Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Side Story 7

Side Story 7:

Episode 3: One day, five years later.

     Five years ago, Carlton became a count and received the last name ‘Anitos’ when he had driven out the demon worshippers to save the world. He designated that day as the founding day of the County of Anitos and christened that day as a significant holiday within his territory.

     Today marked the fifth anniversary of that fateful day.

     Throughout the county, celebratory festivals were held in commemoration of the holiday. The denizens enjoyed the festivities, singing praises of the glory of the Count of Anitos.

      Amid the wild revelry that swept the land, the count’s manor also held a magnificent celebration today. Carlton invited people who he had personal ties with, including the Southern nobles. Those who received invitations eagerly traveled long distances to attend.

     ‘More people came this year than the last.’ Carlton surveyed the people that packed into the banquet hall. Both the insides and the outsides of the manor were filled with jubilant delight. Whether they were sincere or drunk with joy, many folks congratulated Carlton. On this day, every year, Carlton felt as if he was being acknowledged for the efforts he had taken throughout the years.

     He had played a pivotal role in the current king’s victory in the battle for the throne, saved the king’s life, and earned the title of “Saint” after rescuing the world from demon worshippers.

     As a result, he experienced a dramatic rise in his status from a lowly peasant to a noble aristocrat. Even though he made impressive contributions that others couldn’t hope to match, he had experienced disrespect in his early years as a lord due to his birth status. There were concerns that he, a mercenary, couldn’t manage the estate properly. Even the vassals of his county, though obedient and amenable, didn’t trust nor unconditionally follow him.

     However, Carlton did his job better than anyone else. Using the knowledge and vast network of contacts he had gained from his time as a mercenary, he expanded the intermediary trade businesses that had been started during Count Doubless’s time. And, using what he had learned from Anies Duchy’s General, he carried out the traditional duties of a lord.

     Carlton’s business had expanded significantly, as the kingdom overcame the civil war’s damage and began to thrive again, his territory had gained significant wealth.

     As the county began to flourish more vibrantly than ever before, the denizens had no choice but to grow fond of the man who had led their land to prosperity.

     Carlton’s life as a noble was going as smooth as it could.

     ‘Great. This year’s banquet will be a success.’

     From a distance, he could see Enis, who became a butler, and his former deputy, now steward, running around busily. Carlton handled the various nobles milling about with an appropriate smile; he still did not quite like the nobility, but he was now able to hide his true feelings skillfully. The man looked quite aristocratic–his demeanor was flawless after being taught by the General and imitating Luisen.

     ‘I think it’s about that time.’

     Carlton snuck glances at the entrance from time to time. To be honest, there was another guest he had been dearly waiting for. Not even all the guests filling the banquet hall combined could compare to this one person in importance. 

     After a few more impatient glances, an attendant finally appeared to announce, “Duke Anies has arrived!”

     Carlton’s eyes opened wide. He looked at the door in poorly concealed anticipation. He wasn’t the only one; the other aristocrats, who had been chatting and laughing, all stepped aside from the red carpet that ran down the middle of the space.

     The doors opened, and Luisen entered the banquet hall. Despite the many eyes fixed on him, Luisen was unfazed and walked leisurely forward; his steps were measured and composed. Dressed in a regal blue outfit, with his long golden hair cascading down his shoulders, he stood as the dignified ruler of the golden fields. Everyone bowed their heads and paid tribute as he passed.

     Duke Anies’ reputation had once fallen to rock bottom and many predicted his downfall, but everyone now acknowledged that he was the undisputed leader of the southern region. While Carlton established himself as a noble, Luisen had also succeeded in cementing his powerbase as a Great Lord by restoring his duchy.

     Five years ago, the South was the region least affected by the civil war and the demon worshippers. As a result, under the leadership of the new king, the South had flourished more than any other region during the kingdom’s reconstruction. This prosperity was largely due to Luisen’s efforts five years prior—seducing Carlton to his side to prevent further conflict, addressing impending crises in the South, and preemptively thwarting the schemes of the demon worshippers. Naturally, the Anies Duchy’s influence had grown significantly.

     In addition, Luisen had faithfully performed his duties as a lord and reorganized the power structure of the duchy with him in the center. Externally, he united the Southern lords, supported his faction in their plays in the central kingdom; with those efforts, he rode the momentum to greater heights.

     The journey had been anything but easy, but Luisen had accomplished it. And, of course, Carlton had been by his side the entire time.

     Carlton couldn’t take his eyes off of Luisen who was walking towards him. His long blonde hair twinkled and shone like a halo on his head. Luisen’s presence was all the more dazzling since they hadn’t seen each other for a while since Carlton was preparing for the banquet.

     Luisen winked when their eyes met. Carlton sent him a kiss in response.  It was a private exchange, unnoticed by the others who had their heads bowed. The two shared a silent laugh–a moment just for them.

     Then, he reapplied the polite expression used for social functions and exchanged the obligatory formal greetings. “Sir Carlton, congratulations on your anniversary commemoration.”

     “It’s an honor to have you here, my Duke.”

     Like actors following a script, the two exchanged words appropriate for any Great Lord and a noble of the same region. In truth, Carlton wanted nothing more than to pull Luisen into a tight embrace, cover him with kisses, and sneak away to a place where no one could find them. But he restrained himself. His deputy turned steward and Enis had begged him to at least maintain decorum in public, lest he squander his hard-won reputation.

     “The General sends his congratulations as well.”

     “Ah. The General. Please send him my thanks.”

     “I heard he prepared you a present separately. Please check on it later.” Luisen chuckled softly, recalling the General’s expression. Every year, he would prepare a gift for Carlton while insisting it was merely a formality to show proper etiquette toward a neighboring noble. Despite their constant bickering, it seemed the steward had grown fond of Carlton after all. “I’ve left your gift with Enis. You’ll have to look at it by the end of today. Understand?”

     Luisen’s eyes glistened.

     The glint in his gaze carried a hint of some mischievous scheme, and Carlton felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

     Luisen’s arrival was the signal for everyone to move to the dining hall together. After finishing the sumptuous meal, everyone milled around as they moved back into the banquet hall again; the full fledged celebrations began in earnest. Everyone drank, talked, listened to music, and danced. As the host and the main character of the day, Carlton made his rounds, ensuring every guest was well attended to. Only after completing the circuit did he finally have a moment to catch his breath.

     ‘Where’s Luisen?’

     Though there were many good parts to succeeding and becoming a noble, this was a problem: he couldn’t be around Luisen to his heart’s content because of all the people surrounding him. Carlton clicked his tongue and looked around for the blonde lord.

     It was easy to find him.

     People formed a huge group around Luisen.

     ‘It hasn’t even been that long!’

     At the banquet earlier, Carlton had claimed the privileged seat to Luisen’s right as the host of the manor. Yet in the time it took to complete his round of greetings, someone had taken his place. What annoyed Carlton even more was that most of the people surrounding Luisen were young women.

     Even when he was known as trash, he was still one of the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom for his appearance and status. Whoever would marry him would become the duchess; their child would inherit the duchy unconditionally. And, the prevailing opinion at that time was that even if he’d be a fool of a husband, his face was still worth enduring the troubles that would follow.

     But now that he had stopped being a good-for-nothing and was living stably, his popularity was bound to rise even higher. Some joked that every unmarried woman in the kingdom was eyeing the spot by Luisen’s side.

     However, this didn’t imply that Luisen was hiding his and Carlton’s relationship. Their bond was no longer hidden–on the contrary, their special relationship was a well-known open secret. While they maintained decorum at official events, they were free with their displays of affection elsewhere.

     Carlton glared at the flashy crowd surrounding his lover.

     ‘If I charged in at full speed, how many could I knock aside?’

     As he debated whether or not to approach–as grave as he would contemplate going to war–Carlton was approached by someone else: a man–the second son of a noble family. He had come in place of his busy father and heir-apparent elder brother. The man had a habit of lingering around Carlton, always dressed in flamboyant attire that bordered on embarrassing. Carlton had written him off as an annoying leach and typically ignored him.

     “Wow, the Duke’s popularity is on another level. It’s always like this at every party. Do you think the future Duchess will emerge from that crowd today?”

     Carlton looked at the leech; his remark couldn’t be ignored.

     The sycophant continued as if he had gained a foothold, “Everyone was talking about it. Just who will the Duke marry?”

     “What marriage.”

     Who would Luisen marry when Carlton was right there.

     “Ah well, it’s a historic ducal household. He’s obliged to produce an heir, so he’s bound to take a wife eventually.” The leech said with a smug chuckle.

     Carlton really wanted to dust off his fists and punch him.

     “Ah, is this matter uncomfortable for Sir Carlton? I apologize. But, you won’t have to worry too much; after all, marriage and lovers are a separate matter, right? The Duke wouldn’t abandon my Count just because he needs to marry.” The leech’s grin widened as he noticed Carlton’s deepening scowl, clearly enjoying the reaction he was provoking.

TL: Someone other than Carlton slap the dude for me–Carlton doesn’t need that mark on his record.