Marcus holds out until nightfall.

It was a very long and miserable day for the pampered young prince. He'd never imagined he'd feel so uncomfortable, his back and legs aching from the awkward position, his empty belly twisting into knots. They'd never even fed him, though Jack was kind enough to pour some cold water into his mouth every few hours or so. The brawny man hadn't spoken a word to him since their argument, and Marcus found himself very much regretting his moment of temper. Jack had been some company at least, better than nothing, even if he was wrong about everything. It was really dumb, but there were even moments the young prince had opened his mouth ready to apologize, before he got a hold of himself and stopped. Why say sorry to these traitors for calling them what they were?!

Without conversation to distract him though, he was left to suffer in silence, shivering with shame every time someone passing by the square stopped to gawp at him. He wished he could control himself and be strong, like a prince should be. There wasn't much point in blushing and whimpering for hours on end while every scruffy peasant passing by pointed at him and laughed, but he couldn't stop himself, not when he felt their awful gazes on his flesh.

He just wished the ground would open and swallow him whole every time he heard their mocking giggles and whispered words. Calling him a girl, saying how weak and pathetic he was. These were his parents' subjects, they should look up to and respect him! He wanted to scream at them and stamp his feet in frustration, but they'd only find that even funnier. Besides, Lyra would probably use it as an excuse to do something worse to him later.

So he just stared at the ground instead, hoping they'd all go away. Most did, after gawping at the naked prince for a while. There were a couple who brought armfuls of rotten fruit and vegetables, like he'd heard people sometimes threw at criminals trapped in the stocks, but Jack would always wave them on with a scowl before they hit him with anything.

At long last, it was evening, and the cold wind was making him shiver faintly in his bonds, his teeth chattering. The crowds of grubby peasants went back to their homes, cheering and laughing like the fall of their rightful rulers was the best thing that had ever happened to them. Marcus was watching Jack again, waiting for the moment the brawny man would hurry up and let him out. Lyra had said it was just for the day. He'd die if they left him out here for the whole night without a stitch to wear. They wouldn't do that to him, would they? It would be just too cruel, even for them!

"Please." He whimpered at last, unable to stop himself after a particularly cold blast of wind whipped past his naked body. "Let me out of here, please." Jack paused, his lip curling.

"Fuck it." He grunted sourly. "Lyra was supposed to come fetch you, kid, but if she's not going to bother showing up then she doesn't get to complain when I go easy on you." He stepped over to the side of the pillory, his muscled abs right in Marcus' face. The young prince gasped in shock, his cheeks flushing as he suddenly remembered how it had felt to suck the older man's cock, the taste of salty skin as that big, hard shaft had **** its way in to his trembling lips.. No! He didn't want to think about that anymore! Only, with Jack this close, smelling so musky and sweaty, he couldn't stop himself.

The pillory swung open, freeing him at last. Marcus whimpered in pain, using his weak little arms to **** his aching body to straighten. His back was really stiff, his wrists rubbed raw against the rough wood. He'd never imagined being stuck in one position that long could hurt so very much. Now he understood why the pillory was used to punish criminals. It just made it even worse that these awful people had dared to do it to a prince instead!

Jack was standing there next to him, massive arms crossed over his chest. He seemed content to wait a moment for the young prince to recover, but Marcus could tell any move to flee and the big man would likely run him down in seconds. There wasn't any point in a weak, soft boy like him trying to escape all by himself. He had to be smarter, wait until his parents or one of the nobles came to punish these traitors as they so richly deserved. Maybe he'd even tell them that Jack had been nicer than the others and spare the brawny man from the chopping block. There was no way he was going to say anything for that bitch Lyra though! She didn't deserve it! Not like Jack, who'd been kind enough to free him.

"Thank you." He whispered hoarsely, staring down at the older man's feet.

"You're welcome, kid." Jack replied. "Let's get you back to the castle before you freeze." He pulled that same length of chain from his belt and fastened it neatly to the collar still round Marcus' neck. His big, callused fingers brushed for a moment over the bare skin of the young prince's throat. Marcus gasped and shivered, a strange, tingling feeling running down his spine. His cheeks flushed too, so hot and prickly he knew he must be blushing scarlet. So obvious, but Jack made no comment. Intead, the older man just turned and gently pulled the naked young prince after him down the road.

Marcus followed in the heels of his captor, biting his lip in confusion. Why was he feeling this way? It was hard even now to stop himself from staring at Jack's rippling, muscled back. He should hate this man, he knew he should, but somehow his head was all mixed up just from a few scraps of kindness tossed his way as his world was torn apart around him. The young prince just didn't understand it, even as his belly fluttered and his cheeks burned away. He meekly let Jack lead him back along the road towards the castle, hardly even thinking of what new torment might await him there.