A Moment of Kindness

Dimitri's voice, sharp with anger, cut through the tense atmosphere of the mansion. "And nobody, except Mrs. G, should give orders to Fiona. If you want something done, do it yourself!"

Fiona flinched, her heart pounding as Dimitri stormed past her, heading upstairs to his room. The maids exchanged nervous glances, the only sound the soft clinking of dishes as they resumed their work.

"Thanks a lot, snitch!" Paulina hissed, shooting Fiona a venomous look before storming off.

Fiona's hands trembled as she clutched the keys to the warehouse. What have I gotten myself into? she wondered, her mind reeling from Dimitri's outburst. It was the first time she had witnessed his anger, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Earlier that morning, the day had begun like any other, with the sweet melody of birds singing their love songs to the rising sun. Fiona had woken up early, her thoughts drifting to her grandparents. She missed them dearly, the familiar comfort of their small cottage, the smell of Grandmama's herbs hanging from the rafters. 

She never knew her parents and had only her grandparents. This was quite common for the children of wanderers. The wanderers were always considered outcasts as they practiced magic crafts and had no permanent dwelling place. A tear escaped her eye as she imagined them struggling to cope without her.

Determined to distract herself, Fiona had headed to the kitchen, the spacious room with its gleaming copper pots and pans a stark contrast to the simple hearth she was used to. It had been two weeks since she arrived at Dimitri's mansion, and she was still adjusting to the luxurious surroundings and the ever-present maids. Dimitri himself remained an enigma, often absent for days, his comings and goings shrouded in mystery.

Last night, she had overheard Maria whispering about Dimitri's late return. Hoping to surprise him, Fiona had decided to prepare his favorite breakfast. After several attempts to master the unfamiliar stove, she had finally managed to get the porridge boiling.

"You're up early," Mrs. G's voice startled her.

Fiona quickly turned, bowing her head in greeting. "I wanted to make something for everyone," she explained, her cheeks flushing.

"Well, at least you're not lazy like Maria," Mrs. G chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "You're really good at this," she added, patting Fiona's back before leaving the kitchen.

Before Fiona could bask in the compliment, Paulina appeared, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Or you might be doing this to please Mr. Dimitri. He's definitely not your type, you know." she sneered.

"I... I just wanted to help," Fiona stammered, her gaze falling to the floor.

"If you really wanted to help," Paulina smirked, "there are a few boxes in the warehouse. Pick them up and load them into the carriage that will be here in an hour." She tossed Fiona the keys, her eyes gleaming with malice.

With a sigh, Fiona had finished preparing breakfast and hurried to the warehouse. The heavy boxes proved to be a challenge, and she had just managed to load one into the waiting carriage when Dimitri appeared, his face contorted with rage.

"What are you doing?" he thundered, his eyes blazing.

"I... I was asked to—" Fiona began, her voice trembling.

"By who?!" Dimitri roared, throwing the newspaper he had been holding onto the ground. He stormed into the mansion, leaving Fiona frozen in fear.

Now, hours later, the memory of his anger still lingered in the air. Fiona wandered into the garden, seeking solace among the fragrant blooms. As she carefully selected a handful of fresh flowers to replace the wilting ones in the house, a voice startled her.

"You really like chores, don't you?" Dimitri said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Fiona's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face him. He stood on the garden path, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh... I... I wanted to replace the wilting flowers," she explained, her cheeks flushing.

Dimitri smiled, his gaze softening. "Come sit with me. Let's have tea," he offered, extending his hand.

Fiona hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. He led her to a nearby bench, where a beautifully set tea table awaited them. The delicate china and the fragrant tea calmed her nerves.

"You're quiet," Dimitri observed, his eyes searching hers.

"This is a new environment for me," Fiona admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm still getting used to things."

"You'll get used to it soon," Dimitri assured her, his smile widening. "There's a lot you need to see and do. I just hope you don't leave. At least not yet."

A warmth spread through Fiona's chest. "I won't," she promised, her voice gaining confidence. "Not yet."

Dimitri's smile deepened, his eyes sparkling with an emotion Fiona couldn't quite decipher. He reached for her hands, his touch sending a tingle up her arms. "You can get back to your gardening," he said, rising to his feet. "I have somewhere to be."

Fiona stood as well, watching as he turned to leave. But then he stopped, turned back, and leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Let's have dinner tomorrow evening," he whispered. "Just you and me."

Fiona's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yes," she breathed, her voice barely audible.

As Dimitri walked away, Fiona's mind raced. What did he want from her? And why was he being so kind?