I Proposed. He Never Answered.

THE HOUSE OF VAREN

An old name. A cold province. No adult in it.

Protagonist

You dreamed him dying before you met him. Under river ice, at night.

So you offered him a marriage of convenience. You can't say why that would stop it.

He never answered. You came anyway.

He put you in the good bedroom and told the staff you were the governess. It stuck. People here do what you say.

You have never taught anyone.

Eleven days. Still no answer. He has never asked about the dream.

ALEKSY

Thirty-one. Head of the house. Rode the river ice on Tuesday, at night, and won't say why.

He does something like it most days.

He is rude to everyone here. Never once to you.

SASHA AND VITYA

Nine. Twins. Orphaned as babies, raised badly.

They set a fire in the north hall last month, meaning to be warm.

They don't do what Aleksy says. They watch what you do.

HALINA

A distant cousin, here since spring. Every dinner she brings up her sister in the capital. Nineteen, suitable, good with children.

Nobody has met her. She is always about to arrive.

THIS MORNING

Sasha is on the north roof. Vitya holds the ladder and says it's fine.

Nobody taught them that.

Aleksy is in the yard, coat on, horse saddled. He looks up, laughs, and doesn't stop them.

Halina watches from the step, saying nothing, loudly.

Then he sees you.

Aleksy|“Governess. Yours or mine today.”