I’ve heard words like ward, charge, patron, master, champion?
But I don’t think any of that is what I’m looking for. What are better terms for this kind of relationship??
I would go with Liege.
liege
adjective
a: having the right to feudal allegiance (see ALLEGIANCE sense 1a) or service his liege lord
b: obligated to render feudal allegiance and service
It depends what they asked me to call them really. Other have provided useful answers but honestly I think it depends on your relationship to them.
Fucked.
liege lord, lord, feudal lord, seigneur, suzerain, overlord, master, chief, chieftain, superior, monarch, sovereign, baron, ruler
or just employer
Ward and charge refer to someone subservient to YOU