Circumstances of a Fallen Lord

Chapter 93

How dare a peasant mercenary ridicule the aristocracy and reverse the natural order of ones birthright? The situation itself was unacceptable; the fact that Carlton was allowed to run wild made the Great Lord uncomfortable.

How many nobles had left their hometowns in order to request protection, frightened by the mercenarys existence? Considering their pitiful situation, it wouldnt be enough to place Carlton in jail right now and order the knights to torture the man.

However, Duke Anies relied on you immensely. Im accepting you all for his sake, so dont act rashly.

Yes, Understood, Carlton replied, relatively tranquilly. The Eastern Great Lords words were sharp, but this was not disgraceful compared to the humiliation he usually experienced at the hands of other nobles. Anyway, it wasnt worth summoning a beating by running his mouth. And, as the Great Lord said, it would behoove him to be conscious of Luisens position.

The Eastern Great Lord waved his hands. At that gesture, a servant said, Let us leave now.

Carlton and Morrison couldnt utter a word of complaint even though the conversation was so one-sided. The two bowed politely to the lord who no longer even looked at them and turned around.

Suddenly, the Eastern Great Lord opened his mouth, Come to think of it, Ive been hearing an incredibly absurd rumor. About *you* and Duke Anies, he said scornfully. 1

Carlton turned and looked back at the older noble.

According to those rumors, hes been treating you in a special manner. Dont be mistaken, though. There have been many deluded fools who have lost themselves to fantasies after the Duke showed brief interest in them. Hes the type to become tired of anything easilyand that goes for people as well.

The Eastern Great Lord seemed to say, Dont think youre so special. Carlton clenched his fist involuntarily; his trembling palms became white with tension. He was able to endure accusations that hed been acting for moneyhe was fine with being treated like a stray dogbut it was hard to bear any negative slights towards Luisen.

Morrison looked anxious; he was ready to block with his body if Carlton were to rush forward. Earlier, as they had breakfast, Luisen slyly warned Morrison to stop Carlton at all costs if Carlton was unable to stand the Eastern Great Lords rhetoric. The young lord said the older noble had no one in command who could stop the mercenary.

"

"

But, contrary to Morrisons and Luisens expectations, Carlton lowered his eyes. All the anger and contempt boiling within him was hidden by his eyelids. Thank you for your advice, my lord. I shall keep that in mind.

Carlton did not forget to maintain customary courtesy towards those of higher status until he left the tent. His insides burned as if he had swallowed a fireball, but the mercenary endured while thinking of Luisen.

***

The Eastern Great Lord reopened the banquet in the evening. Though Luisen had no intention of enjoying himself at the banquet, he could not excuse himself from the festivities as it was held to welcome Luisens arrival.

Although he ate delicious food and drank precious, expensive alcohol, his heart felt uncomfortable throughout the night. Carlton and Morrison were not at the banquet even though they were in the same party. No one else thought that strange, and only Luisen felt uneasy the entire time.

The festivities continued into the night. Though the young lord narrowly managed to escape the Eastern Great Lord and the other nobles grasps, he was found by maids who came and pushed Luisen into a tent. He couldnt shake off the weak maids; he entered the tent in a state of disarray as he had been forced to drink a significant amount of alcohol just a short while previously.

I was going to go see Carlton

Luisen flopped into the bed. Though the mattress seemed quite simple, the wool made it fluffy. This was heaven compared to sleeping on a cape on bare ground, but the loneliness made the young lord feel empty. When he asked the maids where his companions were they informed him that Carlton and Morrison were assigned to a separate accommodation and were resting as well.

The Eastern Great Lord was a man who observed the strict standards of ones status, so the young lord knew that, when he joined the older nobles party, he wouldnt be able to cling to his companions as he did before. However, now no one was around, Luisen felt so lonely.

If I dont go, Carlton is sure to sneak out at night to come find me Ill just have to wait.

When Carlton came, Luisen resolved to comfort the man so that he would forget what the older noble said. The young lord was sure nothing good came out of the Eastern Great Lords mouth.

Luisen rubbed his sleepy eyes; he slapped his thighs in order to keep himself awake for Carltons arrival. However, the mercenary did not come even after dawn broke. In the end, Luisen could not overcome the power of alcohol and fell asleep.

***

The next day:

The Eastern Great Lords party prepared for an early start. Following the older noble, Luisen climbed into the Eastern Great Lords carriage.

The young lord had no need to lift a single finger in this journeyeverything was taken care of by the maids. Delicious food and warm tea were always prepared. The older nobles carriage was steady and comfortable, and the other nobles riding along joked and bantered so that Luisen wouldnt feel too bored.

Luisen used to take such luxurious trips for granted, but now he felt somewhat awkward.

After traveling like that for the entire day, resting, the group once again set up tents and prepared to spend the night. Once again, the Eastern Great Lord hosted a grand dinner, so Luisen was occupied until the depths of the night.

After the banquet finished, the exhausted young lord entered his tent and stretched out on his bed. This scene was similar to the previous night.

For some reason I think hes doing this on purpose. Luisen whispered to himself. The young lords perceptive eye had matured a little on this trip, and he gleaned that the Eastern Great Lord was deliberately keeping him from his companions.

Luisen missed Carlton and was worried about him. He resolved to find the mercenary when he found the time. As the young lord rode in the carriage, his gaze looked out the window the whole time. And, when the carriage stopped, he wandered around, searching for the mercenary.

However, before he could even walk around properly, he frequently had no choice but to return to the carriage as he was interrupted by various nobles or servants. One time, around lunch, Luisen spotted Morrison helping a few servants in the distance and tried to approach. But, before Luisen could get close, a nearby knight said something to him and dragged him away. The Eastern Great Lord even called upon Luisen from time to time, nagging away.

As a result, Luisen had been unable to see Carlton since yesterday.

Theres no way Carlton was chased away and kicked outright?

Carlton wasnt the type to obediently let himself be kicked out alone, and Morrison would probably have informed the young lord earlier if that were the case. The mercenary was surely somewhere in this large encampment.

To think Ive spent an entire day away from Carlton. Unbelievable

Just yesterday the two traveled together as if they were one body and soul. Though the Eastern Great Lords carriage was of the highest qualityit shook less and was quite plushit couldnt compare to Carltons arms.

The young lord struggled with this empty feeling and, once again, he waited for Carlton to come that night. However, even as the night deepened, no one visited him. The mercenary could certainly have avoided others eyes on the way to Luisens bed; it dawned on the young lord that the mercenary didnt try to come see him yesterday or today.

Is something wrong?

Did he really hear something horrible from the older noble? Is that why hes keeping to himself? Carlton had a large ego and sense of pride, but, at the same time, his self-esteem could be delicate.

I cant let this lie. I suppose Ill have to go find him. Luisen jumped to his feet. Since the tent was a simple construction, it wasnt difficult to sneak out. He crawled out of the tent, careful to not jostle the central pillar and make it collapse. The tent looked a bit misshapen afterwards, and his clothes became covered in dirt, but he didnt care. Carlton would accept him even if he rolled around in mud.

      The thought of meeting the mercenary made his steps light; where theres a will, theres a way. As soon as Luisen popped out of his tent, Morrison also popped out of somewhere.

My god. What are you doing here? Luisen asked, startled.

I was searching around for suspicious people. What about you, my duke?

I came out to look for Carlton. What good fortune to meet you nowwhere is he?

Ah Morrison adopted a vague expression.

"

"

What is it? Is something wrong? Do you perhaps not know where Carlton is either?

NoI know, but

Then, guide me to him.

Morrison couldnt win against Luisens frown, so he took the young lord to a dark, open space as if he had no other option.

There was an ongoing scuffleCarlton, armorless, was fighting barehanded with four armed knights. Anyone could see that the knights had started this unjustified duel.

     Carlton looked to be the overwhelming victor, but the situation seemed too dangerous and disadvantageous for him in Luisens eyes. Holding a sword against an unarmed opponentwasnt that basically declaring ones intent to stab the other to death?!

What are you all doing! Luisen roared thunderously.

     Carlton flinched and let go of one of the knights collars. Luisen strode past him, placing the mercenary behind him, and looked at the knights. For knights to attack one person in a group like thatArent you ashamed? Which noble here carries around honorless knights like you all?

No, we were just

Well. They were getting beaten one-sidedly. The knights were embarrassed and looked wrong, but they couldnt make any excuses either. After all, how shameful was it to jointly attack an unarmed person?

Name the lord you serve, Luisen commanded.

E-esteemed Duke. Please have mercy

Do as they sayjust let them go, Carlton said.

But these people just attacked you.

Ive won anyway. And, I wouldnt want this to become a bigger incident.

When Carlton, the person involved, said all that, Luisen couldnt hold onto his anger. Leaveget lost. Ill keep all your faces in mind, the young lord said, scornfully.

Y-yes. Thank you so much. Thank you, Duke. The knights ran away without looking back. Morrison had already vanished from the scene, leaving only Luisen and Carlton in this dark, open space.

TL: T-T Carltons grown a lot too.

1. is a way to say you with a scornful, derisive tone. Theres really no address in English that has that inherent derision, sadly