When they'd finished the naughty adultery, the air smelled of sex and bodily fluids.

They couldn't possibly look each other in the eye. It was if they hadn't even known each otherm

Over the days, it was completely ignored.

Alois wouldn't even spare her a glance when he saw her or Hannah wouldn't even be in the same room as him.

It was obvious to everyone what had happened and what they were going through now.

December 23, 1889

Alois knocked the white king over with the black horse.

"Checkmate." Alois sighed, leaning back in his chair. He glanced around the empty parlor warily.

What was all this wealth if he had no one to share it with?

Alois was lonely. Even his demons wouldn't even keep him company.

Alois exhaled and saw the frost from his breath. Alois pulled the coat closer and let out a hiss, letting it fall loose again.

Now he'd remembered why it wasnt tight in the first place.

Hannah had left scratch marks all over his back, they closed up but it still hurt like hell.

Hannah.

He hadn't seen her the whole of yesterday or today. It was almost midday. Alois had no idea what she did on her sparetime.

He didn't care but he was still curious about her. After what they'd did, he didn't expect them to become buddy buddy, but atleast checking up on her wasn't too much.

He'd remembered it as if it was yesterday. The lewd things they did. The sloppy kisses they'd shared. The wondering hands, the breathy moans.

Alois exhaled and stood, pushing the chair back. He was going to look for her. To clear the air of course. He didn't really care about her at all, but he didn't want it to be awkward seeing she'd have to be here for as long as he lived.

Alois wandered out of the room and down the hallway. He'd wandered for a long time before he finally found the woman in the kitchen.

She was rolling dough for biscuits. Sweat on her brow and her nimble fingers covered in flour.

Alois lingered by the door, debating if he should walk away or say something.

'Might aswell.' He thought. Alois stepped into the room and walked over to the counter where she was, working her ass off.

"That looks fun." He commented.

Hannah didn't look at him, she'd known he was there from the moment he rounded the corner.

Hannah placed another piece of rounded dough on the pan and turned to making more.

Alois exhaled. He needed to get this over with. "Hannah." He said "We need to talk." He demanded.

Hannah paused and looked over at him.

She nodded.

"Of course." Hannah nodded. She knew what he wanted to chat about. It was inevitable.

"Shall we?" Alois asked, motioning to the table at the far end of the room.

They took a seat at the table, opposite of each other.

It was quiet. Snow floated down and clouded the windowsill. The kitchen was warm.

"So." Alois began "about what happened, the other day."

"What about it?" Hannah didn't make eye contact with him. She couldn't look him in the eye after that. It wasn't anything serious, but Hannah just couldn't look him in the eye. The relationship between them forbade her.

Alois exhaled. "Look, Hannah." He said flatly. "I just wanted to make sure you know what happened was out of line and I can assure you it won't happen again."

Hannah nodded slowly. "I didn't think I was special." She said hesitantly.

"Nice to know we agree." Alois cut in.

"And I know that you're...curious about many things, Master. I'm just glad I could quench your curiosity about one thing." Hannah continued, not even looking up.

Alois cleared his throat and glanced around to make sure no one else heard that.

"Well- I uh. It was nice to clear that up. And you can uh, continue." Alois stood, wincing in the process. The scratches were bothered by his clothing material.

"Master?" Hannah inquired.

"What?" Alois answered.

"Would you allow me to do you one last favor before we go our separate ways?" Hannah looked up at him, her sapphire eyes glistening with sadness. A sadness that projected onto him.

'Is she going to cry?' Alois wondered.

"What would that be?" Alois inquired.

"I can rub an aloe vera salve on your cuts." Hannah bowed her head. "And I'm sorry for inflicting harm onto you." She said in breathy tone.

Alois stared at her. He didn't know what to feel. Guilt or thankfulness?

After all he'd done to her, she was caring and gentle with him.

"It would be appreciated," Alois exhaled. "It's okay, Hannah."