Lewd King's Bucket List

Reina settled onto the plush, yellow couch in Marlowe's foyer, the silence amplifying her anticipation for his return from the Royal Council. Or at least, Reina had deduced that was where he went. The meetings were meant to remain secret, leaving Marlowe unable to reveal if it were his destination, though it was plainly evident.

Illium was sitting beside her with an annoyed look on his face as he tapped his foot and leaned on the couch's arm — his dour look was probably due to the fact he was made to leave his trusty spear in Duke Marlowe's care during his stay.

Sadly, because of his reckless acts in front of the king, Porter had to be left behind and sent back into the slums, lest their congregation at Marlowe's manor speak louder than it should.

However, other than those two, only a few servants roamed the halls.

They dusted or swept, yet that was just a cover for keeping Reina under their watchful gaze.

Reina didn't necessarily blame Duke Marlowe for being wary of her. Especially in this day and age, but she did wish he were a little more trusting.

'A little more… noble.'

There existed no nasty rumors about Duke Marlowe.

Which meant one of two things…

One, he was too righteous and forthright that there existed nothing bad the people could pick him apart for.

Two, he was so crooked that any who saw his rotten side was 'dealt' with.

Reina firmly believed in the first one, but she withheld sheer loyalty.

As the heir of Artoris, she knew a lot about loyalty. She also knew the recklessness blind loyalty breeds. And just like her family, her own view and values had fallen.

She was still a knight of Catatran, yes, but if she were once a knight of honesty, she was now a knight of doubt.

Not caring for their spectators, Reina looked over at Illium and asked:

"What do you think of him?"

Illium's gaze, which had been fixed on the dazzling crystal chandelier over their heads, drifted down to her.

"The duke?"

"Yeah."

Illium glanced up again.

"You can never trust someone who has a chandelier in their home to bring you freedom."

The nearest two maids flinched at his words, then continued their work as if they had heard nothing. Illium paid them no mind.

Reina tilted her head up in confusion, then studied the chandelier.

The ornate and dazzling marvel was suspended by a golden chain. There were five rings of semi-transparent crystals which refracted the many candles' light. Mounted candles, which were all encased in gold casings.

A chandelier that was in the foyer.

The first thing Reina understood was, 'It's useless.'

Vanity. That's all it was.

There was no reason for this chandelier to exist; it served no purpose. The candles on the walls already provided light to the room; it was merely a show of opulence.

Reina quickly deciphered what Illium meant in his short, but loaded statement.

'A chandelier in and of itself is a show of decadence.'

The world crumbles outside. Walk a few paces out of Marlowe's gated manor and you'll find yourself on the outskirts of the shopping district. It looks alright from the outside, but that's because the nearest shops are all Marlowe's. Walk a little further and with each step the world around you dilapidates and declines.

'I see…'

Reina's eyes looked above the chandelier.

'How can we trust someone chained?'

Suspended from the ceiling, never having touched the ground.

Yet, if it were to fall, it would shatter.

Marlowe lived in luxury. That was all he knew. But what if he had been born a slave?

Reina's thoughts drifted back to the dichotomy a man with no malicious rumors could be.

If he was the first type…

'He'd be a slave all his life.'

If he were the second type…

There were no bounds on his potential.

Reina sighed.

'Why am I thinking of such useless things?'

A moment later, the large, lacquered oak doors creaked open, revealing two knights. One was Julius Reinhafen, the other Fern Reinhafen, his younger sister. Behind them, Duke Marlowe walked in with a tired look on his face.

As he stepped inside and the doors closed, he ran his hand through his sleek brown hair, messing up his slicked-back style, then said:

"There's but one choice left for Catatran."

He had to word everything vaguely, because one never knew when King Ixion or one of his brainwashed minions was listening. Even with all the barriers set on the Duke's manor, talking openly was plain stupidity.

Illium knelt on the ground at Duke Marlowe's words, a smile etched on his lips.

"As there always has been, Lord."

Reina soon pushed herself off the couch and knelt beside him.

Duke Marlowe smiled as he stepped forward toward Reina and Illium.

"You two, how would you like to become my knights?"

Illium and Reina glanced at one another…

They could hold all the reservations they wanted, but going back to the slums was much too risky. Who knew if King Ixion would truly keep his promise.

To Reina, Illium's eyes held no reverence toward Marlowe; however, they did hold in them hope. A hope of change and reformation.

One which, maybe begrudgingly, only Marlowe could spark.

Illium brought his head back toward Marlowe and dipped his head down.

"Yes, Lord Marlowe."

Reina followed.

"Yes, Lord."

Duke Marlowe smiled gently as he gestured for Julius' sword.

He chanted the duties of a knight as he raised the sword and placed it on each shoulders of Illium.

Illium, recalling the oath to the best of his ability, swore his honor upon ‌the sword.

Then came Reina's turn. The same display happened, but when it came time for her to say the oath, she held her tongue…

'I am loyal to Catatran and Catatran alone.'

Yet, Duke Marlowe was much less perturbed by her refusal. Though he seemed to have misunderstood.

"As expected of a noble born. I apologize for this humiliating experience, it must be awkward to be on the receiving end."

Then, Marlowe handed Julius his sword back, then chuckled.

"The most you can do for our cause at the moment is to get stronger. Prepare for an excursion to the south, dear Reina and Illium. You've both been enlisted in the army!"

Marlowe turned to walk away. As he got further down the hall, Reina heard him mutter under his breath.

"Fallen no more, king of despots…"

'Huh?'

And should he be saying that out loud?!