“Then think of this as a kindness from a friend. You can work here and in exchange for you cooking, you can have a place to sleep and eat. I would also pay you a weekly allowance of threeslova.”
“Threeslova?” She repeats, shocked. “That’s too much! No! You’d already be providing me with shelter and food. Threeslovais far too much!”
“Then—”
“Oneslovaa week in addition to accommodation and food. I will accept nothing more.”
My brows go up in surprise. But I don’t argue. As long as she accepts to live here with me, I would have paid her my entire weekly wage.
“One gold coin it is.” I smile.
“Then…” A subtle smile blossoms on her face. “Since we are friends, you should stop calling me Miss Moe. Just call me Moe.”
“Mi—. Moe,” I eventually say. “I’m glad you accepted. I would have felt awful to know you had nowhere to go.”
I don’t say how proud I am that she’s not even thinking of going back home. It would remind her of the home she no longer has and that is not my intention. At the same time, her resolute decision gives me more insight into her personality. She might be soft and kind, but she is staunch in her beliefs. As if my admiration for her could grow any more.
“Thank you so much, Nykander!” This time, it is her who grabs my hands. Her smile widens. “I will work hard so you don’t regret your decision.”
“As if that could be possible,” I mutter under my breath.
20
“Oh? What did you say?” She asks, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
“Nothing. I’m happy to help. Come, let me show you to your room.”
I grab her bag and motion her to follow me.
“As you can see, this is the living room and there is the kitchen.”
She nods and we enter the hallway. There are three rooms on one side of the hallway.
“This is my room,” I point to the first door. “This is the spare room that will be yours,” I add as I open the door and motion for her to enter first.
Tentatively, she steps inside.
The spare room is the same size as my own, mirroring everything from the furnishings to the layout. There is a double bed in the middle, a desk and a chair in front of the window and a wardrobe on the wall opposite the bed.
“Are you sure this is mine? Isn’t it…”
“You don’t like it?” I ask, suddenly afraid she doesn’t like it.
“No, no. I like it very much. But isn’t it too big?” She looks anxiously around, almost as if she doesn’t dare believe this is for her.
I drop her bag next to the bed. “All the bedrooms are the same size in this house. My room is the same.”
“Oh, I see.” She nods. “Thank you again. This is much more than I expected. I love it.” She gives me a small smile, which I return in kind.
“I’m glad,” I whisper. “I’ve been living alone in here for a long time. It will be nice to have someone else around.”
She stares at me, not replying. Her body grows stiff.
Did I say something wrong?I frown.
Eventually she finds her words, “I promise I will not disturb you too much.”
I blink. Did she think my words were a warning?
