Chapter 59 "Entrapment" and the Lure of a Meadow Nap

"This is truly bizarre."

Carlo furrowed his brow, pondering in silence.

Yet, he could hardly be bothered to investigate from which obscure corner this fellow, Charles, had managed to unearth such a large quantity of alluringly gleaming gold coins.

"Hmph, doesn't everyone harbor a few little secrets?"

He muttered softly to himself, the corners of his mouth curving upward into a meaningful smile, though his eyes carried a trace of lingering desolation that he himself remained unaware of.

Was he not bearing the heavy burdens of the past himself? Those memories were much like old, long-buried boxes resting deep beneath the earth, layered with dust and packed with unspeakable, forbidden yesterdays.

"In this day and age, compelling others to submit willingly is no child's play. Human hearts are akin to a dense fog; you believe you see clearly through them, yet they remain entirely unfathomable. Someone like Charles, who steps forward of his own accord to pledge his loyalty, possesses a remarkably high degree of credibility."

Carlo knew full well that at this very moment, he needed to radiate his presence and personal magnetism without reservation, allowing Charles to perceive his might and extraordinary stature.

He slowly and subtly lifted his chin, an action at once elegant and brimming with confidence, and gently raised his hand, slender fingers lightly grazing his jawline as though deliberating upon some momentous decision.

Then, he spoke at a leisurely pace, his voice gentle yet tinged with undeniable majesty:

"Very well, I accept. You are the very first to surrender to me, and this marks the inception of our bond. Take back your gold coins; I am hardly in need of your meager funds. In the days to come, I shall grant you far greater rewards as recompense for your fidelity."

Charles's previously tense countenance instantly blossomed with a smile as radiant as spring flowers, a brilliant light of excitement dancing within his eyes.

He nimbly bent his waist, his hands moving with swift efficiency to gather up the gold coins:

"My Lord Carlo, I shall temporarily safeguard this token of your favor on your behalf."

With those words, he drew a deep breath and dropped squarely onto one knee with a crisp, decisive motion, showing not a single moment of hesitation.

His right hand clenched tightly into a fist, the exertion causing his knuckles to turn faintly pale.

He pressed it firmly against the left side of his chest, his expression instantly turning deadly earnest as though transformed into an entirely different person, and raised his voice in a solemn oath:

"Respected Lord Carlo, in this solemn place. I, Charles, solemnly swear my allegiance to you. I, Charles Angelos, swear by my honor and my humility. I shall be your steadfast servant, akin to the unbreakable sword in your grasp, hewing away every obstacle that blocks your path. And like the impenetrable shield at your side, I shall ward off the dangers roaring from every direction. Whether we encounter ferocious external foes or vexing internal discord, I shall stand unwaveringly at your flank, fighting and shielding you to the death. My life and my soul are entrusted to your hands; whatever you command, I shall execute, and whatever decrees you set, I shall faithfully fulfill. By my loyalty, I swear never to betray you, nor to ever depart."

Carlo's expression grew increasingly solemn and stern. With unwavering resolve, he took a large, steady step forward, and with steady, powerful hands, he lifted the kneeling Charles to his feet. Carlo spoke:

"Charles, your oath rang like striking metal and stone, entering my ears and sealing itself within my heart. I, Carlo, accept your fealty. May our bond endure like an unshakeable fortress, weathering the tests of time and the fires of war. At this most sacred of moments, I too swear to you: I shall cherish your loyalty as dearly as my own honor. Should I ever fail you, I willingly accept the severe judgment of the divine."

Slowly, Carlo placed his hand upon the hilt of the sword at his waist. The pommel felt faintly cold beneath his caress as he drew the blade from its scabbard.

As the steel cleared, a flash of cold light gleamed within the dimly lit chamber.

He rested the flat of the blade gently upon Charles's right shoulder, his lips moving faintly in an unspoken incantation, before shifting it to the left shoulder.

"In the name of this blade, I bestow upon you the duty of guardianship. May you stand as a valiant and fearless knight, fighting for justice and loyalty until your final breath."

Following this, Carlo unfastened his own cloak. The garment flowed through his hands like a piece of shifting night, and he draped it gently over Charles's shoulders, his gaze filled with expectation and trust.

"I present this cloak to you as a symbol of our bond. From this day forward, wheresoever and whensoever you may be, you shall remain the one whom I trust above all others, my right hand in this world."

Charles was profoundly moved by Carlo's oath and the profound significance of the cloak.

He rejoiced inwardly, reflecting that although his master was still young in years, the personal magnetism radiating from his every gesture was so extraordinary—truly a wise lord worthy of his instant devotion.

Piously bowing his head, he drew slowly close to Carlo's shoe and pressed a gentle kiss upon it.

His lips trembled slightly as though performing a sacred rite, his voice slightly altered by emotion:

"Lord Carlo, your grace and trust are like a blazing, brilliant sacred fire capable of illuminating the deepest recesses of the soul. I, Charles, shall engrave them within my heart for all eternity, never daring to forget them for even a fraction of a moment. This sacred fire shall burn eternally within my breast, fueling the drive of my advancement and my faith in serving you."

Carlo nodded with a smile, sensing Charles's sincerity and feeling that he had indeed secured a dependable subordinate.

"Rise, Charles. Henceforth, we are each other's pillar, and the road ahead remains long. Countless challenges await us in the days to come. I now issue to you your first directive following your submission..."

Carlo leaned in close to Charles, lowering his voice and fixing his gaze as he detailed the soap-making enterprise.

"...Should you require any materials or manual labor, instruct the village chiefs of both settlements to render full assistance. You need only inform them that these are my direct orders; if any doubts arise on their part, send them to me to speak with me directly. For now, you shall craft a few sample sets of soap following the concepts I previously outlined. During the manufacturing process, pay heed to every minutia—every single step must be handled with utmost rigor. Once completed, bring them to me for my inspection."

The more Charles listened, the brighter his eyes grew, filled entirely with curiosity and anticipation for this undertaking.

He had no inkling of where Carlo conjured up such ingenious notions, yet he could keenly perceive the extraordinary potential embedded within them.

Moreover, having originated as a lowly commoner, he had spent his life wandering without a fixed dwelling, enduring wind and weather alike, with no one ever bestowing the slightest regard upon him. Yet presently, Lord Carlo placed such immense trust in him, entrusting him with a task of this magnitude and revealing the plan without reservation.

For the very first time, this instilled in him the warmth of being valued.

The sensation warmed his core, filling him with unprecedented enthusiasm and resolve to accomplish the mission:

"Understood, Lord Carlo. I shall dedicate myself entirely to fulfilling your command with all possible speed."

With that, Charles dropped once more to a single knee, offering Carlo a standard, solemn salute characterized by absolute crispness.

Upon rising, he turned and departed.

The moment Charles left to zealously pursue his assignment, Carlo seemed to undergo a complete transformation.

The serious and solemn demeanor vanished, replaced instantly by a sly, cunning grin resembling that of a small fox that had successfully stolen a block of cheese.

He stretched his limbs luxuriously, thrusting his hands high above his head and leaning backward in a stretch so exaggerated it seemed capable of piercing the roof.

"Hmph, the lad genuinely believes I place such immense store in this soap scheme."

Carlo mused inwardly, the smile on his face broadening further.

In truth, from his perspective, the soap venture was little more than a minor experiment; even if it failed utterly, it mattered very little. He still had countless far grander ambitions to contemplate.

He paced toward the window, pushing open the somewhat dilapidated casement as a flood of sunlight poured inward, bathing his face in warmth.

His thoughts drifted far away, envisioning himself galloping on horseback across vast grassy plains in pursuit of far greater dreams.

And this tiny soap enterprise was nothing more than a minor embellishment upon his grand blueprint.

Today's sunlight, bright and balmy as it was, seemed to invite him; the soft grass outside practically beckoned to him.

How could he possibly resist taking a wonderfully comfortable nap upon the meadow?