Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Side Story 8

Sidestory 8

“Aiya, you’re so doubting. Is the Duke neglecting his lover? If you’re feeling unsatisfied, perhaps I could… lend a hand?” The leech approached Carlton with a meaningful expression and tried to link arms. 

Carlton smoothly sidestepped and, in the same motion, hooked his foot around the man’s ankle. With a loud thud, the nuisance crashed to the ground in a most undignified manner. Carlton’s skill was as sharp as ever, and he made it seem as though the man had tripped entirely on his own. “My my. Before worrying about others, you should take care of yourself. How could a young man like yourself have such a weak lower body.”

The nobles milling about, who had been eavesdropping on the gossip, burst into laughter when Carlton pretended to be sympathetic. The leech blushed and quickly scurried away. Carlton no longer threw punches like he did in the old days, but he still responded in full force when someone picked a fight with him.

‘…I feel dirty.’

Even after putting the leech in his place with a decisive blow, Carlton’s irritation didn’t fade. Because, deep down, he knew the man’s words weren’t entirely baseless. Years passed, and Carlton and Luisen’s relationship remained unchanged. There were now growing concerns about an heir within the Anies duchy.

Of course, the leech had no idea he had hit a sore point. Luisen had said that there was no one for him but Carlton, and Carlton believed him. He knew that Luisen wasn’t the type of person to be swayed by external pressure. But that was beside the point. He was infuriated by the fact that others–who were here at *his invitation* were openly flirting with Luisen, in his *his* home.

Carlton didn’t hold back. He quickly strode towards Luisen. Though the infamous title Noble Slayer had nearly faded into history, those instincts were still there, ready to be revived at any moment. As Carlton approached, everyone cowered and got out of his way.

Luisen easily spotted his unmistakable face towering over everyone else’s heads. “Sir Carlton.”

Luisen looked a little relieved at his lover’s approach. Though that detail was trivial, Carlton’s mind was still relieved. However, he was greatly disappointed by Luisen’s subsequent comment.

“I’m sorry, but it seems I need to return. I have some business to take care of.”

“Already? The banquet has just begun. Stay a little longer?” 

Last year, they had even danced together.  It had been so long since Carlton last saw Luisen—he hated to let go of his lover so soon.

“No, it’s alright. You should stay and enjoy the banquet. Make sure to check on my present later!” Luisen hurriedly twirled around, cutting off the conversation with his final words. A small crowd hurried after him, eager to see him off.

‘It’s been a while since we saw each other, though…’

They barely had time to greet each other and share a meal; afterwards, Luisen had been surrounded by women—only to leave right after. Because he felt like he couldn’t show his disappointment, Carlton truly felt these turn of events were unfair. Though the banquet was held in his honor, it felt like he was abandoned.

Carlton’s face couldn’t help but fall when he saw Luisen’s back. The leech who had run away just a while ago would have laughed at him if he were to see Carlton now.

***

As the night progressed, the party atmosphere gradually mellowed. Guests who were ready to leave began departing, and Carlton, too, discreetly slipped out of the mansion.

He rode his horse to the forest located between the Count’s manor and the duchy’s castle. Not long ago, Enis had delivered a letter from Luisen. Inside, there was a simple map, marking a location somewhere in the woods, alongside a short message instructing Carlton to come there.

Come to the woods at night? What a strange request.

Over the past five years, Carlton had invested in and participated in the subjugation of the forest monsters. While the situation was better than before, the forest was still quite dangerous. Luisen wouldn’t be alone, but that didn’t ease his concern. While he no longer acted recklessly like he had when they first met, first impressions were hard to shake.

When he arrived at the place indicated on the map, the duchy’s knights found Carlton, greeted him, and pointed him down a narrow footpath.

Leaving Zephys with the knight, Carlton walked along the path. The canopy didn’t fully block the sky, so moonlight shone softly on the road. At the end of the road lay a quaint house.  A low wooden fence, barely reaching his knees, enclosed the charming domicile. Inside the boundary, there was a neatly maintained garden sprawled, and a small stream flowed gently beside the house.

‘There shouldn’t be something like this here.’

Luisen must have organized and decorated this place. A little excited, Carlton approached the house. When he shook the bell hanging by the front door, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps rushing toward him from inside.

The door opened, and Luisen popped out, “Carlton! Hurry on in!” 

Luisen greeted Carlton with a flushed face. Anticipation shone from his sparkling eyes. “This is my present to you!” Luisen spread both arms and gestured at the house. 

“…This house?”

“Yeah! It’s yours. I’ve even hung a placard here.” Luisen pointed to a placard bearing Carlton’s name by the front door. 

Carlton stared at it, puzzled. “M-my house? Why? Why a house?”

“It’s hard going back and forth between the duchy and your estate, isn’t it? In addition, both places are full of attendants and servants always getting in the way. So, I built a house at the halfway point—just for us. Think of it as a little villa. The forest belongs to the duchy, but the house is yours. I took care of all the paperwork, and the interior is fully furnished.” Luisen laughed, satisfied at his lover’s response.

As their territories flourished, there was more and more work; thus, they spent less and less time together. No matter how often they met, there were always servants or retainers milling about in the manor or castle. They really had no chance to be alone. Carlton had felt a little disappointed that Luisen didn’t seem to care too much about it.

Carlton took in the house through his eyes. Surrounded by the forest, this place felt as if it was the only place in this world—a world that belonged to just him and Luisen. It reminded Carlton of when they had traveled together.

At that time, they had relied on each other to move forward in this vast world full of conspiracies. That time had been far more difficult and uncertain than now, but no matter where they stayed, it had always felt like they were the last two people in this world.

His heart fluttered with anticipation–perhaps they would be able to return to that time. The realization that Luisen had wished for the same thing filled him with joy.

“I’ve been preparing this for half a year! It was tough keeping it a secret from you. I wanted to give you something truly special. Do you like it?” Luisen gushed.

“Completely!” Carlton made no effort to hide his overflowing emotions. He pulled Luisen into a tight embrace and smothered him with kisses. Luisen burst into laughter because Carlton looked like a big dog. But, when Carlton’s lips touched Luisen’s in a gentle kiss, Carlton was able to sweep the duke away. His touches, lingering and teasing, wandered the duke’s body.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Luisen asked.

“Who was the one teasing me under the table all throughout dinner? Then, you went and abandoned me at the after-banquet.”

“It was just a little joke.” Luisen chuckled as he recalled the night’s events.

‘At times like this, I can really believe he used to be quite the troublemaker.’ Carlton, still sulking from jealousy, looked at his lover. 

Luisen stepped back and gestured at his clothes. Now that Carlton looked closer, he realized that Luisen’s clothes were different from what he had worn at the banquet. He was dressed in a plain shirt and vest—an outfit that made him look more like a servant of the ducal estate than the duke himself.

“Why are you dressing like a servant?”

“I’m Master’s servant.” Luisen said with a playful expression; then, like a proper attendant, he placed one hand over his chest. 

Carlton scoffed and chuckled at the nonchalant acting. It seemed that Luisen had a plan today.

“Well then. We should go inside. Open the door,” Carlton responded, deliberately polite.

“Just do as you usually do!” Luisen shot back.

“You there. Servant. Open the door.”

“Yes, master.” Only then did Luisen swing the door open. 

‘I don’t treat the Servants so roughly… Is this how he sees me?’ Carlton felt a little strange, but decided to go along with this play since Luisen was clearly having fun with twinkles in his eyes.

***

It was clear that, after the bedroom, Luisen spent the most attention on the bathroom. A large bathtub had already been filled with warm water, and numerous candles flickered in the space, casting a soft glow.

Luisen had arrived early to set everything up.

“Is this why you left so soon?” Carlton asked.

“I don’t know what you mean, master.” Luisen played coy and turned around. “Let me take care of your clothes, master.”

“Go ahead.” 

One by one, starting with the coat, Luisen undressed Carlton. His hands lingered, subtly exploring Carlton’s body as he cast the Count suggestive glances. As Luisen removed the coat, his fingers traced the muscles of Carlton’s back. While unbuttoning the shirt, he let his touch slide over the chest. The Duke brushed past his lover’s toned abdomen before grasping the waistband of his trousers.

“Is it proper for an attendant to grope his master’s body like this?”

“I’m just doing my job diligently… I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Luisen answered primly. 

Carlton grabbed Luisen’s wrist and brought it to his cock. When Luisen’s hand touched it, the member came to life and became a little harder. “What do you mean ‘I don’t understand.’ It’s like this because of you. How are you going to take responsibility, hm?”

Luisen wetted his lips with his tongue. His throat tightened a bit as Carlton’s face approached close enough to touch noses. “If my master orders, I’ll do as you please.”

“Really? Then, get on your knees,” Carlton laughed impishly. Luisen slowly knelt before him.

“You should finish undressing me. What kind of service is this? What a mess.”

At Carlton’s rebuke, Luisen pulled Carlton’s pants strap. As the clothes fell, Carlton’s half-erect member popped out.

“You know what to do now, don’t you?”

TL: I’m dying. Luisen please… you built a house so you and Carlton can get freaky with it???