Someone to Watch Over Me

Caio Enzo Rinaldi had just stepped outside the imperial palace's main entrance. He saw his carriage round off the driveway and started walking down the ornately designed staircase, carrying a thick scroll of documents. As both the military general and archduke of Luxentfort Empire, he had the dual responsibility of designing war and security tactics as well as leading the trade and economics ministry of the empire. It was a tough job with immense pressure, and he was at the battlefield almost as often as he was in meeting rooms, but he didn't mind. On the contrary, he relished the challenge.

He had reached the foot of the stairs just as his carriage pulled to a stop in front of him. The footman bowed and opened the carriage door. He was just about to climb in when he caught sight of the front lawn, and he thought back to that night two weeks ago, when he had brought a girl to the palace. 'I left her there,' he mused, gazing at the spot where he had dropped her off.

Concubine Number 20. She was referred to by that name now, and he knew that because he had kept a loose tab on her, asking the chief steward to regularly report to him on how the girl was doing. This was fairly easy to do, given that he frequented the palace for meetings. But what puzzled him was why he felt the urge to do so. In fact, he'd been curious about himself ever since he had rescued her from some of his soldiers' ill intent and decided to escort her to the palace.

The imperial law stated that commoners from countries overtaken by Luxentfort were to serve as slaves in the empire, but there was just something about the girl that kept him from regarding her as a mere peasant even when her appearance and clothes clearly indicated otherwise. He had never encountered such expressive eyes before. Her eyes spoke volumes to him despite her inability to talk, and he couldn't bring himself to send her off as a slave for the rest of her life. At least as a concubine, she'll be able to petition the emperor for her freedom in three years. Once granted, she would have the rights of a regular citizen.

In the meantime, she was having a hard time working as a servant, although she was gradually adapting to her new role. He supposed he could leave it at that – occasionally receive information from the chief steward, and nothing would change. But he felt an odd curiosity to meet her in person again.

"I have something I need to attend to first," Caio said, handing the scroll to the footman. "Wait for me."

"I understand, Your Grace," the footman bowed.

Caio walked back to the palace and proceeded to the chief steward's office. Having been there several times, he was already well aware of the directions and didn't need the assistance of a servant to take him there.

"Please come in, my lord," Vincenzo said when he saw Caio at the door. "I suppose you're here to inquire about 20?"

"No, I want to see her," Caio replied.

The steward paused for a moment, and then nodded. The archduke's curiosity about the girl was peculiar, more so because it didn't fit his usual personality. He hardly attended the palace's frequent balls and soirees, even when the celebration was held to commemorate winning a war – which he had strategized for and fought in. Unlike the emperor who was surrounded by a multitude of women at any social gathering, not to mention having official concubines, the archduke had never been associated with a particular woman before. But that wasn't because he lacked in looks, wealth, or power. It was only because he didn't show the slightest interest in any woman – until now.

*****

I soaked the rug in the pail of water beside me, and continued polishing the windows on the south wing hallway. It was an improvement from being asked to mop the floors because I didn't have to be on my knees all the time. And since I also didn't have to worry about breaking anything expensive, it was almost a pleasant chore – almost. The other day a palace maid had accidentally broken a vase she was dusting, and she got lashing as a punishment. If a palace maid had received that kind of penalty, a scullery maid like me would probably get sent straight to the gallows for breaking a vase. I shuddered at the thought.

I was so focused that I didn't notice someone approaching me until I heard a voice. "How are you doing, 20?" I shrieked – albeit silently – and threw the rug at the stranger's face, startled to have someone suddenly standing beside me.

"What did you do to the archduke?" Monsieur Di Almarati's horrified voice called out. He hurriedly approached and extended a handkerchief to the other man. "Are you all right, my lord?"

My lord? I had only heard Monsieur Di Almarati address one man by that title, and it was the general who rescued me at the war. I turned to the stranger wiping off dirty water from his face. "It's fine, Vincenzo," he said. "I was the one who startled her."

He then bent down to retrieve the rug which had fallen to the floor and handed it back to me. "Isn't that right, 20?"

I looked at him and openly gaped. Standing in front of me was the most handsome man I had ever seen up close. He was tall, and his military uniform emphasized a well-toned body. His long, blond hair hung over his shoulder in a braid, and his golden eyes were framed by long, thick lashes.

"How long must you keep the lord waiting?" Monsieur Di Almarati's voice snapped me back to reality.

I took the rag and bowed, trying to pick up my jaw from the floor. 'I'm so sorry!' I hastily apologized.

"Don't worry about it," he said with a nod. He turned to Monsieur Di Almarati. "You may leave us."

Monsieur Di Almarati started to say something, but he changed his mind and left with a bow instead. When he was gone, the general turned his attention back to me.

"I see that you have devised a way to communicate," he said, motioning to my writing slate. "Very clever of you."

'It wasn't me,' I quickly clarified. 'It was 19 who gave me this slate.'

"19?"

'Concubine Number 19.'

"Is she also working as a servant in the palace?"

'Yes,' I replied. 'She's the best!' Which was true. Being a servant was a lot more tolerable because of 19. She was my cheerleader, sounding board, and mentor, all rolled into one bubbly, direct – very direct – package. The general smiled at my answer.

I realized then that I didn't know his reason for seeking me out, and I wrote as much. 'Why did you come to see me, General?'

"I wanted to know how you're doing," he said. "I promised you, didn't I?"

Yes, he did. But I thought it was just out of courtesy. I had only been in Luxentfort Empire for half a month, but that was more than enough time to realize that nobilities, especially members of the ruling class, and commoners were like oil and water – they never mixed. I nodded, still not sure why he would go out of his way to do that.

"And you don't have to call me General," he continued. "You're not one of my soldiers, after all."

I cocked my head to one side. 'So what do I call you?'

"Caio, you can call me Caio."

'Wow, even your name sounds pretty,' I mused.

"Even my name?"

'It suits someone as good looking as you,' I explained.

"You think I'm good looking?" Caio asked, looking confused.

'I know you are! You didn't?' Either he was fishing for compliments, or he genuinely didn't realize how striking his looks were.

Caio considered it a moment, and then shook his head. "No, I didn't," he admitted, laughing.

*****

Alessandro was reviewing some documents when he heard the girl's shriek, and he was so startled that he jumped out of his seat.

There were a few people in his office, administrators who were sorting out the files from the meeting that just ended, and they all turned to him. "Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" one of them asked.

"You didn't hear a shriek just now, did you?" he said as he took his seat again.

"A shriek, Your Majesty?" They looked at one another in confusion. "Everything was silent."

"It doesn't matter," Alessandro sighed. "Go back to work."

Now there was no shadow of a doubt in his mind – he really was the only one who could hear the girl. Her shriek just then was piercing, and for a moment he thought she may have been hurt. But then he revised his speculation. It sounded more like she was just very surprised, and he wondered what had happened.