Page 2 of Demon Daddy's Nanny

"I'm Eva."

She studies me for a long moment, head tilted like a bird considering its prey. "Annalise."

"That's a beautiful name." I move closer, cleaning tables in a slow spiral toward her corner.

"It means 'graced with divine favor.'" She snorts. "What a joke."

"Not feeling particularly favored today?"

"Or any day." She straightens, and I catch a glimpse of the elegant creature she'll become - all long limbs and ethereal grace. But there's a wildness in her eyes that speaks of caged storms. Without really considering the repercussions, I flit to the kitchen, grabbing her a fresh Goddess Heart. And then I decide to pile an assortment on there for her to try. Better than them going to waste.

"Sometimes the best moments happen when the divine isn't watching." I slide the plate onto her table. "On the house."

Her fingers hover over the pastry. "Why are you being nice to me?"

"Because you look like you could use someone to talk to. And I'm told I'm a decent listener."

"Even to a spoiled xaphan brat?"

"I don't see any brats here. Just a girl having a rough day."

A genuine smile breaks through her defenses, transforming her entire face. "You're different from any other adults I’ve met."

I slide into the seat across from her, hoping Madam Thea can’t see me. The movement is casual, like we're old friends meeting for tea rather than a human servant and young xaphan breaking every social rule in New Solas.

"Try the moonberry tart." I nudge the plate toward her. "The berries came in fresh this morning."

Annalise picks up the tart, her movements precise and controlled - the mark of noble upbringing. But as the first bite hits her tongue, her shoulders relax. "This is... incredible."

"Secret ingredient is spite." I wink. "Makes everything taste better."

A laugh bursts from her, bright and unexpected. She claps a hand over her mouth, silver eyes darting around the empty dining room. Her wings flutter, catching rays of afternoon sun.

"No one's here to scold you for enjoying yourself." I break a Goddess Heart in half, offering her the larger portion. "Though I imagine you get enough of that already."

Her smile fades. She traces the heart's edge with one finger, leaving trails in the sugar. "Father says proper xaphan don't show emotion. It's beneath us."

"Sounds lonely."

"You have no idea." She takes another bite, smaller this time. "Everyone's always watching, waiting for me to mess up. To prove I'm not... pure enough."

The bitterness in her voice strikes a chord. I recognize that look - the weight of expectations crushing the joy out of simple pleasures. "Well, this is a judgment-free corner. Eat like a savage. I won't tell."

Annalise hesitates, then grabs another pastry. Crumbs scatter across the table as she devours it. Sugar dusts her lips, and for a moment, she looks younger, more her age - just a teenage girl enjoying something sweet.

"I haven't had fresh pastries since..." She pauses, pain flickering across her features. "Well, Father doesn’t really let me leave the house and the staff isn’t as good as you.”

"I'm sorry." I resist the urge to reach for her hand. I don’t know her like that and yet I find myself wanting to help.

She shrugs. “I’ve gotten used to being an afterthought.”

The raw hurt in her voice makes my chest ache. Here sits one of the most privileged beings in New Solas, and all she wants is her father to see her.

"He doesn't let you leave the house?" I try to change the topic. “That’s a shame, given how beautiful the city is.”

Annalise picks at the remains of a pastry, platinum hair falling forward to shield her face. "Father says it's not safe. That others might..." She swallows hard. "But I had to see the city. Just once."

"So you snuck out." The words taste like ash in my mouth. Every instinct screams danger. Xaphan nobles don't take kindly to disobedience, especially from their children.

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