章 19: Why do you smell of garlic Today?

Theodore glared at him. "So you gave me those books purposely?", he asked Alistair. "Of course I did, how are you going to learn about these stuff if you don't read about it", Alistair replied.

"but you should have told me what kind of books they were. What if my parents had seen it?",

"trust me if your parents had seen it, they would have been too embarrassed to say anything", Alistair chuckled.

"Alistair!!!".

"So did you like the books?", Alistair asked. Theodore blushed hard and nodded. "Did you feel aroused when you read it?".

Theodore swallowed his saliva and cleared his throat nervously when Alistair asked him this question.

"So where are you taking me to?", he hurriedly changed the subject of their discussion.

Alistair allowed him to change the subject, he had enough time to question Theodore in the future.

"There has been a problem in one of my farms. It's severe, as their lord, I have to be there personally to settle them".

"I am so glad my father is still alive to oversee our properties, I don't think I would ever be capable of performing such tasks",

"don't talk like that, if you are ever in such a situation, I think you would do excellently well. You would be surprised at how capable you actually are", Alistair told him.

"You always know the right things to say, Alistair", Alistair smiled at him affectionately. Been with Theodore made him forget about his worries and troubles.

He pointed at a gate, "that's where we are going to", he informed Theodore. They rode up to the gate, a servant opened it, and they rode in.

The tenants immediately gathered, so Alistair could solve their grievances.

A tray of snacks was brought to Theodore, and he munched on them while he watched Alistair handle the matter. From time to time, Alistair would turn back to smile at him. He smiled at him in return.

Theodore was confused about his feelings for Alistair. Growing up, the only couples he had seen were men and women, he had never heard of two men being in a relationship before. Yet, he knew he wanted to be with Alistair, he was certain that he wanted Alistair to do to him those things he had seen in the book yesterday. But he knew the feelings he had for Alistair were unnatural, they weren't supposed to exist. Alistair might even be disgusted with him and not want to hang out with him anymore if he knew the kind of feelings that Theodore had for him. He couldn't afford to lose him,, so he resolved within himself to hide those feelings for Alistair and make sure he never found out.

Alistair finished what he was doing and walked back to Theodore. "I do hope you weren't bored waiting for me?". Theodore held up the plate of snacks, "of course not, this plate has been keeping me very busy. Are you done?". Alistair nodded and stretched out his hand to Theodore, "come on let's go, I want to show you something", Theodore took his hand, and they left.

Alistair took him to the far end of the property, a small cabin was there which overlooked a small cave. Because of his limp, Theodore walked slowly while Alistair supported him. He helped him to sit on the verandah of the cabin. "Are you okay?", Theodore nodded.

"My legs has cramps sometimes when I am walking. But I am used to it now. It's nothing to be worried about", Theodore said. Alistair sat beside him, "isn't there a cure for your legs?", he asked. "I don't think so, when I was younger, my parents were always bringing in different doctors to treat the limp, but it was all to no avail, I couldn't be treated, they even bought different concoctions to apply on my birthmark to remove it, they failed as well. Eventually, I got tired and told my parents I didn't want to be treated anymore. They were reluctant at first but eventually, I had my way".

"I don't know what to say".

"You don't have to say anything, I have resigned myself to my fate", Theodore said. He looked around, "this place is so beautiful and serene", he told Alistair.

"I know that's why I brought you here, I thought you might like it",

"I do, it's so beautiful, thanks for bringing me here",

", and thanks for being a wonderful friend Theo".

They looked at each other and smiled, "tell me about your family", Theodore asked.

Alistair bit his lips as he thought about what to say. He cleared his throat and spoke, "my dad is dead, I just have my mom and my elder brother, I don't really get along with my elder brother",

"why?",

"he always makes me feel like I am not welcome, that's why I left home",

"I am so sorry Alistair",

"it's okay Theodore at least I am happy here",

"don't you miss your mother?"

''what about your kingdom, don't you miss it?''.

Alistair smiled as he thought of home, "yes I do, everwhere is chaotic and fun, this kingdom is far too quiet".

"I wish I could go there some day", Theodore said. "Maybe you can, we don't know the future".

Little raindrops started to shower down, Alistair helped Theodore up, and they went inside the cabin. The cabin was simply furnished, it had a single bed two armchairs and a small table.

Theodore sat on the bed while Alistair lit a small candle as it was getting dark. "I have been meaning to ask you something, Theodore", "what is it?".

Alistair sat beside him on the bed and sniffed at his neck. Theodore could feel Alistair breath on his neck, "why do you smell of garlic today?",

"Oh I forgot to tell you the king is going to issue a decree that we should all carry garlic as a deterrent against the Vampire".

He went on to tell Alistair about it, he left out the part that it was actually his idea. "I guess I am in for a rough time",

"why do you say so?",

"I am allergic to garlic"

"oh no is that why you have been looking unwell", Alistair nodded.

Theodore brought out the garlic pouch he stood up and walked to the window and emptied it outside.

"I won't carry any garlic then",

"aren't you scared of the Vampire?",

"I am more scared of you getting hurt", he walked back to the bed and sat down.

Alistair reached out and ruffled his hair, "you are so cute".

He stood up and went to the corner of the room searching for something, "what are you looking for?", Theodore asked him. He held up a bottle of alcohol, "I left it here the last time I was here, do you want to drink with me?",

"where are the glasses?", Theodore asked.

"there are no glasses, we will share the bottle do you mind?",

"not at all".

They shared the bottle between them, drinking it turn by turn while the rain continued to pour outside.

"Alistair can I ask you something?",

"sure, what is it?",

"the way men and women can be together, do you think two men can be together like that?",

"why are you asking me this Theo?",

Theodore looked down and twisted his fingers nervously. "I am just curious".

Alistair raised Theodore's head up to look at him "do you think you can be with a man, do you see anything wrong with that?",

"I don't know if I can be with a man, but I don't think two men being together is acceptable in this kingdom.

"Do you want to try being with a man?".