PLQYM | Chapter 3

The first thought that came to mind was how hot it was.

It had been a mistake to open his mouth in surprise when it all happened so suddenly. The man’s tongue slipped inside, as if it had always belonged there, immediately entering Lucian’s mouth. It moved around, almost savoring every inch of him, then teasingly bit his lip before diving back in. Lucian was drawn along, unable to comprehend what was happening to him.

The Emperor took his time, savoring and tasting Lucian’s mouth until his tongue grew numb. Their breaths mixed, and a soft moan slipped out, transferring through their joined lips and tongues, making the man laugh low and deeply, almost possessively. The vibrations of his laughter transferred through the kiss, sending waves of heat to unexpected places within Lucian’s body.

Just as Lucian felt he could no longer stand, the Emperor pulled away. However, his grip on Lucian’s waist remained firm. Hazel eyes, darker than before, gazed at him intently, almost savoring the sight. The Emperor looked Lucian up and down with a gleeful glint in his eyes. Was it the glint in his gaze or the unnaturally red lips that made Lucian’s knees weak? He managed to take a step back, though only barely.

For some reason, the Emperor released him without resistance.

“Hmm.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, noticing Lucian’s futile attempt to act unfazed. Would he really just let him go…?

And then, just when Lucian thought he was safe, the Emperor leaned forward and brushed his lips against Lucian’s again. This time, it was a light kiss, more of a peck, followed by a sly lick over his lips.

“Not bad. Seems like you’re still a virgin, though.”

What? What did he just say?

The crude, low-voiced remark left Lucian stunned. But just as quickly as he had grabbed him, the Emperor backed off. With a slight smirk, he ran his tongue over his lips, the same lips and tongue that had just ravaged Lucian’s. And with a smug smile, he turned as if nothing had happened, opening his arms to the head attendant.

The attendant, who had been standing by, quickly approached and draped a robe over him. Wearing it loosely, the Emperor turned to Cliff.

“You’re the first to show such a calm reaction to this test since… you, isn’t it?”

“When Your Majesty tested me, you were seven and didn’t use your tongue.”

The head attendant responded with an unbothered expression as he fastened the Emperor’s robe.

“Well, back then, I thought just touching lips was a kiss.”

“No one does such tests in the first place, Your Majesty.”

“It’s the best way to see how someone handles sudden situations.”

Heraith’s lips curved into a lazy smile.

“Usually, people either get scared and run at the sight of me naked or see it as an opportunity to leap on me, so it never reaches this stage. His reaction is refreshingly different.”

The head attendant only offered a gentle smile, making no comment.

Not expecting a reply, Heraith turned once the attendant finished adjusting his robe.

“As my personal aide.”

“…?”

The elderly attendant’s eyes widened slightly, though he otherwise showed no reaction. Ignoring the attendant’s surprise, the Emperor continued.

“He’s got good intuition and guts. Plus, he’s easy on the eyes. I rather like him.”

“…Understood.”

Cliff, the head attendant, bowed deeply.

“Oh.”

The Emperor stopped just as he was about to leave the room, turning back as if something had just occurred to him.

“What was his name… Lu… something? Doesn’t matter. I’ll call him ‘Luce.’ Be here for work tomorrow.”

And with that, he strode out of the room, leaving Lucian frozen in shock.

He must have stood there, dumbfounded, for quite a while.

The head attendant approached quietly and stood beside him.

“Congratulations, Lucian. His Majesty seems to have taken quite a liking to you. You passed the employment test.”

“A test? That was a test?”

Lucian’s voice rose in bewilderment.

In contrast to his panic, Cliff remained calm as ever.

“Yes. His Majesty has never taken to anyone this much before.”

Him? Me? What on earth?

“From now on, you’ll receive His Majesty’s intense attention. Please stay mindful and continue to serve him faithfully.”

Ha…

A sigh of disbelief escaped him.

What am I supposed to do?

The glamorous life he’d imagined as he made his way to the palace felt like it was shattering to pieces.

And to make things even worse…

That kiss from the Emperor kept popping up in his mind.

Just thinking about it made… Lucian hurriedly shook his head, his cheeks burning at the lewd images flooding his mind.

No way, he wouldn’t do that every time, right? If he did, I’d never survive.

“Head attendant, I don’t think I…”

Just as Lucian started to voice his concerns, the head attendant cut him off quickly.

“You’ll start tomorrow morning in His Majesty’s quarters. As his personal aide, you’ll spend 24 hours a day with him in the palace.”

“What?!”

What kind of… ridiculous arrangement is this…?

“As his personal aide, you’ll assist with all of His Majesty’s personal matters.”

“…”

“As you know, everything about His Majesty is tied to the Empire’s well-being, so it’s not a role we can entrust to just anyone.”

Yes, I understand that, but still…

“So the Emperor’s aide is required to be with him at all times, from morning till night, ensuring His Majesty’s secrets stay safe.”

Lucian swallowed nervously.

It felt like the word “aide” was beginning to mean something very different from what he’d thought.

“So starting tomorrow, you’ll move your quarters to the Imperial Palace.”

“What?!”

“We’ll assign your quarters in the room next to His Majesty’s.”

With a soft smile, the head attendant finished his explanation.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

“No, I mean… about His Majesty…”

“Well, I look forward to your service, Lucian. Your day starts at 7 a.m. tomorrow.”

What, 7 a.m. is the start time?!

While Lucian was reeling from the absurdity of it all, the head attendant gave a polite bow and left.

“I think… I’m doomed…”

And so began Lucian’s life as a slave.

***

Fortunately or unfortunately, there were no more physical encounters with the Emperor after that day.

Though he’d protested inwardly, Lucian’s residence had been relocated to the Emperor’s quarters as soon as he started.

The grueling schedule kept him at the Emperor’s side from morning to night, but Heraith was actually a decent superior to serve.

He worked intensely, moved swiftly, and would often appear somewhere else before Lucian even realized it.

Luckily, Lucian had an eidetic memory and could remember everything he saw; otherwise, he would’ve never kept up with the Emperor’s pace.

The work was manageable. Even if he was constantly on his toes, it was enjoyable.

The most challenging part was waking the Emperor in the morning.

Cliff had assured him it was only for a month, a tradition for new aides, apparently.

Why it was a tradition for new aides, Lucian didn’t know, but he was the newest recruit, so he had no choice.

One day turned into two, then three, and soon he was waking the Emperor every morning.

On that first morning, he’d been shocked.

He didn’t think it would happen, but the Emperor was indeed naked when he woke up.

He had nearly been kissed again but managed to escape thanks to the experience of the previous day.

Despite his best efforts, waking up someone who slept in the nude was not easy.

Especially in the morning, when… well, it was just biology, but that thing was so… large…

“What are you thinking about that you’re making that face, Luce?”

“Gah!”

At the sound of a deep voice whispering by his ear, Lucian jumped up, sending the documents he was holding flying.

“Oh dear.”

The Emperor, Heraith, snatched the papers from the air before they hit the floor. His long arm cut through the air with the ease of a master swordsman, and Lucian found himself staring, mesmerized.

‘So… the rumors are true. They say His Majesty is the best swordsman in the Empire.’

He started to think it might actually be true.

“So, what are these papers you were looking at with such a flushed face?”

“Your Majesty, it’s just the heat, that’s all.”

“Sure.”

Heraith smirked at Lucian’s attempt to change the subject, then skimmed the papers he’d caught.

His expression grew darker as he read. Even with his frown, he still managed to captivate anyone looking at him.

“Of course.”

After reading to the end, he snapped his fingers, sending the papers flying into the air.

“Your Majesty! You can’t! Those were supposed to be presented at the Senate…”

“Rejected.”

“What?”

“Not a single penny.”

“But…”

“Tsk. They’re trying to siphon off the nation’s funds with this crap? Do they think I’m stupid?”

The most vulgar words spilled from the Emperor’s mouth, words you’d expect from a back-alley thug rather than the most noble figure in the Empire.

Seeing Lucian’s shocked expression, Heraith locked eyes with him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason, just…”

“This trash should’ve been dealt with at your level.”

Heraith grinned, y

anking the papers from Lucian’s hand and crumpling them with one hand before tossing them away.

With a dazzling but almost wicked smile, he captivated Lucian without even realizing it.

Is this what beauty beyond gender looks like?

As Lucian stared, Heraith snapped his fingers. Two attendants appeared, setting stacks of documents on Lucian’s desk.

Exactly four stacks.

“…What is this?”

“The fund records for each department.”

Heraith’s smile widened.

“Why do I…?”

“You’re my personal aide. You need to know everyone’s weaknesses so you can nip things like this in the bud.”

“…”

Lucian just gaped at him.

“So, you’re telling me to memorize these documents and keep all the departments’ weaknesses in mind?”

“As expected from the top of the academy. You catch on quickly. Three days should be enough, right?”

“Three days?!”

“You can do it, Luce. I believe in you. But belief isn’t cheap, so make it count.”

“But…”

“Just imagine. Once you memorize these, you’ll have the pleasure of taking down anyone who tries to mess with you.”

With a sigh of contentment, he closed his eyes, clearly savoring the thought.

When he opened them again, his gaze was sharp, and the smile on his face was so cunning it bordered on sinister.

“Quite exciting, isn’t it? I wouldn’t want a clueless aide. So, make sure you get it done.”

Leaving those ambiguous words behind, Heraith stood and walked away, humming lightly as if he’d just left Lucian a delightful gift.

Only after the Emperor’s radiant figure had disappeared did Lucian finally speak.

“…Bastard.”

It was a curse drawn from the deepest parts of his soul.