Chapter 7: Susanna

I haven’t seen Zefiro since that day and it’s been over a week.

Truth? I don’t particularly miss him and his rude, perfect lips. I’m fitting in just fine with the rest of the maids. I have a room here, though, it’s alongside the guards’, but it’s mine. The first real thing I’ve had in a while that is mine. I’m horrible at cooking, but the cook likes me anyway. Says I’m oddly enthusiastic and a fast learner.

Half the maids don’t like me. Could be because they think I’m sleeping with Zefiro to get special treatments. The other half are so accommodating, you’d think we’ve all been best of friends since childhood. I couldn’t be bothered with the sneers I got, since I was working hard to earn my keep. My first real job. My first real anything. The house manager, Adrianna, had told me the monthly pay would be enough to cover for my accommodation at the house and there’d be enough to keep to myself.

I don’t think I’d ever smiled that brightly in my life. If I could save enough, I could leave