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One, two, three… one, two, three… a spin to the right. A bow. Start again.
Dancing was Bela's way to celebrate the summer nights. The air was finally warm enough for her to freely wander outside without risking her untimely death. When she was in the mood she'd dress up with her favorite dress and spend the night outside, dancing on her own between the rose bushes. She especially liked the nice scent. Cassandra had a theory, according to which, since they were partly made of bugs, they were naturally attracted to flowers. It made sense somehow.
Usually, many of Bela's daydreams took place here. She took pride in being the level-headed, calm and collected one in her family, but the truth was that sometimes she was much akin to Daniela in nature: a dreamer.
They'd stay young forever after all, what was the matter in daydreaming a little?
Bela liked to indulge in her fantasies when no one was around. She'd dream of many things: of sailing across the sea, flying higher in the sky than she was normally able to, rolling around the snow - which she couldn't -...
The arms of a lover. Also difficult in her situation.
Then there were the most doable dreams, stemmed from nice memories: the Christmas dinners with her family - it's incredible how much chaos can a four-member family produce in a singular night -, the Easter day in which their mother scattered eggs around the castle and gave a prize to the girl who'd find more within an hour, Cassandra explaining to her scientific stuff from some giant book, braiding Daniela's hair, dancing with her mother like she did when she was a child… Bela was easy prey to nostalgia. She'd never admit it out loud, but she wished they weren't all so busy during this time of the year. From time to time she was tempted to knock on Cassandra's door and ask her to cuddle for the night, because she was too embarassed to ask her mother and too prideful to ask her youngest sister. Cassandra was also her confidant, so it was an added value. Bela didn't ask anyway. Cassandra would tease her a little, say that her older sister had gone soft, but then she would comply and cuddle with her. Still, Bela's pride was ever present. As the eldest sibling and first heiress of the Dimitrescu Household she liked to keep a dignified image.
But nights like these were special. Bela swirled and swirled, with the company of nice music coming from a gramophone. She danced with the petals chased by the wind, giggling like a teenager. The moon casted gentle light on the scene and the torches scattered around also allowed Bela to create the atmosphere she thrived in.
The sound of the music and of her own heels clacking on the stone path muffled someone else's steps. Bela was too distracted to notice the approaching figure despite the latter's towering height, totally lost in the dream. The figure smiled seeing her daughter enjoying the moment so much. Should she make the girl aware of her presence?
Turns out there was no need to, because the girl ended up bumping into her mother, who caught her readily in her arms.
"OH! What the h- Mother?" She stuttered, extremely surprised. "What are you doing outside at this late hour?" Bela asked, trying to mask the embarassment that took over her. Her dances should have stayed a secret.
"I was in the mood for a night stroll. Best way to chase away some thoughts, in my opinion. I could ask you the same thing, but I see my little deer is enjoying a dance."
Bela's cheeks flushed, quite literally caught like a deer in headlights given the nickname her mother gave her. She made a sheepish smile.
"Yes… it's a habit I picked up long ago."
"Oh, I know darling."
"What?"
"Did you think I didn't know?" Alcina giggled, stroking Bela's hair.
"Uh… I thought I've hidden it well, to be honest."
Alcina took her daughter's hand in hers, squeezing them tight, then looked at Bela in adoration. Bela looked at her in the same way. Affection and admiration ran deep in the family and Bela especially was hungry for her mother's approval.
"As much as I understand wanting to keep such moments for yourself… why did you never share this with me or with your sisters? I'm sure they would be up for a dance or two with you, just as I would be."
Bela shifted from foot to foot, thinking about the answer. It's true that in reality she wouldn't have really minded sharing her private, fancy dances with her siblings or mother, but there was something that kept her from doing just that.
"I think it's because I wouldn't bother you all with my whims. After all, I would go on dancing all night long and you deserve your rest after working so hard."
Well, that was an honest reason. Bela didn't really lie. Alcina just didn't relent.
"That isn't the real reason, Bela, and you know it. Why don't you come over here and chat a little with your mother?" Alcina led Bela to a nearby bench and prompted her to sit. The bench was human sized so Alcina occupied good part of it, but Bela didn't mind squeezing in. Alcina didn't miss a beat and as soon as the girl was sat down she wrapped her huge arm around her torso. Bela instantly leaned against her mother, feeling like a little kid all over again.
"I missed you momma…" She muttered. Alcina planted a kiss on her head.
"I missed you too, little deer. Now tell me about your worries, will you? I can feel your anxiety."
Soothed by her mother's affection, Bela took a deep breath and started lowering her defenses.
"Lately I've been thinking… you know, about my position here. I'm your eldest child and also the first heiress in line… just… just in case anything bad happens. And I really really wish nothing bad happens! So, uhm… I thought that it was right to start acting like my role requires. In front of the staff, in front of my sisters, in front of you. So these dances are really the only vice I'm conceding myself. I want to be responsible… act like an adult and stuff like that. I feel that's what I should do. I have responsibilities here and if I don't play the part, who will respect me? I'm your daughter… I want you to be proud of me."
Bela felt her eyes water at her confession. She swept them away quickly, even if it was useless. She tried too hard to behave like an adult all along. Put herself in a box and wished that everything would go fine.
Alcina, who was stroking her back reassuringly, pulled away for a split second. That second was enough to make Bela panic, her anxiety spiking at once, her mind filled with unpleasant thoughts.
A second later Alcina was kissing her forehead, cupping her face in a firm manner. She knew how to ground Bela whenever the girl was having an anxious fit. Her grip had to be unmovable, like a rock in the ocean, she had to remind her daughter that she wasn't alone against the rest of the world.
"Bela… I could not be more proud of you, not even if you tried for one hundred lives. You tend to be too harsh on yourself. I know how you wish for everything to go smooth, to be perfectly organized and in its place. You go great lengths to help me keep order in the castle and I could not be more grateful for it. But I swear on the name of House Dimitrescu, no one is going to disrespect you for having fun. Life, luckily, it's not all work. Allow yourself to dream, my child."
Those words just brought Bela to finally weep a little. It's been a long while since their last serious talk and only God knows how bad Bela needed it. Alcina shushed her, hugging her tightly as the girl let it out. Bela wrapped her own arms around her mom, hiding her face in her shoulder where she could reach, relishing in the warmth she missed so much.
She felt safe for the first time in too long.
"You aren't going anywhere, are you momma?" Bela asked, referring to her most primal and awful fear: losing her mother.
"Of course not, Bela. The man that can confront and defeat me in battle has yet to be born, darling. My claws are still sharp enough to slice those little vermins to ribbons."
Bela laughed heartily at her mother's antics. Her worries were unfounded after all. Her mind drifted too far and for too long, she let herself be taken by paranoia. She was lucky her mother was there to keep her grounded and serene.
"Momma?" Bela called as she swept away the last tears from her face. She stood, taking her mother's hands in hers. "May I have this dance? Just like we did when I was a child?"
Alcina smiled, standing and straightening her dress. Their height difference was a little different than from when Bela was a kid, but they could make it work.
"Of course. I would never refuse my daughter a dance."
Bela beamed, leading her mother to a more ample space to let her giant form move more freely.
"I still remember the steps you taught me."
"Good. Befitting of the heiress of House Dimitrescu." Alcina winked at her and let them start the dance. They lost the sense of time at some point but they didn't care, it was quality time they both needed.
"Heeey hey hey hey hey!" Daniela's voice screamed from afar and both women stopped to look at the youngest Dimitrescu. Apparently, Daniela was dragging Cassandra along, who really looked like she wanted to go to sleep instead. "You're having a party without us? Like, just how cruel can you be? I want to dance too!"
"Sorry mother, I swear I tried to force her to go to sleep." Cassandra muttered sleepily, yawning afterwards.
"Oh Cass, stop being such a party pooper and scold them too like they deserve."
"It's three in the morning, Daniela. How much sugar did you consume today to be this hyper at this hour?"
Bela giggled at the sight and Alcina had a laugh too.
"Well, I guess we have room for two more people. Don't we, mother?"
"Oh, we absolutely do."