Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!

The forest path wound through the woods, cloaked in night's embrace, the sun long gone and stars glittering like scattered jewels above. Moonlight spilled through the canopy, painting the trail in silver, bright enough to guide but soft enough to keep the world intimate.

Cassius and Aisha rode together on her horse, its hooves a steady rhythm against the dirt, while Julie and Skadi had surged ahead, Skadi's eagerness to lead leaving the pair alone in the quiet dark.

And all the while on the journey, Aisha's grip on the reins was tight, her body tense, every nerve on edge like she was prepared for a demon or monster that might attack them from the woods, even though she knew tha the area that were in was relatively safe.

Why she was being so tense in such a safe environment?

Well, it was because she knew Cassius's reputation, the playboy noble, the shameless charmer who'd seize any private moment to weave his spell, his hands wandering, his words dripping honey to pull a woman into his orbit.

And because of his history and reputation, she braced for it, ready to swat away any tease, any touch, her heart pounding with the certainty he'd try something under this starry sky.

But an hour had passed, and shockingly Cassius hadn't moved.

Not a single sly comment, not a brush of his fingers, nothing. He sat behind her, keeping a careful distance on the saddle, his hands nowhere near her shoulders despite her earlier permission.

Even when the path turned rocky, the horse jostling them, he steadied himself without her, his silence louder than any flirtation. And instead of focusing on her, he gazed at the stars, his head tilted back, eyes tracing the constellations as if they held more allure than she did.

Because of this Aisha's guard faltered, confusion creeping in. This wasn't the Cassius she knew, the brazen noble who'd charm a crowd without shame and because of that certain thoughts came to her mind.

Was she...not worth his time? The thought stung, her pride bristling as her mind spiraled.

Was it her petite frame?

Her sharp tongue?

Her feline heritage?

Did he find her lacking, unworthy of his usual antics?

She told herself it was good, he was behaving, respecting her space, but the ache in her chest betrayed her. She wanted his attention, damn it, even if it was foolish, even if it meant wrestling with his infuriating charm.

Her silence grew heavy, her thoughts a tangle of hurt and defiance and finally, unable to bear it, she twisted around, her voice nervous but pointed.

"Hey, Cassius, is there anything you want to do right now? Like...some urge you're feeling, sitting here with me on this horse, alone on this dark road at night? Anything at all?" Her eyes searched his face, earnest and expectant, her heart racing as she prodded for a reaction.

Cassius blinked, his gaze dropping from the stars, his voice confused. "That came outta nowhere, Aisha. What's got you asking something like that?" He tilted his head, his brow furrowing, genuinely thrown by her question.

Aisha shook her head, her voice quick. "Don't overthink it, just answer me. What do you want to do right now? Be honest." She fixed him with a serious stare, her fingers twitching on the reins, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Cassius paused, his voice thoughtful as he rubbed his chin.

"Well, if I had to pick something..."

Aisha leaned closer, her breath hitching, expecting the confession she'd braced for, a tease, a flirt, anything to prove she wasn't invisible.

"...I'd probably wanna ride one of those stars up there." He said, his voice dreamy.

"Hitch a lift on a meteor, soar through the Milky Way, see those galaxies up close. Bet it'd be wild." He chuckled, his tone self, deprecating. "Course, we'd burn up if we got too close, so maybe just a quick fly, by."

Hearing this, Aisha's shoulders slumped, her voice flat with disappointment as she shot him a look.

"That's not what I meant, Cassius. Stop being all…romantic and poetic. I'm talking about real stuff, right now, on this horse, in this moment. Any…urges? Something you really want to do?"

Her tone was insistent, her body leaning slightly closer, her eyes narrowing as she blinked rapidly, hinting at herself, her heart racing with anticipation and in response, Cassius's eyes widened, his voice brightening as if a lightbulb flicked on.

"Oh, I get it now! I know what you're asking for!"

Aisha's heart leapt, her anticipation spiking, thinking he'd finally caught her drift, that he'd admit some urge to charm her, to pull her into his game. She waited, her breath held, ready to hear the words she both dreaded and craved.

But instead, he leaned forward, his voice earnest, as he said something she never expected or wanted to expect.

"I really need to pee, Aisha. Like, bad. I've been holding it forever bcause I didn't wanna bug you, but since you're asking, I figured you must've guessed...Thanks for checking in!"

He grinned, his tone grateful, completely oblivious to her intent, while Aisha's jaw dropped, her voice a stunned gasp.

"What?!" Her eyes went wide, her body curling forward as she yanked her cloak tighter, mortified. "That's not what I was talking about, you idiot!"

Her words were shrill, her heart sinking with disbelief, her face burning under the moonlight.

Cassius blinked, his voice confused. "Wait, what? Then what were you getting at?" He leaned back, his hands raised in surrender, his brow creasing. "I thought you were being all considerate, asking if I needed a break. What's got you so worked up?"

Aisha groaned, her voice muffled as she buried her face in her cloak. "You're impossible, Cassius! Just...forget it, okay? Keep your stupid urges to yourself!" Her heart thudded, embarrassment and frustration, her mind reeling at how she'd misread him so badly.

"Come on, Aisha, don't leave me hanging. What'd you expect me to say?" Cassius's laugh was soft, his voice teasing. "You're acting like I was supposed to confess some grand secret. Spill it what's on your mind?" He nudged her shoulder lightly, his tone playful but she didn't budge and continued to shirk away from him.

Cassius watched the sight for a moment, her curled posture screaming vulnerability, and it hit him like a stray arrow. She's hurting, he thought, his mind racing to unravel her silence since he didn't like her like this, all vulnerable and pitiful like a kitten left in the rain and he decided to do something about it.

He also knew that Aisha wasn't one to crack under his usual charm, she was like a skittish cat, needing a soft touch to coax her out, so decided on a gentler approach as he leaned forward, his voice low and soothing, like a lullaby on the wind.

"Aisha..."

He said gently, the word warm and delicate, catching her Aisha guard. Her ears twitched, her body tensing, as the tenderness in his tone was so rare it felt almost intimate, like something only Julie might dare say, not a man with his reputation.

Cassius then didn't mind her reaction as he kept his voice calm, his words careful and continued,

"I don't know what's got you so worked up, or why you're hiding from me like I'm about to bite. Those questions you were throwing at me...I'm not sure what you were after, but I can see you're hurting, Aisha, and you're trying to bury it."

"...There's no use pretending, since it's as plain as the stars up there."

He paused, his hands steady on the saddle, his heart curious but patient.

"I genuinely don't know what's spinning in that head of yours, or why you're acting like this, but I want to understand...I'm right here, ready to listen, alright?"

Hearing this, Aisha's breath caught, her head lifting slightly, but she didn't turn, her voice a mumble. "It's...embarrassing, Cassius. I don't wanna say it, okay? Just drop it." Her tone was shaky, her fingers clutching her robe like a lifeline, her heart racing.

"I get that it's tough, Aisha." Cassius's voice stayed soft, his tone earnest. "Whatever's eating you, I know you don't wanna spill it, especially to someone like me. Maybe you think I'll laugh, or maybe it's 'cause of all the stories about me, the women, the messes I've made." He chuckled, his voice lightening. "I'll admit, I'm not exactly a monk, and you probably see me as some shameless flirt who'd rather charm than breathe. But I'm not all bad. I may be a fool but I've always been a honest fool, Aisha, always have been."

"So, if you tell me what's wrong, I swear I won't mock you. I'll give you a straight answer, as real as I can be." He grinned, his tone teasing but warm. "And if I break that promise, you can toss me off this horse, tie me up, and drag me through the mud...Sound fair?"

"Hehe...Dragging you around would be pretty funny, you know. I'd make sure it hurt."

Aisha's lips twitched, a giggle slipping out as she slowly pulled her hood down, her voice soft. She then glanced back, her eyes hesitant but vulnerable, catching his in the moonlight.

"Y-You really mean it, Cassius? You won't...make fun of me? Even if it's stupid?" Her tone was cautious, her fingers fidgeting with her robe's edge.

"I promise, Aisha." Cassius nodded, his voice steady, a gentle smile on his lips. "Cross my heart. If I laugh, you've got my permission to make me regret it."

His eyes held hers, urging her to trust him, his heart out in the open for her to seek asylum...