Circumstances of a Fallen Lord

Chapter 105

Luisen and Carlton sat side by side on the sofa. This time, they had wine; the glasses were filled before they were clinked against each other in celebration of their victory. The sound of glasses hitting each other sounded so refreshing, and the purple liquid shook inside.

What about Morrison? Is he still in the middle of interrogation?

They had found a dying demon worshiper in the banquet hallthe man who pretended to be Viscount Boton. They had thought everyone was dead, but there he was; Morrison took the man as he was still breathing. Luisen had no idea how the inquisitor was going to interrogate someone who couldnt even open his eyes. Morrison was incredibly exhausted, but he was still incredibly happy; the man said that following the Duke definitely was the correct decision.

I stopped by a while ago, and he was still in the middle of his interrogation. Morrison told me a few things he discovered. Carlton said.

The demon worshippers were small in scalethere were a total of 12 people who titled themselves, in almost a priestly manner, a worshiper. It seemed that they intended to adapt the allegory of the twelve apostles. They called each other by their numbers, and one of them seemed to be a fairly high-ranking figure in the kingdom: Rugers father.

His father?

Ruger was not acknowledged, but instead an illegitimate son. Those guys didnt seem to keep secrets between them.

Oh.

So, it was a lie that Ruger was the third son of some aristocratic family. Luisen had expected that and wasnt too surprised.

Which noble? Luisen asked.

That hasnt been uncovered yet.

I suppose they wont reveal that too easily. Still, a lot has been found in such a short time.

Yes, well the screams of a man hanging onto his last breaths are so loud Carlton frowned. The interrogation scene showed that the heretic inquisitors notoriety wasnt an exaggeration. Anyway, dont go near him.

Even Carlton looked unsettled. If Morrison had found out this much from a dying man in a short period of time, then the scene definitely didnt look good. Luisen vowed to go nowhere near Morrison for the time being.

Carlton continued, And, it seems those bastards are also in the capital.

The capital?

Yes. It seems that Ruger had been in the capital, at the royal palace.

The royal palace Luisen recalled the king and the first prince before reflexively wiping that train of thought. There were many people in the palace: servants, knights, administrators etc. Some nobles even lived in the royal palace when they visited the capital.

What kind of person would he be? Id like to know before I run into him at the palace, Luisen furrowed his brow.

Morrison has decided to share that information as soon as he finds out more. If he continues on as he has been, then the information should be uncovered soon. Carlton, uncertain how he should loosen Luisens expression, pressed at the young lords forehead with his thumb. Luisen glared at Carlton for a moment before letting the mercenary do as he pleased because he looked so happy.

The touch, which began as a joke, became more and more significant. It swept down the back of the young lords sensitive ear. Carltons face also lost its smile.

The mercenarys gaze was so intense that Luisen felt dizzy. Even the sounds of breathing felt tense. Luisen lowered his eyes slightly before closing his eyes altogether as Carlton gripped his chin.

As if he were waiting for that moment, the mercenarys lips covered the young lords. When Luisen opened his mouth slightly, a searing tongue pushed inside. An intense grape flavor, from the wine, massaged his taste buds. It made Luisens head even dizzier to think that Carlton was tasting the same notes as he was.

The two pulled at each others bodies and deepened the indulgent kiss. They fell into a trance from the heat and touch of each others bodies. Before he knew what happened, Luisen was lying on the sofa and Carlton, naturally, was on top of the young lord.

Carltons knee squeezed in between Luisens legs. As the mercenarys shadow cast over the young lord, Luisen swallowed dryly. He was half-nervous yet secretly eager.

However, Carlton touched Luisens forehead with his hand.

Why? Luisen asked.

My Duke, you have a fever right now. With a grave expression, the mercenary placed his hand inside Luisens clothes. The fingers were the same, but the heat had been taken out of the touch. Its quite high. You cant feel the fever?

Uhh Come to think of it, Luisen thought his muscles had been aching since earlier. His head felt a little dazed, and his eyes felt dry. He had thought this was all because of last nights struggles, but it turned out to be body aches from a fever.

Youve been overdoing it with your lack of stamina. Its understandable that youve become ill. From Carltons point of view, it was rather incredible that the young lord had endured thus farespecially considering his physical condition. The young lord must have persisted thanks to his mental fortitude and had simply surpassed his limit due to last nights events.

Youll truly need to rest now. Carlton slowly raised his body, still fiddling with Luisens cheek. He then lifted the young lord into his arms, took him to the bed, and laid him down. The mercenary covered the young lord with the blanketall the way up to the neck. He even carefully drew the bed curtains so the young lord could sleep well.

Sleep.

No, I cant sleep like this. Luisen said, How am I supposed to sleep after a kiss like that?

Luisen tried to willfully raise his upper body, but Carlton wouldnt ever compromise with Luisens health.

If you continue now, you may actually faint. Carlton pressed Luisen back down, tucked the young lords arms in, and laid next to the young lords side. When Luisen tried to rise again, he placed his hand on Luisens chest to stop any further movement.

I said I cant sleep, Luisen grumbled as he forcefully kept his eyes wide open. I wont sleepIll never sleep. Lets see who wins.

Carlton laughed as if he found the young lord amusing. He patted Luisens chest with a regular rhythm and hummed a familiar lullaby. It was a bit awkward since this was the first time the mercenary sang, but the young lord felt that, due to the pleasant voice, the song was melting in his ears. His body was wrapped in warm bedding; the lullaby soothed his tired mind. Naturally, the tension and strength fled from his body.

Luisen tried his hardest, but his eyelids kept becoming heavier. Seeing the young lords struggles, Carlton gently began to croon and assuage the young lord, Dont worry and sleep. You can always continue at any time.

Are you going to stay here?

Of course. I will continue to stay by your side.

Then Alright

As soon as the anxiety and tension left his body, Luisen fell asleep. He couldnt overcome the fatigue and the fever-born body aches.

Carlton lay still beside the young lord, watching Luisens sleeping face. Is he even going to remember what we talked about right before he went to sleep?

On the surface, it sounds as if the mercenary merely promised to be next to his side while hes sleeping, but that answer also belied Carltons own determination.

Luisens near death experience during the previous night came as a great shock to Carlton. He was so startled; he could not figure out Rugers intentions. Even though the attendant hesitated in front of Luisen, the mercenary swung his sword. He didnt particularly want to know the reason for Rugers hesitation then, but he happened to think back on that hesitation during his conversation with Morrison.

Apparently, loyalty and betrayal were both essential elements for the birth of a Death Knight. As soon as Carlton heard that, he realized that Ruger was about to spare and save Luisen at the last minute. Furthermore, the man was motivated by love.

Theres validity to the saying that like can recognize like. Rugers behavior and attitude resembled Carltons. He fell in love with someone whos standing was hard to ignore and overcome; though he struggled to forget those emotions, his heart was full of lingering feelings, and he couldnt help chasing after Luisen.

There was no tragedy greater than his fate: to become a cursed knight due to love.

Though it wasnt any of Carltons business whether Rugers death was a tragedy or not, the mercenary had clearly gleaned what Aesops fable he could from this incident. If one continued to hesitate and waver like Ruger, neither love nor success will be within grasp. Only the worst end would remain: a futile death with nothing earned.

Carlton finally understood. Even if he died, he didnt want to lose Luisen. He wanted to stay with the young lord for a long while. And, for that end, he would do anything.

Come to think of it, he had been quite unlike himself recently, speaking and thinking so weakly. If Luisen didnt love him deeply, then he could simply seduce the young lord and deepen the young lords emotions. If it would be difficult to stand by Luisens side in his current position, he could climb to a similar standing using all he had accumulated thus far. There were sure to be many other obstacles, but he could break through them all.

Of course, that wouldnt be as easy as he made it sound, but he was no stranger to hardships. Carltons life had always been a struggle for him to achieve and possess the impossible. Even if he had to break through the thorny path with his bare bodyeven if a battle completely unlike any other battles he fought was waiting for himhe was willing to take the riskif the reward was Luisen Anies.

Deep in sleep, Luisen burrowed into Carltons arms. The mercenary took a break from his thoughts to fix his posture to make the young lord more comfortable.

Doesnt this mean that he trusts and relies on me?

The young lord was reassured enough to sleep now that Carlton was here; even though the young lord was in the throes of fever, he wanted to continue with intimate acts. Considering all of these, Luisens feelings towards Carlton werent so frivolous either. Though, the mercenary was unsure if the young lord was cognizant of the depth of his own emotions.

Carlton carefully stroked Luisens hair with his fingertips.

What should I do to help him become more aware of that? Does he also think of me all day?

As the senior mercenaries around him used to say, a relationship may require some push and pull.

Carlton pinched the young lords cheeks slightlyLuisens tranquil sleeping face was so annoying. Then, his slight resentment melted away quickly because the young lords furrowed brows looked so lovely.

"

"

Lets sleep well for now. Later, I wont let you sleep even if you beg me for it.

Carlton embraced Luisen gingerly. And, just like that, the mercenary fell asleep peacefully as well.

***

After sleeping soundly and fully recovering with some food, Luisen set out for the capital with his companions and the Eastern Great Lords band. The traveling party became much smaller than it had been; the Eastern Great Lordwho knows what the winds of change had done to himsent back the nobles that were dragging their speed down and left a few soldiers to clean up Viscount Botons estate.

Morrison separated from them at the viscounts mansion as well. He said he would not proceed to the capital immediately but would instead further interrogate the demon worshiper and act on his own. Luisen was sorry to see him go, but they decided to continue to exchange information once they opened up lines of communication with each other.

When they left the Boton estate, the group was able to move quickly without much trouble.

And, after a while

Luisen and Carlton arrived at the capital.

Finally! Luisen deliberately stepped out of the carriage to set foot on the capital grounds.

It was a long and rough journey, and the hardships made him even more joyous to see the city. The young lord and Carlton held hands and shared their mutual delight.

TL: Omg, finally! The capital! It took over 100 chaps~

And I so glad Carltons gotten his confidence back regarding love. Also I know he mentions Luisen begging, but my personal 200 IQ thought is that it would be hot if Carlton begged.