Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 63
At the same time, a festival was in full swing in the neighboring village. Though the poor commoners couldn’t enjoy much, they held a small festival every year around this time to celebrate the feast day and the harvest.
In the bustling square, filled with the rich, savory smell of grilled lamb skewers and the sweet aroma of sugar candies, Louise was diligently selling her goods.
“Hats for sale! Beautiful hats perfect for this winter!”
“Oh, these are so pretty. Miss, I’ll take one.”
“Thank you!”
Luckily, the hats were of good quality and sold out quickly, allowing her to finish her business before evening. Just then, three men with unpleasant expressions approached her. Obviously idle loafers who roamed the village, they picked a fight with her as she was preparing to leave.
“Hey, who gave you permission to sell here? This spot belongs to us. We’ve been claiming it since last year.”
“What are you talking about? I heard that anyone can freely sell goods in this square. Where is that rule written?”
“Where? Right here!”
The men scowled when the young girl, who they thought would easily be intimidated, didn’t back down.
“You must not know, but there’s an unspoken code of conduct in business. We sold here last year, so it’s only right we sell here this year, too! Right?”
“Enough talk, just hand over ninety percent of today’s earnings as payment for the spot and compensation. That’s a fair deal, don’t you think?”
“Ninety percent? Ha, that’s nonsense!”
“What? This girl! We were going to let you go nicely, but I guess that’s not happening.”
“Let go of me!”
The men exchanged glances and surrounded Louise. The biggest of the three grabbed her arm and started to drag her away.
“Ah, who are you!”
“And who might you be? Don’t you know that collecting illegal spot fees is a serious crime?”
Thud. Richard appeared out of nowhere and gripped the man’s arm. Crack. With the sound of bones breaking, the man’s face twisted in pain.
“Let her go quietly now, or next time, it will be your neck that breaks.”
“P-Please spare me! I’m sorry!”
The three men turned pale and ran off in an instant. Richard, surveying the area, stopped when his eyes met Louise’s, who had been watching him.
“…Louise.”
“Ah….”
Louise, about to call his name, paused and closed her mouth. Richard didn’t know she was here, so he hadn’t come to see her on purpose. He must have been incognito for an inspection and happened to find her. Though commoners didn’t recognize his face, she felt she should be cautious about addressing him.
They stood silently for a moment, just looking at each other. Then, aware of the surrounding eyes, Louise began to pack up her things again. Richard silently helped her.
“My sister went to work, and she said she’d bring back lots of delicious food in the evening.”
“Can you keep it a secret from your sister that you met me today?”
“Uh-huh, okay!”
He had only intended to see her face from afar, but an unexpected incident occurred. Though she was said to be living happily, she seemed thinner than before, and it pained him deeply.
“Thank you for helping me.”
As she finished packing and was about to leave without saying a word, Richard paused at her cautious voice from behind.
“How can I repay you….”
“Are you going home now?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes, I was just about to head home.”
“Then, would you allow me to escort you home?”
Though it was a nearby village, it was quite a distance from there to her house. It also seemed dangerous for her to carry her things up the mountain alone. Seeing her hesitation, he added,
“I just don’t want you to walk a dangerous path alone. There are no other intentions, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Oh, um, okay. If that’s the case….”
Louise finally nodded slightly.
He had offered to give up the bed to her when they first shared a bedroom. It wasn’t because he had feelings for her—it was simply his way of showing respect and kindness. Besides, if something happened to her in his territory, it would be the lord’s responsibility….
They walked side by side through the street where the commoners’ festival was taking place. Though it hadn’t been long since they had walked the streets of the capital hand in hand, it now felt like a distant dream.
As they walked towards the exit, passing almost every stall, Richard bought various skewers from a vendor, whose delicious aroma filled the air, and handed them to Louise.
“Oh, I’m fine, really.”
“Take them. You’ve probably missed your meal time.”
“…Thank you.”
“Consider it part of your thanks.”
He also bought her the largest bag of sugar candies from the nearby stall, insisting despite her refusal.
