Chapter 22 - 2-12
Laicanel Thora has never acknowledged value in women. If he himself were to confess this, the women who have given their bodies to him until now might all protest at once.'No one else has ever recognized a woman's value as much as you.'At least, Laicanel has never once been inconvenienced by women. His first experience was at age eleven. The partner was his own older sister, who had become a countess. When he was a child, still not fully functional as a man, he bathed with his sister, who was famous for her beauty, and was caressed all over his body with her tongue over time, receiving one-sided pleasure. From there, it was a series of new discoveries.When his sister returned to her married home, Laicanel noticed a surprising situation. The look in women's eyes was different. The women would whisper to him secretly. They would hand him letters. At the place he was called to, a woman harboring desire for Laicanel would be naked.He had once been embraced by three fully ripe married women at the same time, and had also enjoyed a twelve-year-old virgin who had lost herself in lust. In neither case had he made the first move. He was always the one invited. When he was in his own bedroom in Delroy, Laicanel's instrument of pleasure was always being loved in a woman's hand, in a woman's mouth, or inside a woman's body. Lewd and filthy words were poured into his ears in sweet, cloying voices. A woman's most unclean part was pressed against his mouth. All this was still during Laicanel's childhood."I have a good face," he thought when he was young. Certainly, looking in the mirror, he had a refreshing, refined, and beautiful countenance. But as he came to understand things, he intuited."It's the family."The power of the Thora family, a house of powerful influence, made women base.Even realizing this, he was not hurt. Laicanel was perfectly polite whether he was on top of a woman or underneath, and he always thought about what it was they desired. But he never once treasured them. He thought it natural that the other party did not treasure him either.Four years ago, at age thirteen, Laicanel left his territory of Delroy and moved to the royal capital, Malfa. For the King's School. Here, at the feet of His Majesty the King, his contempt for women became decisive.In Malfa City, there are many women who do not know who Laicanel is. Even such women, surprisingly, open their bodies to him without hesitation. Whether he uses a false name or hides his identity makes no difference.Rather, women who did not know his true identity were more persistent.When he slept with a certain lady famous for thoroughly despising men, he asked what it was about him that attracted her. Since the lady was intellectual, he thought he might hear words that struck at the core."I feel at ease," the lady said, smiling with a fox-like face. "When I hear your voice, when I smell your scent. I just, just feel at ease."Laicanel grew irritated with the woman spouting such ecstatic, foolish nonsense. He thought it was a completely worthless, trash-like opinion.But he also thought, perhaps this was all there was to it.Women who were captivated by Laicanel's manly demeanor. Women who delighted when he showed a slightly delinquent attitude or speech. Women who wanted to monopolize him. Women for one night only. Women who didn't want to get into bed, just wanted to talk. Women who liked Laicanel's voice, women who liked his body odor...He had always wondered what it was that women sought from him, what they took from him.He thought that perhaps he possessed something formless, something precious.In the end, there was no such thing. It was merely that something about him evoked fantasies in women.Even now, Laicanel is popular and polite to women. But he no longer thinks deeply about it. He will likely never respect a woman in his life.Except for the princess.He tries to think that Her Highness Luchentin is different. When his engagement to the princess was decided, Laicanel was delighted. By marrying the princess, he could fulfill the duty of maintaining the power base his father had built. Even if he cannot respect her, he is determined to hold the utmost loyalty and treasure her as much as possible.It was just past noon today that he met and spoke with that princess.When he left the castle and entered the city district on horseback, it was already dusk.He arrived at the tavern where his companions gathered after the sun had set.His companions were at their usual table. Spotting Ness D. Syllabus's face, Laicanel beckoned him over. After confirming that Ness's large frame stood up and began heading his way, Laicanel went outside the shop. Lamps lined the twilight street."You're late.""Yeah. I stopped by Craves' place," Laicanel replied with a strangely alluring, bottomlessly bright smile that the women of the world couldn't help but stare at."What for? Anyway, let's go in. I'll listen while we drink.""It's about tomorrow's duel.""Hmm.""I called it off."He realized this while listening to the princess's story. If he were to inflict the punishment of death on Yugis Necrat now, the world would see it as Laicanel acting out of jealousy. Personal grudges are justice if they also call forth public indignation, but making a fuss just because someone touched the princess would be a disgrace to him."So I'll let it slide this time.""I see."Ness Syllabus didn't seem particularly attached to the idea. Though he was a man proficient in a hundred martial arts—not just swordsmanship, but cavalry combat and grappling as well—Ness was not a man who wanted to hurt anyone recklessly."But you know. Those guys," Ness said, glancing into the candlelit shop. "Those guys won't be satisfied. They hate nothing more than being seen as weak-willed.""That's why I stopped by Craves' place. You know that plan he was pushing forward. We'll do that tomorrow."Laicanel said this in a buoyant voice, as if sharing a brilliant idea.It wasn't a brilliant idea, and his spirits weren't the least bit buoyant, but Laicanel's way of speaking had a natural vigor.The "plan" was a plan for a wild party. They would raise a ruckus for about two days at a castle near Malfa City, with no formalities. Gather about forty carefully selected prostitutes and dress them in nun's habits. The participants would also disguise themselves as monks. The gimmick was a 'critique of the corrupt church.' Craves was supposed to have arranged for high-quality alcohol and food.He knew it was ridiculous, but it was effective. The banquet would certainly strengthen their bonds.Moreover, the money that funded this banquet was extorted from a certain merchant house in collaboration with his companions—spoils of war, so to speak. Laicanel couldn't keep it all for himself."A clever idea. It'll blow away thoughts of duels and punishments.""Ness, I want you to come too.""No thanks," Ness Syllabus said, furrowing his brow as he looked down at Laicanel.Though he was a man who wouldn't flinch at murder if Laicanel commanded it, Ness was also a devout Romite. "I'll hold down the fort.""We'll leave Tanclore in Malfa. He'll be happy to stay behind. He's a man who wags his tail for us.""Then I'll just go home to my village for a bit. I haven't been back in a while."There was no point in forcing him. Laicanel called for his attendant and had him bring the horse.He turned back to Ness and changed his tone."Tell the guys inside. Assemble at the main gate at six. Make sure word gets around by today. Anyone late is to rush directly to the site. Don't forget the costumes. Attendants are limited to one per person.""Understood. You're not going to drink?""I have business.""A woman."The prince of the Thora house nodded once and spurred his horse. That casual motion was already dashing, leaving everyone who saw it with a stylish impression befitting a high-ranking noble.He walked his horse in silence, entering a dark alley. His attendant held up a lantern.As the surroundings grew darker, the woman he was about to meet flickered in his mind.I must not be drawn in, he thought vaguely.Women are worthless.It's fine for his body's carnal desires to ache. But he must not be drawn in. Not to any woman other than the princess.His destination was a shabby commoner's house on the outskirts of town.Laicanel dismounted and knocked on the door. No light leaked out—perhaps black cloth was hung over the windows. The door opened.Inside were four men and women dressed as commoners. All of them wore masks."This way," one of the men said. His voice was barely concealing excitement. He seemed pleased to have been able to arrange this secret meeting. It was a voice Laicanel didn't recognize.Laicanel nodded and proceeded.—She's playing around.Laicanel hated the woman's carelessness. Just how many people did she intend to let in on the secret? He always told her to keep the personnel used for arranging their trysts to a minimum.In the back room, the woman was waiting. A silk shawl half-covered her slender back. As he approached, the woman turned to face him, and a slap flew at his cheek."You're late."Laicanel roughly grabbed her shoulder and sealed the mouth of Queen Consort Yumeria Alish with his lips.The shawl slid to the floor."I'll make up for the delay."If His Majesty the King were to learn of this, Laicanel Thora's head would be rolling in the execution grounds. The Queen Consort would not get off lightly either. It would even implicate his father. But he couldn't refuse. The Queen Consort's invitation was too forceful.If he had refused, Laicanel's position would likely have become even more dangerous.In the court, the Queen Consort's power is not weak.To dive into the Queen Consort's ample bosom and use her. This was the best course.—Use her. So I must not be drawn in. Not to a woman like this.Laicanel's smile was like a sweetly fragrant flower.