Chapter 4
AS LUCIANUS WAS WRITING IN HIS STUDY, KAIRA approached him.
“Lord Lucianus, the messenger has returned,” Kaira reported. “Sir Dominatus shall be here tonight, so I shall pay him beforehand.”
The day had finally come. Dominatus would be here tonight.
“Don’t let anyone approach my bedroom,” Lucianus ordered.
“Of course,” Kaira replied. He gazed at his master, tempted to say more.
“What?”
“I apologize for my insolence, but please allow me to confirm with you one last time. Are you sure that you won’t have any regrets?”
The servant was worried that Lucianus would be entrusting his body to a man of lower rank. Kaira’s worries were warranted, but it was far too late to turn back now. Lucianus’s love was growing by the day, and he knew that there was nothing he could do.
“This is the only method I’ve got. Please understand,” Lucianus said.
Kaira cast a pitiful gaze at his master before leaving the study.
That night, Dominatus arrived as promised. This visit was under the guise of the lord of House Carusso inviting a popular gladiator into his home, and Dominatus was presented with some liquor and a light meal on the sofa in the living room.
“Do you want to wash yourself first?” Lucianus offered. “The bath is ready.”
“I’d be grateful to use it,” Dominatus replied. “I was so busy today that I had no time to visit the public bath. I envy those wealthy enough to have a bath at home so that they can clean themselves whenever they wish.”
“Surely you can do the same if you save a bit of money. I heard that you give away all your earnings to the impoverished.”
“I have no need for vast amounts of money,” Dominatus answered. “As long as I have enough to eat every day, that’s enough for me.”
“Then why do you continue being a gladiator? Do you enjoy the attention and cheers of the crowd?”
“I just want to fight. I don’t feel like I’m alive if I’m not battling someone.”
Lucianus couldn’t possibly understand this mindset. His feeling of being alive can only be attained through battles? I wonder how it feels, Lucianus wondered.
“Why don’t you bathe with me?” Dominatus asked.
“I’ve already taken a bath,” Lucianus replied.
“I’m saying that it’s boring bathing alone. Come with me.”
Worn down by the incessant request, Lucianus reluctantly entered the bath with the gladiator. Dominatus had also asked for a massage, so Lucianus called for a skilled slave to do just that. The gladiator was lying face down on a bed for the massage, his splendid body on full display. Still in the bath, Lucianus used this opportunity to take a good look; he knew that Dominatus wouldn’t notice. Dominatus’s body was lathered in oil, his glistening, magnificent muscles giving off a glow of divinity. He was also covered in scars and old wounds. Usually, this would be a sore sight for the eyes, but Lucianus found them to be unbelievably enticing. Scars were badges of honor for a man. Lucianus started to grow embarrassed of his own slender frame.
Once the massage was done, Dominatus slipped into the bath beside Lucianus. Noticing the noble was nervous about the night ahead of them, Dominatus reached out to touch his head.
“Your hair is beautiful,” Dominatus said. “Even wet, your hair is dazzling vibrantly. Wealthy women like to dye their hair blonde, but I find it unfortunate. Doing so makes their hair damaged and brittle. Your gorgeous golden locks must be the target of envy for many women.”
Lucianus shook off the mischievous fingers toying with the ends of his hair. “I don’t care about hair color,” he grumbled.
“I’m complimenting you. There’s no need for you to get angry. You’d be a lot cuter if you took compliments more honestly.”
Dominatus’s sigh made Lucianus feel a pang of sadness. He wasn’t angry; he was simply trying to hide his embarrassment.
“I don’t need to be cute,” Lucianus added. “You should go to women if you want something like that.”
My stupid mouth! He bit down hard on his own lips as if to scold them for only spouting unpleasant words.
Lucianus was still feeling down as they finished bathing, and he guided Dominatus into the bedroom. Worried that his nasty remarks dampened the mood, Lucianus stopped in front of the bed.
“Dominatus, do you want the light—”
But Lucianus never got to finish his statement about whether the light should be put out. Like a sneak attack, Dominatus’s strong arms wrapped around Lucianus’s slender frame from behind, and squeezed tightly.
“How do you like to be held?” Dominatus whispered into Lucianus’s ears. The gladiator’s hot breath teased the noble’s earlobe. “Tell me.”
“Y-you can do as you like,” Lucianus replied. “I want to know how you become intimate.”
“I see. Then I’ll do as I like.”
Lucianus’s loose robe was stripped off him. They’d been naked together in the bath, but doing the same in the bedroom felt completely different. Why am I feeling so embarrassed? Lucianus felt even his ears turn red. Dominatus pushed the naked Lucianus onto the bed with a faint smile, staring intently at the noble’s body. Lucianus felt ashamed; surely, Dominatus was laughing at his frail, thin frame.
“How many men have you slept with?” Dominatus asked.
Lucianus was silent for a moment, then he answered, “I don’t remember.”
“That many? You’ve got a cute, innocent face, but you’re rather bold, aren’t you?”
Dominatus placed himself above Lucianus and kissed him. It was as passionate as their first kiss, and Lucianus’s mouth was ravished. Why does this man kiss so violently? Just then, Lucianus felt a warm hand brush against his chest, rub against his waist, and glide down to grip his buttocks. The large hand that massaged him was so comforting, and he almost let out a gasp of pleasure.