Cruel Prince

"Few months before Clown 🎭🃏 had been dragged to the castle, chained and bound and knelt before the future king, everyone around calling him 'wedding gift'. Clown 🎭🃏 was expecting to be either sold off once again, left to rot or just abused to no end, but it seems the crown prince is keeping him as close as he could be. He was not allowed to leave Haden's side at all, and he had to follow every word Haden said."

"Even now, Clown 🎭🃏, was on his knees at Haden's feet, a leash around his neck, the other side held by Haden tightly. Haden was tapping his fingers in annoyance as he listened to his spouse whine, about being more interested in Clown 🎭🃏, a slave, than in their marriage and alliance."

"Haden only rolled his eyes, fidgeting Clown 🎭🃏's leash in his fingers."

"Merlin's" thoughts drifted in the quiet of the moment, his gaze flickering up to "Haden" briefly, then darting away. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of "Haden's" displeasure heavy in the air. Yet, beneath it all, a flicker of something else lingered, a silent plea for escape or understanding. "Haden" noticed "Merlin's" glance, a glint of intrigue sparking in his eyes, a subtle invitation lingering in the air.

"Haden" watched as "Merlin" averted his gaze, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled for the room to clear, leaving them alone in the quiet aftermath. Leaning back in his chair, "Haden" regarded "Merlin" with a calculating gaze, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

"What do you think, "Merlin"?" he drawled, his tone low and deceptively casual. "Do you enjoy these little... displays of affection from my dear spouse?"

"Haden" leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense as he studied "Merlin's" response. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he listened to "Merlin's" careful words.

"So, "Merlin"," he murmured, his tone low and suggestive, "do you find her displays of affection... intriguing?" He leaned in closer, his voice a mere whisper, laden with unspoken promises.

"Haden's" lips curled into a sly grin at "Merlin's" carefully neutral response. Leaning back once more, he eyed "Merlin" thoughtfully, toying with his wine glass as the silence stretched on.

"No opinion, you say?" he mused aloud, his gaze intent upon "Merlin." A glint of challenge entered his eyes as he continued, "Come now, "Merlin". We both know a sharp mind like yours cannot help but observe... and draw conclusions."

Reaching down, he curled a finger under "Merlin's" chin, tilting his gaze upwards.

"I want to hear your honest thoughts," he murmured, low and commanding. "Do not fear speaking freely with me..."

"Haden's" lips quirked in a sly grin at "Merlin's" careful response. Leaning in close, he murmured, "Careful avoidance, "Merlin". But you raise an insightful point..."

He traced a finger along "Merlin's" jaw, delighting in the way "Merlin's" breath hitched ever so slightly at his touch.

"One's standing need not dictate their ability to observe truth," "Haden" murmured, his eyes gleaming with a hint of dominance and promise.

"Some truths even I have yet to uncover." His gaze bored into "Merlin's", a thunderstorm of implication behind blue eyes.

"Perhaps you could... enlighten me, "Merlin". With your sharp mind and honest tongue. What truths have you observed that I have overlooked?"

"Haden" observed the subtle changes in "Merlin's" expression and breathing with keen interest, delighting in how affected "Merlin" was by his ministrations. Leaning in teasingly close, he purred, "Your clever evasions only serve to pique my curiosity further, "Merlin.""

Sliding his hand along "Merlin's" jaw, "Haden" tilted his chin up once more, holding his gaze intently.

"While my eyes see much, even I am not infallible," he murmured, his breath ghosting over "Merlin's" lips. "So why not enlighten me with your... unique perspective, hmm? I promise no harm will come to that sharp tongue of yours."

A lazy smirk curled his lips. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer I find other ways to... draw truths from you."

"Ever the careful one," "Haden" murmured, a hint of approval in his tone. His thumb traced lightly over "Merlin's" lower lip, feeling the curve of it beneath his touch.

Leaning in until there was barely a hairsbreadth between them, "Haden's" eyes gleamed with intent as he studied "Merlin's" composed features.

"I find myself curious about you, "Merlin"," he said lowly, lavishing the words with a seductive promise. "Your thoughts, your mind, your... talents. What truths have you gleaned in your observations of myself and my associates that have escaped even my notice?"

His breath ghosted warm against "Merlin's" lips as he waited expectantly for "Merlin's" reply.

"Haden" stilled, considering "Merlin's" request with intrigued eyes. A dangerous smirk curled his lips - he enjoyed this delicate dance of control between them. After a long, calculated moment of silence, he drew back slightly to put some space between them as requested.

"As you wish," he drawled, watching "Merlin" keenly. "Well, "Merlin"? I'm still waiting to hear these... truths you've observed. Pray tell, what have you gleaned in your quiet observations?"

His commanding tone held an undercurrent of promise - this test of wills was far from over. "Haden's" eyes gleamed with dominant intent, awaiting "Merlin's" response.

A flash of intrigue lit "Haden's" sharp blue eyes at "Merlin's" insightful assessment. A cunning smirk curled his lips - he seemed delighted by "Merlin's" observation, yet an edge of warning lingered in his gaze.

Leaning back slightly in his chair, "Haden" swirled his wine casually as he regarded "Merlin" with a gleam of dominance in his eyes.

"Free-spirited, you say?" he mused idly, seeming wholly unconcerned by the implications of "Merlin's" words. His tone lowered as he continued, "Some might indeed see reckless abandon... though I prefer to think of it as following my own desires regardless of consequence."

Setting down his wine, "Haden's" penetrating gaze bored into "Merlin's".

"Pray, tell me - does such freedom appeal to your... observational sensibilities, "Merlin"? Or does it concern you as much as it does the masses?"

"Haden" raised a deliberate brow at "Merlin's" prompt response. "Concerned for me, is it?" he murmured, a sinister edge entering his tone.

Surging abruptly to his feet, "Haden" closed the distance between them in two swift strides. He loomed over "Merlin", bracing his hands on the arms of "Merlin's" chair to effectively cage him in.

Leaning down until their faces were mere inches apart, "Haden's" brilliant blue eyes bore intensely into "Merlin's" as he spoke in a hushed, dominating rasp.

"Pray tell, what exactly concerns you about me and my... freedom, "Merlin"? Be very careful with your words, for I do not take well to implied insults." His gaze and tone held a dangerous promise.

"Haden's" dangerous smirk widened at "Merlin's" audacious response. Leaning in until their lips were a hair's breadth apart, he growled into "Merlin's" ear in a dominating rasp:

"Bold words, little slave, to criticize your master so." His breath was hot against "Merlin's" skin as he murmured, "Perhaps I should teach you the error of your insolence..."

Without warning, "Haden" crushed his lips against "Merlin's" in a punishing kiss - a show of dominance meant to put the little bird in his proper place. Only when "Merlin" was near breathless did he draw back, eyes burning with possession and intent.

"I did ask for your honesty, it seems," he conceded in a low purr. "Now you have my full attention. Pray, continue - how else do I... concern you, little songbird?"

"Haden" listened to "Merlin's" assessment with keenly observant eyes, deriving dark amusement from distress evident in "Merlin's" trembling gaze and tone.

When "Merlin" finished, "Haden" took his chin in a punishing grip, forcing their eyes to meet. "A trap, you say?" he mused with sinister intent, studying "Merlin's" face closely.

"And tell me, little bird - do you feel yourself in a trap now?" His thumb pressed harshly against "Merlin's" lower lip in a show of dominance.

Leaning closer still, his breath ghosted warm and heavy with promise as he growled, "Perhaps I arranged all this simply to see you in my power... to see how clever little songbirds sing when caught in my web."

Releasing "Merlin's" chin abruptly, "Haden" straightened with a cunning smirk. "But please, do go on - your insights are most intriguing."

"Haden's" smirk widened predatorily at "Merlin's" response. "Perhaps..." he drawled, pacing an intimidating circle around "Merlin's" trapped form.

"Or perhaps I simply enjoy watching you squirm," he countered in a dominating purr, coming to a halt behind "Merlin". Leaning down close, he nipped the shell of "Merlin's" ear sharply.

"Your insights are indeed valuable to me, little songbird," "Haden" breathed darkly. "But I expect complete obedience in return." His hands settled heavily onto "Merlin's" shoulders in a display of ownership.

"Still, your persistence in questioning my... motivations is almost admirable." "Haden's" whisper sent a chill down "Merlin's" spine. "I believe a reward is in order. What would soothe your delicate sensibilities, pet?"

"Haden" chuckled darkly, the sound rumbling through his chest against "Merlin's" back.

"Such deference, little bird," he purred approvingly. His mouth descended to brush the shell of "Merlin's" ear, breath warm and threatening as he murmured, "And what of your tastes, I wonder? Do they not matter in my bed?"

His hands drifted suggestively down "Merlin's" arms to encircle his captive form in a dominating embrace. "Haden's" presence loomed possessively behind "Merlin" as he nuzzled the soft skin below "Merlin's" ear.

"Tell me," he breathed, words laden with carnal promise. "What is it that you truly crave, songbird? Just what manner of... reward would please that delicate sensibility of yours?"

"Haden" went very still behind "Merlin", a dangerous edge entering his eyes at the slave's insolent response. His hands gripped "Merlin's" arms in a punishing hold as he leaned in to breathe a chilling laugh by "Merlin's" ear.

"Do not test me, little songbird," he growled in a low, dominating rasp. "You would do well to accept whatever... attention I see fit to bestow upon you."

Releasing "Merlin's" arms abruptly, "Haden" turned him roughly to face him, bearing down intimidatingly close. His eyes blazed with dominance and intent as he stared "Merlin" down.

"You are mine to do with as I please," he stated with harsh finality. "I suggest you remember that, pet, unless you wish to learn the true meaning of pain." His commanding tone booked no argument as he awaited "Merlin's" cowed response.

"Haden" gazed down at "Merlin" in silence, a dangerous stillness overtaking his domineering presence. Long moments passed as he studied "Merlin's" wisely submissive posture and demeanor.

Without warning, he caught "Merlin's" chin in a bruising grip, raising his gaze to meet his own commandingly. "Merlin" flinched instinctively at the punishing contact.

"Do not presume to think you understand me, little bird," "Haden" uttered softly yet ominously. His eyes bored intensely into "Merlin's", seeming to peer into his soul.

After another pregnant pause laden with unspoken threat, "Haden" abruptly released "Merlin's" chin. "You try my patience," he remarked offhandedly before turning away in dismissal.

"Think on our conversation. I will have your compliance, one way or another... Know that you amuse me for now. Do not forget your place." With that ominous parting statement, "Haden" exited, leaving "Merlin" trembling in the wake of his storm.

"Merlin's" act of rebellion, however small, brought a flicker of dark amusement to "Haden's" eyes as he watched unseen from the shadows.

"So the little bird still has some spirit left," he murmured to himself with a cruel smirk. "Merlin's" defiance only served to further pique "Haden's" predatory interest - he so loved to break those who dared resist his rule.

"Haden" continued observing silently as "Merlin" returned to his chamber, cataloging every sign of pain and rebellion with possessive intent. Soon, he vowed, that fire would be thoroughly quenched, replaced with only complete submission and worship.

"Merlin" would learn his proper place, as all who defied the Crown eventually did. And "Haden" intended to savor every moment of the little slave's coming broken surrender...

As night fell, "Haden" made his way silently to "Merlin's" chamber, having dismissed the guards for privacy. He slipped inside unseen, observing the slave's subdued form huddled on the bed in the darkness.

"Merlin's" fearful anticipation was palpable, his haunted eyes betraying flashes of anger and despair in turns as he ate his meager meal in solitude. "Haden's" lips curled into a sadistic smile at the knowledge of the control and torment he held over this one.

Stepping from the shadows, "Haden's" silk cloak rustled against the cold stones, announcing hisarrival. "Merlin's" head shot up in alarm, spine stiffening like a cornered gazelle before the hunter's approach.

"Little bird," "Haden" greeted in silky tones, imperious gaze pinning "Merlin" in place. "Your company is required. Come." His command held ominous portent as darkness fell around two souls locked in a game of power and defiance under the moon.