She has not caught Kent daydreaming since she confronted him, but she is under no misconception that it stopped.

No, he is just determined to hide it from her.

What she does not understand is why.

Yes, he is a va.s.sal and she is his 'master' but that doesn't mean that they can't be friends.

He is not the only one that's hurting.

They can provide each other comfort.

Sometimes an attentive ear can soothe the aches of the soul.

It's funny but when it was just her and Riel she was never lonely, but now…

She's surrounded by a houseful of people and she's never felt more alone.

Is this what Sonia felt like?

If so, it's no wonder she jumped at the chance to be friends with a n.o.body.

Arabella has wondered why a Lady of n.o.ble birth would trouble herself with an unremarkable peasant.

Now though, she wonders how Sonia went so long without seeking outside comfort.

Then again…

It's possible they never treated Sonia with such distance.

After all, most of them would have been part of the household since before she was born.

It's only natural that they'd care more for her than a usurper.

She shakes her head.

She doesn't have the luxury of these kind of thoughts.

No, as Lady Auron it falls to her to ensure that the house is above reproach.

One misstep and the crown can take it all away.

They will take it as proof that someone not of n.o.ble blood should not be allowed to ascend.

She will be back on the streets and the futures of those who work for the House will become uncertain.

She uses that thought to steel herself.

People are depending on her.

It's a novel feeling for someone who is used to depending on others for survival and security.

She refuses to let them down.

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She knows what it's like to never know what horrors the future holds.

To worry about where you'll sleep and where your next meal will come from.

She won't let that happen to them.

Not to the people Sonia cared for.

"Lady Auron."

She jumps at the sound of Kent's voice.

She didn't notice him enter.

It bugs her that he can move so silently.

If he wasn't so proper she'd think he did it just to get a reaction.

"Kent, is there something?"

He nods.

"Lord Ausset requests a meeting with you."

His voice is stiffer than usual when he says it.

He's obviously displeased.

"I see. What is the meeting about?"

"... He refused to say."

Others may have dismissed his pause, but I've spent enough time observing Kent to know that it's a sign of an internal struggle over whether to reveal everything he knows.

"Okay. Then tell me, what do you think the meeting is about."

"It's not my place to make a.s.sumptions, Lady Auron."

"Tell me, Kent."

He looks conflicted for a moment before speaking.

"Lord Ausset is from an old n.o.ble line dating back centuries. His fortune, however, has dwindled over those centuries and he can barely afford upkeep of his House. He seeks to marry into a House of ample means. He tried his luck with the previous Lady Auron as well."

He pauses again, but this time continues without prodding.

"No doubt he believes you'll be more amenable as you have very little experience in matters of Lords.h.i.+p and could benefit from having someone relieve you of its burdens. It's a very sensible thing to do."

And it really is.

A husband of an old line will quiet the complaints about her own line.

Not to mention if she chooses to hand over the responsibility for House Auron to him she will be able to live in comfort without the burdens of the House as her own.

It will relieve Kent of the strain on him too.

"I see. What is Lord Ausset like?"

Even still, if she's going to marry she refuses to let it be to some slimy old geezer.

"Lord Ausset is young."

He says it like an insult.

"He's not a child is he?"

The thought of having to be a mother to her husband definitely doesn't sit well.

"No, but he's little older than you are. He came into the t.i.tle a few years back when his father died in an accident. The man seems to have little substance though. In the time since his father's death and even before he has done nothing of note."

She took a moment to think it over before coming to a decision.

"Grant him his meeting."

"Lady Auron?"

Kent looks alarmed.

"I'm not saying I'm going to marry him, but I have to admit I am curious."

Kent looks like he's going to protest, but thinks better of it.

He bows and leaves.

Perhaps this is the solution to dispelling her worries.

A companion for her and someone to lighten the burden Kent was carrying for her.

Yes, this could work.