Your face flushes from the potency of the alcoholic beverage generously gifted to you by a noble whose name you have already forgotten. You've been basking in the festivities with the sycophantic noblemen for hours now because they've decidedly thrown another party in your honor. Not out of love, they would slit their own mother's throat if under the impression that the act would win them favor in your eyes, they do so out of necessity. Because you have the political clout to give them the power they desperately seek or destroy their lives with a mere word. You shift your eyes to the object of your affection, the princely hostage to your immediate right.

Radu, or Radu the Handsome as some of the envious nobles mark him, is one of the two captives that have come into your possession. The second being Radu's brother Vlad. They are bargaining chips, collateral to keep their father, Dracul inclined to remain loyal to you and your empire after allowing him to rule Wallachia once again. You lift your bejeweled chalice and speak to the adolescent "Radu, if we could speak for a moment in private. Please, come to my bedchambers," with your request made, you gulp the remaining contents from the gleaming chalice before setting it back onto the beautifully marbled table. A hush falls upon the nobles as they look between you and the boy. Radu was always your favorite, you'd often bring the little one with you to many of the high class social outings you were obligated to attend. You've treated him well, as any royal hostages would be treated under your care. The handsome boy swells with pride and nods his head while the noblemen whisper among themselves.

The boy follows you through the myirad of hallways extravagantly decorated to be pleasing to the eye. The sound of the party fades to a distant noise, muffled by the various hallways. You allow him passage into your bedchamber, before following behind your object of lust. Alone at last, you move upon the startled Radu who was not expecting your lust filled advances. You grapple his smaller body and force him into a deep kiss. Your tongue invades his mouth while he struggles to break away from your grip. It seems as though Radu will not concede to your cravings.

The boy breaks free, unsheathing his dagger, he cuts you along the fleshy part of the thigh. The moist feeling of blood spreads along your silken pant leg with a clear horizontal rip along it. Your surprise overpowers your pain, Radu stares at the fresh cut he made upon your person and realizes what he has done. His eyes grow wide, and he looks at you with a sense of dread and horror. You see him cast a fleeting glance at the door, before sprinting out of your bedchambers. You call out to him, but he does not turn or waver. Your voice falls upon deaf ears as the sound of his sandals slapping against the cold stones grows more and more faint. The subtle plopping can be heard as your blood drips on the floor. Disappointed with this turn of events, you call for your janissaries to bring you a healer.

Radu remains unseen for days in the Court of the Sultans it was only until after you've left on empirical business that he returns. Reportedly, he has been hiding himself up within a tree. Upon your return, Radu seeks an audience with you. You see him in the Court of the Sultans surrounded by your nobles. He kneels submissively before you and addresses you, "I seek your forgiveness oh Great Sultan! I have shamed myself and my family name! I have no excuse for my behavior before, I can only hope that you will find it within yourself to forgive such an unworthy scoundrel such as myself." the speech almost sounds practiced to you. Nevertheless you feel the urge to forgive the wayward boy for rejecting your advances.