Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 55
In truth, even before coming to the capital, they spent more time undressed in the bedroom than clothed. She had been held in embarrassing positions for intimate acts, and sometimes, in moments of madness, she had awkwardly ridden on top of him….
Being in a secret relationship that had to avoid the eyes of others, staying at his mansion made Louise feel much more at ease. Additionally, walking hand in hand with him in such a public place made her heart race as if they were truly lovers.
‘But is this okay for His Lordship? What if we run into someone he knows…?’
This worry suddenly crossed her mind as she glanced at his handsome profile. Even though he had spent many years on the battlefield before coming to Evron, Richard was originally from the capital and a member of the imperial family. They couldn’t afford any trouble.
“Your Highness the Archduke.”
“Ah, you’ve come.”
Perhaps it was because she had been worrying about such things. When someone approached them as they were sitting at a large café after leaving the art gallery, Louise tensed up, thinking her fears were coming true. However, Richard acted naturally, as if meeting someone he had planned to see.
It seemed they were meeting here because there was no other time in his schedule.
“It’s an honor to meet such a beautiful lady. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Hello….”
The man, dressed in a stylish suit and wearing a monocle, gave Louise the same polite bow as the boutique owner who had visited the mansion before. He held a document folder with the name Fulcher embossed in gold, which caught her eye. The elegant script seemed familiar to her, and she stared at it.
“Louise, could you wait here for a moment?”
“Oh, yes, that’s fine.”
“Excuse us for a moment.”
It seemed like the kind of conversation he couldn’t have with her present, so Richard moved to a different table with the man. Louise waited for him, enjoying a sweet raspberry juice and tart.
“…….”
A little later, she turned her gaze absentmindedly towards the window bathed in warm sunlight. She hadn’t intended to spy, but she could see Richard and the man talking at a distant terrace table. Richard took a velvet box from the man’s bag and placed it in his jacket pocket.
That looks like a case for rings or earrings…
But if it was jewelry, they had already bought plenty during the boutique visit. Besides, he had only ordered items for Louise, and she had never seen him wear jewelry himself.
“Louise.”
As she tilted her head in curiosity, Richard approached her.
“Ah, my lord.”
“Shall we head back? It’s almost time to prepare for the ball.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Though her curiosity was piqued, Louise was immediately whisked away by the maids upon returning to start her bath and preparations. By the time she was slipping on her shoes, she was so exhausted that there was no opportunity to talk further in the carriage. Thus, her thoughts on the matter faded.
***
The streets of the capital were dazzling at night, brimming with festival lights. The carriage to Vellus Palace glided through the illuminated roads. Sitting beside Richard, Louise couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sights outside the window.
Richard, following her gaze, noticed her wide-eyed reflection in the window and smiled quietly.
“You won’t find a better diamond anywhere on the continent. I was anxious about the timing, but thankfully, the setting was completed.”
He glanced at Louise and then touched the velvet box in his jacket pocket. Tonight, Richard planned to confess his feelings to her.
It was too late to worry about the moral implications of his actions. He had considered keeping her by his side by force countless times, but the fact that she loved her husband had always held him back. He knew he couldn’t win her heart through coercion.
However, spending every moment together in the capital sparked a glimmer of hope within him. After a passionate night together, holding her close as her small heart beat against him felt like it was beating for him. Her clear eyes, tinged with a hint of sadness beyond her years, sometimes looked up at him as if she had something to say. When he caught her quietly touching his sleeping face, or when he turned to find her watching him from a distance.
“My lord….”
After a storm of passion, sharing breath while still joined, he often felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside him. The conviction that their intimacy went beyond mere physical pleasure to include profound emotional connection left him occasionally awestruck. Gazing into her wet eyes reflecting his face, he would find himself unable to suppress his affection, showering her with kisses, and she would wrap her small arms around his broad back.
He had always tried to maintain his composure to avoid showing vulnerability to someone so much younger, but the gentle warmth of her touch often brought tears to his eyes.
Could it be that Louise also…
Even if it meant facing hell in the future, he could no longer wait. He would confess his genuine feelings to her after the ball. The nervousness was greater than when he first went to the battlefield.
