Page 36 of Ties of Deception

She hesitated then gestured for another maid to finish changing the sheets before sitting down beside me. I poured her some juice, much to her alarm.

“Flavia, I would love to get to know you better. How did you come to be my maid? Were you already employed by Drusella and Hermon? I assume they employed at least some maids for my coming.”

She sipped her juice but didn’t help herself to any food. “There was fierce competition to become one of your maids, my lady. People applied from all over Yienna. It’s a great honor.”

“Do they pay you well?” I cut into a slice of mango. “And I assume you get some benefits from being Blessed as well.”

She lowered her head. “Yes, my lady.”

“And what was the main motivator for you? What was your previous job?” I relaxed my face to show I made no judgement.

Flavia looked uncomfortable, but after a lengthy silence, she responded. “I used to be a maid for a different family. For their adolescent daughter, in particular. When she got married, they no longer needed me.” She stopped, but I could tell from her expression that there was more to the story. Her eyes held a deep sadness.

“What happened next…if you don’t mind me asking. We spend so much time together, and I know nothing about your life outside the villa.”

She half-shrugged, focusing on the food on the table. “I got married myself, and my husband supported us while I looked for another position. However, there was an accident…” She took a deep breath and hunched over, coiling into herself.

I reached out and touched her arm. “I’m so sorry. Is it…something you can talk about? Don’t feel you have to if you’d rather not.”

She wiped her eyes fiercely as if angry at her tears. “He was a carpenter for the temples—he did beautiful work. He was working on beams on a ceiling and fell and broke his leg last year. It didn’t heal right, even though we saw a good physician. It’s still too twisted and painful for him to walk. He lost his job.” She paused and schooled her face to neutral professionalism. “We lost our income, and so I became more desperate for work. When rumors started that there would be a new goddess granted in Yienna, I did everything I could to get the job. It pays well, and I thought we could use more good fortune in our lives. We’ve had little of it since we married.”

My heart broke for her. “Flavia, I am so sorry you’ve had to face all of that. How is he doing now?”

Her shrug had a helpless edge. “I can afford better pain medication since working here. And being around you brings me good fortune and good health. I find money on the streets, items I lost years ago under my bed, and my clothes never seem to stain. I’ve not had a single cold or aching back since I came here. I hope that as your powers grow, Akakios may share in those Blessings.”

I straightened and put my hands flat on the table. “I could Bless him now. If he is unable to come here, maybe I could visit your house.”

Flavia’s eyes widened. “No, my lady. Please. It is forbidden. I shouldn’t have even told you about him in case it brought you sorrow.”

I moved closer to her and caught her hand before she became too distressed. “What do you mean, it’s forbidden?”

She leaned forward, keeping her voice low. “Nobody who isn’t an official petitioner should make a personal request of a goddess. It can overwhelm them. And nobody should make unofficial visits. The only proper way somebody should seek a goddess’s Blessing is through a petition when they’re available.”

I tilted my head in confusion. “Then why hasn’t he come to see me?”

She clutched her hands tightly before her, her eyes wide and moist. “We’re saving our money to get on the list, but for us with no station, the waiting list is long.” Now that I thought about it, very few of the petitioners had injuries anywhere near this severe. My thoughts flashed back to the impoverished hospital and those I had saved from near death. This system was so unfair.

“How much does it cost?”

“Six denri.”

I didn’t know how much that was. I’d never had to spend money. The thought of people being required to save up in order to see me when I couldn’t even give consistent Blessings turned my stomach.

I kept my voice low to match hers. “I want to help your family, Flavia. It is the least I can do for you. You spend long days here serving me when I’m barely doing anything. It must be worrisome to leave your husband alone all that time.”

She shook her head. “No, no, my lady. It is such an honor to be here. I know my actions here have large consequences. Through you the whole of Riverside District will prosper.”

I lowered my voice so the other maids couldn’t hear. “I want to help him, Flavia. Please. And anyone else the other maids may want me to Bless. I want to be useful, and being shut away in confinement isn’t helping anyone. I understand it would be hard to bring them to the villa. So why not gather them in one place? I can sneak out with you at night and Bless them all.”

Her eyes went wide with alarm. “I can’t let you take such a risk for me. You could be hurt or injured. If the family found out we were involved in you leaving your villa while you were under confinement, we could lose our jobs or be imprisoned for defying a direct order from the empress.”

I sat back and thought this through. “You’re right. You should have no part in this so you can’t be blamed. I will smuggle myself out. Just give me your address and gather anyone close to the maids at your house tomorrow. Don’t tell them why. If I can, I will come by.”

Flavia looked pained. “I hate that you’re risking yourself for this, my lady.”

I shook my head. “This is my decision. You will have no part in my actions so you can’t be held responsible. I’m happy to take a risk so your husband can be well.”

Her face crumpled and she nodded.

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