The Story of His Maid

His build is solid and stocky, with a broad back and strong arms—it's immediately obvious he's not averse to hard work: chopping wood or carrying chests.
His face is simple and open: a large nose, thick eyebrows, and a slightly downturned corner of his mouth—which makes him seem a little serious even in quiet moments. But when he smiles, his face immediately warms.
His gaze. Kind, slightly thoughtful, sometimes confused—especially in scenes where he's trying to find the right words for Simka.
Hair. Dark, cut short, slightly unkempt—not because he's sloppy, but because he simply doesn't have time to think about his hair.
Clothing. Typical of a footman or servant: dark trousers, a simple shirt, sometimes a vest or livery. Everything is neat, but not polished—the clothes are comfortable and slightly worn from constant work.
Details. He has his own little quirk: he often adjusts his collar or fidgets with a button when he's nervous—especially around Simka.
Potap's character

Loyal and reliable, he has served Nikolai for many years and sincerely cares for his master: he tries to keep him from making rash decisions and offers advice (even if it's not always appropriate). He is a pillar of support for his master, someone who will tell the truth without fawning.
Kind and gentle. Potap doesn't hurt anyone, and tries to help everyone, even when he's struggling himself. There's no malice or envy in him—only a desire to be helpful.
A bit clumsy and simple-minded. Because of this, he often finds himself in comical situations: dropping something, mixing things up, saying the wrong thing. But this "clumsiness" doesn't stem from malice, but from sincerity and a desire to do everything for the best.
Shy and timid in love. He's been in love with Simka for a long time, but he can't bring himself to confess: he gets flustered, blushes, and starts talking about the weather or smelt (which he loves very much). These scenes especially reveal his touching vulnerability.
Practical and efficient. He knows where everything is, remembers all the little chores, and keeps things in order. You can rely on him around the house: if Potap takes on a task, he'll do it conscientiously.
He has a sense of humor, but without malice. He jokes simply, without being sarcastic.

Character:

Brisk and straightforward, Simka isn't afraid to tell the truth to her mistress's face—even. She doesn't mince words.
Loyal. She is genuinely attached to Anna and tries to support her, often acting as her confidant.
She's worldly-wise. She's full of folk wisdom and common sense—she sees things clearly and knows how to give practical advice.
She's spontaneous. She behaves freely, sometimes even a little brazenly for a servant: she tries on her mistress's hats and casually asks for the salt—and this adds a lighthearted, humorous touch to the series.
She's in love. She has her own romantic arc—her relationship with Potap—and in these scenes, her sincerity and warmth are especially evident.

Appearance:

Height and figure. Of average height, slender but not fragile—she exudes vigor and strength: after all, she scrubs floors and carries pots, so her muscles are toned, her movements light and quick.
Her face is open and lively: her nose is slightly upturned, her cheekbones are expressive, and her smile is wide and sincere, instantly engaging. The corners of her eyes are slightly crinkled from laughing so often.
Her hair. Voluminous curls, a little unruly—as if she'd just run outside and the wind had tousled them. The color was a warm chestnut, with golden strands that looked sun-bleached.
Eyes. Bright brown or amber—they always have a twinkle of mischief, and if she's truly worried about someone, their gaze becomes softer and deeper.
Skin. Lightly flushed, a little freckled—she's sometimes indoors, sometimes out in the yard, so the sun doesn't spare her.
Clothes. A simple, practical sundress or dress made of thick fabric, with an apron over it. The colors are understated: beige, gray-blue, warm brown. But she could add a small detail to lift her spirits, like a bright scarf or a ribbon in her hair.
Hands. Hardworking: the skin is slightly callused, the nails are short and neat, without polish—it's important to her that nothing gets in the way of her work.

Proud, but not arrogant. Anna feels her decline in status acutely: becoming a servant for a noblewoman is almost a humiliation. At the same time, she doesn't look down on those of lower rank: she feels more pain from injustice than arrogance.
Bold and decisive. She personally comes to the Count to plead for her family—and this requires considerable courage, given both his reputation and the social norms. Subsequently, she repeatedly acts despite her fear: arguing with the Count, defending her brother, and resisting blackmail.
Responsible and caring. Almost everything she does is driven by a desire to save her family: she takes the blame, covers up others' mistakes, and tries not to add new reasons for shame to her family. Family is her top priority.
Stubborn, but adaptable. Initially, Anna is prone to arguments and defending her position to the bitter end, but gradually learns to listen to others and see the bigger picture. For example, she quickly masters everyday tasks and begins to notice details she previously ignored.
Emotional, but collected. She has outbursts of anger and tears of helplessness, but in critical moments she knows how to pull herself together and act decisively. This inner discipline is also part of her noble upbringing.
Honest and straightforward. She finds it difficult to lie and play social games: she's less adept at intrigue than at open confrontation. This often gets her into trouble, but it's precisely this honesty that ultimately sets her apart from other characters.
Her character is revealed especially vividly when paired with Nikolai: his restraint and controllability clash with her impulsiveness and thirst for justice. This conflict is what fuels their bond—they learn to balance each other.

A delicate, refined beauty. Anna has fine, delicate features—they're not harsh, but rather possess a touching vulnerability that's especially noticeable in close-ups.
Large, expressive eyes. Her gaze, sometimes stubborn, sometimes vulnerable, perfectly conveys her emotional swings: from pride and anger to tenderness.
Her neat features and soft profile emphasize her youth and noble origins.
A slender, graceful figure. Her posture is upright—a habit of holding herself with dignity, even when circumstances humiliate her. Yet her fragility doesn't seem painful: it radiates vitality.
Hairstyles and style
Her hair is often styled in the neat updo typical of early 19th-century noblewomen: sleek strands, curls pulled up or softly framing the face. In domestic scenes (when she's playing a servant), her hairstyle is slightly simpler, but still neat.
Her dresses reflect her status and the changes in her life. Initially, she wears the attire of a noblewoman: light, elegant shades, with delicate trim. When she becomes a servant, her wardrobe changes: simple dresses in muted tones, minimal jewelry, and a modest cut. But even in this look, the costume designers retain a hint of her origins through the cut and meticulous details.
A signature detail is the Averyins' family brooch. Anna wears it on important occasions (including her wedding): it symbolizes her connection to her family and her pride.
She is 20 years old

Reserved and stern, Nikolai is accustomed to keeping his emotions under control—a skill he learned both from his aristocratic upbringing and his military service. He rarely displays his emotions openly, which is why he initially appears cold and even harsh.
A sense of duty. For him, obligations are not just empty words: he takes his mother's will and his responsibility for his family and estate seriously. Because of this, he often hesitates between "need" and "want."
Fair but demanding. He doesn't humiliate people on principle, but expects discipline and responsibility from those around him. His condition for Anna—a year of service—is harsh, but it's also an attempt to protect her from gossip and a test of her character.
Tired and vulnerable. War and loss have left their mark: he experiences fits of anger, disturbing dreams, and moments when he loses his temper. Behind the tough exterior lies a man weary of societal pressure and his own expectations.
Capable of deep feelings, Nikolai does so sincerely when he decides to open up: publicly renounces calculation and chooses love, even at the risk of his inheritance.
Proud, but not arrogant. He is aware of his status, but does not boast about it. He dislikes the intrigues and hypocrisy of society, and he despises ostentatious virtue and fortune-hunters.

A stately, trim figure. Like a former brilliant officer, he holds himself upright, his posture reminiscent of military bearing.
His facial features are delicate and aristocratic. His expressive, regular lines emphasize his status and noble origins.
The gaze is reserved, sometimes cold. It betrays an inner tension: the war has left its mark, and the hero is haunted by memories and fits of anger.
He is 28 years old