Apologies for the wait!
Was chionging chapter 5 haaaah
Disclaimer:
I DO NOT OWN THIS WORK, ASUMA RISAI (the author) DOES.
PS. Nobody owns Shiori either.
For any re-posts or re-uploads, please credit this blog!
This is a one man's show aka no editors, proofreaders, so on and so forth. If there's any grammatical error or terrible linguistic crime being committed in the post, just drop me a mail or a comment.
This is a one man's show aka no editors, proofreaders, so on and so forth. If there's any grammatical error or terrible linguistic crime being committed in the post, just drop me a mail or a comment.
And now, on to the real stuff.
Chapter 4
De'gorgement/Sec
Moist, heavy lidded eyes, lethargic movements, and a barely discernable soft sigh. All these minute yet beautiful movements made Shiori’s servants almost forget to breathe.
As Shiori’s body has been forcefully taken by a man who is much stronger than him just moments ago, and afterwards, without rest, having to continue working, Shiori could feel that he was physically strained. However, he refused to allow the fact that he was taken by a man to be a reason for him to shirk his duties. Holding on to his pride, Shiori continued with his taxing work without complaint.
Ever since that time, how many times have I been violently taken?
The office, the adjacent guest room…… Sometimes, when there was time to spare, Kurosaki would take his time to have sex with Shiori in Shiori’s own bedroom. Sometimes, he would not let Shiori go even when morning comes around.
Not only did Kurosaki penetrate Shiori, he would often make Shiori lie down stark naked and would command Shiori to spread his legs wide open. He would then suck Shiori’s desire until Shiori had climaxed several times. Shiori’s foolish and wanton self was always made to lay bare to Kurosaki.
Shiori’s pale sakura-coloured lips would always become Kurosaki’s prey shortly after.
He constantly thought of ways to escape Kurosaki’s embrace and the intertwining of their lips, but it seemed that Kurosaki would not leave the matter alone until he had conquered Shiori entirely.
The lewd heat lingered, unable to cool down, and the lips that had been kissed countless of times remained numb.
“I have completed today’s work.”
“Understood.”
Shiori placed his pen down gently.
After ensuring that the day’s tasks had been properly completed, Shiori made his way to the spacious courtyard.
A refreshing breeze passed through the courtyard, softly cooling Shiori’s hot skin down and washing away his tiredness from the day’s work.
Being here allowed Shiori to temporarily forget about the suffering and pain that that man had brought to him everyday.
To Shiori, someone who was unable to freely leave the palace grounds, the beautiful courtyard was a place that brought him much needed respite and peace.
Yet, if he stayed at the courtyard for too long, his subordinates would come running along and bring Shiori back indoors, afraid that Shiori would get sunburnt.
Shiori noticed that the courtyard’s atmosphere seemed different from usual.
Various flowers that were in full bloom and lush plants seemed to be wordlessly contending against each other to determine who was the most glamourous in their respective terraces. This soothing place was clearly very well-taken care of.
Upon seeing Shiori walking towards the courtyard, Kairi quickly left the main palace hall and hurriedly made his way to the courtyard himself.
“Um…… Shiori-san.”
Kairi, who was timidly trembling under Shiori’s glare just a few days ago, was actually approaching Shiori on his own initiative.
Shiori’s eyebrows creased in puzzlement.
“Has your work been completed?”
“Yes. What about you?”
Kairi, who was the future queen, held a higher position than Shiori. In accordance to this fact, it was actually Shiori who needed to address Kairi with honorifics. However, due to the initial differences in their position, Shiori was unable to change the he addressed Kairi immediately.
Kairi did not seem to mind Shiori’s prideful and aloof manner of speaking either.
“I’m still learning how to handle official business.” Kairi’s head lowered.
“I’m still unable to help much. I can only clean the place well.”
Kairi tilted his head slowly to gaze lovingly at the neat garden. Ever since Kairi came, the courtyard seemed to have been tended to better than ever.
That said, Shiori felt that he would always spot Kairi in the courtyard. Shou would then almost definitely appear in the courtyard shortly after, looking for his beloved Kairi.
“But I’m unable to clean and tend to the palace as much nowadays as my hands would always get rough and dry afterwards. Shou seemed angry whenever that happens, and now he refuses to let me clean anything.”
Kairi clenched his hands tightly.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice the tiny scars and dry cracks on Kairi’s small hand.
Naturally, Shiori, or anyone else for that matter, would not have noticed that fact. But since it was Shou, he would definitely notice.
The reason as to why Shou would get mad was simply because he did not want Kairi to be hurt in any way. Because he truly treasured Kairi.
The expression on Kairi, having been doted on so dearly by his lover, was absolutely dazzling and blissful. Their conversations were always sweet and they would constantly worry about each other’s well-being. Shou had wholeheartedly built up their relationship into something warm and irreplaceable.
A sudden kind smile that Shou would flash in the courtyard.
The person who was bestowed with Shou’s unconditional protection, valiant love, and the person who was able to make Shou to smile this warmly, is Kairi.
Kairi, who had time and time again, given Shou happiness.
“For what matter have you come to speak with me for?” Shiori inquired coldly.
As Kairi and Shou were on the same side and most likely saw things from the same perspective, Shiori would absolutely not open his heart to him.
“About that…… Shou told me that there would be a dinner party tonight. Would you like to attend it together with us if it’s not too troublesome for you?”
Kairi was still the same, using the same polite and courteous manner to converse with others.
“It seems that a Japanese man named Kurosaki-san had been invited too.”
It was obvious that Kairi had failed to realise that Shiori’s eyes darkened considerably.
“That… that is, since there will be Japanese guests attending tonight’s dinner event, Japanese food will definitely be served. Japanese food’s really good for your body and is really nutritious too.” With a look of earnest worry, Kairi lifted his head as he looked at Shiori.
Shiori had not been eating much recently. Having to endure a man, who was much stronger than him, pushing him down and teasing him again and again, Shiori’s body was unable to handle such treatment.
It was probably because Kairi had noticed that Shiori’s complexion had been getting worse recently, and that was why he invited Shiori to the dinner.
Judging from Kairi’s sincere expression, Shiori instinctively knew that Kairi was not doing so in hopes of currying Shiori’s favor.
Kairi looked as if he was very concerned about the condition of Shiori’s body, thus wanting to invite him.
Shiori heard that Kairi did not have any relatives to rely on. His caring attitude was filled with the immense love that he had for his new family.
However, Kairi’s caring and thoughtful actions only reminded Shiori of his miserable situation.
In the room adjacent to their tender lovemaking, he had to endure being violated by another man, and was not even able to make a single sound.
“...... I refuse,” rejected Shiori resolutely. Intimidated by Shiori’s fierceness, Kairi shuddered involuntarily.
“If you really wish to clean, I suggest that you clean your room. I see no necessity for you to clean unused rooms, especially a room that has nothing but a bed in it. ”
“Eh……?”
“The room that you had been using just moments ago is positioned very, very close to my workroom.”
Kairi immediately understood what Shiori’s words implied.
He stood rooted as his expression froze in sheer embarrassment, and soon after, his face turned a brilliant crimson red to the point where Shiori regretted saying such words.
--- I won’t forgive anyone who harms Kairi.
He simply could not care less.
Although Shiori felt remorseful for making Kairi feel so troubled, he purposefully put on a face that showed that he-could-not-care-less.
Shiori left the courtyard by himself, leaving a stunned and brightly blushing Kairi behind.
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“Has it ended……?”
Without knowing when, Shiori woke up stark naked in Kurosaki’s arms.
Kurosaki’s actions were always very extreme - he was only willing to release Shiori when Shiori had lost his consciousness.
Shiori did not know when the session ended and when he was made to climax as his consciousness slowly drifted off in the midst of getting fucked.
Shiori glanced at the clock that was placed delicately on the bed frame - it was now very late into the night.
The man who was soundly asleep beside Shiori was hugging Shiori against his broad chest confidently. He allowed Shiori to rest his head against his chest.
It could be said that Kurosaki’s body seemed too well-built to be true. His body that had clearly underwent intensive training would definitely let anyone, and more so his partner, feel that he is very reliable. However, that person was not Shiori. Who knew what sort of excuses this cunning man had told the palace workers such that he was able to stay overnight in Shiori’s room.
Shiori thought to himself that he should escape from this man’s arms. At that very moment, Shiori remembered something.
(Ah…… Today night is…...)
Shiori sat up quietly.
He crawled out of the bedsheets carefully, toes touching the cold floor soundlessly.
As he did so, something warm trickled down his thighs, making Shiori tremble.
It was the irrefutable evidence that he and that man had become one.
Pretending that he did not notice it, Shiori put strength into his legs. Not wanting to wake Kurosaki up, Shiori stealthily wore his clothes and wordlessly made his way out of his bedroom.
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It was already very late into the night. Shiori would always make his way to the palace’s vineyard at this time and the security would not stop him.
He walked alone towards the vineyard.
Upon reaching the vineyard, one could see lush, vibrant greenery.
Layers of brilliantly coloured grapes hung between the vivid green leaves. A soothing sea breeze blew across the hill.
Shiori let the cool sea breeze brush past him gently.
Without caring about senseless skirmishes for political power nor the interests of anyone, the grapes would always wait until the time they were supposed to mature and would steadily bear fruit.
Seeing them not pander to the selfish intentions of the people around them, bloom with the respectable notion of purely wanting to bear fruit, Shiori’s tired heart would always be healed by them.
This vineyard that belonged to the royal family has always been renowned and well-known among the countries that produce top-quality grapes used in the best wines.
In order to make fine wines, using grapes of fine quality is an absolute must.
Growing such excellent grapes doubtlessly required great effort from its gardener on top of backbreaking continuous costly research on how to improve the soil quality.
Although the Kingdom of Ecuratean was but a small kingdom, it is a country that produces one of the world’s top wines. This feat was not only due to Ecuratean’s land that was blessed with natural resources, but was also, more importantly, accomplished by the winemakers’ unyielding efforts.
The person who had helped the country to reach this level of achievement was Shiori, even though nobody gave him any sort of recognition.
Even the two giants of wine production - France and Italy, would send winemakers to Ecuratean specially to learn wine production techniques. Shiori was not someone who would skimp on winemaking research nor study efforts.
The areas that Shiori went was lighted up, and every grape tree’s growth and condition could be clearly seen.
“This tree…… seems to be a little ill.”
Shiori’s face was filled with worry.
Mildew growth, powdery mildew and fungal growth --- every grape vine has to endure various pest attacks and illnesses before they can actually bear fruit.
For most people, they would simply use pesticides and various chemicals to protect the grape vines from such issues. However, Shiori wanted to challenge such mechanised farming practices --- instead, he wanted to tailor his cultivation methods to the natural conditions that the crop faces in this very vineyard.
Only someone who could understand the grape vine’s condition better than anyone else could possibly be able to utilise the unique conditions of the vineyard in order to produce high-quality grapes and wines.
As Shiori truly treasured the grapes and wines, he did not care how much effort and time was needed of him to care for the grapes.
He believed that the more effort and love he poured into tending the vineyard, the more the grapes would reciprocate his kind intentions.
Being born and growing up in an environment which did not allow him to open his heart to anyone, his only companion was the grapevines.
When he poured more of his love into them, the more the grapes grew to become better grapes and made into fine wines, as if to repay Shiori’s boundless kindness. Only the grapevines would do so……
“I will tend to you properly afterwards,” whispered Shiori gently to an unresponsive party as he smiled quietly, as if soothing the tree.
Shiori would only reveal such a pure and sincere smile when there was nobody around.
To something that Shiori could open his hidden heart to, he did not need to put on any false fronts and did not need to care about his pride nor dignity.
It was only in this sort of rare occasion that Shiori did not need to build an iron-clad wall around his heart in order to desperately protect himself from being hurt by others.
As he strolled through the vineyard, his expression would be anxious at times, and smiling at other times. His pitiful solitary figure would make anyone feel tender affection for him.
Nobody has ever tried to understand Shiori. Everyone’s judgements of Shiori was based upon his cold appearance and first impressions of him, thus, they decided that Shiori was arrogant and haughty.
What could he possibly do about such malicious and untrue judgements?
The relationship between the two brothers had been decided from the very first time Shiori had met Shou.
Although his brother was known as ‘Noir’ by the masses, it was Shiori who lived in the shadows instead. Even though he knew that it was impossible for everyone to like him, no matter how hard he tried, nobody around him could understand him. The distance between Shiori and the others gradually grew wider.
The only thing that Shiori could possibly open his closed heart to was the silent grape vines……
Stopping every so often at some grape vines, Shiori had left markings and detailed instructions on various grape vines. He then made his way towards the vineyard caretaker’s small hut after he had covered the entire vineyard.
It was only this particular day of every week that the caretaker would be sleeping in the vineyard’s hut.
“My deepest apologies for disturbing your rest. May I trouble you to check on these vines tomorrow?”
“It’s no problem at all.”
Shiori was instructing the aged vineyard caretaker.
“I was simply a little concerned.”
The warm and gentle demeanor that Shiori had displayed to the grapevines was gone… He was using a rather haughty tone and was expressionless when addressing the caretaker.
“My apologies, I was being too nosey,” apologised Shiori curtly. He turned around and strode away from the hut, leaving behind the caretaker who was quietly sending Shiori off with grateful eyes.
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“Does he come here often?”
After Shiori had left the vineyard, a man approached the caretaker.
That man was very tall and well-built - when he stood beside the caretaker, the difference in their height was very obvious.
“Yes. His Highness would always visit this place every Thursday night.”
Shiori would visit the vineyard on the same day every week unceasingly.
“His Highness always uses the same excuse that he would suddenly feel concerned or that he simply felt like checking the grapes’ condition.”
“... That’s rather unexpected of him.”
Hearing that man’s casual comment, the caretaker laughed lightly.
“Is it really that surprising?”
“It is. I never would have thought that someone as proud as him would want to set foot in this sort of muddy place, nor attend to outdoor and taxing tasks that most people, especially the rich, would shun.”
“Yes, such tasks are very taxing indeed. Tilling and caring for the soil is always very, very hard work, and pruning the vines had always hurt my back terribly. There was even once when I couldn’t even move at all due to my back pain!”
“Are you alright now?” enquired that man as his eyebrows creased with worry and concern for the elderly caretaker. The caretaker replied calmly to that man, “I’m alright, I’m alright. I have already recovered. Back then, when my back was still aching badly and I had to go fer frequent treatments, I could not even move after I these ‘therapy’ sessions! Those days were really horrible. Moreover, I had the great misfortune to get a rough doctor.” As he recollected that part of his past, the caretaker could not help but to smile bitterly.
“Here, take a gander at this paper that has instructions written on it, will ya?”
The caretaker passed the slip of paper that Shiori had handed to him moments ago to the man.
“The instructions note that a certain particular tree requires extra attention. Later on, if you’d like, you can take a look at that tree fer yourself. This sort of detailed observation and instruction is not somethin’ anyone can do.”
Reading the comprehensive and elaborate instructions on the slip of paper, That man gave a shocked expression.
Only someone who had studied about grape vines tirelessly and frequently would be able to write such thorough instructions. This high level of content mastery was not something that a royalty who had studied on a whim or had studied merely to kill time could achieve. This could only be done by someone who had put in much more effort than what the average wine makers would usually do……
Moreover, this could only be done by someone who truly treasured the grapes……
The caretaker continued to speak to the astonished man.
“The day that I used to go fer them back treatments at the hospital was Thursday.”
The same day as today.
“And so?” queried that man rather disinterestedly upon hearing the caretaker’s cryptic comment.
“One day, I suddenly found out that His Highness would always come down to the vineyard on the days that I had to undergo treatment and was could only lie in bed uselessly due to the unbearable pain.”
On the days when the caretaker was unfit to carry out his job of looking after the grape vines, the person who had taken his place was……
“What?”
“Although His Highness would say that he had suddenly felt like visiting the grape vines, such excuses are clearly lies,” uttered the caretaker unhurriedly. Shiori had never once said ‘Let me help you’ nor had he forcefully made anyone accept his orders and intentions before.
“However, I do not wish to betray His Highness’ kindly intentions, Thus I’m still pretending that I haven’t notice his intentions till today.”
The truest actions of kindness and warmth are not done with the intentions of receiving thanks from others, but are instead, done even when no one is aware of the deed, and even when the deed will receive no form of reciprocation……
***End of Chapter 4***
