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“How dare you…” Alcina snarled as she grabbed you by your arm, yanking you upward.
The pain from her grip made you shout. She growled in your face as you dangled above the couch you were sitting on. You two and the girls sat in the library for the evening after dinner. The girls had been fighting about who was a better knife thrower and were getting on Alcina's nerves. So much that she had yelled at them several times to quiet down or to stop.
“Don't you dare criticize my parenting,” said the large woman, her voice and eyes dripping with anger.
“Cina, ahhh!” she squeezed your arm tighter with her large, strong hands. You felt like she might snap your bones if this kept going.
“Quiet, unless spoken to,” she snarled at the pet name you had for her.
All you had done was suggest that she mention what the girls were good at Individually to stop the fighting. It wasn't that you thought she was a bad parent, it was that you cared for the girls and didn't want them to fight. You also wanted to save the rest of the Countess's sanity. She had returned from a long meeting with Mother Maranda and the other Four Lords an hour before dinner was served. You had worried she would miss the meal entirely and go straight to bed in your shared room.
“You have the nerve of attacking how I raise my daughters,” her voice was rising with every word. The girls fell silent after hearing their Mother yell. “When I gave you an opportunity when I chose you as part of my staff,” Alcina continued her anger-filled lecture.
“Mother?” commented Bela as the three looked on in shock. Sure you were a maid, but you two were lovers. Why were you now in peril at her hands?
“I showed you my favor,” Alcina’s obvious venom in her sharp tone. She shook you, making your shoulder hurt even more than it was already.
You knew not to even let out a yelp. Your eyes flew open, locking with her golden orbs that threatened to completely take over the black in them. The ringing in your ears from adrenalin, your heart beating out of your chest. You knew what you were going into when she chose you on that long ago day. You knew that it was risky to be her partner. But you thought what was between you was something special, were you wrong?
“Let you sleep in my bed,” she was blatantly getting more furious the more she ranted. At this rate, you would be killed.
The girls were silent, knowing better than to speak when she was this mad.
Your breathing got heavier and heavier as your mind spiraled. Were you nothing to her? And then it hit you. She was everything to you. You were genuinely happy and content with your life here at Castle Dimitrescu. The sudden realization hits your mind and body at the same time. Your mind went blank and you started to sweat.
“And now you have the gall to disrespect me in front of my children?” Alcina said, her voice a deep rumble with a warning, “You insolent-”
“I love you,” you blurted out, not processing your words for a beat. Then your face contorted in shock. Had you really said your thought out loud? If the Lady’s blank expression and blinking eyes were any indication, she had. Then a deep blush rose to your fair cheeks and ears.
A brief moment passed before you were set down on the floor. “Repeat,” Alcina demanded, eyes narrowing down at you.
“I-I,” you stammered, speaking being difficult with your dry throat. Swallowing, you gathered courage, “I love you, Alcina. I was just trying to help. I only suggested it because my mother taught it to me to keep my little brother and sister from fighting.” Tears were rolling down your face at this point.
“Oh, draga,” your intent hitting Alcina, she picked you up gently this time. She brought you to her chest in the crook of her arm.
You froze, completely stunned by the complete turnaround of her mood. Sensing your fear, Alcina stroked your hair. “I over-reacted, draga. It’s been a long day, and apologize. Leaning down she kissed your tear covered eyes and smiled down at you. Stroking your cheek with her large thumb she said, “I love you as well, draga mea.”