It's easier than he thought, but he's still worried about the plan

Marcus carefully lifted his knife and fork, staring sadly down at the small portion of meat and vegetables on his plate. Coraline had told him quite firmly that as a pretty young girl he should be enjoying only dainty portions, but couldn't he have one more piece of beef? The maid certainly seemed to have a whole plate full herself, but there was no way he was going to mention that to her, not while he was stripped naked and his poor, tender butt was still burning from that horrible spanking. He shifted awkwardly on his seat, wincing at the sharp shock of pain that sent through his bare, bruised cheeks. How could it still hurt so much?

"Don't fidget, Marcie." Coraline snapped from across the table. "And keep those elbows in." The young prince quickly straightened in his chair and moved his arms. This felt just like the horrible etiquette lessons his Mother had made him take, only back then the only risk when he messed up too badly was the Queen's disappointment. If he made Coraline angry again, he had no doubt she'd pull him right back over her lap for another, even harder spanking his poor butt certainly couldn't take. "That's much better." She cooed, as he tried to daintily cut a sliver of meat from the small piece he'd been given. He felt her dark eyes drifting down his smooth flat chest, tracing over his naked skin. Heat flooded to his cheeks and he bit his lip anxiously. "Oh yes, dear, that's perfect!" The maid squealed in delight. "You look so pretty, blushing like that! Castus will know you're the shy, sweet, innocent girl he wants in his life." Marcus lifted the small piece of beef to his lips to cover his frown. Just the mention of why he was doing this made him uncomfortable. He chewed carefully, keeping his arms folded in by his sides like she'd told him. Did all girls just naturally sit like this? His Mother did at banquets and things, but then she was a Queen.

"Um...but if that's what he thinks, won't he keep coming after me?" As soon as he'd swallowed, the young prince anxiously asked the question that had been burning in his mind ever since they'd started this lesson on acting girly. Coraline was constantly telling him ways to attract that annoying soldier's interest, how to sit in a pretty, girly way with his legs folded, how he should play with his hair while the man was talking, and smile shyly when their eyes met, but what happened when Castus really did think there was something between them! What if the man tried to...kiss him or something?

"Of course he will." Coraline nodded, with a thin smile. "That's the whole point, you silly girl. The longer he thinks he can charm you into his bed, the safer we'll both be! Now I want you to pretend our handsome and gallant Sergeant Castus is sitting in that other chair." She pointed her fork at the empty place next to Marcus. "Why don't you ask him to pass you a cup of water to go with your meal?" The young prince bit his lip, glancing at the chair. He tried to imagine the soldier sitting there in his stupid armor, giving him one of those smarmy smiles. It just made him feel more annoyed. But if he showed that, Coraline was going to be furious with him! "Come on now, hurry up!" His maid urged.

"Um...please, Sir." He whimpered hurriedly, as his burning butt reminded him of the consequences of disobeying her, his soft cheeks achingly tender against the wood of his chair. "Please could I have a cup of water?" As he asked the hesitant question, he couldn't help but imagine Castus actually sitting there, leering at his naked body while Coraline cooed with delight and offered him up like a prize. The thought made him shiver and blush even hotter, all the way to his prickling ears.

"Oh, that was just darling!" Across the table, the maid clapped her hands happily. "The lovely blush, calling him Sir, even the way your voice trembled in that adorable way. Poor Castus isn't going to know what hit him! We'll have him right where we want him, you and I!" Marcus couldn't help but feel it was more like she'd have the soldier where she wanted him, but hearing her praise still made him smile shyly. She sounded so proud and happy he couldn't help but feel all warm inside, no matter the reason why. At least it was better than her being mad at him. "Now back to your meal, dear." The maid ordered. "Mama's worked hard to make lost of delicious food for you, and I want to see it eaten in a nice, girly way."

"Yes Mama." The young prince murmured, his hands moving in to daintly cut another thin sliver of beef. Calling her that was getting easier, since it was what she seemed to expect the whole time he was playing a girl. At least he was making her happy, and none of this was too difficult. It turned out he acted in a fairly girly way even when he was a boy, as embarrassing as that was to find out. But playing pretend for Coraline was one thing, actually having to do it for a man he had to attract felt like quite another. What would happen once they actually did meet Castus tomorrow? What if he messed up and the soldier realized he was a boy after all? He'd be sent straight back to his horrible uncle in chains and Coraline might be executed!

The thought made him shiver, which he covered up by slipping another little piece of meat into his mouth. He had to focus on what the maid was teaching him. Right now it was his only hope!