Droit du Seigneur: His Lordship's Right of the First Night - Chapter 73
A few months later, a grand festival was held in Evron to welcome the spring. To commemorate the lord’s wedding, the castle provided aid to the poor and even relieved the taxes of the struggling estate residents. All the supplies, food, and bridal items used for the wedding were sourced from within the estate, bringing a much-needed boost to the economy that had been frozen over the winter.
…Although performing a proxy consummation is punishable, in the case of Louise Riddel, it is acknowledged that she was coerced, and she received no monetary compensation from the perpetrators. Thus, she is acquitted of any wrongdoing.
As the lord of Evron, I also bear responsibility for not identifying this situation in time and causing harm to an innocent estate resident. To atone for this, I will establish an orphanage and a relief center for the impoverished within the estate this year, and their operation will be funded from my personal assets. Furthermore, I will take responsibility for taking an innocent woman’s chastity by compensating Louise Riddel in a manner she desires, and if she consents, I wish to marry her and become her husband.
This was the official announcement from the castle that had caused quite a stir in the estate for a while.
“Everyone! Today, all products are half-priced in celebration! Feel free to browse and buy!”
“What the heck, let’s celebrate! All remaining fish are free! Take one home, everyone!”
The merchants at the market who knew Louise rejoiced as if it were their own affair. Melissa from the grocery store and Martin from the fish market were among those who competed to give out their goods for free, their faces genuinely happy.
“Come here, child.”
Melissa waved over a raggedly dressed beggar child who had been looking around hungrily. She handed the child the largest box filled with toffee candies and rolls, and the child, delighted, bowed in thanks.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. This is also in line with our Archduchess’s wishes.”
***
The wedding took place at the castle of Evron. In the bride’s waiting room adorned with beautiful flowers, Louise, dressed in a white gown and veil, anxiously awaited the start of the ceremony. Her hair was loosely braided and tied with small pearls, and the bright wedding bouquet made of spring flowers complemented her perfectly.
But no matter how much it was a wedding… isn’t this too overdone?
Worried, she checked her appearance in a small hand mirror. At that moment, Richard, who had been greeting numerous distinguished guests attending the ceremony, finally came to fetch her.
With a flower from the bouquet decorating his jacket lapel and his short black hair neatly swept back, Richard looked exceptionally dashing. According to Grandis tradition, the groom was not to see the bride until just before entering the hall, so this was Richard’s first time seeing Louise today.
“Louise….”
As he entered the waiting room, he stopped mid-sentence and turned around abruptly. He had thought she looked like an angel descended from heaven when he first saw her, but today, Louise looked so stunning that it took his breath away.
Worried that her appearance might be strange, Louise cautiously asked,
“Is something wrong, my lord?”
“It’s just… blinding.”
“…Is it that strange?”
Louise stood up and approached him, who had turned his back to her. When she touched his arm, Richard reacted as if he had been burned. Feeling hurt, thinking he found her appearance disappointing, she began to feel upset, but then she noticed him looking down at her with a strained expression.
“Hah, I think it’s best if I don’t touch you right now. If you come any closer, I might just take you to the west tower and forget all about the wedding ceremony.”
“…!”
Finally understanding his words, Louise’s face turned a deep red. According to tradition, the newly decorated bedroom of the lord and lady could only be used starting tonight.
Since it wasn’t ideal for Mildred, who was also living in the castle, to see them sharing a room before the wedding, Louise had been staying in the guest room. However, the passionate love of the young couple, who could finally desire each other freely, often led them to spend intense moments together in the secluded room at the top of the west tower, even as recently as this morning.
Louise’s fair skin was prone to leaving marks easily with even the slightest pressure or suction. This trait, which had been a delight for Richard in the past, now posed a problem since her wedding dress exposed her back and shoulders. Frustrated by the need to restrain himself during their intimate moments, Richard couldn’t help but express his dissatisfaction. His fragmented words and low growls felt dangerous, making Louise instinctively step back. Suddenly, Richard’s expression shifted as he remembered something.
“And why are you still calling me ‘my lord’?”
“I mean, we haven’t even had the wedding yet, and I thought we agreed to take things slowly…”
“Is my name only used when you’re crying in bed?”
“My lord…!”
Remembering how she had cried out his name passionately under his body last night, Louise clenched her fists and lightly hit Richard’s back. Her cheeks were burning hot like a stove.
“I told you, it’s still awkward outside of bed, and I’ll gradually get used to it!”
“Gradually? I guess I’ll have to make you cry my name more often.”
Richard smirked mischievously, indicating that once the wedding was over, he wouldn’t hold back. Just as Louise, her face flushed like an apple, tried to push him away, the door to the waiting room opened, and someone entered.
“Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve seen both of you.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Greetings, Brother.”
