Castus talks more and makes Marcus want answers

"I'm really sorry about that." Castus rubbed his hair, a rueful smile on his face. "It wasn't very polite of me, but your Mother was making things a little awkward, for both of us I expect. Don't worry, she'll be fine with Captain Titus. He's a little rough around the edges, but he won't do anything to hurt a lady. And I expect your Mother can give as good as she gets."

"Oh...yes, it's okay." Marcus glanced down. He wasn't really sure how to feel right now. Just being alone around the handsome soldier had him blushing and wriggling in his chair, but making any fuss about it now would be too suspicious. At the same time though, Coraline had been acting rather annoying. Maybe things would be easier now she was gone. He did kind of like the thought of just talking to Castus by himself without her interruptions.

"Trust me, I know what it's like to have difficult parents." The soldier continued, with a cheeky wink. "My Mother still comes by the barracks every afternoon to try and bring me food and she's constantly asking why I haven't found a nice girl to marry yet." There was something so funny about this handsome, strong soldier complaining about his Mother and the young prince couldn't stop himself from laughing, a high-pitched giggle that sounded even girlier than his usual laugh. Castus smiled and nodded, looking rather relieved. It was clear he'd been trying to cheer Marcus up, and that made the young prince feel rather warmer towards him.

"Um...so, why did you become a soldier?" He asked, deciding that was a safe enough question.

"Mainly to support my family." Castus replied, leaning back in his chair again. "Not an exciting answer, I know, but with this country the way it is joining the guard was pretty much the only way for someone like me to earn an honest wage. I've got two younger sisters, and since my Father passed I've had to make sure they and my Mother could live comfortably enough. It hasn't always been easy, I'll admit, especially back when I was just a recruit. I had to send nearly all my pay back home to help them."

"Oh, I'm sorry." The young prince nibbled on his lip. Castus looked to be only a few years older than he was, but the soldier had lost his Father, and was now working so hard to support the rest of his family. It made Marcus feel rather small and immature by comparison. He knew he'd never have managed to do anything like that if he wasn't already a prince.

"Don't worry, things are much better now." Castus smiled again. "Lord Valerian's always been generous to his men, and since I've been promoted I've been able to have my family moved to a much nicer home. My sisters are at the age now where they're able to help my Mother more too, so I've been able to relax and think about what I want to do with my own life. That's why when I saw your Mother at the Castle, I knew I had to ask her if we could meet again. I didn't want to miss my chance to see you." Marcus blushed furiously yet again. These things he just came out and said, did he even realize how embarrassing they were? As he stared across the table a the soldier's handsome face, an uncertain question flickered through his mind, one he suddenly felt like he had to know the answer to.

"Um...why?" He asked awkwardly. "Why...do you want to see me so much?" He was a weak, cowardly boy who wasn't even very good at pretending to be a girl, but here this handsome soldier who was also really responsible and kind somehow seemed intent on courting him as one anyway. It all made his head spin.

"Your Mother's really kept you away from men, hasn't she?" Castus murmured, with a shake of his head. He reached across the table and Marcus squeaked in shock as his hand was gently grabbed by the handsome soldier. "When I first saw you in the Castle that night, standing there in that pretty silk shift, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen." Castus continued, still holding Marcus' shivering hand. The young prince let out a strangled squeaking noise, blushing to the roots of his hair. "Not only that, but as I escorted you home I could see you trying your hardest to be strong and not worry your Mother, even as scared as you were by all the soldiers around. It really struck me that such a pretty and delicate girl could still show courage for her family. I made up my mind then that I had to see you again, no matter what it took."

Marcus froze stiff, hardly believing what he was hearing. That wasn't what had happened at all! He'd been terrified by all the soldiers and the attack on his home, yes, but he hadn't managed to be brave at all! He should have tried to fight them off or something, or run to save his Mother and Father like a real man. Instead, he'd just let been utterly useless and made Coraline put herself in danger to rescue him! And Castus somehow thought that was brave? He felt dizzy just hearing it.

"Um...Sir" He breathed, the skin of his hand tingling where the soldier's callused fingers held him there. "That isn't...that wasn't..."

"It's okay, Marcia." Castus squeezed his hand a little tighter, sending a hot shiver up his arm. "I know you're shy, but you don't have to be afraid. I'll take good care of you, I promise." Even those words sent another hot flush through Marcus, making him tremble on his seat. He even felt a throbbing between his legs as his little dick stiffened, just from some man saying he'd take care of him! Castus leant forward across the table, his face moving closer to the blushing young prince. "I'd really like to kiss you now." The handsome soldier breathed. "Is that okay?"