Isabella sat on a stool outside the bathtub, the sleeves of her nightgown rolled up well past her elbows to avoid getting them wet. She held a cup with one hand and used her other to hold Violet’s blonde hair as she poured water over it repeatedly. Her own hair was still damp from the bath she’d taken a few minutes ago after failing to convince her friend to go first. A wholly unsurprising outcome. Isabella had tried to wash fast enough to preserve as much of the water’s heat as she could but ultimately, the water had lost much of its warmth. Not that Violet would ever complain.

She spent her time waiting for Violet to call her back in by sitting at the table with a book open in front of her. However, she couldn’t really focus well enough to read. She probably skimmed the same paragraph at least a dozen times without actually comprehending the words. Every time her thoughts drifted by the end, landing on Violet and her earlier gloom. It played over and over again in her mind beside a single question. What did that mean for the pair? Mercifully, Violet eventually beckoned her to join. Probably once she was done washing her body. At least the opportunity to help would distract Isabella from too much pondering. 

Once she finished wetting the hair, Isabella silently worked the soap in like she had done that first time. “Isabella…” Hearing her first name come from Violet’s lips caught her somewhat off guard, even though she’d asked for it. It was exciting but would certainly take some getting used to.

“Yes?” Isabella answered without stopping her work.

“I wanted to apologize for earlier. I should not have lost my composure like that.”

And now an apology? “Please don’t worry about it. That’s what friends do, right? Tell each other what they’re feeling.” Though Violet had been upset, Isabella couldn’t help but feel a tiny amount of joy that the doll’s concerns affected her that much. So much that Violet “lost her composure.” If anyone could really describe what happened as such. Isabella knew it was a little cruel to feel that way, but it spoke to how much Violet’s opinion came to mean to her over these past few weeks. For good or for bad.

“I suppose they do,” Violet sat with her legs extended out in front and didn’t move much. Her arms remained raised out of the water, lying along the top edge of the tub while she was attended to. Isabella had managed to hold herself to one peek at the slender form in front of her but didn’t see much from where she was sitting. Only the partially obscured legs and the long, pale back were readily in view. Still, even that was enough to increase her heart rate by a noticeable amount. 

“I have a question for you,” Isabella announced. As much to steer her thoughts in a different direction as to sate her actual curiosity.  

“You may ask.” 

With permission given, she stopped what she was doing for a moment to formulate her thoughts. As if this question needed more of her attention than another might. “Do you have friends waiting for you at home? Or maybe, someone special?” Isabella wasn’t exactly spoiled for companions herself. Besides Taylor, she didn’t have anyone she was close with in her life. A part of her did hope Violet might become someone special to her but in what way, she wasn’t quite sure yet.

“Yes, I have a few friends back in Leiden. Those I work with mostly but there are a few others. And…” Violet paused, seemingly hung up on the answer. In the meantime, Isabella waited for her to gather her thoughts and started working on her hair once more to try and fill the gap. “There is someone special to me,” Violet continued, voice lowered and head hung a bit further. “But I can’t ever see them again.” Why exactly that was the case was unclear and left unsaid. Even though Isabella had a burning desire for her to elaborate, she let it be for the moment. It had already been an emotionally charged day and there was no reason to dig at old wounds.

Instead, she began to rinse the blonde tresses, choosing to focus on the first part of the answer. “I’m sure they miss you, are you excited to see them when you return?” After the follow-up question, Isabella couldn’t help but wonder if Taylor missed her right now. If the girl thought she would ever see her big sister again. Isabella tried her best to explain the situation, but there was only so much you could get through to a child that young. Especially once the tears and the heartache set in. All she could do was hope Taylor didn’t hate her now. But, even if that came to pass, knowing the little girl was being taken care of was worth that price, no matter the pain.

“I will be happy to see them when I return, yes. However, I won’t let that distract me from my work here.” Violet’s answer pulled Isabella back from the familiar spiral of self-loathing that came too often when she thought of Taylor. So much so that she even let slip the tiniest giggle at the answer. A perfectly Violet answer.

“I bet they will be happy to see you too.” Another few cups of water and the blonde hair contained no more traces of soap. Satisfied with her work, Isabella put everything away and then clapped her hands before standing tall and casting her eyes toward the chair that held fresh towels.

“Are you finished?” Before receiving an answer, she turned and began to walk to retrieve one for Violet. A “Yes,” followed in her wake and Isabella returned a moment later with a soft cloth stretched between her arms. Just like Violet did every time Isabella finished washing. She even averted her gaze by turning her head to the side, though she didn’t close them. “Here you go, nice and clean.” Of course, they were. What else would they be? A second later, she could see the vague outline of Violet’s body rising out of the water. Even in her peripheral vision, it was easy to tell where the prosthetics ended and where the rest of her body began.

“Thank you, Isabella. You didn’t have to.” This time, instead of shock at hearing her name, a small smile broke out on her face. Isabella’s hands dropped away once Violet took proper hold of the towel and began to wrap it around her body. Which signaled that she was free to head back into the room to give the handmaiden a little privacy.

“It’s no problem, I’m happy to help.” Subsequently, she turned with a small nod and made her way out of the bathroom to collect her book and hop into bed. However, even tucked comfortably under the blankets, she couldn’t manage to quiet her mind enough to do much of anything. It seemed she would make no progress on her story tonight. After a few minutes, she sighed, placed the book on the nightstand, and settled further down with her stuffed bear pressed to her chest. She waited silently, eyes open, for Violet to emerge dressed in her slip and ready for bed. Once she did, and made her way over, Isabella lifted the blankets and waited for her to slip beneath.

“Isabella, are you feeling alright? Do you need some water?” Seeing her already lying in bed without her book must’ve looked odd to Violet. At least enough to prompt a question. She didn’t answer right away and chose to lay still while the handmaiden adjusted the comforter to better wrap them in its warmth. She was always so considerate. Always looking out for the slightest bit of trouble.

“No, I’m fine…” Isabella breathed in and closed her eyes, hugging the bear tighter against her chest. “I’m just wondering why you are so kind to me. Especially when I can be so troublesome. With my behavior and the illness. I’m such a pain, aren’t I?” It had been comforting earlier to hear that Violet worried about their friendship. However, there was a nagging feeling in her mind that questioned whether or not she was deserving of such a thing. She was trying to do better every day, but what if that wasn’t enough? 

“You think I’m kind?” Violet asked and then paused while she too settled further into bed. “I guess I’m just doing what I was taught.” That response didn’t exactly fill Isabella with the same reassurance that came from their earlier interaction. It made the arrangement seem somewhat…forced.

“So, it’s because it’s your job?” Was this only a fulfillment of her obligation? Was Violet concerned only ensuring her task was complete? Was a friendship only a means to an end? To make sure Isabella behaved and did what she was required?

“No,” Violet quickly interjected before pausing to think. “It is not required for this role. Being kind is something I’ve learned about and chose to extend to you. Being your friend is something I want to do.” 

Mercifully the cascading thoughts were brought to a halt with Violet’s explanation. Eliciting a barely perceptible sigh of relief. However, if this wasn’t required, Isabella couldn’t help but wonder. “Why?” She shifted then, casting her eyes down towards the sheets where Violet sat. “Why do that for me?”

“Because I know what it feels like to be alone in a world I don’t fully understand or am comfortable in.” Following her answer, Violet finally lay down in the bed. With her blonde hair free of any braids, it fanned out around her head and down the sides of the pillow. The movement caused Isabella to look up and then she reached out for a few strands to gently play with while she thought. That was definitely an understatement. Still, were their situations so similar? A wounded soldier and a peasant girl thrust into a life of luxury? Isabella’s wounds were only in her mind, in her heart really, but Violets were very physical. Well, besides the student’s sickness. Or was there more than met the eye? A deeper sadness hidden out of view? Violet mentioned not being able to see her special person anymore…did they die in the war? 

A feeling of jealousy swept over Isabella as her thoughts drifted to the person Violet cared about. A feeling she was immediately ashamed of considering the circumstances, but one she couldn’t help nonetheless. If they were still around, would Violet even be doing this work? Would she have ever met the doll? The natural conclusion of that line of thinking was not a place Isabella’s mind wanted to go. So, she forced the thought aside and kept idly twirling the soft, damp hair. Something that Violet didn’t seem to mind at all. 

“Thank you, for doing that. I’m very happy you decided to take the job. To come here and help me. I’m not sure I could’ve done it without you.” If someone had told Isabella that she would’ve said such a thing at the start of this, she might’ve called them crazy. Doubly so if they also told her she’d want Violet to stay longer than the three months of her assignment.

“I think you could have.” Violet’s head turned on the pillow, allowing the light green eyes to hold her own. Even in the dim light of the candle, it was easy to make out her features. Yet again, Isabella found herself admiring how beautiful Violet was. She just hoped the low light would conceal the tint blooming on her cheeks. At least the thump of her heart would remain hidden away while she held her gaze. “You’re stronger than you think, Isabella. And you aren’t a pain either. I’m happy I took this assignment and that I got to meet you.”

Those words, as much as the small smile on Violet’s lips, had the warmth on her cheeks spreading through her body. Violet didn’t seem the type to lie, so the sentiment must have been genuine. Maybe Isabella could do this after all. With Violet at her side, of course. Thoughts of them together were at the forefront of Isabella’s mind until sleep took hold.