His hair was wet and combed, though already drying in waves, and he had changed into breeches. His shirt was properly tucked in and his waistcoat was buttoned up to his neck. He held a pair of boots and socks in his hands, which he sat down on the steps to put on.
She stood by the door, watching the way he moved. When he leaned forward, a lock of hair fell over his forehead, and she found herself strangely mesmerized by it.
He pulled the leather boots up, where they stopped just below his knees. They were streaked with dried mud.
‘Kiri will show you around while I’m gone,’ Azam said, standing.
She nibbled on her lower lip. ‘Okay.’
He walked past her, heading for the front door. Hand on the doorknob, he stopped, turning back to her. He gave her a kind smile. ‘You’ll be alright,’ he said. ‘You’re safe.’
With that he left, shutting the door behind him. Sonya let out a breath. Shewassafe, thanks to Azam. There was no need to worry.
Sonya returned to the living room, where Dania had finished eating her breakfast and was playing with a doll that was missing one of its button eyes and had what looked to be dried jam in her cut yarn hair.
Kiri was by the table, picking up the breakfast dishes.
‘I’ve got it,’ Sonya said, going over. She took the plates from Kiri’s hands. ‘That’s what I’m here for, after all.’
She wanted to be useful. Especially as she had spent her whole life being the opposite.
Kiri gave her a smile. ‘Thank you, darling,’ she said, taking a seat on the sofa by the fireplace. She poked at the logs, throwing another one in. ‘It’s good you’re here, actually. I am old, which is why the place is in such a state, and I have my hands full watching this one.’
She gestured at Dania, who was too young to be going to school.
‘I’m happy to be here,’ Sonya said, and she realized it was true. The idea was a bit funny to her, really. A princess hired to be a housekeeper.
But it was nice to have a purpose, to have something to do. Tasks that she was entrusted with. At the castle, she wasn’t allowed to do anything, and while it was a luxury not to have to work, it was stunting. She could stare at the sky and watch the sun move across the horizon, day after day, and still her life would remain unchanged. As if it had never really begun.
And now, it felt as if it finally had.
Dania set her doll down, then skipped past Sonya in the kitchen, throwing open a door that led to a garden. Dania ran out, then returned inside, heading straight for a basket of stuffed animals. She grabbed as many as she could carry and took them outside.
‘I’m going to have a tea party!’ Dania announced, words a little lisped. ‘Gramma, bring cups!’
Kiri stood. ‘Alright, little monkey.’
‘I’ll get to cleaning,’ Sonya said, placing the dishes in the sink.
‘Good luck,’ Kiri said, squeezing her shoulder as she came over. ‘I’ll keep Dania out of your way. The cleaning supplies are in the cupboard there.’ She pointed to a narrow door at the other end of the kitchen.
Kiri laid a tray with a few teacups and a tin of biscuits, then headed outside, closing the door behind her. Sonya nodded, rollingup her sleeves. It was a good thing the uniform was already dirty; she wouldn’t have to worry.
Alone in the cottage, she felt a little excited by the prospect of this undertaking. For once, she was in charge. There was no one telling her what to do; how to behave; what she was and wasn’t allowed. She could do as she pleased!
Sonya looked around, mapping out a plan in her mind of where to begin and how to proceed. She opened doors to acquaint herself with the area, finding the cupboard, another bathroom, a coat closet, and a storage closet.
She took out the cleaning supplies and got to work.
Sonya started at one end of the room, moving everything, even the furniture, sweeping and mopping and wiping and tidying as she went. She gathered all the garbage together and decluttered the closets, which helped to make space for the extra things that were lying about everywhere. She organized everything into baskets and closets, putting things in specific places.
She did the kitchen last, washing the dishes until they were sparkling, then rearranging all the kitchenware until things were set in a proper order, in a proper place.
Hours later, when she was done, the little cottage looked brand new. Everything was fresh and clean, scented by soap and lemons, shiny and polished.
Fatigue had caught up to her by then, and Sonya was quite sore as she poured herself a glass of water. She took it to the couch in front of the fire, sitting down to rest. After drinking her water, she closed her eyes, and a few minutes later, she heard the garden door open.
‘Oh my!’ Kiri exclaimed. Sonya opened her eyes and looked over to find Kiri’s jaw had dropped. ‘This is…’ She trailed off, in awe.
