I studied my reflection. “It’ll do.” I nodded. The dresses really were gorgeous.

The one I was wearing at that moment was a dark cranberry color, with golden sparkles sprinkled along the hems, and a sash that tied around the waist. The jewelry was golden, and consisted of a simple necklace with a rayed star pendant with a single, clear stone in the center, and a bracelet made up of the same star shapes, with their own smaller stones, all connected together.

I frowned, wondering if I should wear makeup.

“Mercy?” Fen’s voice called from the sitting room area.

“Coming!” I hurried out to him.

His lilac eyes did a very brief once-over of my outfit. “You look nice.”

“Should I wear makeup?”

“You don’t have to.” he shook his head.

“But should I?”

“If there were other guests, I’d say wear it, just so you wouldn't feel out of place, as they’d be wearing it, but given that it’s just us, it’s not necessary.” he told me.

“Okay. I don’t really wear it that often.” Though I had seen that Michael had sent my makeup bag, which was surprisingly large for someone who didn’t really wear makeup (mostly thanks to Michael), with Axl, so I did have it if I wanted it, bless him.

“Whatever makes you comfortable.” he shrugged.

“Do women wear it a lot here?”

“Everyone wears it a lot here.”

“Oh? Well, that’s different. Do you ever wear it?”

“Sometimes.” Fen shrugged again. “I don’t like the way foundation feels.”

“Me either. Makes my skin feel tight.”

“I get that.” he nodded, “Are you ready to go down for dinner?”

“Yeah!” I smiled, following him to the door.

Fen offered me his arm, and I took it, feeling my face heat a little as I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. If he noticed that I’d turned red, he didn't comment on it. Instead, he told me, “Normally we'd have met down outside of the dining room, and entered together, alongside any other guests, in order of rank, but I was concerned you'd get lost. And there isn't anyone here for dinner but us, anyways.”

“Would it be frowned upon for you to have walked me down, if other people were here?”

“No, not really. They might find it curious, but not inappropriate.”

“Curious?”

“Going out of your way for someone isn't usually the norm amongst the upper classes.”

I grimaced, “I didn't mean to make you go out of your way.”

“It's no problem, Mercy.” Fen paused, then told me, “I'll remind you, you're not a burden.”

I squeezed his arm. “You're too nice.”

“I'm not. I just want you to like me.” He snorted, the comment made my face heat again, and I hoped he didn't notice.

It was quiet for a few moments.

A thought occurred to me. “So, if other people were here, would I have to walk in with the lowest ranked person? Given we'd go into the dining room by rank?”

“No, I didn't explain that very well. If a person is walking into dinner with someone they're not married to, you go in based on the highest of the rank between the two. So if a duchess were walking into dinner with a viscount, they'd go before basically everyone but a prince or princess or the king or queen, as it would be based on the duchess’ status, not the viscount's. And of course, the owner of the home goes in first, regardless of status, out of deference for it being their home.”

“Oh. That makes sense.”

“For uneven numbers, the odd person out will just go in based on their rank.”

“I see.”

We arrived in front of a set of doors. “Here we are.” he told me.

A servant whisked the door open as we approached, and Fen led me inside.

He took me to the seat catty-corner to the head of the table, and pulled out the seat for me.

“More manners.” I laughed a little. “You don't have do that, it's not like I'm used to it.”

“All the more reason for me to do it.” Fen shrugged, going and sitting. Something about that comment made my face heat yet again.

Blushing this often was starting to get a little old.

-

Fen watched Mercy surreptitiously throughout the meal. She ate healthily and happily, as she always did, but the propriety of a meal with actual courses made by a very skilled cook seemed to dazzle her a little. Though the young human woman always quietly thanked the wait-staff any time they did anything. This, of course, puzzled them a little, but Fen could see it also didn't displease them, and indeed seemed to endear her to them, or at least, the ones who knew enough of her language. That said, even the ones who didn't know her speech would still likely have guessed that she was thanking them, given her tone and expression.

The fey king decided that he liked it. She who had worked in the service industry, in food service, no less, would certainly treat servers well. He doubted she had it in her to treat anyone poorly. Even when she'd clapped back at the gaggle of girls in the cafe, it had been to stand up for herself after they'd reacted so rudely to her very polite request for them to quiet down so the other patrons could enjoy themselves.

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Yes, he liked that. It showed a level of basic respect for all people. But of course, Mercy was technically a commoner, so she saw herself as no different than those serving them. Fen rebelled at the thought for a moment, putting her on a different level, then realized he was being ridiculous. She wasn't on a different level than them. Neither was he, and it was pretentious and classist of him to pretend otherwise. They were all only people. That he'd been born into privilege had been pure chance. The servants were his people too, his responsibility, and they were every bit as valuable, as people, as any member of the upper-class.

“How’s the food?” Fen asked, although he already knew the answer, judging by how her eyes practically turned into heart shapes each time she took a bite.

“As delicious as always! But a bit fancier than usual, I think?”

“Yes, since it’s a proper dinner.”

“Can I meet the cook someday? To thank her for being so wonderful?”

“I can arrange that.” Fen nodded, smiling slightly.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

They ate for a few moments, and Fen searched for something to talk about. Even something mundane would do, given how much he enjoyed their conversations. “I think the next prototype of your ring will be ready for you to try tomorrow.”

“So soon?” she seemed surprised.

“Yes.”

“That’s great news!”

“It is.” he nodded, “I have free time after dinner and tomorrow morning, so I’ll do what I can to get it finished. It’ll probably be done by lunch time.”

“Great!” she clapped her hands eagerly.

“If all goes to plan, it’ll totally mask your magic to all fey people. I still have to work on getting it to hide you from spirits, but we’re getting there.”

“If I’ll be able to be hidden from fey folk, could I maybe go have tea with Astrid at some point? She said she’d like to have me over for tea sometime, and I’d like to be able to do that before I leave, if possible."

Fen blinked. “Oh. Yes, of course. I think you’d be safe enough there. She always has enough people around that I doubt spirits would want to venture there. I’ll text her.” He pulled out his phone and shot his half-sister a text. “Would you care if I tagged along? It would put my mind at ease.”

“Oh, I’d sort of planned on you being there.” She grimaced a little, “Although I know you’re busy.”

“I’m allowed breaks.” he shrugged. His phone chirped with Astrid’s reply, “She says that we can come for tea tomorrow afternoon, if the ring is ready in time, and it will be. How does that sound?”

“That would be great! I like being here, but I am curious about the rest of Faerie. Not that I think Astrid’s home will be representative of everywhere.”

“It’s not as big as here. And she houses her workshop there.”

“She's a pretty popular designer, right?"

“She is. Her clothes are sought-after in all of Faerie.”

“I’m honored she was willing to make clothes for me.” Mercy seemed a little embarrassed.

“Astrid was happy to do it. Besides, she wouldn't have done it had she met you and not liked you.” Fen snorted, “Even as a favor to me. Nothing can make my sister make clothes for someone if she doesn't want to.”

“Well, I’m grateful she did.” she absentmindedly touched the sleeve of her dress, “The dresses are gorgeous.”

“She does excellent work. She makes a good deal of my clothes too. Or rather, the ones I wear here. The stuff I wear in your world is usually human-made, to avoid standing out too much.”

“Except you buy the fanciest stuff in our world too!” Mercy laughed.

“Well, I am a rich CEO, people who know who I am expect me to look the part and I like fine things.” he shrugged. "And I like clothes."

“I don’t blame you. I’m sure I’d like fine things too, if I could afford them.” She twisted the bracelet on her wrist, seeming melancholic, “Not that I’d ever be able to afford anything like this, but they’re are nice.”

“And you can take them with you when you leave. Your new home will have room enough for them.”

Her face heated, “I-I forgot about that.”

“Speaking of which, I’ve arranged for some virtual tours soon. There are five properties. You can pick whichever suits you the best.” Fen kept his tone casual.

“O-okay.” Mercy was still uncertain about the idea.

“It’s…no inconvenience or anything, you know that, right?”

“I-I know, you’re hilariously rich.” she muttered, flushing slightly and looking down.

“I’d also do this for any good friend who needed help.” he told her earnestly.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Especially if I were the one who’d caused them to need help.” he shrugged. “Are you still open to coming to work for me?”

“Yes. What would the hours be?”

“Eight to four-thirty with an hour lunch. And whatever breaks you want, provided you get your work done.”

“That’s reasonable.”

“I try to treat my employees well.”

“What are the benefits like?”

“We have good insurance, I’m told by my human employees, Amilee is an in-network provider, by the way. I give a month of paid leave, as much sick leave as needed, four day work-weeks, and annual raises provided you do your work in a timely manner. If you’re outstanding at your job, you get a bigger raise, not just more responsibilities. And I allow remote work for positions that can do so.”

“No wonder you’re successful as a company. Your employees must be very happy!” Mercy laughed.

“They are. The humans ones, anyways. Fey folk find a reason to complain about anything.”

“Well, humans do that too.” Mercy laughed, then sighed, “I’d be a fool not to work for you. I can tell it’s a good gig.”

“When do you want to start?”

“Give me a couple more days?” his small human friend smiled sheepishly.

“Of course.”

“I’m enjoying this vacation.” She murmured, looking around her. “It’s nice to be able to relax in such a wonderful place.”

“Faerie isn’t all wonderful, but I’m pleased you’ve liked it here so far.”

“It’s been very relaxing. Nothing to worry about, just writing and my kitties and good food and pretty dresses.” she smiled somewhat sadly. “I know it can’t stay this way, but it’s been so nice. Although, it sounds like things will be turning up for me even once I do start working for you and head back to my own world. Once I'm in a new apartment, the kitties won’t know what to think!”

“They’ll like it.”

“I’m sure.” the young woman smiled, then sighed, “I’ll have to let Carter know that this is going to be a more permanent thing. Maybe once we get the ring working fully, I could take a few shifts at the cafe every now and again, just for old times’ sake?”

“Mercy, what you do with your time is your business.” he shrugged. “If you still want to work at the cafe, you don’t have to run it by me.”

She grimaced, “Right. Silly question. That’s what I’ll do, then. I’ll do like one shift a week, or something, until I don’t feel like it anymore.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Fen nodded.

It was quiet as they ate for a while.

Mercy spoke, her voice quiet, “For the first time ever I feel like I have something of a plan for my life. A solid plan. Not some shaky, vague idea about what I want to do. It’s a nice feeling.”

“I’m glad.” he replied earnestly. “Not that I’m happy you’ve never felt that way before, but I’m glad you feel it now.”

“Me too.” she smiled at him.

She was feeling the fact that she now had a support system, one that she could truly rely on. Because no matter what happened, Fen would stick around. He would keep her employed and housed...and fed and clothed, need be. Frankly, it’d be easier if Mercy just moved in with him on a full-time basis, but he knew she wouldn't accept that. Being in Faerie, in his home, was only nice as a vacation. Mercy would want her freedom eventually, though, and would chafe against not being able to return to her own world without assistance from fey folk.

No, she needed to be able to come and go as she wanted, and that would require her to be in her world. That said, Fen hoped she visited often, though he knew he’d see her at work, given he planned to make her one of his personal assistants. It was one thing to see someone at work each day, and another for them to be staying in your home. He'd really enjoyed having her in his home. Even though it hadn’t been for many days, it had been nice to have someone to come home to.