What do you need?

Kopa returned a short while later, announcing they had plenty of firewood in all rooms. He started to question Mary on Salamis, and she repeated the words and phrases she knew. She was pleased to remember them all and that Kopa only had correct her pronunciation on two of them.

“You sound like a native” Bettina said, sounding surprised.

“Thank you”

“Do you want new words?” Kopa asked and Mary nodded. He started giving her new word but was stopped by Bettina after the second one.

“I love you dearly husband, but you are teaching her the wrong words. When will she be using all this military words?” she laughed at him.

“I use them almost every day” Kopa pouted.

“I’m sure you do love, but I don’t see Mary taking over as head of the Lady’s lifeguard any time soon. So maybe start with words she will use moving around the city or at home” Bettina continued while giving him a knowing look.

Kopa huffed but the next word he gave Mary was the word for street. Mary smiled and started memorizing it.

Once the curry stew had started to simmer, Bettina asked Mary to set the table and then they all sat down to eat the soup with some bread. It tasted differently from what Mary was used to, but it was delicious.

After lunch Bettina looked at Mary with a serious look. Mary instantly got nervous, had she done something wrong?

“Tell me Mary, is there something that you need for you room?” Bettina asked.

Mary looked at her and shook her head to say no. Kopa gave her a small smile.

“I know you think you are just lucky to have a bead and a room Mary. But you need to get used to the idea that we want to give you more than just the basic things” he said, as usual he had read Mary’s mind.

She felt that she had more than she had ever had, she had no right to ask for more. But as Kopa seemed to want to give her more, she started to think.

“Maybe some paper, ink and pens. But if it is to much to ask for, then I don’t need them” she quickly added.

“It’s not too much, it’s the least we can provide” Bettina smiled. “You will be needing some new clothing if you want to blend in. But that is something you and I will do in a couple of days” she then said to Mary.

“Why don’t we send Kopa out to town to get you some writing equipment, I have a couple of things I need as well. Then you and I can take a stroll in the garden and get to know each other” Bettina suggested, Mary nodded.

“I don’t know Bettina. I think I might stay home today. If it’s not anything we are desperate for” Kopa said looking nervous.

“I’m not going to hurt Mary” Bettina said with amusement. Mary was glad she had picked up the fact that Bettina only said it as a joke. Otherwise she would have been concerned.

“I know. But you never know what could happen” Kopa said looking uncomfortable.

“You are thinking that a band of armed men will storm our home looking to harm Mary while you are gone?” Bettina continued needling him.

“You never know, it could happen” Kopa stood his ground. Mary had to giggle at that thought. Even she knew that the chances of that happening was minimal.

“May the goddess save us from your overprotectiveness” Bettina smiled and pecked a kiss on Kopa’s cheek. He didn’t look like he understood what was so amusing.

“Go and get us what we need. I promise I will protect Mary the hour you will be gone” Bettina said shooing him out of the kitchen. “I have left a list of the things we need in your office, just add what Mary needs to it” Bettina continued.

Mary watched how Kopa admitted defeat and went to get ready. She turned to Bettina.

“Is he always that protective?” she asked, she hadn’t seen him like that before. But the most time they had spent together she had been surrounded by the Lady and her guards so Mary figured Kopa felt she was safe.

“No, my dear, that is all your doing” Bettina laughed. “People talk about a mother's instinct, but a father’s instinct to protect a wounded child is quite fearsome”

“I’m not wounded and I’m not his child” Mary stated, feeling confused.

“Not by blood maybe, but not all families are made by blood. And not all wounds are physical my child. You and I will just have to live with him being this way for a while until he truly feels that you are safe. But that doesn’t mean we have to indulge his behaviour” she smiled at Mary.

As they talked, they had cleared the table and washed the dishes. Mary felt bad that she had intruded into Bettina’s and Kopa’s life and caused this change.

“I’m sorry if I caused your life to become more difficult” she apologised to Bettina.

“No, I won’t allow you to feel bad because of this. Let’s grab our cloaks and go out in the garden and talk” Bettina said, and Mary nodded.

As they were walking in the garden, Bettina pointed out bushes and plants and told Mary what they were. Everything was mostly baren this time of year, but Mary had a feeling it would look stunning once it all came to live.

“Kopa hasn’t told me much about your background, just the basic things, that you lost your parents when you were young, that you were sent to work in the kitchen and that you haven’t been treated kindly.” Bettina started.

“But no details, I don’t think even Kopa know the details am I right?” she asked Mary and Mary nodded. “I’m not going to force you to tell me anything, and neither is Kopa. Your story is yours to tell whomever you see fit.” Bettina said with a reassuring smile.

“But if you need to talk, I’m always here. I’m a good listener and if you need advice, I will do my best. Kopa is the same, he is quiet and has a hard time expressing his feeling. But he cares for you deeply, you know that?”

“I do, I care for him to” Mary answered.

“I can see that, and it makes me happy. You and I don’t know each other yet. But I can already tell you that I like having you here. I didn’t know Kopa’s and my family was missing something, but here you are, and you have brought the feeling of making the family complete. I’m grateful for that”

Mary blushed at her kind words, no one had spoken to her like this before.