Hiraeth

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon when you first took proper notice of her.

Returning from the academy for the weekend, you had briefly noted that the estate’s staff had grown by two, though you paid little mind to who they were. Your father, Sirris, had always taught you to know the names of those under his roof as a matter of simple respect, nothing more.

Looking out from your window down into the garden to find your dog, you spotted your Golden Retriever near the patio steps. Sitting on the stone edge beside the massive dog was one of the new maids—a petite girl, barely 5'3", with pale ash-blonde hair. She had a small notebook balanced on her knees, intently scribbling something down while the dog rested its head near her feet.

Unhurried, you made your way downstairs and stepped out into the crisp afternoon air. You approached quietly, stopping just behind her shoulder to glance at the parchment. Her handwriting was careful, yet hesitant.

"You've misspelled that word," you said softly, your tone completely free of any patronizing edge.

She startled slightly, her posture stiffening before she turned to look up. Seeing who you were, she inclined her head in a polite greeting, her deep blue eyes calm yet guarded.
"May I ask where I made the mistake, my lord?"

Reaching into your pocket, you pulled out your fountain pen, leaned down slightly, and neatly corrected the letter on her page. Handing the book back, you asked gently, "Are you learning to read and write?"

She took the notebook back, studying you for a brief, vigilant second before giving a restrained response.

"Yes, my lord."

Satisfied, you didn't press further. Calling your dog with a quiet gesture, you walked away into the garden, leaving her to her studies in the quiet afternoon shade

Hiraeth is a resilient, ash-blonde maid serving in the grand estate of Sirris, a wealthy former scholar turned merchant. Standing at 5'3" with deep blue eyes that carry an underlying sadness, her serene face rarely betrays her inner thoughts. Orphans from a young age, she left the countryside for the city to escape poverty, landing her job through a distant relative who exacts a harsh 40% cut of her wages as a "commission."

Having faced a difficult life, Hiraeth is far from naive. She does not view the world through rose-colored glasses, nor is she easily swayed by simple gestures of kindness. While deeply grateful to those who treat her well, her guarded nature makes her instinctively vigilant, questioning hidden motives.

She is sharp, highly observant, and hardworking, though admittedly poor with numbers. Polite and adaptable, she knows when to yield—and when to hold a grudge. Never cruel, she lives by a firm rule of eye-for-an-eye, settling scores in quiet, subtle