"If he won't all ask Bruce." Lek smiled. "Is there anything you'd like me to get you or Pinja while I'm away?" Lek hated that he was leaving his twin and Pinja.

Millie thought for a moment then shook her head. "I can't think of anything."

"Is there anything I could get Pinja that she wouldn't be... afraid of?" Lek asked.

"Hmm." Millie thought it over. "Maybe some fabric. Two bolts, and I can just ask which one she would like a dress from," she finally said.

"Okay." Lek said, wishing he could get Pinja something more personal.

"Please understand that it would need to be something that you would also get me, so I could just say it was extra or whatever, so that she wouldn't be frightened," Millie explained.

Lek's eyes brightened. "What would you like to have that Pinja would like too? Anything at all."

"Gosh, Lek, I don't know. Things that I might like would frighten her." Millie bit her lower lip. "Unusual fruits and pastries! Things that Mama has never made and we've never had here."

"Okay. If you think of anything else let me know." Lek said.

"I will, I promise."

Lek looked wistfully towards the dormitory. "I wish I could see her."

"I know you do. I wish she wasn't so frightened that she feels she can't trust you. But it's understandable, with what she's been through."

Lek's shoulder's slumped. "I'm not any closer than when she was first brought here, am I?"

Millie shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid not. Lek..." she clasped her hands. "I know your heart is set on Pinja, but...I it pains me to watch you chase after something that's not going to happen. One of us should be happy. Perhaps  it's time you...try to move on."

Lek shook his head. "She's the only one I've ever felt this way about."

"I know." She glanced out the small window. "None of the girls who come to the training ground have caught your eye?"

Lek shook his head. "No, none of them."

Millie's shoulders slumped. "It's just not right that we should both end up alone."

"You'll find someone and get married and be happy." Lek insisted. "But me... If Pinja won't have me I don't want anyone else."

"You are the only person who even knows I'm alive. I've known for quite a while that marriage isn't in my future." Millie sighed. "You should be warned that Mistress Calm has set her mind on matching you with her granddaughter. I tried to dissuade her, but...she's not one to be dissuaded from anything once she makes up her mind."

"Eventually you'll meet a man who isn't blind and- what?!" Lek looked panicked. "I don't want anyone but Pinja."

"Perhaps, but I'd prefer to not hold my breath and start each day with a dream of it." Millie took his hand. "I tried to tell her that, I truly did. But since you're in knight training, you have been deemed a catch among matchmaking mothers it seems."

Lek blushed. "I'm barely even a page. There are actual knights they should be setting their caps for."

"I suppose it's because you're closer in age to them. Plus those who grew up with us know your personality and heart,"  Millie explained.

Lek shook his head. "I don't want them."