The Envoy to the Three Territories (2)
The entire time, Lord Cain spat curses without pause, treating Ludmila with brutal roughness as if venting his rage on his wife. Ludmila drew pleasure from the sadistic acts. She screamed in ecstasy, her body trembling violently.
When the enjoyable time came to an end, Ludmila licked Cain's limp member clean, then slipped on a red silk robe and stepped out onto the balcony. Moonlight bathed the entire world in its glow. A breeze stirred the trees, and the chirping of insects filled the night air.
“I hear the new lord of Lanchester has a wife so stunning that even trading her for an entire kingdom would be a shame.”
“Is that so? I’d like to see just how beautiful she is.”
Cain, lying naked on the bed, grinned wickedly. Ludmila leaned against the balcony railing and glanced back at him.
“Shall we go see her together?”
“To Lanchester?”
“Aren’t you curious how lovely she must be to be compared to an entire kingdom?”
“Why should I go? It’s only proper that they come to me.”
“True enough. From what I’ve heard about this newly appointed lord, His Majesty only recently elevated some foreigner from a distant eastern land to noble status. In short, he’s a rootless upstart. Compared to the ancient and illustrious Cluiston family, he’s barely a drop in the ocean.”
“I should send someone tomorrow to bring his wife here so I can have a look.” Cain curled his lip. “If that wife of his is beautiful enough to make me fall for her at first sight, I’ll kill the Lanchester lord and take her for myself.”
At his aggressive declaration, Ludmila burst into shrill laughter.
“You are a powerful ruler who can claim anything you desire. A pathetic little territory like Lanchester could be conquered in a single night.”
“My strength comes from your magic.”
“You flatter me.”
Ludmila returned inside, climbed on top of the reclining Cain, and kissed him. Her deep, passionate kiss stirred his spent manhood back to life. She reached down, grasped his cock, and began stroking it lightly up and down.
“Use this to pierce the Lanchester lord’s wife. Ram it between her legs, over and over.”
“You’re not afraid of war?”
“I am merely a vassal who follows her lord.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want nothing. I only wish for my lord to prosper.”
With those words, Ludmila slid down to Cain’s lower body and took his rock-hard erection into her mouth.
Around noon, a vassal came to Eidan and informed him that Unia had arrived.
“A messenger has come from Lanchester.”
“I’ll meet them now.”
The envoy’s first impression was that of a tall, imposing warrior woman. She appeared to be in her late thirties, with thick, powerful thighs built from years of hard training—thicker than most women’s. At a glance, she was unmistakably a fighter.
“My name is Unia. I have brought a letter from Lord Richard, the new master of Lanchester, for Lord Cain.”
“Welcome. I am Eidan, acting in the lord’s stead.”
Eidan, seated in the place of honor, offered a bright smile. In the long hall of Harmel Castle, twenty knights and officials stood lined up on both sides. Unia looked up at the large chair where Eidan sat, and they exchanged pleasant greetings for some time.
But the warm atmosphere shattered the moment Lord Cain and Ludmila burst in without warning.
Eidan rose from his seat and stared at his brother in surprise.
“What brings you here?”
“The lord has come to attend to business. What kind of question is that?” Cain answered indifferently before taking his seat on his own chair.
Eidan stood to his right, his expression hardening as he looked at Ludmila. She wore a sly, knowing smile, as if she had some scheme in mind.
“I heard someone from Lanchester had arrived and rushed over thinking the lord himself had come, but it turns out he only sent an envoy. How disappointing.”
Lord Cain made no effort to hide his displeasure. Even so, Unia never lost her smile.
“Lord Richard wished to visit in person, but the situation in our territory remains unstable, so he was forced to postpone. Once the land is stabilized, he plans to visit. Until then, I ask for your generous patience.”
“He must be so busy he can’t even tell who ranks above whom.” Cain sneered, baring his yellowish teeth. “And on top of that, he sends someone without balls. There’s a limit to how much you can insult us. What are we supposed to do with a woman? Make her strip and dance for us?”
“Brother, please show some courtesy. She is an envoy, equivalent to Lord Richard coming himself.”
Eidan knew he should remain silent, but he could no longer tolerate his arrogant, unpredictable brother’s behavior. He leaned close to Cain’s ear and whispered urgently.
“It will do us no good to make enemies of the Richard family. They have recently brought Langdal under their banner, strengthening their forces, and there are rumors they even have Princess Irene, His Majesty’s youngest daughter, with them. We must not give them any excuse to resent us and justify an invasion. We do not have the strength for war right now. On the other hand, with the king backing them, they will have ample funds to wage one. Please treat her with hospitality and send her back peacefully.”
But war was the last thing on Cain’s mind. Only one word had reached his ears.
“…They even have the youngest princess with them?”
A twisted grin spread across Cain’s face.
Cain suddenly shot to his feet and hurled the letter Unia had given him at her feet. Eidan looked up in shock at his brother’s sudden outburst.
“Get out! Go back to your master right now and tell him not to send some worthless envoy—tell him to come in person with his wife and show his face! Until then, I will not recognize the new lord of Lanchester, so get the hell out of here!”
“Goddammit…”
Eidan dragged a hand down his face and let out a heavy sigh. At the same time, Unia wore an expression of utter disbelief, yet she couldn’t help but let out a small, bitter laugh.
They called him a madman, but this is what they meant.
The best thing she could do in this situation was leave before she got splattered with filth. Staying any longer would accomplish nothing, and she had already delivered the personal letter. Her duty was done.
“As my lord wishes, I will relay your exact words to him.”
Unia offered a polite farewell before Cain could find further fault with her, then quickly headed for the door. At the same time, the sound of Eidan’s leather boots echoed across the floor as he hurried after her.
“Please forgive the discourtesy. I know it’s not my place to say this, but although my brother is the lord, his words do not represent the official stance of our territory. All the other vassals feel the same. Please take his words with a grain of salt.”
“That is welcome news, Lord Regent.” Unia smiled. “When I return to Lanchester, I will be sure to tell our lord how kindly you treated me. And I will explain your intentions clearly as well.”
The Cluiston family wishes to build friendly ties with the Richard family and maintain a healthy relationship. That was surely Eidan’s true desire.
“Thank you. Truly.”
“However, I will not forget the abusive language Lord Cain directed at me. This is not personal—it is my duty as the envoy representing the Richard family. Insulting me is the same as insulting Lord Richard. I will report exactly what happened here.”
“I suppose that can’t be helped. I understand. Right now, you are not merely a person—you are Lanchester Castle itself, walking on two legs.”
Eidan wore a troubled expression. Unia gave a brief smile and changed the subject.
“Before I leave, may I meet with your lady? I brought a gift for her and would like to deliver it personally.”
Her intention was to win over the lady of the house and bring her to their side. However, Unia had yet to realize that the lady was a powerless, caged bird with no influence whatsoever.
“I will arrange a meeting right away. Please follow me.”
Eidan welcomed the idea. He believed it would offer Lady Ronda, who had recently suffered greatly, a brief respite from her unhappy reality—like a sweet rain in a drought. He hoped that speaking with Unia, an outsider, would allow his sister-in-law to hear adventurous tales, life experiences, and romantic stories that might comfort her.
Eidan immediately led Unia to Lady Ronda’s bedchamber. Having already been informed by a soldier sent ahead, Lady Ronda came out to greet them in the corridor.
“I’m so glad you came. Welcome.”
“It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”
Unia knelt on one knee and kissed the back of her hand. Lady Ronda, clearly delighted by the rare visitor, helped her rise and clasped both her hands warmly.
“Should I call you Sir Unia?”
“Please call me whatever you prefer.”
Lady Ronda dismissed Eidan and led Unia into her bedchamber. Two maids inside were busily clearing a table cluttered with flower-arranging supplies. The two women sat facing each other across the table. One of the maids soon brought cookies and tea.
She seems so refined and feminine. I wonder if someone as crude as me can even hold a proper conversation with her? She looks around my age—mid-forties…