"Nothing, sir. I'm functional."
He broke a rule. A small one. He asked her real name. live with a slave
Elias tried to treat her like a roommate. "Please" and "thank you." He asked about her hobbies. She blinked, confused. "I don't have hobbies, sir. I have duties." He made them both dinner. She stood watching him cook, her hands twitching, as if every instinct told her to take the spatula away. When he handed her a plate, she dropped to her knees. He nearly choked. "Nothing, sir
She laughed. Actually laughed . It was a rusty, unpracticed sound, like an old gate swinging open. Then she clapped her hand over her mouth in horror. confused. "I don't have hobbies