"Let's say you want a new dress, and you send a servant out to get you one. You're not picky necessarily, but you're not sure which one will suit you until you've seen it. If you request ten different dresses, one is bound to be suitable, if you request one... well then you're stuck with whatever your given... you see?"
She nodded. "You're looking for girls who... fit you, is what you're saying."
"Was that really the best option you could find?" He pointed at the door Alexia had left from. She sighed and leaned back next to him against the wall.
"One of three... but the other two seemed about the same."
"None like you then?" She looked at him sideways, He was drinking his wine and watching the far wall.
"Demitri thinks I'm a deviant." She said derisively. He smirked back at her.
"Glad to see you two getting along."
She sobered a little. "What will you do then, if none of the dresses fit? Force them to?" His face darkened again as well.
"Not my fist choice." He muttered.
"Well, I can't abide the thought myself... so I was thinking if there was another option..."
"As I see it I have two functional options that will meet my basic requirements. Either I use the lot of them, and give them all happy reprieves of a month or more... or force one or possibly two poor souls to endure for all of them. Though that seems some how more cruel."
She turned her whole body towards him. "You would consider keeping just one?"
"I just said I would."
"And the rest would be free to go?"
"I suppose I'd have no other use for them."
Her heart leapt. They could all go free, she wouldn't become a traitor.
"Would you, I mean, could you consider- if it were not distasteful to you that is-- keeping me in their place?" Her heart pounded in her chest as he watched her carefully.
"You would stay, all alone, and let them go?"
"You and Demitri are here, I wouldn't be that alone." He chuckled.
"I meant to say you would shoulder the burden alone?"
"What burden? Is there something more you require of us?" That was something she hadn't considered.
"No more than you've already given."
"Then yes."
"Alright. I leave it up to you. If you will stay, then free them." She stood elated.
"Thank you Master, this is very generous of you."
He frowned at her. "You're welcome, though I don't know why you're thanking me." She smiled and turned to go, pausing halfway to the door. Her smile disappeared when a new consideration came to her. She turned back, troubled.
"You're sure my lord, that this will be satisfactory for you?"
"I told you it was up to you."
"Yes, and I appreciate that, but... I am still inexperienced, and... less pretty than many of them. I wouldn't nullify the tribute?"
"Unless I'm mistaken, you're now officially more experienced than my other nineteen options." She blushed and nodded. "And I didn't remember being particularly impressed by the looks of any of them. Or are you trying to make me change my mind."
"No!" She blurted out, "no I just wanted to make sure this is a satisfactory arrangement for you. I wouldn't want you to regret it."
"I know I won't. And you?"
"I shouldn't think so."
"Good, then go and play savoir to them." She paused, a bit taken aback by the statement.
"Is that what I'm doing?"
"I can only assume. You seem to have a history of martyrdom." She looked down thoughtfully.
"I don't really mind though." She said softly, glancing at his face. His expression was unreadable, and she turned away uncomfortably, making a b-line for the captive girls. She opened the door triumphantly, and was greeted with wary looks. Already a traitor she thought. She ignored it.
"You're free to go." No one moved. "I spoke with him, and convinced him to let you go."
"But the sacrifice?" She shook her head.
"It's alright, he agreed that I could... stay, in all your places, that he wouldn't need all of us."
"Truly?" Alexia looked ready to burst. Calliope gave her a gleaming smile.
"Truly. You can go right away if you wish... and I recommend you do, in case he changes his mind." Many stood, and all of them seemed ready to agree. "The town is straight east of here, if I remember." She addressed Alexia whose family she remembered from the last day. "Your family is there. Will they help these girls get home?"
"Oh yes, absolutely." She nodded eagerly. Calliope stood away from the door.
"Just straight down the hall and you'll be at the exit." Most of them rushed past not waiting for any more encouragement. She felt a hand on her arm and turned. It was the doe eyed girl.
"What will you do?"
"I'll stay here... as his servant."
"Can I take a message for you?" She hadn't even thought of that.
"Yes, please, thank you." She gave her fathers name and city, and asked the girl to send her love to her family for her. At least they'd know she was alright. The girl paid close attention, and at the end nodded, giving her a little hug before leaving with the others.
In a moment it was quiet again. She went back to the dining room. He hadn't moved.