By Zephyria 
I thought he would at least give me some time to sort out my complicated thoughts on how to proceed with my next steps, but I didn’t expect him to chase me out so quickly. Seeing my surprised expression, Lennox apologized in a very exaggerated manner.
“Please forgive me for not being able to take you there with magic since you haven’t fully recovered yet.”
“No, wait a minute, Lennox.”
“It’s quite enjoyable to see you so anxious, but… I think you’ve had enough hardship for today, so I’ll let you go. Go to Graham’s townhouse.”
Of course, if I couldn’t return to Count Hamilton’s territory for the time being, Beatrice and Carlisle were the only options, but I couldn’t believe that Lennox, who had been so confidently declaring that his goal was to steal me away from both the Crown Prince and the Little Duke, was saying this.
“Don’t be surprised. It’s called using barbarians to control barbarians. Or is it one step back for a leap forward? Whatever. Doesn’t that mysterious power of Dartmouth flow through Graham as well? I’ve become someone who can’t use any power for the time being. If you’re under Graham’s protection, the effect of the artifact will be even greater. Forces with the same roots will attract and amplify each other.”
Lennox said that no matter how great a magician he was, it was difficult to face a God alone, so he would borrow Carlisle’s power to get rid of the God first, and then steal me or whatever. It was a talent to react in a way that made it impossible to say thank you even after doing something grateful.
“It seems like it will take some time until we meet again. I think I need to focus all my efforts on recovering my strength for now.”
“Okay. And today… I was really grateful.”
“Is that what you mean? It’s my pleasure.”
Lennox smiled habitually. What was truly frightening was that all his smiles towards me, which never seemed to run dry, seemed to be genuine.
On the way to the carriage he had called for me, I heard the sound of a violent cough that he had been trying so hard to suppress coming from behind, but I pretended not to notice. I could afford to grant his wish to be seen as just a capable magician in front of me. If that was what it took to protect his pride, I wanted to actively cooperate.
* * *
“Noah!”
Before the wheels even stopped, the door burst open. Carlisle, whom I hadn’t seen in what felt like forever, came barging into the carriage, wagging his tail. He wasn’t really showing his tail, but that’s how happy he was to see me.
“It’s been so long. Goodness, is this almost the first time I’m seeing you since you returned to the capital? I’ve been counting the days until we could meet again, but you came to find me first… I can’t believe it!”
His abyss-like gray eyes sparkled with life for the first time in a while. I felt as if the sun was shining brightly on my heart, which had been completely exhausted by various events. Ah, indeed. Being with Carlisle was just peaceful.
Meeting Carlisle with a light heart, having shaken off all the intangible energy that had been controlling and monitoring my consciousness, was even more welcome and even better. Was the power of Graham flowing through Carlisle’s blood also a trace of the Ancient God…? Perhaps the reason my heart had been more at peace when I was by Carlisle’s side wasn’t just for psychological reasons.
“You can’t imagine how much I wanted to see you. I was even considering attending Allen’s birthday banquet. I held back because I was worried that unnecessary rumors would spread again if I attended his birthday banquet. You repeatedly told me that it’s best to minimize any involvement with him.”
My puppy had become quite the chatterbox while I hadn’t seen him. I hadn’t even found a moment to call out his name, Carlisle.
“Okay, I’m glad to see you too. Since we’re glad to see each other, let’s not just stay here…”
“Haa, but… your scent is so good… Just a little bit. Just a little bit…”
What other reason could there be? It was because of the disobedient puppy who hurriedly closed the carriage door and kissed me deeply. It ended up like this again. There were so many things I needed to say… Oh well, never mind. The lips sharing their breath were too sweet and warm. I closed my eyes and hugged his neck tightly.
No matter how large Graham’s townhouse was, it shouldn’t have taken this long to get from the front gate to the main residence, especially since it wasn’t even the main estate in the territory. But perhaps it was because Carlisle and my kisses seemed to be on the verge of breaking off but never actually did. The carriage moved at a very slow pace. I could confidently say that it had circled the garden at least five or six times.
“How did you know I was here so quickly? I thought you would only be able to see me after I entered the main residence.”
His lips, which had been sucked on so much, were, to exaggerate a little, twice as plump as usual. Perhaps that was why his pronunciation sounded a bit slurred. Carlisle, who had one arm around my shoulder and my legs on his lap, looked at my plump lips moving and chattering with a proud expression and replied as if it were obvious.
“Of course, I have to know. Noah, I’ve instructed that any information related to you, whatever it may be, should be reported to me immediately without any intermediate steps. Seeing them today, it seems the newly hired servants are doing a pretty good job of handling things quickly.”
Carlisle’s satisfied appearance made him look like a well-fed wolf. He repeatedly caressed my body, which he was almost hugging, as if he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. It was amazing that I didn’t feel any lewdness in his movements as he massaged my shoulders and rubbed his cheek against my arm. Was it because he was young? Every single one of Carlisle’s actions seemed refreshing. He wasn’t that much older than me… When I thought about it, Carlisle hadn’t reached adulthood this year either.
“Wait, Carlisle.”
“Yes?”
But his innocent eyes, blinking curiously, were innocent but not pure. The carriage had already stopped, and I could hear the sound of servants hurriedly gathering outside the window, which was thickly curtained. That meant it was time for us to get off. But Carlisle’s arm around my shoulder and Carlisle’s lap on which my legs were resting didn’t seem to have any intention of returning to their original positions. Was he planning to get out of the carriage while holding me in his arms in front of everyone? Surely not. Please, no.
“What’s wrong, Noah? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
I struggled to lower my legs, but his large hand firmly grasped my knee. Then he pulled me towards him. The natural voice that followed was a bonus. I just glared at him without saying anything more, and Carlisle chuckled and stepped back. “Okay, I was just trying,” his voice was full of laughter and sounded particularly youthful.
After dealing with guys like the Crown Prince and Andrew (not to mention Lennox, who could be said to be the best at doing whatever he wanted), who were quick to act as if they didn’t care about my opinion once they made up their minds, seeing a young beast who wagged its tail and bared its belly to be loved with just one displeased expression made my heart melt.
“Let’s go inside quickly. I came because there’s something important we need to discuss.”
In fact, I had just been pushed by the situation, pushed by Lennox, and had come here in a daze, but I declared confidently. The stage of calming my surprised heart was over. While regaining my composure with Carlisle’s comfort, my mind became clearer than ever, and the path I had to take seemed clear as well.
I still didn’t know exactly what Allen, what the System wanted from me. However, one thing was certain: the promise he had made to me at the beginning was not a lie. I couldn’t explain it well myself, but I just felt it for sure. I had to steal Allen’s true ending. I just had to digest all of his destiny destined for the person called ‘Allen Hamilton’ and endure it safely.
Then I could win. Regardless of the System or Allen. From all the devices of this world that tried to oppress me.
“Wow, this is exciting. I don’t know what it is, but I hope it’s very, very long!”
“Why? I tend to dislike it when someone says they have something important to talk about. How do you know what I’m going to say? Aren’t you scared?”
The carriage door was now wide open. Carlisle smiled brightly and stepped out ahead of me, then politely escorted me.
“What’s there to be afraid of when I’ll gladly accept anything Noah tells me? Well then, welcome. Welcome to the Graham residence!”
His flawless trust in me. That was the most magnificent and precious gift he could offer me. My heart, which had been on edge all day, warmed up. Without any hesitation, I took the hand he offered and took a big step forward.