---

She could not bring herself or remotely consider leaving the school that she and her husband worked diligently to build up. It was nothing to boast about, really and it wasn’t the most flashy places. The building had its own charm to it despite it still needing some further TLC. Do pardon my overstepping, madam. There was still the lingering surprise that there was praise to which she knew nothing of. But we couldn’t go a day in camp without Christoph proudly boasting his wife’s intellect. I mentioned your name to my father and now, here we are. He only wants the best for his daughter, naturally.

Her expression sobered while the hand resting on her lap gently dug into the fabrics of her dress. While her smile did not diminish, it did shrink slightly as the well of emotions threatened to tear through patched cracks of the bruised dam. “O-oh I—” Mentally she was kicking herself, that she did not put the pieces together. Of course, this man could have easily served his time in the military and perhaps he still did to this day. In some form or fashion, he would have crossed paths with her late husband. Then again, Christoph was an amicable man. He knew how to light up an entire room at the right time. “I was not aware you knew of my late husband.” Her gaze fell in her lap, unable to meet his for a moment.

“Though I must apologize, I think he was oftentimes a little bias.” she chuckled softly. She knew how much he praised her and how it made her cheeks flush Every. Single. Time. There were moments where Sonata wondered if he had done so intentionally to jest and to get a rise out of her. Distinctively, she could recall his boisterous laughter every time she scolded him in such endeavors. His efforts of apology would be sweeping her off her feet and smothering her with affection. The sheer recollection caused her to gently shake her head, her heart stung with remanence. Sonata needed to collect herself as they were not here to discuss her husband.

The ride from Odersten may be difficult for her, I’m afraid. Continuing on with the initial subject at hand. He explained the deteriorating health of his kin and the ideal in-home teaching would be more suitable. Of course, we understand that you have prior obligations, he continued; So perhaps we can arrange a weekly visit if it is not too burdensome. The young maiden nodded with understanding as she took this information in. Sonata took a moment in passing silence. “I would like to meet your sister before proceeding forward.” she came to her conclusion. “So she is not blind-sighted. Any sort of tensions makes for a difficult environment on both ends.” She tidied the papers once more in the event of cumbersome wind.

“As far as financial discussions, I would like a portion of the proceeds to go directly to the orphanage and the school.” A highlight of her previous statement that it mattered not of the income for she did not teach for the sake of profit.

---

      
In this line of work, there were faces a-plenty.  Some were lauded with hope.  They were gaudy with their optimism that withered in the wake of blood-curdling screams forging a powerful bond with gunpowder and smoke.  An unforgettable melody.  Many smiles wilted when men marched to war.  Their eyes shone with a visceral fear - raw and primordial - that the prideful mocked with a choir of laughter and goading.  Of course, those cocky devils were the first to brandish their swords and more often than not, they were the first fools hauled off the field when the victor planted their flag.  Too many faces I'd share a table with, share laughs and stories of loved ones.  Too many I had to let go when the dirt thudded over their pine boxes. 

My smile became a ghost of itself, grim and morose.  "We served together in his majesty's army."  A soft inflexion was behind my voice, a sympathy only the mourning knew.  This was a feeling that I was becoming sickeningly accustomed to. 

Then we spoke of arrangements, of the fake Arabella, and I would listen to the tutor's conditions.  They were logical, and expected, and I'd nod in agreement to her terms.  "My carriage is just outside if you've got the time tonight, madam.  We can have you back by morning."  My mixed eyes watched her dally with the papers, tidying them again as if preparing to depart.  Or perhaps it was a nervous habit.  "Otherwise, I'll give you my father's address and you can come when it is most opportune for you." 

However, when she mentioned the orphanage, the phantom of my joy returned in full across the grinning shade of my mouth.  I wasn't a good man nor could I ever atone for the lives I've been forced to take.  Their burden lay heavy on the breadth of my shoulders as I walked forward, moving towards an unknown future.  People like her who cared for the lost, who tended to those suffering the consequences of men like me were sorely needed in this world.  It was clear to see why Christoph was so prideful in his mate, so enthusiastic in each of her accomplishments as if they were his own. 

I looked at the garden behind my company.  I glanced at the peeling paint on the wall, the ivy crawling up it and the various faces peering out from behind a pane of glass.  Curious eyes by the dozen.  A plethora of youths ranging in age from very young to work-ready teens. 

"The money will be yours to do with as you please, but,"  I'd begin while rising from my seat and straightening the wrinkles from my jacket.  "Regardless of your employment with my father - or lack of it - I would like to personally offer alms to these children and perhaps vocation for those old enough to hold a broom and mop.  They'd be given a fair, liveable wage, of course." 

---

We served together in his majesty’s army. She knew her husband was the type that could brighten even the dullest room. He brought to life a dampened mood on the cloudiest of days like the peeking sun rising from a passing storm. In the moment, there was a bought of relief that warmed her chest to know that there was someone who knew of Christoph. She often envied his forthright and outgoing nature. She couldn’t help but wonder of his expression if he were to see this man – that may have been a familiar face to him with the proposition given to her.

My carriage is just outside if you’ve got the time tonight, madam. We can have you back by morning. She was adjusting the papers to ensure that they remained in place while also prompting a nervous habit. Otherwise, I’ll give you my father’s address and you can come when it is most opportune for you. Her lower lip curled inward following an internal debate. “It feels impolite to delay,” Sonata regarded sheepishly with a downcast gaze. “I am free tonight,” as the grading papers could wait another night. It was the least enthusiastic part of her job. Ear twitched catching the distant, muffled giggling charms of the youth who resided here.

Golden sunrise gaze would turn to see the spying few, unable to help herself she had expressed a silly expression. Their cheeks flushed upon being noticed and scattered like ants and their ruined mound. Assurance was met regarding the financial concerns. Regardless of your employment with my father – or lack of it – I would like to personally offer alms to these children and perhaps vocation for those old enough to hold a broom and mop. They’d be given a fair, livable wage, of course.  Sonata’s eyes widened with awe as her lips fell agape. “Truly?” Like an eager puppy, excited to venture a lengthy adventure down the sidewalk. Or a word known that prompted excitement. Sonata quickly cleared her throat to regain her prompt composure as this was a formal discussion with someone of nobility.

“I would encourage you to speak with one of the sisters who aide in running the orphanage as I merely volunteer when I am able.” So too would those who had been left parentless after so long. She could only hope that with the assistance they would be treated with as much comfort she could provide. “Shall we take our leave, then?”

---

      
"Not impolite at all,"  I reassured her.  "I've propositioned you out of the blue.  You have every right to refuse, madam."  But to say I wasn't relieved by her concurrence would be a lie.  The sooner we got this over with - the sooner the impostor was out of my hair - the better.

My attention again found itself drifting from the visage of my company to the children that hastily ducked out of sight the moment their teacher was made aware of their antics.  I couldn't restrain the slight chuckle nor the joy at seeing these youths so full of life despite their lot in life.  The streets of Odersten were littered with the oppressed, the poor.  Every corner in the heart of the great city were children bathed in grime; their faces a withered reflection.  So many resorted to theft to survive and despite my profession, I always turned a blind eye or offered a spare coin here and there to the decrepit hat of a child clutching their younger sibling tightly. 

Perhaps the love I held for my true sister roused in me a sense of compassion towards sibling pairs.  I understood what it meant to sacrifice everything for the sake of another, to put your ambitions and dreams on hold to build their sanctuary.

"Truly?" 
"Truly."  I nodded.

At her suggestion, I'd offer a slight smile and the crook of my elbow with every intention of simply escorting her to the awaiting carriage.  It would be a long trek back to Odersten, back to the estate, and I preferred to leave before sunset.  "At your pace, madam."  But I paused for a breath and regarded her.  "If my memory serves, your name is Sonata, yes?  Do you mind if I call you by name?"  I asked with a tilt of the head.

---

I’ve propositioned you out of the blue. You have every right to refuse, madam. Her gentled expression held on to the smile that had only escaped her once or twice in the mentioning of her late husband. While Aethelos was not wrong – that he had appeared out of the blue, more or less with such a proposal, she could not help but feel the sting of guilt creeping up her spine should she have chosen to deny the offer. If Christoph were present, knowing his boisterous antics, he wouldn’t have hesitated in reply. An opportunity presenting itself and if he and this noble were comrades in arms, one way or another the idea would have slipped without her acknowledgments.

Her heart yearned for his warmth ever still. The endearing way he looked at her and the comforting embrace he provided whenever needed. Either just because or if the day had not gone to her liking and something went awry. But she knew she could never have that again. She knew he would have wanted her to follow through – continue on the path she had chosen long before they met in providing the education for those of lesser or no income to provide. That there needed to be some sense of equality regardless of breed. Why should education be only granted to those of a wealthy or noble status? Dainty ears twitched at the subtle rumble of Aethelos’ chuckle. Golden gaze shifting to little head quickly ducking behind the window after potentially hearing the stern scolding of one of the nuns.

Upon his offer to provide financial aid and compensated labor to the orphanage, Sonata’s face lit up. To know that there was potentially a bright future for those capable, meant more to her than the potential employment. With care, she hooked to his arm as they made for a steady pace towards his carriage. If my memory serves, your name is Sonata, yes? Do you mind if I call you by name? “Oh, certainly.” Came her reply. While they made headway towards the carriage, she could not help but wonder of the overall reaction to the household. Did status matter to them? While they were not wholly impoverished, they did live among the commoners.