slumbering rose

The days following Kael's grim mission passed in a haze. He moved through Lady Seraphina's estate like a ghost, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He had hoped for some respite, and to his surprise, it came in the form of an unexpected reprieve.

"Kael," Lady Seraphina called him into her study one morning. Her expression was stern but not unkind. "An important guest will be arriving at the estate in a few days. Your presence will not be required during this time. Take these days to rest and train. Recuperate. You've earned it."

Kael bowed slightly, masking his relief. "Thank you, Lady Seraphina. I will use the time wisely."

She dismissed him with a nod, and Kael left the study, feeling a mix of emotions. A part of him was relieved to have a break, but another part was restless, haunted by the memories of his recent mission.

Determined to clear his mind, Kael decided to take a walk through the estate's expansive gardens. The morning air was cool and crisp, the sun casting a gentle light over the meticulously kept grounds. He strolled along the winding paths, the beauty of the flowers and the tranquility of the surroundings providing a much-needed balm for his troubled thoughts.

As he wandered deeper into the garden, he noticed something unusual. Behind a cluster of rose bushes, a young maid lay asleep, her uniform slightly rumpled, her chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. Kael blinked, bewildered. It was unheard of for any of Seraphina's staff to be caught sleeping on the job, especially in such a conspicuous place.

*Who is she?* Kael wondered. *She must be new. I've never seen her before.*

Curiosity piqued, he approached quietly, not wanting to startle her. Kneeling beside her, he reached out and gently shook her shoulder. "Hey, wake up."

The young maid stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at him with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "What the hell…?"

Kael straightened, taking a step back. "You were asleep in the garden. I thought it best to wake you before Lady Seraphina or someone else found you."

The maid sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Well, shit. Thanks for that. Last thing I need is to get fired on my first week." She stretched, her movements languid and unhurried.

Kael couldn't help but smile at her bluntness. "I don't think I've seen you around before. Are you new here?"

"Yeah," she replied, standing and dusting off her uniform. "Name's Tori. Just started a few days ago. And you are?"

"Kael," he said simply. "I'm... well, I work for Lady Seraphina."

Tori raised an eyebrow, her gaze appraising. "You don't look like a typical servant. More like one of those council enforcers."

Kael stiffened slightly. "I suppose you could say that."

Tori seemed unfazed by his reaction. "Well, Kael, thanks for the wake-up call. Guess I owe you one."

"You could start by explaining why you were asleep in the garden," Kael suggested, his tone more curious than accusatory.

Tori shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I needed a break, and this seemed like a nice spot. Didn't plan on dozing off, but those roses sure are comfortable."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "You're brave, I'll give you that. Seraphina doesn't tolerate laziness."

"Yeah, well, I'm not afraid of a little discipline," Tori said with a grin. "Besides, life's too short to be scared all the time."

Kael found himself liking her straightforward attitude. "You're certainly different from the other staff. Want to take a walk? It's a nice day, and I could use some company."

Tori looked surprised but pleased. "Sure, why not? Beats working, that's for damn sure."

They strolled through the garden paths, talking about anything and everything. Kael learned that Tori had grown up in a nearby village and had taken the job at the estate to support her family. Despite her rough exterior and colorful language, she had a kind heart and a strong sense of loyalty.

"So, Kael," Tori said after a while, "what's your story? How'd you end up working for Lady Seraphina?"

Kael hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's... complicated," he said finally. "Let's just say I didn't have much of a choice."

Tori nodded, sensing his reluctance. "Fair enough. We all have our secrets."

As they walked, Kael felt a sense of ease he hadn't experienced in a long time. Tori's presence was a breath of fresh air, her straightforwardness a welcome change from the constant tension of his life. For the first time in what felt like forever, he found himself genuinely smiling.

When they finally returned to the main part of the estate, Tori glanced at him with a smirk. "Thanks for the walk, Kael. Maybe next time I'll even stay awake."

Kael chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."

As Tori headed off to resume her duties, Kael watched her go, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. He had found an unexpected friend, someone who made him feel normal in a world that had become anything but.

Feeling a bit more refreshed, Kael decided to head to the kitchen to get something to eat. He realized that in all the chaos of recent events, he had hardly taken the time to properly nourish himself. The kitchen was bustling with activity, the chef and staff preparing meals for the day.

As Kael entered, the head chef, a burly man with a kind face named Borris, looked up and nodded. "Kael! Good to see you. What can I get for you?"

"Just something to eat, Borris. I've been... preoccupied."

Borris chuckled. "Aren't we all? Take a seat, I'll fix you something good."

Kael sat down at a small table in the corner, observing the organized chaos of the kitchen. He felt a sense of calm watching the staff work, their efficiency and dedication a reminder that not everything in life was a struggle for survival.

Borris soon brought over a plate of food, a hearty meal that smelled delicious. "Here you go, lad. Eat up."

Kael thanked him and began to eat, savoring the flavors. As he ate, he thought about Tori and the unexpected friendship he had found. He realized that even in the darkest times, there could be moments of light and connection.

Finishing his meal, Kael felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would use these days to rest and train, to prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead. And maybe, just maybe, he would find more moments of light in the days to come.