It had become a mundane task, a routine that made life seem perfectly normal. Almost always awoke by noon, for she only found rest as the sun started to creep up above the horizon. A warm shallow bath in the very nice iron tub, the matter of gathering and warming the water the only disadvantage of such a luxury, though on lazy days a warm basin of water sufficed, especially when the water was scented with a drop of rose oil. Next would follow a simple lunch of bread, cold meat, perhaps cheese, and although her appetite had been lacking of late, she knew she should remain strong. Then a favourite task, a walk with her hound Renny. All legs and boundless energy, the hound was now well past her waist height yet still had the mind of a puppy, eager to play and please, very much like a man. On her return to the home, she would tend to whatever household tasks before venturing into town. All perfectly normal.
Business thrived. She had never dreamt of performing the role she did now, and as the days passed, the trees turned to burnt orange, she rid herself of the ruse, of the disguise she had in play. She was simply Sunny. A woman who had adopted the role of mistress and found herself consumed by the duties it entailed. They made for the perfect distraction, most of the time. The ledgers, the clothes mending, the collecting of debts, the breaking of fingers, the latter not by her own hand of course. Though little did she know that a man she employed to serve as a guard to those who work beneath her, would be so…difficult.
Her heart was too soft, even though her ways in the past could be considered unkind. He needed food, shelter, coin and she needed him, rather a guard for the girls due to a recent unpleasant matter. He was paid well, a roof over his head and before long, new clothing on his back. A worker at the docks somewhere in Gondor he said, a man with an unpleasant history, but then she could not judge a man or woman for their past deeds without looking upon her own. Something was strange about this fellow.
Perhaps he confused her compassion for something more for he desired her now, and he took what he wished… a kiss. A sudden, swift kiss before departing quickly from her, only to receive a stern warning from her lips the following meet. Never again. Though, the revelation that she had a love, one whom she loved in turn, held no sway over his heart. He did not meet her lips again, honoring her request.
This was not the distraction she wished, not by him, nor by the brash mercenary that had hair as if spun of gold. At least he was a simple matter, he knew she had a lover, he openly desired her, even followed her, wished her no matter if she kept her lover or not. He was not in her employment though, he did not seem to have something to hide.
