss in Ayden's reflection. The look in his eyes appeared incredibly sharp, as sharp as a knife, which added another layer of danger in his appearance. It was Ash's gaze, a gaze he thought would have been hidden by the prince's look but that was instead distorting it. Indeed, he thought. I should have guessed it would be this way. There were some people who went through things others would never know and those experiences would always leave a mark in them. In Ash's case, his gaze had become sharp through the years, so sharp that people usually couldn't stand it. In Ayden's body, the effect was reduced but it still stayed there, slightly affecting people.

"I wouldn't dare!" Benedict quickly replied, aware of his own place, while the other was scrutinizing his reflection.

Author's Note: Blame me, I'll update slowly in the beginning but don't worry, I'll go a little faster for the next few arcs.

Also, thanks Suzaku97 for voting! You're the very first one!