PF: C10

Chapter: 10 | TENTH CHAPTER

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TENTH CHAPTER

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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￣)

_{What does it matter if the sun shines in?}
Back then...

What does it matter if the sun shines in?

_{"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"}
Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.

"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"

_{Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:}When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{Back then...}
"Karl, I wish you and Sett all of the world's happiness. I... I will always love you both—Fritz."

Back then...

_{For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.}"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}"And you will never leave me?"

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{"You... you... I hate you so much!"}
Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.

"You... you... I hate you so much!"

_"Sett?"
Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.

"Sett?"

_"Sett?"I know I shouldn't be too greedy!

"Sett?"

_{Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.}"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."

Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

_{For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.}What does it matter if the sun shines in?

For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

_{Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?}
The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.

Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?

_{"Enough to spend my life by your side."}
Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

"Enough to spend my life by your side."

_{Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.}Until...

Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.

_{I just love you so much.}
And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

I just love you so much.

_{Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.}To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!

Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

_{Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"}
While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

_{"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"}
It was the first time he had had found out the leader of the Thorned Rose was actually Sett. But such a discovery never surprised Karl.

"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"

_{It was hard to speak.}Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

It was hard to speak.

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{"How much?"}"..."

"How much?"

_"..."
Like this, each day after the other passed.

"..."

_{Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.}But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.

Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."}
For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.

"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

_{"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"}It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.

"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}
After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:}I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

_{But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.}"...w-what?"

But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.

_{Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.}
For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.

Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.

_{Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.}
Sett. Fritz. One, his uncle. The other, his father.

Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.

_{"Sett... you... you..."}
I know I shouldn't be too greedy!

"Sett... you... you..."

_{"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"}Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"

_{"Fritz... Fritz!"}...

"Fritz... Fritz!"

_{Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.}"Tell me you love me... father."

Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.

_{It was the kiss of the century.}
But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

It was the kiss of the century.

_{He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.}Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

_{But can iron not be molten as well?}
I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.

But can iron not be molten as well?

_{Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!}
When another breath of wind pushed forward, a burst of bitterness stung my eyes, it was only did I realise I had been crying.

Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

_"Sett..."On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.

"Sett..."

_{Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.}The cold Karl, was actually kind and warm. Perhaps this warm kindness was one he inherited from Fritz.

Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.

_{As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.}"...no..."

As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

_{I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.}
If destiny could be reshaped!

I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

_{"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"}"I love you."

"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"

_{And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.}The girl's huge eyes were still just as blue as a cornflower in its full bloom.

And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

_{"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."}
I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."

_{"Stop! Fritz! Please stop!"}But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

"Stop! Fritz! Please stop!"

_{But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.}
...

But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

_{Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.}Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

_{Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.}He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

_{{But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?}}Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.

But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

_"Really."
Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

"Really."

_{"How much?"}For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

"How much?"

_{"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"}"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"

_{"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."}
The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.

"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

_{Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.}
Lina...

Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.

_{Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:}Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

_"...no..."
The girl's huge eyes were still just as blue as a cornflower in its full bloom.

"...no..."

_{"...what is that..."}
Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.

"...what is that..."

_"...w-what?"
"Sett... you... you..."

"...w-what?"

_{Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:}
It was hard to speak.

Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

_{"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"}But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"

_{"I love you, baby."}"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

"I love you, baby."

_{Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.}
Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

_"Never."Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.

"Never."

_{{I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.}}TENTH CHAPTER

I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

_{After all these years... why does it constantly feel as though I never lived as I wished...}
And as for the infatuated girl, she understood her love would not be returned even if she used her entire lifetime. So, every day, she would carry around those saddened eyes while pretending to have nothing to do. Despite the heart of that underworld leader being hardened and steeled like iron over those few years.

After all these years... why does it constantly feel as though I never lived as I wished...

_{Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. {My darling.}}While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.

_{Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.}"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

_{"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"}
But can iron not be molten as well?

"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

_{Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.}The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

_{He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.}
Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

_{"Really. I swear to god!"}Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.

"Really. I swear to god!"

_{{But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.}}...are being really unreasonable. But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!

But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

_{Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!}Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.

Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

_{Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.}
Therefore, they were broken!

Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.

_{When another breath of wind pushed forward, a burst of bitterness stung my eyes, it was only did I realise I had been crying.}
Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?

When another breath of wind pushed forward, a burst of bitterness stung my eyes, it was only did I realise I had been crying.

_"Karl..."And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

"Karl..."

_{Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.}"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"

Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

_{Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.}
So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.

Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.

_{And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.}"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.

_"D-dad..."Until...

"D-dad..."

_{Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.}"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.

_{Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.}
The cold Karl, was actually kind and warm. Perhaps this warm kindness was one he inherited from Fritz.

Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.

_"{Really?}"He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

"Really?"

_{{When another breath of wind pushed forward, a burst of bitterness stung my eyes, it was only did I realise I had been crying.}}"You... you... I hate you so much!"

When another breath of wind pushed forward, a burst of bitterness stung my eyes, it was only did I realise I had been crying.

_{"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."}Sett. Fritz. One, his uncle. The other, his father.

"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

_{But Sett took issue with this.}
But Sett took issue with this.

But Sett took issue with this.

_"...""..."

"..."

_{The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.}And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.

_{Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.}
He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

_{They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.}Karl was originally so mad he wanted to be done with it and walk out the door. But once he saw the bellowing rudely Sett ultimately burst into violent sobs, his tired heart immediately grew helpless. Stepping forward hurt, but in the end he rushed over to that uncle he was entangled with for six years, puling the older man into his embrace. "Sett! Sett!" He madly pressed kisses onto the other man's tear-filled eyes, then he sealed that man's lips.

They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.

_{Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!}
"The underworld has no place for kindness."

Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

_{Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:}
"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

_{Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.}"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.

_"Sett?""I love you."

"Sett?"

_{Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.}"What?"

Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.

_{"I love you too."}
After being pressed, Karl finally spoke out: "Was the one who allowed he to join back then not you? I had told her she couldn't..."

"I love you too."

_{{I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.}}Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

_{He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.}...

He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

_{Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.}
"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"

Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

_{One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?}The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.

One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

_"..."But Sett took issue with this.

"..."

_{"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"}
"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"

"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

_{{For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.}}I know I shouldn't be too greedy!

For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

_{Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.}It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.

_{Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.}
"..."

Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.

_{"Tell me you love me... father."}"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

"Tell me you love me... father."

_{"Fritz... Fritz!"}
"Sett?"

"Fritz... Fritz!"

_{Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.}Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

_{One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?}
"Do you have feelings for that woman?"

One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

_{Looking down, he was left stunned. A child!}
"What?"

Looking down, he was left stunned. A child!

_"Really?"Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

"Really?"

_{The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!}And as for the infatuated girl, she understood her love would not be returned even if she used her entire lifetime. So, every day, she would carry around those saddened eyes while pretending to have nothing to do. Despite the heart of that underworld leader being hardened and steeled like iron over those few years.

The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!

_{"Sett... you... you..."}Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

"Sett... you... you..."

_{"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"}
"You've grown tired of me, haven't you? I knew it. You look as though your mind is somewhere else all the damn time!"

"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"

_{"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."}Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

_{iana: in case you're wondering how the kid is Karl's, back when he was messing with Sett, Fritz slipped in sometimes when it was dark. Remember, the room was always kept dark and Karl also noted once how he would hear "Fritz" leaving the room then come back in.}
"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

iana: in case you're wondering how the kid is Karl's, back when he was messing with Sett, Fritz slipped in sometimes when it was dark. Remember, the room was always kept dark and Karl also noted once how he would hear "Fritz" leaving the room then come back in. Fritz never got pregnant after the "incident" but did before he left. RIP Lina. One more chap and we're done. Evil Son will be updated after that and I'll put it up on NU after the last chapter for this is up. []PS: I think I may be coming down with something so I don't know how updates might go for this week.

_{Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!}So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.

Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

_{The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.}
Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.

_{The girl's huge eyes were still just as blue as a cornflower in its full bloom.}
"I knew it! I just knew it! You don;t want me any more—you fell for that Lina, who's young, beautiful, and—"

The girl's huge eyes were still just as blue as a cornflower in its full bloom.

_{His bewildered gaze was greeted by Sett's fearless, and even provoking glare. "I killed her! So what? Are you pissed off?"}But can iron not be molten as well?

His bewildered gaze was greeted by Sett's fearless, and even provoking glare. "I killed her! So what? Are you pissed off?"

_Until...
The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.

Until...

_{"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"}He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{"I knew it! I just knew it! You don;t want me any more—you fell for that Lina, who's young, beautiful, and—"}
Was it because of his pregnancy?

"I knew it! I just knew it! You don;t want me any more—you fell for that Lina, who's young, beautiful, and—"

_{...I...love...you.}
And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

...I...love...you.

_{"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"}Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.

"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"

_{The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!}Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.

The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!

_{For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.}The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.

_{For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.}
Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.

For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

_{This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:}"Really?"

This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:

_{They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.}
And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.

They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.

_{On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.}What does it matter if the sun shines in?

On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.

_{Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.}"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.

_{To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!}
Once more, his eyes stung with bitterness.

To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!

_N/AUnknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

N/A

_{TENTH CHAPTER}
I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

TENTH CHAPTER

_{{Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.}}He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...

Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.

_{Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.}Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

_{I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.}
It's the same now.

I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

_{Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.}Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.

_{"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"}His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

_{What does it matter if the moon peeks through?}
Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.

What does it matter if the moon peeks through?

_{"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."}As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."

_{"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"}So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.

"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"

_{Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.}
His bewildered gaze was greeted by Sett's fearless, and even provoking glare. "I killed her! So what? Are you pissed off?"

Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

_{"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"}TENTH CHAPTER

"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"

_{But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.}Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{The dust and smoke floating in the air widely, made it seem as though he could see the degenerate youth he once was in the past.}
"Sett... you..."

The dust and smoke floating in the air widely, made it seem as though he could see the degenerate youth he once was in the past.

_{{But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?}}"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

_{"You... you... I hate you so much!"}When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

"You... you... I hate you so much!"

_{"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"}
...are being really unreasonable. But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!

"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

_{The words of this world are as vast as the stars in the sky but there are only words I choose and need are just three!}
"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"

The words of this world are as vast as the stars in the sky but there are only words I choose and need are just three!

_{Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"}When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

_N/A
Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

N/A

_{I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.}
"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.

_{"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."}The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.

"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

_{Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!}But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.

Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

_{"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."}
Karl was originally so mad he wanted to be done with it and walk out the door. But once he saw the bellowing rudely Sett ultimately burst into violent sobs, his tired heart immediately grew helpless. Stepping forward hurt, but in the end he rushed over to that uncle he was entangled with for six years, puling the older man into his embrace. "Sett! Sett!" He madly pressed kisses onto the other man's tear-filled eyes, then he sealed that man's lips.

"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

_"..."
"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"

"..."

_{iana: in case you're wondering how the kid is Karl's, back when he was messing with Sett, Fritz slipped in sometimes when it was dark. Remember, the room was always kept dark and Karl also noted once how he would hear "Fritz" leaving the room then come back in.}"I love you, baby."

iana: in case you're wondering how the kid is Karl's, back when he was messing with Sett, Fritz slipped in sometimes when it was dark. Remember, the room was always kept dark and Karl also noted once how he would hear "Fritz" leaving the room then come back in. Fritz never got pregnant after the "incident" but did before he left. RIP Lina. One more chap and we're done. Evil Son will be updated after that and I'll put it up on NU after the last chapter for this is up. []PS: I think I may be coming down with something so I don't know how updates might go for this week.

_"..."
"..." The body in his arms trembled.

"..."

_{Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.}
"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."

Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.

_{This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:}Looking down, he was left stunned. A child!

This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:

_{{I've always loved you so much!}}I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.

I've always loved you so much!

_{"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"}
"K... Karl..."

"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"

_{"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."}Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

_{His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.}
"I love you, baby."

His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

_{"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"}Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

"Didn't I say before, the only one in this world I loved was you?"

_{{...I...love...you.}}"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

...I...love...you.

_{Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!}One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

_{The cold Karl, was actually kind and warm. Perhaps this warm kindness was one he inherited from Fritz.}
The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.

The cold Karl, was actually kind and warm. Perhaps this warm kindness was one he inherited from Fritz.

_{It was not easy being released from from his son's hold, so while gasping, trying to catch his breath, Fritz met Karl's gaze, his flush was sudden, his body immediately turning to flee into the house.}
Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

It was not easy being released from from his son's hold, so while gasping, trying to catch his breath, Fritz met Karl's gaze, his flush was sudden, his body immediately turning to flee into the house.

_"..."I just love you so much.

"..."

_{Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.}
Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.

Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.

_{"Sett... you... you..."}Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.

"Sett... you... you..."

_{Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.}Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

_{Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.}
"Do you love me?"

Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.

_{Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.}The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.

Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

_{"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"}For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.

"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"

_{"...what is that..."}"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

"...what is that..."

_{When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.}
"I love you."

When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

_{The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.}Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.

The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

_{The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.}
"How much?"

The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.

_{His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.}"Enough to spend my life by your side."

His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

_{He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.}"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

_{{...are being really unreasonable.} But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!}But can iron not be molten as well?

...are being really unreasonable. But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!

_{"Do you have feelings for that woman?"}
"Enough to spend my life by your side."

"Do you have feelings for that woman?"

_{He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.}"Never."

He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

_{Such as love.}Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

Such as love.

_{On my way here, I thought about it constantly! If not for that strange happenings of that night, I would still be the youth who hated and despised you, and you would still be the father who would still make me hate and despise you so much!}
"And you will never leave me?"

On my way here, I thought about it constantly! If not for that strange happenings of that night, I would still be the youth who hated and despised you, and you would still be the father who would still make me hate and despise you so much!

_{As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.}TENTH CHAPTER

As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

_{"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."}"...w-what?"

"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

_EpilogueKarl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

Epilogue

_{It was the first time he had had found out the leader of the Thorned Rose was actually Sett. But such a discovery never surprised Karl.}
"Never."

It was the first time he had had found out the leader of the Thorned Rose was actually Sett. But such a discovery never surprised Karl.

_{"I love you..."}I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

"I love you..."

_{It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"}One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

_{Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.}
"Really?"

Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

_"..."What does it matter if the sun shines in?

"..."

_"Never."
"Really."

"Never."

_{His bewildered gaze was greeted by Sett's fearless, and even provoking glare. "I killed her! So what? Are you pissed off?"}
"Really?"

His bewildered gaze was greeted by Sett's fearless, and even provoking glare. "I killed her! So what? Are you pissed off?"

_{{I just love you so much.}}"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

I just love you so much.

_{"You've grown tired of me, haven't you? I knew it. You look as though your mind is somewhere else all the damn time!"}
"Really. I swear to god!"

"You've grown tired of me, haven't you? I knew it. You look as though your mind is somewhere else all the damn time!"

_{"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"}
Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{The point where everything changed was on the spring night.}
"I love you."

The point where everything changed was on the spring night.

_{{Was it because of his pregnancy?}}As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

Was it because of his pregnancy?

_{"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."}"I love you..."

"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

_{"..." The body in his arms trembled.}
"I love you too."

"..." The body in his arms trembled.

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}I just love you so much.

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.}During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?

While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

_"Sett?""Sett..."

"Sett?"

_{...are being really unreasonable. But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!}
Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.

...are being really unreasonable. But Karl simply had no idea what he should say!

_{The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.}
"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.

_{As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.}
Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.

As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

_{"I love you..."}
Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.

"I love you..."

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.}Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.

It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.

_{He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.}Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

_{"How much?"}
Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

"How much?"

_{It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.}
Such as love.

It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.

_{Once more, his eyes stung with bitterness.}
When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

Once more, his eyes stung with bitterness.

_{And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.}I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.

And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.

_{Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.}Once more, his eyes stung with bitterness.

Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.

_{Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.}
Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.

_{As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.}Therefore, they were broken!

As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

_{As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.}Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

_{Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.}
"Sett?"

Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

_{"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"}One breath was all it took for the flames to be ignited. Fritz's mind whirled as he was pressed onto the bed by his son.

"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}N/A

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.}
"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.

_{And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.}
"...w-what?"

And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?}Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?

_{Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.}Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

_{Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.}
"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.

_{"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"}"Sett..." Karl's voice shook uncontrollably.

"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

_{Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.}But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

Lina's blue eyes were always large and blue.

_{Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.}He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.

_{After being pressed, Karl finally spoke out: "Was the one who allowed he to join back then not you? I had told her she couldn't..."}
"Sett..."

After being pressed, Karl finally spoke out: "Was the one who allowed he to join back then not you? I had told her she couldn't..."

_{His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.}Epilogue

His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

_{{I just love you so much.}}Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.

I just love you so much.

_"What?"
"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

"What?"

_{Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:}"Say you love me."

Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

_{"Karl, I wish you and Sett all of the world's happiness. I... I will always love you both—Fritz."}
"..."

"Karl, I wish you and Sett all of the world's happiness. I... I will always love you both—Fritz."

_{"K... Karl..."}"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"

"K... Karl..."

_"...no..."The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.

"...no..."

_{Karl's jaw dropped, his stupefied gaze turning to the child before fixing on Fritz in confusion.}
"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

Karl's jaw dropped, his stupefied gaze turning to the child before fixing on Fritz in confusion.

_{"Fritz... Fritz!"}He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

"Fritz... Fritz!"

_{"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."}"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"

"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

_{Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.}
"Sett..." Karl's voice shook uncontrollably.

Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

_{For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.}...

For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

_"Karl..."
But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.

"Karl..."

_"...w-what?"As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

"...w-what?"

_{{But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.}}"Sett..."

But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

_{"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."}As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

_{Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.}
"I love you."

Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

_{"And you will never leave me?"}
He kissed him lovingly while Sett's tears fell on his shirt.

"And you will never leave me?"

_{He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...}For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...

_"D-dad..."
Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

"D-dad..."

_{"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"}Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.

"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

_{"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"}Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"

_{But can iron not be molten as well?}Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.

But can iron not be molten as well?

_...
"Go, bring Fritz back here quickly! If you don't bring him back, I won't let you back in, understood!"

...

_{The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.}But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

The habitual sweet recitations finally drew out all the tears Sett had long stored within him, as now, huddled in Karl's arms, he bawled from the top of his lungs.

_{It was not easy being released from from his son's hold, so while gasping, trying to catch his breath, Fritz met Karl's gaze, his flush was sudden, his body immediately turning to flee into the house.}"Who is that bastard? What's his name? Tell me!"

It was not easy being released from from his son's hold, so while gasping, trying to catch his breath, Fritz met Karl's gaze, his flush was sudden, his body immediately turning to flee into the house.

_{"Tell me you love me... father."}
Epilogue

"Tell me you love me... father."

_{He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.}"Really?"

He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

_{"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."}
As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."

_{Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.}"Really."

Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.

_{Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.}
He had once lived with Fritz in this place for more than a decade.

Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

_{So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.}Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.

_{Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!}Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.

Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

_{And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.}He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

_Epilogue
The dust and smoke floating in the air widely, made it seem as though he could see the degenerate youth he once was in the past.

Epilogue

_{For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.}After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.

_{"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."}But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

_{But Sett took issue with this.}"The underworld has no place for kindness."

But Sett took issue with this.

_{"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"}
The point where everything changed was on the spring night.

"I wanted her to join the group so she could work for us! Not for her to come in here and act like some doll for you to gawk at!"

_{To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!}He kissed him lovingly while Sett's tears fell on his shirt.

To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!

_{"I love you..."}"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

"I love you..."

_{"I love you."}
During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?

"I love you."

_{One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?}What's ethics? What's morality?

One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

_{It was the first time he had had found out the leader of the Thorned Rose was actually Sett. But such a discovery never surprised Karl.}Epilogue

It was the first time he had had found out the leader of the Thorned Rose was actually Sett. But such a discovery never surprised Karl.

_{{What does it matter if the sun shines in?}}The moment he heard the gunshot, Karl's sadness cane to an abrupt halt, panic overtaking him as he rushed outside, and surprisingly come upon the Lina's dead body.

What does it matter if the sun shines in?

_{The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.}
One as a father unable to lift his head? The symbol of a cursory blood relation? A strange man who just happened to live under the same roof?

The 'defeated before the battle was fought', 'ears practically hidden while he wanted to flee', Karl was utterly defeated. And this is how it had always been, every single time! Sett's unnerved behaviour, his increasing paranoia, all seemed to be getting worse by the day.

_{TENTH CHAPTER}The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

TENTH CHAPTER

_{Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.}"How much?"

Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

_{"I love you."}And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

"I love you."

_"N-no..."
After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

"N-no..."

_{His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.}"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"

His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

_{Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.}"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.

_{Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.}
Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.

_{Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.}"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.

_"N-no..."And as for the infatuated girl, she understood her love would not be returned even if she used her entire lifetime. So, every day, she would carry around those saddened eyes while pretending to have nothing to do. Despite the heart of that underworld leader being hardened and steeled like iron over those few years.

"N-no..."

_{Karl was originally so mad he wanted to be done with it and walk out the door. But once he saw the bellowing rudely Sett ultimately burst into violent sobs, his tired heart immediately grew helpless.}
After all these years... why does it constantly feel as though I never lived as I wished...

Karl was originally so mad he wanted to be done with it and walk out the door. But once he saw the bellowing rudely Sett ultimately burst into violent sobs, his tired heart immediately grew helpless. Stepping forward hurt, but in the end he rushed over to that uncle he was entangled with for six years, puling the older man into his embrace. "Sett! Sett!" He madly pressed kisses onto the other man's tear-filled eyes, then he sealed that man's lips.

_{"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."}Such as love.

"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

_{Such as love.}Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

Such as love.

_{"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"}"..."

"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

_{Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.}
For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.

_{Like this, each day after the other passed.}
But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

Like this, each day after the other passed.

_{"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"}The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

_{But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.}It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.

_"Really?"
On my way here, I thought about it constantly! If not for that strange happenings of that night, I would still be the youth who hated and despised you, and you would still be the father who would still make me hate and despise you so much!

"Really?"

_"Sett...""Really?"

"Sett..."

_{Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!}"Karl, I wish you and Sett all of the world's happiness. I... I will always love you both—Fritz."

Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

_{"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"}
But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

_{"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"}Such as love.

"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"

_{The point where everything changed was on the spring night.}I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

The point where everything changed was on the spring night.

_{When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.}The words of this world are as vast as the stars in the sky but there are only words I choose and need are just three!

When he arose to leave, a slender hand held him back from behind.

_{The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!}
And there is only one truth... I love you, Fritz. Even though I'm your son—even though you're my father!

The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!

_{"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."}"And you will never leave me?"

"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."

_{Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.}"Say it. Say you love me."

Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

_{Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.}Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

Seeing that letter suffused with sweetness, for the first time, Karl discovered that even gentleness can also be a form of pain.

_"Really?"
On the dry spring day, on a dry gravelled road.

"Really?"

_{"Sett... you..."}Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

"Sett... you..."

_{"I love you..."}While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

"I love you..."

_{"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."}Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?

"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

_{But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.}
Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.

But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}Back then...

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.}Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}But Sett took issue with this.

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{It was hard to speak.}
He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...

It was hard to speak.

_"N-no...""If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"

"N-no..."

_{"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."}Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

_{"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."}"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

_{After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.}
To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!

After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

_{The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.}"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.

_{"And you will never leave me?"}The dust and smoke floating in the air widely, made it seem as though he could see the degenerate youth he once was in the past.

"And you will never leave me?"

_{"Tell me you love me... father."}"Really. I swear to god!"

"Tell me you love me... father."

_{Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.}
But, luckily, Karl's strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist.

Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.

_{Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"}"Fritz... Fritz!"

Unknowing of how to comfort him, Karl could only gently pat him on the back, whispering in hs ear as he held him, "Don't cry... think of your body. Our child is still in your belly, alright?"

_{Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.}He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.

_{"I love you."}
The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

"I love you."

_{Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.}Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

Releasing a long sigh, he turned to look all around. The leaves of the newly green parasol trees fluttered to the ground gently. The birds nestled in the treetops high above chirped and sang. Yes, spring had come once more.

_{"Stop! Fritz! Please stop!"}
I've always loved you so much!

"Stop! Fritz! Please stop!"

_{{I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.}}The cold Karl, was actually kind and warm. Perhaps this warm kindness was one he inherited from Fritz.

I miss you so much... that distant and faintly smiling you.

_{{But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.}}"I love you."

But missing you... this was done completely of my own will.

_{The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!}
Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

_{{But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?}}"Sett... you... you..."

But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

_{The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.}
"..."

The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

_{And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.}Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

_{"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"}"..."

"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

_"N-no..."He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

"N-no..."

_{I've always loved you so much!}
Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.

I've always loved you so much!

_{"Who is that bastard? What's his name? Tell me!"}
Karl felt his father's body grow limp in his arms, but all those years of thirsting and longing made him excitedly gobble Fritz's lips, caressing the man's back, and there was no way he could stop!

"Who is that bastard? What's his name? Tell me!"

_{Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.}Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

_{While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.}It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

_{"Go, bring Fritz back here quickly! If you don't bring him back, I won't let you back in, understood!"}The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

"Go, bring Fritz back here quickly! If you don't bring him back, I won't let you back in, understood!"

_{Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.}
It was the kiss of the century.

Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

_{{But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.}}Standing in the distance, a thin figure could be seen. Wearing a straw hat, a broom swishing in his hands, the figure swept the road clear of dust and leaves.

But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

_"D-dad..."But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

"D-dad..."

_{The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.}"Really. I swear to god!"

The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.

_{I know I shouldn't be too greedy!}
Until...

I know I shouldn't be too greedy!

_{"I love you."}They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.

"I love you."

_{This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:}
"...what is that..."

This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:

_{{And there is only one truth... I love you, Fritz. Even though I'm your son—even though you're my father!}}After all these years... why does it constantly feel as though I never lived as I wished...

And there is only one truth... I love you, Fritz. Even though I'm your son—even though you're my father!

_{Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.}N/A

Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

_"Really?"I've always loved you so much!

"Really?"

_{Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.}
It felt as though something was tugging the leg of his pants. But in his greed for Karl's lips, Karl did not look down at all.

Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

_{TENTH CHAPTER}"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

TENTH CHAPTER

_{Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.}
Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.

Karl's loneliness rose, but never could he had guessed it would come to a sudden end.

_{{It's the same now.}}The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

It's the same now.

_{"Do you love me?"}"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

"Do you love me?"

_{"Say you love me."}
"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

"Say you love me."

_{Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.}
Looking down, he was left stunned. A child!

Apart from Sett, Kunta and himself, no one else knew the true cause of the old governor's sudden passing.

_{Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.}"Do you love me?"

Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.

_{"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."}"Do you love me?"

"Killing Lina doesn't mean anything. As long as you're alright, everything is fine."

_{For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.}
It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

_"Sett..."
He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

"Sett..."

_"...""N-no..."

"..."

_{It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"}
"D-dad..."

It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

_{"Do you love me?"}Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

"Do you love me?"

_{Like this, each day after the other passed.}Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

Like this, each day after the other passed.

_{"Do you love me?"}
Karl's jaw dropped, his stupefied gaze turning to the child before fixing on Fritz in confusion.

"Do you love me?"

_"D-dad..."I know I shouldn't be too greedy!

"D-dad..."

_{"Go, bring Fritz back here quickly! If you don't bring him back, I won't let you back in, understood!"}
It was not easy being released from from his son's hold, so while gasping, trying to catch his breath, Fritz met Karl's gaze, his flush was sudden, his body immediately turning to flee into the house.

"Go, bring Fritz back here quickly! If you don't bring him back, I won't let you back in, understood!"

_{"Do you have feelings for that woman?"}"..."

"Do you have feelings for that woman?"

_{"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"}Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"

_{Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.}It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}
"Stop! Fritz! Please stop!"

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"}"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

It was a fierce looking child, seeming about five or six years old, eyes big and round as they shouted, "Who are you! Let go of my dad! Don't kiss him!"

_{Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.}
Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

Confronted with the dilemma of that difficult decision, the ever considerate Fritz, took it upon himself to bring it to an end.

_{{What does it matter if the sun shines in?}}I miss you... I miss you so much, the warm and gentle you... my Fritz.

What does it matter if the sun shines in?

_{For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.}
"Fritz... Fritz!"

For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.

_"N-no...""Do you love me?"

"N-no..."

_"Really?"Perhaps, there were many things in this world, until her death, she had never understood.

"Really?"

_{Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.}"I love you, baby."

Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

_{"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."}
Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

_{But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.}
Grabbing hold of that still resiting father of his, Karl plucked his flushed face out from the quilt.

But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

_{So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.}
"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

So if one can never give her one's love, at the very least, one can protect this girl that loves them so deeply.

_{"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"}Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.

"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"

_{After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.}For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.

_{If destiny could be reshaped!}
Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

If destiny could be reshaped!

_{And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.}
"Is he? You have to tell me! That's my child, right?"

And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.

_{He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.}"Go rest up for a bit, alright? I call someone to deal with Lina's body."

He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

_{While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.}
This blunt line of questioning made Fritz too embarrassed to speak. So feeling a bit awkward, as well as a little angry, he grumbled out the words:

While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

_{Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.}"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"

Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.

_{As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.}"Really?"

As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

_{It's the same now.}
"...no..."

It's the same now.

_Until...But Sett took issue with this.

Until...

_"Sett?"I've always loved you so much!

"Sett?"

_{While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.}Karl's stun finally wore off and he lost his temper. But the hysterical Sett only grew all the more enraged as he shouted:

While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

_{He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.}
"What?"

He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

_{After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.}Every time, he thought of that night... the pitiful, warm and begging Fritz hiding beneath the alter; the desperately huddled Fritz in his arms as the man begged tearfully; the Fritz who was penetrated again and again by his youthful manhood... excited him, making him feel as though the blood in his heart had surged.

After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

_{Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.}"Who is that bastard? What's his name? Tell me!"

Karl's lifeless eyes then turned to Sett, the man still perfectly calm while he wiped the silencer of the gun in his hands.

_{And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.}
Karl's brows were now swiftly lifted, his nose stuck high in fury.

And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

_{"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."}
"If there is another man who dared to impregnate you, I—Karl Eller—will slice that bastard up into a million pieces!"

"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

_{One breath was all it took for the flames to be ignited. Fritz's mind whirled as he was pressed onto the bed by his son.}
"..."

One breath was all it took for the flames to be ignited. Fritz's mind whirled as he was pressed onto the bed by his son.

_{As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.}
"Who is that bastard? What's his name? Tell me!"

As he again walked through that narrow and filthy alleyway he knew well, the emotion's the young Karl felt, could not be described.

_{Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.}"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.

_{Therefore, they were broken!}
The young leader of the underworld roared at Fritz, his brows knitted in rage, before he started rolling his sleeves while murder was painted on his face!

Therefore, they were broken!

_{Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.}"I was really selfish. I'm so sorry!"

Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

_{And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.}What does it matter if the moon peeks through?

And afterwards, the next logical successor of the governorship was Sett.

_{After being pressed, Karl finally spoke out: "Was the one who allowed he to join back then not you? I had told her she couldn't..."}Karl chased right after him, forcing open the door Fritz was trying to close shut. After Karl pushed his way into the room, Fritz bolted to the the bedroom, climbing on the bed and pulling a blanket over his head and feet.

After being pressed, Karl finally spoke out: "Was the one who allowed he to join back then not you? I had told her she couldn't..."

_{"Sett..." Karl's voice shook uncontrollably.}
"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"

"Sett..." Karl's voice shook uncontrollably.

_{And as for the infatuated girl, she understood her love would not be returned even if she used her entire lifetime. So, every day, she would carry around those saddened eyes while pretending to have nothing to do. Despite the heart of that underworld leader being hardened and steeled like iron over those few years.}
Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

And as for the infatuated girl, she understood her love would not be returned even if she used her entire lifetime. So, every day, she would carry around those saddened eyes while pretending to have nothing to do. Despite the heart of that underworld leader being hardened and steeled like iron over those few years.

_{"How much?"}Scared out of his wits, Fritz shouted. But when he saw Karl's entire face break out into a wicked smile made him fly into a rage, his fists pounding madly on Karl's chest.

"How much?"

_{For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.}"I just... I wanted... to keep you to myself for a few years."

For his days spent with Sett by his side, it would be a lie to say they were unfulfilling, but to say he was fully satisfied would be a lie as well.

_{"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"}Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

"Ouch! That hurts! What the hell bit me!"

_{But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?}
"You... you... I hate you so much!"

But... when I hold that soft body of Sett's firmly in my arms, why do I always feel such a sad and empty feeling in my chest?

_{{What's ethics? What's morality?}}"You've grown tired of me, haven't you? I knew it. You look as though your mind is somewhere else all the damn time!"

What's ethics? What's morality?

_{After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.}Because of Lina, Sett and him had argued for many a day.

After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

_{"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"}"..."

"Sett, what the hell are you even saying!"

_{Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.}
"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

Sett's tears finally came to an end, his reddened eyes turned upwards to look at Karl.

_{The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!}Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.

The moment Fritz recognised Karl his face paled in fright, but Karl did not give his father the chance to voice his shock, hooking the back of his neck and blocking his lips. Karl kissed him deeply—madly—wishing he could push his tongue and teeth down into Fritz's chest—into his lungs—consuming every piece of his flesh, his blood and swallow him whole!

_{"I love you."}"I love you too."

"I love you."

_{Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.}To then sneak his arms around the slender figure's waist and hold him—but, right as he tried to, the other man turned around himself. "Ah!" He screamed out, and his footing was unsteady so he was also about to fall!

Sett laughed. Hugging Karl's neck lovingly, the air he blew onto Karl's neck feeling sweet.

_{Was it because of his pregnancy?}
Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.

Was it because of his pregnancy?

_{"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"}The old governor died in the spring of year after Fritz left.

"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

_"{Really?}"I've always loved you so much!

"Really?"

_"What?"During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?

"What?"

_{"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."}
"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

_{But Sett took issue with this.}"If you don't want me, just kill me! I don't want to live anyhow..."

But Sett took issue with this.

_{Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.}But the thread of fate has been fixed liked this, and there is no ay anyone can turn back the heels of time.

Looking at Lina's corpse, Karl's only reaction was speechlessness.

_{Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.}He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...

Then, he felt Sett's face pressed onto his back.

_{"The underworld has no place for kindness."}
Fritz turned his face away unhappily, but it was gently turned right back by Karl.

"The underworld has no place for kindness."

_{Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.}
Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.

Until he finally released Fritz and jumped in pain.

_"What?"
"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."

"What?"

_{After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.}"Fritz... is that my child? Is he? Is he? Fritz? Is that our child, Fritz? Is he? Is he, Fritz?"

After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

_{"Tell me you love me... father."}And Karl could only hold his forehead while his head ached as a result.

"Tell me you love me... father."

_{{I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.}}"Fritz is hiding in the same slum you two live in before. You can go bring him back."

I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

_"..."
"Karl..."

"..."

_{After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.}
Eyes filled in such sincerity it could bring a person to tears, and heated words brimming with such love and endearment they could make one's heart tremble.

After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.

_{{I've always loved you so much!}}And once more, the loneliness and melancholy swiftly overtook his mind.

I've always loved you so much!

_{"Sett... you..."}But Sett took issue with this.

"Sett... you..."

_Lina...
Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.

Lina...

_{But can iron not be molten as well?}"When was Lina ever a doll? Didn't she work on a lot of things?"

But can iron not be molten as well?

_{And there is only one truth... I love you, Fritz. Even though I'm your son—even though you're my father!}
"Say you love me."

And there is only one truth... I love you, Fritz. Even though I'm your son—even though you're my father!

_{After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.}"And all those are not needed must be eliminated!"

After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.

_{{For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.}}"I love you..."

For those who love me, for the ones I loved, I have done countless things I can't say I hated, but neither can I say they were things I liked.

_{But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.}
"N-no..."

But once he felt the warm pools of wetness beginning to seep through the shirt on his back, little by little, his heart ached and shook. His body turning swiftly, and Sett was taken gently into his arms.

_{"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."}Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

"The day after Fritz left, the person I sent to look for him had found him. I lied to you for all these years. I'm sorry."

_"Never."For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

"Never."

_{He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...}
"Tell me you love me... father."

He first thought about running over and scaring him, but he changed his mind to instead slowly make each step until he snuck all the way behind him...

_{{What does it matter if the moon peeks through?}}"I know. I know you are not a woman. I also know you very much my father. But... does that matter? I love you, Fritz. I, just as I would a woman, will always love you."

What does it matter if the moon peeks through?

_{Such as love.}
For the first time in his life, Fritz felt his mind dizzy when Karl addressed in this manner with such solemnity. He tried to hide from his son's hearted gaze, but he was unable to, his chin held then lifted so their eyes could meet.

Such as love.

_{Back then...}As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

Back then...

_{Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.}"I killed her! You want to avenge her, then? Come on! Do it, kill me!"

Forehead against forehead, eyes to eyes, lips touching lips.

_{But Sett took issue with this.}"Do you love me?"

But Sett took issue with this.

_{Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.}
"Say it. Say you love me."

Childhood friendships, yearnings for the days long past; all things able to stoke such flames.

_{He kissed him lovingly while Sett's tears fell on his shirt.}
"I love you..."

He kissed him lovingly while Sett's tears fell on his shirt.

_{"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"}
His voice was soft as he replied, laced with tears. Karl then pulled him firmly into his embrace. Fritz's face pressed against Karl's chest, the sound of the younger man's strong heartbeats meeting his ears, the feel of this younger man's sturdy arms wrapped securely around waist with such strength it felt as though he was about to break.

"There's no... he's yours, alright! He's yours!"

_{Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.}Ah... this is not the same awkward little Karl from long ago. Karl... has truly grown up.

Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

_{He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.}
They then looked at one another, their heated lips unable to withstand the mutual pull.

He took issue with it time and time again—repeatedly harping at Karl because of it harshly.

_{For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.}While the one to smoothly take the position as leader of the Thorned Rose was himself.

For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.

_{Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.}I just love you so much.

Karl caught the pistol Sett threw at him by instinct, immediately tossing it aside like a hot potato.

_{After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.}He kissed him lovingly while Sett's tears fell on his shirt.

After the night of that spring, everything in their lives had changed, and everything in the past could never be returned to how it was before.

_{What's ethics? What's morality?}
One breath was all it took for the flames to be ignited. Fritz's mind whirled as he was pressed onto the bed by his son.

What's ethics? What's morality?

_{{Was it because of his pregnancy?}}Karl, smiling happily, hugged his father's soft body tightly, a body now seeming much thinner. My darling.

Was it because of his pregnancy?

_{"Say you love me."}Rushing over to him, all of Karl trembled with excitement, as he scooped up Fritz—blanket and all!

"Say you love me."

_{For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.}
Beyond the window, the evening wind blew gently, the night slowly creeping.

For instance, a father: Fritz. The beauty who led the boy Karl was onto the path where he would become a man.

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}What's ethics? What's morality?

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{"Do you have feelings for that woman?"}Lifting his head, Sett forced out a smile, saying:

"Do you have feelings for that woman?"

_{Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.}Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.

Fritz already flushed face now fumed with rage. Even if his son's smiling face moved him, he still refused to look at the grinning face seeming on the verge of laughter.

_{"I love you."}
The setting sun had yet to shed it's crimson blush, while the new moon had already exposed it's pale grin.

"I love you."

_{"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"}TENTH CHAPTER

"I'm not a woman! I'm your father!"

_{"I love you."}Sett had sent his men to search everywhere to find him, but not a trace of him was found, which was probably due to him leaving for another province.

"I love you."

_"Sett?"
As the glow and halo of the setting sun shone through the window, clothes to impatient to open were torn and tossed aside.

"Sett?"

_{Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.}Like this, each day after the other passed.

Sett obediently went to lie down, and Karl crouched down, to close Lina's dead but restless eyes.

_{After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.}Like this, each day after the other passed.

After many years only can one understand, in this world there are some thing and people that can simply not be forgotten no matter what.

_{The point where everything changed was on the spring night.}"I knew it! I just knew it! You don;t want me any more—you fell for that Lina, who's young, beautiful, and—"

The point where everything changed was on the spring night.

_{Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.}
What does it matter if the sun shines in?

Because of Karl's kiss, Fritz's mind now lacking oxygen almost fainted.

_{"I love you, baby."}
What does it matter if the moon peeks through?

"I love you, baby."

_{"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."}"Tell me you love me... father."

"I know. But when a woman says she hates a man it actually means she likes him."

_{He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.}I would rather have my memories... of that spring night inside that cathedral, remain with me always.

He was the splitting image of Karl in his own childhood years.

_{Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?}Having whispered those sweet nothings to Sett, Karl relaxed his hold, releasing Sett's body, his hand now caressing the man's head.

Although Lina wished to join the Thorned Rose, Karl never arranged for her the same tests and missions required for all other newcomers who entered the organisation. He knew well the grim and ruthless ruled governing the underworld which were no different than a deep pool of thorns. So could one bear putting a woman as pure and innocent as a white lily be put in that filth?

_{"K... Karl..."}
I just love you so much.

"K... Karl..."

_{During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?}
What's ethics? What's morality?

During the decade or so until that spring night, overall, what was Fritz's existence to him?

_{Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.}Karl was originally so mad he wanted to be done with it and walk out the door. But once he saw the bellowing rudely Sett ultimately burst into violent sobs, his tired heart immediately grew helpless. Stepping forward hurt, but in the end he rushed over to that uncle he was entangled with for six years, puling the older man into his embrace. "Sett! Sett!" He madly pressed kisses onto the other man's tear-filled eyes, then he sealed that man's lips.

Almost suffocating, Fritz began pushing his son's arm desperately. When Fritz was finally released, his face was flushed. He stood unsteadily, panting. He wanted to stand up straight, but after meeting Karl's aroused gaze he was again embraced tightly and locked into a wild kiss.

_{"How much?"}I've always loved you so much!

"How much?"

_{"Say it. Say you love me."}
The words of this world are as vast as the stars in the sky but there are only words I choose and need are just three!

"Say it. Say you love me."

_{"Sett... you..."}
...I...love...you.

"Sett... you..."

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

iana: in case you're wondering how the kid is Karl's, back when he was messing with Sett, Fritz slipped in sometimes when it was dark. Remember, the room was always kept dark and Karl also noted once how he would hear "Fritz" leaving the room then come back in. Fritz never got pregnant after the "incident" but did before he left. RIP Lina. One more chap and we're done. Evil Son will be updated after that and I'll put it up on NU after the last chapter for this is up.

PS: I think I may be coming down with something so I don't know how updates might go for this week.

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