A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 14: Day 14
"Are you well pleased, Lord husband?" Lilia asked at first light with a twinkle in her eye.
"Very much so," Matthias replied. "And you, my Lady?"
"Thoroughly! But that does not mean I have had enough!"
"Nor I!"
"Do you know the traditions surrounding the marriage of a maiden of status?"
Matthias did, and didn't like them, but as the saying back home went, 'When in Rome... '.
"Yes," he said. "I approve if you wish to follow them."
"Then I shall call the chambermaid to remove the sheet so it may be hung from the eaves to show the blood proof of my maidenhood and the consummation of our marriage."
Matthias wondered what would have happened if she hadn't bled, but also wondered whether things in Nystria were different, and physiology was different, so as to ensure blood proof. He wouldn't have put that past Kevin's imagination as Dungeon Master of the D&D campaign. Either way, whatever the reason, it wasn't a cause of concern for him.
The newlyweds rose from bed and donned dressing gowns, then Lilia rang a bell and went to unlock the door. The chambermaid arrived almost immediately and set about her tasks in silence. Once fresh bed linens were in place, she left, taking with her the sheet, which was spotted with Lilia's virgin blood.
"Shall we eat?" Lilia suggested. "Then we can return to bed, and you can teach me how to use my mouth to pleasure you as you did for me!"
"It can be done at the same time," Matthias replied with a smile.
"That sounds heavenly!"
"I have potions from Lisette that will allow me to plough for hours, if that is something you desire."
"Yes! Oh, yes!" Lilia exclaimed, feeling desire burning in the pit of her stomach. "Eat quickly, Lord husband!"
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"What is our next move?" Tristan asked at breakfast with the other members of the adventuring band.
"Robert and I will attend a meal with the King in Haven," Miri replied. "I will ask Lisette to travel as my lady-in-waiting and you as my personal guard. That will enable us to gather information and identify opportunities. Everyone in Haven is on guard, but we will not be suspected of ill intent."
"And until then?" Karla inquired.
"Tristan and I will visit each farm and get an accounting," Milos said. "We'll also post notices in the woods about hunting licenses. I'll send a note to Matthias about hiring guards for the Compound. There is also plenty of work to do to complete Lisette's requests and arrange for a forge to be constructed. Miri should study, and both Zoë and Lucas should train, in addition to their work."
"We should obtain enough horses for everyone," Karla suggested. "But we'd need to build a stable."
"One of the farms will certainly be able to board horses for us," Milos replied. "That's how we should start."
"Do you think Matthias and Lilia have slept yet?" Miri asked playfully.
"No!" was the reply in unison from her friends.
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"I suppose," Lilia giggled. "Even the most expert ploughman must sleep!"
Matthias was exhausted. In the fifteen hours since they'd entered their chambers, they had taken only a few brief breaks for food and the privy and had not slept a wink. Now, Lilia snuggled close, one arm and one leg thrown over him. They slept for two hours, used the privy, and ate a light meal of bread, cheese, and grapes, washed down with wine, then returned to bed.
"Tell me about the house, please," Lilia requested, snuggling close.
"You want to talk?" Matthias asked mirthfully.
"Yes, for if you drink the potion, it will be hours and hours before we can talk!"
Matthias laughed, "I wouldn't think that was a problem for you!"
"Truth be told, my furrow could use some fallow time."
Matthias wasn't surprised, given how many times they had coupled and for how long each time.
"Start with where we will live," Lilia said, tracing a finger along his chest.
"The house has a large master bedchamber, which we shall share, and four additional bedchambers. When the time comes, the one with the door to the master bedchamber will be our nursery. Milos and Karla will take one bedchamber, and Tristan and Lisette the other. Miri will use one until her marriage to Duke Robert.
"On the ground floor, there is a large room for entertaining, a smaller, private dining room, a sitting room, a library, and a kitchen. The servants' quarters are located off the kitchen, providing space for up to four servants. Currently, we have two — Zoë and Lucas. Zoë fills most of the household roles, and Lucas cares for the grounds, though both are being trained — Zoë in magic and Lucas in archery."
"Is she pretty, the servant girl?"
"Yes, but she can't hold a candle to you! You make me very happy."
"I hope you won't go to her too often, except perhaps when I am great with child."
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