A chilly wind blows through the stable, forcing a shiver from Parisa. She burrows deeper into her fur-lined coat and scarf. In front of her, the beautiful black steed whinnies and snorts, a streamline of white mist expelling from its nostrils. A small smile pulls at the corners of Parisa's mouth as she strokes the horses snout.
It had been two weeks since she'd come to the baron's estate. Most of her days were spent outside in the stable, keeping the horses company and helping the stablehand brush out their coats. The young boy had been surprised and thrown-off at her appearance the first few visits. He hadn't let her so much as touch the brush due to her standing within the estate. It took some persuasion, but once he saw how well she got on with the horses, even the more difficult ones like the black steed she now stroked, he couldn't hold up his protests.
Cordelia, her personal maid as Parisa had come to understand, put up her own fight about her staying out in the cold so long. She feared the young lady would catch cold, though Parisa doubted that. She'd spent most of her nights sleeping in a stable with little warmth. Spending a few hours out in one wouldn't harm her in the least.
- If nothing else, staying in the stables helped make me more sturdy.
Parisa snorted at the thought and looked into the eyes of the black horse. His name was Kuro, after the empire and for his dark color. It wasn't the most creative of names, but she thought it suited him just fine. From her time in the stables, she'd come to learn that Kuro was one of the more difficult steeds to manage. He was often picky with the people he let near him, though he always seemed gentle to Parisa.
"My lady," Cordelia called from the stable entrance. "It's time to come inside."
Parisa sighed and leaned her forehead against Kuro's. He remained still as a statue and she smiled.
"I'll come see you again tomorrow. Be good."
Kuro's blew out as if in response to her promise and chastising. He moved around in his stall and Parisa waved her goodbye before walking to Cordelia. The moment she was in arms reach, the maid wrapped a light purple scarf around her neck, the material soft and warm.
"Really," Cordelia said, her voice taking on a tone that Parisa started to associate with a mother scolding her child. "It's too cold for you to stay outside for long." The woman presses her mittened hands against Parisa's cheeks. Both, along with her nose, are a rosy red color, bringing out the paleness of her complexion.
"It's really not that bad. Just ask Xavier." Parisa said, tossing a look to her personal knight. The man glanced towards the two women, his usually stoic face breaking into a grin. Over the past couple weeks, the three of them had gotten closer. Cordelia often stayed with Parisa in her room when she didn't have other tasks to complete. The two would talk together about anything and everything, as long as it didn't pertain to Cordelia's past or upbringing. When Parisa had initially asked, Cordelia had frozen up before telling her a clear lie. She didn't push the matter since it obviously made her maid anxious, though it's be false to say Parisa wasn't curious. She hoped that Cordelia would come to trust her enough to share the information in the future.
When they weren't conversing and she had more time, Cordelia would even teach her how to embroider or knit, things that she never thought she'd learn. Other times, when the maid was busy, Parisa would wander the grounds with Xavier. They didn't always talk and sometimes that was really what Parisa needed. Silence.
The baron had visited her most every night. He'd come late in the evening and leaving early in the morning. None of the staff every said anything about her or her position and neither Xavier nor Cordelia broached the subject for which Parisa was grateful. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss anything to do with the baron.
"It's not bad for someone adept to such weather. Are you, my lady?" Xavier asked and Parisa crinkled her nose. She hated them calling her as such, but they only consented to using her name when they were in the safety of her room. Outside it was 'my lady' this and 'my lady' that. It sat wrong in her stomach.
"I am," Parisa spoke matter-of-factly as she straightened her back and began her walk to the estate entrance. "I've spent much of my life outdoors during winter." Xavier and Cordelia shared a look at her response. She'd never spoken on her life before coming here. It wasn't a subject that generally found itself into their conversations. Cordelia and her usually spoke of the gardens or what would be for lunch and dinner that day. Boring stuff. Normal stuff.
Parisa shrugged her shoulders and pushed forward. "It doesn't matter. Cordelia," Parisa spoke, trying to change the subject. "Why are all the servants running around today?"
Cordelia rushed forward and opened the door for Parisa. The girl nodded her head as show of thanks.
"Her ladyship is returning today." she said and Parisa tripped in her step, stumbling forward. Xavier's arm wrapped around her waist, helping to steady the woman. Her body froze up when she felt his strong chest pressed against her back. She looked up and over her shoulder, finding his face near hers. His breath caressed her flushed skin.
"Careful, my lady." he said, his usual stoic features remaining set. Up close, Parisa could see the small flecks of what seemed like gold in his brown irises. It was like a work of art. Her throat closed up and she had to look away, thankful that the chill from outside hid the warmth blossoming in her cheeks.
"Th-thank you, Xavier." she said, mentally kicking herself for being so awkward. Xavier didn't let on if he noticed, simply releasing his hold around her waist and stepping back, giving Parisa space. She turned, tucking herself further into the plush scarf even though she was beginning to sweat from the additional heat that came with being inside.
"Her ladyship?" Parisa asked, looking towards Cordelia. The maid nodded.
"Yes, she's been gone visiting family but she'll finally be returning. The young lady of the house will be with her."
Parisa hummed in response as she kept her eyes forward. She hadn't thought much about the baroness or her daughter. Mostly because they weren't in the estate to begin with. The only person in the Astri family she'd had any contact with had been the baron, though she was aware of the man's son being somewhere on the estate grounds. There hadn't been much opportunity for the two to run into each other since Parisa's time was split between the stables, her room, or the kitchen where she often took her lunch.
"What is she like?" Parisa asked, her tone hesitant. Did she really want to know?
- Does it really matter?
A small voice prodded her.
- No matter how she is with the other servants, she'll be worse to you.
The voice mocked, laughter underlying its words. Parisa had been hearing it off and on since her arrival at the estate. For the most part, she ignored it, finding no value in even acknowledging it. For all she knew, she was slowly losing her mind. And, more often than not, it only worked to worsen her mood.
- What sad life you already have will only become sadder with Her Ladyship's appearance.
Parisa pressed her lips together, forming a line so tight the skin could no longer be seen. She hated to admit it, but the voice was probably right. What woman took kindly to her husbands mistress?
"She's…not terrible." The hesitation in Cordelia's voice told Parisa all she needed to know. Parisa would steer clear as much as she could of the baroness and her daughter.
Or, that's what she'd planned so why was she now sitting in her room, hosting the very woman she'd wanted nothing to do with?
The moment Parisa had returned, a maid had entered, alerting the woman that the baroness would be paying her a visit shortly. Cordelia had prepared her as much as possible by brushing out her hair and changing her from the dark blue dress she'd worn earlier to a light pink and white. The sleeves were see through lace, designed to look like intricate flowers. It had made her feel pretty and delicate when she'd looked at herself in the mirror. Now that she was under the scrutinizing gaze of the baroness, however, she felt like a child caught playing dress-up.
"So," the baroness started, her voice far warmer than Parisa had thought it would be. "You're the new hire."
Parisa didn't dare clarify anything, though she doubted there was a need. She simply nodded and sipped at her tea, letting the lavender relax her muscles and ease her nerves.
The baroness was a beautiful woman, her hair a deep and dark purple that, when caught on the light, shimmered like silk. She wore it up in an elaborate bun, some curled strands framing the sides of her face. The woman was dressed in a black dress that reminded Parisa of mourning attire. Perhaps that was the reason for her return home.
"There's no need to cast your gaze down, child." There was a lightness to her tone that drew Parisa's gaze upwards. The baroness smiled. "I'm sure you already know, but my name is Viola Astri, wife to Edgar Astri."
Parisa nodded. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Parisa." she kept her voice steady as she spoke, never letting her eyes drop from the baronesses hazel ones.
"You're quite beautiful, Parisa." Viola mused. Parisa sputtered at the compliment while Viola took a sip of her tea. Her cheeks flamed and she looked down at her hands.
"O-oh, th-thank-"
"It's quite unfortunate that lose looks are wasted here." Parisa stilled and the baroness continued. "The winters here can be so harsh on the skin. It must be dreadful to maintain your complexion."
"N-no, your ladyship. Cordelia helps me every morning."
"Ah yes, your personal maid."
Parisa nodded and the baroness fell silent for a long moment before motioning to her maid. The woman placed down parchment and a pencil on the table beside Parisa. The girl looked between it and Viola.
"I have a letter that needs transcribed." she said, her smile suddenly not look as gentle as it had moments ago. Parisa's mouth went dry as she realized where this was going. "I thought it might be nice to have your help since I'm already here visiting."
Parisa focused on the pencil as she picked it up, turning the writing device over in her hands.
"Well, let me know when you're ready to start."
The girl opened her mouth and mumbled a reply, shame igniting her body like a torch.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"I-I don't know how to write." she repeated. The baroness fell quiet. "I'm so sorry."
"Oh, it's no trouble. Perhaps you could read this for me, then." the maid who had place the parchment and pencil in front of her now placed a letter on the table. Parisa's eyes looked over the foreign words. Nothing seemed intelligible, though she knew that would be different had her parents ever taught her the alphabet.
"I cannot read either, my lady."
The baroness hums her response.
"I see." There's the light clinking as the baroness sets her cup on the saucer. "Do you at least know how to walk?"
Parisa flinches. The baroness doesn't comment on it but instead stands from her seat. Parisa looks up only to lower her gaze almost immediately at the scalding hatred on the woman's face.
"Do not forget, Parisa, that you can do nothing nor accomplish anything on your own. From washing yourself to even reading the simplest of letters, all are done through the Astri family's generosity." She walks forward, only stopping when she is in line with Parisa. "Keep my husband entertained at night and I'm sure you will maintain those comforts. Though," laughter trickles into her voice. "We've already established beauty doesn't last. If not that, what do you offer?"
With that, she walks out of the room, leaving Parisa alone.