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To say you were clumsy was an understatement. You had always felt like a walking disaster, bumping into furniture and dropping things almost daily.
Today would be no different.
Alcina had woken up early, leaving you to sleep more in the room you shared together. Eventually waking, you were just about finished getting ready when one of the castle maids entered. An older woman, she looked at you with a sour expression and then immediately went about her work. You heard about how short tempered and no nonsense she was when it came to her duties. Everyone seemed nervous around her… and so were you.
You hesitantly made your way towards the door, incredibly anxious about disturbing the maid's work. Your head was swimming with thoughts, and you hadn't realized you were inches away from slamming your side into a nearby table.
Too late.
You yelped as you knocked into the table, which happened to be holding a bottle of wine and Alcina's crimson glass. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as you watched the bottle and glass tumble towards the floor. You instinctively went to grab for the falling items. Unsuccessful, they hit the floor with a loud crash, a piece of glass bouncing off the floor and slicing into your palm.
You could only grasp your bleeding palm as you looked at the mess that lay on the floor, a mess that you caused. The maid dropped what she was doing and ran over, throwing her rags on the puddle of wine on the floor.
"Look what you've done!" she shrieked.
"You foolish thing! This is the Lady's most expensive, finest wine! You should be ashamed of yourself! She's going to be absolutely furious…" the maid trailed off, blotting at the carpet with the rags.
"Y..yeah…" you managed to mumble, as you backed up and ran out of the room. The maid shouted at you to come back and help clean, but you couldn't bring yourself to.
Stupid. You're so stupid. You should have known to watch where you walk. Useless! All you do is cause problems for other people.
Your brain was flooded with memories of your past failures. Messing up at home. Bothering other people. Your parents and neighbors yelling at you for every little thing.
Biting your lip to stop the tears from welling up in your eyes, you gripped your hands together as you stormed off down the hall. The cut in your hand stung, and you grimaced, not even noticing your Lady and Bela at the bottom of the stairs nearby.
You swung open a door to an empty room, slamming it behind you. Hunkering down on the floor against a nearby wall, you buried your face in your knees and began to cry.
Hearing the door open slightly, you curled up even more.
No no no no no. I'm not here. Just let me vanish.
You heard Alcina call your name and you looked up ever so slightly. Her face was painted with worry and you felt yourself start to cry again as she rushed over to you.
"My dear…. what happened?" she asked softly as she crouched down in front of you.
"I… broke your glass. And your wine! The expensive looking one… the Sanguis Virginis. The maid was yelling at me… and I'm so so sorry." you managed to choke out as you cried harder.
"Is that how you injured your hand?" Alcina asked, worried. You felt her gently take your blood smeared hands off your knees, holding them in her own.
You nodded yes, still trying to conceal your puffy red face.
"My poor little lamb…" you heard Alcina say as she scooped you off the ground, holding you close. Walking over to a nearby bench, she sat down still cradling you tightly in her arms.
"We'll have to get your hand cleaned up and bandaged."
You sniffled and choked. "... You're not mad at me?"
"Of course not. We all make mistakes." Alcina replied, gently rubbing your back.
"I just feel so stupid. I feel like I mess things up for everyone."
"But I don't see that. I see how well you get along with my daughters… I see your kindness towards them… your willingness to help… your passion for books and learning new things… I see a wonderful person."
Alcina's hand moves to your head as she strokes your hair and gently kisses your forehead. You feel your anxiety slowly starting to melt away.
"Besides… making a new bottle of wine shouldn't be a problem at all."
You couldn't see Alcina's face, but you knew a sinister smile crept onto her face with that statement.
"Thank you…" you said, burying your face into her chest.
"Of course, my little lamb." Alcina replied.
"Now let's go clean up your hand, shall we?"