Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 38
Intimate Remedy
Richard’s parents, the former Emperor and Empress of Grandis, were often praised as the perfect example of an imperial couple.
With his exceptional political skills, the former Emperor’s prosperous reign extended to the current Emperor Leonhart’s era. Richard’s mother was also revered as a compassionate queen, known for her kindness to even the poorest children on the streets. However, they were not ideal parents to their two sons.
Their relationship was a strategic alliance based solely on mutual interests. The father, always preoccupied with state affairs, showed indifference to his sons and would visit a concubine’s palace during rare leisure times. Meanwhile, the mother was particularly cold and strict with her young sons.
“Mother….”
“Prince! You’ll be six years old in a few months. There’s nothing more disgraceful than a grown prince behaving like a child. From now on, address me as Her Majesty the Empress.”
Following palace etiquette, Richard had to grow up separately in the prince’s palace from an early age, and after the age of five, he wasn’t even allowed to call her ‘mother’. Richard, with a sullen face, clung to his nanny’s skirt as he left the Empress’s palace.
“Nanny, I don’t think Mother likes me….”
“That can’t be true! There isn’t a mother in this world who doesn’t love her child. You’re a noble prince, so she’s just strict because she wants you to be more dignified than other children. I’m sure her true feelings are different.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Your teachers all praise you, don’t they? They say you’re excellent in everything, whether it’s studying or swordsmanship….”
The nanny’s kind words brightened young Richard’s face. Even though his mother never welcomed his visits, the desire to see her was the same for a noble prince as for a blacksmith’s son. So he visited the Empress’s palace every day without fail.
If I study harder and become better at swordsmanship, Mother will be pleased. Maybe she’ll praise me just once….
With these thoughts, young Richard put in daily efforts, not finding it hard at all.
“Prince! Your Highness!”
“Oh, Evan.”
A brown-haired boy ran up to Richard with a joyful face as he entered the Empress’s palace.
Evan, two years younger than Richard, was the son of a maid who had come with his mother from her family home. He often visited the palace with his mother, and Richard frequently encountered him when he came to greet the Empress.
At that time, Crown Prince Leonhart was already deeply engaged in his studies to become the future emperor, and there was a significant age gap between him and the younger boys. Thus, Richard and Evan naturally grew close, playing and spending time together.
Unlike Richard, who was raised under strict rules and discipline and was considered mature for his age, Evan was simply cheerful and gentle. Richard found Evan, who liked him and followed him around, adorable and pleasant company.
“Your Majesty the Empress! Look at this! I made it for you.”
“Oh, Evan! Did you make this? It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“…….”
Richard remembered the time he had made a fairly impressive flower necklace and given it to his mother, only to be scolded for wasting time like a common child. Seeing his mother happily accepting Evan’s clumsily made flower ring, she looked as beautiful as a flower to Richard.
Perhaps it was because Evan reminded her of Richard’s younger brother, who had died shortly after birth, or because she had no expectations from a child who wasn’t her own.
Unlike Richard, who was praised by all his teachers for his exceptional abilities, his mother adored the ordinary Evan. She would always prepare snacks in advance for him and welcome him with a warm smile she never showed Richard.
“Your Highness! Let’s go play outside!”
“Uh, Evan. But it’s time for me to study….”
“Prince, you may skip your lessons today and play.”
“…Is that okay?”
“Of course. Evan must be lonely without friends his age here. Think of him as your younger brother and play nicely together.”
“Thank you! Oh… Your Majesty the Empress.”
The mother, who was usually so strict and scary, became as gentle as spring sunlight when the maid’s son visited. Because of this, Richard secretly looked forward to Evan’s visits. Being next to Evan allowed him to catch a glimpse of the attention he never usually received from his mother.
It was shortly after Richard’s seventh birthday. He was playing with Evan in the Empress’s palace until relatively late when a child in nightwear came out holding the nanny’s hand. Richard, assuming Evan was also going home, stopped and asked,
“Evan, are you sleeping here?”
“Yes! My mother has to attend to Her Majesty the Empress early tomorrow, so I’m staying here tonight!”
“…….”
“Prince, can’t you sleep here too?”
Evan, smiling brightly, grabbed his arm and pleaded repeatedly. For the first time, Richard slept in the Empress’s palace and was extremely happy. It was surprising that his mother told the maids to leave Evan, who had fallen asleep playing on her bed, alone instead of waking him.
Though it felt awkward, Richard fully enjoyed the unexpected fortune. Following Evan’s lead, he mustered the courage to seek affection from his mother like a child. Then, he fell into a light sleep and woke up in the middle of the night, feeling thirsty.
“…Though I carried both of them for ten months, why do they feel so different? Even if the true fruit of love is only this child….”
Realizing he wasn’t in the prince’s palace and deciding against calling for his nanny, Richard got up from the bed.
Only to hear his mother and a close maid talking.
