He just wanted to drink his wine in peace, for the love of god!

„You can leave now,“ said Aidan finally, breaking the awkward silence.

„Give this slave a chance, this slave will not disappoint you,“ the young man said, his voice trembling.

As he heard these words, Aidan felt he was just about to vomit up his precious wine. And that would be an awful waste – he didn't even manage to get buzzed yet!

„Are you deaf? I told you to leave,“ he said, hoping his harsh tone will convince the man to go away and never return. There was nothing he could do for him. The problems in this society were systematic and a random act of kindness would not solve anything – it would just make Aidan seem like a total hypocrite. He suddenly had the same feeling he got when seeing homeless people begging on the street. It was guilt, paired with helplessness, sadness and disgust towards the system that produced that kind of misery. 

The slave didn't argue anymore and grabbed the door handle to leave. This was when Aidan noticed very familiar scars on the guy's wrists and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. 

„Wait,“ he exclaimed.

The slave paused and looked at Aidan.

„Fancy a drink?“ he raised up the wine bottle. So random act of kindness it was. 

The slave nodded and quietly came up to him. There were no glasses around, so Aidan just handed him the bottle. The slave took a sip and winced.

„Yeah, not the best quality. But it's the only one I could get my hands on.“

„The grapes were not ripe enough, when they were harvested.“

„Oh,“ Aidan whistled, impressed. „You're a connoisseur! I would probably not be able to tell grapes from apples. You know, they could serve me wine made out of cow dung and I'd drink it with a straight face.“

He took another big sip out of the bottle, finally feeling the nice fog rising in his head.

„I see, you tried to... you know...,“ Aidan pointed at the slave's wrists.

The young man lowered his eyes and didn't respond.

„The human body is remarkably resilient. I also found out about it the hard way,“ Aidan laughed out loud. „I wish I could give you some pointers but, as you can obviously see, I haven't succeeded either.“

„Forgive this slave but it's not what you think.“

„All right then. Keep your secrets!“ Aidan was getting progressively more smashed. „It's none of my business anyway. But I still want to bestow some of my superior wisdom on you. It's important to remember that when they violate you, they are destroying themselves, not you. Even if it seems the other way around. And if you accept that, you can bear life just a little bit longer. And isn't it what life is? Telling yourself that you just have to hold on for a little bit longer. And then one day the inevitable liberation will come.“

The slave looked at him in fear, his eyes filled with tears.

Aidan actually wanted to cheer the guy up but his rant had an opposite effect for some reason. Well, he was never good at pep talks. 

„If the master doesn't mind, this slave will respectfully leave,“ said the young man, looking traumatized.

„Do as you please,“ said Aidan. He was just trying to help someone like himself. Did he, maybe, project too much?

The slave left, and Aidan absentmindedly continued to drink. After so many days he felt like himself again.

He was interrupted yet by another knock on the door.

Was this night of endless guests?

„Come in at your own risk,“ said Aidan.

This time the Emperor-in-Waiting himself graced him with his presence.

„Welcome to my humble abode,“ said Aidan. „Unfortunately, you're too late for the wine. There's almost nothing left.“

The blonde boy ignored his words and made himself comfortable in one of the chairs.

„I actually came to officially thank you for saving me,“ he said.

„Well, consider me officially thanked.“

„Did you know that only those who welcome death wholeheartedly can break the „Fear of Death“ curse?“ the Emperor-in-Waiting asked quietly.

„Now I know,“ Aidan laughed. Of course! That was a hilarious loophole. Maybe, if he tried really hard, he could convince himself that he was scared to die and then one day he could try crossing the cursed line again? 

„You're a scary man, Adnan Minn.“

„Oh no, I'm as harmless as a butterfly on a marshmallow,“ said Aidan sincerely.

The young Emperor chuckled.

„I don't think so. I saw you fight – you're good, the rumors don't do you justice.“

Aidan had nothing to do with that, so he didn't say anything, lamenting the last drop of wine and trying to calculate, how soon he'll have to be sober again.

„General Hayl Lox also told me that you were the one who came up with the rescue plan that ended up not costing us a single life.“

„General Lox? Is that the tall handsome one?“ Aidan asked.

The boy looked at him with curiosity, slightly squinting his eyes.

„I guess, he's handsome. So you like them dark, tall and muscular, huh?“

„It has nothing to do with what I like,“ Aidan waived his hand, as if swatting away an annoying fly. „I was just stating an objective fact.“

The young Emperor's blue eyes shined mischievously when he asked:

„So, am I also objectively handsome?“

Aidan looked at the boy carefully.

„Nah, right now you're more pretty than handsome. But give it a couple of years – you'll grow into it,“ he said honestly.

„Do you realize, you just called your future Emperor „pretty“?“ 

„My future Emperor?“ Aidan couldn't help but have a laughing fit. 

„What's so funny?“ asked the boy.

„Oh, nothing. Are you offended by any chance?“

„A bit,“ said the blonde boy. His expression grew dangerous but Aidan, being drunk, didn't notice anything.

„Huh! Then do something about it, Your... Highness!“ Aidan was again on the brink of hysterical laughter. 

„Don't worry, I will,“ said the boy with a smirk.

He got out of his chair and approached Aidan. Standing over him, he carefully examined his face and then his body.

„I liked your other outfit better,“ he said finally.

„You mean the slave one? Ha, ha, very funny.“

„I'd like it, if you wore it again.“

„Is there something else you would like?“ Aidan mocked in response.

„Only time will tell,“ the Emperor-in-Waiting smiled, as he walked towards the door. „I'd suggest you go to sleep now. You're really drunk and we are leaving for capital early tomorrow.“

„You know, where you could put you suggestions?“ Aidan thought to himself. But luckily he didn't say anything out loud.