The Price of Happiness: A Strong Woman in the Middle Ages (A Medieval Tale Book 5)

by Lina J. Potter

  What if Jerisson, fed up with the novelty of their relationship, decided to have a bit on the side? That’s who he is. I won’t be able to hold him back. To be a cheater’s wife? First, I’ll be ridiculed behind my back. Second, I’ll get diseases. There are no antibiotics here, but there is syphilis! Do I need such a life? No, thank you. Children? Fine. Jess’s children will be good, but they will need to be educated!

  She could see the result of Jerisson’s education. She had barely managed to save Miranda from turning into the first Lily. Will he let me raise my own children? With his conceit, he might refuse me such an opportunity. Lily wasn’t going to leave her affairs. One way or another, her husband was going to stay in a secondary role. An intelligent man wouldn’t be offended by this. Lily knew one such family. She was a businesswoman; he was a colonel soon to become a general. Such was their working tandem. The husband accepted the fact that his wife was a talented economist and was even proud. My wife is a strong, clever woman! There’s no one better than her, be jealous!

  Will Jerisson be able to accept such a deal? Lily wasn’t sure. What do I lose if I try? Nothing. She had Miranda and a title. It didn’t matter that she had problems with her husband. What could I do? Drop at the aldon’s feet? His Majesty promised to give her a title, but their deal was written on running water. That meant that she would need to immediately find herself a new husband, one who would “please the crown.” His Majesty would surely want to select the new husband himself, it was not a question of love. He would choose two or three candidates at the most, to create the appearance of choice. Will I survive this? I will even chew it up.

  If it was still going to be a marriage of convenience, it was easier not to bother. The present candidate was at least handsome, and it would make the former Lilian happy.

  Lily touched the pocket with the single pearl earring and cunningly grinned.

  Well, dear spouse, I will give you a month to see how you react to my everyday life. If you prove yourself to be a smart man, great. If not, I will take a hard approach. I need to start thinking about it now. There was yet another dilemma. Should I give in to sex or not? On the one hand, it would be better not to. You never know what STDs he picked up during his trip. On the other hand, she could ask Jamie for a contraceptive pill. It was fine to share a bed with Jess as long as she was married to him. She wasn’t a nun, after all. Sex was just another need of the body; love was out of the question.

  Sex is necessary, at least a couple of times, to restore my hormonal balance. I am not going to deprive the husband of his legal marital rights. Although I wouldn't throw my arms around his neck with the cry “honey, I want you” either. Everything should happen naturally. If he gets what he wants, he might finally start to show his true face. I’ll be able to conduct a “crash-test” early. Am I going to take action today? We’ll see. Perhaps I wouldn't even need to do anything. Her cunning smile widened.

  To get what he wants, he would first need to free the bedroom of Miranda, the two dogs, and the ferret. I will give him a big thank you for it!

  The male ferret, Tash, had gotten into a habit of sleeping on Lily’s head.

  To see a ferret loins first thing in the morning isn’t very pleasant!

  ***

  The construction of the beauty center was well underway. The walls were already standing, and the builders were about to begin the roof. Lily was pleased. Soon, the salon would open its doors to visitors.

  If only they could build it faster! I cannot wait!

  Tores Herein reported back to the owner, and it left her satisfied. They went through the planning once again. The summer hall had a veranda. The winter hall had big windows and a huge fireplace. The shop had ten fitting rooms, seven on the first floor and three VIP rooms on the second. Staff rooms, storage, workshops…there was just enough space to fit everything.

  “What if we buy more land, My Lady?”

  Lily counted her cash in her head. The Eveers had eagerly gotten down to business and the interest had slowly accumulated. The girls laboriously spun lace. On top of it, there were mirrors and glassware.

  “Get it! It will soon be as valuable as gold.”

  Herein pleasingly rubbed his hands.

  “Should we, after all, create a garden there?”

  “We’ll see.”

  Lily liked the idea of creating a park. They could create a playground for children there, both for summer and winter. She would make little pathways here and there and cut the bushes in different shapes. She could put in swings and so on.

  Mariella Fashion House. Sounds good!

  ***

  Aldon Roman flipped through the freshly printed “Word of Aldonai.” Thus far, a dozen pages, a single copy, but only for the time being. He rose to greet Lilian and even slightly inclined his head to her. Lily immediately dropped in a curtsey, went down on her knee and created a circle of Aldonai.

  “Your Grace!”

  “Rise, child of Aldonai!”

  Lily liked that the local priests addressed everyone as “child of Aldonai.” All of them were his children. Lily didn’t like being addressed “my child” by priests of her former world. There were no “slaves of God” like in her previous world, only “children of Aldonai.” The difference was huge.

  Lily obediently got up and sat down in a chair. She took a sip of blueberry tea. The aldon had learned by now that Lily didn’t drink alcohol.

  “I’ve heard your spouse is back.”

  “That’s right, Your Grace.”

  “I suppose you met him with great joy like a wife should meet her husband.”

  His words had a clear implication—What did you do when you met him?

  Lily lowered her eyes.

  “Jerisson Earton is my husband.”

  “And you will obviously be happy together. I will pray for your shared happiness.”

  The word “shared” was emphasized so much that it made Lily smile.

  Of course, the aldon didn’t give a damn about Jerisson. It was Lily he needed, for Lily knew paper-making and printing. She could also bring new ideas. No one had invented etching yet, and Lily remembered its principles. I will keep it in my sleeve for later.

  She was glad to have the church on her side. The monastery wasn’t the best place. And yet, it depended on how one accommodated it. Many scientists were priests, and many monasteries concealed brothels.

  “Let Aldonai hear your prayer.”

  The aldon nodded and slowly moved on to his topic of interest, namely paper and its production. Nettle, hemp, other fibrous plants—some were bought, others sown. They still had to arrange a factory and make equipment. Some things were already in Taral. They had also decided on the ingredients of ink. Lily had a hard time making the ink water-resistant. Such ink existed before, but it was rough and poor quality. She filtered it and added a little alcohol. Lily knew her little tricks, and they were useful. It was amazing how many tricks one learned to use in the twenty-first century.

  It wasn’t fit for the countess to get busy with making paper and ink and hiring workers. Only educated monks could be trusted with such a task. They were much more intelligent and educated compared to the local nobility. Such was Lily’s opinion, and it made the aldon put on airs. Lily praised the monks so extensively that it was almost as if she was ready to buy and sell them for their weight in gold. The monasteries were indeed the centers of cultural life. She saw to choosing the pioneer heroes of book printing. They practiced with already existing letters and would soon begin to adapt to the new set. The first texts in line for publishing were already announced. Along with the “Word of Aldonai,” the lives of saints, royal orders, and the “Book of Families,” one could spot two new titles: “Alphabet Book” and “Arithmetic.” Lily insisted on their publication. She argued that children should at least know the basics and that they should learn to read and write. After much consideration, the aldon agreed. His Majesty wasn’t even going to object. Why would he? He was the one receiving all the
benefits from my labor.

  ***

  Lilian was in for a surprise at home. Although she didn’t mind, the extent of her surprise was too much. Jess greeted his wife with a crooked smile and a bruised cheek. For the sake of symmetry, the other part of his face was also purple. The man moved around the room sideways. Lily clapped her hands to her cheeks.

  “What is that?”

  “Things happen,” smiled the noble earl.

  “Did you get attacked by a shilda?”

  All healthy parts of his body expressed confusion.

  “You must have walked past them, and they flew out and started mocking you.”

  Jerisson looked so pathetic and confused that Lily became ashamed and nodded to the door to her bedroom.

  “Let’s go.”

  She started rummaging through her wardrobe and pointed at the bed.

  “Get undressed.”

  Jess, the eager womanizer, didn’t remember the last time he felt so indignant.

  Is she serious? I don’t mind, I am very keen, but NOT NOW! His ribs and his stomach were in pain.

  With the medical kit in her hands, Lilian turned around, read the thoughts on the bruising face, and stomped her foot.

  “Get undressed, mister! I will inspect you for broken bones.”

  Jerisson looked quite frustrated but got undressed without a word. He lay where she pointed. Lily started inspecting the patient.

  It looked like he had gotten into a drunken fight. But when?

  “Did you get into a fight with someone, dear Earl?”

  Jess sighed. He didn’t want to admit to it, but Lily looked decisive. She would find out one way or another.

  “The Virmans and I… had a little discussion.”

  “All of them together?”

  “Not all.”

  Lily sighed. This was predictable. The alpha male found a whole herd of strange animals in his pack. It enraged him, and he went to show them who was boss, but considering his temperament…

  “Was it a draw?”

  Jess smiled with his broken lip. He couldn't say that he had it easy, but at least the rest had begun to respect him. Jess didn’t have any illusions in this matter. He knew that the question had to be reopened, but at least the process was underway.

  While Lily professionally tended the abrasions and scratches, she couldn’t resist admiring his abs. Some people had to build them, but Jess’s body was a gift of nature. He was a warrior. It was a pity that this gorgeous body was now covered in bruises. He would have to walk sideways for at least three days. His ribs were fine. Although he had bruises, he had managed to avoid any fractures. Lily dressed the injuries and applied a tight bandage. Jess watched his wife and kissed her hand when she finished.

  “I thank you, Countess.”

  “It’s my duty.”

  “Your duty as a doctor or as a wife?”

  “As a merciful woman,” said Lily.

  Jerisson’s healthy eye looked at her with slight cunning. The second one was totally mashed up.

  “May I invite you for dinner, hoping for your mercy that wouldn't let you refuse the heavily injured man?”

  “You may. Only I don’t eat in the evening,” admitted Lily.

  Jess got lost, having remembered Lily’s former preferences.

  “But—”

  “Let’s go to bed,” suggested Lilian honestly, “I am so tired today, I only wish to get my head to the pillow.”

  Jess nodded but tried his luck once more.

  “Would you care for a walk around the garden before going to bed?”

  Lily sighed but did not refuse. She promised herself to try to patch things up with Jerisson.

  “Let’s go, My Lord.”

  An hour later, the Countess of Earton floated into the arms of sleep, stretching out on the clean bedsheets, and hugging her little daughter who climbed into her bed.

  The earl turned out to be a good companion: reasonably witty, helpful, serious, and attentive. Perhaps this trial period won’t be as bad as I imagined! We’ll see.

  Miranda was already sleeping soundly; the dogs would no doubt come climbing into bed at midnight. Being on the brink between sleep and wakefulness Lily sensed something warm nestling on her head. Damn ferrets!

  ***

  The earl planned to continue seducing his wife the next morning. His ribs hurt less now, but there was one other problem. He simply couldn’t catch his wife. She woke up at dawn, went to the church service, had a word with the pastor who was soon to become the aldon, played with Miranda a little and fled to Taral.

  Jerisson woke up much later, from a wondrous sensation. The noble earl had had a dream that he got hit by a tree. When he tried to push it away, the tree bit his arm and said “arrr.” As much as Jess wanted to continue sleeping, he had to open his eyes. In his bed next to him, he discovered two huge dogs. Without the slightest intention of moving, both dogs settled among the bedsheets and put their muzzles and paws on Jess’s body. They looked at him with reproach, as if asking, “What’s wrong? Isn’t it nice lying down together?”

  Jess had to push them off by force. He rang the bell that he found next to his bed. The maids flew in and received a question. “What are these beasts doing in the noble earl’s bed?”

  Alas. The beasts turned out to be the personal watchdogs of her ladyship Lilian Earton and the Viscountess Miranda. The two huge beasts, Nanook and Lou-Lou, walked freely around the house. They were used to sleeping with humans. After the case with the murderers, the countess always let them into the bedroom.

  The beasts were kicked out and a large basin with water brought in. The servants asked if the earl wished to have breakfast in the room or downstairs. He said he’d go down, and the maids began helping him get dressed.

  Jerisson asked them about his wife and was told that after her morning prayer, she left for business at Taral Castle.

  “Will she come back soon?”

  “In the evening, My Lord.”

  Jerisson quickly got dressed, had breakfast, and set off for Taral. He stopped in the courtyard as if struck by lightning.

  A few dozen children were playing a strange game. There was a circle drawn on the floor, and children threw daggers at their feet, after which they drew new circles. Among them was Mirrie. She was happy, cheerful, dressed in something dark, and holding a real dagger in her hands.

  “Miranda!”

  The daughter noticed her father and waved to him.

  “Papa! I’ll come in a second! I need to win first!”

  After a couple of throws, she shook a boy’s hand, who stood inside a circle, and ran up to Jerisson. The earl picked the girl up in the air.

  “Ugh! You’re such a calf!”

  “A chick,” corrected Miranda, not in the least embarrassed. “I am a woman.”

  Jess snorted.

  “What is your game, woman?”

  “A game of knives.”

  Mirrie briefly explained the rules. Jess asked her to show him the knife and was astounded at what he saw. The knife wasn’t a children’s toy. It had a good blade and a handle covered with shark skin. Such a knife could easily kill a man.

  “Yes, it can,” confirmed Miranda. “Therefore one should be very careful with it. It’s not a toy but a military weapon.”

  Jess was going to say the same words and choked at hearing them from his daughter, who knocked him on the back.

  “Are you okay, Papa?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Who gave you this knife?”

  “It’s a present from Uncle Erik! Don’t worry, Momma knows.”

  “She lets you play with it?”

  “On the condition that I learn to handle it. Who knows what can happen. If I had been able to use the knife back when the Baron of Donter kidnapped me, I would've definitely killed him!”

  Mirrie climbed out of her father’s hands, looked around, and pointed at a couple of wooden poles.

  “Look!”

  The knife whistled through the air and
stuck in the wood. Not bad for a little girl. Jerisson only shook his head. He had nothing to say. It was true about the kidnapping. She should know how to defend herself next time.

  “I will speak about it with your mother.”

  “Have you brought me anything of the kind?”

  “You’re a girl, a viscountess.”

  “So what? Does that mean that I have to walk around defenseless?”

  Jess sighed. In light of the recent kidnapping, any argument against having a weapon sounded unconvincing.

  “You do have to know how to defend yourself. Who were you playing with?”

  “Mark, he’s Pastor Vopler’s son.”

  Not the best company, but it passed the test of rank. Jess couldn't object much. “Should he go to Taral? Why not?”

  ***

  “My Lady, I spoke to Anna.”

  “Judging by your radiant face, she didn’t send you away?”

  Lons frowned.

  “I am glad for you, really! Only think about it yourself. Edward really wants a union with Gardwig. They seem to be decided on that.”

  “What about Ivernea? His relationship with Gardwig is already good.”

  “Did Anna tell you?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Lons, you come to the court often and have heard a lot.”

  “My Lady, if we decide to run away—”

  “You would either be received at Earton or in the Khanganat. Amir will hire you as his secretary, but on one condition. When are you going to run away?”

  “I will meet Anna in the church.”

  “Will you speak there?”