Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Unlike before regression, Carlton made enough contributions that no one could speak against him. He defeated the cultists and rescued the prince from their grasp. He hadn’t committed a grave error like he had in the previous timeline as well.

‘He’ll definitely receive a noble title!’

Luisen predicted that the mercenary would be gifted a fiefdom and a decent position along with his title. The question was which territory Carlton would receive…and what position he would hold. 

‘There are many empty lands without lords in the northwest. If Carlton receives a territory there, we’ll be too far apart.’

If he were appointed to the royal knights or a position as a guard in the Capital, it would be the same. Carlton would have no choice but to separate from Luisen.

Of course, when Luisen voiced these concerns to Carlton, he responded nonchalantly, saying it didn’t matter since he would be following the Duke anyway. To be frank, he seemed to have little interest in the intense power struggles centered around the impending changes. While he did greet the first prince separately, it seemed more like a formality.

That attitude and those words indicated that he would throw away whatever the prince bestowed if it got in the way of being with Luisen.

Carlton’s heart moved the young lord. Luisen couldn’t believe he held the young lord in such high regard. But, that wasn’t what Luisen was concerned with.

‘Carlton doesn’t lack anything! He can’t give up!’

Luisen was well aware how intensely Carlton desired success. Therefore, the young lord wanted to make everything happen. He didn’t want to be the reason Carlton hesitated, even if it meant giving his lover the wings to soar even higher than before!

Luisen already had a lot–he didn’t need any more. But, Carlton was different!

Therefore, Luisen intended to reveal their relationship to the first prince while asking him to consider placing Carlton closer to the Anies duchy to ensure Carlton could rise in the ranks. It would also preemptively block any possibility of the first prince arranging a match for Carlton.

However, before Luisen could make a full-fledged request, he ran into the troublesome matter of the prince avoiding him. 

‘After the meeting, I really need to find a way to talk to him.’

Luisen looked at the first prince enthusiastically; the first prince, on the other hand, avoided his gaze, sweating nervously. 

Regardless, the meeting continued, and preparations for both the funeral and the coronations proceeded smoothly.

***

After the meeting, Luisen returned to the manor dejected. The first prince hurriedly rushed out of the conference room first, saying he had a prior appointment.

‘There’s no need to run away. Does he think I’m going to devour him or something?’ Luisen muttered as he dismounted the carriage and entered through the front door.

“Luisen!” Carlton came out to greet Luisen with a big grin. He held Luisen in his arms for a long while, as if he had been waiting for some time, and wrapped the young lord’s cheeks with warm hands.

“It’s cold outside isn’t it? Did the return trip go well?”

Luisen nodded, relishing in his lover’s touch, “Let’s go inside.”

Carlton helped Luisen take off his coat and casually escorted him to his room. The room had already been made warm in anticipation of Luisen’s arrival and, as soon as he sat on the sofa, a steaming cup of tea and some snacks were brought out. Luisen melted into the warmth of the tea, nibbled on the sweet treats. The young lord felt warmed with his lovable lover by his side, rubbing his hands.

A contented, languid sigh slipped out of Luisen’s lips almost involuntarily.

‘So nice.’

Even though he had lived a life of luxury and there was nothing particularly special about these touches, just having Carlton present made the touches special. Coming back after a hard day’s work to find a lovely partner waiting for him was something special.

Luisen slumped into Carlton’s arms; Carlton, in turn, laughed lowly.

“I think the first prince is meeting with the nobles of his faction in the evening… Is it alright if you don’t go?” Luisen asked cautiously, worried that the mercenary was being marginalized and alienated.

“Ah, that? I was summoned, but I decided not to go.” Carlton said nonchalantly. “It’s a waste of an evening–I could spend that time with my Duke instead. After all, you’ve been so busy these days and have been constantly at the Royal Palace.”

“That’s true, but…”

Luisen was glad that he filled Carlton’s thoughts. He was so happy he wondered if he should feel guilty for his happiness. Luisen stared blankly, admiring the masterpiece that was Carlton’s face.

Carlton didn’t have a specific job, compared to Luisen who had his duties as a Great Lord. Except for the occasional times the mercenary followed Luisen to the palace, he spent most of his time in the mansion. One could say that Carlton was enjoying the vacation Luisen had hoped for.

Perhaps that’s why Carlton’s face glowed and became more handsome as the days passed. His rough skin became smooth, and he looked relaxed in a way he had never looked before. These changes drew attention, and Luisen couldn’t help but stare at him absentmindedly.

The young lord was satisfied with Carlton being here just for Luisen…but was that really okay? He was worried that Carlton might regret this later on.

“…So frustrating.” The young lord mumbled.

“Is something not working well?”

“I think the first prince is avoiding me.”

“Because of *that*?”

“Mhmm.”

Luisen could see how desperately the first prince was avoiding him from the fact that even though the young lord was with the prince all day he couldn’t find space nor time to be alone with the prince.

“Understandable. Maybe he’s feeling extra pressure because Luisen Anies is concerned and eager to speak with him, so he’s doing his best to avoid you?”

“But, I’d like to make a deal with the prince before he becomes king.”

“There’s no need to go through such efforts just because of me.” Carlton smiled, casually. The image of him burning with ambition, like a dry log, was nowhere to be seen. Seeing him so calm made Luisen even more upset.

“No. Still! I heard the other nobles are holding banquets receptions. Will you hold a banquet in your name? Do you need gold coins?”

“Who knows? Isn’t it okay to not have all that? I’ll definitely follow you, Luisen, one way or another. For now, I’ll enjoy relaxing.”

“Mmm…”

“As long as we don’t part ways, isn’t that all that matters? You didn’t perhaps seduce me only to avoid taking responsibility, right?” Carlton squinted as he glanced suspiciously at Luisen. 

Panicking, Luisen reassured him that that wasn’t the case. Carlton burst into laughter at the exaggerated reaction and kissed Luisen’s face as if he couldn’t endure such cuteness.

“It’s because I’m afraid you’ll experience regret later,” Luisen said.

“If Luisen is around, there’s no way that’d happen.” Carlton had a knack for saying such embarrassing things nonchalantly. This delightful trait was too problematic–Luisen couldn’t help but kiss Carlton! Carlton lifted up Luisen’s body and sat the young lord down on his lap.

As their kiss turned deeper, Carlton’s hand wrapped around the back of the young lord’s neck. Heat surged in Luisen’s belly, quickly erasing any practical concerns. 

“I want to wash up, but I’m too tired to go all the way to the bathroom,” Luisen whispered into Carlton’s ears. “You’ll help me, right?”

“Of course.” Carlton rose to his feet, deftly hugging and lifting the young lord. The rest of the evening felt very, *very* long.

***

Time passed, and the day of the late king’s funeral alongside the prince’s coronation arrived. The king’s corpse was carried from the royal palace to the church in a black coffin. Following the coffin was the procession of nobles, including the first prince. The people of the kingdom covered their heads with black cloth and watched the procession.

The funeral was solemn and reverent. Since the funeral also commemorated those who had been sacrificed by demon worshippers, more people attended than ever before. Luisen, as the host of the event, was on edge from the morning, but fortunately the event proceeded without any major issues.

After the funeral procession finished, the king’s body was cremated, and the ashes were placed in a small urn. The remains would then be enshrined in a separate tomb used for kings.

With the funeral complete, the crowd dispersed. Luisen took a short break and went to change his clothes for the prince’s–the new king’s–coronation ceremony.

Usually, there was a day’s break between the funeral and the coronation. However, this time, due to the funeral also serving as a memorial service and due to the many unfortunate events that occurred, the coronation was held immediately afterwards. To transition the nation from sorrow to joy.

Thanks to that, he felt like he would drop dead from the effort of preparing for the funeral… and he would drop dead once more while preparing for the coronation. Luisen changed clothes, absentminded. He sat still like a doll while the maids dressed him in the pre-prepared clothes and touched up his hair. Unlike the simple undecorated black suit he wore for the funeral, the new outfit was an elaborate attire that was adorned with wheat-shaped gold embroidery that represented his duchy.

“What about Carlton…” Luisen asked.

Thanks to the goodwill he had generated, Carlton, despite being a commoner, could attend both the funeral and the coronation. However, as Luisen was in charge of the event, he hadn’t been able to see Carlton since morning. He wished he could have Carlton by his side, but due to Carlton’s status, that was regretfully not possible.

“I sent a separate person to be at his side, so don’t worry.”

“Alright…”

After the coronation ceremony, they would march back to the royal palace to announce the birth of a new king. Then, they would hold a large, celebration banquet. Perhaps he’ll be able to meet Carlton then.

Carlton also told him not to worry and to focus on finishing the event. The expression on his face–when the mercenary said those words–seemed as if his mind was on some other scheme.

‘Should I have asked about it?’

Luisen had been too busy to inquire, and now he regretted it. Still, now that the funeral was over, he could finally take a breather. 

‘I have some free time now, right?’

Luisen had some leeway before the coronation began. This time should be used to eat and rest, but, suddenly, Luisen decided to visit the first prince.

‘He can’t run away now.’

Luisen was willing to sacrifice one meal for Carlton. Luisen left his room a little earlier than scheduled and approached the room where the prince would be waiting.

`

But, servants were milling about in front of the prince’s room, as if they had no idea what to do.

“What’s going on?” Luisen asked as he approached.

The servants welcomed him as if the young lord was his savior, “We must finish preparations, but the prince won’t allow anyone to enter the room! What to do…”

‘What’s happening now?’ It’s not like he’s a bride being forced into a strategic marriage; it seemed like the Crown Prince was staging some strange protest right before the coronation.