Chapter 65
Adrian wished he could have put more focus and attention on what happened next, to fully cherish the moment, see everyone’s faces, and remember everything. Too bad he had been so thoroughly wrung out, when the adrenaline finally faded from his jousts, he nearly passed out.
And now he was being led to the platform to be declared the winner, with Dexton and Bron hovering at his sides, ready to support him. Each step was heavy, and Adrian wobbled a bit like a drunkard.
Soon, he was at the platform, and it took him a moment to realize there were other lords standing by, high-ranking lords that Adrian couldn’t be bothered to recognize right now. He did give them a bow, though, before standing next to Lord Winthrope and a herald.
“Lord Harrow, you surprised us all, yet proved to everyone what you can do.” Lord Winthrope said. He might have said more, but Adrian didn’t catch it, he only spoke after he assumed the Earl was done.
“I only did my very best, Lord Winthrope, and pushed on as far as I could…”
“And everyone saw it…” Lord Winthrope laughed, then gestured to two servants who presented him with three things. Two was emblems, one was an emblem featuring a raven, another of a cliff with splashing ocean.
“Sir Wallis emblem, and of course, Lord Corvus Night’s Emblem.”
Adrian grabbed both. Lord Corvus emblem was eye-catching of the two, it was black with a hint of gold, its material undoubtedly expensive.
With Lord Corvus’s reputation, this could easily be worth more than a hundred pounds.
Next was a vambrace of sorts, though it looked more like something to wear over a vambrace, more decorative than armor, as it resembled spiderwebs woven from gold and white.
“And this is proof that you won the joust of our tourney. Please, try it on.” the Earl said.
Although he said that, it was a servant who delicately picked it up and fastened it to Adrian’s wrist when he held out his hand.
He looked at it as it settled on his left arm. Adrian figured it was probably more expensive than his entire suit of armor, maybe even more than Lord Corvus’s emblem. The thought of expense made him remember the prize money, five thousand pounds.
Once it was secure, the Earl grabbed his hand and raised it high.
“Lord Adrian Harrow, Baron of Harrowfield, everyone! Butcher of Laluga! Champion of the jousts! The youngest and fiercest competitor of the South!”
The herald repeated the Earl’s words, and the crowd roared.
What happened after that, Adrian wasn’t entirely sure. The only thing he vividly remembered was getting back to his room, collapsing onto his bed, and immediately passing out.
--
When Adrian came to, it was about midnight. He had missed the feast, but that was to his liking. he could only imagine the crowd of nobles and ladies swarming him, congratulating him, and trying to talk to him.
“A monster-hunting party? And whoever captures the most monsters in a day wins?” Adrian asked, devouring an entire roasted pig's leg.
He was speaking to Dexton, who sat across from him. Adrians gaze kept drifting away toward a chest on the side of the room, which held thousands of gold coins. He had been staring at it since the moment he realized it had been delivered to his quarters.
Five thousand pounds, now his. Adrian had never been this wealthy, then again, owning a territory and its people was obviously worth much more.
Now with the wealth of thousands of pounds, he was wondering on where to use them, he wanted to win, he just didn’t think what would happen after if he did.
He needed to think this through, and preferably back at his territory, for now, he set it aside. Still, the sight of a chest full of coins was hard to ignore.
The final competition, which had been a mystery from the beginning, had finally been announced during the feast Adrian missed.
“Yes… a party of four will be created to set out, hunt, and capture monsters. A dead one is also accepted, but it won't be worth as many points.” Dexton answered, having attended the feast on his behalf.
“As for who those four members will be, anyone can choose who they want to team up with.” Dexton then flashed a wry, tired smile.
“Many lords and knights approached me, asking if you were going to participate, milord, and subtly asking you to consider them as party members. I even received a few bribes. Of course, I denied them, milord, as I cannot speak for you.” Dexton quickly added.
Adrian’s attention, however, was caught by the knight's earlier words. “So, how does it feel getting surrounded by lords and ladies? Not a good feeling, right?”
Dexton didn’t answer, but Adrian laughed at the look on the knight's face.
Shaking his head, Adrian let his laughter die down. “I don’t need to participate in that, right?”
“It is not mandatory, milord. But will you participate?”
Adrian took a large bite of his meat, then turned his gaze to the chest full of gold. He almost wanted to bury himself in it, though there weren't quite enough coins to submerge his entire body, nor would it actually feel very comfortable.
“What’s the prize?”
“Seven thousand pounds, milord.”
Adrian whistled at that. “The earl is incredibly generous… and rich.”
The fact that the Earl could wantonly give out such an amount spoke volumes about his wealth, highlighting the massive difference between their fortunes.
“So, will you, milord?”
“Will I what?”
“Join the competition?”
“Hmm…” Adrian thought about it, even though deep inside he had already made his decision. “I’ll decide by tomorrow. And oh, bring some books and some food tomorrow. I’m too injured to go out, you see…”
Dexton gave him a flat stare, knowing the young lord's true intentions, and could only shake his head with a wry chuckle.
It was then that a knock sounded at the door.
Both of them exchanged curious looks before Adrian realized something. He quickly set aside his food, slid into his bed, and promptly faked being asleep. He heard Dexton suppress a chuckle before the sound of footsteps headed toward the door, followed by the click of it opening.
The voice that followed was faint, but Adrian recognized it immediately, and he cursed inwardly.
‘Don’t let her in’. He hoped his knight wouldn't step aside.
A few moments later, after some whispered words were exchanged, Adrian heard footsteps and the sound of the door closing. However, the approaching footsteps were far too light and small to belong to Dexton. Adrian cursed inwardly again, still keeping his eyes tightly closed.
He then felt someone hover at his side. A soft sigh was released, and then, suddenly, his blanket was pulled away.
“Wake up. I know you’re awake…” Lady Thea’s voice sounded out. Adrian stayed perfectly still, hoping the mischievous lady would just leave.
“Alright… have it your way.” Lady Thea said.
Adrian felt the weight shift on the side of the mattress as the lady sat down. Soft fingers began to trail up his arm, and he tried his absolute best not to shiver or twitch. He wasn't sure if he could maintain his control if he opened his eyes, and knowing the lady’s personality, she was probably set on getting some revenge.
“I know you’re awake…” Lady Thea spoke again.
Adrian stayed entirely still, prompting the woman to chuckle.
“You know I can feel your tension, right? You’re taut, like a bow ready to release an arrow…” she teased.
Adrian tried to force his muscles to relax, only then realizing just how tense his shoulders actually were.
“And now you’ve relaxed…” she said, chuckling again.
Adrian still didn’t react. It was then that her fingers traced down to his stomach, circling around it, before she suddenly gripped his groin in one smooth motion.
Adrian's eyes snapped open, sitting up with and grabbing her hand with a snap, “That is highly inappropriate behavior for a lady, my lady…”
Lady Thea smiled, a twinkle in her eyes now that Adrian was finally ‘awake.’ “Oh, sorry. Should I stop, then?”
“No,” Adrian blurted out before he could stop himself, though he quickly shook his head afterward.
That only made Lady Thea laugh a little louder before she caught herself. She leaned closer, freeing her hand and placing her palm flat against his chest.
“I believe the champion who beat all the odds deserves something special, and I believe I owe you something…” she whispered in his ear.
Adrian shivered and tried to push himself back slightly, doing everything he could to keep himself under control. It was incredibly hard, especially for a hot-blooded 16 old young man, but he felt he had to maintain his composure as a lord.
Lady Thea seemed a bit taken aback, her brows raising. “You are indeed a bit different. No wonder you won.” she said, an undeniable note of impression in her tone.
Adrian chuckled weakly. “I like to think I’m special, but thinking so would just make me arrogant, probably just like every other lord. So, thank you for your praise, but please, conduct yourself well…” Adrian practically forced the last words out.
Lady Thea responded by slowly trailing her fingers back down his stomach, stopping just short of his groin.
“Lord Harrow is a wonderful lord, but tonight, leave your worries behind. Tonight, we are just a man and a woman looking for release…” Lady Thea looked at him seriously now, and Adrian held his breath.
It felt like a mere moment and an eternity all at once before Adrian finally closed his eyes, taking a breath before opening them, and his iron grip on his self-control loosened.
Adrian leaned slightly back, And lady Thea took this as confirmation before she brought her hand down until it was on top of his loose trousers, a tent was slowly rising.
Then finally she wrapped her fingers around it and even through the cloth, Adrian nearly groaned in pleasure.
He body was on fire already, brought on by the thrill of victory and the pent-up energy caused by his youth, the distance to his mistress and the spark Lady Thea ignited.
He turned towards the lady, no, the woman, with obvious primal needs and Adrian saw his own reflected in her eyes.
Tonight, they were no lords and ladies, just man and woman.