As they entered the towering gates of the Stone fortress, a long line of people had
already gathered, bowing respectfully as they passed.
"Welcome back, Your Grace," an old man greeted warmly, flanked by two young men and a strikingly beautiful woman.
They all dismounted from their horses, the tired beasts snorting softly as their hooves
touched the stone ground.
"It's been a long time, Your Grace," the woman said with a graceful smile as she stepped forward and draped a luxurious golden fur cloak over Craige's shoulders.
"It is, Hera," Craige replied, smiling as he accepted the cloak with familiarity.
Luren stood silently beside him, watching Hera through narrowed eyes. Something in the way she looked at Craige unsettled him. There was a softness in her gaze, too
intimate, too familiar. A subtle tension twisted in his chest.
"We apologize for not preparing a banquet. We weren't aware you'd be arriving today," the old man said, bowing deeply in remorse.
"That's quite all right, Count Arthur," Craige replied kindly. "Just prepare lunch for us, and food for the horses."
"Right away, Your Grace." Count Arthur turned swiftly to one of the young men beside him. "Go tell your mother to begin preparing lunch," he instructed, and the
young man nodded before hurrying off at a run.
A few of the village folk stepped forward.
"We will take the horses to the stables and make sure they're fed," one of the men
offered.
"Thank you, Manuel," Keith said with a nod of gratitude.
The villagers gently took the reins, leading the horses away with quiet care.
They walked toward a large house, much grander than any of the others they had passed in the village.
"Do you all know who lives here?" Clara asked curiously, her eyes scanning the
well-maintained structure.
"Most of them are families of the soldiers who serve the Northern Domain," Keith
replied, his tone respectful.
Luren's fingers twitched with the urge to hold Craige's hand, he wanted to show that
man-stealing woman that Craige was already taken. But he held himself back.
Public displays of affection could ruin the duke's reputation, and Luren would never risk that.
"I've already prepared your room, Your Grace," Hera said, her voice low and sultry as she stepped closer to Craige.
Luren's ears twitched, and a tightness formed in his chest. He didn't like her tone at
all.
"Ahem—Your Grace," Luren interjected quickly, stepping forward, "we agreed not to stay the night."
Clara and Keith exchanged silent, knowing smiles behind them.
Craige turned slightly to Hera and responded calmly, "Yes, we'll rest a while, but we'll continue once the horses have recovered."
Hera nodded, but her expression betrayed her confusion and irritation. Who was this
new man who dared to interrupt the duke, and with such confidence?
After eating lunch, Craige spoke with Count Arthur in his office, while Clara and Luren walked around the village. Keith and Rolen followed them closely.
The village was small, yet lively. As they wandered, they came across a training area where men and women were sparring, some with swords, others with spears. Even
children were practicing with wooden sticks, their faces filled with focus and determination.
"Why do they—?" Clara began to ask, but Keith answered before she could finish.
"They need training to defend themselves in case of an attack," Keith explained, his voice
calm but firm. "Most villages in the North are required to train and arm their people. Many of our soldiers are constantly deployed to the battlefield. If something happens while the soldiers are away, the villagers must be able to protect themselves."
Luren's eyes widened, concern mixing with admiration. "Did Craige make this policy?"
"Yes," Keith nodded. "His Grace is often away, and he worries deeply for his people.
That's why he established this rule, to ensure their safety."
Luren smiled, clearly impressed. "That was a brilliant decision," he said, his voice filled with respect. "He truly cares for his people."
When they
returned to the Count's house,
Luren's expression dimmed. Ever since they arrived, Craige and Hera had been nearly
inseparable.
"Keith," Luren asked, his voice low and tense, "how long are we staying here?"
"We can leave right away," Keith replied, sensing Luren's unease. "The horses have
already rested, and the manor is only an hour away on horseback."
Craige looked at them and smiled, but Luren didn't return the gesture. Instead, he turned and walked away, heading in a different direction. Craige glanced at Keith, who only shrugged and gave him a knowing smile.
"Keith, tell the others to prepare to leave," Craige ordered, then went after Luren.
Keith nodded silently.
"Your Grace, are you leaving so soon?" someone called, trying to follow, but Clara
stepped in and began speaking to Hera, diverting the attention.
Luren walked to the back of the house, wanting to be alone.
But before he could go any further, Craige caught him by the waist and lifted him off the
ground.
"Craige! What are you doing?!" Luren shouted, wriggling in surprise.
Without answering, Craige opened the storage shed, stepped inside with Luren still in his arms, and shut the door behind them. He pinned Luren gently against the wall, placing one hand beside his head.
Luren stared at him, eyes burning with frustration.
"Hey, baby," Craige said softly, brushing the hair from Luren's face with his other hand. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Luren muttered, avoiding his gaze. "What are we doing here?"
"Tell me why you're angry," Craige said, his thumb grazing Luren's lip. "I can't fix what I don't understand… not unless you tell me."
Luren clenched his fists. He had been watching silently, but he couldn't ignore it
anymore, the way Craige gave all his attention to Hera, as if he'd forgotten Luren even existed. The frustration boiled over.
"You only care about Hera now, don't you?" he snapped, stepping in front of
Craige and shoving him hard.
Craige didn't even flinch.
"Just go back to her," Luren muttered, voice tight with irritation, eyes burning.
But Craige only smiled, stepping closer and gently pressing a kiss to Luren's forehead.
"Hera's in charge of this village," he said calmly. "She was only reporting to me."
Luren's jaw tightened. "What about Count Arthur?" he challenged. "You expect me to believe all you talked about was work? She's been openly throwing herself at you!"
Craige's expression didn't change. "The Count is old. Hera's his eldest. She's been
managing things here for years."
Luren's eyes flashed. "Don't you get it? She likes you!" he growled, the jealousy
bleeding into every word. "And it seems like you're protecting her!"
Craige let out a chuckle, and that sound made Luren snap.
"What's so funny?" he hissed. "Do you enjoy having her hanging all over you?"
He shoved him again, harder this time, trying to push past him, but Craige suddenly
grabbed him, pulling him in close.
Without a word, Craige crashed his lips against Luren's.
Luren gasped in shock, trying to resist, his hands pressing weakly against Craige's
chest but the kiss only deepened. Craige's hand tangled in his hair, tilting his head as he devoured Luren's lips with a hunger that stole the breath from his lungs.
Luren's knees weakened. The fire in his chest twisted into something else, something dangerous, something sweet. The world spun as he was swept away by the heat of Craige's mouth, the tension between them finally snapping like a taut string.
And in that moment, Luren stopped pushing him away.
"You're the one I like, Luren," Craige said softly after their heated kiss.
"Hera and the other women who like me... they don't matter. Only you do."
Luren stared at him, his heart pounding. The jealousy that had weighed so heavily on
his chest finally began to melt away at Craige's confession.
"I like you too," Luren admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm sorry I always get jealous so easily..."
Craige chuckled, brushing his thumb gently across Luren's cheek. "It's okay, baby. I like your jealousy, you're so damn adorable when you're pouting like that."
Luren's cheeks flushed as Craige pressed a tender kiss on them.
"Let's go to your manor," Luren said, wrapping his arms around Craige's neck, feeling safe and warm in his embrace.
"Alright, we'll leave now," Craige replied with a smile, but just as he was about to move, Luren stopped him, this time, it was Luren who leaned in and kissed him, slow and full of emotion.
Craige froze for a second, then smiled into the kiss, pulling Luren even closer.