CHAPTER 16 Who Swam in the Dark Lord’s Moat?

Keith

Keith didn't know what had come over him. Perhaps it was the past week of delicious food, or the fact that Henrietta hadn't ever heard of a snack break. Or, perhaps, it was that he simply enjoyed her company.

Maybe it was the fact that she kept blushing every time Keith caught her staring at his chest where his collar had come open. He had never flirted with a man or woman before, but he liked to think that she was enjoying his company as much as his popped buttons.

It was hard to find love as a Dark and Evil Overlord. Sure, royals sent letters offering prospective husbands and wives, but those were just political marriages and not something he was interested in.

It wasn't healthy dating someone who had recently come into his employ, and partially forced at that. On the other hand, Henrietta was someone he considered an equal. She might be "highly flammable," but given the circumstances, either one of them could off the other pretty easily.

She was closer to him in level than most, and they shared similar skills, and she made him smile.

All of these things had come together in one reckless invitation to walk around the garden. And she'd said yes!

"The garden was actually cultivated by my godmother, Her Eminence Feliwyn," he explained as they stepped out into a veritable labyrinth of foliage. "She picked this courtyard, cracked the cobblestone floor, and filled it with dirt. Then she planted anything and everything that piqued her interest."

Henrietta nodded as he led her through a trellis of itching ivy. The leaves had hairs on the back that caused a violent rash wherever they touched. Keith explained the other plants as they went.

"And this area is for the crypt roses. They only bloom when you give them a dead body to feed on." The beautiful purple roses were a sight to behold. "It's lucky that we came today; Chloe buried some new bodies before she left, and they should bloom for another week or so before the flesh is fully dissolved. Easiest way to clean the bones, according to her."

"Chloe is your necromancer?" Henrietta stood transfixed, staring out at the stunning flowers.

Keith nodded. "She'll be back in two weeks. Her and Grand Duchess Calisto's daughter are close, and she's always gone for weeks whenever she travels north. Over here are the Venus water lilies; they eat anything that gets within reach."

Around the corner from the crypt roses, Feliwyn had dug out a pond and magicked a portal to the running water in the moat. The Venus water lilies kept popping up in the moat, and he was of a mind to let them. They reminded him of his napping godmother, and they rarely killed anyone.

Besides, who swam in the Dark Lord's moat? Ne'er-do-wells, that's who.

"What's this?" Henrietta asked excitedly as they turned the last corner and found the center of the garden. A hollow circle was shaped from a thick hedge, creating a private seating area where he'd had a long ornate bench permanently installed. There was a table with a single chair up in the middle of the hollow. A teapot covered in a green leaf cozy sat on the table beside one teacup and a three-tier tray of snacks.

Keith coughed and let go of Henrietta's arm. "Excuse me, Princess. Give me just a moment."

Keith opened up his character sheet and found the first spell he needed. Lifting one hand, he activated the perk.

[You have attempted to use the Perk: Cantrips (Dancing Lights). You have succeeded. You may create light x Intelligence 85. You have chosen 6 lights.]

Floating lights appeared around the gloomy hollow. Then he scrolled through his skill list to find the other two.

[You have attempted to use the Skill: Craft (Furniture). You have succeeded. You may create basic furniture you have seen. Personal aesthetics are determined based on your Dexterity 42 and Charisma 19]

Dirt and stone gathered from their surroundings to make a chair for him. It was pitch black and sleek looking. He made sure the seat was clean stone. Then he broke a branch from a nearby tree.

[You have attempted to use the Skill: Craft (Small Item). You have succeeded. You may create a small item you have seen. Personal aesthetics are determined based on your Dexterity 42 and your Charisma 19]

The wood warped into a matching teacup with the one already on the table. He escorted Henrietta to the original chair and explained, "I don't normally have company. I'll make sure there are two place settings from now on."

"Thank you." Henrietta smiled up at him, and he mentally kicked himself to stop staring longer than was polite. Keith pushed her chair in for her and without thinking, reached out and pushed an errant lock of her hair behind her ear.

He stared at his hand, realizing what he'd just done. "I apologize for touching you without—"

"I don't mind," she interrupted. Henrietta was blushing again. She always blushed just lightly over the bridge of her nose and a little on each cheek. She had very light freckles—he assumed from her warrior training outdoors. Most princesses he'd met cultivated smooth, unblemished skin. Not that he cared, because her freckles only stood out when she blushed, and that was as adorable as she was.

"I see." And he did see. At least he hoped he saw. Still, consent was important, and it was inexcusable that he had acted without. He decided to ask for what he really wanted instead of accidentally slipping up again later.

"Princess," Keith hesitated only a second before asking, "may I call you Henrietta?"