It was a stroke of luck that Farryn got the job. Iris spent the rest of the evening complaining about the triplets. "Luisa, she bites. Lucas throws things, and Luis likes to fight."

When it was finally time for dinner, Farryn helped Iris change all three of them, and then waited in the nursery as she took all three to dinner. Luli had gone down to help in the kitchens, and Farryn didn't know how she felt about it. She had the urge to go down and check on her, talk to her, but she knew that wandering about wouldn't be a good idea.

So it was because of a murder. She bit her nails, wondering how she hadn't heard of it in the newspaper. Then again, it wasn't like she read every copy, just whichever she could get her hands on. It sounded like a Drama. A servant, in love with a Lord. Killing him to get away. She wondered why she'd done it. Normally, it was the other way around. The Lord would have his lover killed after getting engaged, so the story would never get out.

She sat there, perfectly still in the nursery, until Iris returned, all three children asleep. "Her Ladyship says she will see you," she said as she put all three to bed. "Now?" "Yes." Iris pulled a brush from her dress' deep pocket. "Tidy yourself up, and then I will show you to her."

Farryn quickly brushed her hair and brushed off her dress. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her complexion was darker than it had ever been, because now she was out and about in the sun, but the bruises that were on her face were faded, and her eyes were brighter. Somehow, she felt more alive.

Serval's manor had somehow felt like a Death house. Her mother had told her about them once. "You can go there, and be comfortable until the sky takes you." she had whispered, trying to explain to her daughter why her father had disappeared. Even though Farryn was the one who brought death to Serval's house, it felt like it had always held it close, even in the days when the curtains weren't drawn and light flooded in, when Serval had smiled, when Farryn didn't have to call her Serval or Ma'am and could call her Aunty.

Farryn bit her lip to shake away the thought. She didn't care for her aunt. She got what she deserved. 9 years. 9 years Farryn had lived there. Over 3,285 days to change

Lady Trison was sitting in her drawing room. Iris knocked at the door and then let Farryn in, and Farryn tried to shake herself of all her memories as she entered. She had to appear professional, well-mannered. She had to look like she knew what she was doing.

"Who gave you access to my home?" Trison asked, looking her over. She was a small woman, stout, wrapped in a robe that looked like it was silken. But Farryn knew it wasn't. It was the same cheap fabric Serval would wear.

"My apologies, Ma'am," she said, smiling. "I saw your nanny in town, and inquired about her. I was directed here. I am just in search of a job." Lady Trison stayed silent. "Iris." "Yes Ma'am?" "What have you surmised about her?" 

The look on Iris' face was unmistakable. Pleased to be asked, pleased to have her Lady consider her advice. "She was fine with the children. She kept me less busy. I would put her to sanitation and hygiene duties."

Farryn had no idea what that meant, but she suspected it involved changing nappies, and she had no clue how to do that. But she kept quiet, keeping a polite smile on her face. Lady Trison glanced at her again. "You look much too small. How old are you?"

"Seventeen, ma'am," she said, tacking one year onto her age. "My parents died two years ago. I had no choice but to get myself a job." "And where have you worked before?" "I worked at the Orphanage in Hunin for free for a year. And then I worked for a mayor's wife, before her daughter got a governess."

Lady Trison paused, considered. Farryn ground her foot into the carpet. Suddenly, she felt bone tired. All she wanted to do was sleep; somewhere warm, somewhere quiet.

"Iris. She is your responsibility," she said. "You will discuss her pay with me... tomorrow. Now leave me be." "Of course, ma'am." "Thank you ma'am." Farryn said, curtsying, but Lady Trison had already turned her attention back to the small book in her lap. Iris led her out, and as Farryn stepped into the hall, she let go of the breath she had been holding. It seemed she would finally begin to make some progress.

—

Iris showed Farryn to the small room adjacent to her own. "I'll get you new sheets tomorrow." she said as they stood in the doorway. Farryn fought panic as she surveyed the room. The bed was low, and the room was tiny, with most of the space taken up by it and a set of drawers. The only window was high up, and the door leading into Iris' room had a rusty handle.

"Thank you." she said, trying to force herself to calm down. Iris handed her a candlestick. "Get ready to sleep, and then blow it out. Can't risk a fire." she left, shutting the door, and dread set on Farryn like a heavy blanket when she locked it.

It made sense. The heir had been murdered. They wouldn't give her the chance to go wandering about. But Farryn's brain didn't care about logic at that moment. It felt like everything in her was screaming, and she had to force herself to walk over to the bed and sit, instead of running to the door and demanding to be let out. She wasn't at Serval's anymore. Iris would unlock it in the morning.

"Iris will unlock it in the morning," she whispered out loud, lying on her back. "Iris will unlock it in the morning." over and over again she said it to herself, in time with her heartbeat until it slowed. "Iris will unlock it in the-"

Something slammed into the window from outside, and Farryn jumped, plastering herself against the wall. The tears came before she could stop them, and suddenly she was 7 again, locked in a closet, with Serval outside the door, screaming, cursing, throwing things. So drunk and grief-stricken she had forgotten that she'd locked her in. How long had she been in there? How long would she be in-

"Iris will let me out..." Farryn said, but it was little more than a whimper. She picked the candle from the floor, and held it so close that she could feel the flame. Suddenly she wished Luli was there with her. Where was she? Was she safe? Was she locked in a room like this? Was she even in the manor anymore? 

"Iris will let me out in the morning." she whispered. Her eyes rose to the window, where the moon hung bright, spindly branches brushing the window. How many hours had passed? When would it be morning?  Would it ever be morning? 

"Iris will let me out in the morning."