Manservant

3

There was a mountain of dresses on my bed when I woke up the next morning, dresses of every fabric, dyed in colors I'd never even heard of.

"Your mother got them on loan from every shop in town," Maia explained after I'd washed up and now stood in my undergarments so I could try them all on. "She wants you to pick a favorite."

"So many? I won't be done till Christmas."

Maia laughed. She was older than I was, but I'd always felt like we were the same age. She'd been with our family ever since she'd been old enough to work – even before the war with the Larians.

Ironically, Larian servants like her had actually been safer here in Casra than back in their own country. Maia had told me before that she was glad she had no family back there, no one to worry about losing. She'd never said so, but I always felt she considered us her real family – or Father and me, really. Mother and Felicity, not so much.

"Come on," she urged. "The sooner we get started, the sooner it'll be over."

"But I have writing I wanted to do," I said, gravitating towards my desk.

"Better not," she said, pulling me away. "You know how your mother gets, Alicia."

"Damn it," I muttered. "I'm arguing with her every day now. It's like a hobby with her. I know she's doing this because of the stupid party."

"She just wants you to look your best."

"So she can parade me in front of every eligible man within a ten-mile radius like I'm a prized cow."

Maia bit back a laugh. "Come now. You might meet someone you like."

"I doubt it."

"It's more than someone like me can hope for," she said, and I blinked at her, instantly feeling bad.

"I'm sorry. I ... I must sound like I'm whining."

She did a gentle smile, reaching over and squeezing my shoulder. "It's alright. It's just – well, I just think you should see the positive in this, Alicia. It may not feel like it, but your mother just wants the best for you."

I wished I could get Mother to find Maia a husband, so she wouldn't have to work as a servant anymore. "You never talk about marriage," I realized as she started helping me into the first dress – a scarlet piece with a dizzying array of ribbons in the back. "Do you ... I mean, do any of the girls have boyfriends?"

"Some do."

"Some, including you?"

"No, not me."

"You don't have anyone you like?"

She paused, her brown eyes glinting. "Oh, well, there is someone."

"Really! Who is it?"

"Nobody. It's just a crush. Not worth talking about. I doubt he's even noticed me."

"What are you talking about? Don't sell yourself short, Maia. You're very pretty." I wasn't just saying it. I'd always envied her smooth caramel skin and pouty lips.

"Oh, stop. You're making me blush."

"Well, I'm not the one you have a crush on, am I?" I teased.

"Of course not!" she said, going even redder.

"Why?? I'm not good enough for you?? Come here and give me a kiss."

"No, no!" She was laughing so hard, she could barely finish tying the back of my dress. I laughed too, and we were both a wheezing, gasping mess by the time Mother appeared in the doorway to check on us.