Episode 7

Jonathan, Ritter's butler, asked for permission to enter the office and handed him a letter. It had the seal of the county of Adilia, which surprised the albino, so he didn't delay in opening it. It was an address and time, it didn't say anything else, it just ended with Alesha's signature, which made him assume she wanted to see him. He really didn't expect to receive an invitation from Alesha after what happened in that brief encounter. He orders Jonathan to cancel any pending meetings and leaves, but without taking a single guard.

"Where is he going in such a hurry?" Marius asks.

"Perhaps he has to see the Countess of Adilia, he left as soon as he read the young lady's letter," replies Jonathan.

"What? I thought they didn't get along... Maybe our bitter boss has finally fallen in love?" he asks.

"Maybe it's just a fling like the other times. I feel sorry for the young lady," laments Jonathan.

He knows that his master is not in a formal relationship and the only one he had was because it was an arranged marriage.

Ritter arrived at a restaurant, where he gave his name and was shown to a private room where there was a table for two. Ritter entered and Alesha was already waiting there, drinking tea.

"For a moment I thought I was being stood up," Alesha mentions without looking up.

"A last-minute invitation isn't very effective, you're lucky I didn't have another commitment." Ritter takes a seat.

The two waitresses serve them tea and take their orders, then leave. Alesha sips her tea, but looks up at the albino.

"I must be a very lucky woman then," she replies.

"Perhaps, but why have you summoned me? I don't suppose it's because you desired my presence."

"It's obvious that you've realized that I'm the woman you spent the night with, I have no reason to deny it, however, I expect discretion."

"On my part, I'm not interested in divulging my passionate encounters, so I won't say anything, but the one who would have a problem later on is you, if you wish to marry, you know that..."

"Yes, I know men's prejudices. I don't care, I'm not interested in getting married and there's no man in this world who meets the requirements to be my husband."

"I understand, and I apologize for what happened, it was not my intention to harm your life..." He bows his head slightly.

"Why are you apologizing? We both had a good time. Tell me, how many women do you usually sleep with during the week?" Alesha asks, observing Ritter's reaction.

"What kind of question is that? Why do you care? Do you think you've infected me with some disease? I'm not as promiscuous as you think..."

"That doesn't answer my question, just answer what I ask and don't ask unnecessary questions," adds Alesha.

Ritter just tries to remain calm, he can't believe Alesha is asking those kinds of questions.

"It's very rare for me to look for a woman, and if I do, I make sure that a specialist doctor checks her to see if she's healthy, I'm very careful with those details, you were the exception."

Alesha kept looking at Ritter and everything he was saying didn't seem to be a lie.

"Well, I have a proposition for you, don't see other women, be my bed partner for a while," Alesha blurts out.

Ritter was stunned by such a proposal, it was not something a noblewoman would say.

"Why propose such a thing? It's not very advantageous for you."

"If it's about marriage, I already told you I'm not interested, but like anyone else, I have physical needs and you've shown that you can satisfy them."

"If I accept, what conditions must be met? I imagine if you ask me to be exclusive, you will be too, right? I can't risk disease." He shrugs.

Alesha says nothing, but the albino is right, in that world you can't risk having other men when there's no safe way to avoid contracting diseases, even Ritter himself said so a moment ago, he makes sure a doctor checks the women he plans to be with.

"Exactly, that's how it works, we'll both be exclusive, until you or I say it's enough and we leave it at that, no complaints, no problems."

"So, should I come to you every time you request it or can I look for you if I am the one who wishes to do so?"

"Let's arrange the meetings, maybe two or three times a week, or can't you keep up with that pace?" Alesha smiles slyly.

"Maybe you're the one who can't keep up with my pace, last night was just because I was tired."

"Such an ego..." replies Alesha.

Alesha hands him a contract, which states that if either of them breaks the deal, they will have to pay a certain amount of money and the agreement will be immediately broken, as she does not intend to risk contracting any disease. The document mentions the days on which they can meet and if, for any reason, one cannot attend, they must give notice in good time. It also mentions that both she and he can ask the other to be their companion at an event if necessary. For Ritter, this deal is a good one, sometimes he has certain events and it would be good to have a companion so that other girls don't bother him, now that he's single, he's had several marriage proposals and if they now find out that he's close to Alesha, those proposals may stop.

"I must say I'm still surprised by this proposal." Ritter signs the contract and hands it back to Alesha.

"So am I, but I must say, however much it displeases me, that it has its advantages."

Alesha folds the document and puts it away. Dinner is not long in coming, the waitresses serve everything and leave.

"I've been told this place is very good, I hope it's true." Alesha cuts off a piece of meat and brings it to her mouth.

But before she can eat it, Ritter stops her hand.

"I don't recommend it... the aroma of that dish is different from mine." And they have been served the same dish.

Alesha can see Ritter's serious expression as he looks at the door, so she leaves the cutlery on the plate, assuming there must be something wrong with the dish.

"It seems you've already made enemies here," Ritter mentions.

"I'm not surprised. But the restaurant is not that good, they're not careful with the employees they hire." She has no plans to go back to that place.

"We'd better go, my mansion is not far from here, we can have dinner there and then start with the contract."

Ritter stood up, offering his hand to Alesha, she hesitated for a moment, but finally stood up, taking the albino's hand. They both leave the restaurant, while one of Alesha's servants sees to paying the bill. Alesha gets into the carriage and orders them to follow the albino, who is on horseback.

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