Christian Conrad,king of all ten lands within the Dorset kingdom,walked lazily towards his throne room on a bright morning.As he stepped into the hall,all his officials stood and bowed their heads,paying respect to him.his red eyes scanned the room before walking up the stairs that led to his throne.he sat on his throne majestically before raising his hand making his subjects raise their heads and took their seats.his deep voice resonated through the hall as he said "begin",thus beginning another long day.

Tessa stood in front of the mirror in the servants quarters and checked herself out.the maid uniform wasn't so bad she thought.her father who was a gambling addict had gambled away all the money he had,he had lost his job since he used all his money to gamble,he was fruit seller but all he does these days is steal,gamble and drink...and oh he also goes to jail often but the last one he did was what landed her here.he had gone to a rich man's home and stolen a valuable which he sold and used the money to gamble and he lost all of it because he was greedy.he was caught a few days later and his youngest and only daughter was sold to slavery so he could pay for what he stole or he had to face the gallows.who would have thought the bastard would agree to sell her to save himself but lucky as she was,the king's castle was short on workers and was bought the king's butler and that was how she ended up here the day before.she was still lost when in her own thought when "ahem" she quickly turned around to face the handsome butler who looked her from head to toe before saying "follow me" she followed him and tried to keep up as he kept stating rules and the instructions.he stopped and turned to her " under no condition should you wander into the the third floor,unless you are asked to" he said in a cold voice with a chilly face "yes" she said instead and they began walking again.she was taken to the kitchen where she was handed over to a mean looking woman who apparently is the head maid.she bowed in greeting, and she was taken to a room within the kitchen that turns out to be the servants dining.she ate breakfast along with other girls,some her age,some older but she was able to make a friend abby.when they were done , Abby led Tessa to where they were to work for the day ...the courtyard.

Mason stood by the window looking down at the two girls who chatted away as the swept the courtyard,the air was cold and with the looks of the sky it might rain cat and dogs today.he turned and went to stand in front of his friend and master in more than one way,he cleared his throat to gain the king's attention who didn't look up but said "Mason you do not need to clear your damn throat,I know you are here already,just spit it out already" he continued reading the paper he was holding.mason rolled his eyes but said " I am glad my presence was not forgotten like the usual I ..."

"when have I ever forgotten your presence?" christian asked finally looking up.his red eyes glowing 'damn,how could a man be so handsome' mason thought and unconsciously bit his lip.christian smiled "I see what you're doing"he said to his butler who was caught offguard " n no I wasn't thinki.."

"come here" the butler walked two steps closer and stopped looking at his feet "you really are going to make me do it" christian said and got up,in a single stride walked to where his butler was,held his neck and then threw him against the wall.he walked up to where he fell and picking him up,he rammed his back against the wall.Mason tried to catch his breath,he said "please.. please". christian grinned in the next second,he crushed his lips against Mason's in a hot passionate kiss.

Mason tried to smoothen out the rumples in his shirt as he dressed.after he was done dressing he went to the couch where the king lay ***** with his eyes closed and said "you should put on your clothes your Chris,the ministers..I mean your subjects are still waiting" he got up without a word and Mason helped him dress.when they were done,they stepped out of the king's study and headed back to the court where the ministers are still waiting to complete their reports.they were used to the king taking breaks when he's bored,they bowed as he walked in along with his butler who was mostly by his side..the next minister walked to center of the hall and began his report.

hey dear readers, thanks for reading crimson fate..comments and suggestions are welcomed, it'll help motivate to write better...

lots of love 💕

Tessy

Christian stood and stared at the building in front of him which looks ugly .he sighed holding the hand of his butler,he walked in.upon getting inside,he looked around,it looks beautiful on the inside with the walls in perfect condition unlike how it looked on the outside,there were leather chairs which were occupied by different kinds of beings, mostly vampires who were either feeding directly from a human slave or drinking from a glass.This was Horace's den where there was no rule guiding the vampires or demons when it comes to feeding,a place where everyone is equal.some of them stared at the beautiful men stood hand in hand,they looked like a dominant and his submissive because while one exude great power and was looking around him fearlessly,the other kept looking down.christian turned and looked at his butler who kept his eyes glued to his shoes 'good' he thought and they walked into a room that looked like a psychic's.there were cards on the table and a young man with snowy white hair sat at the table.he gestured for them to sit on the chairs while smiling.once they were seated he said "well well, look what the cat dragged in.if it isn't king Conrad himself..." he paused looked at mason and said "and his difficult love"

christian sat back and looked at Horace and for a while,the two had there staring contest then Christian said "tell me Horace" he breathed "why would the cat drag me in?" he asked in a calm manner as one would about the weather.Horace didn't respond but instead his grin grew wider

"why? did the same cat get your tongue" christian asked raising a perfectly shaped brow

"**** you"

"and you too" christian said smiling back at his friend, he whispered to Mason "pick a card".

Mason picked up a card and handed it to Horace,he looked at it and then dropped it on the table, looking at christian he said "it's the same , I see nothing but perhaps this time you'll let me read his palms" christian got up stretched his hands for mason and pulled him out of the room without uttering a word.

In the carriage on their way back,not being able to hold it in any longer mason spoke " I think you should let him read my palms once"

christian who sat crossed leg with his eyes closed smirked at his words "aren't you an eager one,you can't wait to have another man's hand on you,can you?" he opened his red eyes and stared daggers into mason forest green ones.mason cowered and looked away,since they were sitting opposite each other,there was no way he could escape his glare "that's not what I mean christian" he hesitated then said "he doesn't seem to be to read our fate from the cards and for all we know,your destined mate could be someone else"

christian nodded "you point being?"

"I just want to know"

"I see"

"I don't think you do"

"you think?"

"I know so damn it christian, you're not taking this seriously" mason rubbed his eyes suddenly feeling tired "please just once" he looked at his secret lover with pleading eyes.After a long silence when Mason thought he wasn't going to get a response, christian sighed and took Mason's hand,held it in his then looked him in the eyes and said "it's not going to happen" he pulled mason closer and sat him on his legs and kissed him.he pulled away after awhile and started planting kisses all over his neck, nimbling and biting softly he whispered into his neck "if you ever let another man touch you without my permission" he pulled his face to make look at him, christian smiled and said "I'll kill that man " mason got off him and sat back on his seat he looked out the window ' it's always the same' he thought "don't you have something to say to that?" christian voice dragged him out of his thought and he said " I'll be careful no other man touches me".

"good".

When they got back to the palace, the head maid who was always in charge whenever the butler wasn't around, came to welcome them. Bowing she said "your majesty,the countess westwood came to visit and is waiting to have lunch with you this afternoon sir". christian rolled his eyes and asked "is she the only one or she came with her uglies"

the head maid answered "yes milord,she along with your cousins and they're all waiting in the drawing room"

"Mason" he said and walked in with the others following behind.mason instructed the head and to ensure the visitors are not to disturb the king until lunch.He walked faster to keep up with the king long strides "mason?"

"yes mi'lord"

"stay out of those leeches sight until lunch"

"yes"

hello 🤩 readers, thanks for reading, comments and suggestions are welcomed..to make things easier, I'll try to upload a chapter per day and I'll work on making the chapters longer ..lots of love 💕💕

Mason did as instructed and successfully stayed out of the king's aunt and her children's sight, although many times a maid would be sent to come fetch him but he would find a way out of it.he had to enter the king's study alot because he kept hiding under his shadow but Christian meanwhile seemed to be enjoying the show.He looked up again as he heard a brief knock and saw Mason come in " it's time for lunch"he said to the king who kept looking at him.he stood up after a while and walked to the front of the large desk in his study,he sat on it and looked at the nervous wreck standing next to him "lock the door"he said softly.Mason looked up and shook his head vigorously "n_no the guest must be in the dining room by now,you mustn't delay them.here" he said and picked up his jacket "let me help you put this on" he said with pleading eyes.christian laughed quietly and one would think he finds his butler funny but his expression changed in the next second and his red eyes glowed brighter "don't make me repeat myself".

Mason shoulder slumped as went to lock the door without uttering another word.when christian heard the lock click,he's face changed again and he put on a bright smile for his timid lover who returned his smile with a doubtful stare as he walked back to christian.He stood in front of the king and was pulled into a warm embrace.christian placed kisses all over his face ,he turned mason around so his back was facing him and he loosed the knot in his hair.it came flowing down.he smelled it and it smelled divine,it was silky to touch.he played and ran his hand through the jet black hair.Mason on the other hand kept twisting and untwisting his fingers,if he reminded christian that his guest were waiting, he'd probably get angry but if he remained quiet,once they got to the dining,the countess would pick on him "you better not be thinking about someone else mason" he turned him back to face him "no, I wasn't thinking" mason said and smiled but it didn't reach his eyes "if I was thinking,I would have reminded you that your aunt was waiting but I'm not thinking". christian scoffed and pulled him back into an embrace "you don't have to be scared of the countess,I'm the king so there is nothing she can do to you other than nag" Mason broke the embrace and said gritting his teeth together "it's the nagging" he sighed and hugged christian himself this time "you know.. I love you a lot and you mean so much to me"

christian smiled inwardly,he knew were this was going so he said "I love you too,much more and you mean the world to me" mason looked up at him still in his warm embrace "you do?"

"you know I do"

"yees" he said slowly and placed his head back on Christian's chest "but I wonder why you treat badly sometimes"he mumbled into his chest" christian heard but chose to ignore it

"if you truly love me like you just said,then you should at least do something nice for me sometimes I mean look at me.." he jumped back suddenly when he heard christian sigh,he was annoyed "what is the nice thing you want today"

mason eyed him fearfully and mumbled "have lunch with your aunt...now".he jumped when christian got off the desk and snatched his jacket from him without another he walked out slamming the the door shut with a loud bang and Mason thought his heart was going to jump out if his chest through his mouth.he held his chest to calm his heart that kept beating wildly.he tried to control his breathing but because of the fear he had for the countess,his heart wouldn't stop going crazy and this made him nearly faint when the door to the study opened and an annoyed christian said "will you just stand there ?".he quickly walked to where he was and together they left.

The countess of Westwood and her two children Charlotte and Kingsley were already sitted by the time christian arrived at the dining hall.the dining hall which consisted of a very long table and lots of chairs was enough to sit up to 50 people at once.Christian came in followed by his butler,the guests stood and bowed.he sat at the head of the table and the guest also took their seats.the maids began placing napkins on the guest legs and began serving them food while Mason attended to the king.he did all this without looking at him,he was obviously still annoyed so it was better not to look at him.he stepped away and stood close to the wall behind christian,he can only pray that the countess doesn't tick him off.."mason"

he quickly walked back to stand beside the king "yes mi'lord?"

"stand here,next to me.i might need something"

The countess who has been throwing short glares at mason decided to speak "step away, you can't stand close when the royals are eating " mason bowed and was about to step back when christian glared at him and stood fixed at the spot.the countess got up angrily from her chair and banged her fist on the table"who the.."

"sit you old *** down" christian cut her off.she shamefully sat back down and eyed mason.they continued eating in silence and after a while the countess began again "my king,I know you don't want to hear it but I .."

"then you shouldn't say it aunt Rosa" he cut her off again but this time he didn't look up but kept eating.The countess blinded by her rage said "are you doing this because of this *****?". christian dropped his fork,looked at his aunt and said "just eat your food Rosa and get the **** out of this castle.he got up angrily to leave the room but when he got to the door,he turned back and went to stand near his aunt

"don't you ever call my butler a fucking ***** and this should be the last time you enter this castle without being invited" he said and went out followed by his butler.