a single woman had been plucked from the ranks to join her in her misery, a blonde young and perky and with eyes who'd not yet seen the horrors of man— neither friend nor foe. if she had been in any position to offer pity, story might've felt it for her. alas, she was barely able to assist herself, so the feelings were all together unneeded. 'my lady,' the girl had started, just before they'd settled in for the long journey. 'do you need to say anymore goodbyes?' if she hadn't still had the naive gleam in her eyes, astoria might've thought the maid callous. the genuine curiosity on the baby face told her that it was a question steeped in sincerity. how unfortunate for them both.

green eyes had turned to pass over the manor she'd been raised in, the one that had just ousted her. none of her blooded relatives had come to see her off, and only a handful of staff remained at a distance to watch her go. "no," she'd answered after a beat, head shaking, face turning toward the carriage. "i've long since bid my farewells to this place." long ago, in the days of her childhood, when it had hurt her every time she'd been left behind, conveniently forgotten. her heart hadn't ached for the inclusion for some time, and it didn't start to then either. "let us go. the road is long, and we lose sunlight chattering here."