I sat on a rocking chair that I had also moved from the baby's room...Yuri's room. I couldn't believe I just blurted out the name I had chosen for her out like that. Originally, I was going to bring it up in conversation before I just named his kid. I bit the inside of my cheek. Oh well. Too late to take it back. I looked down at the little infant in my arms. Yuri...the name did seem perfect for her. I had seen many beautiful babies from infant to grade school. But she seemed perfect in all aspects.
"Must've got that from your momma." I whispered. I recalled the woman from the portrait. Perfect features, hair dark as night, and brown doe shaped eyes. Then I thought about the portrait in general it was a beautiful painting. Whoever did it was quite talented. Then I thought about the incident involving the portrait. That jerk! I was perfectly fine before he scared me! Now that I thought about it, I wondered if he was still here. The servants that I had passed were bringing in food earlier. Did he intend to eat breakfast with me as well? My stomach growled at the thought. There was no way he'd still be here...right? I sighed as I placed Yuri back in her crib. Slowly and as quietly as I could, I moved out of the room and down the hall.
There was food on the dining table, however, there was no horseman. Just the maid from last night stood beside the table. Without lifting her eyes or head, she pulled a chair out and gestured to it. I rolled my eyes asI walked over to the chair, but I didn't sit there. Instead I pulled the one beside it out and sat down. Then I patted the seat on the one she pulled out. There was no movement from her though. A sigh escaped my lips.
"Quit being a statue and sit down will you?" I said as I began to make my plate. She quickly tried to help but I moved my plate away. "Nuh uh. I'm a war prisoner, I will not sit here and allow you to serve me. Now, if you don't sit, I will throw all of this onto the floor and not eat a bite. Which since you're the only one left here, I'm guessing it's your job to make sure I eat right? Probably can't leave till I do eat either....meaning you'd be failing your beloved master, right?" The girl seemed to barely wince at the words. "I'll take your silence as a yes then. Now come on!" I said as I patted the seat again. Reluctantly the woman's body moved to sit on the chair. "There! Was that so hard??? Now..." I said as I nudged the empty plate in front of her towards her. The woman's eyes opened wide in shock like she couldn't believe that I'd suggest such a thing. I clicked my tongue. "Do we really need to go through this for everything?" I asked. My hand had barely touched my plate as the woman quickly began putting food on her plate. "See! You're getting it." I said with a laugh. For only an instant, I saw her flash a glare my way but it vanished as fast as it came. I smiled a bit. Too easy to read. "You love him, don't you?"
"I beg your pardon!" She proclaimed. Quickly she returned to silence when she realized that she had blurted it out. I laughed.
"Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Look, in front of your master you can be your little church mouse servant self. But, seeing as you and I are going to be spending quite a bit of time together...I suggest we become friends, what do you think?" I asked. Her brows furrowed as if to say friends with a prisoner of war? "Could start by introducing ourselves? I'm Lena." I said as I stuck my hand out for a handshake. Her eyes looked down at my hand and back to me.
"My name is Maiah, but most call me Mai." She answered as she turned back to her plate. I pulled my out stretched hand back and gave a nod.
"Mai...nice to meet you Mai." I said as I gestured to her plate. "Well eat up, Mai." There was hesitation in her movement but ultimately she gave in and began to ear, as did I. "So Mai, can you tell some things about your master and this place?" I asked. Again, there was hesitation from her and then a sigh.
"Since I seem to not have a choice in the matter, ask your questions. I will answer them if I can. What exactly would you like to know?" answered Mai. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't thought of many questions.
"Honestly, I want to know everything. Like why is he in the military if he's so well off?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Master served his mandatory time but then decided to stay in. He feels like he's making a difference. Even though he was born into wealth he doesn't act like most who are. The master is very generous with donations to those less fortunate. And most of us servants actually came from the streets. Whether homeless or just down on our luck. Master finds them and brings them home. Offering a job and a home to reside in. Some work till they're back on their feet and move on. While others will stay on and choose to live in their own place. Most of the men are former military who found it hard to get back accustomed to regular life. Master treats them a bit different. Their work schedule closely resembles living on base." answered Mai. I nodded.
"And what about you, Mai? You said you were brought on to teach the late Lady of the house english?" I asked. A sigh came from Mai.
"Yes. I was a language instructor. Even though I could teach in multiple languages, I couldn't find a job. I had been job searching for months and down to my last bit of money. My parents didn't approve of my career choice so going back home wasn't an option. That's when I met them. At a small gig that a friend had asked for my help at. Course the payment was dinner but that was enough for me. I was translating between master and a French buisness man he was dealing with. The young lady was there along with the other man's wife. I guess she had taken a liking to me. That's when I was asked by master what other languages I knew and if I could teach them. The young lady's eyes lit up when I said english...your language. And that was it. They brought me on as her English teacher. I've been here ever since." answered Mai who now seemed sad and lost in memories.
"I'm sorry, Mai. It's hard. Having to bury a friend that is." I said as I held out my napkin to her for the tears that began to flow. Maybe I was wrong. She loved him but not in that way. As a friend and savior in a way. But not just him. His late wife as well. "Mai, does he blame Yuri?" I asked which Mai furrowed her brows at the name. "The baby...he wouldn't name her and told me to...is it bad? I don't know your language so maybe I'm wrong to.."
"No, I'm sorry. I just didn't know...it's perfect...honestly." Mai said as she gave a small smile and paused a bit. "To be honest...the master and lady's relationship was kind of sad. They were betrothed at a young age. Neither loved each other. At least not in that way but more like friends. My lady did try though. She didn't want to be in a loveless marriage with her best friend. But he just couldn't look at her that way. She was his everything but not a lover."
"If that's true though, how did she end up with child? And better yet why go through with the marriage???" I asked. Mai sighed again. I seemed to be having that effect on her. But before she could answer, the sliding door opened. Mai quickly jumped to her feet and bowed. It was horseman. I rolled my eyes and turned to not to make eye contact.
"I see you finally came out of hiding." He said as he placed his hands on my shoulder. I expected my skin to crawl. But alls I felt was the warmth of his strong hands. He then moved and sat beside me at the head of the table. I still avoided eye contact. My child like anger was lingering. "So you named her... I didn't expect you to come up with one so fast." I let out a deep sigh.
"I couldn't just keep calling her the baby now could I?" I answered sarcastically. He smiled a bit at this.
"No, I suppose not. Thank you. I'm glad she has a name now. And a pretty one at that." He answered. It was quiet for a bit.
"Speaking of names...what should I call you? Master?" I asked with a scoff. He laughed.
"No. I hate being called that. I've asked the staff multiple times not to do that. But they all refuse." he answered. I glanced at Mai who had yet to stop bowing.
"Well what then? Shall I continue to think of you as horseman then??" I asked a bit annoyed that he wouldn't just tell me. A questioning look came across his face. Before he could ask I decided I would explain. "When we first met, you were on a horse. So in my own thoughts, that's been your name." A more genuine laugh came from him. "What??? I didn't know your name or your rank in the military to remember you by." I added.
"No, no by all means. Continue calling me horseman. It seems more fitting then my rank." He said as he rubbed his face.
"So you won't tell me your name? Or do I have to name you too? Cause if that's the case, you will be horseman." I said with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Good, so horseman I shall be." He said as he stood up. "Now, since I've seen that you ate, I will take my leave."
"Have another country to invade or just someone's pocket book to raid?" I asked with a condescending smile. I don't know why I was being so nasty to him. There was no real reason for me to. The only thing he had done really was take me from home. In reality, he probably saved me from a worse fate. Multiple times, to be honest. I now realized that he had stood up but had yet to move further. The look on his face had turned cold.
"You act as if it was me who decided to attack your home...." he stated. I shook my head.
"No, you just carried out the order." I blurted out. He nodded.
"Yes, I guess you're right. However, if it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be alive. Nor would them children have been aloud to leave! You also...nevermind." said the horseman as he headed away from the table back to the door. He stopped before leaving. "Mai, you may leave now that she's ate something. " he added. Mai bowed a little more as he stormed out the door and slammed it shut. I glanced at Mai as she began to clear the table but then she stopped. "You should stop antagonizing master like that. He's a good man. And from that little bit of conversation, I can tell that he saved your life. Probably more then once from the sounds of it." She added as she began to continue picking up the dishes. It wasn't long before Mai had also left the house. She wasn't wrong, but still, it doesn't mean I forgive him completely. Yuri cried out.
"Me too Yuri...me too." I said as I made my way down the hall to our room.