The gardens are beautiful today— they're always beautiful, of course, his master wouldn’t have it any other way— but the fresh spring blooms of powder pink and the scent of jasmine filling the air enraptures valentine. He walks through the garden airily, using the free time master has given him wisely, taking in the soft colours and textures of the garden.
At least, until he collided with something much more solid than a flower, and falls to the ground with a yelp. For a second he sits there, pulled from his pleasant daze, until a freckled hand takes his own.
“pardon me,” a quiet voice says, and valentine lifts his head to see the stranger who bumped into him. His hair is wildly curly, a soft chestnut brown that casts bouncing shadows over his freckles face. Eyes like melted chocolate stare down at him, devoid of any emotion, which seems wrong. His eyes seem like the kind that deserve the glint of a smile.
Valentine let’s the stranger pull him to his feet, and once he’s standing, brushes off the delicate silk he’d been dressed in. “No, the fault is mine,” he says, making sure there’s no tears or stains. Master wouldn’to be pleased if he was to damage a gift, especially one made to decorate him. “I got so caught in the gardens beauty, I lost myself.”
The stranger bows his head, and moves to leave, but valentine holds out a hand. “Wait,” he says, and the stranger pauses. “You’re new, aren't you? I haven't seen your face around. What do you do?”
“I’m a servant, sir.” The stranger says. “Hired recently. I’m sorry again for disturbing you.” His eyes refuse to meet valentines, just staring down towards the cobblestone path. He pays the disrespect no mind; the servants are often skittish and shy, especially when talking to him. They fear his master, though Valentine doesn’to see what for. Punishments are never too harsh, and they always leave mostly intact.
The servant shifts in place, his features still as stone. “Do you need anything else, sir?” He asks. Valentine doesn’t fault him for being eager to leave, back to his servants tasks.
“One thing,” valentine smiles, trying to come off as friendly. He likes to get to know the servants, the cooks and maids. His master is all he needs, but sometimes he enjoys the conversations of others. “What is your name?”
“Myren, sir.” The servant says.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, myren. Maybe our paths will meet again?”
Myren nods, and something about his stone set expression wavers. Valentine smiles, softly giving myren a nod. “Thank you. You may go, myren, and enjoy the day.”
He watches myren leave, wondering why he felt so drawn to the strange man, with his callused hands and joyless eyes. There was something in him that made Valentine want to see more.
A clock strikes, gently calling out the time, and Valentine smiles. His free time is over, and master will be expecting him in his chambers, ready to serve him. Valentine can't wait to be a good pet. It’s all he could ever, ever want.
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