Cadenza Ch 4

Ch 4 A fool could see
She drizzled a line of glaze on top of freshly baked strudel. When she has first come to live in Austria's home she had very limited cooking skills. He had insisted she acquire cooking skills and despite her initial reluctance she had grown to enjoy cooking after awhile. She loved the nice big warm kitchen of the estate. It was one of the coziest rooms in Austria's home and a reprieve from the immaculate impersonal rooms. She had spent many happy hours in the quiet of the warm room cooking and enjoying some solitude from the rest of the world inside this room.
Today Elizaveta had sought refuge in food preparation to help her calm down. Cooking usually redirected her energy when she was nervous but today it wasn't getting the job done.
She longed for some hand to hand combat. Battle always had a way of getting rid of all the tension she was carrying and made her sleep like a baby.
At the old battered sturdy table Feli was coloring happily on a piece of parchment paper with a piece of blue chalk. She set a plate of strudel down beside him along with a glass of milk and looked over his shoulder at his latest masterpiece. She pulled a face when she saw that Feli had recreated the portrait of Austria with a mustache.
"What do you'a think?" he asked looking up at her sweetly.
"It's a really good likeness," she said bending down and kissing his head. She returned to cleaning up the counters when she heard the tiny pitter patter of feet.
"Buon giorno Holy Rome!" Feliciano said around a mouthful of pastry.
"Umm….hallo," the child replied fiddling with his hands. "I just came to get a plate of food."
He looked longingly at Italy who continued munching strudel and coloring. Elizaveta was suddenly struck by a realization. She knew Holy Rome had a crush on Italy, but for the first time ever she realized the little boy envied Italy as well. Italy was able to have something of a childhood. Holy Rome was only a child but he was powerful and bore many responsibilities.
"You're just in time!" Elizaveta said cheerfully. "Let me get you some fresh strudel. You can eat it with Feli."
"Th-thank you Miss Hungary!"
She giggled as she served the little boy his snack. It really did make her laugh the way Italy and Holy Rome referred to their elders. Miss Hungary and Mr. Austria! Too cute!
Then turning serious she squared her shoulders and marched to meet her fate in the library.
"Sorella!"
She turned back towards the sticky little artist sitting at the table. With a laugh she used her apron to wipe his mouth and he grinned up at her. He picked his sketch up with both hands and presented it to her.
"Grazie caro mia," she told him, as she reluctantly accepting the picture.
"Ve!"
--

At first he had taken a seat in front of the fire, but he found himself unable to stay seated for very long. He stood up and paced in front of the mantle wondering why in gott's name he was so nervous. He was rectifying the situation, not making it worse. Oh gott, what if he just made it worse?
A knock at the door startled him and he spun around just as Elizaveta pushed the library door open and stepped inside. She hesitated and then walked into the library taking in the unfamiliar room that smelled of dust, old parchment, and leather bound books. She couldn't help admiring the warm atmosphere and the bookshelves which nearly reached the ceiling.
Her eyes roamed the walls of books. She approached Roderich until she stood before him, separated by several arms lengths. Hands clasped, she focused her attention on him and waited.
"Its an impressive room," Elizaveta said carefully when the she couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Ja, it is," Roderich said conversationally.
They were both silent and Roderich deigned to speak lest the mood become more awkward.
"Do you enjoy reading?" he inquired curiously. He had lived in the same home with this woman for how many years with her and he still didn't know many things about her.
"I don't dislike reading. It always seems like there's something more exciting to do, but sometimes," she replied conversationally. "I'll bet Feli would love it if I read some of these at bedtime."
"You may borrow books," he informed her holding his hands behind his back stiffly. "Just so long as you return them to their proper place."
"I didn't mean-danke," she said in surprise.
He nodded, watching her closely. There was much to say. So many things that he wanted to explain to her and he was having difficulty organizing his thoughts alone with her.
"Would you care to have a seat?" he said gesturing to the chairs before the fire.
"I would rather not," she stated to which he made a sound of assent. "This feels strange."
"Ja it does," he agreed briskly as she continued to look at him.
The expression in her eyes was one he had not seen before. She looked vulnerable somehow, uncertain. Obviously waiting for him to tell her why he had asked her to meet with him here.
"Elizaveta," he murmured.
He spoke her name out loud for the first time in his life and it fell off his tongue like sweet honeyed wine. It gave him pleasure to say it and it made a noticeable blush to rise on his cheekbones. Nonetheless he continued with what he needed to say.
"It is my wish for you to speak freely as my equal in this room," he managed regarding her for confirmation. She nodded and he closed his eyes for a moment in assent.
"The way I treated you was inexcusable. I had no right to lose my temper," he began hesitantly, while he continued to look directly at her. "You are my servant but you are also a woman under my protection. Knowing that I caused you harm..well it does not sit well with me. It will never happen again."
Unable to read her reaction he turned his face away slightly and waited for her to pass judgment.
Her chest rose and fell as she drew in deep breaths of air. Her name, it was the first time he had ever used her name. She never knew her name would sound so lovely when spoken with an Austrian accent.  She clenched her hands and worked to get her breathing under control.
They were engaging in a peace talk of sorts. Now was the time for settling things, not for letting her hormones run rampant from simply hearing him speak her name.
"Let me tell you something," she began in a steady voice. "In the Ottoman Empire when I was living with Turkey I had every luxury that I could have asked for. Clothes, jewels, food, whatever I desired. It was torture."
She looked at him quickly and saw that he had his attention by way his brow was furrowed.
"Sadiq never abused me, but he never cared for me truly. I was a pet to him. Not a person," she murmured. "It was a very degrading experience. Living in your home is a paradise compared to the Ottoman Empire."
She shifted from one foot to the other and thought hard about what else she wanted to say. She might not get another opportunity to speak so honestly to her master and she wanted to convey everything.
"You are cold and have few kind words to say to me, but I feel like a human being when I serve you."
"Ah," Roderich replied.
It seemed his initial intent to keep his distance from her had worked. She made her dislike quite plain and he knew he had no one to blame but himself.
"I know that there were times when I provoked you," she continued. "So, perhaps we both share some blame in what happened."
"You have nothing to fear. I have put what happened behind me and I will continue to serve you," Elizaveta said determinedly. "If that's all sir?"
"No, there is another matter I must discuss with you," he remarked turning his visage towards her. He looked serious and intent. Their eyes connected, crackling green and flashing violet; for a moment she could imagine him crossing the distance between them. Is that what she wanted?
"Sir?" she remarked in a strained voice as the heat built in her face.
He hesitated and linked his hands behind his back.
"I still intend to make amends," he stated carefully. "That is why I have decided to allow you to ask a favor of me. You may ask and I will fulfill your request no matter what it is you want. You may do anything to me as retribution if you so choose. Do you understand?"
He gazed off at the fire, clearly uncomfortable. For her part she was stunned. It was the first time that he had allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of her. It was very decent of him she was forced to admit.
She approached him even though she felt it was perilous to tread closer when she didn't know if she could refrain from touching. Roderich for his part remained still and felt disappointment when she stopped just out of his reach. She met his eyes with a frown and her mouth parted to speak but then closed after a moment.
Gott he could smell her she was so close. Most of the time when she served him she brought food and her scent was obscured by the aromas of tea and lunches. Now he could finally inhale the smell that clung to her and it was like a field full of wildflowers.
"What is it? Tell me I will not deny you," he said quietly.
"I want-I want," she began her brows furrowing and her eyes confused, searching, pleading.
He gazed sharply at her and swallowed hard. Gott did she have any idea that she looked so becoming?
"I want to spar with you," she blurted. Oh god what an idiot she was! The way it had just slipped out, that had not been what she meant to say. He had made her so flustered regarding her seriously with something  dangerous and alive in those amethyst eyes.
"I want a rematch," she said forcing herself to grin at him. "Not as nations but as two people. I will be able to give you the fight you deserve with no old wounds to worry over. But, I hope you can give me the fight I deserve."
He seemed to think it over with one corner of his mouth lifted faintly in what might have been a smile.
"Very well . You shall have your swordfight," he replied.
"I look forward to it," she stated extending her hand to seal the deal.
He took the hand thrust towards him after a moment and was surprised by her firm handshake. That and the way he was able to enclose such a strong capable hand within his own grasp.
"You need to tighten your grip," she replied. "Nice and firm. Nothing makes a more impressive first impression than a man who can give a good firm handshake."
He said nothing to this and tightened his grip on her hand and swore he could feel her heartbeat against his palm.
Elizaveta forced a smile on her face. She had noticed his hands before, how could she not after she had seen them flying across the keys of the piano? To feel them grasping hers tightly, that was an entirely new experience. So warm and soft. Of course he was an aristocrat and he only used his hands for signing documents and making music. His fingers were long and dexterous and completely engulfing her own. Oh how on earth could she find a hand so beautiful?
She pulled her hand back and it took Roderich a moment to unclasp his hand so that she was free to withdraw.
"I have chores to see to now," she replied, not meeting his eyes.
"I understand. I will let you know when my schedule permits me to fulfill your request," he stated in his usual stiff manner.
"Guten tag sir."
"Guten tag Elizaveta," he remarked watching her leave.
--

She sighed and laid down on her bed as her long day came to an end. She untied her apron and laid it on the mattress when she heard a ruffling sound. It was then that she remembered the Feliciano's drawing that she had stuffed into the pocket of her apron.
She carefully lifted it out and regarded the image of Roderich Edelstein carefully. Yes, it really was a good likeness, especially with the mustache drawn over it.
She smirked slightly and slid the drawing into the drawer of her night stand and promptly forgot about the sketch as she prepared for bed.