A few days later, Violet found herself heading towards President Hodgins’ office. Her boots announced each step as she climbed the staircase up to the second floor and since she wasn’t working today, she wore a simple, green skirt and a white, long-sleeve blouse that covered her arms entirely. Once she arrived at his door, she stopped and raised a gloved hand, pausing for a moment before rapping her knuckles on the wood. The noise had a slightly metallic note to it, even covered by leather. A sound all were familiar with by now.
 
“Come in,” came a rather gruff reply. With permission to proceed, Violet opened the door and stepped through. Inside, she closed it behind her before making her way over to President Hodgin’s large, wooden desk. He paused long enough to glance up and see it was her, which prompted a small smile to form on his lips before he returned to the work in front of him. After stopping a few paces out, she folded her hands behind her back and waited for him to finish whatever held his attention. The stack of papers on the President’s desk never did seem to shrink, no matter how hard he worked.

While she waited, Violet took the opportunity to glance here and there. His office still possessed its characteristic charm, and everything appeared neat and orderly. It seemed the army had left its mark on both of them in more ways than one. Violet also couldn’t help but notice that the trashcan that sat to one side was now empty. Well, that made sense, and she doubted he’d leave any draft letters around for the foreseeable future.

After completing his current task, he put down his pen and regarded her with a nod. “Sorry Violet, busy morning, so thanks for coming and for being patient. Would you like anything to drink?” He lifted his hand then, palm up, and indicated a small table with water, tea, and a varied selection of spirits atop it.

“No thank you, I’m fine. Do you have word of my next assignment?” 

With a sigh, the President sat back further in his chair, that same hand coming up to run through already tussled, crimson hair. “Yes, that’s precisely it. Your next job is a little…out of the ordinary. Honestly, we’ve never sent a doll to do anything like it.”

Following the explanation, he leaned over and opened up a drawer on the left side of his desk before rooting around inside. Violet watched as he did so with a look that betrayed no emotion. Though, a budding curiosity grew in the back of her mind. A few seconds later, he let out a quick “Ah!” before removing an envelope that he appeared to have opened and read at some point previously.

“Here we are. There is a girl, a young woman, who has enrolled at an academy for the daughters of important aristocrats. It’s where they can go to learn the etiquette required to thrive in that kind of social setting. Or something like that.” As he spoke, his free hand twisted at the wrist in a slightly exasperated motion. “Anyway, this woman, Miss York, has apparently lived a tumultuous life and her father is concerned she’ll need help to make it through her studies. There are some more details in the letter, but I’ll let you skim them on your own.” 

He stood then and extended the envelope towards her before continuing. “The school doesn’t allow outside tutors, per se, but handmaidens can accompany the girls for a few months at the start. Just to help them settle. Your job would be to attend to Miss York in that capacity while helping her with her studies.”

Violet’s eyes narrowed somewhat before dropping to inspect the offered envelope, but she still took it without hesitation. “So, I am to lie, then?”

As if anticipating the question, the President was quick to bring up a placating hand. “No, not lying. Not really. You’ll still act as her handmaiden, performing all the necessary duties that the role requires. It’s just…you would also offer some guidance on how to adjust to her life as a lady.” Sitting back in his chair, he paused a moment, searching for a way to further explain the situation and mollify any doubts Violet was harboring. “Think of it like this. I’m sure you remember how difficult it was to fit into your new life after the war, right?”

A simple nod from Violet indicated as much.

“This is much the same issue. You would be there to help Miss York like I did for you. Or Cattleya, or the other dolls.”

Violet thought for a moment before speaking. His explanation made sense. However, there was just one little problem, as far as she could tell. “I see. And what makes me qualified for this role? I wasn’t raised in one of those families, nor did I attend such a school myself.”

President Hodgins tilted his head to the side, considering the question. Which, in all fairness, was a good one. “I think you underestimate your abilities.” Again, he brought up a hand before extending a single finger as he listed why he thought she would be a good match, extending another with each reason.

“I have no doubt your time living with the Evergarden family provided you with the skills required. Not to mention your training as a doll and experience dealing with high-profile individuals like Princess Charlotte. Your military bearing doesn’t hurt either. You’ll do fine.” With that last reason, he dropped his hand with a shrug before finally mentioning the one he hoped would convince Violet to take the job. “Besides, speaking of the Princess, the Drossel family asked for you personally. It seems that they have a lot of faith in your abilities.”

Well, if the Drossel family was asking for her, then how could she refuse? Even if this was odd, she would just have to try her best, as she did with anything else. If Violet could help someone in such a way, then that was an equally important reason in her mind. However, she was still unsure that she was the best person for such a task. “I understand. When do I leave?”

After letting out a sigh of relief, the President scooted his chair forward and picked up his pen from the desk, but held off on resuming writing as they continued their conversation. “It’s a long assignment, 3 months to be exact. So, I’ll give you the rest of the day and tomorrow to make any arrangements for your absence. As I said, the letter offers a more in-depth explanation, including what you should plan to bring.” With a nod, President Hodgins returned his gaze to his desk, looking over the papers to pick up where he had left off. “Just head down and speak with the travel clerk to get sorted out. Of course, if you need anything else, please let me know.”

“Thank you, President. I will.” With that, Violet turned and stepped towards the door. 

“Oh, and Violet…” 

His voice caused her to come to a stop, and she turned back around to face him. “Yes?”

“You’ll be gone for a while, so let’s have lunch tomorrow, alright? Stop by when you’re hungry and I’ll make time. We’ll go to that sandwich place you like so much, just the two of us.”

This brought a small smile to her lips before she nodded her agreement. “I would like that, thank you.”

President Hodgins matched the smile before she turned and started towards the door again. After leaving the office, she glanced down at the letter one last time before letting it hang at her side.

—

Two days later, Violet sat comfortably on a train outbound from Leiden with the letter containing the inquiry for her services open on her lap. A second, more detailed page accompanied the Drossel family’s request. In it, she found particulars about the academy that Miss York attended, alongside a list of suggested items to bring. Thankfully, the school would provide uniforms and other required items for daily life. Meaning she could travel light, only needing to focus on the necessities. 

Even though her assignment hadn’t explicitly called for the traditional services of a Doll – capturing people’s feelings and putting them into the form of a letter – Violet nevertheless brought her typewriter along. Perhaps Miss York would find the exercise helpful? Especially if she was having trouble settling in with the others. If such a thing wasn’t necessary, Violet could at least keep her skills sharp with regular practice. 
 
Shifting her attention from the papers, Violet turned her head to gaze out the window to watch the countryside as it passed by. It would take about four days of travel and multiple trains to reach the school. While it wasn’t her longest trip for a job, it was still a significant time investment. At least she could catch up on some reading while she waited.  

So, after a few minutes of sightseeing, she folded up the letter before placing it in her bag. Swapping it for her current book. Her fingers moved the bookmark that held her place before settling in to read. Soon, the occasional sound of turning pages joined the low hum of the train heading down the tracks. As it went, Violet remained perfectly still and content while she sped through the book and the rest of her trip.

—

On the last day, as the train neared the station, Violet’s eyes once more roamed the scenery out of the window. Before pulling into town, her eyes spotted an impressive-looking structure atop a hill on the far side of the river. One that sat overlooking the surrounding area. Hmm that must be the school and her home for the next few months. Violet gathered her things once the train came to a stop and promptly began making her way through the station after disembarking. No need to linger now that she was here. The walk itself would probably take an hour or two, but that was of little consequence. It was nice out today, and it would be good to stretch her legs after a long trip. Plus, it wasn’t anything she hadn’t already done in other circumstances.

As she approached the foot of the hill, her nose detected the sweet smell of flowers. Faint at first, but growing in intensity as she got closer, and she began to climb. Were those…roses? It would be delightful to have the scent throughout her assignment. Well, until she got used to them. At the top of the hill, Violet found herself standing in front of a large iron gate. After making her presence known, she waited for an older-looking woman to walk across the grounds and let her in. Most likely a teacher of some sort, if she had to guess. According to the letter, there were no men allowed on the grounds, and the fence that surrounded the grounds of assured the privacy of the students and staff. 

“Good morning,” Violet said after placing her bag down. “My name is Violet Evergarden. I’m here for Miss York.” A polite bow accompanied the greeting, and the woman soon ushered her inside before giving her directions. Bidding her farewell, Violet proceeded deeper into the grounds, intent on finding Miss York and beginning her work in earnest.