D.D. Ward is Writing

“Lady Ren, you asked me to wake you earlier today. Is this okay?” Amy said, pulling the drapes open to let the morning light flow in through the windows.  I flinched at the sudden light, and then covered my face with a pillow. Then a thought hit me. It was a requiem day. Moonlight Hearts has a Seven Day week, but only a one-day weekend: called the requiem. Most shops closed on a requiem day. And most servants had the day off. Amy was one of those with the day off. In-game, the player could use Requiem to buy gifts for their suitors.  “Amy, you don’t have to act as my maid today,” I said, peeking my head out from under the pillow.  “I’m not. But you asked me to wake you earlier so that we could get to Myrddhin house for brunch.” “What time is it?” I asked. “Eight in the morning.” “Come back at quarter to ten.” I said, covering my head with the pillow once more.  “Well, if you don’t want to see my new outfit, that’s fine.” Amy said. I snapped my head up and blinded mys...

It took far longer than I expected to regain my senses. I felt hollowed out. I felt drunk. I felt like I had ridden the world’s fastest rollercoaster. “How can you do that with a kiss?” I asked. I noticed that Fiona’s face had flushed as well, “I believe that we both did that. Like dancing, this takes two people to get the proper experience.” “Dancing, I hope you lead well. Because I’m pretty hopeless.” “You are not. Now, I wanted to enjoy a moment with you before I moved to our next topic.” “What? Why is that?” I asked. “Because the topic I wish to discuss is your Amy.” “Oh,” I said, “That topic.”  “I hope that this does not scare you. I have nothing but the best intentions here. I accept your relationship with Amy.” “I feel like that statement has a ‘but’ following it,” I said.  “Yes. But I worry about your relationship with her. I worry it will supersede any relationship we develop. Your relationship with her developed without formal courting. At least I assume there was no...

“How long has she been down there?” Vincent asked. I looked at the grandfather clock beside us, “forty-five minutes, give or take.” “That feels less than good.” Vincent said. As we sat shuffling in our chairs Aunt Cecile shuffled out of the gray room and into the smoking room. Quincy bounded up and sat before her, but she ignored the little dog.  “Kids, we have problems.” Aunt Cecile said. “What kind of problems?” I asked. “They’ve been smuggling in sabers and muskets. And soldiers.” “They?” Vincent asked. “Hyperboreans.” “You’re sure they’re Hyperboreans?” I asked. “I speak Borean kiddo. So yeah, they look like Hyperboreans. They speak the Borean tongue amongst themselves. They wear serpent scale armor. They have a Pillar Tree embossed on the guards of their sabers. Oh, and they stink of seal oil.” Amy huddled against me, “I’m sorry, Lady Cecile, what does this mean?” “It means somebody in the upper reaches of power in our house is conspiring with the enemy. You were investigating...

Vincent hadn’t returned yet. But we were still talking.  "I’m sorry. I understand your dilemma Ren. You have to marry and marry well. You have been bracing yourself to marry a man to produce an heir. And with Countess Fiona, you realized that you could marry a woman and not be miserable for your entire life. At worst you would need to rent the services of a gigolo to get an heir. I have no such demands placed upon me. Commoners don't have the same stress to produce an heir. My parents want grandchildren, but we don't have titles or ancestral power to protect." "None of that makes this fair to you Amy," I said.  "No, you're right. It isn't fair. What it is, is the price of admission. This is how your life will be. And if I want to be a part of it, I have to pay the price of admission." "Who is paying the price of admission to what now?" Aunt Cecile said, shuffling into the Smoking Room. I flinched. Now Vincent couldn't leave th...

"Should we get this done then?" Vincent stood and downed the glass of scotch in a single slug, coughed once, and set the glass on the coffee table.    "That was impressive," I said, and downed the rest of my wine. "Now then. Let's do this." I pushed myself to my feet, and then wobbled. Amy stepped in to support me. And a moment later Vincent joined on the other side of me. I noticed the assembled family members staring at me. I repressed a flinch. Amy served as my personal maid. Her helping me walk was perfectly normal. Nothing about this would look suspicious or make my family think we were intimate. At least I hoped not. I tried to think how one leaned on another for support platonically.  My uncle smirked, "Were you planning on stealing all your cousin's suitors, or just the ones you didn't slap?" Aunt Cecile chuckled, "You need to look up what a lesbian is, kiddo. Because you're doing it wrong." I sighed, and rolled ...