Yours Truly | Tom Riddle x Fem-Reader

Chapter 2: The First Encounter

Recap:

"Not every woman belongs to you, Abraxas," I tell him, I then draw my sword back into my scabbard, Abraxas chuckles and gets up, he places his hand on my shoulder and smirks

"I was just joking cousin, take a joke," he says patting my back, but I knew he wasn't joking

Night, Monday, May 19th, 1800

Y/N's POV:
I was sitting on my bed, wearing my nightgown, reading the book Love in Excess by Eliza Haywood, which I found in the manor's library. It was about a Count trying to find and fulfill love. I flipped a page, and the door then creaked open, I looked up and saw Amelia.

"Unable to sleep Y/N?" she asks

"Unfortunately, my anxiousness has been keeping me awake," I said rubbing my temple gently

"Should I make you some lavender tea?" she asks "It tends to calm nerves and helps with a good night's sleep,"

"That would be lovely, Amelia," I said with a smile, she smiled brightly and closed my door, I continued reading my book, flipping through the many pages. A couple of minutes later, I heard glass shattering and a huge commotion

I left my bedroom and quickly walked towards the sound. The marble floor was cold. I then saw Amelia on the floor and a tall man with dark hair.

"What has happened?" I asked rushing towards Amelia and aiding her "Is everything alright, Amelia?"

"Yes, I am alright, my lady," she tells me "It's just Duke Tom has spooked me that is all,"

I then looked up at the man who was standing above us. His eyes and hair were dark, his skin was pale, and he was simply beautiful. I then got up and curtsy at him.

"Duke Tom," I addressed him "I apologize for all of the commotions,"

"It's alright as long it won't happen again, I bid you both a good night," his voice was cold and had no emotions at all, he then brushed past me, I then looked back down at Amelia who was crying and picking up the glass shards, I kneeled to help her pick up the glass shards

"My lady! You should let me do it," she tells me, I then take out a handkerchief and wipe away her tears, I then continue to pick up the shards

"There's no use in crying over broken things," I tell her, I then put the glass shards onto her hand "You should try to fix them instead,"

Tom's POV:
As I left, I noticed that Y/N's feet were covered in cuts, because she stepped on the broken shards of glass with her bare feet. I then saw Carter walking towards me.

"Summon the physician for Lady Y/N," I tell him, he nods his head and goes to retrieve the physician

Y/N's POV:
The physician tended my feet as they were covered in cuts. I felt bad because I ruined Tom's beautiful marble floors with blood. The physician told me that I shouldn't walk on the floors with my bare feet, and I ignored his advice. 

"I'll take my leave, Lady Y/N," he tells me "And please wear shoes next time,"

"Of course. Thank you for all of your help," I tell him, the physician then leaves

Morning, May 20th, 1800

Y/N's POV:
Amelia helped me get ready in the morning. I wore a sage green frock and wore a pair of pearl earrings, along with the necklace that Tom had given me. Somebody then knocked on the door.

"Come in," I say, the door then creaked open and it revealed Carter "Sir Carter?"

"My apologies my lady. His Grace would like to have breakfast with you in the gardens," he tells me, I nod my head and Carter takes me to the garden. The garden looked beautiful, it was full of flowers in different colors and plants. There was a pond with ducks and lilypads, and next to it was a large willow tree that sways towards the direction of the wind

I saw Tom sitting on a chair next to a table full of breakfast food. He was reading a book, Candide, by Voltaire. 

"That's a good book," I blurted out, he then turned to me, and I curtsied "Good morning, Duke Tom,"

"Good morning Lady Y/N," he says getting up and bowing "You've read Candide?"

"Yes, I have," I said sitting down on a chair across from him "It is demonstrable, that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for all being created for an end, all is necessarily for the best end,"

"You seem well-educated, Lady Y/N," he tells me, in an unphased tone "Is reading a hobby of yours, or is it just something your parents make you do?"

"It is a hobby of mine, my parents don't approve of me reading. They much prefer me to play the piano or draw," I chuckled "I do those things, just not very well,"

"I think your parents are right," he states

"That sounds a bit sexist..." I tell him and raise an eyebrow slightly

"Men in high society believe that the women that they should marry are below them, not to be seen as an equal, being able to know reading and writing is powerful," he continues reading his book and did not give me any eye contact "You should be happy that I accepted this marriage, or else you wouldn't be married to anyone at all,"

"I do not need to be married to be happy. The only reason I accepted this marriage proposal was for the sake of my family and my country," I angrily told him

"I too also accepted this marriage proposal for the sake of my country," he says slightly raising his voice

"I guess we can both agree on something," I tell him "That this marriage is only a business contract and nothing more,"

It was then silent. I didn't feel hungry anymore, my appetite was ruined.

"I don't feel hungry, please enjoy your breakfast," I tell him while curtsying