Chapter 10
I changed how my household worked.
Not because I suddenly became gentle.
I remained myself.
But no employee’s access to me could depend entirely on one romantic partner, steward, or secretary.
Any staff member could request direct review through three separate people.
Rafe.
House operations.
Or me.
No explanation required first.
Some captains called it absurd.
“What if every maid wants to complain?”
“Then we hear complaints.”
“You’ll never work.”
“Most people don’t enjoy approaching me.”
That ended the concern.
I also changed wages.
No household partner could alter, hold, redirect, or “fine” staff pay.
If someone worked, they were paid.
Discipline happened separately.
Felice had used wages because money turns fear practical.
Anwen did not fear humiliation by the pool most.
She feared formula.
Rent.
Food.
Theo.
That was why the floating banknotes mattered.
Not insult.
Survival.
Rafe later admitted he had seen Felice reprimand Anwen twice.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought it was domestic staff business.”
There.
Categories.
Another hiding place.
I looked at him.
“If someone with access to me controls someone without it, it becomes my business.”
He nodded.
No shame speech.
Just correction.
Then I asked about the three attempts Anwen made to reach me.
Rafe found one note.
Still sealed.
It had been filed with “personal disturbances” under Felice’s instruction.
My name on the front.
Anwen’s handwriting.
I held it for a long time.
Then took it to her unopened.
“This is yours.”
She stared.
“You didn’t read it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“You wrote it to a man who didn’t answer.”
I paused.
“If you want the man who finally did answer to read it, give it back.”
She thought.
Then tore it in half.
Good.
May you like
Not every lost message deserves preservation.
Some deserve ending.
