Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Side Story 2 - Carlton's misconceptions and reality

Sidestory 2: Carlton’s Misconceptions and Reality

     They started from the capital, and, at the end of their peaceful journey, Luisen and Carlton arrived at the duke’s castle.

    As a new Count, Carlton originally should go to his own estate, but, because the Count’s mansion was used as a base for demonic worshippers and the inquisitors and investigative priests were still milling about, the building required major repair.

    Carlton decided to stay at the Duke’s castle and commute to and fro from the county to oversee his fiefdom. Fortunately, winter was a rather idle time, so he asked to take some of the General and steward’s time in the afternoon to learn how to run an estate.

    Luisen and Carlton had already agreed to stay together at the ducal residence when they set out for the south. The two were looking forward to spending the winter together–almost like a long vacation. The journey south was much more comfortable compared to the one to the capital, but they never felt truly comfortable as people followed them everywhere, cheering.

    However they were unaware of what would happen when they arrived at the Duke’s castle. The duchy’s vassals were in full preparation mode after hearing that Luisen was returning with Carlton.

     In front of the Duke’s castle, most of those that worked there–including the General–came out to greet Luisen. 

     “Congratulations on your return, my lord.” The General greeted Luisen as a representative.

     Luisen, in turn, jumped off his horse and approached his trusted subordinate. “Thank you, General. You’ve been through a lot.”

     Luisen looked around at the people that gathered. Everyone seemed alive and well. Surrounded by those who welcomed him, Luisen was once again hit by how miraculous everything was.

    “I’m overjoyed to be able to see you all safe and sound.” Luisen’s heart swelled with emotion. 

     Carlton nonchalantly placed his hand on the lord’s shoulder to try and console him. 

     The General greeted Carlton politely and said, “Sir Carlton–I see you’re now a Count. My Lord, you have guests here as well.” 

     “Captain!” A loud voice pierced through the crowd. Carlton’s lieutenants and men stood as one group. They had been waiting for their chance to budge in as well. Now they had their chance, they flocked to Carlton.

     “Why are you guys here? What about the County?” Carlton asked, surprised at their unexpected appearance.

     “The General called us to join in welcoming you to the duchy since you’re arriving here first!” Carlton’s lieutenant explained. 

     “Captain, I really thought you died this time!”

     “I made a bet! But that was a mistake since everyone came back alive, boss!”

     “Captain? Now we need to call him ‘Count!'”

     Carlton’s men buzzed amongst each other. They were perhaps even more enthusiastic due to all the twists and turns they endured through this ordeal. Naturally, surrounded by all his men, Carlton couldn’t help but move further away from Luisen.

      “Let’s go inside. We’ve prepared a separate dinner for you and your company to converse comfortably.” The General led Carlton and his men to a banquet hall. Carlton’s excited subordinates surrounded Carlton and followed a butler in what could only be described as a stampede. The General took Luisen in a different direction.

     The separation was natural enough that Carlton didn’t even notice, and the General succeeded in separating Luisen from Carlton.

     The banquet was so splendid that it restored the duchy’s reputation. Carlton’s men drank until late at night, grabbing onto their boss and whining that they thought they might actually die this time around. When Carlton tried to sneak out, they grabbed his pants and clung to him. Carlton had no choice but to be held hostage since it was true that he made his men suffer.

     Thus, the first night at the duchy passed. The next morning, Carlton woke up in the room he would be staying in. The room itself was quite nice and showed that the hosts were taking special care of him. Carlton was a little dissatisfied that his room was in the exact opposite location of Luisen’s room, but he couldn’t complain. After all, this wing had been prepared separately in order to allow Carlton and his men ample and comfortable rest.

     Carlton ate the food prepared by the butler and his servants and, surrounded by his men, made his way to the County.

     The inspection of the territory, which had worried him, went smoothly. The former count’s retainers were subdued and well-behaved. The territory itself was well-maintained. Despite Count Doubless’s obsession with demon worship and heresy, the territory was in much better condition than Carlton had anticipated.

     The day was spent inspecting the count’s domain, and, even after returning to the estate, Carlton had to deal with his subordinates. The busy work made the day fly by. His second day at the estate passed in much the same manner.

    Then, on the third day of his arrival at the duchy…

    Carlton woke up thinking of Luisen. He resolved to meet with the young lord today. He was with the young lord every day before he came to the duchy, but, when he came to his senses, Carlton realized that he hadn’t seen Luisen in three days. When he suddenly realized that, Carlton’s heart felt empty and demoralized.

     In the morning, he went to the count’s mansion, killed the appropriate amount of time, and hurried back to the Duke’s castle. He had dropped off the whiny subordinates at the count’s mansion to avoid any disturbance.

     Carlton dismounted his horse and immediately went to Luisen’s room. But, at that moment, Luisen wasn’t there. He wandered around the castle to find the young lord.

     ‘This is weird…’

     But, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find Luisen. Carlton asked the servants, but he received the same answer: ‘I don’t know.’ Despite the vastness of the estate, there were only so many places where Luisen could be. His inability to find the young lord made Carlton feel as if someone had stolen Luisen away.

     ‘…Those people would be the type to do that.’

     In his youth, Luisen had been abused by the duchy’s vassals. Luisen was used as a puppet lord in order for them to maintain their power. They cooperated smoothly in the face of a common enemy–the demon worshippers and Count Doubless–but, now that the external evil had disappeared, perhaps they thought this was the moment to maneuver and seize power. 

     Just as he thought that, he realized another significant matter: his subordinates naturally worked to separate him and Luisen.

      ‘Are they trying to isolate Luisen?’

      If Luisen had other people to rely on–not just his retainers as was the case back then–then, the young lord wouldn’t be as easy to manipulate.

     ‘As long as I’m alive, that’ll never happen.’

      The desire to forget the past and get along with Luisen’s people vanished completely. To ensure that Luisen would never be manipulated again, Carlton needed to firmly establish their relationship in their minds.

     Carlton was a man who never shied away from a fight, no matter who his opponent was.

***

That night:

     Luisen rolled around on his bed.

     ‘As expected, home is the best.’ 

     He was completely at ease, unaware of what was happening around him. After returning, he was finally enjoying all the comforts of being the master of the castle, feeling relaxed both physically and mentally.

     ‘It would be perfect if Carlton was here.’

     When Luisen asked about the mercenary, others said that Carlton was busy with his work at the county and was meeting with his men who he hadn’t seen for long. The young lord tried to visit them, but the General insisted that he would be a burden. Instead of being able to take this opportunity to guide the man as a senior Lord, he had to enjoy leisure. Honestly, though, Luisen found it difficult to enjoy himself.

     ‘Ah, why is this bed so wide?’

     To think that he couldn’t make use of this spacious, nice bed. Feeling lonely, Luisen pressed down on the bed like a kneading cat. He couldn’t help but remember the good times–especially that first night with the mercenary in the capital mansion.

    ‘That time… it was amazing…’

     Luisen wandered through his memories of that day.

     After confirming their feelings, the two lay entwined on the bed. They kissed deeply, their legs intertwining and subtly grinding on each others’ lower bodies. Carlton’s hands roamed over Luisen’s night clothes; the mercenary kissing his lover’s neck repeatedly with a searing intensity, as if marking his territory. Burning heat–as if he were stamping lips into skin.

     Warmth rose all over Luisen’s body to the point that even his thin night clothes felt stuffy. Finally, Carlton took off those pajamas.

    Lewd desire shone in Carlton’s eyes, and that gaze shook Luisen. It felt like Luisen was being engulfed–as if he had become fragile prey in front of the mercenary.

     ‘But I’m the one who made a name for himself as a playboy!’

     It was time to show Carlton the maturity that came with age and experience. Determination surged within Luisen. On the battlefield of this bed at the very least, Luisen was confident. Luisen smiled quite lackadaisically and stroked Carlton’s head.

     Carlton’s big hand caressed Luisen’s bare skin; he kissed the young lord down his throat. He lightly bit Luisen’s chest and then immediately licked the area afterwards.

     “Mmmm…” Luisen moaned languidly as he grappled at Carlton’s neck and shoulders. Carlton’s body felt just as hot as his own. Luisen pulled at Carlton’s collar, filled with desire to see and reach bare skin. “Take your clothes off.”

     At Luisen’s command, Carlton unrobed his top. Finally, the thick and firm body that had been hiding under cloth was revealed. A wild, untamed body that was smooth and muscled without a hint of flab. Luisen stared at that body as if he was possessed. They were both men, but Carlton’s body was just too different from his own.

     While enjoying Luisen’s persistent gaze, Carlton took off his pants and underwear in one go. He was confident in his lower body.

     “You should take off everything as well, my Duke.” Carlton tugged Luisen’s underwear down.

     As he helped by lifting his hips, Luisen grumbled, “What’s with ‘My Duke.'”

     How could he use titles in bed? Too dry–it wasn’t uninhibited at all. ¹ ayo, Luisen? Do you have a feral kink or something?

     “Then, what should I call you?”

     “Use my name.”

    “Luisen?”

     “That’s much better.”

     “Luisen, Luisen, Luisen.” Carlton whispered in his ear. His breath ticked from the ear to the chest. Luisen couldn’t stop the laughter from bursting forth. The two laughed as they kissed each other, touching each other’s bodies to their heart’s content. When they breathed in, they smelled each other’s musk; the heat bounced between their skin.

     Carlton then grabbed Luisen’s hips; Luisen’s cock was already standing ready.

—

TL: Ahahaha… I’m back…? Sorry guys I got too busy with work. But now that it’s winter, I have a lot more time to translate.

It’s also… a lot of smut… and I always take longer to TL smut since I get such second-hand embarrassment. And we also return to misunderstandings ™*. A lot of good things this chappie.