Define The Relationship Novel - Chapter 71

When he revealed his true feelings, Ash laughed aloud. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation.

“You’re so cute it’s killing me.”

The word “cute” seemed to have become a habit, as Ash said it again.

“If you don’t believe me, you can lock me up. So no one else can see me smile. How about it? If Lyle wants, I’ll just stay home. But you have to feed me, put me to sleep, and do everything, okay?”

At that moment, Karlyle was overcome by a serious impulse. Of course! He had money overflowing. Even though his environment was given to him from birth, Karlyle, who had grown based on it, had an abundance of assets and money in his name. He was confident he could feed Ash for life without Ash lifting a finger.

A temptation incomparable to when he debated whether to wear the shirt or not washed over him. Karlyle genuinely thought it would be good to lock Ash up. Of course… he knew it was a crime. He just… thought about it. Because Ash said so. Karlyle was merely thinking of granting his beloved lover’s wish.

“Hmm, you really seem to be thinking about it right now.”

Ash whispered. His lips touched Karlyle’s ear.

“I like it. But… until I’m satisfied, Lyle can’t go outside either.”

Ash’s hand touched the small of Karlyle’s back, where it curved nicely. A subtle pressure on his coat made Karlyle swallow dryly.

“If you’re going to keep me, you have to manage my sexual urges too. I’ll fuck Lyle’s hole until it’s never empty. I’m holding back from doing it right now.”

The conversation grew increasingly intense. Karlyle held his breath, silent. How was he supposed to respond to this?

“Front and back will be so wet… I’ll make the sound of water familiar to you. And I’ll let you suck the dick you love to suck from morning. …How about it?”

The moment the word “dick” came out, Karlyle surrendered. It was an excessively suggestive word to hear sober. Why use “dick” when there was “penis”? He felt dizzy.

“…It’s getting late.”

“Is it? It doesn’t feel like it’s been long.”

Ash shrugged, as if truly enjoying himself, not wanting to leave. Karlyle looked at Ash with wavering eyes, then managed to pull his hand away.

“It really is.”

“Alright. We shouldn’t be late.”

Karlyle took a deep breath as he pulled his car keys from his pocket. Then, even in this situation, he didn’t forget to remind Ash of their condition one more time.

“You promised.”

“Don’t worry. If I break it, you can lock me up, just like you said.”

I mean it. Karlyle refused to answer the added words. Ash smiled silently, watching Karlyle walk quickly towards his parked Audi.

The closer they got to the mansion, the more his stomach ached. He thought it had gotten much better, and that he wouldn’t feel pain anymore, but it seemed to have resurfaced. Meeting his grandfather was never easy for him.

Becoming accustomed to something doesn’t mean not feeling pain. Karlyle had merely learned how to endure the situation. Moreover, he had just committed the act that had disappointed his grandfather the most in his entire life. The pressure was immense.

“Lyle.”

Ash called him as he parked the car in front of the mansion. Karlyle turned his head. Seeing Ash’s face calmed his stomach a little.

“Are you okay?”

Karlyle released his grip on the steering wheel and parted his lips. He was glad Ash was by his side. And he was afraid that such a good person might be hurt by his grandfather.

“I’m fine. However…”

To Karlyle’s eyes, Ash seemed like someone who had grown up only receiving love. Unlike him, Ash smiled like someone who had only seen good things in a beautiful environment. But Karlyle now knew that Ash’s smile had a reason. When he heard stories of Ash’s childhood, Karlyle understood for the first time what it meant for one’s heart to be torn. His desire was to show only good things to someone with such wounds from now on. But his grandfather would surely say harsh words.

“As I told you last time, Grandfather…”

The day he gave Ash the painting, Karlyle had talked a little about himself. To be honest, he didn’t know what to say. His past was different from that of ordinary people, but at the same time, it wasn’t particularly special.

So Karlyle only talked about what he had learned since childhood. He made only a brief mention of his grandfather. That he was the epitome of a nobleman.

“He’s a person who acts like a nobleman, incomparable to Marquis Gordon. It’s behavior that doesn’t suit modern times, but he has a strong tendency to value lineage…”

Karlyle had never talked about his family to anyone else. It was difficult to choose his words when trying to explain his grandfather to someone.

“Is that why you’re worried? I’m fine.”

“Still… I’m worried he might say harsh things.”

As he voiced his concern, his stomach hurt even more. He bit his lip slightly. Concern filled Ash’s face, and Ash reached out a hand.

“Are you hurting again? Should we go back?”

“No.”

“How can you be hurting like this? Hmm? You already look like you’re about to break.”

The pain subsided for a moment. He felt as if he had heard something unspeakably absurd. About to break? Although he had shown some shortcomings recently, Karlyle was a healthy Alpha male who had lived without illness.

“That’s not true.”

“This is why I can’t touch you.”

“…I’m really… fine.”

“Lyle, you tend to say you’re fine when you’re not.”

Ash’s hand touched his stomach. With a gentle motion that stroked his abdomen, as if to soothe him, Karlyle’s fingers twitched.

“Ash…”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I have a strong immunity to personal attacks. Besides… we won’t see him often, will we?”

Ash said it casually. Ash’s childhood must have been part of the background that made him so immune to such words. Karlyle was so saddened that he pressed down on the back of Ash’s hand. He wanted to say “I love you.”

But that… required great preparation every time he said it. His feelings were too deep, making it difficult to utter easily. Every part of his body that the words passed through felt like it was trembling. It was that intense.

“If that’s the case.”

Ash winked with a playful voice. Karlyle’s earlobes turned reddish at the adorable wink. Did he do that to other people too? Even in this situation, a childish jealousy flashed through him.

“We can just run away together. Shall we go to France? We’ll live together in Marseille. I’ll give you a hundred times the joy so you won’t be lonely.”

Ash’s hand on his stomach flipped over. Holding Karlyle’s hand that covered his, Ash pulled Karlyle’s hand to his lips.

“Mon Chéri.”

This was the first time Karlyle had heard Ash speak French. It was a low, sweet voice. He never knew the words “my love” could sound so lewd. The words had power. All the anxiety surrounding Karlyle slowly subsided. Everything would be fine if Ash was there. The idea of running away somehow felt like a fairy tale, yet it was within the realm of imagination.

“…Are you serious?”

“I don’t lie.”

Then perhaps his words about locking him up were also truly serious… Karlyle suddenly thought that, then slowly smiled. Unlike a few minutes ago when he was stiff with tension, his mind had relaxed enough to think such thoughts again. All because of a few words from Ash.

“Understood.”

Now it was Karlyle’s turn. Karlyle put strength into his hand and pulled back the hand that had been on Ash’s lips. He reverently bowed his head towards the pulled hand, then carefully kissed it.

“Since Ash said so… it seems it will be fine.”

He gently rubbed his lips, then Karlyle raised his eyes. Ash, who had been looking at him expressionlessly for a moment, curved his eyes as if in trouble.

“Lyle.”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad we don’t have much time right now.”

Karlyle slightly furrowed one eyebrow at the words he didn’t understand. Ash sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair.

“Otherwise, I would have caused trouble here.”

“Trouble…?”

“My lover is too innocent… We have a long way to go.”

Ash said with a genuinely regretful voice. Ash’s hand, held by Karlyle, massaged Karlyle’s lips. Karlyle could feel that the gesture was thick with desire.

“Shall we go then?”

Ash asked. Karlyle looked into his eyes and smiled faintly. The car doors opened simultaneously.

Arthur was in Alice’s room, which she only opened for important guests. In fact, this mansion was Arthur’s, so strictly speaking, it might have originally been Arthur’s room.

After two knocks on the door, a clear and dignified voice was heard. Karlyle straightened his back at the sound that penetrated the heavy wood.

He turned the long, gold-plated doorknob. Through the silently opening door, the scene of a lavish reception room appeared. Velvet cushioned chairs adorned in Victorian style, a mahogany table, and Arthur Frost sitting there holding a teacup. The sight that had pressured Karlyle his entire life was before him.

“Grandfather.”

Arthur’s gaze fixed on Karlyle. Karlyle, who was about to offer his next greeting, immediately realized that Arthur was not alone.

Next to Arthur sat Marquis Gordon. Karlyle, knowing it was against etiquette, unconsciously looked back at Ash. Ash’s face was unperturbed.

“My greetings to Marquis Gordon as well…”

“We meet again, Mr. Karlyle.”

Gordon greeted him with a pleasant expression. Gordon’s gaze soon fell on Ash. When Ash looked back at Gordon and smiled, Gordon looked at him with soft eyes. This time, Ash spoke.

“Thank you for arranging this meeting. My name is Ash Jones.”

Arthur, who had been observing them in silence, turned his eyes. Perhaps they had been having late afternoon tea, as both Gordon and Arthur held teacups. Gordon spoke, looking at Arthur.

“What do you think, Arthur, now that you’ve seen him in person?”

Karlyle held his breath. He didn’t know what had been discussed, but the situation was unfolding in an unexpected direction.

Firstly, his grandfather and Marquis Gordon were not that close. This was due to Marquis Gordon’s unilateral tendency not to appear much in society. But now Gordon was addressing his grandfather by his first name.

“He’s as handsome as the Marquis’s cherished young man.”

“He was a brilliant child from a young age, so I trust he will conduct himself in a way that does not bring shame upon your esteemed grandson. Isn’t that right, Ash?”

Karlyle was confused. He now knew that Marquis Gordon cherished Ash like his own child. In that case, did Ash contact the Marquis after receiving his call to arrange this meeting?

“Lyle is far too good for me. Of course.”

Ash replied, then smiled amiably at Arthur.

“So, if Marquis Frost would permit our relationship, I will serve your grandson more devotedly than anyone else. Please, I ask for your permission.”

A sense of bewilderment washed over Karlyle at Ash’s words, which sounded as if he were addressing a superior. Karlyle was not someone who deserved to hear such words from Ash. He looked at Ash with a crestfallen expression, and Gordon clapped his hands as if to lighten the mood. Arthur watched them with an inscrutable expression. His upright posture was very sharp.

“Oh, I apologize, I haven’t even offered you a seat yet. What do you think, Arthur?”

“Of course. Karlyle, what are you doing? Not showing Mr. Jones to his seat.”

Arthur’s attitude towards Ash seemed unexpectedly friendly. Even now, it was like that.

At his grandfather’s tone, which rebuked him for not showing Ash to his seat, Karlyle showed a relieved expression. But Ash’s expression, conversely, stiffened slightly. Karlyle, not understanding, looked at Ash and whispered very softly to him.

‘Ash?’