The castle of Baron Diener's fief was not large, perhaps only fourteen or fifteen meters tall, constructed from large rough-hewn stones with rice-water-mixed clay filling the gaps as a binding layer. Over time it had turned black, and even though it was frequently washed with lime water, traces of mold still lingered in some corners. Green moss had grown thick along the stones and crevices at the base of the walls.
After crossing the drawbridge and passing through the castle gates, there was a small courtyard. Most noble fief castles followed this kind of layout. Schwarzd directed two four-wheeled carriages into position, unloaded the four horses pulling them, and handed them over to the servants waiting nearby. He then had the guards serving as stablehands carry down four large trunks from the carriages—these were gifts
The four large trunks were carried into the great hall and opened. Three of them were filled with all manner of fashionable clothing, while the fourth contained a vanity mirror, cosmetics, hair ornaments, perfume, silk scarves, and many exquisite pieces of jewelry. Having conquered the Haneabada Kingdom and seized this wealth of luxury goods, Lorist was simply regifting the spoils. He had selected items based on his impression of the girl and her aunt's figures, and that alone was enough to fill all four trunks.
Seeing the girl's aunt who went by the alias Tracey once more, after two years apart, the young aunt seemed to have grown a bit thinner—though this only served to accentuate the impressive bust on her chest. Had the girl not been standing right there holding Lorist's hand, the young aunt very likely would have thrown herself into his arms. But she managed to restrain herself, instead gazing at Lorist with her large, dewy eyes brimming with longing, until the girl beside them coughed several times to snap her out of it.
Lorist met the girl's younger brother and sister for the first time, as well as the family's
Most likely this entire speech had just been drilled into him by someone, because the little boy recited it haltingly, stumbling over his words. Once he finally finished, the girl covered her face and told him to withdraw. The boy looked as though he'd been granted a pardon, grabbed the Silver Knight named Massa, and bolted.
The girl's sister bore some resemblance to her. The girl hadn't been lying—her sister was indeed a great beauty, with a few more delicate qualities than the girl herself. Her manners were refined and ladylike. The girl, on the other hand, after two years apart, had gained a touch of heroic spirit and decisiveness.
The girl's sister was named Fenagali. She and her young aunt were delighted with Lorist's gifts, rummaging eagerly through the four large trunks. Whenever one of them found a garment she fancied or that they both liked, they would let out cries of delighted surprise, holding it up or pressing it against themselves to ask the girl and Lorist whether it looked good.
Fenagali looked at Lorist with curiosity tinged with a hint of shyness—after all, it was her first time meeting him, and she behaved exactly like a bashful girl. But her young aunt's gaze toward Lorist was scorching, as if she wished to leap into his arms. Even with Adelily right at Lorist's side, she couldn't stop sending him meaningful looks.
The girl stared blankly at the four trunks of gifts Lorist had brought them, not showing the same delight as her sister and aunt. Lorist asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
The girl forced a bitter smile. "I'm very happy you brought us so many gorgeous clothes, but we're stuck here in this valley on the family estate—who would I even show them off to?"
"Uh..." Lorist rubbed his nose—it tickled a little. "Adelily, you could come with me. I have plenty more beautiful clothes—all war spoils. You can pick whatever you like, as much as you want. Don't stay here."
The girl shook her head. "After my father was killed in battle, I was so naive back then. I just wanted to attach myself to someone powerful, to use their influence to protect the Diener family's territory. Then I finally met Princess Carrie and joined the Paradise Club, thinking I'd finally found security. But the more I interacted with the princess and her circle, the less trustworthy they seemed. Then I happened to meet you, and I thought I could marry you and leave that world...
During the two years waiting for you to come back home, I picked up the bronze combat force I'd abandoned. Before, I thought all I needed was a powerful patron to guarantee the family's survival. These past two years I've learned that relying on others is never as good as relying on yourself. I've been training hard in my combat force and practicing our family's swordsmanship. Look at my hands..."
The girl held out both hands. Her palms were covered in scars and calluses, her skin roughened and dulled—no longer the soft, fair skin Lorist remembered.
Lorist took her small hands and gently caressed them.
The girl smiled bitterly. "Last year, your Family Knight came and told us your true identity. That's when I knew I'd been living in a dream. I always thought you were a knight, and I wanted to bring my sister along to marry you and become a knight's wife. Then I'd push you to advance yourself, to earn a title and territory through merit, just like my father did—that way my sister and I could become barons' wives...
But you're actually a Count of the Kingdom, with family power that even His Majesty the King regards with wariness. You can even afford to give the King no face at all. The rumors about your
Our stations are far too unequal. There's no legitimate way for me to marry you properly. Even if you were willing, your family and subordinates would oppose it. To them, it would be a disgrace for you and the family—unless my sister and I were willing to become your concubines.
Lorist, I don't want to go with you. I've thought about a lot these past two years. Maybe I'll stay here on the family estate, wait for my brother to grow up and inherit the family title and lands. Then I'll become the family's female knight, guarding our home. Living out my days like that wouldn't be so bad. Don't try to persuade me—my heart is in turmoil right now. Give me a few days to think it over properly, all right?"
Lorist nodded.
Dinner was as lavish as Adelily could manage. The honey bread was freshly baked, and its taste exceeded Lorist's expectations—it wasn't soft white bread but a mixed-grain loaf with coarse wheat flour, yet it was remarkably fluffy, fragrant, and sweet, very delicious indeed. There was also roast pheasant, roast goose, roast goat ribs with mashed potatoes, a platter of boiled mountain fruit, and finally a wonderfully flavorful mushroom soup.
The dining table was long and rectangular. The future heir of Baron Diener's fief—that little boy—sat at the head with a solemn expression. On the left side sat Lorist, Reidi, and Schwarzd. On the right sat the girl's sisters and the family knight Massa. The girl's young aunt was, for some reason, absent from the table.
Excitement gleamed in the little boy's eyes. He couldn't remember the last time the family had laid out so much good food on the table. Looking at the feast spread before him, he was practically drooling. Lorist was very perceptive—whenever the boy's gaze lingered on a dish for more than a few seconds, Lorist promptly and enthusiastically served him that particular food. In just a short while, the boy had accumulated three goat rib racks, a large goose leg, a boiled apple, and a roast chicken wing in front of him...
The boy gnawed away with oil glistening on his mouth, his fondness for Lorist rising by the minute—especially after Lorist intervened to stop his most feared eldest sister from bossing him around. Lorist had said, "Don't mind your sister. Boys need to eat plenty to grow strong and tall." So the boy ate and ate to his heart's content, quickly stuffing himself to the bursting point, then had the family knight Massa take him out for a walk to aid digestion. The girl was furious and kicked Lorist several times under the table.
Why didn't your aunt come?" Lorist asked.
The girl rolled her eyes at him. "Everything you ate was by her. Without her in the kitchen, we'd be gnawing on raw potatoes."
After enjoying the delicious dinner, the girl arranged for Lorist to stay on the third floor of the castle. He was given the master bedroom. Schwarzd stayed in the adjacent guard room, while Reidi went to the guards' camp outside the castle. The castle was too small to accommodate all two hundred-plus guards inside. Lorist simply had the guards clean up and occupy the encampment that Baron Andrew and his sons had left behind after their departure—saving the girl and her family from unnecessary confusion and trouble...
Opening the bedroom window, Lorist could see the small village behind the castle. The village was tiny—several dozen dark thatched huts, none with candles lit. Instead, a bonfire burned in the open space at the center of the village, providing light and serving as a night watch. Several naked children were playing beside the fire, tossing grass roots and other things into the flames. But soon a few adults arrived, grabbed them, and gave them several smacks on their bare bottoms. Then the children cried as they were led home...
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in." Lorist turned around.
It was the young aunt, carrying a tray in one hand and a candlestick in the other.
"I... I came to check on your bed," the young aunt said, her cheeks flushed red. "And... and this is fruit wine and small bread rolls, for a late-night snack."
"Thank you. Just set them on the table over there." Lorist nodded toward it.
The young aunt first closed the door, then set the tray and candlestick down on the small table before turning to straighten the bed.
Watching the young aunt bend over to arrange the bed, her round curves rising invitingly, Lorist walked over and placed his hands upon them.
The young aunt's entire body went rigid, half-kneeling on the bed without moving. Lorist calmly lifted her dress up and over, then undid his own belt, let his trousers fall, and pressed his heat and hardness into those round curves...
A long, sweet moan escaped the young aunt's throat, laden with satisfaction as she matched Lorist's thrusts from behind. She buried her face deep into the pillow. Her pale, jade-like curves gradually flushed pink, interspersed with occasional tremors and shudders...
"Should I call you Tracey, or some other name?" Lorist asked softly in her ear as he peeled away her remaining garments. Two years ago, the girl and her aunt had used the aliases Daisy and Tracey at the Paradise Club. It wasn't until the very end that the girl revealed her real name was Adelily and that she hailed from Baron Diener's fief. By that time, the aunt had already been thoroughly exhausted by Lorist into a deep sleep, and never had the chance to reveal her real name.
"Call... call me Anna. My... my real name is Dilara..."
Lorist's hands roamed over her body and the impressive pair on her chest, caressing and stroking, until the young aunt's body became as smooth and pliant as water. Lorist stripped off his own clothes with practiced efficiency, aimed true, and sank downward, uniting himself with the young aunt beneath him once more...
The aunt nearly went cross-eyed from the wave of pleasure, collapsing helplessly onto the bed, letting out soft moans.
How dare someone interrupt right when he was approaching the peak—Lorist was furious. He grabbed a bedsheet and wrapped it haphazardly around his waist, then stormed to the door and flung it open. Standing outside was Adelily...
"Hmm? What's that smell?" The room was filled with the unmistakable scent of coupling. The girl had a sharp nose and caught it immediately, though after more than two years of chastity, it took her a moment to process. It wasn't until she stepped into the room and saw her aunt lying on the bed that it all clicked.
"Hmph! Aunt, how could you steal your own niece's man? That's outrageous!" The girl was furious, as if her most cherished toy had been snatched away.
"Don't talk nonsense—he's my man too..." With no one else around but Lorist, Anna suddenly found her backbone.
The girl froze. She was right—after meeting Lorist at the Paradise Club, she had called her aunt over to spend a night with Lorist together. So the claim that Lorist was also the aunt's man wasn't wrong...
"But this isn't the Paradise Club..." the girl said weakly.
"I don't care," Anna declared. "I've remained faithful to him for two years as well. This time I'm going with him. Concubine or not, as long as I'm with him. Lorist, do you want me?"
Lorist nodded immediately without a moment's hesitation. In truth, Anna was only thirty, a year or two younger than Lorist—right at the peak of her maturity and beauty. Only a fool would refuse her.
"Adelily, stop being so proud. The fact that Lorist came to see us means he cares about us. For the sake of our future lives and happiness, I think following Lorist is the best choice. He won't let us down," Anna urged.
"I don't want to be his concubine..." The girl shook her head.
"Adelily, come with me. There may be no formal title, but you'll still enjoy everything a wife could have. Even if you bear children, they'll be entered into my family registry as my legitimate heirs. And I might never formally take a wife—you said it yourself, with the power of our Norton family, there are very few noble houses of equal standing."
Lorist gripped the girl's shoulders and spoke earnestly. "This time I've come to take your whole family with me. The Kingdom's situation is dire. His Highness the
The girl lowered her head and broke free from Lorist's grasp. "I need to think about it. His Majesty won't be defeated so easily..."
Lorist kicked the door shut, swept the girl into his arms, and carried her toward the bed. "You can take your time thinking, but you interrupted me just now before I'd finished. So you'll have to make it up to me."
Mm, the girl was becoming more and more like a little wildcat—but with Anna's help, Lorist had no trouble subduing her once again.
... (To be continued.)