"Yes, ser." She slowly breathed out. "When would you like me to start, ser?"

His mouth twisted on something unpalatable, before he finally answered:

“As soon as possible.”

A chance at last to show that she could still be useful. There was a light glow on her cheeks. "I can start tomorrow, ser. I would only have to go home to pick some things and tell me father and I'd be ready."

Her father.

There were two sets of eyes he had avoided that day in court.

He found himself avoiding her gaze just the same.

“Be prompt,” he said.

With that, he was back to his business.

"Aye ser..." she said, wondering for a moment whether she was dismissed. When he turned away from her and seemed occupied, she slowly backed away and left. She couldn't believe she had found a job so easily and couldn't wait to tell her father.