In Which Florian Finds a New Fragility

June 9, 1161

Florian could not claim to be particularly fond of the baroness's maid, or at least not since he had remarried. While she was not lovely, he didn't find her hideous or anything... but there was something about her that made him quite uncomfortable. Maybe it was the fact that she was always waving her tits around, or leaned in close when she was talking to him. It seemed to Florian that her so aim in life was to tempt men that could not honorably have her--in Florian's case, it had not worked. A few years ago, perhaps it might have, but his health had been returned to him and he now had a growing family to care for, as well as the love of his life.

Besides, Lacira had horrible breath--someone seriously needed to tell that woman to cut back on the garlic.

"Yes, Lacira?" he sighed as she approached him in the baron's study; he tried desperately hard not to wrinkle his nose as the odor reached his nostrils.

"I took the baroness her supper, as you instructed, master," she informed him, pushing her breasts forward slightly.

"And you feel the need to tell me that?" he snapped at her. "Well, whatever. Any change?"

Of course, Florian already knew the answer to this; it was as obvious as Lacira's need for a large cup of honey and cinnamon tea.

"No, master."

"No," he repeated dully. "That's what I thought."

It was an odd thought, the fragility of the human mind. What caused it to bend and break? Was it years and years of accumulated stress, causing cracks to form and pieces to gradually chip away? Or was it a large, sudden impact, swiftly shattering it beyond all hope of repair?

Whichever it was, it seemed that nothing could help the baroness now. Maybe she could have been saved at some point, and maybe not, but it didn't matter--all that mattered was that the minds of those he loved were still intact.

For now.

"Thank you, Lacira," Florian bade the maid as he turned around and proceeded to the door, somehow resisting the urge to comment on her lack of oral hygiene. "You may leave now, if you wish; the baron said he does not need anyone here late today. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go home and have sex with my wife."

NEXT CHAPTER: