Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 29
West Tower, Top Floor, Secluded Room
“His Lordship is quite late today…”
In the secluded bedroom on the top floor of the west tower of Evron’s fortress, Louise was alone, waiting for Richard who had not yet returned.
Although she was told it was fine to walk around the less noticeable rear garden, she didn’t feel like it today. Instead, she stood up with a box of scrap paper from the desk, following Richard’s usual routine of burning discarded documents in the fireplace
Part of the fief lord’s daily routine involved checking and responding to mail. His aide would initially sort through the unopened letters, the majority of which were love letters. Whenever an unsorted letter caught his eye, Richard would frown deeply and toss it into the scrap paper box without hesitation.
‘This paper must be quite expensive to buy…’
Louise picked up the extra sheets of paper used to keep the ink from smudging between the envelopes and the letters. A quick glance at the sender’s signature revealed that the letter was from a married woman, and the brief glimpse of the content was enough to make her blush, understanding why Richard had been so disgusted.
Louise, feeling it was a waste to discard the pretty pink paper with gold trim, picked up a pen. Soon, the pen in her hand started to draw quite decent pictures on the paper.
“Mmm…”
She must have fallen asleep unknowingly. When she awoke a while later, she found herself lying on the bed. Through her half-closed eyelids, she saw Richard standing in front of the desk.
“…My lord?”
“You’re awake.”
“Give that back, please!”
Realizing that he was looking at the drawings she had made on the scrap paper, Louise hurriedly reached out.
Strawberry cakes, flowers in a vase, cute cats, the forest behind the lord’s castle, and the lake of Evron… These were all delicately drawn with just a pen on blank sheets of paper.
“You draw well. Have you ever taken lessons?”
“Of course not. Please give it back, my lord…!”
If she had the luxury to learn drawing, she would have used that time to earn even a penny for her household. As Richard easily avoided her attempt to retrieve the paper, his gaze lingered on one particular spot.
“Is this supposed to be me?”
“No, it’s not!”
“It looks like it is.”
His long fingers tapped on a specific spot. At the bottom of each drawing, today’s date, her signature, and a makeshift title were written. Louise’s face turned bright red in an instant.
“Is there another fief lord here besides me?”
“Well, that is…”
“So I must look like this to other people.”
She worried he might scold her for drawing him without permission, but his serious expression, as he stroked his chin with his fingertip, didn’t seem displeased at all
“I look quite angry.”
“…Your Lordship always has that expression.”
“Is that so?”
Richard looked at her and smirked. With a natural motion, he tucked Louise’s drawing into his coat pocket and smiled.
“Then you must have been scared.”
Ah…
She never imagined he could smile like this.
His smile, which she saw for the first time, was not frightening at all but rather so charming that Louise lost her words and stared blankly at him.
For the first time, instead of wanting time to fly by due to the overwhelming reality, she wished for it to stop at that moment.
***
In front of Louise was a strawberry cake drizzled with sweet maple syrup. The dessert sent from the lord’s kitchen at Richard’s instruction was identical to the cake she had once drawn.
Even though they often dined together, she had never seen him eat such sweet things, so this was entirely new for her.
As she looked at the pretty dessert topped with layers of fluffy whipped cream, almost too beautiful to eat, Louise carefully spoke to him as he was working.
“Would you like to have some with me?”
“I’m not one to eat while working, especially something that sweet…”
Richard glanced at her, rubbing the front of his well-shaped dark eyebrow with his thumb. His eyes swept over Louise nonchalantly.
“You’re too thin. How can you manage with such a body?”
“…….”
“It might be good for you to gain some weight while you’re here.”
While you’re here…
Though it had only been two or three weeks, had she grown used to falling asleep with him beside her? Suddenly aware of the predetermined end to this arrangement, her heart ached slightly.
What had initially seemed like a long two months now felt short. Louise unconsciously fought off the sadness creeping in.
“Do you like the food? Do you prefer meat or seafood?”
“When you have time, read this. It’s a book on art history that I think you’ll enjoy.”
“Aren’t you bored? Here’s a card game that’s popular with young women your age.”
“You’re my guest, so of course I’ll take good care of you.”
Although he remained as blunt as ever, he was very considerate of her. Occasionally, he would ask if she was uncomfortable and bring her books or card games that young women her age would enjoy
Thanks to him, Louise experienced various things she hadn’t before while staying at the castle.
