Backstory: Two Weeks Notice

[Aramis Shahrizai]

Having Marie as an employee was a constant joy. She was a hard worker, and her presence in the shop was extremely pleasant. I'd even increased her hours because the customers so enjoyed seeing her. Business had increased, then dropped again with the death of the queen, then increased again following the coronation, and with so many nobles getting married, the demand for good was high. On this day we were putting together baskets for delivery. I handed Marie a sheaf of orders. "Remember," I said, "if we're low on anything, notify me straight away."

[Marie Legard]

“I will,” I said, nodding as I took the pile of orders. “In fact…” I withdrew a piece of parchment from my pocket and handed it to him. “We are not out of these yet, but they are at less than a third and those items are in the highest demand right now. I know a couple of them take a few extra days to get here, so I thought you might need to order them now so we don’t run out.”

I loved working for Aramis. I was going to miss Chris dearly when I went to Alba with Ferris, but I wasn’t sure that Aramis wasn’t going to be the person I missed the most after Chris.

[Aramis Shahrizai]

I opened the parchment she handed to me and scanned the list. "Thank you, Marie," I said. "I'm going to be in the stockroom filling out order forms for these items, if you need anything, just come in or holler."

[Marie Legard]

“Alright,” I said. I almost let him go, but I forced myself to add, “When you have a few moments, there is something I need to discuss with you.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

"I have a few moments now," I said. "What is it you need to talk about?" Blast, I should have given her a raise earlier...

[Marie Legard]

Oh gods…. If I put it off it would just be worse.

I drew a deep breath and looked at him. “I hope you know how much I enjoy working here, how I think of you as more than just my employer, but as a friend. I will never be able to thank you enough for taking a chance and hiring me,” I said, not looking away so that he could see the honesty of what I was saying. “That’s why this is so hard. I am going to Alba…soon. I am not sure when I’ll be back. I’m so sorry.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

I was a bit taken aback by the news. As comforting as it was that she wasn't leaving because she was unhappy, she was still leaving, and that was greatly saddening. "Are you going to Alba on vacation?" I asked, just to make sure she was leaving for good. "If you need a vacation, you can keep your job. I can hire someone else temporary until you get back."

[Marie Legard]

“I’m going with Ferris,” I said. I’d mentioned Ferris a little to Aramis, mostly when I’d had to ask for time off to attend a fete, enough for him to know who he was. “He’s asked me to return to Alba with him. I don’t know if or when I’ll be coming back. I’m sorry to leave you when you’ve been so kind and generous to me.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

"And I am surely sorry to be losing you," I said. "You were a wonderful employee and a good friend. I wish you and the Alban prince all the best." I inhaled and exhaled softly. "For how many more days will you be working?"

[Marie Legard]

“At least a fortnight,” I answered. I felt horrible, like I was betraying him somehow. “I’m sorry.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

"It's all right," I said, "I shall have to find someone much less capable and pretty to work here instead, so that if you come home again I shall have no qualms firing her and bringing you back." I smiled, trying to show some humor in the situation.

[Marie Legard]

At his joking, the knot in my chest eased and I chuckled.

“When I am over there, I promise to keep an eye out for anything you might be interested in and write you if I find anything,” I told him, smiling.

[Aramis Shahrizai]

"That would be wonderful," I said. "If you stay a long time, and wish for a position as a buyer instead of a shopgirl, you may write to me for that as well."

[Marie Legard]

“Oh!” I said, flattered and thrilled by his offer. “That would be wonderful. You are amazing!”

Impulsively, I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much for everything, Aramis. I really don’t know what I would have done without you and your kindness.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

I returned her sweet cheek kiss. "Truly, it has been to my pleasure and profit to have you here," I said. "I shall miss you very much."

[Marie Legard]

“I will miss you too, and I promise to write, even if I don’t find anything for you to buy,” I said with a chuckle.

I looked around and then back at him. “I should get to restocking the shelves so that I can sweep up.”

[Aramis Shahrizai]

"Yes, all right," I said. "To the stockroom with me, then."

[Marie Legard]

Laughing, I gave him another happy smile before going to the shelves and beginning to restock. I really was going to miss him, and I was so relieved we were parting on good terms.