Castle Mroczna - Maiden's Reward
Eva Brunhilde was always meticulous in her work. Even if it was as simple as dusting the frames of the family portrait in the atrium. And though she was not present among the four figures painted upon the canvas, she counted them as family, in her own way. And they returned the sentiment... in their own way.
The woman was dressed in a simple black and maroon uniform with white trim, the long sleeves tucked backwards around her wrists, her leggings covered by a narrow skirt that went to her ankles, whilst silver buttons pricked with red in the centre kept her dress tight and neat around her body. Simple, black dress shoes tapped the floor with each light step as she moved around the portrait to ensure she got every corner and every contour of decorate embellishment.
It was simple garb, bearing the sign of House Mroczna on the collar, but one she wore with pride, and had done for the last ten years. Other than that, the only real accessories she wore were simple brass items of jewellery.
She stepped back to appraise her work, satisfied the portrait remained pristine. She felt like the figures were staring back, even if the daughters were veiled. She certainly felt the commanding gaze of her Lady, and it instilled an anxiety in her... but it was not fear. She did not fear her Lady's wrath. Her Lady had always praised her obedience and ethic.
But that did not mean her Lady didn't project an aura of authority and dominance. Only a fool would not feel it.
Of course, there were... other feelings, Eva felt.
She nodded, and made her way downstairs, strolling over to the sitting room area. Another of the servants was there, replacing the fruit with a new platter. He was as dutiful as she was, but he seemed a little pale and unsteady on his feet.
A quick glance at his neck showed why; one of the daughters must have been hungry.
"Richard, you should rest," Eva suggested, but he only shook his head.
"No, I need to get this done first. If I go rest, Kalina will meet me in my bed. I look forward to it, but then I'll never get my duties done," he explained.
Eva did not assert her authority, as she was more senior than most of the servants. Richard needed rest, but Kalina was... quite ravenous. Few were energetic enough to do much after any of the Family had their fun, but Kalina was not unknown to require her 'prey' to stay in bed after she was done with them for more than a night's rest.
"I see. Just make sure you rest up tomorrow, or I
will
see to it that you are chastised. Don't overwork yourself."
"Don't fret, I know better than to cross you," he joked, before setting down the fresh platter of fruit, and whisking away the old, disappearing into the kitchen, likely taking the old fruit to the compost pile. Nothing would go to waste and they would help bring in new crops.
Eva sighed, and turned her attention to the bookcases; it was with a pang of guilt that she regretted the layer of dust the books had. They weren't filthy, but they were rarely ever read, and the dust seemed difficult to remove. The Lady had assured the Servants they need not go the extra mile, just ensure they were not water damaged or mouldy or ridden with vermin.
Still, Eva felt like she was failing in her duties when she looked at them.
She turned her attention away towards a small dresser nestled against the wall behind the luxurious red lounge that Eva felt tempted to lay on.
Upon the dresser was a wooden globe of the known world, set within a metal frame. It was dustier than most everything else, and this Eva wouldn't stand for, taking her brush to it and sweeping it down with the same meticulous care she always did.
She got between the globe and its frame, spun it around on its axle to get at every nook and cranny, running her hands down the wooden surface to get a bit of a gleam. She couldn't make heads or tails of most of the locations marked upon the globe, and saw entire swaths of the sphere marked with frightful imagery to show the dangers of uncharted realms.
Eventually, the globe seemed to shine in the candle light of the chandelier above, and she took a step back to admire her work.
"That is what I always appreciate about you~" praised a low voice, making Eva freeze, followed by a gloved hand resting upon her shoulder.
She looked up, and sure enough, there she was; the towering figure in white of the Lady of the House.
Lady Mroczna.
"Just doing as you command me, my Lady," Eva answered.
"That you do... and I have never had a moment of regret with you in my employ~" Lady Mrozcna answered.
The gloved hand curled forward a little, gripping Eva's shoulder tighter, though it was still gentle in its hold.
"Thank you, my lady. You always say such kind things to me."
"Because you are always deserving of it~ You are one of my Senior Maidens for a reason~"
Lady Mroczna was swirling blood-red wine around in a glass, taking a sip here and there, before she looked down upon Eva.
"Even after ten years, you still doubt yourself," she said, though there was a slight smirk upon her lips.
Eva blushed a little and levelled her gaze.
"I would not wish to take my good fortune for granted, no?" she remarked. "I serve the Family, and it is a privilege to do so."
Lady Mroczna laughed softly.
"I feel I have heard that from you before~ But you are right. You do not take for granted your position. You know your place, and you serve it so well."
The matron turned her gaze to the globe, and murmured appreciatively.
"A valuable item, that globe. It was acquired from a merchant who passed through the village. He had heard rumours that this house perhaps was not so abandoned. Aniela... 'negotiated' with him for it. She was quite successful... and dare I say, we have gained a new contact."
