Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Side Story 6

Sidestory 6

     “I’ve lost. Completely.” 

     Carlton couldn’t wrap his head around it. The situation defied his common sense–How could someone love another so much that they indulge that person’s every whim, ultimately rendering the loved one incapable of doing anything on their own.

     Luisen was right.

     Abuse? That was all in his imagination. Oh Lord. He could never inflict such doting love upon his own biological children. Carlton bet that his own father wouldn’t be able to recognize him even if they had passed each other on a random street. Then again, perhaps it was precisely because Luisen wasn’t their biological child that everyone was so overprotective. He was…the only heir left by the late Duke–a precious legacy or something of the sort?

     “Then, let me retrieve some tea that’d be good for your headache, my Duke. Stay here for one moment,” the General said affectionately to Luisen. He turned to Carlton, “You keep on working on that ledger. I’ll leave the door open, so don’t think about trying anything funny.”

     Then, he left the office with that sharp warning.

     Carlton couldn’t help but laugh dryly–he was utterly dumbfounded. “Hah.”

     “See, I’m right, hm?” Luisen puffed up with smug pride.

     “Yes, yes. I was operating under a completely ridiculous misconception.”

     “How did you come up with such an absurd idea?” Luisen laughed. 

     Carlton also wondered the same. 

     To start, when the Duke’s estate was seized, Luisen had unilaterally surrendered while his retainers had rebelled and effectively staged a strike against their lord. It had made their relationship seem abysmally strained. Luisen himself appeared timid and anxious, lacking in self-esteem.

     ‘But…this was the decisive factor.’

     The buried old hags.

     The mercenary was shocked to see him happily eat crops that were usually reserved for pig slop. At that moment, he was convinced that Luisen was in such desperate need from his vassal’s abuse that the young lord would have eaten dirt to survive.

     “How did you come to eat those buried old hags then?”

     Luisen froze for a second–he realized something. What excuse had he used back then? He completely forgot!

     “How could those fussy retainers let you eat something like a buried old hag? They apparently raised you without letting dirt even touch the soles of your feet.”

     “Mm… That’s… So, um…” Luisen desperately tried to rack his brains for a plausible excuse. Anyone could clearly see the cogs in his brain turning around. “…I found it while playing around as a kid? I don’t remember very well, haha.”

     After thinking so hard, was that the only thing he could come up with? It was so obviously an excuse.

     ‘So cute.’ Carlton kissed Luisen on his forehead. But as he did, a particular man who had left a significant mark on Luisen’s life came to mind. Carlton didn’t want to mention that man–didn’t want to make Luisen think of that man again–but curiosity entwined with annoyance bubbled up. He masked his displeasure and asked, “Was the one-armed pilgrim the one who told you about it?”

    “Is that it…? That must be it!”

     “The others don’t seem to know about the one-armed pilgrim.”

     “Mm, well… He was only around for a brief while.” Luisen laughed awkwardly. He was so flustered that sweat flooded down his back. Even the young lord thought that this was such a lame excuse.

    ‘Still, please, don’t pry any more and move on!’ Luisen looked earnestly at the Mercenary. The young lord’s glistening eyes twinkled, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow over his irises. His lashes fluttered every time he blinked. The sorrowful looking, delicate face looked pitiful.

     Though his story was riddled with inconsistencies, pointing them out felt cruel. Was there any point in digging into this ancient matter, dragging out answers that might not even exist? Carlton doubted it. No truth in this world was worth tormenting Luisen.

     “I see. That’s very possible.” Carlton threw his interrogation far away and turned to return Luisen’s gaze. Luisen smiled brightly and with noticeable relief. Carlton couldn’t help but think the General’s dreary office had suddenly become filled with light.

     Luisen quickly snuggled into Carlton’s arms. Then, he grabbed Carlton as if he were a spoiled brat and swayed his body from side to side.

     “What should we do until dinner? Do you want me to show you around this territory? Or, should we go back to our room?” Luisen asked.

     “Shouldn’t you finish what you were learning? That headache was just an excuse, wasn’t it?” Carlton replied, raising an eyebrow.

      “Can’t we just rest for today? It’s true that I found the material difficult.” 

       Carlton realized that Luisen was determined to skip today’s study session, using the truth as a convenient excuse for his desires.

    Luisen adopted a sorrowful expression with glistening, moist eyes. This was the same expression the young lord had shown to the General earlier. Carlton’s resolve wavered–the sight of his lover nestling closer into his embrace and acting spoiled made him look even more endearing. Though it was obvious that Luisen was trying to weasel his way out of work, if the young lord were to flash that adorable smile again, Carlton thought he might be happy to let himself be fooled. 

     Then, he pulled himself together. This wasn’t just normal matter—this was something Luisen needed to learn. If he got into the habit of avoiding difficult lessons, he’d only face bigger struggles later. Carlton had to be firm for Luisen’s sake. “We can’t. The General also said that this matter was important.”

     He enunciated every word sharply and deliberately in order to mask his own moment of weakness.

     Luisen became a little sullen, “But, it’s so difficult…”

     The reluctance in his voice was genuine. Even looking at words alone or numbers alone made his head hurt, but having to deal with both together was overwhelming. It felt like his thoughts were getting tangled before he had even started. The young lord couldn’t help but wish he could just push this particular lesson off until later.

     However, Carlton was adamant. “I’ll help you and be by your side. So, let’s try again.”

     “Mmm….” Luisen didn’t feel inclined to continue, but Carlton’s unwavering tone made him decide to try again. 

     “Now, look this way.” Carlton pointed his finger at the ledger. 

     While smaller mercenary bands often managed their affairs haphazardly, large operations like Carlton’s required strict organization and structure. Consequently, Carlton was familiar with reading and managing ledgers, and he guided Luisen with practiced ease.

     Carlton explained everything slowly and methodically. Though Luisen struggled at first, Carlton kept the young lord’s spirits high with occasional kisses and by slipping small snacks into his mouth. Carlton wasn’t as skilled a teacher as the General, but Luisen, not wanting to show a weaker side to his lover, worked all the more desperately.

     Fortunately, his eyes began to understand the flow of the ledger at some point. “I think I get it now! Wow–I did it?”

     He felt an incredible sense of achievement–just as much as he found the material difficult. Luisen smiled proudly and confidently.  Carlton, delighted by Louisen’s joy, pulled him into a hug and showered him with praise. At the same time, a thought crossed his mind.

     ‘…Was this how this all happened?’

      Even now, Luisen had a knack for melting hearts. If he could do this as an adult, how much more disarming must he have been at six years old? Carlton couldn’t help but recall the portraits of young Luisen he’d seen earlier. The young lord had been so small and utterly adorable with his silky blond hair, vivid blue eyes, and rosy, chubby cheeks. A baby angel in every sense of the word.

     A beautiful child like him had lost his parents early and took on the heavy responsibility of being the head of his household; no wonder the retainers felt pity for him and catered to his desires.

     ‘I was almost one of them…’

      No, even now, if young Luisen were to appear, Carlton felt he might carry the young lord around 24/7, indulging the child’s every whim. As much as the Mercenary hated to admit it, he couldn’t deny reality any longer—Carlton understood the General’s and the vassals’ feelings all too well.

     “Hem, hem. I’ve brought tea.” At that moment, the General returned to the office.

     “General! I think I understand now! Carlton taught me!” Luisen, jubilant from success, bragged to the General. The General smiled at Luisen and glanced at the Mercenary. Their eyes met, and Carlton suddenly found it awkward to glare at the steward as he used to.

     “…My duke did his best to learn as well,” Carlton mumbled.

     “I overheard a little from outside—you’re quite the teacher,” the General remarked, unexpectedly offering praise. 

     Carlton was taken aback. ‘The General is complimenting me? What’s wrong with him?’

     It was just so unexpected.

     In truth, the General had realized he’d left Luisen and Carlton alone in the study and, halfway through retrieving the tea, had hurriedly rushed back. That’s when he’d overheard Luisen coaxing Carlton into playing and slacking off.

     “Ah, so his ‘illness’ was fake yet again,” the General thought with a sigh.

     It was a tactic Luisen had employed countless times since childhood, and yet the steward had fallen for it again. Despite knowing better, he couldn’t help but worry in the moment, succumbing to that flicker of doubt. It wasn’t just overprotectiveness—this behavior was a deeply ingrained habit from years of anxiously nursing Luisen through illness or distress.

     “Perhaps this is just the limitation of an old man,” he mused bitterly.

     Even though the General knew indulging Luisen’s whims wasn’t truly helping him, the General still found himself giving in, almost automatically, to the younger man’s pleas.

     In fact, the General was well aware that meddling in whomever Luisen chose to keep by his side was overstepping his role as a vassal. However, in the minds of these vassals who had served their master for a long time, Luisen was still that pitiful and lovable young master.

     They were old and couldn’t take care of their young master forever; it was inevitable that they would pass long before Luisen.

     Therefore, the General hoped that if Luisen were to choose to be with someone, that person would love Luisen as much as they do. He hoped that that person would be a consistent supporter for the young lord and, unlike himself, would be occasionally strict if necessary. Most importantly, that person should make Luisen happy. To be honest, the person’s family name, status, or gender didn’t matter much.

     ‘If I could indulge in a bit more greed,’ the General thought wistfully, ‘I’d hope to spend my twilight years doting on a child who takes after Luisen.’

     In that sense, he didn’t quite like the idea of Carlton as Luisen’s lover. Sure, the General no longer viewed him as harshly as before. Carlton was capable, respected by his subordinates, and surrounded by reliable people. As a neighboring lord, the man was trustworthy and someone they could work alongside. It was for these reasons that the General had extended his goodwill and endeavored to teach Carlton as well.

     However, he couldn’t help but stew in his concern. How serious were his intentions towards Luisen? Luisen’s breathtaking appearance might explain Carlton’s current passion, but whether he could become the kind of partner the General and the other retainers wished for remained uncertain. How much would such a self-confident and ambitious man be willing to sacrifice for Luisen’s sake?

     The General was about to enter the office when Carlton spoke–

     “We can’t. The General also said that this matter was important.”

     His tone was resolute. The General understood, better than anyone, how difficult such rejection could be. He listened further as Carlton patiently explained matters step by step to Luisen. When the young lord appeared to struggle, Carlton rephrased his explanations until Luisen could grasp the concepts. Luisen followed along diligently as well.

     It was… so pleasant to listen to.

     ‘If Carlton continued in this way for at least a decade, then he deserves to be acknowledged.’

     The General released his grip on the door handle and turned around. He should prepare tea to clear Luisen’s head and snacks that Luisen liked.

     ‘As for Carlton…well… I’ll just throw in some fruit for him.’

     Though still begrudging as ever, it was the first time the General had considered preparing anything specifically for Carlton. When he returned to the office, his usual stern gaze toward Carlton had softened–he couldn’t bear to be as harsh as before. He acknowledged Carlton’s effort in teaching Luisen, and perhaps it was his imagination, but Carlton didn’t seem to be glaring at him either.

     ‘Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. What’s wrong with him anyway?’

      The General and Carlton’s changes of heart were perfectly parallel, but neither knew each other’s thoughts. Awkwardly, they both turned towards Luisen instead. 

***

      That didn’t mean the General’s and Carlton’s relationship particularly improved. The two engaged in a war of nerves throughout winter; the people in the duchy still saw Carlton as a thief.

     But, he no longer interfered with the two at night, and, when Carlton sometimes ate breakfast with Luisen in bed, the General moved on, pretending–desperately–as if he had never seen them. 

       Carlton stopped being on edge around the people of the duchy as well. If they weren’t going to be his enemy, wouldn’t it be better to forge better relationships–especially if they were going to be in each other’s company for a long while. He made efforts to be approachable, subtly asserting his presence without creating tension.

      As a result, Luisen enjoyed his best winter yet. With his lover and savior by his side, commanding his retainers, and basking in the wealth and power of the duchy, his days were truly enviable.

     One could say that Luisen was the true and ultimate winner of this war.

TL: Honestly, that was so cute >.<