The entire feel of the castle had changed the moment Madam Lopez stepped into it. The servants… it wasn't that they behaved better, Rachel noted, it was just that there was never any ease to their movements. Probably something to do with having two Lopezes present, rather than just the one (terrifying though that one may be). Santana had spared her a prolonged lunch with the older woman, but she had a feeling that Maribel would seek her out before the day was done. It wasn't that she was afraid of Santana's mother. It was just that the woman exuded this kind of quiet, competent power, and it was a bit unnerving to be in the room with her and her daughter at the same time.

In the meantime, she wandered out to the maze and found her way to the center. As she looked out over the distant city of Angelion, she considered her options. She was happy here, in a way. She still wasn't sure what the Archduchess considered her - a pet? A plaything? She didn't know. All she knew was that any way she chose to look at things, the only way "out" so to speak, was to go back to the village. Away from Master St. James, away from Coredlia (who she'd come to adore), and away from Santana.

And then there was Sugar. She wasn't sure how long the school would keep her if Santana withdrew her approval. They'd already had messages about the girl's behavior, and Rachel was positive her sister's rambunctious nature would not be squashed.

No...there was no point in going back to the village. In truth, she didn't want to. She liked being wanted, and… well, the year had been interesting so far. She would see what the next months brought.


"You could have told me," Santana huffed.

"And give you time to hide that tiny treasure?" Maribel asked, laughing. "Of course not. I wanted to meet this girl you're so besotted with, and warning you would have given you time to send her on vacation to Carmel."

Santana grumbled under her breath for a moment and scowled at the floor.

"I'm not here to lecture you," Maribel said gently. "I simply wanted to make sure you weren't...er… that you were…."

"That I wasn't losing my head?"

"Yes. And I miss you," she added, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Court is exceedingly dull. I wanted to visit."

Santana smiled. "I'm glad to see you," she said. "Even if it was a sneak attack."

Maribel laughed.

Santana was about to say something else when she heard horns. "Gods be merciful, when it rains, it pours!" She looked out of the library window to see a single rider. She had to squint to see the colors on his cloak - a dark brown and mint green. "Baron Hudson?"

"He doesn't look well," Maribel said.

"I'll be back. Make yourself at home," she added, just before running through the door. She made it out to the courtyard at full sprint, just in time to see Finn flop off his horse.

Servants were around him to catch him, thankfully, but he looked a mess.

"Baron Hudson?" Santana asked, anxiously. "Baron Hudson? Finn?"

He was clearly blinking through a haze of exhaustion, but managed to hand her a letter from his cloak pocket. "Please…" was all he managed before passing out.

"Carry him up to the guest chambers," she instructed, taking the letter. "And Nigel, you fetch Ridcully. Call me the instant he wakes up. I must see to something." She strode back into the manor and down the eastern hallway. The girl would have been waiting for about...an hour now. Plenty of time to get nice and nervous - because even though she'd promised that she wouldn't hurt the girl, she hadn't promised not to scare the wits out of her. Thus, she had to stop herself from smiling when she walked into her office and found Marie positively shaking. She sat down, face carefully deadpan, and clasped her hands on the desk in front of her.

"Please explain your behavior," she said quietly.

"My lady, please! I didn't mean any harm!" Marie rushed out.

Santana held up a hand. "You struck Mistress Rachel. That seems to intend harm, does it not?"

The young woman was near tears now. "I am sorry, your grace! I was just so…"

"You were jealous. It is understandable. But what you did is inexcusable."

"Am I to be released from your service?" Marie asked, distraught.

"No. That would not solve the problem, which I understand is quite widespread. It would do you no good to lose your job, and me no good to lose a servant. But an example must be made." Santana watched her carefully, and saw a bit of fear come into Marie's eyes. "You will be made her personal lady in waiting."

Marie's mouth dropped open slightly. She closed it with a snap a moment later. "Your grace?" she finally managed to ask.

"The jealousy and blatant disrespect comes from a place of ignorance. You don't know Rachel, and thus you feel entitled to be disrespectful. But you will get to know her. You will attend her at formal functions, and travel with us when we must venture away from the manor. And I shall monitor your behavior closely. If there are any more incidents, then you will be released from my service. Is that understood?"

The girl sat in shock for a long moment. "Yes, your grace."

"Very well. You may see to your duties now."

After the woman had gone, Santana flopped back in her chair with a deep sigh. She hated being in charge sometimes. With a grunt, she sat up again and sorted through the day's mail. Mostly it was just news from around the kingdom - the other High Nobles kept in touch - but there were also a few letters from some of the lower nobles in her territory. One in particular, she took a keen interest in. Then her eyes fell on the letter Baron Hudson had delivered. It was in King Darren's handwriting. She opened it, and began to read….


Rachel had had time to calm down and think by now. No matter - she'd have to get used to this life sooner or later. If Santana truly meant to keep her, in whatever way that meant, then she'd -

"Rachel!"

She turned to see Santana hurrying toward her. "Yes, San - m'lady?" she corrected herself, remembering the servants.

"I've had a letter from the Low Baron of Olvon. We'll be making a day trip tomorrow morning to meet him. Also...er...Baron Hudson is here."

"Really?"

Santana didn't miss the way Rachel's eyes lit up, but tried not to get jealous - or at least not to let her jealousy show. She knew that the girl had kept in touch with the Baron, for news about her father as well as just in friendship. And she knew, from the Baron's letters to her, that it really was just friendship. Finn truly wanted her to be happy. Still…. "Yes," she said. "He's a bit worn out from the journey, but I believe he'll be feeling up to dinner with us. I know you have a music lesson now - I just wanted to let you know."

"Thank you, m'lady," Rachel said. It felt...good, that Santana thought enough of her to keep her in the loop of the manor's comings and goings.

"I shall speak with you soon."


"...expedition to the edge of the Diamondwood forest after the Harvest Feast," Santana read, as Finn sat in bed drinking soup. He'd woken up after about thirty minutes. "I don't understand though," she said. "Why come to me? If I was taking bets on the noble up for a dangerous, possibly lethal adventure, I'd pick Countess Chang first."

Finn smiled weakly. The ride had taken a lot out of him, and he desperately wanted to sleep. Ridcully had been adamant that he needed nourishment, though, thus the two bowls of soup he was currently slurping down. "I...considered it. But I need a fighter - and someone I can trust. I know the Countess, and trust her, but...it's not the same."

"How so?"

"She hasn't handed me my ass, stolen my wife, and still had the balls to not only look me in the face, but want a train as well," he said with a grin.

Santana snorted. "Fair enough - anyone who can do that is probably going to be in your corner if both of you are about to get killed."

"Exactly. What do you think?" he asked hesitantly.

"I think you need sleep," she said kindly, stacking his bowls and spoon on the tray. "And tomorrow I'll send you back by Airship. I've still got the crew down here vacationing before they head back to Carmel. I don't know what all this is about, but we'll get to the bottom of it after the Feast."

He gave her a relieved smile and sank back into the pillows. "Thank you."


Rachel stepped away from the piano as the song ended. She heard clapping, and both her and Master St. James looked to the doorway.

Maribel Lopez stood there, beaming. "You are a delight," she cooed, striding into the room.

"Thank you, your grace," Rachel said with a curtsey.

"No need for that, my love. Come sit with me."

They moved to the window seat as Jesse bustled around the music room, tidying up. Santana's mother smiled at Rachel and folded her hands in her lap.

"Well now," she said. "This has been quite the year for you."

"Yes it has, your grace."

"Don't look so worried, sweet child," Maribel said with a little laugh. "I'm not here to interrogate you. I know my daughter. Are you happy here?"

"Very happy," Rachel said with a genuine smile. "She's been very kind to me."

"Good. I'm glad. I'm travelling back to the Capitol tomorrow, and it's nice to know that my child is at least somewhat behaving herself."

Rachel laughed at this, and then blushed deeply when Maribel kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad to have met you, Rachel Berry. From that voice, I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you - whether here or on stage."


Finn was much better by dinner. He also seemed to want to stay far away from the subject of his dying forest, and thus regaled them with tales of his travels.

"And that's when I learned that standing up in a two-man canoe is a bad idea." He grinned as the table laughed. "In my defense, it was a rather big flying spider."

The night passed quite amicably, with early goodnights being said all around. Finn and Rachel were left alone for a moment while Santana talked with her mother.

"I'm glad I got to see you," he said.

"Me too. And…" she hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I know there's something serious going on. And you don't have to tell me what. But for what it's worth, I know you'll be fine."

Finn smiled. "Thanks. I hope so."

"Goodnight, Finn."

"Night, Rachel."

Rachel wandered off to Santana's wing of the manor, and into her own chambers. She changed into her nightclothes and, as an afterthought, packed a small bag for the next day. She was just getting into bed when there was a knock on the door.

Santana entered a moment later. "May I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course," Rachel said. She turned and snuggled into the other woman when she got into bed. "Santana? What's happening with Finn?"

Santana kissed her gently. "Nothing for you to worry about. Goodnight."

"...goodnight."