Chapter Text
The Black Forest, Germany, late -1700’s
“My master is kind, he will take care of you. I am sure of it.” Sofia assures you.
You stand alongside Sofia as Lord Ren enters the room. Sofia breaks away from you, and addresses her master. Just from the looks of him, he does not appear to be any better than your former master, Lord Hux.
Lord Ren is tall, dark, and foreboding in appearance. His expression is solemn at best. Appearances are deceiving.
Sofia speaks softly to Lord Ren. You catch a fleeting glimpse as Lord Ren looks in your direction.
“Thank you, Lord Ren.” Sofia politely says as she curtsies before him. She departs from the room.
You keep your head bowed, nervous as to what awaits your fate.
Lord Ren calls your name. You look up and acknowledge the handsome, dark haired man. Lord Ren walks over to where you stand. He towers over you; inside, you subtly tremble at just how intimating he appears to you.
“Is it true, what Sofia has told me?” He asks.
“Yes, my Lord.”
“May I ask what transpired, to incite your former master’s ill treatment?”
You hesitate, then reply. “Lord Hux had requested that I join him… in his bedchamber. When I politely declined, he took offense. Lord Hux does not like to hear the word ‘no.’ ” You state as you once again, lower your head; eyes downcast.
Lord Ren gently turns your face to the side with his hand, to view your profile. His eyes scan the length of your neck and the bruises that mark your delicate skin. He examines your bruised lip; all compliments of Lord Hux.
“He did this to you, for your refusal?”
“Yes, my Lord.” You reply.
Lord Ren is very displeased at your treatment.
“You may join my household, and work alongside of Sofia.” Lord Ren informs you.
“Thank you, Lord Ren, for having mercy.” You softly say to him.
****
Three days have passed, since coming to reside at Lord Ren’s estate…
You assimilate into Ren’s household, quite easily. Sofia instructed you as to what your duties were, and to what is expected of you.
You work efficiently, and Lord Ren seemed to be pleased with you.
You noticed how, every time Lord Ren was present, you caught his attention. It wasn’t in the way that Lord Hux leered at you. Lord Ren was different; the way that he looked at you almost made you feel almost cherished, in a sense.
You were startled when you saw Lord Hux, himself, arriving at Ren’s estate. You hastily sought Lord Ren, and informed him that Lord Hux was here; probably in attempt to retrieve you, and you were right.
Lord Ren instructed Sofia to keep you hidden, while he addressed Lord Hux.
“Lord Ren, it was brought to my attention that one of my former servants, has now been employed into your household.” Hux speaks in a haughty fashion.
“I am unaware of any newly acquired maidens.” Kylo feigns.
“My servant, Mila, said that she was brought here. I demand that she is returned; she is rightfully mine.”
“I will only say this once, Lord Hux. I do not know this maiden in which you speak of. If she has left your estate, I suggest that you consider taking better care to treat your workers with more respect, lest they up and disappear.” Kylo informs Hux as he closes the door on Hux’s face; end of discussion.
When Hux was out of sight, you came out of hiding. You had heard how Lord Ren denied your existence and you also noted how Ren did not refer to you as a servant, but as a maiden.
“Lord Ren, thank you for confronting Lord Hux. I feel so awful to have gotten you involved. I fear this will not be the last that you will see of him.”
“Do not concern yourself with Lord Hux. He will never lay another hand upon you.” Kylo confidently assures you. His words, you feel that you can trust.
Lord Ren had provided you with your very own bedchamber, which was a rarity. Most servants had to share quarters. Still, when there was free time, you found yourself in Sofia’s quarters, chatting.
“I think Lord Ren fancies you.” Sofia says, bluntly.
“Sofia!”
“What? Don’t you like him?”
“I… I can not think of him in any other way, than being my master.”
“Why not? Many Lords engage in affairs with their servants.”
“Why would you even tell me this?”
“Do you not see the way that he looks at you? He finds ways to just happen into a room, where you are and then he acts shy around you. I have never witnessed him that fixated with any of the other servants.”
“This is wrong to speak of Lord Ren in this manner. You do not know what he is thinking nor feeling. Besides, he has been more than kind to me, more than any master who would be generous to his servants.”
“My point exactly. Don’t worry, he is nothing like Lord Hux. He would never abuse a woman, I am sure of it.” Sofia states.
“Why is Lord Ren not already married?” Your curiosity getting the better of you.
“I’ve been here for three years, and I have never seen him with a woman. None of the servants have gossiped about such, which is highly unusual in a household.” Sofia imparts.
“Do you not find Lord Ren attractive?” Sofia asks.
“Yes... I mean… of course he is attractive, look at him.”
Sofia chuckles.
“He looks conflicted; sad.” You add.
“That’s not what I see. He smiles more, especially when he's near you.” Sofia smiles at you.
“Please, lets discuss something else.” You redirect the conversation.
**** Sofia’s words stay with you, and now, whenever you are in Lord Ren’s presence, you’re more self conscious as you steal subtle glances of Lord Ren subtly stealing glances at you. Could it be true, what Sofia claims? That Lord Ren has taken an unspoken interest, in you?
****
It was the start of winter and the first snow had fallen in the black forest. Dusk approached and as you were tidying up the sitting room, you heard a wolf howling. You peered out of the large window to find a gray wolf, standing mere feet away from the manor.
Your eyes were ablaze with enthusiasm and wonderment. It was a dangerous and foolish thing to do, but you couldn’t begrudge yourself the opportunity to see a wolf in person.
You gathered some kitchen scraps and carried them outside. The wolf moves timidly as you speak softly to her, so as not to frighten her away.
You gently coax her, keeping your voice subtle. You gently toss the food with it landing partially before her, so as to gain her trust and let her know that you bear her only the gift of nourishment.
The wolf cautiously, but steadily, approaches.
She reaches the scraps and begins to quickly eat. You watch in wonderment and you notice the wolf raises her head as if to acknowledge something.
“Do you think that is wise?” The familiar voice chimes.
You were startled and quickly turn to acknowledge Lord Ren.
“My Lord… I…”
In that fleeting moment, it had crossed your mind as to why the wolf was not frightened away by Kylo’s imposing figure approaching, whereas, she was quite timid by your presence.
“I’m sorry my Lord, I just wanted…”
“You’re not afraid of this animal?” Lord Ren interrupts, asking out of curiosity.
“I do not fear.” You reply nonchalantly, while directly facing him.
Lord Ren is secretly impressed.
“She does not seem to fear you all that readily, either.” Lord Ren tells you as he softly smiles at you.
“I would never harm her, so there is no need for her to fear me. I believe she can sense my true intentions.”
“You’re a rarity.” Lord Ren compliments you.
“How so, my Lord?”
“Wolves are hunted to near extinction, for fear that they are out there to prey on villagers and their children.”
“That is mere ignorance of the populace. These animals only kill to survive or when threatened and on the occasion - due to unfortunate circumstance of when they are sick from disease. I do not believe that they are out there to ‘get me.’ ”
It was in this moment that Lord Ren knew that he wanted you.
“Come back inside, you will catch your death of cold. I think she is sated for tonight.” Lord Ren tells you.
You started to fill the chill of the winter snow after Lord Ren’s words sank in as you realized that you had forgotten to secure your cape, before coming to view the wolf.
You turn to look back at the wolf, one more time. She was at the edge of the forest line, slowly inching her way back into the densely wooded forest.
Kylo keenly watched as you observed the wolf one final time.
Secretly, he had hoped that one day you could look upon him with such wonderment.
****
“It was amazing Sofia! You should have seen her!” You gush about your encounter with the gray wolf.
“Ah, you met Kylo’s wolf.” Sofia imparts.
“Kylo?”
“Yes, that’s Lord Ren’s name.”
“He owns that wolf?”
“She comes around here, periodically. He feeds her. He saved her from a poacher, many months ago. I told you that Lord Ren is a good master. He may look brooding, but he has a good soul.”
This information makes you feel ambivalent. On one hand, you think even higher of Lord Ren, that he saved the wolf’s life and on the other, now you wonder about your encounter… because she is used to him, she only approached you because of this and that she did not approach you, for you. This left you feeling a little dejected.
****
The next day...
Lord Ren had sought you, just moments after Sofia left your side as you sat quietly in the garden, while on your break.
Kylo calls your name.
“My Lord, what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” You curtsy.
“Please, no formalities.” He smiles.
“If you feel comfortable, I would like you to join me; there is something that I wish to show you before the snowfall turns heavy.” He says as he gives a coy smile.
You heart flutters at his words.
“Yes, I wold be delighted.” You reply.
“Please, follow me.” Kylo beckons you.
You and Lord Ren, depart from the manor house and follow a faint trail into the forest. You are unsure where he is taking you, but you feel at ease. The only thing is, you are nervous in his presence and as to why he has specifically requested your presence.
“No one else knows about this, so please, it must remain our secret.” His voice soft, but serious.
Your heart beats faster.
“Yes, of course my Lord.”
Lord Ren shakes his head. “Call me Kylo.”
You smile at him. It will take some getting use to, to address your master by his first name.
“Where are you taking me, Kylo? If I may ask?”
Kylo smiles at hearing you call him by his name. “You’ll see. We’re almost there, it won’t be much longer.
You walk until you reach a small cave. There are many small boulders at the entrance almost as a barrier, and Kylo, like a gentleman, gives you his hand and helps you safely climb over them, to reach into the cave’s entrance. It looks dark and foreboding.
Suddenly, you are startled; Kylo calls into the cave’s entrance, but it is with a howl, mimicking a wolf.
Your eyes widen as you try to suppress the big grin that stretches your mouth as you watch and hear your master sounding like a wild animal.
He turns to look at you, and smirks.
Instantly, the gray wolf that you had encountered outside of the manor house, emerges from the cave. Trailing behind her, are four wolf pups.
Your mouth falls agape as you spy the pups. You quickly fall down to your knees as the pups playfully rush you.
You move to touch one, but you recoil your hand and look to Kylo.
“Is it, okay?”
Kylo looks at the mother wolf.
“Yes.”
You carefully pick up one of the pups. The other three pups, growing jealous, try to climb onto your lap to gain your attention.
The mother wolf sits, and quietly observes; she is at ease with your presence.
“Kylo, this is amazing!” You say with giddy enthusiasm. Kylo smiles at you, and in that moment, you lock eyes and there is an unspoken connection that has just been formed between the two of you.
You interact with the wolves for several minutes, when Kylo tells you that it is time to leave. The mother wolf nudges you with her nose as you say goodbye.
When you return to the manor house, you are at a loss for words. You did not know where to begin, nor knew how to thank Kylo for this experience.
“Thank you, Kylo, for sharing this with me.” You smile fondly at him. He nods.
You wanted to chastely kiss him, but you refrained; uncertain if that was breaking propriety, considering that after all - you are still his servant and he is still your master.