Author's Notes: Hello, everyone, and thank you for giving this story a try!

After browsing around, I confess I felt a woeful lack of fan-fiction about our lovely butler, Sanjay, from A New Beginning, so I thought I would try to help fill that void a little. This series of drabbles is also a bit of a self-imposed challenge in terms of chapter length and writing romance, as well as something to hopefully help pull me out of a writing slump I've been under as of late. I would really appreciate any and all feedback you'd be willing to offer.

Again, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy.

-x-x-

Sorry, Sorry, Hello

"Will she be awake?"

"Farmers often rise early," Sanjay replied. "Besides, Mr. Dunhill said she usually is."

He glanced at the prince, only to sigh upon seeing him examine yet another frost-covered tree. A delay tactic, no doubt. The man had a proud bearing, but sometimes a timid disposition.

"Shall I, Master Amir?"

"Please."

Sanjay stepped up to the door and raised a hand to knock.

Just as he did, it flew open, and out charged a young woman, much to his – and her – surprise.

"Ahh!"

"Oof!"

Rather than the usual introductions, the next five minutes were spent apologizing profusely.

-x-x-

Clumsy Introductions

"Really, I am terribly sorry…"

Despite the cold, his hands were warm against hers as he helped her stand, his grip steady but gentle. In all honesty, it was hardly needed, as his violet eyes and soothing voice seemed to draw her up alone. Rio found herself at a loss for words in front of the two men, tongue twisting in a way she hadn't felt since graduating school.

Goddess, why did she have to run into him?

"Again, I apologize," he said. "My name is Sanjay. Allow me to present Master Amir, prince of…"

Sanjay. That was his name.

-x-x-

And Awkward Goodbyes

Rio watched them go, a strange breathlessness still caught in her throat.

Though their meeting had been short, she'd barely managed to string two words together the entire time. Even so, the two men had been kind to her, thanking her for the house and asking her to visit.

She wondered how soon she might. Her gaze lingered on the taller of the pair, his teal and black clothes a stark contrast against the snow.

To her surprise, the other – Prince Amir – looked back, his eyes widening as they caught hers.

She flushed and hurried away. First, she thought, chores!

-x-x-

Silly

Sanjay.

San. Jay.

The name sung, skipping up from her throat and diving off her lips into the air, the last syllable leaving a dimpling smile in its wake.

San. Said almost like "sun," all warm and welcoming, she mused.

Jay. Like a bird, singing from amidst the boughs of trees. She wondered how he sang, if that soft, low voice of his could serenade the sky as easily as a "hello" serenaded the butterflies inside her belly.

Silly.

She was being silly, that's all.

A little, childish infatuation, she told herself. She was better than that.

Older.

Smarter.

Duller.