Archive of Our Own ^beta

I.

When Alcina received her first letter, it took her completely by surprise.

She was out on her balcony, basking in the sunlight, her large hat keeping the harsh rays out of her face. She came outside often during the summer months to clear her mind from all of her responsibilities and to temporarily be free from the stress that came with being one of the lords of the village. The castle could be rather noisy at times; sometimes her daughters would bring some man-thing through the castle doors and spend all day torturing him, and while she did enjoy the sound of a man screaming in anguish, she didn’t want to hear it all the time. Other days it would be the constant shrieks from the maids, as her daughters also liked to terrorize them from time to time, which only annoyed Alcina as it kept them from completing their duties. Of course, sometimes her daughters would bother her as well, whether it be complaining, whining, or dragging her into one of their arguments. She loved her daughters more than anything else in the entire world, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t like peace and quiet every now and then. When she was outside, on her balcony, taking long and slow drags from her cigarette, with no other noises aside from the occasional bird song or the sound of the gentle breeze, time seemed to stop and she felt truly at ease.

Currently, Alcina had her eyes closed, enjoying the warmth from the sun, almost feeling as if she could drift off in the chair she was sitting in. But, when she heard the sound of doors opening behind her, her eyes had shot open. Her shoulders had tensed, and she was worried that Daniela had come to rat out her sisters again, but then she remembered she had requested a cup of tea and sighed when she realized it was only one of her maids, Elisa.

She appeared next to Alcina, holding a tray with a teapot and cup on top of it. She placed it on a small table next to Alcina’s chair. “Your tea, my lady.” She said as she poured the rather thick substance into the teacup, preparing it exactly how Alcina liked it.

“Took you long enough,” Alcina said, watching as Elisa made her tea. While she was pouring, she noticed a piece of paper in the spot where the teapot was just sitting. Alcina’s eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment, and she honed in on the piece of paper. 

Once Elisa was done pouring, and she had removed the now full teacup from the tray and placed it on the table, she briefly glanced at Alcina’s face, noticing her expression. She followed Alcina’s gaze, and when she saw the piece of paper her eyes had widened ever so slightly, clearly taken aback by the sudden appearance of the paper. When she looked up again, still holding the teapot, Alcina’s eyes were on hers now, and the confused expression that she wore moments ago was replaced with a questioning one. 

“What,” Alcina started, reaching for the paper and slowly picking it up. “Is this?”

Elisa swallowed. “I do not know, my lady. I am not sure how that got there.”

“You mean… this doesn’t belong to you?” Alcina asked, holding it up. Elisa shook her head fervently.

“No it does not, my lady.”

Alcina’s stare was unwavering. “You are not lying to me, are you? You know how I feel about liars.” She threatened. 

Elisa’s eyes were like that of saucers now. “I swear I am telling you the truth, my lady. I did not put it there.” 

There were a few beats of silence that passed as Alcina studied Elisa closely. She was clutching the teapot so tightly that her knuckles were bone white. Alcina sighed.

“Alright then… I believe you. You grip that teapot any tighter and it will shatter. You are dismissed, Elisa.” Alcina said. Elisa nodded, quickly setting the teapot down and picking up the tray.

“Enjoy your tea, my lady.” She said hastily, slight tremors in her voice. She quickly left the balcony, leaving Alcina alone once again.

She stared at the note in her hands for several minutes. This was something that she certainly had never received before. If anyone had something to tell her, she would rather them tell her directly, not through cryptic letters such as this one. She knew it couldn’t have been a message from Mother Miranda, or the Duke, as any mail from them or the other lords was given to her from the respective mail woman of the castle.

Slowly, she began to unfold it. The handwriting was fairly small, and the sun was awfully bright today, so she had to squint a little bit to properly read it:

Dear Lady Dimitrescu,

Are you wearing new perfume? It smells heavenly. I think the scent really suits you. 

Alcina was taken aback. She read the words over and over again, analyzing the roundness of the letters, perplexed by them. The front of the paper had no name written on it, nor did the back. She placed it on the table, picking up her teacup and taking a small sip, still staring at it quizzically.

She was indeed wearing new perfume. She thought only her daughters had noticed. 

She knew that some of the maids fancied her; often the unabashed staring made it pretty obvious. But none of them ever complimented her, be it directly or indirectly. Whoever this one was, Alcina thought they were very bold. She scoffed.

“Well. Isn’t that something?” She said to herself. She continued drinking her tea, staring out at the view ahead of her.

When Alcina was finished with her tea and felt like she had been outside long enough, she grabbed the letter, and went back into her chambers. She spent the rest of the day completing monotonous paperwork, well until nighttime, only having taken a couple of breaks for a small lunch and dinner. Her daughters interrupted only occasionally, as they knew their mother didn’t like to be frequently disturbed when she was trying to be productive.

She kept the letter stuffed in one of the drawers of her vanity, but she didn’t forget about it. She couldn’t even if she wanted to and it was irritating her. Her mind kept wondering about who could’ve left such a message.

Suddenly, there was a series of knocks on her door, pulling her out of her thoughts. She knew who it would be, given the hour of the night.

“Enter.” She said curtly.

Her grand chambermaid, Irene, walked in slowly, closing the door behind her.

“Are you ready for bed, my lady?” She asked. Alcina sighed. She quickly shook her head as if that would dispel any remaining thoughts about that damned letter.

“Yes, I am.” Alcina replied. 

Irene smiled. “Great. I will start the bath.” She said, immediately being kicked into gear. 

While the bathtub was filling up and Irene was making sure it was to her liking, Alcina removed her makeup, the contents of the letter she had received just barely hanging on to the edge of her subconscious. With her face bare and the pins in her hair removed, all she had to do now was wait for Irene. Alcina required that her baths use specific scents, a few drops of various essential oils, and of course, bubbles, and Irene took her time in preparing all of these things. 

Alcina used the remaining few minutes she had to open up her drawer and retrieve the letter. She re-read it once, twice, thrice.

“Who are you?” She said softly, as if the paper itself could answer. 

“Lady Dimitrescu, it is ready!” Irene called. Alcina quickly shoved the paper back inside the drawer. 

“Finally,” She said, swiftly heading to the bathroom. 

She didn’t think about the letter for the rest of the night.

II.

Alcina had managed to completely forget about the first letter. It had been days. But then, a second one arrived when she least expected it.

She was in the library one afternoon, sitting comfortably on the sofa, ready to begin her daily reading session. The book that had currently captured her attention was The Price of Salt, by Patricia Highsmith. She much preferred spending her precious hours of the day reading than speaking with Mother Miranda over the phone. It was merely another means of relaxation for her; she could escape her reality and enter someone else’s for an extended period of time, disregarding her own daily worries and concerns and instead taking on the worries and concerns of fictional characters.

She put on her reading glasses, letting them rest just at the tip of her nose, before opening her book to the chapter that she had left off on. Much to her surprise, though, when she had opened the book, a folded piece of paper slipped out onto her lap.

Alcina sat the book down on its open side (she never dog-eared her pages), and picked up the paper. She suddenly remembered the first letter she had gotten several days ago. This must’ve been yet another one.

Unfolding it, Alcina read it carefully:

I quite like this book, too. I read it a long time ago. You have excellent taste.

If you want another wonderful love story between two women, might I recommend Fingersmith by Sarah Waters? 

I long for a love story of my own. Don’t we all?

P.S.

Those glasses suit you very well.

Alcina was just as perplexed as she was the first time, re-reading the letter several times. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed one of the cleaning maids, Lilith, enter the library to begin her dusting. Alcina’s eyes locked in on her like an archer assessing their target.

“Lilith. Come here.” She said.

Lilith immediately stopped her dusting, turning around slowly, stiff as a board. She didn’t start walking toward Alcina right away, slightly hesitant. 

“Must I repeat myself? You are cutting into my reading time.” Alcina said, exasperation evident in her tone. Lilith quickly muttered an apology, making her way toward the Lady.

Alcina handed her the letter. Lilith took it, reading it briefly, looking visibly confused. She gazed back up at Alcina for context.

“Does this letter belong to you?”

“No, my lady.” Lilith replied.

“Are you being dishonest?”

“No, my lady, I swear it.” 

Alcina sighed, snatching the letter back. 

“Well, do you happen to know who this belongs to?” She asked.

Lilith shook her head. “I haven’t the faintest idea, my lady.”

Alcina accepted defeat. “Well, then… you are dismissed.” She said.

“Yes, my lady.” Lilith was about to scurry off to resume her dusting before Alcina halted her in her tracks once more.

“You missed a spot on the shelf over there, by the way. I do not want to see a single dust particle. Am I clear?”

Lilith nodded with great haste. “Yes, my lady! It will be spotless, my lady!” 

Alcina waved her off. “Run along now.” 

Lilith did just that, and when she started dusting again, she spent an extra long amount of time in each spot she began dusting. 

Alcina looked at the letter again. She smirked, making a mental note to check out Fingersmith.

“These glasses suit me…” She read aloud, subconsciously adjusting them.

She continued reading, but she had a hard time focusing on the actual story, only being able to think about the mysterious person behind the sweet words.

III.

The castle grounds shook with each heavy step that Alcina took as she stormed through the entrance and directly up the stairs, her face twisted up in wild anger and her hands balled up into fists at her sides. She had just returned from a meeting with the other lords, and not at all to Alcina’s surprise, it didn’t go well. 

The maids were startled by Alcina’s thunderous steps, some of them pausing their various chores and stepping out of the way lest they be completely trampled during the Lady’s fit of rage. She took long strides on the way to her chambers, trying and failing to suppress the entanglement of emotions that were bubbling within her. 

It was only when she was within the safety of her room did she finally release everything that had been steadily building up, blowing steam like a tea kettle on a stove.

She gracefully sat down in front of her vanity and removed her hat, making eye contact with her reflection. She took in a shaky breath, and when she released, out came rushing the tears that had been threatening to spill over the entire carriage ride back to the castle. 

This certainly was not the first time Alcina had returned home only to burst into tears in the privacy of her chambers. Her and Mother Miranda often didn’t see eye to eye on things, and rarely did a meeting with her and the other lords remain a civil conversation. Heisenberg always had to be a pain in the ass, Donna could never get that doll of hers to shut up, and Mother Miranda never seemed to value anything Alcina contributed to the conversation. She would always glare at Alcina in annoyance whenever she spoke her mind, but sometimes she wouldn’t even look in her direction if she was especially irritated. 

Alcina had lit a cigarette, craving for something to take the edge off. She had calmed down, only sniffling every and now and then, her forehead resting in the palm of her other hand. She couldn’t leave her room yet—not until she had regained her composure, and it would take several more drags of her cigarette for that.

But, her time alone was cut short when her middle daughter decided to suddenly make her presence known by materializing right behind her, the sound of incessant buzzing resonating throughout the room briefly.

Alcina straightened up in her seat, making eye contact with her daughter through the mirror. 

“Cassandra, what have I told you about doing that–”

“Sorry, mother. We were worried. It’s almost time for dinner.” Cassandra said, placing a comforting hand on her mother’s soldier. Alcina placed her gloved hand over hers, smiling warmly.

It wasn't long before Cassandra had noticed the redness in her mother's eyes and the tear streaks in her foundation. The small grin that she had returned quickly fell, eyebrows furrowing as she took in the state her mother was in with pitiful eyes. Cassandra wrapped her arms around her, resting her chin on her mother's shoulder. 

"Have you been crying?" She asked. 

"I was for a moment, dear, but I assure you, I'm fine." 

"What happened at the meeting?" Cassandra innocently inquired. 

Alcina sighed, snuffing out the lit end of her cigarette in a nearby ashtray. "Nothing I wish to concern you with, dear. It was just the usual bickering." 

The concerned expression resting on Cassandra's face quickly shifted into one of anger, a fire lighting up in her eyes.

"It was Mother Miranda, wasn't it? It's always her." She spoke, face twisted up in disgust at the mere mention of the woman.

"Cassandra, please-" 

"What did she say to you?" She asked.

"It's not what she said to me, my dear, she–" 

There was a series of knocks on the door.

“What is it,” Alcina said rather coldly to the person on the other side of the door. She heard a throat clear first before the other person replied.

“I am just here to tell you that dinner is almost ready, my la-”

“She will be down in a moment!” Cassandra snapped, whipping her head toward the door.

“Oh– yes, understood! I apologize.” The maid said, and Cassandra could hear the sound of her footsteps scurrying away with great haste. She turned back to her mother and gave her yet another hug, giving her a small yet comforting squeeze.

“We’ll wait however long you want us to, mother.” Cassandra said softly. Alcina smiled for the first time today, giving her daughter a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I won’t be long. Just give me a moment to freshen up, please.” Alcina said. Cassandra nodded, returning the warm smile, before disappearing into thin air. Alcina looked at herself in the mirror, letting out a deep sigh at her now blotchy mascara that had just started to run. She took a few moments to clean herself up, having calmed down considerably after the sweet interaction with her daughter. Alcina never took her children for granted, and she was especially happy to know that they’d always be there to ground her during moments where she felt like a hot mess. She no longer thought of Mother Miranda as she was fixing herself, and instead thought about the lovely dinner she was about to have with her children.

Meanwhile, Cassandra had made it back to the dining hall, her face still pinched up in annoyance as she thought about what Mother Miranda could have possibly said to have made her mother so upset. Alcina rarely cried, and when she did, Cassandra knew that it was because one of the Lords said something unfathomably terrible.

When she sat back down at the table, her siblings were quick to interrogate her.

“Is she okay, Cassie?” Daniela inquired.

“I think she’s okay now. But when I first got there, she had been crying.”

Bela’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. “She was crying? What on earth did that pathetic man-thing of a brother say to her?” She asked, her hands curling into fists. 

Cassandra scoffed. “For once, it actually wasn’t Heisenberg. It was Mother Miranda who made her so upset.”

“That wretch,” Daniela spat, picking up her dinner knife and twirling it mindlessly. “This isn’t the first time. If she hurts our mother’s feelings once more, I’ll behead her. And I’m serious this time.”

Bela rolled her eyes at Daniela’s threat, having heard it far too many times. “What did Mother Miranda say?” 

Cassandra shrugged. “Mother didn’t say. Well, she was going to, and then one of the maids interrupted.”

Bela sighed. “I think mother should be in Miranda’s spot. She can run this village far better than her anyway.”

“I agree.” Cassandra replied.

Daniela giggled, still fiddling with her knife. “Let’s get rid of Miranda then. We get her when she least expects it and then tear her limb from limb. Just to make it clear – I want the head.”

Cassandra giggled alongside her red-headed sister. “Can I get the arms, then?”

Finally, Bela let out a few laughs of her own. “Do you guys really think she is even worthy enough to eat?”

Suddenly, heavy footsteps could be heard, and the three daughters turned to see their mother entering the dining hall. Alcina had taken off her makeup, her hair free of pins and her unruly black curls framing her face. She was wearing a long, silky gown that she liked to wear when she was just lounging about the castle. 

“I’m sorry, who are we eating?” Alcina asked, causing all the girls to erupt into fits of laughter. Alcina took her seat at the head of the table, feeling much better than she did some minutes ago.

“Well, we’re eating good-for-nothing Mother Miranda of course.” Daniela replied. Alcina shook her head, smiling despite herself.

“No, we are not. At least not today.” She replied.

There was a comfortable silence that fell over the four of them as their drinks were served (it was Alcina’s famous Sanguis Virginis, of course) before Cassandra spoke up again.

“What… what did she say to you, mother? You never told me.”

Alcina sighed, setting her fork down. “Like I said earlier, she didn’t say anything about me. I was upset because she said something about you all.”

“Us? What did she say about us?” Bela chimed in.

“We just got into another… disagreement, like we always do at these meetings, and I suppose I said something that deeply repulsed her, because she threatened to take you all away from me. Just the thought of her taking my lovely girls away from me for something so trivial made me see red. I almost sliced her to ribbons right then and there.”

Cassandra’s face took on an incredulous expression. “Oh, please. Do not listen to her, mother. She could never take you away from us. The three of us would fight like hell if she even tried.” 

Alcina grinned, taking a sip of her wine. “Oh, I know. You all are my daughters, after all.” 

After the brief conversation, the food was finally served. Alcina was tended to first, one of the maids bringing a small serving cart next to her. When the maid lifted the plate and set it in front of Alcina, Cassandra had quickly pointed out something she saw on the cart.

“What is that?” Cassandra said, staring at whatever else was on the cart. Alcina followed her gaze and saw that there was a folded letter in the same spot the plate had been in. She instantly knew what it was and grabbed it quickly.

“Did you know this was here?” She asked the maid, staring directly into her eyes with a menacing gaze. The maid, Olivia, shook her head fervently.

“No, my lady. I don’t even know how it got there.”

“And you are absolutely sure?” Alcina replied. 

“I am definitely sure, my lady.”

Alcina glanced at the letter between her fingers, then her eyes returned to Olivia. “Alright, then. Off you go.” She said. Olivia was out of the dining hall in a blink.

“A letter?” Daniela questioned. Alcina set it off to the side, not wanting to confess to her daughters that she had a secret admirer as for some reason it felt… strange, to her.

“It is nothing, my loves. Worry not.”

“Mother, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think one of the servants is trying to woo you.” Bela said teasingly.

Daniela gasped. “A love letter? The maids here are usually quite direct. What a romantic person this is, trying to be secretive. Just like in my novels…” she trailed off, her mind wandering back to the latest book she had been reading. 

“Dani, don’t go on another tangent about your smut, please.” Cassandra said with a playful smile. Daniela’s face soured.

“It’s not all smut, Cassie. Most of it is. But not all.”

Bela groaned. “Enough, you two. I want to hear more about our mother’s secret admirer.” She said. Alcina chuckled, staring down at her mostly clean plate.

“I’m afraid I don’t have much to share. I have no idea who it could be. They’ve been sending me these letters for quite a while now.”

All three daughters glanced at each other as they all thought to themselves about the identity of the secret writer. Alcina seemed to know exactly where their minds were going and spoke up again.

“Please, my girls, don’t concern yourselves with trying to find them. It would only exhaust you.”

“But… how hard could it be?” Daniela whined. “I mean, we just need to figure out which maid likes to write.”

Bela deadpanned at her. “Do you have any idea how many maids here keep a journal? It seems to be a common hobby shared amongst them. That doesn’t quite narrow it down.”

“It does a little bit, Bela! We can just gather all the maids that keep a journal and narrow it down further from there. Stupid.”

Cassandra interrupted their bickering. “Let’s just spy on all of them. You know, we could all just be a fly on the wall. Literally.”

“Or-”

“Perhaps if we-”

Alcina cleared her throat, and all of the girls ceased their rambling. “My loves, please. I can assure you none of that would be necessary. Surely, they will reveal themselves in due time.”

Cassandra could only sigh. “Whatever you say, mother.”

After dinner, Alcina went back to her bedroom and began doing her usual nightly routine. It was when she was just about to close her eyes and succumb to slumber that she remembered the letter she had received during dinner. She had taken it with her when she went upstairs, throwing it haphazardly on her vanity.

Her chambermaid, Irene, was just about to leave before Alcina halted her in her tracks.

“Irene. On my vanity, there is a letter. Bring it to me.”

Irene obeyed, fetching the letter and handing it to Alcina. Alcina then dismissed her, and soon she was alone, with just her thoughts and a thin piece of paper.

Alcina finally opened the letter.

Dear Lady Dimitrescu,

I noticed that you returned to the castle quite enraged. I am not sure what could have happened at your meeting today that would have made you feel so strongly, but I have a feeling that the meeting did not go very smoothly. 

It hurt me deeply to see you so upset. As your servant, I care for you all the time, but I wish I could have cared for you more… intimately. I wanted to hug you. I wanted to tell you that whatever is the Lords say should not be taken to heart. You rule the castle with ferocious power but I know that deep down, words hurt you like anybody else. Which is exactly why I like telling you sweet words. 

I do hope that you are feeling better. And I hope that my letters have been making you smile. I hope that they remind you of how loved and admired you are. If you ever have another day where you are filled with anger or sadness, I hope re-reading my letters makes you feel warm.

I hope that one day I can muster up the courage to tell you things like this face-to-face. But until then, I shall remain faceless. 

You are precious, my dear Alcina. Forgive me for not using your title. I love your name.

You will hear from me again soon.

P.S.

You should wear your hair down around the castle more.

Alcina noticed her vision becoming slightly blurry and was quick to rub the wetness from her eyes, feeling embarrassed even though she was completely alone in her room. She fell asleep, clutching the letter to her chest without even fully realizing it.

IV.

It was a special day today.

Alcina, for the first time in a long time, was completely free to spend her day however she wanted to. She didn’t have a meeting with her insufferable siblings, nor was she kept trapped inside of her chambers, bound to her vanity and completing monotonous paperwork. She couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than with her beloved daughters.

It was a warm and sunny day outside, and she figured that her and her daughters could use the fresh air. She had one of her chefs of the castle prepare a picnic basket that contained everything that she and her daughters enjoyed; most of it being the meat from some poor unfortunate souls that found their way into Alcina’s grasp, with her signature red wine.

While the food was being made, Alcina currently found herself sitting in front of her vanity, doing some very light makeup for today. Her raven hair was free from pins and framed her face beautifully, and instead of donning her usual off-white dress, she opted for a floral sundress with black pumps. Atop her head was a straw sun hat adorned with a pretty red bow that matched the color of her lips. 

As she was adding the finishing touches to her face, she couldn’t help the small smile from breaking out on her face at the mere thought of being able to spend quality time with her daughters. Despite having lived with them for decades, and doing almost every activity under the sun with them, even just doing something as simple as sitting outside and eating with them was something she’d never grow tired of.

Alcina had begun heading downstairs when she was finished getting ready, and her smile only grew wider seeing her daughters in their own flowy dresses and sandals. Alcina didn’t immediately make her presence known, stopping at the top of the stairs and watching with fondness in her eyes as Cassandra and Bela were loudly cackling at some ridiculous joke Daniela had told them. It wasn’t until Bela had glanced upstairs when she threw her head back to laugh at something else Daniela had said that they finally took note of their mother’s presence.

Bela gasped as she took in her mother’s appearance, which caused Daniela and Cassandra to turn their heads and look at what had caught their eldest sister by surprise. 

“Mother, you look so nice!” Bela complimented as Alcina descended the stairs.

“Why, thank you, my dear. The three of you look far more adorable,” Alcina replied, adjusting her hat, taking note of their own matching sundresses. “Now, are we ready?”

The three of them nodded and smiled excitedly, heading to the beautiful gardens of the castle.

The garden area was large and luscious, vibrant and colorful, full of flowers of multiple varieties. A maid, Mina, had followed the family outside, carrying the folded picnic blanket and basket full of sandwiches and snacks that were of the family’s liking. Once Alcina found a desirable spot to rest, the blanket was laid out across the bright green grass and the food was taken out one by one. Alcina and her daughters made themselves comfortable atop their lawn, all smiles and excited little dances at finally being able to spend time together like this.

Mina had stood up, her hands folded politely behind her back. “Is everything as desired, my lady?” She asked.

Alcina was already opening up her signature red wine as her daughters dug into their respective meals. “Yes, Mina. You are dismissed.” She said, gazing fondly at her rowdy children. Mina nodded curtly before standing off somewhere to the side, keeping the family of four under a watchful eye, ready to assist Alcina or the daughters should they have any pertinent requests.

Alcina hadn’t felt this at peace in a long while. She had deeply missed having long conversations with her daughters about everything under the sun. Even though sometimes they got on her last nerve, it was moments like this that she would always cherish. 

Alcina had fallen silent after a while, a small smile resting on her features as she basked in the sunlight, the chatter from her daughters serving as pleasant background noise alongside the songs of birds. 

She wasn’t particularly aware of what her girls were talking about, but rather just enjoying their presence. Her eyes eventually had drifted elsewhere, glancing at the inside of the still open picnic basket. The basket had been emptied of course – or so Alcina had thought. Her eyes managed to catch onto the sight of what looked like a small piece of paper, and it didn’t take her long to put two and two together. Immediately, a wave of slight annoyance and curiosity washed over her. 

“Mother,” Daniela suddenly spoke, catching her mother’s attention. “Any updates on your secret admirer?”

Alcina sighed. “Funny you should mention that. It seems my admirer is keen on making themselves known even now.” 

She reached into the picnic basket and pulled out the tiny piece of folded paper, holding it in her perfectly manicured hand, staring at it inquisitively. 

Cassandra inquired first. “Well? Read it! I wanna know what it says!” 

Daniela nodded excitedly in agreement, and Bela, poorly feigning disinterest, couldn’t hide her own curious expression.

Alcina just shook her head, placing it back inside the basket. “Can’t we just enjoy today, my daughters? I do not want to be concerned with this… mysterious individual right now.” She said, tucking a loose strand of raven hair behind her ears. Her daughters fell silent, and it was obvious that they didn’t want to move on from the topic so soon, but they seemed to understand her request, quickly dropping the topic despite their clear intrigue about the contents of the letter. 

“Alright, fine,” Daniela said dejectedly, but her voice took on a brighter tone again when she said her next sentence. “Oh! Why don’t we talk about that pathetic man-thing we met the other day-"

The conversation then shifted to a story regarding the daughters’ recent venture into the village, the girls laughing merrily as they recounted how much fun they had terrorizing the villagers and hunting unsuspecting man-things in vivid detail (Mina, who was still standing off to the side, tried her absolute best to keep her lunch down as she overheard the gruesome stories).

By the time the sky had transformed into a beautiful blend of orange and yellow and pink, the chatter and the giggles had mostly died down, the four women simply basking in each other’s presence in peaceful silence, feeling sated and content. Alcina was ready to take a long bath, already daydreaming about sinking into the warm water, when Daniela suddenly stood up and took off, loud giggles escaping her as her other two sisters followed suit.

That sudden disruption pulled Alcina out of her mind. She smiled softly at the sight of her daughters enjoying the warmth, running around and soaking it all in since they were normally stuck inside the moment the weather got cool. They needed to release that energy, somehow.

Alcina stood up, giving her daughters one last loving glance before turning to face Mina, who was still off to the side, waiting patiently for orders.

"Mina—take the picnic basket and the blanket, will you?"

Mina gave a curt nod. "Yes, of course, my lady."

Mina did as she was asked, picking up the items and following Alcina back inside the castle. She knew her daughters would eventually tire themselves out and head back inside at some point; for now, she wanted to let them enjoy their time together.

Irene, who was busy mopping the floor, noticed Alcina when she came in.

"I think I'll get ready for bed a bit earlier today, Irene. Please come up as soon as you've finished your cleaning duties." Alcina spoke, heading up the stairs to her chambers.

"As you wish, my lady. I will make swift work of the main hall and visit you shortly."

It was indeed very short, as Alcina still hadn't even finished removing all of her makeup before Irene was knocking on her door. She came in upon Alcina granting her permission.

"Everything alright, my lady?" Irene questioned, closing the door behind her. "You're already retiring, and the sun has only just begun to set."

Alcina chuckled. "It's just been a long day, I suppose. Please, get my bath ready."

Irene nodded, immediately heading toward Alcina's large bathroom and quickly getting to work preparing it how she liked. The sound of water filling the tub became relaxing ambience for Alcina as she finished removing the last of her foundation. But it was as she was tidying up her vanity that a thought pierced her mind; a fleeting memory.

The note in the picnic basket. She had grabbed it before Mina put it away, storing the small piece of paper in her bra absentmindedly.

She pulled down the neckline of her dress and removed the paper with two fingers, staring at it with anticipatory gaze. For the first time, she actually felt like she was… excited to read it.

After glancing at the bathroom door to ensure that Irene was still occupied, she quickly unfolded the piece of paper, being met with familiar handwriting. Without even looking, she reached for her reading glasses that were sat somewhere on the vanity, scrambling to get them on her face as she read:

Dear Lady Dimitrescu,

I saw you and your daughters head out today. You looked positively stunning in that dress. It's nice to see you so happy, too. Most days you seem so stressed, so angry, especially after those meetings. You really deserve to just relax for once.

I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather while it's here. Maybe some day, I'll enjoy it with you. Perhaps that will always be a far-away dream, though. But that's okay.

I hope you'll continue to have days like this, despite everything.

Alcina didn't even realize that the sound of the tub filling up had ceased. She was staring down at the letter, re-reading each sentence, having been swept away by the sincerity that was oozing from every word. The only thing that stole Alcina's attention away from the letter was the familiar sound of Irene's voice.

"Your bath has been prepared, my lady."

Alcina jolted a bit in her seat, tearing her eyes away from the letter. Irene quirked an eyebrow, intrigued by Alcina's unusual behavior, but didn't say anything.

"Great." Alcina said, mostly oblivious to Irene's reaction. She rose to her full height, standing in the center of the room so Irene could help her out of her dress.

It was like second nature to Irene; she fell into the groove of things smoothly and easily, grabbing the stepladder from one of the corners of the room and placing it directly behind Alcina, climbing it carefully. From there she began to undo the back of Alcina's signature off-white dress, tugging it off of her shoulders and allowing it to fall to the ground. While getting to work on removing her bra, a question sat on Irene's tongue, one that she voiced before she could even help it.

"My lady, has something been bothering you?"

Alcina sighed, shrugging the bra off of her shoulders and letting that fall to the ground, too. "Nothing you need to be concerned with, I assure you." She replied simply, hands moving to remove her underwear next. Irene descended from the step ladder and appeared in front of her, helping with pulling the underwear down her long legs.

"But it is my job to be concerned about you, no? My wellbeing depends on yours." Irene replied. Alcina grinned at that.

"Well, then, I will be truthful with you. There is something that occupies my mind. But it is trivial, and certaintly not worth discussing. I'm sure it will wash over me in due time."

Irene gathered the large clothing items from off of the floor and put them on the chair in front of the vanity, for now. When she turned back around to face Alcina, her expression had shifted into something conveying concern, eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly.

"If it's weighing on you, it must not be trivial." Irene spoke, picking up the step ladder and heading toward the bathroom as she did. Alcina trailed behind, shaking her head at Irene's persistence on the subject.

"Must you be so argumentative?" Alcina complained, settling into the tub as she did so, the water rising higher as she fully submerged her body. She let out a heavy sigh as the hot water seeped into her muscles, shoulders relaxing as the tension left her body with every passing second.

Irene was quick to place the step ladder down again and assume her position just behind Alcina, preparing to help wash her hair. She used a wooden bowl to scoop up water and pour it into Alcina's hair, getting her rich, dark locks completely soaked.

"I'm not being argumentative, I just care about you." Irene said earnestly, a softness in her voice. Alcina couldn't help but smile, not fighting it as it tugged at the corners of her lips. Irene was the only maid that could speak to Alcina in such a way; if she were to hear such words from anyone else, Alcina would be deeply annoyed, and would simply command them to stop pestering her.

"Is that so?" Alcina replied, a hint of playful teasing in her tone. She closed her eyes as Irene began lathering shampoo into her hair. "Well, if you wish to know… I seem to have some kind of… admirer, of sorts."

"An admirer?" Irene echoed inquisitively.

"Yes. It must be one of the maids around here. They keep surprising me with hand-written letters and they are very… consistent."

Irene laughed airily. "How bold. What do the letters contain?"

"Compliments, mostly. Words of encouragment, and the like."

"That sounds sweet," Irene commented, yet again pouring water into Alcina's hair, giving it a good rinse. "Do you think they'll ever reveal themselves?"

"I do not know. It's been long enough. Perhaps they have no plan to." Alcina replied, fixating on the bubbles in the water.

A beat. Then, Irene spoke again.

"Do you want them to?"

At that moment, all of the letters entered Alcina's mind. She was reminded of how reading each one made her feel; touched, appreciated. The letters were merely an annoyance to her in the beginning, but now they plagued her mind. Maybe she would never admit it, but she actually somewhat liked receiving them now. Most of her maids didn't meant that much to her, but this one… she was itching to meet.

"Yes," Alcina said finally, a raw honesty in her tone that even surprised her to a degree. "I do."

V.

After a long day of being on your feet, you were finally allowed a break.

The first and only thing that came to your mind once you were given time to rest was to write a quick little entry in your beloved journal, which was currently lying underneath your pillow, where it remained every single day. Usually, you wrote in your journal within the comfort of your own room alongside your roommate, Melissa, who had a schedule quite similar to yours and always decided to take a nap during her own breaks. But, every now and then, you wanted a change of scenery, and sometimes you decided to write in other areas of the castle other than your quarters – like today.

You found yourself seated in the main hall, where it was fairly quiet, your pen in hand and your journal open to a blank page. Many pages in your journal were dedicated to your domineering boss, Lady Alcina Dimitrescu—poems, attempts at unique compliments to put into your letters—but other pages, including the one you would write on today, were simply about what you had gotten up to around the castle.

April 26th, 2024

Really slow day today. I’ve been distracted; more so than usual.

I’ve been leaving letters for The Lady for a while now. I even caught her reading one of them while I was cleaning today. I scurried away before she could notice me, but I did catch a glimpse of her face. She seemed so… uninterested. Indifferent. Trying to appease her is much more difficult than I had initially presumed.

I will not give up, though. I’d like to believe that my words are at least a little bit meaningful to her. I just know that I can capture her heart in due time. Melissa says that it’s an unrealistic goal. But if I don’t try, I’ll never know. 

I want her to see that I’m special, as cheesy as it sounds. That I’m worth her time. That I can-

In that moment, while you were mid-sentence, a voice called for you, one that you recognized very well. 

“___! Come, quickly!” Irene had yelled from some other nearby room in the castle. You let out a sigh in slight annoyance; you had just a few minutes left of your break, but it seemed you were suddenly needed elsewhere, and considering it was the head maid of the castle, you didn’t want to keep her waiting.

You slammed your journal shut, reluctantly getting up to go see what Irene needed. In your haste, you had left your journal where you were seated; you had assumed that Irene wouldn’t need you for very long and that you’d be back to writing soon.

An incorrect assumption, you’d soon realize. Irene had instructed you to clean the kitchen, as the maid that was normally responsible for the job had suddenly fallen ill and was resting. It took longer than you thought; you tidied up the place from top to bottom, without missing a single spot. You spent hours in unfavorable positions that you knew would have you feeling stiff in the morning.

By the time you finished, the sun had dipped past the horizon and your feet were killing you. You just wanted to dive into your bed, having gone well over your own designated shift. Your actual task was supposed to be cleaning the atelier instead of the kitchen, after which you would have turned in for the night. If only your co-worker wasn’t under the weather, your shift wouldn’t have been extended, and you’d have been all warm and cozy under your blankets. With a sigh, you begrudgingly headed to the atelier to finish the night.

While traveling through the hallway, you stumbled upon Irene, who also seemed exhausted, her eyes droopy and her gait sluggish. She stopped in front of you, effectively halting you in your tracks, and you stared at her, perplexed.

“I took care of the atelier for you since you had to cover the kitchen. You’re welcome.” She said, giving you a small, tired grin. You returned the warm expression, feeling as if a huge weight had been removed from your shoulders.

“Thank you so much, Irene. I owe you.” You replied.

Irene shook her head, giving you a friendly pat on the shoulder. “No need. Now head to your quarters, I’m sure you’re in need of rest.” She spoke softly.

“Oh, absolutely,” You said with a chuckle. “Goodnight, miss.”

“Goodnight.”

Upon parting ways, you did just what Irene had said, walking into your shared living quarters and immediately sinking into your bed, still clad in your work outfit and too tired to even bother changing for now. You didn’t even greet Melissa, who was already clad in her nightgown and snug under the covers, doing some light reading.

“Not gonna bother washing up first?” Melissa asked playfully.

You rolled your eyes. “Oh, shut up, I just need a few minutes off my feet.”

Closing her book and placing it on her nightstand, she turned over on her side, facing you. “Hey, no judgment. You were working for longer than usual,” she said, after which she let out a yawn.

“I had to do the kitchen because Rosie is recovering from a sudden sickness. I don’t know why Irene chose me of all people.” You replied.

“Damn, the kitchen? That must’ve sucked.”

You let out a sharp laugh. “It did, more than I thought it would. There were so many dishes.” You said, shuddering just at the thought of all the plates and bowls and forks and spoons you cleaned.

You and Melissa then fell into a casual conversation, talking about everything and nothing. Melissa had said a little bit about her day, talking about how mostly uneventful it was with the exception of her walking into a closet to see two maids sharing a kiss. The two of you giggled like gossiping schoolgirls at the story as it was by far one of the most amusing things to happen lately among the many boring workdays.

When there was a lull in the conversation, and Melissa began struggling to keep her eyes open, you saw that as the opportunity to finally get up and change into your own nightwear. You stretched for a bit before getting out of bed and heading to your closet, pulling out something far more comfortable. You changed right there, as you were close enough with Melissa that she didn’t mind (and she was dozing off anyway, having lost her battle with sleep). 

You crawled back into bed, letting out a sigh of relief at finally being able to sink into your soft mattress. Although you were tired, you thought this was the perfect moment to write a little entry in your journal. You were in the mood to write a poem or two and doodle a bit. Perhaps you could finish your entry from earlier.

When you reached underneath your pillow to grab said journal, you were hit with a shocking realization. 

Your journal wasn’t there. And it didn’t take you long to remember where you had left it.

“Shit.” You cursed, loud enough that it roused Melissa from her sleep. 

“Problem?” She asked drowsily, her voice thick with sleep and her eyes still barely open.

“My journal. I left it in the main hall.” You said, feeling the anxiety course through you at the thought of just leaving it in the open. You knew there were some maids who were nosy and liked to snoop through things that weren’t theirs – but that was really the last of your concerns. No, you were more worried about the journal falling into a certain pair of pale, bloody hands. Or worse, black, gloved ones.

“Oh. Well shit, indeed.” Melissa replied. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “Do you want help finding it?”

You shook your head, getting out of bed to put on your slippers, already striding for the door. “No, I know exactly where I left it. I just hope to god it’s still there. I’ll be back.” You quickly sputtered out, your hand already on the doorknob. 

But when you swung open the door, you were met with Irene on the other side, her hand hovering in the air like she was just moments away from knocking. You opened your mouth to ask one of many questions that had appeared in your mind, but Irene spoke first.

“Oh– hello there. I am sorry for the abrupt visit, but the Lady wants to speak with you.”

Your eyes widened. Your already racing heart had just slightly increased in speed. You whipped your head around to look at Melissa who was still sitting up and looking visibly more awake, bewilderment written all over her features.

You looked back at Irene. “Speak with me about what, might I ask?”

“I do not know. But what you and I both know is that the Lady doesn’t like to be kept waiting, so please, let’s get going.”

“But I’m– should I change back into my formal attire–”

“No need. Just bring yourself as you are. Now come, quickly.” Irene said, urgency evident in her tone. She was growing more and more impatient by the second, and even though being reunited with your journal was the only thing you cared about in the moment, you knew better than to waste the Lady’s time.

“Okay, okay. I hope this will be quick.” You said. Before stepping out, you threw one last glance at Melissa, who simply mouthed the words “please don’t die” before the door was shut and you were following Irene down the winding hallways.

It was mostly silent as the two of you walked to the Lady’s chambers, but it wasn’t silent in your head. You had so many questions, all of them pertaining to the Lady. Your heart was still trying to beat its way out of your chest and your nerves felt like they had been set alight. You were a little bit afraid – was the Lady going to scold you? Punish you for some wrongdoing you didn’t even know you did? Kill you just because she felt like it?

Although you were feeling fearful, you also couldn’t deny that some of your nervousness came from just the thought of being around her. She was equal parts terrifying and stunning. You sure hoped you hadn’t disappointed her in some way, because then you might as well forget about all those letters.

Eventually, the two of you made it to the Lady’s room. Irene knocked on the door before clearing her throat.

“My Lady, ____ has arrived.” Irene spoke. With sweaty palms, you quickly straightened your clothing, and at that point you were reminded that you were only clad in your pajamas. You felt waves of heat rush to your face.

“Enter.” The Lady’s stern voice was heard through the door.

Irene did just that, with you following closely behind. 

When you walked in, you tried your best to remain calm and collected, but all the air left your lungs when you saw the Lady in all her glory, still dressed to the nines even for bed, sitting at her vanity. She was clad in a long, red satin nightgown with a matching robe of the same material. Her hair wasn’t in its usual tight curls but instead fell around her makeup-free face, the casual look nearly making you fold. Despite your best attempts, your eyes had cascaded down her body, which filled out the nightgown in such a tasteful way. 

You didn’t even realize you had been tuning out the surrounding conversation until Irene had left, the sound of the door shutting quickly bringing you back to the current moment. You were now alone with the Lady, and you were completely on edge. You politely put your hands behind your back, meeting the Lady’s gaze.

For several minutes, she just stared at you inquisitively, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. You knew not to speak without being spoken to, though, so you waited patiently, almost entranced by those golden eyes pinning you down.

Folding her arms, the Lady eventually pierced the silence. 

“Do you have any idea as to why you’re here?” She asked.

You shook your head, before quickly remembering that she preferred verbal answers. “No I don’t, my lady.”

She smirked.

“Well then. I’ll get straight to the point, dear. You seemed to have lost something earlier, and a very kind maid gave it to one of my daughters, who then gave it to me.”

Your heart sank. Your worst nightmare was coming true, unfolding right before your eyes. You watched as the Lady pulled out your journal from a drawer, the book looking almost comically small in her hands. 

“Does this seem familiar?” She asked. You were frozen in utter… fear? Disbelief? Shock? Embarrassment? It was really all of the above. You couldn’t even respond.

“Cat got your tongue?” the Lady said with a deep, reverberating chuckle. “I must say, this handwriting… I definitely remember it from somewhere.” She said, opening up your journal and flipping through a few pages. You could tell from her tone of voice that she very clearly recognized the writing, and all you could do was hang in your head in humiliation.

"My, my… you certaintly have a way with words," Alcina continued, clearly deriving pleasure from your blatant embarrassment. "I must say, I am very impressed by your… subtlely."

At that, you raised your head, brows furrowed by the sudden compliment.

At your expression, Alcina elaborated. "Truthfully, I don't remember the last time someone went to such lengths in attempts to woo me. You were certainly very clever with your little hiding spots. It was quite amusing, I must say." She said with a cheshire grin. You remained silent, swallowing nervously, unsure of where she was going with her words. Your heart was still pounding away in your chest, the percussive thumping sound ever-present in your ears.

Alcina gave your journal one last curious look before gently placing it on her vanity and turning her gaze back to you. The grin on her face remained as she gracefully crossed her arms, golden eyes still keeping you pinned down.

"Tell me," she began, her saccharine voice a bit more hushed. "What are your true intentions with me?" She questioned.

You felt your mouth run dry. This was a scene that you imagined and dreamt about for ages, and now that it was finally playing out before you, you were speechless and stocked still, your stomach in knots. You weren't confessing to just anyone—you were confessing to the matriarch of the castle. Your employer, for Mother Miranda's sake. Although you had hoped for a moment where you could tell her how you felt, now that the opportunity had presented itself, you were getting cold feet.

"I must be speaking to a brick wall," Alcina had suddenly said, her voice low and quiet and yet no less commanding. "I do not repeat myself. You know this. Respond."

You immediately cleared your throat. "I—well, my intentions are—I, um… I wish to—"

You were cut off by the Lady's sharp laughter at your babbling.

"Let me ask a simpler question," she said. "Do you wish to court me?"

At that, your response was quicker. "Yes, my lady. I do." You replied, a slight tremor in your voice. You made sure to look directly into her piercing gaze while you spoke, trying to communicate the seriousness of your confession.

Alcina had released yet another low series of chuckles, her eyes trailing off elsewhere as she contemplated her next words. Maybe you were seeing things, but she seemed pleasantly surprised by your answer—and you took that as a good sign.

When her eyes finally returned to you, you could see a just a hint of playfulness swirling around in her irises.

"Well, șoarece mic, I must admit… your efforts have charmed me, and you continue to fascinate me," she spoke slowly, making you hang on her every word, the anticipation bubbling within your chest.

Alcina continued. "Thus, I have decided; I will grant you a chance."

Your eyes widened, and you honestly could have fainted out of pure disbelief right then and there, but miraculously, you managed to remain standing.

Alcina's ever-present grin only grew wider as she took in your reaction. You wanted to immediately shower her in gratitude for accepting your advances, but before you could, she was speaking again.

"Listen carefully, șoarece mic. I am no easy woman to please, so do not get too excited just yet. You must show me that you are worth my time and affection. If I do not deem you worthy enough, I will do away with you without a second thought. Understood?"

You nodded fervently. "Yes, of course my lady. I won't let you down, I can assure you."

Alcina scoffed at that. "You're very confident already. They all start off that way," she noted. Suddenly, she stood up, and you craned your neck all the way to maintain eye contact with her as she stated down at you in amusement.

"I am growing more tired by the minute, so I will be off to bed now. Tomorrow, during the evening, you and I will meet for dinner. I will be expecting you in the dining hall at six o'clock P.M. sharp. Not a minute early nor a minute late. Do I make myself clear?" She inquired, her honeyed voice stern and unwavering.

"Yes, my lady. You have made yourself very clear." You replied.

She smiled at you, and the expression made you feel warm all over. "Very good." She praised, and you nearly felt your knees buckle. Alcina was, of course, well aware of your heart rate, her abnormal ears honing in on the sound.

"You should run off to bed, as well. If your heart beats any faster I worry that it will burst forth from your chest and stain my carpet. You may leave."

You didn’t hesitate in seeing yourself out. "Yes, of course, my lady. Goodnight." You quickly muttered out, heading out of her chambers with great haste.

The walk back to your dorm room was only a few minutes, but it felt like forever, every step heavier than the last as reality slowly but surely began to finally sink in.

The Lady was giving you a chance. Your letters actually worked. You were fairly confident that she would laugh at you degradingly; that it would be impossible for you to get any closer to her as a mere maid. But you defied those odds, and now you felt a strange mix of elation and anxiety, already thinking about your dinner with her tomorrow and what would you say and how you would behave.

Eventually, without even fully realizing it, you walked back into your shared bedroom. Upon closing the door, you leaned against it for a bit, a dopey smile gradually beginning to form on your face as you silently recounted everything that had just transpired in the last few minutes.

It wasn't until Melissa, who was still awake and who you weren’t even registering as also being in the room with you, suddenly spoke.

"You're not dead. That's a relief." She said playfully, and your eyes immediately snapped to her upon hearing her voice. The smile that was on your face was quickly wiped away, and you immediately began to feel heat envelope the back of your neck and ears in embarrassment.

"Nope. Not dead. But I do feel like I could throw up right now."

Melissa quirked a brow at that. "What even happened? And also, what the hell has got you so smiley? I mean, especially after seeing the Lady… people typically have fear in their eyes."

You looked at her with a mischievous glint in your eyes. "Remember when you told me that trying to woo the Lady would be a waste of a time? And that it was, quote, an 'unrealistic goal,' unquote?"

Melissa nodded slowly, confusion lacing her features, before that confusion slowly morphed into one of disbelief and awe, her jaw lowering slightly.

"You're fucking kidding. You actually managed to—"

"Mhm." You interjected, wearing a boastful smirk. With light steps, you walked back to your bed, sitting down on the cushion, eyes glued to Melissa's shocked face. Her jaw remained dropped for quite some time, causing laughter to erupt from your throat.

"You didn't think I could do it. My own friend doubted me, how unbelievable." You said, your tone dripping in sarcasm.

Eventually, Melissa's face yet again transformed from pure shock to what looked like worry, eyebrows knitted together and lips pressed into a thin line. Your own teasing grin faltered a bit as you noted the change in expression and the subsequent change in atmosphere.

"What?" You asked simply.

Melissa was silent for a bit before responding, eyes contemplative. "Does this mean you won't be my roommate anymore?"

Your own eyes softened upon hearing Melissa's words, and you were quick to reassure her. "Well—honestly, I'm not sure what it means, but if you think I'm going to stop being your friend, I'm here to tell you right now that that won't be happening," you spoke gently.

Melissa looked at you with a hopeful gleam in her eyes, but you could still see hints of sadness in her expression. "But what if the Lady stops you from hanging out with me or something? You know, because you'll be on her level now, or whatever."

You looked at her with pity. "Oh, Melissa… look, I know she's known for having rather strange rules, but surely she wouldn't mind if I just wanted to speak with you. It'll be alright; I'm not going anywhere." You said definitively. Although Melissa didn't look very assured from your response, she didn't say anything more, accepting your answer and giving you a small smile, one that didn't reach her eyes.

"Okay," she spoke softly, lying back down in her bed. "Happy for you."

You just smiled in response, crawling underneath the covers of your bed as well. You were also going to whisper a quick goodnight, but when you turned your head, you noticed that Melissa has already turned over on her side. Even then, you stared at her back for a while, eyebrows slightly furrowed in concern; she had seemed more reserved than normal, and you had a feeling that something else was on her mind, but she was clearly done with talking, so you let it go for now.

You allowed your eyes to gaze up at the ceiling, your mind being flooded with thoughts about tomorrow evening. The last thing on your mind as you drifted off into slumber was Alcina's golden eyes and smile lines.

The next morning was nothing out of the ordinary. You were still expected to do your maid duties until the evening came around. As you cleaned and organized, you saw some maids eyeing you strangely; no doubt because one of Alcina's daughters had probably already gossiped about it, most likely the daughter that found the journal in the first place. Some maids looked at you with clear jealousy, others just seemingly shocked that the Lady had even taken a liking to you. Surprisingly, though, no one had walked up to you and directly asked you about it. Honestly, you were glad; you really didn't want to entertain anybody's rumors at the moment.

After a quick lunch, the next few hours went by painstakingly slow; but eventually, the evening rolled around. It was five o'clock when Irene called for you and brought you to her own quarters, sitting you down in front of a vanity and helping you prepare for your dinner with the Lady. She assisted with doing your hair and makeup; nothing flashy, just presentable. For your outfit, you opted for slacks and a flowy blouse.

Irene was very skilled and finished dolling you up fairly quickly. You moved to get out of your seat, but was suddenly stopped when you felt Irene place a hand on your shoulder. You gazed at her curiously through the reflection.

"You should be proud," she began, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. "Managing to capture the Lady's heart is no easy feat… I would know."

Upon hearing the last sentence, a gasp escaped you. "You… used to be with her?"

Irene chuckled, the sound low and smooth. "Yes. Many, many years ago."

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking, I mean," you inquired, shifting in your seat a little, still holding her gaze through the mirror. "You're obviously still around, so I imagine it didn't end terribly…?"

"Our departure from one another was amicable, yes," Irene replied, absentmindely smoothing out the wrinkles in your blouse as she spoke. "It's quite a long story. Too long of a story. If I got into it now, I surely wouldn't cover everything. So, ask me some other time." She said with a grin.

You just nodded, breaking the eye contact with her to gaze down at your lap. You could feel the nerves bubble up within you, rising from your stomach to your chest, not overwhelming but just ever-present. The low-simmering anxiety you felt manifested in twiddling your thumbs. You cleared your throat.

"Well, since you've been with the Lady intimately… is there any advice you can give me? Anything that I should… expect?"

Irene began making small adjustments to your hair as she pondered. She then turned around, leaning against the vanity casually, positioning herself in a way so that she could look directly at you rather than through the mirror. When your eyes met hers again, she gave you a thin, tired smile.

"I will tell you this," she began, voice gentle, yet firm. "As you already know, the Lady can be quite intimidating. She is the Lord of the village and the matriarch of her family after all, not to mention all the lives she has taken. But underneath that imposing, heart-stopping exterior, is… a normal woman. A normal mother, with wants and needs just like anyone else.

"Think of her heart as a solid block of ice. Cold and seemingly impenetrable. But once it all melts away, you're left with… softness. With beautiful vulnerability. Others around the castle may claim that she is difficult to love, but when you see past Lady Dimitrescu, and get to Alcina, you'll realize that those people couldn't be farther from the truth.

"She's been through much pain, so be gentle with her, but don't coddle her, either. She doesn't give second chances easily. If she really takes a liking to you, you'll be gifted with love so intense it might even seem suffocating."

Irene leaned in close.

"Good luck." Was as all she said to you before patting your shoulder and allowing you to leave.

You stood up slowly, processing everything that Irene had told you, her words echoing in your mind.

Your hand had merely touched the doorknob before Irene was calling your name, grabbing your attention again. You turned to look at her.

"Those letters of yours? They really made you stand out. I see her re-read them often. You're already farther along than all of the other women who have tried. Take that as encourgament… if you please."

"Thank you, Irene. For your advice." You said with a smile; one that revealed the gratitude you felt toward her in that moment.

You bowed to her before leaving, and she reciprocated the gesture, giving you a barely there smile in return.

You were then escorted to the dining hall by another maid. When you arrived, it was exactly six o'clock; you were punctual, just like the Lady had asked of you.

She looked gorgeous as ever, seated across from you; she traded her usual off-white dress for one that was a deep ruby red, with short, flowy sleeves. She wasn't wearing her hat this time either, but her raven hair was still in its typical curled style. Her lips were the same deep red as the dress, and she adorned her usual jewelry. She smirked at you as you walked in, taking your seat from across from her.

"Good evening," She spoke, her voice smooth as always. "I must admit… you clean up nicely."

You felt warmth creep up your neck. "Thank you, my lady. It is important that I impress you in any way I can, after all."

She chuckled. "Well, so far, you aren't disappointing me." She stated.

You grinned at that, feeling a surge of pride within you.

The date itself went smoothly. You did more listening than speaking, as you quickly discovered that the Lady was actually more talkative than you initially assumed. It was easy for her to get sidetracked while she was going on one of her tangents about nothing in particular, and rather than being annoyed, you found it quite endearing.

Although she carried more of the conversation, she didn't forget about you altogether; she asked you plenty of questions, most of them simple questions about your upbringing, background, family history. It felt somewhat strange explaining it all to her; after all, when you first arrived at the castle for work, there were no questions asked or interviews conducted as you were immediately put to work; and now, you were being vulnerable to the Lady in a way that you could have never imagined.

You answered all of the questions easily, but there was one that made you hault.

"Why…" Alcina began, trailing off for a few seconds, searching for her next words. "Why were you so drawn to me, hm?" She asked. The entire date, she was full of quips and quick-witted comments, but this time, she sounded truly sincere; genuine.

The corners of your lips were tugged upwards into the ghost of a smile. "How could I not be drawn to you?" You replied. Alcina looked down at her plate, almost as if bashful. It was a wonderous sight to you.

"Oh, please, you say that as if there aren't many reasons for people to stay away from me," She said with a chuckle as she took a sip of wine. While setting the glass back down, she continued, "You're well aware of my reputation around here."

"Yes, I am," you stated. You made sure to keep your eyes on her, your gaze full of sincerity as you spoke. "But a reputation is merely a reputation."

Alcina quirked an eyebrow. "Please, elaborate."

"Well," you began, slightly leaning forward. "If I have permission to be 100% truthful, my Lady…"

"Of course." She said with a faint grin.

"Yes, you are scary. You're terrifying. When I first started working for you, I wanted nothing to do with you. I wanted to stay out of your way. Out of fear. But slowly, I started noticing parts of you that just… charmed me. I've seen you cry after those dreadful meetings, I've overheard you laughing and playing with your daughters, I've even heard you sing love songs when you thought no one was listening…"

Alcina's grin slowly disappeared as you continued speaking. Her eyebrows were furrowed ever so slightly; she was hooked on your every word, intrigued and perplexed. She couldn't recall the last time someone ever spoke this highly of her, aside from her daughters.

"I think you have a truly beautiful heart, Alcina," you continued, absentmindedly poking the food on your plate with your fork. "Despite everything you've gone through, you're still… you."

For once, the Lady was speechless. Her eyes darted about her plate, and you could tell she was racking her brain for anything to say. It wasn't often that Alcina was in such a state of surprise; she always had a thought on her mind and never held back in expressing herself, but this time, the words died on her tongue.

You just waited in silence, forgetting all about your food at this point and focusing entirely on the woman in front of you.

Eventually, Alcina cleared her throat, piercing the sudden silence that had fallen between the two of you. "Well, that's… that's quite sweet of you to say," She spoke, her voice quiet and soft instead of the usual loud and powerful tone she always had. She raised her golden eyes away from her plate, staring into yours. "I haven't heard such words in a long time. Thank you."

You smiled. "Anytime."

Your pleasant conversation with Alcina continued, and next thing you knew, the date was coming to an end, almost as quickly as it had started. Maids came in and took care of the various dishes and utensils, and eventually the two of you found yourselves exiting the dining hall.

You turned toward Alcina, giving her a bow of gratitude and appreciation. "Thank you so much for tonight. Please, sleep well." You spoke, straining a bit to look up at her.

Alcina only looked down at you in confusion, quirking a single eyebrow. "Wait—you don't believe that you're sleeping in your chambers, do you?"

Now, it was your turn to appear confused. "Well… yes? That is where I sleep, no?"

Alcina chuckled, and the sound set your heart ablaze, the corners of your lips almost instinctively curling up into a smile.

"That used to be where you slept; not anymore. Come with me, dear." Alcina spoke, already heading in the direction of her quarters. You didn't hesitate in following, eyes widening a bit at the thought of sharing such an intimate space with her. You tried to fight your smile from growing any wider, biting your lip as Alcina led you down winding hallways toward her bedroom.

When you both reached your destination, entering the large space, you first noticed the two nightgowns that were folded neatly on the bed. You were then greeted with the presence of Irene, who was standing in a corner beside Alcina's vanity, her hands behind her back and her expression neutral. When you briefly met her gaze, however, you saw the ghost of smile grace her lips.

"Hello my Lady," Irene said to Alcina first, giving a slight nod of her head in greeting. She then looked back at you. "And hello to you too, Miss ____."

The formality of her greeting had taken you by surprise. You released a nervous, breathy chuckle. "Miss? Irene, you don't have to refer to me in such a way—"

Alcina was quick to interject. "You are no longer just any maid, dear. If you are to be by my side, you are to be greeted with the same level of high respect."

You felt your face flush, heat crawling up your neck and behind your ears at the thought of being considered someone deserving of "high respect" as Alcina had put it. It was flattering, but also slightly jarring.

"Ah… okay, then." You said with an awkward grin. Irene seemed to be holding back her own grin at your humorous reaction, clearing her throat as she regained her slipping composure.

"As you can see, sleepwear has already been provided for the both of you. The bath is ready, as well."

You glanced over at Alcina, watching as she took a seat at her vanity to begin removing her makeup. "Thank you, Irene. You are dismissed for now." She spoke. Irene simply nodded, silent, exiting the room as instructed. You didn't miss how her eyes had quickly flitted to your direction as she gave you a sly wink.

Soon enough, the two of you were alone once again. You stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, staring at the folded nightgown that still lay untouched on the large bed.

Even though you knew everything that had happened was very much real, there was still a part of you that thought you were dreaming; that all of this was just some fantasy that you had written in your journal that your brain had made come to life. Surely, you were going to wake up soon; but as you waited and waited for the confirmation of it all being a mirage, you soon realized that this was is, in fact, not fantasy, and that you were actually standing in the Lady's bedroom, getting ready to lay next to her, after only the first date, no less.

"You are thinking at a very high volume, darling." Alcina suddenly spoke, abruptly pulling you out of the corners of your mind. You could hear the amused smile in her voice as she wiped away her foundation. You shyly rubbed the back of your neck.

"Sorry, I just… this doesn't feel real." You replied sincerely. Alcina just chuckled.

"And why is that?"

"Well," you began, mulling over your words carefully. "I never would have thought you would actually give me a chance. It seemed risky, leaving all those letters. At one point I was certain that I was merely annoying you with them and that nothing would come out of it. Even when I got caught, and you realized it was me… honestly, I was sure I had only left a negative impression." You said, speaking in a way that was completely unguarded and honest, the admission coming from the depths of your heart.

Alcina had paused in removing her makeup to turn to you, her golden eyes holding a certain warmth in them that you weren't used to being on the receiving end of.

"I should confess something, too," she started, grinning lightly as she continued speaking (yet another thing you weren't used to—it was much different than the usual scowl or stoicism that painted her features). "Truthfully, I wanted to be bothered by your letters. At some point, I found myself wishing to not care so much so I could just… forget about them. But I couldn't, because… because they were so…"

Alcina trailed off, her voice trembling. You felt your heart begin to crack at the sound, but you remained silent, allowing her to find her next words.

"Such simple words," Alcina began again, after reigning in the sudden wave of emotion that overcame her. "Such simple words and they affected me so deeply. It sounds foolish, but they really reminded me of how long I have gone without being complimented. Not just for the sake of obtaining me like a prize, but out of genuine… care. My daughters were the only people in my life telling me such things, but as for potential partners—it was few and far in-between."

You placed a hand over your heart upon hearing Alcina's admission, vision blurring slightly as your eyes became glassy.

"But don't misunderstand—you must continue to impress me," Alcina said quietly, the smallest hint of playfulness in her voice. She held her makeup rag in hand, fiddling with it absentmindedly. "But just know, you are already doing quite well."

You grinned, giving her yet another deep bow. You weren't sure if you still needed to do that, since you were on her "level" now, but it was so ingrained within you that it was hard to shake.

"It makes me very happy to know you appreciated my words." You replied.

Alcina just grinned back before looking down at her makeup rag, almost as if bashful. It was during this moment that you remembered she was just a woman. Underneath all of the walls, threats, grimaces, and scowls—she probably liked being swept off her feet. Maybe she was a hopeless romantic. Or maybe she liked being showered in gifts. You wanted to know everything; everything that made her tick, everything that brought joy to her otherwise frightful life.

You couldn't wait to learn it all.

Suddenly, Alcina stood, walking toward you. Any other day, it would've been intimidating. But not tonight. Not anymore.

The next thing she did completely surprised you; she kneeled so that she would be closer to your eye-level, her dress piling up like a cloud beneath her.

She brought one large, ungloved hand up to your face—you don't even remember seeing her take them off—caressing your cheek gently. She was always beautiful, but she was glaringly beautiful up close.

"Do not disappoint me, dear. I'd hate to lose you." She said, her voice just barely above a whisper, so different from her usual powerful and resonating tone. The words vaguely sounded threatening, and there was a part of your brain that immediately lit up in warning; it was the more primal, prey-like side of your brain, reminding you that you were very much like a mouse in a cat's grasp. But any feelings of fear were completely overridden by something stronger, and you couldn't determine in the moment if that was good or bad. Either way, you didn't care all that much.

Finally, after wordlessly gazing into your eyes for a few long seconds, Alcina began to lean in. Impatiently, you also moved forward to quickly close the distance, feeling as if your entire body was being electrified as you felt your lips connect with hers.

Alcina pulled away first, almost too soon, leaving you craving more. Smiling, she reverted back to her full height, and the entire time, you kept your eyes on her. It seemed like she had put you under a spell with her kiss alone.

"Shall we bathe?" She asked simply.

You just nodded, lips feeling as if they were on fire. There was nothing you wouldn't do for her, or with her, for that matter.

You were completely, irrevocably, smitten.