SWY 14

This time, Sharhan’s expression darkened.

‘I knew it. Damn it, this stings. That bastard’s had his fun, and mine’s still brand new. Sure, it’s in perfect condition, but grabbing some random person just to get it over with? Shit, it’s not like I’m desperate for sex. It’s better to keep lying. But the more I think about it, the more pissed I get. That bastard Lestel spent his time chasing pleasure while I was out choking on battlefield dust and busting my ass to survive.’

Sharhan had completely forgotten the old saying about hardship starting the moment you leave home. Alone, he quietly fumed. Feeling that three-year gap again made him bitter and resentful.

“…Was it?”

“……”

He didn’t hear what Lestel had asked, too busy sulking in his head. Naturally, he didn’t answer either. Clicking his tongue, Lestel suddenly bit Sharhan on the back of his neck.

“What the-?! Are you a damn dog?! Why the hell are you biting me, you lunatic?!”

Sharhan jolted upright, clutching his neck. Something warm and sticky touched his palm, he was bleeding. That realization left him stunned. And angry.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Lestel looked up at Sharhan, calm despite his temper. But the end of his voice was trembling slightly.

“I didn’t hear you! What did you say?”

Even though he’d been bitten like a damn mutt, Lestel wasn’t an actual animal, his teeth hadn’t gone in deep, so the bleeding stopped quickly. Sharhan rubbed his neck furiously with the back of his hand and glared at him.

“Did you do it from behind too?”

But Lestel didn’t seem to care how fired up Sharhan was. He looked like getting an answer was more important than the state of Sharhan’s pride.

“What?”

“You said you rolled around with guys. So? Did you use the back too?”

He’d only vaguely said he’d “had sex,” but Lestel clearly took it to mean he’d done it with men. Instead of denying it, Sharhan just sighed. Then he grabbed his water pouch and rinsed the blood off his hand, albeit halfheartedly.

He couldn’t believe how obsessed Lestel was with his sex life. At this rate, he’d probably ask how many people he’d slept with next.

Of course, Sharhan was also curious how easily Lestel had been getting around, but he figured it was best to end the unpleasant conversation here. Lies with too many details always got found out. And really, Sharhan had no experience at all — if Lestel had been with a lot of people, knowing that would only make him feel worse. It was better not to know.

“Yeah, sure. I did.”

Wanting to end the uncomfortable topic quickly, Sharhan gave a lazy, dismissive answer and lay back down. He even shut his eyes, but sleep was impossible. Lestel grabbed his wrist and yanked him upright again.

“You really did it from behind too?!”

“Goddamn it! Can’t I just get some sleep?!”

They had another forced march ahead of them tomorrow, and now Lestel was keeping him awake? It felt like some new form of torture.

If Lestel noticed the desperation in Sharhan’s voice, he didn’t show it. He just kept pressing.

“Did you really?”

“Yeah, I did! Front, back, everything, okay?! Now stop asking!”

“Hah. So you really did whore yourself around in just three years?”

“Yup. I’m a total slut. I didn’t care who it was, just rolled around with anyone. You happy now? Please, just stop…”

“Good.”

The coldness in Lestel’s voice cut off Sharhan’s bitter rant. In the dark forest, the only light came from the campfire, so Sharhan couldn’t see his face clearly, but he could guess Lestel’s eyes had gone cold again. The strange tension that followed made Sharhan scowl.

“Whatever the hell that means, congrats, and I’m really goi-?!”

Just as he started to lie back down, Lestel grabbed his wrist and yanked hard. Sharhan’s body crashed into Lestel’s chest with a solid thud.

Their chests were both firm, so it hurt, but the surprise came first. As Sharhan frantically tried to escape, Lestel clamped down around his waist and muttered,

“Good thing I tied you down. So you really went around spreading your legs like a slut in those three years?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Did you just curse at me?”

“Why, I can’t curse now? Sharhan, you swear like a sailor. If you do it, so can I. We’re rivals and enemies, remember?”

“You’re competing with me over that? You’re insane. I’m a mercenary now and you’re not. You’re the heir to House Ailun. It doesn’t suit you to talk like that.”

“Practice makes perfect. And I might not even be the heir anymore. Not that I care. I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. It’s just a marquis title.”

“You’ve been a noble your whole life and you’re saying ‘just’ a marquis? No matter how much money you’ve got, there’s a big difference between a noble and a merchant.”

In the Empire, where class distinctions were rigid, the privileges of nobility were enormous. Sharhan, who had once been the heir of a poor, nearly ruined count’s family, only realized that after becoming a mercenary.

There’s a huge difference between having a noble title, no matter how poor, and having none at all. That’s why his greedy uncle had aimed for even that measly countship… The thought made Sharhan clench his fists.

“Sharhan, you…”

Lestel sensed the bitterness in his voice and was about to say something, but Sharhan cut him off.

“So don’t go bawling like a child if you get kicked out of your family. Once you’re done with whatever business you have in Luhas, go back quietly.”

Sharhan pushed Lestel’s forehead with his finger. Smiling faintly, Lestel grabbed his finger and said,

“If I go back, you have to come with me. That okay?”

“Why would I go to Ailun?!”

“The contract.”

“Shit, I’m going to steal that contract and tear it up soon, so quit the crazy talk and let me go!”

Sharhan squirmed, still wrapped up in Lestel’s arms, but Lestel didn’t let go. In fact, he tightened his grip and suddenly bit Sharhan’s earlobe. It didn’t bleed, but it hurt, and a shiver ran down Sharhan’s spine. His body recoiled. His thighs tensed reflexively.

‘What the hell?!’

When Lestel bit his ear, a shock ran down his body, all the way there. Luckily, Lestel didn’t seem to notice.

“Honey, you said you’d become some filthy slut who slept with anyone. That’s perfect. I’ve been around a bit too, so we’re in the same boat now.”

“And? What, are we supposed to toast to being sluts?”

“No need for a toast. We can just-”

Just then, one of the horses – maybe Thunder or Lightning – neighed sharply. The tense sound suggested something was approaching.

Sharhan flinched and quickly pushed Lestel away. He jumped to his feet, drew his sword, and stood protectively in front of him, staring into the deep darkness. A flickering light came into view.

Someone was approaching with a torch.

Soon, the crunch of dry leaves echoed underfoot. The sounds were open and loud, not like a bandit trying to sneak up. Still, they stayed alert.

A moment later, someone stumbled into view. The man, who looked to be in his early forties, held a nearly extinguished torch. At the sight of Sharhan with a sword and Lestel seated calmly, he flinched – but soon offered a faint smile and approached.

“I didn’t know anyone was here.”

“……”

“Oh, my name is Hans. I’m the village chief of Evers, the closest settlement outside the Luhas territory. There’s a plague in our village, but no matter how much we pleaded, Luhas wouldn’t send a doctor. So I was on my way to the neighboring town. We’ve got a patient in serious condition.”

Hans rambled without being asked, then hesitantly approached the fire and gave a look that said, “May I?”

Sharhan, having sheathed his sword, nodded. Hans sat down with a thump. His complexion was deathly pale.

He was trembling, too, clearly freezing. Even pressed close to the fire, he hugged his arms and shivered, letting out low groans. His lips were parched, and he kept licking them. He looked exactly like a sick man.

“You don’t seem to be in great shape yourself.”

Sharhan clicked his tongue. Hans looked frail enough to snap in half from a tap.

“That’s true, but barely anyone in the village is doing well. Only a few elderly folks can still move around, and I couldn’t send them. The plague’s getting worse, and now someone’s been seriously hurt. I’m in the best shape, so I went, but the cold got bad fast. I’m grateful for the fire.”

“Did you drink tea from Luhas?”

Lestel, who’d been quietly observing him, asked. Sharhan thought, ‘I had a feeling.’

Hans’s eyes widened.

“Yes. How did you know? It was about six months ago. A steward from Luhas brought it, said it was a gift from the lord. They’d refused to accept us as residents even when we offered to pay taxes, so we were surprised when they gave us tea. After that, they brought it every month. Everyone shared it gladly… Cough, excuse me. Ahem! Sorry! I shouldn’t be here, I might infect you.”

He tried to get up, covering his mouth in a panic, but Sharhan held up a hand.

“It’s fine.”

“N-no, really. The disease spreads fast. I might… put you both at risk…”

“It’s not a disease.”

“Pardon? Then what…?”

“You are addicted to the tea.”