PF: C04.1
FOURTH CHAPTER: Part 1
This novel was posted on cnt18 [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
T/n: Name changes were applied. Keluo = Karl, and Feite = Fritz. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Fritz was gone.
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
When the governor stood behind the railing of the upper floor addressing the guests below, a tall figure slowly appeared behind him.
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
After forcibly plucking Fritz's secret flower, after burying his youthful seed in that man's depths, Karl could no longer imagine a world where there was no Fritz.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
This was a fact, a fact Karl had no idea how he would endure.
"I heard it's for the special appointment of the governor's eldest son who just returned from abroad."
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
The mind he had strengthened for Fritz's sake, in that moment, had collapsed upon knowing of his disappearance.
"Who was it?"
Through the all the streets of the slums, through all the alleyways, Karl ran calling out for Fritz, eventually returning to that church, his head hanging low.
For a reason unbeknownst to him, he instinctively felt as though something unusual was about to occur.
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
A handsome man, one with an air of sophistication, wearing elegant clothes which not at all seemed fitting with the old, dilapidated, and unkept atmosphere there.
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
Fritz was gone.
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
If it weren't for the fluids belonging to both him and Fritz, along with the tears, remaining on those torn pieces of clothing, Karl would've believed all of prior night's happenings was nothing but a dream.
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
The pale skin which resided outside the coverage of that mask, exposed a the corners of a pair of lightly upturned lips, and from beneath that bronze mask was a set of deep beautiful eyes gazing at the multitude below. Within that crowd, Karl, upon witnessing this scene, felt as though his heart was immediately struck by lightening.
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
"Child? Are you alright?"
Fritz...
"Agreement? To the city?"
Karl yelled, "Fritz, Fritz" chasing the carriage, but all he saw from the head poking out from the lifted curtain of the carriage was a middle-aged gentleman, who despite his age, seemed quite handsome and strong.
"Child? Are you alright?"
"I'll protect you..."
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
"Sorry, but no thank you."
Karl pushed past the crowd with little regard for everything around him, tears filling his eyes once he made his way to the front and locked his gaze onto that beautiful man called Hughes, and him nearly shouted at the top of his lungs: it was his Fritz! That person was surely Fritz—it was absolutely Fritz!
If it weren't for the fluids belonging to both him and Fritz, along with the tears, remaining on those torn pieces of clothing, Karl would've believed all of prior night's happenings was nothing but a dream.
"My apologies, but I do not feel like dancing at the moment."
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
"How could that be possible? Child, every inch of this chapel was constructed to be visible within a single glance, so there is no way anyone can be lost inside here. Did your friend leave with others, perhaps?"
"But aren't you supposed to send four years at college?" Karl immediately found the fault in Morson's wording.
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Who was I telling that to in such a childish voice?
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
"If so, he must have been taken by others then. Child, you should go search outside."
Fritz was gone.
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
"You're Fritz's son, Karl. Has your father not told you about me? I'm her to fulfil my end of an agreement I made to take you back to the city."
But not only by the words Lina had just said, it was also because of a rumour he remember hearing in his organisation.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
Confusion made it's way onto the priest's face, followed by a period of hesitation, before he said, "Then... have you noticed anyone leaving this area? Perhaps they were the ones who have taken you friend away."
Fritz...
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
"Ah!" Karl couldn't stop himself from crying out. That carriage!
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
Confusion made it's way onto the priest's face, followed by a period of hesitation, before he said, "Then... have you noticed anyone leaving this area? Perhaps they were the ones who have taken you friend away."
The mind he had strengthened for Fritz's sake, in that moment, had collapsed upon knowing of his disappearance.
That expensive looking carriage that I ran into which looked completely out of place in this slum!
The strange man looked genuinely shocked. After hearing the situation from the sniffling Karl (most of the truth being hidden, of course), his shocked expression morphed into one of confusion.
Thinking of that day, of that soft body in his arms, crying and begging for mercy, Karl couldn't find any words to give in response.
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
Although Karl was older than Lina and Sargent, because his academic level was quite poor, when compared to the siblings, his grade was two levels lower.
"Ah!" Karl couldn't stop himself from crying out. That carriage!
"Morson."
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
The mind he had strengthened for Fritz's sake, in that moment, had collapsed upon knowing of his disappearance.
That expensive looking carriage that I ran into which looked completely out of place in this slum!
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
"Yes, of course. We were both deskmates for two years at university."
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
Karl shot out of that church like a bullet, turning, then sprinted towards the direction that carriage had went.
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
"Yes. Oh, it seems I have forgotten to mention this. I'm a friend of Fritz from college, the name's Morson. Your father came to see me in the city yesterday, just before nightfall. We reached an agreement I would take responsibility for supporting you in your studies in the city. Did Fritz seriously not mention any of this to you?"
"You're Fritz's son, Karl. Has your father not told you about me? I'm her to fulfil my end of an agreement I made to take you back to the city."
"Morson."
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
It was a dry spring, so no traces of any carriage tracks could be found on the gravel road.
Karl shot out of that church like a bullet, turning, then sprinted towards the direction that carriage had went.
"But aren't you supposed to send four years at college?" Karl immediately found the fault in Morson's wording.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
"Why did he drop out then?"
A handsome man, one with an air of sophistication, wearing elegant clothes which not at all seemed fitting with the old, dilapidated, and unkept atmosphere there.
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
At the end of the small road of the slum, Karl stopped, his back bent as his crouched over, huffs and gulps of air leaving him.
"Oh... That's uh... That's because your father dropped in his second year." A sympathetic look now crossed Morson's face, as he continued, "We all felt bad for him because of it back then. He was the most promising student in our age group!"
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
A handsome man, one with an air of sophistication, wearing elegant clothes which not at all seemed fitting with the old, dilapidated, and unkept atmosphere there.
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
Although Karl has never been there, he knew where those obtuse paths led. One led to a border some considerable distance awaty, while the other led towards the city.
He remained in this state until the governor announced loudly, "The ball will now begin!"
Karl hung his head low, his steps sluggishly making their way back to the slums, despair and loneliness filled his heart.
Karl told him the truth, his voice trembling.
"Who was it?"
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
"What's wrong Karl?"
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
Hughes, too, caught a glimpse of the tear stained face of the youth standing amongst the crowd, his attitude upon noticing showing no signs of surprise. He then gave Karl a light smile, one light enough that the others around them did not notice.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
The faint scent of Fritz's breath, seemed to still be lingering in Karl's nose.
Soon graceful notes in accompaniment to a waltz echoed throughout the hall, and the well dressed gentlemen and ladies had begun twirling around the dance floor.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
"No... he... he's gone."
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
"I'll protect you..."
Seeing that man's kind, yet authoritative appearance, Karl dazedly stopped in his tracks.
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
"Oh... Allow me this moment to formerly introduce you all. This is my eldest son, Hughes, he just returned from a journey abroad and is the current successor to the governor position. Anyhow, his face was injured in a fire, so on account of that occurrence he has worn this mask."
Karl, at a loss, nodded in agreement.
Who was I telling that to in such a childish voice?
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
These nerve-wracking and painful days continued for three more months, until that night finally arrived.
Soon graceful notes in accompaniment to a waltz echoed throughout the hall, and the well dressed gentlemen and ladies had begun twirling around the dance floor.
Despite his tears already falling, only t that moment did Karl have the urge to cry.
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
Standing not too far away from him was a frightened Lina, who then jogged over to Karl's side.
Through the all the streets of the slums, through all the alleyways, Karl ran calling out for Fritz, eventually returning to that church, his head hanging low.
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
"Sorry, but no thank you."
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
"But aren't you supposed to send four years at college?" Karl immediately found the fault in Morson's wording.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
Karl shot out of that church like a bullet, turning, then sprinted towards the direction that carriage had went.
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
Fritz...
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
After forcibly plucking Fritz's secret flower, after burying his youthful seed in that man's depths, Karl could no longer imagine a world where there was no Fritz.
Although Karl has never been there, he knew where those obtuse paths led. One led to a border some considerable distance awaty, while the other led towards the city.
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
At that time, he never gave up in his search for any sign of Fritz.
"Why did he drop out then?"
A handsome man, one with an air of sophistication, wearing elegant clothes which not at all seemed fitting with the old, dilapidated, and unkept atmosphere there.
"Why did he drop out then?"
Until the night before he would again meet Fritz, Karl stayed at Morson's house.
"What's wrong Karl?"
"Who're you?"
"..."
It does seem as though Fritz had explained the situation of their family to this Morson, so neither him nor Karl made any mention of Karl's rotund mother.
"I... were you really Fritz's classmate?"
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
"You're Fritz's son, Karl. Has your father not told you about me? I'm her to fulfil my end of an agreement I made to take you back to the city."
Despite his tears already falling, only t that moment did Karl have the urge to cry.
"Child? Are you alright?"
"Then come with me to the city, we'll gradually search for clues of your father's whereabouts."
...
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
"Agreement? To the city?"
"Oh... Allow me this moment to formerly introduce you all. This is my eldest son, Hughes, he just returned from a journey abroad and is the current successor to the governor position. Anyhow, his face was injured in a fire, so on account of that occurrence he has worn this mask."
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
"Yes. Oh, it seems I have forgotten to mention this. I'm a friend of Fritz from college, the name's Morson. Your father came to see me in the city yesterday, just before nightfall. We reached an agreement I would take responsibility for supporting you in your studies in the city. Did Fritz seriously not mention any of this to you?"
"Who're you?"
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
That expensive looking carriage that I ran into which looked completely out of place in this slum!
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"No... he... he's gone."
Morson's face wore a surprised expression.
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
"If so, he must have been taken by others then. Child, you should go search outside."
Neither rushing nor dragging, Karl buttoned his vest, but on the inside, he was filled with excitement and unease.
"No... he... he's gone."
Karl started missing his brothers from the Flying Eagles gang.
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
Karl yelled, "Fritz, Fritz" chasing the carriage, but all he saw from the head poking out from the lifted curtain of the carriage was a middle-aged gentleman, who despite his age, seemed quite handsome and strong.
Karl told him the truth, his voice trembling.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
"Gone?"
Morson let out a chuckle: "What a clever child you are! Of course it was because you father told me! He said you were a sharp kid with spiky red hair resembling a hedgehog!" Karl rubbed his short red hair, smiling shyly, his heart finally set at ease.
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
"That's uh... I actually don;t know about that. I heard it may have had something to do with his family." Morson turned to Karl, astonishment on his face, "Did Fritz really not mention anything about these matters to you?"
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
The strange man looked genuinely shocked. After hearing the situation from the sniffling Karl (most of the truth being hidden, of course), his shocked expression morphed into one of confusion.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
These nerve-wracking and painful days continued for three more months, until that night finally arrived.
Karl, at a loss, nodded in agreement.
"Thit's uh... But I promised Fritz. Don't you know how much your father wants you to make something of yourself? Do you really wish to return to that slum again? Do you really want to live such a filthy and lowly life once more?"
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"Child? Are you alright?"
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
It does seem as though Fritz had explained the situation of their family to this Morson, so neither him nor Karl made any mention of Karl's rotund mother.
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
"Then come with me to the city, we'll gradually search for clues of your father's whereabouts."
Confusion made it's way onto the priest's face, followed by a period of hesitation, before he said, "Then... have you noticed anyone leaving this area? Perhaps they were the ones who have taken you friend away."
"I'll protect you..."
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
It does seem as though Fritz had explained the situation of their family to this Morson, so neither him nor Karl made any mention of Karl's rotund mother.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"That's uh... I actually don;t know about that. I heard it may have had something to do with his family." Morson turned to Karl, astonishment on his face, "Did Fritz really not mention anything about these matters to you?"
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
"Gone?"
"Morson."
Karl hung his head low, his steps sluggishly making their way back to the slums, despair and loneliness filled his heart.
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
It was a man, a man wearing a thin and exquisite looking bronze mask, as well as a black tailcoat tuxedo while exuding the poise and bearing of one hailing from a great family.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
Karl pushed past the crowd with little regard for everything around him, tears filling his eyes once he made his way to the front and locked his gaze onto that beautiful man called Hughes, and him nearly shouted at the top of his lungs: it was his Fritz! That person was surely Fritz—it was absolutely Fritz!
"I don't want to study."
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
"I... were you really Fritz's classmate?"
Hana turned her head, looking proudly at her daughter. The girl wearing the pure white gown looked like a lily freshly plucked at morn.
Morson's face wore a surprised expression.
◈◇◈
"I don't want to study."
"Agreement? To the city?"
"Yes, of course. We were both deskmates for two years at university."
Through the all the streets of the slums, through all the alleyways, Karl ran calling out for Fritz, eventually returning to that church, his head hanging low.
"But aren't you supposed to send four years at college?" Karl immediately found the fault in Morson's wording.
"If so, he must have been taken by others then. Child, you should go search outside."
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
Karl started missing his brothers from the Flying Eagles gang.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
"Oh my god... You're so fearless! Do you have any idea who that was, Karl?"
"Oh... That's uh... That's because your father dropped in his second year." A sympathetic look now crossed Morson's face, as he continued, "We all felt bad for him because of it back then. He was the most promising student in our age group!"
"Ah!" Karl was startled—very startled.
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
"Why did he drop out then?"
That ever burning flame of that youth's heart was brimming with so much excitement it left him paralysed.
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"That's uh... I actually don;t know about that. I heard it may have had something to do with his family." Morson turned to Karl, astonishment on his face, "Did Fritz really not mention anything about these matters to you?"
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
Morson let out a chuckle: "What a clever child you are! Of course it was because you father told me! He said you were a sharp kid with spiky red hair resembling a hedgehog!" Karl rubbed his short red hair, smiling shyly, his heart finally set at ease.
"Don't mind him! Just attending a banquet in the upper class is more than enough for me to brag to the women in our neighbourhood for a week! Besides, maybe there'll be a high class gentleman there who'll take interest in our Lina!"
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
"Ah!" Karl couldn't stop himself from crying out. That carriage!
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
Although Karl has never been there, he knew where those obtuse paths led. One led to a border some considerable distance awaty, while the other led towards the city.
"What's wrong Karl?"
It was a dry spring, so no traces of any carriage tracks could be found on the gravel road.
FOURTH CHAPTER: Part 1
Morson let out a chuckle: "What a clever child you are! Of course it was because you father told me! He said you were a sharp kid with spiky red hair resembling a hedgehog!" Karl rubbed his short red hair, smiling shyly, his heart finally set at ease.
If it weren't for the fluids belonging to both him and Fritz, along with the tears, remaining on those torn pieces of clothing, Karl would've believed all of prior night's happenings was nothing but a dream.
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
Before him was a stretch of lush green buckwheat as far as the eye can see, and fading into it, was the branches of the forked road in front of him.
Until the night before he would again meet Fritz, Karl stayed at Morson's house.
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
Morson's face wore a surprised expression.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
That expensive looking carriage that I ran into which looked completely out of place in this slum!
Although Karl was older than Lina and Sargent, because his academic level was quite poor, when compared to the siblings, his grade was two levels lower.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
At the end of the small road of the slum, Karl stopped, his back bent as his crouched over, huffs and gulps of air leaving him.
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
He remained in this state until the governor announced loudly, "The ball will now begin!"
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
"My apologies, but I do not feel like dancing at the moment."
Who was I telling that to in such a childish voice?
Every passing carriage gained Karl's close examination.
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
Confusion made it's way onto the priest's face, followed by a period of hesitation, before he said, "Then... have you noticed anyone leaving this area? Perhaps they were the ones who have taken you friend away."
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
But many suspected that this ruthless and bloodthirsty leader was in reality the Czech governor himself.
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
Every passing carriage gained Karl's close examination.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
"Agreement? To the city?"
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
A handsome man, one with an air of sophistication, wearing elegant clothes which not at all seemed fitting with the old, dilapidated, and unkept atmosphere there.
If it weren't for the fluids belonging to both him and Fritz, along with the tears, remaining on those torn pieces of clothing, Karl would've believed all of prior night's happenings was nothing but a dream.
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
These nerve-wracking and painful days continued for three more months, until that night finally arrived.
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
Normally, the female students seemed to be ordinary young ladies, but every time the school inspector accompanied some nobleman for a visit, they would all dress especially more delicate, and reply to the inspector's questions in drawled flirtatious voices. Normally, the male students at that school, appeared to be decent and serious young men. But at the sign of even a minor issue where benefits could be gained, they would turn on each other in a heartbeat.
At the end of the small road of the slum, Karl stopped, his back bent as his crouched over, huffs and gulps of air leaving him.
Karl started missing his brothers from the Flying Eagles gang.
"Gone?"
Karl shot out of that church like a bullet, turning, then sprinted towards the direction that carriage had went.
When the governor stood behind the railing of the upper floor addressing the guests below, a tall figure slowly appeared behind him.
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
But not only by the words Lina had just said, it was also because of a rumour he remember hearing in his organisation.
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
"I don't want to study."
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
◈◇◈
Karl hung his head low, his steps sluggishly making their way back to the slums, despair and loneliness filled his heart.
Hearing Karl's words, Morson was shocked, asking, "Why so?"
But not only by the words Lina had just said, it was also because of a rumour he remember hearing in his organisation.
Normally, the female students seemed to be ordinary young ladies, but every time the school inspector accompanied some nobleman for a visit, they would all dress especially more delicate, and reply to the inspector's questions in drawled flirtatious voices. Normally, the male students at that school, appeared to be decent and serious young men. But at the sign of even a minor issue where benefits could be gained, they would turn on each other in a heartbeat.
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
Who was I telling that to in such a childish voice?
Despite his tears already falling, only t that moment did Karl have the urge to cry.
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
iana: another split chapter, some of these chapters are chunky and my mind shuts off after right before 4k characters. Anyhow, you may have noticed Fritz and Karl's name aren't in their westernized form as yet, it's because I hadn't decided on them as yet (it's hard when the names aren't based on English phonetics ┗( T﹏T )┛). I'm thinking Fritz = Fritz, and Karl = Karl, given the setting. Karl and Fritz... (sound familiar?) changes will be applied next update—as in, tomorrow if nothing interrupts me.
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
Hughes, too, caught a glimpse of the tear stained face of the youth standing amongst the crowd, his attitude upon noticing showing no signs of surprise. He then gave Karl a light smile, one light enough that the others around them did not notice.
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
Despite his tears already falling, only t that moment did Karl have the urge to cry.
"Thit's uh... But I promised Fritz. Don't you know how much your father wants you to make something of yourself? Do you really wish to return to that slum again? Do you really want to live such a filthy and lowly life once more?"
Morson's face wore a surprised expression.
iana: another split chapter, some of these chapters are chunky and my mind shuts off after right before 4k characters. Anyhow, you may have noticed Fritz and Karl's name aren't in their westernized form as yet, it's because I hadn't decided on them as yet (it's hard when the names aren't based on English phonetics ┗( T﹏T )┛). I'm thinking Fritz = Fritz, and Karl = Karl, given the setting. Karl and Fritz... (sound familiar?) changes will be applied next update—as in, tomorrow if nothing interrupts me.
He remained in this state until the governor announced loudly, "The ball will now begin!"
Thinking of that day, of that soft body in his arms, crying and begging for mercy, Karl couldn't find any words to give in response.
"That's uh... I actually don;t know about that. I heard it may have had something to do with his family." Morson turned to Karl, astonishment on his face, "Did Fritz really not mention anything about these matters to you?"
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Ever since that beautiful hermaphrodite legs were pulled open by him, and he discovered the secret depths of his body, Karl's life as he knew it, no longer seemed to be in his control.
"Oh my god... You're so fearless! Do you have any idea who that was, Karl?"
Ever since that beautiful hermaphrodite legs were pulled open by him, and he discovered the secret depths of his body, Karl's life as he knew it, no longer seemed to be in his control.
"No... he... he's gone."
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
After forcibly plucking Fritz's secret flower, after burying his youthful seed in that man's depths, Karl could no longer imagine a world where there was no Fritz.
Neither rushing nor dragging, Karl buttoned his vest, but on the inside, he was filled with excitement and unease.
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
"How could that be possible? Child, every inch of this chapel was constructed to be visible within a single glance, so there is no way anyone can be lost inside here. Did your friend leave with others, perhaps?"
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
"You're Fritz's son, Karl. Has your father not told you about me? I'm her to fulfil my end of an agreement I made to take you back to the city."
Karl pushed past the crowd with little regard for everything around him, tears filling his eyes once he made his way to the front and locked his gaze onto that beautiful man called Hughes, and him nearly shouted at the top of his lungs: it was his Fritz! That person was surely Fritz—it was absolutely Fritz!
"No... he... he's gone."
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
"Oh... Allow me this moment to formerly introduce you all. This is my eldest son, Hughes, he just returned from a journey abroad and is the current successor to the governor position. Anyhow, his face was injured in a fire, so on account of that occurrence he has worn this mask."
That ever burning flame of that youth's heart was brimming with so much excitement it left him paralysed.
The strange man looked genuinely shocked. After hearing the situation from the sniffling Karl (most of the truth being hidden, of course), his shocked expression morphed into one of confusion.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
At that time, he never gave up in his search for any sign of Fritz.
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
◈◇◈
"Yes, of course. We were both deskmates for two years at university."
"Who're you?"
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
Seeing that man's kind, yet authoritative appearance, Karl dazedly stopped in his tracks.
Every passing carriage gained Karl's close examination.
Hearing Karl's words, Morson was shocked, asking, "Why so?"
Applause!
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
Thinking of that day, of that soft body in his arms, crying and begging for mercy, Karl couldn't find any words to give in response.
Karl yelled, "Fritz, Fritz" chasing the carriage, but all he saw from the head poking out from the lifted curtain of the carriage was a middle-aged gentleman, who despite his age, seemed quite handsome and strong.
Until the night before he would again meet Fritz, Karl stayed at Morson's house.
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
"Why did he drop out then?"
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Seeing that man's kind, yet authoritative appearance, Karl dazedly stopped in his tracks.
Karl, at a loss, nodded in agreement.
That ever burning flame of that youth's heart was brimming with so much excitement it left him paralysed.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
"Morson."
"Gone?"
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
At that time, he never gave up in his search for any sign of Fritz.
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
FOURTH CHAPTER: Part 1
Soon graceful notes in accompaniment to a waltz echoed throughout the hall, and the well dressed gentlemen and ladies had begun twirling around the dance floor.
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
"Don't mind him! Just attending a banquet in the upper class is more than enough for me to brag to the women in our neighbourhood for a week! Besides, maybe there'll be a high class gentleman there who'll take interest in our Lina!"
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
When the governor stood behind the railing of the upper floor addressing the guests below, a tall figure slowly appeared behind him.
Hearing Karl's words, Morson was shocked, asking, "Why so?"
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
Normally, the female students seemed to be ordinary young ladies, but every time the school inspector accompanied some nobleman for a visit, they would all dress especially more delicate, and reply to the inspector's questions in drawled flirtatious voices. Normally, the male students at that school, appeared to be decent and serious young men. But at the sign of even a minor issue where benefits could be gained, they would turn on each other in a heartbeat.
Thinking of that day, of that soft body in his arms, crying and begging for mercy, Karl couldn't find any words to give in response.
Standing not too far away from him was a frightened Lina, who then jogged over to Karl's side.
"Yes. Oh, it seems I have forgotten to mention this. I'm a friend of Fritz from college, the name's Morson. Your father came to see me in the city yesterday, just before nightfall. We reached an agreement I would take responsibility for supporting you in your studies in the city. Did Fritz seriously not mention any of this to you?"
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
FOURTH CHAPTER: Part 1
N/A
"Oh my god... You're so fearless! Do you have any idea who that was, Karl?"
Every passing carriage gained Karl's close examination.
Neither rushing nor dragging, Karl buttoned his vest, but on the inside, he was filled with excitement and unease.
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
"Who was it?"
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
"Oh my god... You're so fearless! Do you have any idea who that was, Karl?"
"No... he... he's gone."
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
"He's the highest authority figure in this city. He's the Czech governor that lives in the 'Rose Garden'! Didn't you notice the diamond rose on the lower right of the carriage?"
The pale skin which resided outside the coverage of that mask, exposed a the corners of a pair of lightly upturned lips, and from beneath that bronze mask was a set of deep beautiful eyes gazing at the multitude below. Within that crowd, Karl, upon witnessing this scene, felt as though his heart was immediately struck by lightening.
It does seem as though Fritz had explained the situation of their family to this Morson, so neither him nor Karl made any mention of Karl's rotund mother.
For a reason unbeknownst to him, he instinctively felt as though something unusual was about to occur.
"Ah!" Karl was startled—very startled.
Ever since that beautiful hermaphrodite legs were pulled open by him, and he discovered the secret depths of his body, Karl's life as he knew it, no longer seemed to be in his control.
"I'll protect you..."
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
The faint scent of Fritz's breath, seemed to still be lingering in Karl's nose.
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
Applause!
It was a man, a man wearing a thin and exquisite looking bronze mask, as well as a black tailcoat tuxedo while exuding the poise and bearing of one hailing from a great family.
But not only by the words Lina had just said, it was also because of a rumour he remember hearing in his organisation.
It was a dry spring, so no traces of any carriage tracks could be found on the gravel road.
Although Karl was older than Lina and Sargent, because his academic level was quite poor, when compared to the siblings, his grade was two levels lower.
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
"Excuse me? Are you Karl?"
"I don't want to study."
Hearing Karl's words, Morson was shocked, asking, "Why so?"
"I... were you really Fritz's classmate?"
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
That ever burning flame of that youth's heart was brimming with so much excitement it left him paralysed.
The beauty who cried in his arms, the one who moaned in his embrace, his existence itself all now felt like a dream.
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
"Then come with me to the city, we'll gradually search for clues of your father's whereabouts."
"Yes. Oh, it seems I have forgotten to mention this. I'm a friend of Fritz from college, the name's Morson. Your father came to see me in the city yesterday, just before nightfall. We reached an agreement I would take responsibility for supporting you in your studies in the city. Did Fritz seriously not mention any of this to you?"
Karl yelled, "Fritz, Fritz" chasing the carriage, but all he saw from the head poking out from the lifted curtain of the carriage was a middle-aged gentleman, who despite his age, seemed quite handsome and strong.
But many suspected that this ruthless and bloodthirsty leader was in reality the Czech governor himself.
Thinking of that day, of that soft body in his arms, crying and begging for mercy, Karl couldn't find any words to give in response.
"Sorry, but no thank you."
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
"Thit's uh... But I promised Fritz. Don't you know how much your father wants you to make something of yourself? Do you really wish to return to that slum again? Do you really want to live such a filthy and lowly life once more?"
"What's wrong Karl?"
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
...
Until the night before he would again meet Fritz, Karl stayed at Morson's house.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
"No... he... he's gone."
Normally, the female students seemed to be ordinary young ladies, but every time the school inspector accompanied some nobleman for a visit, they would all dress especially more delicate, and reply to the inspector's questions in drawled flirtatious voices. Normally, the male students at that school, appeared to be decent and serious young men. But at the sign of even a minor issue where benefits could be gained, they would turn on each other in a heartbeat.
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
◈◇◈
These nerve-wracking and painful days continued for three more months, until that night finally arrived.
Hughes, too, caught a glimpse of the tear stained face of the youth standing amongst the crowd, his attitude upon noticing showing no signs of surprise. He then gave Karl a light smile, one light enough that the others around them did not notice.
"Oh my god... You're so fearless! Do you have any idea who that was, Karl?"
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
"I'll protect you..."
Karl told him the truth, his voice trembling.
It was a man, a man wearing a thin and exquisite looking bronze mask, as well as a black tailcoat tuxedo while exuding the poise and bearing of one hailing from a great family.
"I never expected folks like us would ever be invited to the governor's mansion for dinner party. What luck!"
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
Fritz's torn clothes were still scattered beneath the alter, Karl fell into a squat, reaching out to touch them.
"Agreement? To the city?"
Morson's wife, Hana, was beaming while in front of a mirror as she wore an evening dress specially prepared for the governor's dinner.
"You're Fritz's son, Karl. Has your father not told you about me? I'm her to fulfil my end of an agreement I made to take you back to the city."
iana: another split chapter, some of these chapters are chunky and my mind shuts off after right before 4k characters. Anyhow, you may have noticed Fritz and Karl's name aren't in their westernized form as yet, it's because I hadn't decided on them as yet (it's hard when the names aren't based on English phonetics ┗( T﹏T )┛). I'm thinking Fritz = Fritz, and Karl = Karl, given the setting. Karl and Fritz... (sound familiar?) changes will be applied next update—as in, tomorrow if nothing interrupts me.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
"I heard it's for the special appointment of the governor's eldest son who just returned from abroad."
...
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
Karl told him the truth, his voice trembling.
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
"Agreement? To the city?"
"Don't mind him! Just attending a banquet in the upper class is more than enough for me to brag to the women in our neighbourhood for a week! Besides, maybe there'll be a high class gentleman there who'll take interest in our Lina!"
Although Karl was older than Lina and Sargent, because his academic level was quite poor, when compared to the siblings, his grade was two levels lower.
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
Seeing that man's kind, yet authoritative appearance, Karl dazedly stopped in his tracks.
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
At the end of the small road of the slum, Karl stopped, his back bent as his crouched over, huffs and gulps of air leaving him.
Standing not too far away from him was a frightened Lina, who then jogged over to Karl's side.
Hana turned her head, looking proudly at her daughter. The girl wearing the pure white gown looked like a lily freshly plucked at morn.
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
"Gone?"
Fritz was gone.
"For heaven's sake! Lina is only fourteen!" Tired of her antics, Morson interrupted his wife, while an almost laughing Karl stood behind him.
Applause!
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
"My apologies, but I do not feel like dancing at the moment."
Hearing Karl's words, Morson was shocked, asking, "Why so?"
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
Neither rushing nor dragging, Karl buttoned his vest, but on the inside, he was filled with excitement and unease.
Morson's wife, Hana, was beaming while in front of a mirror as she wore an evening dress specially prepared for the governor's dinner.
For a reason unbeknownst to him, he instinctively felt as though something unusual was about to occur.
After forcibly plucking Fritz's secret flower, after burying his youthful seed in that man's depths, Karl could no longer imagine a world where there was no Fritz.
...
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"Child? Are you alright?"
Morson's wife, Hana, was beaming while in front of a mirror as she wore an evening dress specially prepared for the governor's dinner.
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
"Ah!" Karl was startled—very startled.
"But aren't you supposed to send four years at college?" Karl immediately found the fault in Morson's wording.
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
When the governor stood behind the railing of the upper floor addressing the guests below, a tall figure slowly appeared behind him.
"I don't want to study."
...
At that moment, he was willing to do anything for Fritz, even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"Child? Are you alright?"
"What's wrong Karl?"
It was a man, a man wearing a thin and exquisite looking bronze mask, as well as a black tailcoat tuxedo while exuding the poise and bearing of one hailing from a great family.
Although Karl has never been there, he knew where those obtuse paths led. One led to a border some considerable distance awaty, while the other led towards the city.
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
Karl ignored Morson's question in return to his own, directly asking him instead, "How did you know I was Karl?"
Staring at the wailing child muttering the name before him, with no discernable expression on his face, that gentleman, after a few minutes, ordered his coachman to continue on their way.
Morsen, who was also dressed to nines straitening his bow-tie, looked confused as he asked: "But I have no recollection of us ever meeting the governor's eldest son."
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
"Oh... Allow me this moment to formerly introduce you all. This is my eldest son, Hughes, he just returned from a journey abroad and is the current successor to the governor position. Anyhow, his face was injured in a fire, so on account of that occurrence he has worn this mask."
"Don't mind him! Just attending a banquet in the upper class is more than enough for me to brag to the women in our neighbourhood for a week! Besides, maybe there'll be a high class gentleman there who'll take interest in our Lina!"
That ever burning flame of that youth's heart was brimming with so much excitement it left him paralysed.
He remained in this state until the governor announced loudly, "The ball will now begin!"
Karl shot out of that church like a bullet, turning, then sprinted towards the direction that carriage had went.
Morson arranged for Karl to study together with his daughter Lina, and his son Sargent.
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
It was a dry spring, so no traces of any carriage tracks could be found on the gravel road.
Applause!
"No... he... he's gone."
Lina's question brought Karl back to his senses. But the thought of him never being able find Fritz turning out to be true, his heart again grew weighted and fell.
"My apologies, but I do not feel like dancing at the moment."
But for some reason, Karl still felt as though Fritz was still close to him in that instant, looking on at him with those beautiful eyes.
"That's uh... I actually don;t know about that. I heard it may have had something to do with his family." Morson turned to Karl, astonishment on his face, "Did Fritz really not mention anything about these matters to you?"
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
Before the kind ocean of applause and gazes aimed towards him, the future governor named Hughes gave a faint smile in return.
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
Although Karl was older than Lina and Sargent, because his academic level was quite poor, when compared to the siblings, his grade was two levels lower.
The pale skin which resided outside the coverage of that mask, exposed a the corners of a pair of lightly upturned lips, and from beneath that bronze mask was a set of deep beautiful eyes gazing at the multitude below. Within that crowd, Karl, upon witnessing this scene, felt as though his heart was immediately struck by lightening.
Morson often said these words to the three of them.
"Fritz! That's Fritz!"
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
Karl pushed past the crowd with little regard for everything around him, tears filling his eyes once he made his way to the front and locked his gaze onto that beautiful man called Hughes, and him nearly shouted at the top of his lungs: it was his Fritz! That person was surely Fritz—it was absolutely Fritz!
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
Hughes, too, caught a glimpse of the tear stained face of the youth standing amongst the crowd, his attitude upon noticing showing no signs of surprise. He then gave Karl a light smile, one light enough that the others around them did not notice.
It does seem as though Fritz had explained the situation of their family to this Morson, so neither him nor Karl made any mention of Karl's rotund mother.
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
This was a fact, a fact Karl had no idea how he would endure.
Like many other gangs, the Flying Eagles to which Karl belonged was also controlled by the largest underground organisation, "Thorned Rose". This crime syndicate was so powerful, it was said to be in complete control of the economic lifeline for the province, and renowned for its severity and cruelty. Even the mere mention of those two words "Thorned Rose" was enough to turn the legs of many to jelly out of pure fear.
Soon graceful notes in accompaniment to a waltz echoed throughout the hall, and the well dressed gentlemen and ladies had begun twirling around the dance floor.
The mind he had strengthened for Fritz's sake, in that moment, had collapsed upon knowing of his disappearance.
Fritz was gone.
He remained in this state until the governor announced loudly, "The ball will now begin!"
"Ah!" Karl couldn't stop himself from crying out. That carriage!
Karl was then surrounded by the cheerful sound of clapping, while the crowd surged around him, pushing him to the side of the hall.
Karl stared dazedly at that man called Hughes, all of him simply left at a loss as to what what he should do.
"If you study well, you'll be able to serve as an official and live life in the upper class."
"But my friend was too sick to even move!"
Fritz...
Who was I telling that to in such a childish voice?
Karl pushed past the crowd with little regard for everything around him, tears filling his eyes once he made his way to the front and locked his gaze onto that beautiful man called Hughes, and him nearly shouted at the top of his lungs: it was his Fritz! That person was surely Fritz—it was absolutely Fritz!
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
Soon graceful notes in accompaniment to a waltz echoed throughout the hall, and the well dressed gentlemen and ladies had begun twirling around the dance floor.
The faint scent of Fritz's breath, seemed to still be lingering in Karl's nose.
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
But after two months filled of studying intently, Karl began to grow of this boring school life.
The priest who had entered the church at some point, looked at the crying youth before him in shock.
"Thit's uh... But I promised Fritz. Don't you know how much your father wants you to make something of yourself? Do you really wish to return to that slum again? Do you really want to live such a filthy and lowly life once more?"
"But... I already searched through every street and alley here..."
"This will be difficult to handle. The city is filled with thousands upon thousands of such carriages, it'd be near impossible to find a clue. Karl, do you trust me?"
"Sorry, but no thank you."
Standing not too far away from him was a frightened Lina, who then jogged over to Karl's side.
At that time, he never gave up in his search for any sign of Fritz.
Morson let out a chuckle: "What a clever child you are! Of course it was because you father told me! He said you were a sharp kid with spiky red hair resembling a hedgehog!" Karl rubbed his short red hair, smiling shyly, his heart finally set at ease.
The pale skin which resided outside the coverage of that mask, exposed a the corners of a pair of lightly upturned lips, and from beneath that bronze mask was a set of deep beautiful eyes gazing at the multitude below. Within that crowd, Karl, upon witnessing this scene, felt as though his heart was immediately struck by lightening.
However, as to who was the leader of that crime syndicate, not a soul knew who he (or she) were.
"Yes?" Morson drew back his gaze from the tiny white flowers of the sea of buckwheat in the view outside the carriage. His carriage looked simple, but it was quite exquisite. While sitting inside, none of the bumps of the road can be felt at all. But, of course, this may have also been on account of Morson's reticent coachman, a man who seemed to have been wering a bronze mask.
"Father! My... my friend who was in this church is missing!"
"My apologies, but I do not feel like dancing at the moment."
"Yes, of course. We were both deskmates for two years at university."
"I hate the people who only put on airs at that school!"
One day, when a simple black carriage sped past him, Karl's heart pounded so violently it convinced him without a doubt: Fritz is in that carriage!
"..."
"What's wrong Karl?"
When the governor stood behind the railing of the upper floor addressing the guests below, a tall figure slowly appeared behind him.
If it weren't for the fluids belonging to both him and Fritz, along with the tears, remaining on those torn pieces of clothing, Karl would've believed all of prior night's happenings was nothing but a dream.
Karl, himself, never expected such feelings. Feelings which had long transcended that of a first love, and had condensed into a flame constantly burning within his heart.
"What's wrong Karl?"
While hearing the sound of Lina's constant refusal to the gentlemen inviting her for a dance in the background, Karl's mind, just as it was prior, was stuck in a state of confusion.
"I... were you really Fritz's classmate?"
For a reason unbeknownst to him, he instinctively felt as though something unusual was about to occur.
"Ah!" Karl was startled—very startled.
"Young man, why are you chasing my carriage? Furthermore, who is this 'Fritz'?"
Muttering Fritz's name, Karl crouched down, weeping.
Fritz...
This elegant voice coming from a stranger made Karl lift his head in shock.
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