Servienne (LGBT)

13-Lay Off, Raise Up

    He was working hard in his office the next few days, trying to calculate within some areas on economics and political turmoil solutions when a knock came to his door. He called them in, not looking up until they were sitting right in front of him. When Aaron did look up, meeting Noll's eyes, he found them narrowed, as cold as ice. Aaron just stared back with nothing in his eyes, just like he would any other servant.

  "De'Noll Robinay, twenty-two, no providing proof of education or family history, former scullion and current worker in the kitchens of the royal palace." Aaron looked over the sheets he had on his desk. They were sensitive documents with Noll's personal information, just like there was on all citizens. "Yet, when you were still a scullion, you showed skills in the kitchen, or at least improvements not required by your job to have made and picked up along the way." Aaron tapped his chin, and when he looked up at Noll, it was clear the man had not been listening at all. "Are you here to fire me, Aaron?" He asked suddenly. Aaron flinched. "What... What are you talking about?"

  "A quarter of the staff have disappeared, and the ones I caught beforehand told me that they had been let go. I... I don't know why--if I have done anything wrong--but--"

  Aaron was quickly to cut him off, waving his arms frantically in the air. "No, no! You are here for something completely different, that is for... Another issue. Don't worry, it's no big deal," He explained, but Noll only seemed to get more upset at that. "It's no big deal? These are people's lives you've just affected. Did you have not a thought to their well being while you were doing this?" Noll questioned. Somehow, Aaron had been expecting him to say something along those lines, scoffing. "I don't have to explain myself to you. It was for concerns I had against the staff, so I advised my father that the best course of action to deal with it quickly was this. He was against it, but I think he'll finally realize that I am right and that this is the best solution for now. Does that help?" Noll stood, slamming his hand down on Aaron's desk, but Aaron didn't move at all, having expected all of this behavior. Noll was becoming too predictable to him. "Prince Aaron, I asked you to stop speaking of the staff as objects long ago. Have you not even considered their side?"

  "Servant De'Noll, I asked you to show me some respect long ago, and still I see it not," Aaron said, rising slowly from his chair, staring straight at Noll's fiery, angered eyes. "I have considered their sides, yes, but I am also discussing the well being of my family. There is some political danger being sparked by the rebel group Liberty Syndicate, and my father and I were concerned with how they had gotten some sensitive information. It could have been the other noblesse, but the possibility remains that it could be someone in the servitude--the workforce--multiple people, or anyone at all." Aaron scanned Noll whose eyes widened in surprise at the mention of the rebel group, but Aaron merely brushed past all concerns so that Noll couldn't ask top secret questions. "I didn't bother calling you for the interrogation because I saw no point. I trust you." Noll looked even more taken aback now as Aaron seated himself again, motioning for Noll to do the same.

  "It is quite the opposite of what you thought I was calling you in here for, Noll." Aaron went back to shuffling through Noll's informational papers. "I wish to give you a raise, not lay you off. I see your hard work and perseverance every time I step within the kitchen, and despite it not being on you payroll, you struggle to learn, not just serve, and that is honorable. So, I was looking into placing you at a position where you could begin training for a butler's position, or even an Assistant Cook, a sort of Lieutenant to the Head Cook. I'm sure Gertrude would appreciate the help." His eyes flitted back up to Noll who stared at him in shock. Aaron grinned. "What? Did you honestly think I would fire you because of what has happened between us? That is ridiculous--"

  "No," Noll cut him off, "I'm worried that you're giving me this promotion because of what we did. I mean, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, but... Are you just doing this to keep me around? Or to get me closer to you? I don't want to earn my place like that, and I certainly don't want you to think that you need to do things like this for me in order to keep me around!" He exclaimed, staring at Aaron hard. While surprised at first, Aaron swallowed it, taking a deep breath. "Perhaps that influenced the decision a tad, but the truth is that I see some true potential. You seem to enjoy yourself in the kitchen, so I don't want to take that away from you, but you have been working here for many months. I wish to see you advance in career... I have faith in you, after all." He allowed a small smile which he was glad was returned quickly by Noll. "Just... Just think it over, please."

  "And if I accept and we happen to see more of each other?" Noll raised a brow, his smile widening into a devilish grin as he stood. Aaron rolled his eyes, but a small blush dusted his cheeks. "Then, I suppose we'll be getting to know each other better. Just come to me with your answer and I'll talk to Gertrude about it, alright?" Noll nodded, and headed for the door, opening it, but before he let it close behind him, Noll paused, looking back at Aaron who looked displeased to be watching him go.

    "Thank you, Aaron. This opportunity means more to me than you know," He said, smiling gently before closing the door behind him. Once left alone, Aaron felt his hot cheeks with cold fingers, sighing. Yes, he would definitely be seeing more of De'Noll Robinay from then on. His promotion offer had made that abundantly clear.

A/N: basically Aaron just fired everyone, the bastard