When his brother had passed away, he had felt this way as well he had buried himself with work and trying to make himself successful to save his family from the poor life that they were in. He instinctively walked across the room and held her in his arms, a hug gentle yet powerful as he felt her tears in his clothing, they stood like that for a while before Mark parted.

Seeing her like that Mark decided it was the best time to part so she could regain her strength, he bowed courteously before dismissing himself, there was a long gazing look in her eyes but Mark did not see it. The rest of the day he was in his room, she had not called for him once since then so he spent it thinking on what to do next for this situation.

The next day he arrived at her room with a fire in his eyes, he announced himself as he knocked and entered the room. Mathinda looked at him for a while thinking and he was sure of what he had come up with yesterday. He didn't hesitate as he strutted across the room, the last time he was here, he hadn't noticed it before because he was captivated the windows of the room were closed, he opened them up to let the light in. He then did all the tasks that the maids would have to do for her room he started by clearing things up that seemed like clutter as he was about to place back the undergarments laying on the ground.

"What are you doing? I can deal with that myself," she said embarrassed.

"I am your servant my lady and from now on I proclaim my loyalty to you first," as he knelt. "I will strive to do all the duties that have been neglected from you, I will be your knight when you need protection and I will fill all the roles you need me to be for your cause." "Please accept my vow of fidelity, Lady Mathinda," as he lowered his head.

"What am I to do with you," she said as she smiled at him and placed her hand on his shoulder "I accept, your vow from now on you are my knight."

That was seven years ago, many things had changed since that time, Mark became the head butler although he had many who didn't like him for his social rank and had taken on all the duties of the house but still considered his duty to Mathinda first.

Mathinda had pulled his family out of poverty by engaging her father and a pension for him to be raised out of poverty and in a sense he was now a minor noble, his parents were extremely happy with the news although he wished he could've worked for it even with his salary he knew it would have been impossible and in many ways he thanked her.

He had also learned the reason for why the maids had treated Mathinda so badly before, it was the influence of her step-mother but it didn't stop there, she was constantly at Mathinda although he still didn't quite understand since Mathinda was one of the many children her father had so he couldn't truly grasp the importance of her to that woman.

Regardless Mathinda had grown to be an extremely smart woman, and they both had gotten very close to close for what they were supposed to be. He knew all of her strengths, her weaknesses and he especially knew all of her expressions, those faces of hers came to mind as he thought about them. She was always herself around him and he no longer used honorifics when they were alone.

Mark missed her when she left but he couldn't say it, and it hurt him to wait for her to return, she wrote him when she was away for long times and he would always smile when he read it. He wanted to tell her many times how he felt but, he knew it could never be, he was a mere servant and she had a huge name and a huge responsibility. She probably wouldn't even be able to choose her own husband as that would be picked for her. Today was one such a day as he wondered to himself as he read the letter 'does she feel this way too?'

A knock on the door, brought him back to his senses as a maid bowed with an impolite look on her face and entered.

"Lady Jacqueline Cassis has arrived for dinner," she said not holding back her disdain.

Mark raised his hand, and she left taking a bottle of red wine. He looked back at the final part of the letter.

Burn this after you read it

This will be the last night of my dear step-mother, she feared my mother and now she fears me it's a pity, I knew her plan already,

She comes to kill me poison me on my return and have you take the blame as I have gained the most influence within the house of Cassis, something I hardly care about but this for her, she cannot allow, however despite that I am also the weakest without you by my side I would probably be dead long ago.

I must inform you some time now, I became member to a religion, introduced to me at one of the meetings that I went to, at first I just did it because I thought it would be fun but now, I realize how small a thought that was and how big a path I can create. Tonight will be a new era one where I can finally be free, you and I together.

Listen for when the glass falls but don't look back come outside and be with me.

Red wine is such a lovely thing.

Mathinda Cassis