Nathaniel shook his head as two guards escorted Marc back to his room. He was getting frustrated right now- this was the fourth time his husband had tried to escape. He needed to learn a lesson.

"Guards. Leave now."

The guards left the room, leaving Marc alone with Nathaniel. The tension was thick as neither of them spoke. They were waiting for the other to crack.

"... Why did you try to escape again?", he asked, "I've done nothing but pamper you, give you all that a serf could desire. And this is how you repay me?"

Marc had a reason for trying to escape what had to be the fifth time. The other four times were just because he wanted his old life back, he wanted to be surrounded by the warmth of his family and friends, not live in a cold castle with a demented prince who treated his staff poorly and... And killed his own parents because of him. The fifth time was out of pure fear. He now knew just how far the prince would go to make sure Marc stayed with him.

"... How could you kill him?", Marc whispered

"..."

"Why did you do it? Claude did nothing!", he was crying now. Claude was one of his closest friends, he didn't deserve such a fate

"I saw how he treated you before I gave you this life," Nathaniel answered, "You saw him as a friend, no? Well, he wanted more. I couldn't have that happen while I had my sights set on you."

Marc backed away from the prince, not liking where this story is going

"When I finally had you, I thought Claude would learn his place." He chuckled darkly, "But I was mistaken. And I just can't bare the thought of someone else having eyes for my prince... Why do you think I had to get rid of Lucien?"

Marc paled at the mention of that name. Lucien Rebois was his ex-boyfriend. He was sweet at first, so caring and considerate... But he wanted more out of their relationship, and Marc wasn't ready for that. A week after they broke up, Lucien went missing, no one's seen him for weeks

"... You killed him, didn't you?"

"My prince, I couldn't bare the thought of him tainting you before we were wed. I only did this so he wouldn't lay another hand on you

"But why Claude?!", he yelled, "I'm already yours!"

Nathaniel slowly approached him, and Marc found himself backed against a wall. He and Nathaniel were now only inches apart. Nathaniel raised his hand and Marc shut his eyes, thinking the worse, but became calm when Nathaniel cupped his cheek in his hand

"My dear prince. Whether you're mine or not, I don't want anyone to have you. If that means I have to get rid of some people, so be it.", a tear streams down his love's cheek, "Oh, Marc. Don't give me that look. This could have been avoided if you hadn't tried to escape."