Trapped in the Beastworld Breeder System (BL)-Chapter 59: Courtroom invite

The next day came far too quickly for Aries, who had stayed awake almost all through the night, tossing and turning restlessly on the bed. Sleep had refused to claim him no matter how many times he closed his eyes.

The thought that the Wolf King had requested his presence kept replaying endlessly in his head, looping over and over as worry gnawed at his chest. He fretted about the outcome, imagining countless possibilities, most of them grim.

Yet, each time his thoughts spiraled too far, the strong hands of Lucien, who, ironically, was his strength and his weakness all at once had pulled him close and managed to calm him down, at least temporarily.

By morning, Aries could be seen seated upright, exhaustion written plainly on his face. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes as he stared blankly at Lucien, who stood nearby observing him.

Lucien sighed softly before speaking.

"It seems you’re forgetting that it’s just the king and nothing else," he said, his voice calm as his eyes remained fixed on his mate. "Why are you reacting as though you’re being led to your death?"

After announcing the news the previous day, Lucien had noticed a clear shift in Aries’s demeanor and actions. He had sensed the anxiety, the unease, but he never imagined it had weighed on him so heavily that he couldn’t even sleep through the night.

As Lucien continued to study his face, a quiet snicker escaped his lips when Aries finally replied.

"What’s the difference between death’s door and the king?" Aries asked, "I mean, most of the Beast Kings are brutal. And this father of yours might not have anything good or beneficial to offer me. That’s why I’m scared."

"Hmmm..." Lucien hummed thoughtfully, nodding as he assessed Aries’s words. "What you’ve said does make some sense, and I understand it."

He paused briefly, then continued, his tone turning reassuring. "But you need to believe me and stop worrying. Whatever is given to you when you get there will be good."

"... alright then," Aries said quietly, nodding in reluctant acceptance.

Lucien nodded as well, affirming his words. Then he added, "I should take you to the bathtub so we can bathe and get dressed for the courtroom."

Aries didn’t protest. He simply followed Lucien out of the room, through the long corridors, until they reached the bathing chamber.

A large, round wooden bathtub dominated the room. Steam covered the air, moving about the room, most of it rising from the wooden tub itself. Soap and milk were neatly arranged by the side, and kneeling beside it were two maids, whom Aries assumed were there to assist him with bathing.

His eyes scanned the entire place slowly, taking in every detail.

"Well done," he said absently as he began to remove his clothes.

As Aries’s hands lingered at his waist, fingers cradling the hem of his shirt, he tilted his head backward slightly, and froze. His gaze landed on Lucien, who was still standing there, watching him intently.

"What are you doing here?" Aries asked, startled.

"Watching," Lucien replied without hesitation, "and helping you change so you can have the proper courtroom appearance."

"No," Aries said immediately. "You will not watch me change or bathe. What makes you think you can say that?" He was clearly caught off guard and quick to set things straight.

"I mean," Lucien said, confusion flickering across his face as a small laugh escaped him, "I’ve seen your nakedness before. What are you hiding?"

"Yes," Aries snapped back, "once—when I was drugged and drunk, and the light was dim. This room is very bright."

"At least it was something," Lucien muttered under his breath.

"Get out," Aries said firmly, seriousness evident in his tone.

Lucien studied him for a moment, then said nothing. He turned and left immediately.

Once Lucien was gone, Aries let out a slow breath. Left in the room with only the maids, he traced his hands over his shorts and removed them, then slipped off his upper garment, leaving himself bare.

Instinctively, his hand covered his jewels as he turned toward the maids. Their faces remained completely neutral—no laughter, no mockery, no reaction at all. Feeling slightly reassured, Aries walked carefully toward the bathtub.

He dipped one leg into the water first. Finding it warm and manageable, he lowered his entire body into the tub and settled in comfortably.

The maids waited a few moments before beginning their work. They scrubbed his upper back, then his neck, their hands moving gently and professionally. Their touch trailed down his chest and stomach, and Aries gradually relaxed, sinking deeper into the bath.

But then a hand moved lower and it was too low, and the touch felt different and familiar.

Aries’s eyes flew open. He immediately grabbed hold of the hand, and the unmistakable hardness beneath it.

"What the fuck is going on?" he blurted out.

He turned sharply. Lucien was standing behind him.

His hand was still caught in Aries’s grip.

"What are you doing here?" Aries shouted, anger flaring in his eyes. "I thought I told you to get out!"

Lucien looked embarrassed, caught completely off guard. His shoulders dropped slightly as he sighed.

"Well," he said cautiously, "don’t you like the way I’m assisting you? Even... going further?"

Aries stared at him, then followed the direction of Lucien’s hand. His jaw tightened. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Does it look like I’m enjoying any of this?" he asked coldly.

Lucien’s smile faded instantly as he heard those words. "Oh..." he said softly. "I’m so sorry."

To be honest, Lucien had been aroused ever since the night he lay beside Aries, when they had done nothing more than touch and relieve themselves. It had left him wanting far more than he had expected. He had hoped, foolishly, that he might get another chance the next day until circumstances forced him to endure three long months without his mate.

Now that Aries was finally back, and rested for a week, he thought something could happen, but Lucien realized he might not understand him as well as he thought.

He slowly withdrew his hand from the water, turned away, and left the room.