The view through the window was wonderful. Mountains, with steep and snowy peaks, surrounded a lake with clear blue waters, blinking with the sun’s rays. Meadows full of spring flowers covered the valley entirely. Blue, red, yellow, whatever color Claudia wished to see was there. Even so, green, her favorite color, reigned over the landscape. And what a green! The prettiest she had ever seen.

“How old are you?” Alexander asked.

The question was lost among the bird’s songs. Claudia wasn’t sitting in the Professor’s house anymore. She was running and dancing in the meadows, gathering wild flowers and fruits. Smelling the grass and wood after a rain. That was the life awaiting if she got the job. the thought spooked her.

Claudia suddenly returned, as the Professor repeated the question. “I’m sixteen, sir.”

“You are really pretty,” the professor said with one of those grins the factory men used to make while harassing her back in the city. Although still unpleasant, the compliment from him didn’t bother her, as the professor seemed like a nice and good-natured person.

“Stop intimidating the girl!” The professor’s wife, Anna, who didn’t share the same opinion about her husband’s comments, hit him with a wooden spoon. “Girl, do not listen to this old man. He is messing with you.”

Alexander bursted in a laugh, and Anna hit him again. “He is no creep or pervert. He is more interested in numbers than women. I can tell you that.”

“Dah!” The doctor ended his laugh abruptly. “Fine, fine. Tell me Claudia. Do you believe in the All-Mother or the Maiden and the old gods?”

“The All-Mother, sir.”

Anna stopped stirring the stew and turned menacingly. “Alexander Mickhai Stoyev. You stop asking the girl questions that are none of your business. Ask her about the job position or you won’t have dinner tonight!”

“Fine, fine, don’t be angry gorodoi.” interrupted Alexander unsettled. “To me, that’s an important question! Our beliefs build our personalities, as does our knowledge or our feelings. Am I right?”

The girl, who didn’t really understand, just nodded.

“Nevermind,” continued the Professor, clearing his throat. “In your letter, you talked about a sibling, a brother. Is he in Bratsberg?”

“No sir. He joined the army two years ago. We mail from time to time. The more time passes, the less, to be honest.”

“Sad, sad indeed, so… you’d be able to move to our lovely town with no coming and going to the city?”

“Yes.”

“See, it is really important to me you are available anytime my wife needs your help. You will have days off, of course. We will find time whenever it’s possible.”

“I understand,” said the girl. “In your letter you said there was an in-house option available.”

“Oh, yes yes. But then I will have to charge you the room. Half Noble a week for bed and meals.”

The professor’s offer was not the same as the one he had proposed by letter. Now, conveniently, when she had taken a day’s trip from the big city, he informed her that the salary would be reduced. Claudia felt a bit betrayed, but she didn’t have many options. In reality, she was desperate. Her mother’s demise a month ago left her alone. A week later, the tenant kicked her out, and she sold everything to survive a bit longer.

She was about to be kicked out of the inn as well when she got the job at the factory. It was a horrible, low-paying job, but in Bratsberg a girl like her had only that option or the brothels.

When she received the professor’s reply, she couldn’t believe it. Oxbridge was a little town in the middle of the countryside. Surrounded by nature and with a decent salary, that was the best she could dream of.

“Are you still with us, Claudia?” asked the professor.

Claudia nodded, ashamed of daydreaming in a moment like that.

“All right. Do you have questions about the list of duties I sent you?”

“No sir, it was all perfectly clear.”

“Great then. If you agree on the duties and wages, you can start at the beginning of next month.”

“I was hoping to move and start straight away. If it is fine with you.”

“Just now? But how about your house in the city? Don’t you have to -”

Anna put her hand over Alexander’s shoulder and sat next to them slowly. “Dear… I’m sure she can settle her things in the city later on. Am I right?

“She is perfect. And if she wants to start now, I’m fine with it. She can help me with sewing and she even reads! How many maids can do that? A smart maid for a smart Professor.”

Alexander scratched his hair, white as snow. “I cannot pay you this month’s week. But you can stay and eat for free. If that’s fine, then welcome home.”

Claudia nodded, unable to contain her joy.

“Come, help me with the stew,” Anna said, leaning on the table to get up.

“Yes Ma’am” answered Claudia.

Anna chuckled like a child. Her puffy cheeks blushed. “Oh dear, oh dear. She called me Ma’am, you hear that gorodoi?”

The bell rang, and the professor jumped in his chair. His face showed a look of concern.. “It must be the Rector of U.W. again.”

The professor left the dining room for a moment, to return accompanied by two men who made him seem small and fragile. Alexander, with a nervous and accommodating demeanor, collected their coats and hats. Of the two visitors, one was dressed in an elegant black suit. The other, as old as the professor, was dressed in a military uniform with many ribbons and medals.

“Have a seat, gentlemen. Have a seat. My wife Anna and my maid Claudia. My wife has made some tea.”

“I will have a cup. Thank you.” said the younger of them. “Professor, this gentleman that made the honor to come with me today is Sir Maxwell Cox. Admiral of our Majesty’s Navy and a good benefactor of our university.”

Both men, the professor and the Admiral greeted each other with a subtle nod of their heads.

The young man paused, glaring at Claudia as she served them. “Excellent tea Mrs Stoyev. Thank you. As I was saying, Admiral Cox came here today as he’d like you to reconsider our offer.”

“Sir Cox,” Said Alexander. “It is an honor for us that you took this long trip from Wexford to visit our humble home. But like I said to Profesor Igman last time, Is not the money or the resources why we choose Oxbridge. It’s the fresh air. And you don’t have fresh air in your city.”

“Gentlemen,” The Admiral said, with a hoarse voice. “There is a war coming. Herjard is preparing to strike us as hard as ever and there won’t be a safe place in our country but Wexford. Our strategists are sure the capital will be our stronghold during the first onslaught.”

“There’s always a war,” Alexander said with disdain. “I served when Herjard invaded the Earlsdom. My wife and I were in Dal when your warships bombarded Kiazan. And we were both here when the south fought the north and the east fought the west... We will manage”.

“Professor Stoyev. This time is different. The last war left Herjard humiliated. They have been preparing for the last ten years. They have a great fleet-’

“Professor Miller,” interrupted Alexander “I understand your concerns and I deeply appreciate your interest in my research. What I don’t understand is why a respectable Admiral of the royal navy came to my house from that far away, just to tell us we are going to be at war again.” The more Alexander talked about the subject, the more his voice sounded louder and harsher.

“Your work in, what do you call it? Analysis engines?” replied Sir Cox. “Well, that’s remarkable. This is an era of innovation and it’s clear that our enemies know that. We have reports from our agents that they are heavily investing in new technologies. We need the best minds to fight back! Coming here was the least I can do to show you how important it is to join our cause. In exchange, you will have unlimited university resources, and we will increase the offer three times.“

“Apart from that,” Included professor Miller. “I have found a delightful house in the suburbs. It’s a pleasant area, safe and with clean air. Just as here. And I can assure you our university has the best doctors in the world. Your wife-”

Alexander hit his leg with the fist. His face turned red. “Do not mention my wife in this conversation, Miller!”

Anna put out the fires and took off her apron quickly. “I am sorry to interrupt gentlemen,” she said as politely as possible.. “If you excuse us, we have to continue with our house duties. It was a pleasure to meet you both.”

The doctor and the Admiral dismissed them with a polite bow. Although the uncomfortable gaze of Miller accompanied Claudia all the way to the corridor.

Anna closed the door of the sewing room carefully. “In my husband’s letters,” she said, almost whispering. “Did he write about my disease? I know he did. The details I mean.”

“Yes he did, Ma’am.”

Anna giggled. “Oh dear, oh dear, you called me Ma’am again. Have a seat. Have a seat.”

The woman took Claudia’s hand and their eyes met.” It’s going to be bad. You know? One day I won’t be able to move or talk. Maybe I won’t be able to do other things. Like go to the restroom.”

“I know. Do not worry Ma’am… Mrs Stoyev.”

“Oh dear. Just Anna please. Right, listen: When the moment comes, we will handle it together. You and me. ”

Claudia remained silent, unable to find any comforting words for that woman.

“Alexander won’t accept it,” Continued Anna. “He will deny it and act like everything is fine. I know the man: He is my husband. We will do our best to make it look like nothing happens. If not, it will break his heart.”

A tear fell down Anna’s face, and she started sobbing.

“We will Mrs. I will.” Claudia Said, holding her hand tight. ”I will do my best to help you.”

“Thank you. With a smile on our faces. Do you promise?”

“Yes, I promise. With a smile.”

Anna, although she tried to smile, could not hide her sadness. She took a napkin and rubbed her eyes. “I am so silly!”

At that moment, Claudia didn’t see Anna as silly or weak. She saw a scared but also brave woman. Brave to face a terribly cruel future with a smile on her face.

Claudia heard steps outside the room and the sound of the front door. “They have finished,” whispered Anna.

Through the door, Alexander’s voice sounded defeated, tired.. “Gorodoi? Our guest just left. You can come out when you please.”

They did minutes later. The room was empty and dark. Claudia hadn’t realized how late it was. Anna lighted the lamps and continued with the dinner. “Dear, the food is almost ready. Help with the dishes.

“We are eating stew tonight. Potatoes and beef. Do you like potatoes and beef?”

“Yes, I love it, Mrs.”

“You like to read, right? When you’re done with the table, you can look at our library. If you find anything that interests you, do not hesitate to take it. Bring it to your room if you please. We like to encourage our students to read as much as they can, you know?“

Claudia inspected the shelves, filled with books of all shapes and sizes. History, science, arts. All of them, topics she had little clue about.

Anna could see the girl’s indecision. “What type of books do you like, sweety?”

Claudia never read a book to learn anything. The few things she was skilled at, like sewing or cooking, she learned from her mum. And she was more than fine with it actually. Fancy knowledge books were for fancy university students. “I like the ones with stories. Stories that make you dream. In the city we have the Penny-strings. They are short stories, mostly for kids. But there are some about love and adventures as well.”

“Well, I have no Penny booklets here, although I still have some novels from when I was young and dreamy, like you. Look down left and take one.” ”

Between encyclopedias and academic books, Claudia found the ones Anna used to read, dozens of little books with fanciful and interesting names. “I don’t know Mrs. I don’t know which one to choose.”

“Have you read any of the stories of ‘The Tiger of Ujan’?”

“No, never.”

‘Look for a book called ‘The Princess of Jaya’. I love that one. Blue cover with yellow lettering.”

“I found it!”

“You found what?” Interrupted Alexander, leaning on the slide door with a bottle in one hand and a full glass on the other. Whatever he was drinking, Claudia could sense the stale smell from a distance.

“I told her to grab one of my books. She likes to read-” .

“I hope it’s a useful one: chemistry or physics,” cut the professor, dropping his weight over a chair. He pushed a plate away with a brusque movement. “I don’t need a dish.”

“If you are planning to drink tonight, you better eat something as well.” Complained Anna.

“I’m not hungry.”

“I’ve been cooking this stew all day for you. You either eat with us or when you are drunk on the floor, I will take the funnel and feed you like a sick dog!”

He downed another glass of liquor at once and raised his hands. “All right, all right, do not get angry, goi.”

Anna didn’t let her serve the stew. In order to feel that she was doing something useful during the first dinner service, Claudia watched carefully as Anna put everything on the table, taking mental notes to do exactly the same in the future.

Anna sat and raised her hands. “Oh, Sweet Mother. You, that fight Caos alone. Protect us from Evil. Today and the days that will come. We thank you for this food and we thank you for this day.”

Claudia was a believer, but she no longer used to bless the food. Not since his mother had passed away. The new maid closed her eyes, feeling ashamed and disappointed in herself.

The dinner was uncomfortably quiet until Alexander, who had already drunk half the bottle, spoke. “Next time I should hide with Claudia and you talk to the Admiral. If you are as scary as before, I’m sure he would have left earlier.”

Anna laughed, and her husband followed with a timid smirk.

“I don’t understand why they are so interested in your research on analytical engines. What use could they find on that?” Anna asked, visibly concerned.

“They are more interested in my old studies of engineering. I’m sure of that. I think he was just playing smart. If they ask me to go south to work on my old research, they know I’d definitely say no.”

‘I still don’t understand why they are so insistent on moving us there. They can pay you to work on your old toys here.”

“What worries them the most is that my projects fall into other hands. We are Kiazan and in theory we are now citizens of Herjard. Is all about loyalties. In the Capital they can have an eye on me. Here they can’t. They are basically scared we will fly away.”

“And did you consider that? To go back home?”

The man didn’t answer.

“Claudia honey.” Said Anna. “I’d like to do some crochet later. Can you bring me some red yawn from the sewer room please?”

With her mouth still full of sweet cake, she stood up and rushed out. She closed the slide door but didn’t go to the other room straight away. She knew spying was wrong, and she felt butterflies in her stomach for doing so, but if her new employees moved to another gray smelly city, or even to another country, she wanted to know.

Alexander’s voice was muffled, but still clear. “My loyalties are wherever you are. I don’t care who wins the war. I just want you to be safe. If that means leaving, we leave. If that means staying, we stay.”

“should we consider moving to Wexford then?”

“No. We stay here. There is no reason to worry. The military is always whispering omens of war. That’s the way they breathe.”

Having listened to all the information she wished to know, she rushed to pick the yawn with a warm feeling in her heart. She liked that place, and being able to stay was the best that happened to her in a very long time. It was going to be perfect.

Alexander was still talking when Claudia returned. “Governments are full of incompetent idiots that just want more riches and power. They don’t care about us.”

He held his wife’s hand and continued, his voice trembling with excitement.“ I want to make the world a better place. Help people. I want my toys to work. I want to make carriages that run without horses, machines smarter than men, balloons that fly to the moon and, and… a sewer machine that runs by itself! Then my wonderful wife won’t need to do it!

“No, no. Not only a sewing machine, no... Any machine. So no-one has to work anymore!”

“You are drunk gorodoi.” Interrupted Anna with a huge smile encased in her red puffy face.

“Dah! Only drunk of dreams. Dreams and love.” The professor, almost out of breath, took a moment to fill two glasses with the smelly beverage.

“Claudia my love.” Anna said. “That will be all for today. You can take your things up and settle in the first room on the left. The one with the key in the door.”

“Very well Ma’am. Good night.”

None of the two answered. They were both lost in each other’s eyes with silly smiles and cups up.

Claudia took her luggage and went to the stairs. For a fleeting moment, she shared the couple’s happiness. She had a job in the countryside as she always wanted. Her mistress was a lovely woman, and she had the best meal in months. As she reached her new room, she couldn’t do anything but smile.

“For dreams and love.” cheered the couple from the living room. “For dreams and love!”