14. Jasmine

We return to the grandiose mansion, our excitement palpable as we enter. Karul practically skips and twirls, his jubilant energy contagious.

"Glorious! Absolutely marvelous!" he crows, grinning from ear to ear. I can"t help but smile at his childlike joy. "Did you see the looks on their faces? Priceless!"

Suddenly, he grabs me and pulls me into an impromptu waltz around the elegant foyer. I cling to him, my body swaying in time with his, feeling giddy and dizzy with his infectious enthusiasm.

The chandelier above us casts a warm glow, illuminating our movements like stars dancing in the night sky.

"My dearest, you were sheer perfection!" he exclaims with a hearty laugh. "The timing, the dramatic flair - we brought the entire house to its knees!"

I can feel my cheeks heat up at his effusive praise as he twirls me around the foyer in a graceful waltz. "I simply followed your and Aqura"s direction," I reply modestly.

But he continues to spin me, his eyes glittering with delight. "Oh, but your performance was beyond spectacular! You shall be showered with jewels and adorned in the most exquisite gowns for this." His words fill me with a sense of pride and accomplishment as if I have truly achieved something extraordinary. In this moment, I feel like the belle of the ball, cherished and admired by all.

His infectious mood spreads like wildfire, igniting my own smile as I am swept up in his post-victory exuberance. Yet, amidst the joy and excitement, shadows of doubt linger in my mind...

"Was it truly worth all this pain and humiliation we inflicted?" I ask softly, unable to fully shake off the weight of our actions.

Karul"s triumphant expression falters, replaced by a more contemplative look. His piercing gaze searches my face, seeking understanding.

"Absolutely!" he declares passionately. "The looks on their faces were priceless! Magnifique! And though you may harbor no love for my kind," he says solemnly, "know that my family brought only suffering despite their high standing." The corners of his mouth turn down with remorse for the briefest flash before he quickly regains his celebratory fervor.

I think back on the frightened faces of the children at the ceremony, now left fatherless. Did his quest for vengeance justify their anguish? I know not what to feel.

Sensing my conflict, Karul takes my hands earnestly. "I regret if innocents were harmed. But this was the only way to end my family"s cruelty."

I nod slowly. I may never fully understand, but I know Karul acted to stop greater harm. I only pray some good may come of all this chaos.

As I move to excuse myself from the living room, Karul grasps Aqura"s shoulder excitedly. "My friend, we have done it! Utterly annihilated them!" He laughs gleefully.

Aqura grins and clasps his hand. "A masterstroke! You have razed their crooked empire to the ground."

"All their wealth and influence, obliterated!" crows Karul. "Not even a minor title left to their disgraced name."

He sweeps a hand through the air. "Imagine my father reduced to begging coppers on the streets!"

They share a victorious chuckle. I hesitate, unsure if I should listen further.

Sensing my discomfort, Karul gestures for me to come over. "Do not worry, darling angel. Their misbegotten reign has ended for good!"

He grasps my hands, eyes alight. "You stand now on the right side of history, my sweet!"

Twirling me, he continues dramatically, "We have raged against the dying light of their corrupt rule. We have sounded the death knell of their fetid empire!"

With a grand gesture, Karul releases me and throws his arms wide. His voice rings out with passion, "Let their ruin stand as a monument to our defiant passion!

We have toppled idols and conquered convention in the name of love!" As he clasps my cheeks in his hands, his fiery eyes shine with pride and adoration. "Be proud, my darling! Ours is the glory of bold hearts who laugh in the face of fate and refuse to bow."

With a playful smack to my rear, I squeak and feel my cheeks flush with both embarrassment and delight at his playful affection.

Karul throws back his head and laughs, the sound echoing off the walls of our grand hall. "Drinks! We need drinks to celebrate our victory!" He taps his chin thoughtfully, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ah yes, that exquisite vintage I discovered last spring. It must be brought out for this occasion."

With a snap of his fingers, he commands, "Bring out all the finest casks, and let us toast to our triumph all night long!"

I can"t help but smile at Karul"s exuberance. "Just be careful, my love. You may regret your bravado after too much revelry."

But Karul meets my caution with a devilish grin. "Nonsense! Tonight, I am invincible, a titan ruling over the world!" His voice booms through the hall, filled with joy and triumph.

Thus decided, we make our merry way to prepare the festivities, Karul already calling for the puzzled servants to fetch the wine and ready the great hall for feasting and dancing till sunrise!

"Musicians! I must have musicians!" Karul declares imperiously as we enter the great hall. "Summon every minstrel and troubadour in the city! We shall sing till the rafters shake!"

He sweeps by in a whirlwind, directing the scrambling servants hanging silken banners and garlands of flowers.

"No, no, that decoration is all wrong," Karul exclaims, gesturing wildly with his hands. "Take it down and replace it with something more festive! This is a new reign of prosperity!" I trail after him, shaking my head in amusement at his fervor.

He is like a man possessed by the spirit of celebration. "We must have dancing!" he proclaims with grandeur, pointing to the tables that need to be moved to make space. The room buzzes with excitement as people scurry to follow his orders, eagerly anticipating the festivities to come.

The air is filled with a sense of joy and anticipation, like a spark ready to ignite the night into a dazzling display of merriment.

Grasping my hands, his eyes shine with mischief and delight. "My love, you shall have a ball like no other!"

He kisses me soundly before rushing off again, shouting at the servants to hurry with the refreshments.

Soon, the wine flows freely as more and more elaborately dressed guests arrive. In the center of it all stands Karul, directing the chaos like a master conductor.

"Come, my friends!" he declares tipsily, one arm around me and the other around Aqura. "Let us drink and dance away the corruption of old! Tomorrow, we forge a new path!"

As the night wears on, the wine continues flowing freely. Karul is the life of the celebrations, laughing and dancing with utter abandon. But soon, even he cannot withstand the effects of such revelry.

His steps begin to falter as he leads yet another joyful jig. His words start slurring together incoherently.

Aqura and I exchange amused but concerned glances as Karul tries vainly to keep the festivities going.

"Come now, I think the time has come to retire," I say gently, taking Karul"s arm to steady him.

He attempts to wave me off. "No, no, the night is still young!" But even as he protests, he stumbles into me.

Laughing, Aqura moves to Karul"s other side, and together, we support his weight as he sags between us.

"Up to bed with you, my friend," Aqura chuckles. "You have celebrated quite heartily enough."

Together we slowly manage to practically carry the now disheveled and incoherent Karul up the stairs to his chambers. I shake my head wryly as we deposit him onto the bed.

"You, my friend, are in rare form tonight," Aqura chuckles as he arranges Karul"s limp form on the bed. "Please see that no further guests see our lord in this state."

"Of course not," I laugh.

As Aquara confidently strides towards the door, Karul"s hands suddenly dart out and grab at my top, pulling it down with a force that exposes my bare breasts. The shock and embarrassment flush my face crimson like a glass of spilled wine.

"S-sir!" I squeak, my face burning red as wine.

Aquara laughs, looking away and shutting the door as he calls, "Just keep him busy. You"ll be all right."

He eagerly nuzzles his face into my chest, his rough beard brushing against my skin. I allow him to explore and play with them for a while, enjoying the sensation. Despite the slightly humiliating sensation, I can"t help but enjoy it. He continues to tease and nip at my skin, sending shivers of pleasure through me.

Eventually, he lays his head in my lap with a look of pure satisfaction on his face, like a contented iypin after a hearty meal.

As I finish undressing and wiping Karul"s body clean, I can"t help but whisper, "Why are you so happy and so set on revenge? What did they do to you?"

I kiss him on the head and make to leave, but suddenly, his hand darts out and grabs my wrist. I gasp in surprise, instinctively twisting to avoid falling on top of him. I end up rolling onto the bed beside him instead.

Before I can react, he pins me down, his eyes searching mine intently. "Don"t leave me, my love," he murmurs, his words slightly slurred from drink. "Stay with me tonight."

My heart pounds as I gaze up at him. His eyes are glazed from the alcohol, but beneath, I see a vulnerability and need I"ve never witnessed before. Slowly, I nod.

Karul visibly relaxes, a soft smile touching his lips. He releases me and pulls me close to him instead, burying his face in my hair. Within moments, his breathing evens out in sleep.

I lay awake for some time, listening to the steady sound, more confused by this mercurial man than ever.

Eventually, I drift off, lulled by his warmth.