I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 40

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

The next day, utterly unable to be in the same space as Edith, Carlton avoided her as much as possible, saying he would prepare the carriage, and eventually saw her off.

After a period of self-reflection, the Crown Prince gave Carlton a secret order.

‘They say there’s a maid who was beaten and dismissed from Viscountcy Moulton, handed over to the executioner for defaming a noble lady’s honor. And it seems this maid was the one exclusively in charge of Lady Moulton for five years.’

Hearing the Moulton name entangled again made Carlton’s brow twitch slightly. The Crown Prince, seeming to enjoy his reaction, continued.

‘As you can see, my direct involvement would leave traces with the executioner. I want you to kindly escort that maid to the underground dungeon, discreetly, without anyone knowing. I’ll handle the rest.’

Seeing the Crown Prince’s chilling, deep smile again—the same one from the day he and Edith were treated as less than human—Carlton felt that refusing would bring that nightmare back to life. He had no choice but to accept the order.

After that, the Crown Prince gave further orders, tarnishing his knightly honor with tasks like aiding in the abduction of a priest and stealing important documents from the temple.

A few days after the final task, the Crown Prince, looking immensely satisfied, suddenly granted Carlton a leave of absence.

‘You’ve endured quite a lot of hardship. Take this chance and get some proper rest.’

The Crown Prince patted his shoulder as he spoke. The unease Carlton had felt in a corner of his heart back then had only grown since that moment.

‘It feels like something is about to happen soon…’

Recalling all those events, Carlton swung his sword. Unsure what to do with his sudden leave but having no one in particular to meet, he was simply spending his time in the training grounds.

Shirtless under the still-warm sun, having taken a step back from his drills, he was sweating through his training when a subordinate came running up urgently.

“Commander! Someone is here to see you!”

Before he could even register surprise at his subordinate’s words, the Vice-Commander, who had followed behind, spoke up.

“It’s the lady from House Moulton, Commander.”

“What?”

Flustered by the unexpected name, Carlton wondered whether to have her brought here. First, though, he hesitated, concerned about his sweaty, dirty state and whether he should usher her into a room first.

His worries were rendered moot as Edith emerged awkwardly from behind the subordinate who had followed, wearing an embarrassed expression.

“Hello, Sir Carlton…”

“My lady…! I’m terribly sorry for my current state. I’ll wash up and be right back, just a moment… Ha, it’s the knight barracks, there’s nowhere proper to receive you. Just one moment, please.”

He flusteredly rambled before realizing there was no reception room to speak of in the barracks, and roughly ran a hand through his hair.

Seeing him like that, Edith waved her hands dismissively.

“It’s fine with me! I’ll wait nearby.”

“It’s too hot to wait outside! …If you’re comfortable with it, I’ll wash up quickly. Would you mind waiting in my room…?”

“Ah, um… what?”

She seemed somewhat dazed, lost in thought, and answered with surprise at the suggestion of waiting in his room.

“My room is a bit much, right?”

“Not at all! I’ll wait then. Thank you for your concern.”

Hastily throwing on his top, Carlton guided Edith to his room and left, saying he would wash up at the communal bathhouse.

With nowhere proper to sit, Edith seemed to hesitate between the bed and a chair that looked like it was for desk work. In the end, she seemed to decide on neither and just stood there blankly.

Carlton, having washed up in a hurry, entered to see her like that and was flustered. She gazed at him quietly for a moment, then slowly approached and placed a hand on his chest.

“My lady…?”

At the sudden touch of a soft hand on his chest, Carlton’s body froze.

Gulp.

The sound of Edith swallowing echoed in the room. She stared fixedly at his chest, her hand resting there, too shy to look up at Carlton’s face, though she was curious about the expression he wore while calling her name.

Back at the training grounds, Edith’s gaze had been captured by Carlton’s body from afar as he swung his sword, shirtless.

On his lightly tanned skin, sweat beaded up, only to be shaken off without a moment’s rest by the movement of his flexible muscles. His firm back muscles, reflecting the sunlight, stretched taut, and sweat trickled down the groove between his thick erector spinae.

Every time he swung his sword, those thick forearms, which seemed thicker than her own waist, moved with surprising agility.

Now, having washed up, the chest visible through the gap in his untied tunic looked even smoother and firmer than before. Without even realizing it, she had moved her hand as if led by desire.