Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 3
A few days later, Cherinia packed her things and completely moved into Louise’s house. She had lost her parents early and was raised by a nagging grandaunt. Compared to serving a picky old woman, staying here was much better for her.
Even though Cherinia lived with them, she didn’t help with the household chores at all, using her pregnancy as an excuse, which only added to Louise’s burden.
“Yaaawn, Cherinia’s so sleepy all the time because of the baby… Louise, did you wash the clothes? Cherinia asked you to wash all the bedding and clothes once a day for the baby’s sake!”
“I told you I can’t do it every day. And you should wash your underwear yourself.”
“What? Louise, you’re so mean… Cherinia is now a precious body carrying a baby!”
“Don’t you think you’re being unreasonable?”
“Ouch! Helio! Helio… Cherinia’s belly, hic, Cherinia’s belly hurts…!”
Whenever Louise couldn’t take it anymore and tried to say something, Cherinia would cry, claiming her belly hurt. On top of that, she would often complain that the baby wanted to eat certain foods, something even Mildred didn’t do, making Louise feel more at ease when she was busy working outside rather than being at home.
***
That day, Louise was busy working at the grocery store. She was about to come out of the storage room carrying a large box filled with items to be displayed on the shelves.
Jingle.
The door opened, and a young man with a heavy sack of wheat over one shoulder walked in. He was Simon, two years older than Louise, a distant relative of Mrs. Melissa, who regularly helped with delivering goods to the store.
“Ma’am, where should I put this? Oh!”
“Hello, Simon. How have you been?”
“…Louise! Let me take that.”
Upon seeing Louise, Simon put down the sack and quickly ran over to take the box from her hands.
“It’s okay, it’s not that heavy—”
“What if you get hurt! You should ask for help with things like this when I’m here.”
“Really, it’s fine… Anyway, thank you.”
Simon’s face turned noticeably red as he talked to Louise. Just then, Mrs. Melissa, who had been coming out from the back, stopped and looked back and forth between the two.
After seeing Simon off and finishing up the remaining tasks, Mrs. Melissa approached Louise, who was getting ready to leave, and asked subtly.
“Louise, don’t you have any thoughts about meeting someone? If you’re interested, let me know. I know a really good person…”
“Thank you, but I’m comfortable as I am, ma’am.”
“It’s not just because Simon is my relative, he’s really a gentle and upright young man. He’s about your age and very sincere. Think about it seriously.”
“……”
“You should meet a good person, get married, and live your life too. You can’t just take care of your family forever, can you?”
Louise gave a faint smile in response to her heartfelt advice.
To be honest, it would be a lie to say she didn’t have such desires. Even if it wasn’t a fateful love at first sight like what normally happened in romance novels, everyone desires to meet someone they connect with and rely on, to share life’s journey with….
Although she endured everything silently, the burden on her shoulders was too heavy for a twenty-year-old to bear alone. Sometimes she resented her parents, and at times she felt unbearably lonely. There were days when she wanted to run away from everything surrounding her.
But if she fled from the quagmire of her home alone, what about Mildred?
Even if she met a good person and got married as Mrs. Melissa suggested, there wouldn’t be a man willing to take in her younger sister too. Helio constantly threatened to abandon Mildred in an orphanage, and if Louise left the child, it was obvious her irresponsible older brother would send her away immediately.
“You’re so pretty, it’s a shame you have to suffer.”
“…I’m really fine.”
Once again, Louise could only give the same habitual answer. I’m fine, I’m fine. She had to whisper that to herself every day, otherwise, she felt she really wouldn’t be fine.
After finishing work, Louise took a slightly longer route to the market.
‘Since I got paid today, I should buy some soft bread for Mildred and stop by the vegetable shop for carrots and celery. Maybe I’ll make some warm soup for dinner.’
Walking alone, various worries crowded her mind. One recent concern was about Helio. Even after suddenly announcing his plan to marry, he remained as carefree as ever.
Whenever Louise, worried, asked how he planned to pay the marriage tax, he would just boast that he had it all under control. Although she knew he wouldn’t tell her even if she pressed, she couldn’t help but be doubtful considering his history of causing trouble.
“Everyone, step back. Move back!”
When she reached her destination, Louise saw that the entrance to the market was being controlled by armed soldiers. People were gathered on both sides of the blocked road, murmuring.
She spotted a familiar face in the crowd and approached. It was Mr. Martin, the owner of the fish shop she often visited, who greeted her warmly.
“Mr. Martin!”
“Oh, Louise. Long time no see.”
“I saw soldiers guarding the entrance. What’s going on?”
