Sylvie and I are both fast asleep, me on the floor, her on the bed.
The floor isn't exactly comfortable, but at this point, I'm too tired to care.
A knock jolts us awake.
It's Sadie, here with my food.
She comes three times a day, knocks, and leaves without a word.
That's all Victor allows.
I scramble up from my spot on the floor, rushing to the door to try and catch her before she can walk away.
When I swing it open, she flinches in surprise.
"Young Master," she says quickly, eyes wide. "Please go back inside. You're not allowed to be out here."
"Sadie," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, "I need your help."
"No, Young Master," she replies, her tone firm but trembling. Her hands fidget behind her back, and she can't quite meet my eyes.
Shame lingers in her voice as she adds quietly, "Please… don't make this harder."
She starts to turn away, her eyes never meeting mine.
"Ryn?" a small voice calls from behind me. Sylvie.
Sadie freezes. She turns back slowly, wide‑eyed.
"Young Master," she says cautiously, "why is there a girl in your room…?"
"And that," I reply, rubbing the back of my neck, "is exactly what I need your help with."
Sadie hesitates for a moment before stepping into my room, her expression full of nerves, both for the danger she is putting me in, but also for worrying what I've gotten myself into.
"Only for you, Young Master," she says softly. "One last time."
Sadie walks into my room, glancing around before her eyes land on Sylvie, who is sitting up in the bed.
The moment their gazes meet, Sylvie stiffens.
She breathes, trying to suppress her anger. She opens her mouth to say something, but decides against it, as she can barely control herself.
Sadie's face pales. "Why is there a beastgirl in your room, Young Master?"
Sylvie cuts her off, a low growl rising in her throat.
"Slyvie…" I start
Sadie, that was the wrong thing to say.
Slyvie looks like she's about to explode, her face curling in disgust and anger. But, she doesn't say anything. She calms herself down.
Phew.
"Sadie, please be careful with what you say." I warn her, "I don't want to be put into the position where she attacks you, but I can't say she's wrong."
Sadie stands frozen, unsure whether to bow or run.
Eventually she says, "Yes, Young Master."
Then she bows to Slyvie and says "Young lady, I'm sorry. It may not be much, but please accept my humble words of apology."
Slyvie looks at her for a moment, then slightly nods.
Okay, let's restart.
I exhale slowly. "Good. Sadie, this is Sylvie. Sylvie, this is Sadie.
"Hello, Sylvie," Sadie says, bowing nervously.
Sylvie replies, her voice shaking, just barely able to keep her composure, "H-Hello Sadie,"
Good. She's doing better than I expected.
"Young Master," Sadie says, "You realize if anyone finds out about this, the Lord will kill you. And there isn't much I can do to stop him."
"I know," I reply "But Slyvie is a friend, and what kind of person would I be to abandon a friend"
Sadie gives me a proud look, before saying,
"What can I do to help, Young Master?
"We need a way for Sylvie to stay here. Somewhere where she can learn how to be around humans, little by little, and ordinary enough that it won't be reported to Victor."
Sadie glances between us, her fingers fidgeting behind her back, not sure what to suggest, considering Slyvie's reaction to her.
"I… I may have a way" she says nervously as to not anger Sylvie.
"Just say it." I tell her.
"She… she could learn to become a maid," Sadie says finally, "We could help her, teach her to live around humans,"
"I don't clean for anyone. Especially not humans." Sylvie shoots back, her glare steady and unflinching.
Sadie replies, "Young lady, I'm sorry for suggesting such a thing, but as I see it, this is the only way for you to remain inconspicuous."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sylvie asks, "I'm a beastkin so the only way I'll blend in is by sweeping floors, and cleaning dishes?"
I open my mouth to say something, but I can't find the words.
There's nothing I could say without choosing a clear side.
Sadie pauses for a second, then realization hits her.
"Young lady, I'm very sorry," she says bowing toward Sylvie, her eyes frantic. "I only wish to help Young Master Ryn, I didn't mean to offend."
Slyvie is visibly shaking, staring at Sadie with pure hatred.
She takes a moment to collect herself, before saying "Fine."
She spits out the word, like it's disgusting.
"I owe Ryn my life, so I'll have you know that's the only reason your head isn't on the ground right now." She glares at Sadie, letting her anger slip past her previously controlled body manner.
"If you say something like that again, I'm not sure If I could stop myself"
Sadie looks shook.
Dammit. I can guarantee Sadie didn't mean what she said, but you can't say those kinda things in front of Slyvie.
I move over toward Sylvie and place my hand on her back.
Leaning my head close to her ear I tell her "Calm down. If you don't want to do it we can find something else. Just breathe."
Slyvie takes a couple of deep breaths, calming herself.
"Fine." she says eventually "I'll do it. But you can guarantee I'm not going to like it."
Sadie lets out a heavy sigh of relief.
"I will learn from you. And only you. I will tolerate you, despite what you said, because Ryn has told me that you are a good person. He trusts you, and I will not risk the bond we have over a fragile human like you."
That went better than I thought it would.
"Thank you for giving me a chance," Sadies says, bowing.
I look at Sadie, and wonder if she just volunteered for her own death.
"You realize you could die, right?" I ask her quietly.
"Young Master, if I'm going to die, I'd rather it be following my own desires, rather than living longer doing the mindless work of a maid without a master."
She continues, "I was ready to quit, but you gave me a reason to keep going. A reason to stay. Caring for you everyday reminded me of why I became a maid in the first place."
"Sadie…" I start, and I can feel tears welling in my eyes. "I don't even know what to say,"
"Don't say anything, Young Master" Sadie replies with a soft smile.
She turns back to Sylvie, bowing once again.
"I must take my leave. Young lady, meet me outside this room tomorrow. We'll start then."
She looks nervous, but I can't blame her. Slyvie stares at her, giving her a slight glare.
Slyvie doesn't respond to Sadie, she just gives her a slight nod.
Sadie turns around and leaves, closing the door quietly behind her.
"I must leave now, Young Master," Sadie says. "Sylvie—meet me outside his room tomorrow morning. We'll start then."
She bows slightly, then turns and leaves, closing the door quietly behind her.
I turn to Slyvie, bracing for the worst.
She looks at me, then gives me a long groan.
"Ughhhhhhhhh. Seriously why the fuck to I have to be a maid. Like what the fuuuuck. Like sorry for this, but Sadie was lowkey a total bitch even if she didn't mean it."
"I can't deny that," I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
"But thank you for controlling yourself. For agreeing, even though you hate it."
She groans, "If I ever start humming while I'm dusting, just put me out my misery"
"I mean… you did agree to it," I say, holding back a laugh.
She pauses, giving me an annoyed expression.
"Oh, fuck off" she replies, smirking
I laugh.
"You have a very colorful vocabulary for a child" I say
"Oh yeah? You're a child too. I don't want to hear it. And I'll have you know my mother was a very colorful woman."
After she says that, reality hits her once again.
"And now she'll never swear again," she says softer, looking down.
I ruffle her hair, "It'll be alright. We can take it one day at a time."
"Thank you, Ryn." she says genuinely, blushing.
"Warm…" she murmurs
Or at least she tried to murmur. It wasn't super quiet.
I blush, taking my hand away from her head.
The room falls quiet, the sound of wind hinting the windows, and the morning sun brightening up the room. For now I appreciate the calmness. The silence is peace.