TWOTCL༘ ೀ⋆｡

V

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

* * *

“Ah! Sir Falken, please offer some rebuttal now and then! Although, what could an ignorant birdbrain who only knows how to follow his lord into battle possibly understand about the profound and delicate world of a butler who must worry about his lord’s private affairs, including matters involving women…!”

A deep vein of frustration bulged on Falken’s forehead at the word ‘ignorant’ rather than ‘birdbrain.’ He arrogantly raised his eyes.

“How dare you call me ignorant? That’s not something to hear from a worthless hyena that scavenges for rotten meat.”

“What did you say? You are the corpse of a bird that can’t even fly!”

As the retainer’s fierce argument escalated, the horses pulling the carriage neighed in fright.

“No, no! This is not the time! We shouldn’t be fighting amongst ourselves!”

Malcolm, who had been bickering with Falken, began to worry about the situation as the capable butler of the household, ignoring the clueless birdbrain knight who couldn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.

“As I see it, this is…”

Malcolm leaned in close to Falken, raising his index finger and whispering ominously.

“A love affair.”

Falken flinched and shouted hastily.

“That’s absurd!”

Falken, the loyal retainer and practically the Duke’s right hand, firmly declared.

“Even though our lord is a mad lion without a rival in the empire, he would never fall for a ‘human woman’.”

Though the word ‘mad’ slipped out of his mouth referring to their lord, the red lion, Malcolm surprisingly wasn’t shocked. Instead, he added more.

“Indeed. Even if our lord is notorious for being a thug in noble’s clothing, he is unexpectedly aware of the virtues of the upper class and the duties of a duke’s household. The notion of the master of a duchy being involved with a ‘human woman’ is simply unthinkable. Absolutely.”

Mad lion and thug.

Neither title was fitting for the head of the household, but they slipped naturally from the lips of the two retainers.

While the two retainers bickered about their lord’s ‘human woman issue,’ the firmly shut church doors opened.

“My lord…!”

“My lord.”

Malcolm and Falken hastily ran to Hadeon as he briskly stepped out of the church sanctuary.

A young and robust figure in a uniform lined with glossy fur reminiscent of a lion’s mane. True to his title as the Southern Overlord, his inherent nobility and imposing presence made even his kind want to kneel before him. Yet, the eyes of the two retainers held no respect or pride for their lord. They only showed concern and fear for him.

Having served Hadeon for a long time, the two dukedom retainers keenly observed their lord’s mood, anticipating the blood-scented tyranny about to ensue.

‘Something is odd with the lord’s pheromones. Something must have happened. Damn it, you ask him first.’

‘I refuse. Do you want to end up planning a funeral? You ask him.’