A lot of time must have passed by now, it was probably evening already. Though, being inside all the time, and having the few windows in these halls hidden behind heavy curtains, made it hard to tell. 

Mera was now sitting, where the butler had left her behind hours ago, wondering if anyone ever bothered to come look for her, during her absence. Or if they were really expecting her to stay and wait right here like a mindless puppet, like she had been assuming so far. Slowly, the cold from the stone floor beneath her started to find its way through the coat she was sitting on, then through her clothes, giving her slow, irritating goosebumps.

After a while, alone with her thoughts, while rocking the sleeping baby, she had to admit to herself, that beeing too confident in the disinterest of those new people towards her, could be her downfall. She needed to change that mindset of hers a bit, be more careful. She would also need to find trustworthy people, since survival was the hardest if you were to fight for it on your won, no matter when or where. That's what her mother had thaught her.  

Mera's gaze wandered towards her new companion, seeming so little in the big bag at her side. She wasn't alone anymore. But so far she hadn't any help either. A sigh left her lips, before she whispered 'How am I supposed to care for you too, hm?' 

Looking back up at the unmoving, dark curtains, she added in her mind: 'after all, I don't even know how to take care of myself here. And Sía, I guess. If she decides to stay on my side.' 

Time ticked by. Wether it went by fast or slowly, she couldn't tell. But ever since the baby had let out a frustrated cry, she was on edge, while rocking it in her arms now. Listening intently, Mera was ready to react to the faintest sound, but the halls were unnervingly silent.
There! Or was it her imagination again? No.
The second she was sure to hear distant talking, she packed the small bundle back into the bag, pulling one of her dresses over it, until only the little nose and those deep, dark eyes were visible through the slim crack above it. 

Pulling the rope back over her head, and putting her travel coat on to hide it, Mera got up on wobbly legs, fighting the exhaustion of the day that had started to creep into her bones, together with the cold. 

Reaching inside the bag once more, as the child started to stir again, she grabbed ahold of that tiny fist. Holding the frail hand in her own, she urged the baby to stay silent for a little while longer. Miraculously, it worked. 

Straightening up, she resumed the very same position she was in, when the butler had left her, looking down the hallway that had swallowed him before, listening to the voices that had come near enough, for her to listen in on the conversation. It sounded like someone had slaughtered two goats instead of one, due to a misunderstanding, and now a proper punishment needed to be thought of. 

The conversation was cut short, as the butler, in the company of an unknown man, turned the last corner and entered her field of vision. Seeing Mera, the butlers step faltered briefly, and something tht looked like mild shock, washed over his face. However, before the other man noticed it, he had regained his control again. Mera was almost impressed by that, and scolded herself silently, for beeing swayed to easily. 

While following the butler to the room she was ordered to stay in, she had almost asked him what happened to the person he declared should have done that instead of him three times, but always managed to hold her tongue. Getting out of his side before he could notice the baby should be the first priority right now. He was not to be trusted. Yet? 

Pressing her ear to the wooden door, listening to his steps getting further and further away, she couldn't help but hope, that it had indeed been the slightest bit of concern showing on his face, as he had opened this very door to a small, kinda dusty and dark room, with just one green stone lamp illuminating it. His only words to her this time around, "Here. That one should be good enough for a country girl like you.", had also sounded more like comfort rather than an insult. 

Gods, was she tired. 

In the bag, the baby started whining again.