It does not require much effort on my part to establish the truth, I did not even have to resort to threats...
"So your name is Galina and you were a servant in the Prince's house. At the time when I ordered the resettlement of the inhabitants of Moscow, you changed into your mistress's clothes and started pretending to be her, because you thought that it would give you better treatment. The child is also yours..." (MC)
"Yes Lord, my husband..." (Galina)
"Now let's not talk about insignificant things like your husband... No need to cry... as far as I know, your husband is now on vacation in the Ottoman Empire, basking in the rays of the Southern sun... lying on the golden sand on the shores of the Great Bitter Lake." (MC)
When I presented the situation in this way, I even started to envy him. I wasn't sure if her husband had died in the city, or if he had arrived in Crimea with the rest of the prisoners... but it didn't matter.
I looked at her again... Galina didn't really know how to behave in this situation... alone, in a completely new place for her, with a child and without another family, terrified that she had been caught lying, her calm and stable life was turned upside down... that's why I decided to help her. As the wise proverb says.
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."... so I have to give her a rod.
Though I've always preferred a different version of this saying... "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life."
She was pretty enough that I decided to keep her for myself, Sveta was not getting any younger either, and since Teofila tragic death, my bedroom was boring. I even thought to keep the two women who accompanied me near Moscow, but they were good for a short time, not for years.
I pointed to the couch and told her to sit down and handed her the tray of food that Kowalski had brought.
"Help yourself or if you prefer, feed your daughter... and in the meantime I'll think about what to do with you." (MC)
It was a small test on my part, thanks to which I was able to find out whether the baby is solid food or breastfed... I was hoping it was the latter... Bingo! Breastfed... Galina gained extra in my eyes.
About half an hour later, when the baby and mother had already satisfied their hunger.
"I know what to do with you. Although you impersonated someone else, which is a crime, I understand that you did it to protect yourself and your daughter and I've always supported single mothers... You'll stay at the castle and get a job as my personal maid. You and your daughter will have a roof over your head and food, you will also get a salary. I will give orders to the servants to prepare a room and bath for you... and come to my bedroom in the evening, the less clothes you wear, the better." (MC)
From the initial joy and happiness, Galina's face turned into surprise and disbelief, which after a while was replaced by shock.
"Lord... I..." (Galina)
"I know, you don't have to say anything, nor thank me..." (MC)
"Lord !!! I am to sleep with you !? I have a husband... it's immoral, it's a sin." (Galina)
Again about sin and morality, as soon as I heard this I wanted to sleep... I understand she believed in these 10 commandments and the teachings of the church... but it was so boring. I decided to scare her a little, she has to understand that refusal is not an option, but also the decision must be hers.
"You get a roof for your head, food and money. You and your daughter will be safe. I do it with the goodness of my heart, I do not gain anything from it... You... You should be ashamed that you bite the hand that wants to help you!!! If you don't want my help... please feel free to leave. Of course, in this situation, you will be arrested for impersonating someone else. The sentence is only a few years in prison, and we will find your daughter's family... I hope it will be a good family, but beggars can't be choosers. It's your decision, I said what I had to say." (MC)
She started to cry, fell to her knees and begged me for grace... Galina said some more things, but I didn't even listen to her. It was only when she said "I agree" in a weeping voice that I turned my attention to her again
"It was the best decision you could make, you will be happy with it... oh, stop crying, it damages your beauty." (MC)
I called Sveta and told her to prepare a room and a bath for my new toy. My old lover was surprised by this news, but she did not protest, we had been together for over 10 years, she knew that if I decide to do something, I will not change my mind and she also had experience with Teofila, so such bed games were not new to her.
"Sveta, when you are alone with her, explain to her what and how, give her some wine or mead for relaxation... (MC)
Sveta nodded and took Galina to her room, there must be cradles and cribs somewhere in the castle, so she could use them.
"...or lovage, there should be some in the kitchen... it's a good aphrodisiac." (MC)
Clams are also an aphrodisiac, unfortunately they do not exist in Podolia and they supposedly only work on men... but this is not surprising.
If you take a woman to dinner and order clams and she eats them... it means she'll swallow anything.