Throughout the story of the House of Louve; all persons and participants are of legal (over 18) age of consent. No one or individual named below is of a real person all names created by the Author. Copyright ©2021 -- expressed written permission must be given to use, copy, print, and display must be in written format. The author has sole authority to grant or deny said permission.
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Three weeks had passed since Paul and the slaves arrived back at Castle Dijon. It was a week before the Countess' decree would be in effect and Paul had taken a trip to Castle Compte, he wanted to review the renovations. Paul was returning to Castle Dijon, accompanied by a noble from Chateau de Dammartin, Samuel Johan.
"Marquis, it is a pleasure to accompany you on this trip. I would like to discuss my particular situation. Marquis, I am reluctant to discuss business in the enjoyable countryside. I have an issue that needs your special intervention."
"Samuel, please tell me what you would like to discuss. It is best since we are alone traveling home," Paul said looking at the man beside him sitting atop of his Thoroughbred.
"Marquis, as you know that over a year ago my daughter had relations with the Count. He says that my daughter provoked him to lay with her. She tells me that he forced himself upon her. Their union produced a healthy boy, which I cannot and will not announce as my heir." Sam said with malice in his heart and voice. Paul picked up on his tone.
"Samuel, I do remember reading a letter from you about this situation. I sent a letter to the King. The King's reply was and I state in his words 'It is a matter between your nobles that you oversee. The King does not provide judgment in local matters. Unlike the killing of your father, he was a friend of the King. Do what you feel is correct and honorable for Count Johan and his daughter.' Samuel, what will restore your daughter's honor? Will you allow her to marry Count Rodney? In addition, acknowledge him as an heir or duel with the Count? Tell me Samuel what will be fair and honorable for your household?" Paul said with feeling. He felt for his noble and the daughter.
"Marquis, at this moment I should challenge him to a duel, but he is a treacherous scoundrel. I fear if I should lose as he did with your father, Joanne will be homeless and alone caring for an infant child she was forced to carry." Sam said with bitterness. Paul was silent for a while, thinking of a solution. Sam came to him with this situation and Paul needed to remedy it or his nobles would not respect his authority. Paul saw this as a test to his nobles.
"Samuel, I have a thought, and hear me out before you disagree or agree with this solution."
"Of course Marquis. I will listen."
"Samuel, you and your daughter with her child come to Castle Dijon and I will invite the Count to a discussion over this situation. Be mindful that the Count will try to see the monetary benefit in this situation rather than the ethical benefit. However, since I rule this area and Count Monitimere is under my rule then I will set up the meeting at Castle Dijon next week. Samuel is that agreeable?" Paul explained.
"Marquis, I accept and hope that the Count will agree as well." Unknown to Sam at that moment Paul was going to marry the Count's sister, saving her home and property from her sadistic brother. They traveled together for more than an hour until Samuel went south towards his home. Paul kept traveling until he came upon Eglise Notre Dame de Assomption, a church where he visited with the priest and received a bed for the night. The next morning, Paul sat with the Priest and other clerical staff for breakfast before heading back to Castle Dijon. Paul discussed the current situation with Catherine and his wedding but left out that she was his slave. He asked the Priest to marry them at his Castle, the Priest agreed. They set the date for the wedding a fortnight away. It took another full day of riding at a leisurely pace to reach the Castle. The sun was setting behind Paul providing an elongated shadow towards the Castle when he spotted another shadow behind him. He ducked just in time as the sword missed his neck. Paul pulled his sword, turned his horse, and charged the man who attempted to behead him. The man turned his horse charging back at Paul raising his sword towards Paul's head. With a quick series of parries and blocks, Paul severed his sword arm, the arm falling to the ground screaming in pain. Paul spun his horse around as the man tried to get up. He dismounted his horse and stepped over the man placing the tip of his sword at the man's neck.
"Sir, I do not understand why you possess the need to end my life?" Paul said angrily.
"Mi'Lord, my apologies I thought you were one of the highwaymen robbing people on this road." Said the man as his arm was bleeding on the ground.
"Do you think that I believe this line of response? Do you think that I could be a highwayman dressed in the finest French garments? Now, let's get down to business shall we." Paul said compassionately.
"Mi'Lord, I live over the next hill to the west. My farm is not a quarter league away." He said to Paul trying to sound convincing. Unfortunately for the man, Paul knew of the farm and he was not any one of the hands or owners of that farm. Paul reached down grabbing the man's tunic picking him up until he stood. Paul holding the assassin's tunic caught a glimpse of a blade closing in on his throat. Paul grabbed the hand, dropping the assassin on the ground with a loud thud, pointing his sword over the man's right thigh, pressing the point into the assassin's skin.
"I will ask you again. Who are you? And why are trying to kill me?" Paul said as he shoved his sword into the man's right thigh. The man grunted until Paul twisted the sword. The man screamed and begged for mercy.
"Tell me who hired you," Paul said pulling the sword out of the thigh.
"I was hired by the Marquis Compte to kill the young Marquis. He stated that I could easily kill you. The Marquis lied to me you bested me, Mi'Lord. I ask for mercy." The man groaned blood slowly flowing out of both wounds. Paul looked down at him.
"What were you paid to kill me?" Paul asked.
"He paid me two hundred francs, Mi'Lord."
"He paid you two hundred francs to murder me. I will help end your pain and suffering." Paul said as he shoved the sword through the assassin's heart killing him instantly. Paul stood up and thought to himself as he mounted his horse, "It seems that our dear Grand Uncle George needs me dead. What reason would he have to kill me and is he responsible for my father's death as well? I will have to ask Claudine some questions about her Uncle George. Paul kicked the side of his horse setting off in a gallop towards the Castle. Twenty minutes later he was inside the safety of his Castle. Jorge came out and collected the reigns from Paul as he dismounted. Paul walked into the Castle doors calling for Jasmine and Grace. Turning to look at Jorge, he instructed him to take Philip and collect the assassin's body and to bring the body into the stable where Paul will further investigate the assassin's clothing. Jorge nodded and ran off to find Philip.
"Yes, Marquis, you called for us?" Jasmine and Grace said together.
"Find me Claudine and bring her to me in the library. Then find Bernadette and Sophie tell them to meet me there as well." Paul said sternly. He turned and walked into the library, opened the drawer pulling out a glass, and poured himself a deep glass of cognac. Lifting the liquid to his lips Paul swallowed in one gulp feeling the liquid heat flow down his throat. He poured another glass and downed it once again in a single gulp, closing his eyes savoring the feeling of the liquid, and collecting his thoughts.
"Master, you summoned me?" Claudine said falling to her knees in front of her son. She only wore a collar as punishment for not performing her duties as instructed by Paul.
"Why would Uncle George try to kill me? Is there something you have failed to tell me? Why am I the last to know that my family, I, and my lands are in danger?" Paul said gripping her chin tightly with his left hand.
"Master, I do not understand. Uncle George would never harm you, your lands, or us. Why have you accused him of trying to kill you?" she asked.
"Sweet Mother of mine. Lying to me will get you more punishment and banished from this Castle and my lands. Tell me what, where, when, and why Uncle George is trying to kill your only son." Paul said holding her head still with his forefinger and thumb digging into her jaw. Claudine had never seen this side of Paul; he had a darkness in his eyes that signaled to her that her son was not to trifle with at the moment.
"Master, my best guess would be to take Dijon, your slaves, money, and your title. From what I have learned these last few weeks, he is in league with Count Moritimere to kill you, enslave his sister and your sisters, hand me over to George to be his pleasure slave, and breed me to provide an heir. He is a ruthless and sadistic man. He is in concert with Count Rodney to take his sister's property at the end of next week. That is what I have heard." Claudine said.
Paul looked at her, trying to figure out if she was lying or not. He looked at his mother, now his slave. His thoughts darkened, his mind confused, and then in clarity, he bellowed for Grace.
"Yes, Master how may this slave be of service?" Grace said on her knees in front of her Master.
"Grace, bring Catherine to me immediately."
"Yes, Master," Grace, said bowing to her Master, Bernadette waddled into the library with Sophie behind her.
"You summoned us, Master?" Bernadette said.
"Yes, it seems that our Uncle George is trying to have me killed before the ceremony next week. In addition, the same day I will be setting down with Samuel and Joanne Johan, and Count Rodney Monitimere about a private issue that I hope to resolve. However, in light of the attempt on my life, I believe Count Rodney will more than likely try to kill me before the ceremony. You and Sophie will ride to Samuel Johan's Chateau until I feel it is safe for your return.
"Master, please do not send us away. We need to be near you. We can help you with Uncle George and the Count." Sophie said. Paul knew she was an accomplished swordsman and deadly with a crossbow. Bernadette had mastered the whip, practicing on her mother from time to time during the three weeks she had been home. That was another one of Paul's punishments for his mother to suffer the whip from her eldest daughter. Bernadette also accomplished with a rapier and lance.
"Sophie, my little slave, I will think upon it."
