New Home

It takes about 10 minutes to get to the servant's quarters at a quick pace. Her house is at the far end of the property. She also took her time to walk and familiarize herself with the surroundings. She loves nature so this is leisurely for her.

She arrived and called at the door and an elderly woman only looked at her.

"Hello ma'am, I'm the new occupant at the courtyard over there," she pointed in the direction of her house, "may I know how I can get the food rations?"

The elderly woman shouted at the back, "Oi Cavill, talk to this young lady here!"

The shout was a bit loud and Meara was relieved she didn't say that she was the new concubine, otherwise, it would have been announced to everyone.

A small elderly man with a warm smile came from the back of the house. A kind-looking man despite a sturdy frame in his late teens or early twenties was behind him.

She heard the old man say goodbye to the young man.

"Make sure to bring us more rare games too next time. The cook likes rare delicacies and the pay is pretty good," the old man persuaded.

"Yes, I will remember and will try my hardest." The young man humbly responded. He is carrying a large cloth bag, meticulously folding it to a smaller size before putting it in his cloth backpack. He then picked his bow and arrow leaning against the wall near the door. He then walked away to leave.

Although there was enough space Meara had to step aside to let him pass, they both stepped on the same side and again on the other. Meara laughed heartily.

"Oh, so sorry sir." She apologized as she gave him a very unpretentious smile.

"Sorry too ma'am, please." The young man gave a warm smile and motioned his palm to indicate to Meara to step aside first so he could pass and go home after selling his game to this mansion. He then bowed to everyone and left.

"You said, you were asking for food rations? Oh, you must be the new mistress! The kitchen at the back of the mansion makes the food. You can ask them about the specifics. That young man, Theron, just now sold his game for a good price and visited me a bit since I introduced him to the cook. Expect good food in the next few days!" The old man explained and excused himself. He then turned to the old woman who turned out to be his wife.

"You could have told her that, why the need to call me? Ahhhh you’re getting more annoying each day!" He turned his back and went inside the house. His wife just rolled his eyes.

"Then, I will leave. Thank you very much." Without anyone to talk to anymore or more like "willing" to talk to her, she excused herself.

The old lady gave her a stink eye as she walked away. "Heh, just a concubine. Didn't even have a decent courtyard." She spat into the ground and began cleaning up the fallen leaves in the yard.

Meara didn't hear the old woman's words. She walked towards the mansion and easily found the back entrance to the kitchen. However, the young servant girl who she met earlier just went out with a basket in her right hand and a cloth bag in the other.

"It's you, hello," Meara greeted first.

"My Lady, I'm sorry for the delay. I got lunch already. I also have 14 plain dresses here as instructed by the General. Let's go back to your courtyard. It's too hot and you must be hungry." The girl bowed slightly with pleading eyes.

Meara has no choice but to agree and turn back towards her house. She already figured out that this cute girl was the one assigned to her.

They went slowly. Meara deliberately slowed her pace because she didn't want to rush the servant girl who was carrying food rations on the left hand and a bag full of clothes on the other.

Based on her quick perception of this girl’s personality, she will not allow her to help, especially if they are outside.

When they got back, the girl noticed that she cleaned up most of the rooms.

"Oh My Lady please don't do this next time and let me do these chores for you!" she wailed while she was about to drop to her knees.

"No, no, no, get up, get up now,” Meara said softly. Her posture was about to help her.

The servant girl quickly stood up straight with a clenched fist, trembling, and waited for Meara to talk more.

"First, I'm only 18, yes, as the new concubine, you will be my helper, but please let's not make it too formal. What's your name?", she asked.

"Calla Sprig, 15 years old, I will be at your service My Lady, as long as you'll have me," she humbly said.

"Of course! Second, you're my first friend here, so let's get along well. Your room is the smaller one adjacent to mine so put your belongings there when you have time. We need to settle down as soon as possible. There are lots of things to do around here."

Calla's eyes widened and was about to contest her decision to give her a room. She was planning to sleep in the kitchen.

“You're thinking we should have a guest room, right? Tell me, who will sleep over in our humble home?” Meara asked gently.

Calla smiled embarrassingly and nodded.

"No buts, okay? Third, we will eat together at the same table. We are the only ones here. Etiquette flies out the window if it's just us. Alright? I mean, nobody will monitor what we do here.” Meara asked demandingly.

"Yes, My Lady." Calla smiled timidly.

The two cleaned up the rest of the house for a few more hours before finally settling for dinner. They chatted about the next day's plan to clear out the weeds and beautify their small yard.

Soon they retired to their rooms.

Meara felt that things still looked better. Father abandoned her but he has always dismissed her so it's not surprising that he sold her.

But now…She is somebody's concubine now. There should be time to cultivate feelings. Besides, she will wholeheartedly serve Donne anyway so "label" shouldn't matter.

Her home is a shabby fort of wood pieces but it's the occupants that make it warm. As long as Calla and her live harmoniously, they will be fine. Being isolated from the rest of the world is not bad. She’s used to it. They will make a little paradise out of this small home and yard.

If you think about it, it's exciting. Meara smiled contentedly.

This is now her home.

The lowly concubine is home.

A/N: Calla is pronounced as "Ka-yah"