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Chapter Text

You knock lightly against Lady Dimitrescu’s office door and at her low hum, enter. The office is warmly decorated with rich mahogany bookshelves and tables, richly upholstered seating, and deep crimson curtains blocking the light from the windows. The Lady’s desk sat across from the door, wooden and painted white and gold to match the castle’s baroque color scheme. The towering woman sat with her back to you, slightly hunched over her day’s work.

You set the tea tray on a table behind her and poured a cup. At this time of day Lady Dimitrescu preferred a rooibos blend, enough to calm her nerves after a long day but not enough to keep her up at night. In your first week it disturbed you, because you knew what rooibos looked like. What the Lady drank was far too thick to simply be tea. Though you knew all too well the inclinations of the Lady and her daughters, it took some adjustment on your part.

As the liquid stilled in the cup, you gently wafted your hand over it before straightening up, hands clutched behind your back. “Your tea, my Lady,” you said softly, knowing that the Lady hated to be startled by sudden noise.

The Countess lifted her head from her work and brought a hand up to massaged the side of her neck. She seemed stiff, twisting her torso gently to crack her back and pressing on her shoulders as if she could dispel the knots there. A deep sigh came from the woman.

“Bring it here, dear,” your lady said, clearly frustrated.

You paused. She had never asked you to approach her. If she spoke to you at all it was to dismiss you.

“Do not dawdle.”

At her prompting, which you knew was the last warning you’d get, you picked up her cup and saucer and brought it to her side. You set it down at her side, careful not to get too close to her documents. As you did, you took the chance to cast your gaze to the side and take her in. She wore her usual dress, off-white and gathered to cinch below her breasts. Black gloves covered her hands, and her usual hat had been discarded on the chaise lounge in the office. Her dark hair was pinned and curled, accentuating her ornate earrings and marble pillar of a neck. Crow’s feet wrinkled the edges of her eyes, signaling her age and experience.

Lady Dimitrescu was startlingly beautiful, despite her appetites. You noticed, though, as you looked at her that her face was pinched in pain, one shoulder hunched slightly higher than the other. You hadn’t registered it before, but her desk seemed much too short for her stature. Certainly not the appropriate size for a human woman, but absolutely too short for the nine foot tall vampiress. A pang of sympathy brought you to step in closer.

“Thank you,” she said in a rare display of appreciation. She sounded tired, more so than when her daughters had scared yet another maid into panic.

You weren’t sure what possessed you, but you spoke. You knew it was out of turn, and that she would no doubt punish you for it. But, regardless, you spoke.

“My Lady, if I may...I can see you are in considerable pain, and your desk seems to be ill-suited to your height. A custom-made desk may serve your body better.”

You withdrew from her side immediately, sensing that you’d made a mistake. Any second you’d meet the sharp end of her talons. And the touch did come, but now how you expected. A large hand grasped your forearm and stilled your retreat. You looked up to see Lady Dimitrescu holding your arm, not yet turned toward you.

“You presume to know what my body needs--agh!” Lady Dimitrescu twisted her neck to sneer down at you but was caught mid sentence as her neck seemed to spasm in pain. She released her grasp on you to hold her neck. A faint growl rumbled in her chest.

You did not dare to speak, though you can’t help the small smirk that tugs on your lips.

“What do you know of desks?”

“My mother was a carpenter in the village. Before I came here I was studying to be her apprentice. I could...with the proper materials I could aid you.”

“Interesting.” She seemed to consider the information for a long moment before making up her mind. “You will take a break from your duties and take up this new project. Any materials you need, I shall arrange for them to be brought to you. The old smithy in the stable should be adaptable.”

You were stunned. A moment ago you assumed your time on Earth was over. Now you were being offered a new job? Temporary, but a change from the schedule you’d become quite bored with.

“Is this acceptable to you?” she asked, her impatience bringing steel back to her voice.

“Of course, my Lady, I would be honored,” you answered quickly, giving a bow.

Lady Dimitrescu turned in her chair, careful not to move her neck too much. Her eyes flicked up and down your body, and you felt a blush dust your cheeks.

“And what are you wearing? That is not the uniform I distribute to my maids,” she growled, taking a closer look at the dark dress pants, white button-up shirt, fitted jacket, and knotted tie.

You winced at the word. “I...My apologies, my Lady. I requested a change of dress, to the butler’s. I spoke to Lady Bela about it a few weeks ago. I believed she would inform you, but I should have asked you myself.”

“Indeed, you should have. But you do look...rather dashing,” she said, her red lips quirking into a smirk.

Your blush deepend at the compliment. The Lady had never taken notice of you, not the way she did some of the maids. Servants talked. You knew your Lady’s reputation. A pretty young maid would spend a few weeks in Lady Dimitrescu’s quarters, sending different kinds of screams through the castle. And when she was done with them, they would either return to work--exhausted and bruised from their exertions--or simply disappear altogether. You knew it was best to avoid the Lady’s eye. Chances of survival went up exponentially if you could simply fade into the woodwork. The last thing you had expected was to attract her eye with your new uniform.

“Would you like to be called something else? I have been alive a very long time. The complexities of gender do not escape or perturb me.” As she spoke, Lady Dimitrescu moved to stand and did so, if not on shaky footing.

“I...prefer to go by Y/N and use they/them pronouns. I appreciate your acceptance, my Lady,” you say softly, taken aback by the larger woman’s understanding.

“It is only the decent thing. I will take note. Now if you would--” Lady Dimitrescu winced in pain “--bring my tea to the lounge. I must lay down.”

Quickly, you ferried her tea to the table beside the lounge. When you turned back, you saw your Lady clutching the back of her chair and holding her lower back. Without prompting, you came to her side and offered your arm to her.

Shocking you both, the Countess snorted at the gesture. “Don’t be foolish. Pull the lounge closer.”

You did as she asked, pushing it up to Lady Dimitrescu’s feet so she could maneuver herself to lay down. As she settled in you lifted the side table closer to her, careful not to spill the tea. Lady Dimitrescu rested her neck against the raised portion of the chaise and seemed to melt into the padded chair. She gently took her tea and sipped it.

“You may go. Report here in the morning and we shall review the requirements for the new desk.”

You nodded and slipped from the room. However, before you headed downstairs you stepped to the end of the hall and opened the linen closet. You gathered several pillows and a thick blanket and went back to the office. Without hands to knock, you simply toed the door open and entered, hoping you could get away with acting unprompted twice in the day.

“What are you--What is this?”

You set the linen beside the chaise and fluffed two of the pillows. You gesture to her long legs. “For underneath your knees. It will relieve pressure from your lower back.”

One of Lady Dimitrescu’s angular brows raised, but after a moment she lifted her knees. Her flowing dress slipped up slightly, revealing strong, stocking-covered calves. You tried not to stare as you slid the first pillow under her legs. You knew this would not be enough to have any true effect, but Lady Dimitrescu had already relaxed her legs. You reached out and touched her calf. The woman flinched at the touch.

“You need another, my Lady,” you said, carefully meeting her eye.

Lady Dimitrescu relaxed into your touch at that. Her calf was solid muscle and cool to the touch, even with the stocking on. You wondered if the rest of her leg was so cold, or so strong. Before you could get too distracted, you lifted her leg and slipped another pillow beneath her knees.

“Would you like one for your neck? I also brought a blanket, in case you were cold. But I don’t know if...you…get cold?” As you spoke, you saw no recognition from Lady Dimitrescu. She simply stared, golden eyes blazing on you. Her expression was completely unreadable to you, so you decided to quit while you were ahead. “I’ll just place it here. I hope you...I hope you feel better, my Lady.”

A blush tore across your face as you turned and nearly dashed from the room. Shutting the door behind you with a gentle click, you collapsed against it. What had just happened? Did the Lady truly think you looked dashing? Why did you care if she felt better?

Lady Dimitrescu was your employer--a towering, blood-thirsty one at that. It was unlike you to stick out your neck like this...but it seemed to have paid off. You couldn’t deny how excited you were to make your Lady a new desk. It had been years since you’d crafted something, and this was an opportunity to really prove yourself to the imposing woman.

A smile crept across your lips as you made your way back to the servant’s quarters, and without anything else to do until dinnertime, you gathered pen and paper from your bunk and began sketching out ideas for the desk.

Chapter Text

“Aren’t you meant to be serving wine tonight?”

Your roommate, Maria, had just stepped back into your shared room, where you had been sitting now for hours sketching out designs for your Lady’s desk. It was easy work to get lost in, and when you glanced at the clock now you were shocked to see it was already 6:35. Five minutes after dinner for the Lady and her daughters began.

“Oh, God,” you hissed, snapping your notebook shut and flinging it back onto your bed.

You dashed to the mirror and smoothed your hair back from your face. Soon you hoped Maria would cut it, but you figured you should run that by Lady Dimitrescu first. You weren’t sure how far you’d be able to push before the woman snapped.

“Good luck,” Maria said, squeezing your hand. You both knew what happened to servants who screwed up. And what was this now? Your third screw up of the day?

Trying desperately to press the wrinkles out of your uniform, you slipped back into your dress shoes and breathed a quick thank you to Maria before dashing to the dining room. This was the beginning of your second year here, and by now you had the castle’s winding floorplan memorized. There were quick ways to get somewhere and there were slow ones. You slowed only when you encountered other servants.

Soon you slipped into the kitchen, taking a clean cloth and tossing it over your arm while you caught your breath. If this was to be your last moment, you allowed yourself to at least feel composed. You could hear the hum of conversation inside the dining room through the door. It didn’t sound overly angry, which was a great sign, but you knew the tides could turn in a moment. The cooks had the family’s food warming under heat lamps due to your tardiness. You knew that if the women in the dining hall waited much longer, you would no doubt make your way onto one of those plates.

When your breathing evened out and the sweat was wiped from your brow, you took one of the bottles of Sanguinis Virginis from the wine rack and uncorked it. Allowing it to breathe for a moment--not as long as you should have--you shouldered open the door to the dining room. Whatever conversation inside came to an immediate halt. You forced your face to remain neutral, though your heart was beginning to race.

Like every room in the castle, the dining room was ornately decorated and embellished. The windows here were covered and grated, like in every room, and you knew the door in here was to remain firmly closed while the Lady’s daughters ate. Said daughters sat around the table now, twisting in their seats to watch you slip into the room. Daniela, the youngest and most unpredictable, lurched in her seat and licked her long, pointed teeth. Cassandra, dark haired and cruel, shot you a twisted grin. And the eldest sister Bela, who had always been kind to you, simply glanced your way with a slight flash of concern in her eye.

“So you grace us with your presence.” Lady Dimitrescu’s voice rumbled deep within her chest, passing across the room like thunder. The imposing woman sat at the head of the table, regal in a high-backed chair and lit warmly by the candle light. Shadows cast across her face, only deepening the annoyance in her golden eyes.

You froze in place, clutching the bottle of wine. “I-I apologize, my Lady.”

“Oh? Is that all? No excuses to try and salvage yourself?” the large vampiress leaned back in her chair, subtly stretching her neck as she did. Perhaps she was still in pain. She had made it down to dinner, though, which was a good sign.

“I got lost in my work, my Lady. I began designing new desks in my afternoon off and I--” you stopped as Lady Dimitrescu raised a hand.

“Fine. Be sure it doesn’t happen again. Now, pour us our wine. My daughters are famished,” she said, gesturing to the girls.

Daniela in particular seemed desperate to drink, gripping the wooden arms of her chair in an effort to remain in her seat. Cassandra, however, looked at you curiously. Malice still shone in her eyes, but now she seemed intrigued. Bela, as well, seemed surprised by her mother’s quick dismissal of your infraction. Or by what you had said you were doing--you couldn’t tell.

Though you wished you could serve Daniela first, if only to neutralize the most immediate threat to your life, you stepped quickly to your Lady’s side and poured her a generous goblet of wine. Then, to Bela, Cassandra, and finally Daniela, who ravenously guzzled her wine as soon as you finished your pour.

You looked up at your lady as you finished and saw her curling a finger, beckoning you back. You did so without thought and once you were at her side you found yourself enraptured. Lady Dimitrescu’s lips, usually painted a brilliant red, were now stained even darker. A stray drop of wine rested at the corner of her mouth. You wished you could lean in and wipe it from her skin. Or kiss it.

A hot flush warmed your cheeks as your thoughts wandered down a dangerous path. Lady Dimitrescu quirked an eyebrow at you, a subtle smirk tugging on her lips as her tongue flicked out to grab the droplet of wine you stared at.

“Pour me another, dear,” she said, tapping the foot of her goblet with a nail.

You did so, finishing off the bottle with a twist of your wrist so not a drop was lost. As you finished, you felt fingertips beneath your chin, gently turning your face up towards your Lady. The woman examined you slowly, golden eyes wandering over your plump cheeks, curved nose, tidy hair pushed back from your forehead. Her hand moved to cup your chin, nails only just pressing into your cheeks.

“You may be rather lovely, but do not make a habit of disappointing me.” Lady Dimitrescu spoke softly, with just the faintest threat beneath her deep tones.

Her words only deepened your blush, and you knew she could tell the effect she had on you. One of her fingers pressed into your neck, feeling your heart hammering at her touch. You nodded quickly, at a loss for words.

Lady Dimitrescu released you at last, pushing you back from the table. You stumbled but maintained your footing as she gave you further instructions. “Tell the cooks to bring in our food. And bring another bottle out.”

“Well,” Cassandra huffed from down the table as you rushed back into the kitchen. “Guess we don’t get to eat her, huh?”

Behind the kitchen doors, you winced at the word before gesturing for the servers to deliver the food. As you aerated the second bottle of wine, though, you overheard Lady Dimitrescu.

“Them, Cassandra. And no, you don’t.”

You heard a deep and exaggerated sigh from the dining room. “Fine, fine.”

“But they smell good, Mother,” Daniela whined.

“I know, darling girl. Perhaps after they have finished the project I’ve assigned.”

You didn’t know how to react, standing over the bottle of blood-infused wine. Lady Dimitrescu advocated for you in front of her daughters, agreed that you smelled good, but regardless considered giving you to her daughters as a midnight snack? All the talk of eating people--specifically you--should have terrified you, but at this point in your employment you had conditioned yourself to ignore it.

“Are they crafting you a new desk, Mother?” Bela asked.

“My current one has become too small. They caught me in a bit of pain today and...yes, a new desk is in order.”

Second bottle of wine in hand, you stepped back into the dining room and tried to ignore the blazing eyes of the Dimitrescu daughters upon you. All three seemed burning to speak to you as you refilled their goblets, but they restrained themselves.

The dinner passed quickly after that. Though you stood at the ready with wine, you were not needed often and allowed your mind to wander. Back to the desk schematics you had been working on, back to the feeling of Lady Dimitrescu’s fingers clutching your chin, back to her calling you rather lovely.

As dinner came to a close, Bela stood, dabbing at her blood-stained mouth with a napkin. “Mother, may we go practice? I want our performance for Lady Beneviento and Uncle Heisenberg to be just perfect.”

“Oh just perfect,” Cassandra mocked. “We all know you just want to impress that creepy doll maker--”

“Cassandra,” Lady Dimitrescu snapped, silencing her daughter with a sharp glare. “You will not speak of your betters in such a way.” The Lady eyed Bela critically. “And you will not act untoward with any of our guests.”

“Of course,” Bela said, just a hint of pink dusting her pallid cheeks.

With a dismissing flick of their mother’s wrist, the Dimitrescu daughters disappeared in a cloud of insects. That was something that still unnerved you, though you wouldn’t dare let it show. Her daughters now gone, Lady Dimitrescu took out her long cigarette holder and beckoned you close. Once you had proven yourself to be useful around the castle, you had been given a metal lighter to carry around at all times. You cupped the flame and flicked the lighter, setting the Lady’s cigarette ablaze. The smell was gentler than a normal cigarette, though, cloven and herbal and much more pleasing to the nose.

It was quiet for a moment. The smoke dispersed through the room. Lady Dimitrescu took the final sip of her goblet, licking her lips. You noticed her hesitate before returning her goblet to the table, a flash of pain in her eyes as she leaned her neck back against the chair.

“Are you feeling any better, my Lady?” you asked, unable to stop yourself. You weren’t sure if the Lady appreciated your concern, but her eyes did soften slightly at the question.

Lady Dimitrescu reached a hand out to trail down your sleeve, golden eyes following the same path down your body. “You are curious,” she murmured. “I’m just stiff. The rest did me good.”

“I’m glad, my Lady.”

You leaned into her touch, wishing she would continue. You met her eye, and were shocked by the intensity of her gaze. All of a sudden, her expression hardened and her hand retracted, almost as if she’d just realized what she was doing. Donning her usual stoic, domineering mask, Lady Dimitrescu flinched away from you, and you did the same.

“You may go. I expect you at eight, in my office. On time.” Lady Dimitrescu emphasized that, ashing her cigarette into her goblet with a sharp flick. “I will not be this lenient again.”

“Of course, my Lady,” you said, bowing quickly and exiting the dining room.

In the kitchen you let out a deep sigh and let yourself sink back against the door. The kitchen staff had mostly cleared out to attend the servant’s dinner, so you could take a moment to decompress.

In the past year you had done remarkably well at flying under the radar of the Dimitrescus. Quietly and respectfully completing your tasks and enjoying the companionship of your roommate. You and Maria had been lucky, evading the violent tendencies of your mistresses and proving yourselves too valuable to waste away in the cellars.

You aren’t sure what possessed you today to step outside of that sphere of safety you’d crafted, but it felt like your daring could ultimately be rewarding. Already, Lady Dimitrescu had tasked you with new duties and multiple times complimented your appearance. You smiled at the thought and eventually cleaned yourself up for your own dinner.

***

The servant’s dining hall was small and quiet, most of the servants clustered around the ends of tables in their own tiny cliques. Maria sat at your usual table, a plate of food across from her. Though you saw the flash of surprise on her face at seeing you, she gestured towards the plate of food.

“You’re in one piece,” Maria commented dryly. “How’d you manage that?”

You shrugged and began eating the hot beef stew and bread. “No clue,” you murmured through your food. “It was close, though. Her daughters were ready to...but she stopped them.”

Maria’s brows shot up at that. “Stopped them? You must have done something very right.”

You couldn’t help but smile at that and leaned tino the table to whisper. “I am making Lady Dimitrescu a new desk.”

“What?” Maria’s brows furrowed. “You know how to do that?”

“It may not be masterwork, but I can. My family has always been carpenters. Her desk is too small. She was in pain, so I offered.”

Maria let out a low whistle as she gathered both of your dirty dishes. “You really rolled the dice today, huh? Glad it worked in your favor, friend.” Maria deposited their dishes in a tray nearby and turned, hands on her hips. “Now how about we finish that card game we started last night? You were about to owe me your village privileges for the next month.”

You happily agreed, and the two of you wandered back to your quarters. Officially, you were free for the evening, which set your mind at ease. Were you to forget another task today you were sure you wouldn’t see tomorrow. And, if you were honest, you couldn’t wait for tomorrow.

As you approached your door, the both of you stiffened as a sudden swarming buzz filling the air. Maria’s grip on the door handle tightened. A dark cloud of blowflies formed in the hall before them, quickly materializing into Daniela and Cassandra. The two of them cackled, seeing how they startled you. Both were dressed in their usual flowing black dresses, hoods raised. Daniela leered into Maria as Cassandra pushed up into your space. She took an uncomfortably deep sniff of you and then returned to glaring at you.

“What have you done to Mother, human?” Cassandra bit out, grabbing for the handle of her sickle. The blade shone in the low light of the hallway.

“I-I’ve done nothing, Miss Cassandra,” you stumble over your words.

“Don’t lie,” Cassandra drawled, flashing her fangs at you. She reached out as if to place the sickle at your throat, but seemed to think better of it and swung it back to her side. “It’s boring. And if I can’t torture you, you have to at least entertain me.”

“All I’ve done is offer to make your mother a desk suited to her. She’s been in pain. I’m only trying to help,” you defend yourself more fiercely than you normally would. You hadn’t done anything wrong. Except for the tardiness and the constant speaking out of turn.

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I have to tell you what will happen if you hurt my Mother.”

“I would never,” you say, standing your ground. “A new desk will only make her life easier.”

“That’s not what I mean, you idiot,” Cassandra hissed. A second later, she seemed to realize something and smiled big and cruelly. “But you don’t get it yet, do you? Ha! Well, you have entertained me.”

Still unsure what Cassandra was talking about, you looked to see Daniela hovering near Maria, leaning in to whisper to her. For a second you were concerned, but then Maria’s face flushed. Your roommate gently pushed at Daniela’s arm, which was trying to snake around Maria’s waist. Your brows raised. That was new.

“Daniela,” Cassandra snapped at her sister. “Stop trying to fuck the maid. We have to go listen to Bela’s stupid piano recital or she’ll pitch a fit.”

Daniela whipped around and pouted at her sister. It was almost funny to see the viscous woman with her lower lip stuck out. “But...that’s not fun. Maria is fun,” she said with a giggle.

Maria sighed, her face pinching at Daniela’s insinuation. You couldn’t tell if she was enjoying the teasing or annoyed by it.

“I’m sure she is,” Cassandra said with a smirk. She grabbed her sister’s arm and dragged her away from the two of you. “But Bela will slice off those fingers of yours if you don’t come listen. Imagine how unfun that would be.”

Daniela shivered at the thought, clutching at her fingers. “Fine,” she muttered, and the two of them dissolved into bugs and soared down the hallway.

A few quiet moments later, you and Maria both relaxed, shoulders drooping. Maria pushed the door open in relief and slipped inside. You followed and popped the top button of your shirt, immediately moving to change into your pajamas. They weren’t the most luxurious, but miles more comfortable than the multi-layer uniform you had recently opted into. Gender-affirming, yes. Stiflingly sweaty, also yes.

“So…” you started, drawing out the word teasingly. You had pulled a nightstand between your beds and were dealing out a hand of cards.

“Don’t,” Maria snapped, turning from her closet where she was changing.

Cards dealt, you reached under your bed and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. Pouring two fingers for the both of you, you insisted. “Oh, come on. I’ve nearly died more times today than I count. What’d she say that made you turn so red?”

Maria huffed and dropped onto her bed, bending her cards up to peek at them. She took a healthy sip of her drink and pushed her hair out of her face. “It wasn’t anything crazy. She was just complimenting me.”

“Oh?” your brows raised as she drew and discarded.

“Yes,” Maria said, a blush returning to her cheeks. “She was actually very sweet. It was...weird.”

You laugh. “Well, Daniela is the unpredictable one. Just...be careful? I can’t make it around here without you.”

“And I, you. Though if you beat me at this hand, I will strangle you myself.”

Chapter Text

The next morning you woke early to a slight headache and having lost your village visit for the coming week to Maria. Said girl still slept, snoring lightly, so you freshened up and dressed as quietly as you could. You grabbed your notebook and pencil before leaving to eat breakfast. 

The morning shift already sat eating when you arrived. They were in charge of the family’s breakfast and waking routines--not a job you envied. The daughters could be unpleasant enough during the day. You imagined rousing them from sleep was rather dangerous.

You ate quietly, refining your sketches and anxious to put tools in your hand. Some of the measurements would only make sense when you could see the wood before you. You wondered what, if any, tools remained for you to work with. There was a groundskeeper who lived on the property, so you may be able to borrow a few things from them.

You checked the clock. Ten minutes until you were due at Lady Dimitrescu’s office. You wiped your mouth and rinsed your dishes before gathering your things. You made your way quietly upstairs, passing by a few maids carrying baskets of laundry and used tea trays. Arriving outside the office door, you took a moment to straighten your tie and dust off your blazer. You caught yourself hoping that Lady Dimitrescu would find you pleasing to look at. 

You raised a hand to knock on the door just as you heard the heavy click of heels down the hall.

“Early. You’ve learned.” Lady Dimitrescu tutted, approaching you with all the composure and grace you’d come to expect of her. Her long grey dress pooled at her feet, black hat concealing a portion of her face. No strained neck, no bent back. You were happy to see that more rest had served her well.

“Of course, my Lady,” you said. “It is not in my nature to be late. I apologize again.”

“What a dear,” Lady Dimitrescu murmured, running a hand over your shoulder as she gently moved you out of the way of the door. Pushing it open, she bent to enter the room. You watched admiringly as she went and then caught yourself. Though you’d mourn the loss of that view, you wondered if there was any way to modify the door frames and allow your Lady to move unimpeded.

You followed her into the office and took a seat in a chair she motioned to. A tray of tea sat already between the two of you, steaming. But instead of one pot, there were two. And two cups.

“Pour my tea, and then you may pour your own,” Lady Dimitrescu said, gesturing to the pots. “I hope you don’t mind Earl Grey.”

Shaking your head you poured her cup, a dark liquid tinged with red, and then your own. You handed her cup over and then spooned a bit of sugar into your own.

“Sweet tooth?” Lady Dimitrescu asked. A red lipstick stain marked her cup as she set it back down.

“A bit,” you admitted guiltily. “It’s comforting. Reminds me of home.”

“How so?” the vampire asked, crossing her legs.

Her exposed calf reminded you of how it felt in your hands the day before. You wondered if you would ever have that chance again. But you focused and took a sip of your own tea. “My mother loved to bake. All sorts of things, but my favorite were these sweet cheese pastries. She would wake up early in the morning to bake so I would have a treat while she worked.”

“Kind,” Lady Dimitrescu said gently. “I’m sorry you lost her.”

You nod, unsure how to respond to the Lady’s softness. A quiet moment passes between the two of you, Lady Dimitrescu looking at you with her golden eyes and you looking into your tea cup.

“Show me what kept you last night while I died of dehydration,” Lady Dimitrescu broke the silence with a smirk.

You laughed, surprised by the joke, and opened up your notebook. Sliding it across the table, you opened to your recent sketches. “I have a few proposals, my Lady. All are of a more suitable height. This one has an adjustable work surface, so you can change the angle at which you work. I think this will help take the pressure off your shoulders and neck if you could work sitting up straight.”

“Hmm,” Lady Dimitrescu pondered your sketches, flipping through.  “Similar to the posture for an easel...I will need plenty of storage. Perhaps a part of the desk that does not move, so I can have a surface. Ink does poorly at an angle.”

“Ah, of course. Great idea,” you said, and without thinking, pull the notebook from her hand to modify your design. 

You froze as you realized what you’d done, looking slowly up to Lady Dimitrescu. To your surprise, she isn’t furious. Rather, she looks amused. 

“Please, go ahead.” She gestures with a gloved hand as she takes another sip of her tea. “You’re rather charming when you work.”

You blush furiously, head ducked into your sketch. A deep chuckle sounds from Lady Dimitrescu as your pencil scratches over paper. After a few minutes, you show her your sketch. “It should be no problem to include those things for you.”

“Very good.” Lady Dimitrescu uncrossed her legs. “How long will this take you?”

“If I can get all the correct materials and equipment, it should take two weeks or so. Beyond that the painting should be fairly straightforward.”

“Perfect,” the woman almost purred. Then she stood, smoothing out her dress and checking the time.“You’ll begin work immediately. I’ll escort you to the smithy, and we can see what state it’s in. Make a list of anything you require for your workspace and the project. I’ll have the Duke acquire whatever you need.”

“Thank you, my Lady.”

You followed her out of the office and down the grand staircase, careful not to step on her dress as it trailed behind her. She led you outside, where the morning chill was just breaking with the sun. The two of you walked quietly to the stables around the side of the castle where the family’s horses snorted into bags of feed. Stockier horses for the carriages, and more slender ones for when the girls went riding. Lady Dimitrescu led you further in, past the stables and to an enclosed workspace.

It was dusty and coated in straw. Rusted tools hung from the walls, and large flat workspaces were cluttered with discarded metal scraps. An old forge sat unused in the corner, along with a host of smithing equipment. On the whole, the tools weren’t relevant to your work, but you could use the space well enough.

“This is good. Needs a bit of cleaning up, but I can use it.” You say, stepping over to examine the hanging tools. “Doesn’t look like it’s been used in a long time.”

Lady Dimitrescu stood near the entrance to the room, seeming almost hesitant to cross the threshold. “Yes,” she said, touching the wood of the walls. “It has been quite some time. Nearly fifty years.”

You nodded silently, feeling that there was a story behind it. But it wasn’t your place to press the matter. “Is it alright that I use it, my Lady?”

Lady Dimitrescu’s gaze snapped to you, as she had been staring at a tattered apron hanging from a nail on the wall. She took a sharp breath in. “Of course. It goes to waste in such a state.”

For a couple minutes you continued examining the space, and then picked up a broom and hand brush and began to clean. When you looked up a few minutes later, Lady Dimitrescu had disappeared. No doubt she had a busy day of her own, managing the castle and the vineyard. After a thorough clean, you sat down and composed a list of materials: tools, wood, supplies. By the time you’d finished it was time for lunch, and you folded the slip of paper into your pocket to eventually give to the Lady.

You stepped into the servant’s dining room and took a seat across from Maria with a slice of bread, cheese, and roasted vegetables. Before speaking you drained a glass of water and immediately refilled it with a pitcher. 

“Hard at work already?” Maria asked, amused.

“There’s an old smithy in the stable, but I’ll have to get it back in shape. I’ve mostly been cleaning this morning.”

“I can see,” Maria said, gesturing to your clothing.

You looked down and saw your clothes were coated in a thick layer of dust and debris. You groaned. “Great. What do I even wear for this job?”

Your roommate chuckled, popping a few grapes in her mouth. “Ask Miss Bela. She was the one who got you these clothes, right?”

Nodding, you consider how that went over with Lady Dimitrescu. “She did. I didn’t clear it with the Lady first, but she did seem rather...pleased with the change.”

“Oh yeah?” Maria quirked a brow. “Am I not the only one being hounded after by a vampire?”

You blush at that. “I don’t know about that. But she has been more complimentary.”

“As she should. You look great. And, hey, let’s cut your hair soon.” Maria gestured at your head with her fork.

You nodded and finished your meal, briefly cleaning yourself up in the washroom. Maria had to return to cleaning the library, so you accompanied her upstairs and split off to knock on Lady Dimitrescu’s office door.

“Enter,” her voice rang out.

You slipped inside and approached your Lady’s desk. Again, she was hunched over it, and as she straightened up you saw her stretch her neck side to side. You held your list out to her and noticed she wore a pair of half-rim glasses at the end of her nose. Lady Dimitrescu peered down her nose at your list and nodded.

“Very good. I’ll have the Duke send for these as soon as possible. In the meantime, clean the space as much as you can. I’ll expect a report on your progress in the evening. Tonight you may meet me in the opera hall at eight thirty with a bottle of wine. Bela is practicing her piece again, and I will be attending.”

“Ah, the recital for the Lords?” you comment, recalling Cassandra’s teasing of Bela the previous evening.

“Yes,” Lady Dimitrescu said, pinching her brow. “Everyone is in such a stir about it. As if we don’t see enough of each other.”

You dared not comment, though you found it a bit funny, and simply nodded. Lady Dimitrescu sighed and turned back to her work. “Are my instructions clear? You will not be tardy again?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” you said.

You had been dismissed, clear enough, but you noticed the tension in Lady Dimitrescu’s neck and shoulders. If she had to crouch over this desk until you finished, you should at least find a temporary solution. Almost on instinct, you reached for her shoulders. Taking hold of them, you pressed your thumbs deep into the muscles of her back. Lady Dimitrescu gasped at your sudden touch.

“Wha--What do you think you’re doing?” Lady Dimitrescu’s voice was harsh and deep, but she didn’t move to halt you. In fact, the larger woman sank back into her chair.

“Would you like me to stop?” your thumbs hovered between her shoulder blades. You knew you had overstepped...but you weren’t dead yet.

After a moment, Lady Dimitrescu's eyes fluttered closed and she breathed out a resigned, “No.” 

You pressed your thumbs back into the muscle and felt a surge of heat race through you as a low groan fell from Lady Dimitrescu’s lips. Her skin was cold underneath your fingers, but still you felt heat coursing up to your cheeks. As you worked, you encountered an issue, as the Lady’s dress came up high on her shoulders. You fingered the buttons running up her back.

“May I?” you asked quietly.

At her nod, you begin unbuttoning her dress, losing your breath at the sight of her back. It was soft and pristine. Her shoulder blades curved down like carved stone. Your hands traced her spine as you unbuttoned further, catching a glimpse of the lacy edge of a stark white brassiere. 

“Watch yourself,” Lady Dimitrescu’s sharp tone brought you back to the present. 

You flushed, re-buttoning the last button. You spent a few minutes easing the knots out of her shoulders. Between the deep clean of the smithy and this massage, your arms would ache come morning. But it was worth it to hear the gasps and tiny moans that Lady Dimitrescu couldn’t seem to hold back. They drove you mad, sending a hot haze through your mind. You moved up to massage her neck, digging into the tension stored there. You tried to contain the pangs of arousal shooting through you as you touched your Lady, but you found yourself short of breath, flushed. Maybe it was from the exertion, but most likely not. 

“That’s enough,” Lady Dimitrescu said softly after a few more minutes of your efforts.

You buttoned her dress back up and stepped back from her chair. The distance gave you clarity on what you’d done. Fear washed over you, overshadowing the arousal that had been building. You stumbled into your next words, 

“My Lady, I-I apologize. I don’t know what came over me. I didn't mean to--”

“Quiet,” Lady Dimitrescu raised a hand. She rolled her shoulders and sighed, relaxing into her chair. She beckoned you closer, and you did so with a gulp. Lady Dimitrescu ran a finger over your cheek, golden eyes tracing over you. Her hand slipped down to tilt your chin, drawing your gaze up. “You act out of turn without thought for your own life...Why? You know the punishments that may await you.”

“I don’t mean to, my Lady,” you utter, heart quickening. “I only wish to help you.”

“Why?” she growled, eyes flashing with anger. Her voice nearly cracked as she spit another question out. “Why do you care ?”

You winced but found yourself at a loss for words. She seemed frustrated with your lack of response and pushed you away from her desk, more forcefully than she had ever handled you. Your back hit the side of a cabinet, knocking the air out of you. You were sure the spot would bruise.

“Get out.” The words came from deep within her chest, pushing you out of the room.

You shut the door firmly behind you, shaking despite yourself. On unsteady feet you carried yourself away from Lady Dimitrescu’s office. Just like that, it seemed you’d bit the hand that fed you. The day had been going so smoothly until you ruined it. Why couldn’t you answer her question? Better yet, why couldn’t you keep your hands to yourself?

The sawing sound of a swarm of flies broke you from your dread. Bela materialized in front of you, blonde hair framing her blood-stained lips. She stepped in close to you, face drawn in fury. Her words hissed out with venom. “ What did you do to Mother?"

Chapter Text

“What did you do to Mother?”

How did she already know? You froze before Bela Dimitrescu, who seemed much angrier than you’d ever seen her. Of all the daughters of your Lady, Bela was the most composed, the most like her mother. She helped manage the family business and the servants, and spent her free time playing music and reading. But the Bela before you now was contorted in rage, gripping a gleaming sickle.

You took a quick second to compose yourself and then spoke. Truth seemed to be the best policy, despite the trouble it might land you in. “I...well, I did not answer a question Lady Dimitrescu asked me. It seemed to upset her quite greatly.”

Confusion flashed across Bela’s face. Her sickle lowered. “What? What are you talking about?”

You returned the look, now unsure what was being asked of you. “You...asked what I did? The Lady was very mad at me after I gave her a massage. She wanted to know--”

“You did what ?” Bela’s eyes were only widening, her tone relaxing slightly from aggressive to inquisitive.

A blush rose to your cheeks. You could still feel the vampire’s muscles beneath your hands, slowly giving in to your touch. “She was still in pain from the desk. I was only trying to work the knots out.”

Bela was speechless. Sickle now sheathed beneath her flowing black robes, the blonde slid a hand down her face. A streak of red came off from her mouth and she wiped the stain on her robes absentmindedly. After a moment she smiled, a gentle laugh filling the hall.

“So that’s what I was hearing…” Bela muttered. She eyed you slowly, her eyes burning brighter than usual. “You must be very talented with your hands, then.”

“I...well, that has been said,” you admit, if not a bit smugly. Previous lovers had often complimented your skill, in massage and more intimate acts. But Lady Dimitrescu was not a woman of such a category. Though you found her incredibly attractive, she would never deign to touch a servant like you in that way.

“Has it now? Imagine what Mother will say when she finds out her new favorite is such a practiced lover,” Bela said with a sly wink.

“What!” you snapped. Bela’s implication flustered you, derailing the boundary you had just drawn in your mind. “You can’t tell her that, Bela. I mean, please Miss Bela.” You corrected quickly, averting your eyes.

Bela cackled, drifting in closer to you and tapping you on the cheek a couple times. “I’m only joking. I can see why she’s so drawn to you though…” the vampire murmured, eyes flitting over you. 

“I’m not sure she is,” you say quietly. “She’s very upset with me.”

“Maybe for now,” Bela mused, stepping back to give you your space. “But probably not for long. She likes you, we can all tell. It’s been a long time…” the blonde trailed off and then shook herself from her thoughts, shooting you a grin. 

You flushed at the implication of her words. “Well...I…”

“Anyway,” Bela said, reaching out to brush a bit of lint from your blazer. “Thank Mother Miranda I gave you these new clothes.”

You hardly knew how to respond. The Dimitrescus were fascinating and impossible women. “Yes, thank you, miss. I am very grateful.” You hesitated before tacking on: “Your mother seemed to enjoy the change in uniform.”

“I’m sure she did,” Bela quipped, giving you a wink.

You hesitated, thinking about how difficult the day had been in these clothes. Before all this, you had meant to ask Bela for a more suitable outfit, but you had only just fended off this confrontation with the woman--was it wise to ask for more?

“Spit it out,” the eldest daughter said, reading the hesitation on your face.

“I’m very thankful for these new clothes, but with the carpentry project I’ll be performing, I’m afraid they aren’t quite practical. Are there any looser garments I could use while I work?”

Bela seemed delighted with your question, as she had been when you’d asked about the suit. When you spoke about it with her, she treated the scenario as if dressing you up like a doll. Ushering you to the in-castle tailor, the eldest fantasized about a ball. Primarily how she and her sisters and mother would dress to the ball, but also adding that you could serve wine, looking rather the part in the background. It was sweet of her, all things considered. She clearly longed for festivities, or simply company. You imagined that’s why this performance was so important to her.

“What a grand idea,” Bela said with a smile. “I’ll inform the tailor of your needs. Expect a pair by morning--more later in the week.” Thoughts wandering, Bela mused mostly to herself as she turned from you and began to dissolve into a swarm of flies. “Maybe I’ll ask her to make us some ‘work’ outfits for the cellar. Add to the performance...” 

You forced your grimace into a slight smile as the vampire disappeared. Give and take, you supposed. Free of what could have been a very bad confrontation with Bela, you made your way back outside to the smithy. Working would keep your mind off of what happened with your Lady. From the feel of her muscles relaxing under your touch to the violent shove she gave you out the door. If you focused on it too long, you would spend all day on a pendulum between ecstasy and dread.

For the next few hours you continued cleaning and organizing, piling tools into salvageable and unsalvageable piles. A few you held to the side: the apron Lady Dimitrescu had got lost staring at, a well-used hammer, a small sculpture of metal that you found behind one of the work benches. You sensed that the matriarch may have an emotional attachment to the objects, even though you didn’t understand it fully yet. 

With the smithy mostly cleared up you began the process of salvaging the tools you needed. Hammers, saws, clamps, sanders were always useful, but the ones left here were covered in rust and grime. After borrowing a few jugs of vinegar from the kitchens, you dipped the metal pieces into buckets of the corrosive stuff and left them in a corner to soak. With that process begun, you tried reimagining the space. How could you rearrange to improve your workflow? By the time the dinner hour arrived you had shoved a few benches around and tried to make room for the equipment coming in. 

The Duke could procure anything you needed in miraculous time. But his price was usually quite high, nothing you could ever afford--even without the need to send lei home to your family. The Lady must have cut a deal with him, since he took up residence once a week in a room just off the dining room. Hopefully he would be just as swift in his turn around this time. The quicker you could get Lady Dimitrescu this desk the better for you, you imagined. Fewer urges to ease her pain, touch her, act out of turn. Fewer opportunities to get yourself sliced to ribbons.

Wiping your hands of grease and grime, you trudged back into the castle as the sun dipped into the mountains. Chill was beginning to set in, and the sun set earlier and earlier in the day. During the warmer months, the Dimitrescu siblings loved to wile away their days in the sunny grounds of the castle. But the cold drove them back inside, where they made it most everyone else’s problem that they were trapped indoors. You did not look forward to it.

You briefly paused in your rooms to clean the muck from your uniform and then joined Maria at your usual table. This evening was grilled salmon and steamed asparagus, accompanied by lightly seasoned rice. It was delicious and perfectly cooked, as always. You never went hungry at Castle Dimitrescu, a fact that kept you thankful despite the questionable wine-making methods.

“You seem down, friend,” Maria commented, reaching out to pat your hand. “Want to talk about it?”

Shrugging into your next bite, you took your time chewing, and before you could reply, Maria had started talking again. She looked almost guilty, pushing her asparagus around her plate.

“I already know, by the way,” she admitted. 

“You do?” You didn’t peg Lady Dimitrescu for gossip...unless Bela for some reason…?

Maria shoved her face into her hands, a blush climbing up her neck. “Daniela...heard from Bela.”

“Has she been stalking you around the castle all day?” You teased, feeling a bit more at ease knowing how the information was spreading.

“No,” Maria insisted. “Just a little bit in the library. I think she thought I’d want to know.”

You were surprised. Daniela didn’t seem like the considerate type, but it was oddly kind of her. “That’s...nice,” you said slowly, trying to gauge Maria’s reaction.

“It’s whatever. She’ll get bored in a week, get all obsessed over some new maiden” Maria said, trying to wave the conversation away with a flick of her fork. “But tell me what happened.”

You explained the afternoon’s events quickly and without much detail, not wanting to relive the moment yet again. You ended your explanation with the next problem in your way. “Now I have to meet her in the opera hall in an hour with a report for the day.”

“Yikes. Well, my advice...only say what you have to, and for the love of Mother Miranda, don’t touch her.” Maria hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else heard.

“I won’t!” you hiss back, embarrassed. “I never meant to, it just happened.”

“Sure, it just happened that you gave her a deep tissue massage,” Maria mocked. 

You roll your eyes and eat your final bite. “Alright, alright. I’ll be in and out. Honestly, I just want to go to bed.”

“Well, I’ll be up for a while, in case you feel like getting your ass handed to you again,” Maria said with a smirk.

The two of you headed back to your shared room. Maria changed into more comfortable clothing and curled up with a book, while you pulled a chair up to the tiny desk in the room and scribbled out a brief summary of your day. Looking back over it for spelling errors, you hummed and signed it with your name at the bottom. You blew over the ink to dry it and then folded it into your breast pocket. 

As you did you realized your shirt was stained with grease. Grumbling, you removed your tie and blazer and unbuttoned your soiled shirt. As you removed it and began to put on a fresh one, you heard a gasp from across the room.

“Did she do that to you?” Maria asked, staring at your side.

You looked down, seeing a purplish bruise the size of an orange forming where you had impacted the cabinet earlier. Now that you saw it, you realized it did throb. And it certainly wasn’t pretty.

“No…” you said slowly. “It was an accident.”

Maria’s brows rose, but she returned to her book. “Not as bad as it could have been.”

You shrugged, buttoning your clean shirt and redressing yourself. Maria gave you an encouraging wave as you left and wound your way through the castle to the opera hall. The castle was quiet in the evening. A few maids finished cleaning the dining room, putting away linens, and spending the evening by the fire polishing silver. 

You slipped by them quietly and, after procuring a bottle of your Lady’s wine, hovered outside the opera hall door. Pressing down your blazer and straightening your tie, you resolved to follow Maria’s advice and remain silent unless spoken to, invisible unless needed. 

The day’s events made it very clear that whatever blundering, distracted urges you had to care for your Lady needed to be squashed if you valued your life. Sure, she was beautiful and powerful and for some reason let you look after her...though neither of you seemed sure as to why. But--

The sound of someone warming up the piano inside the opera hall broke you from your thoughts. You raised your fist to knock. Silent unless spoken to. Invisible unless needed.

Chapter Text

Knocking on the door, you stepped into the cavernous and ornate room. You rarely came into this room, and it was just as beautiful as the others. If not more. A stage lay to your very right, draped in deep velvet curtains, and beneath the stage was the centerpiece of the room, a masterfully crafted grand piano, gilded in gold. Bela sat at it now, leafing through sheets of music. Above you, strung around the edges of the room, a secluded second floor offered a bird’s eye view of the performance.

Before you were two seating areas. One, a plush loveseat bracketed by two green armchairs. Daniela lay fully out on the couch while Cassandra slumped in an armchair, swinging her legs over an arm as she shined her sickle. A few steps away, one large armchair sat beside another human-sized one around a deep mahogany table, and that is where Lady Dimitrescu sat. Tall and perfectly composed, she sipped from a goblet of wine already. On the table before her sat an opened bottle and an empty glass. As you entered, her eyes flashed to you over the rim of her goblet. A slow second later, she motioned for you to approach.

Resting the bottle of wine on the table before her, you uncorked it so it could have proper breathing time. You cast your eyes down respectfully as you removed your report from your breast pocket. 

“Today’s report, my Lady.” You said quietly, sliding the piece of paper across the table.

Lady Dimitrescu let out a low sigh, and you heard her take the paper from the table. There came the click of her glasses being unfolded. She muttered, maybe to herself, “Your handwriting is absolutely miniscule.”

“My apologies,” you murmur, glancing up on instinct. You felt an apology only meant something if given with eye contact. How else would someone believe you?

Golden eyes peered at you over half-rim glasses. You expected anger, or at the very least annoyance. You didn’t expect regret. She looked almost...sad. The look was gone in a flash, her eyes roaming back to your report. And now that you were looking at her, you found you couldn’t look away. The warm light of the opera hall lit her skin beautifully. She had removed her hat, and her hair shone and curled below her ear.

A harsh tapping interrupted your distracted gazing. You snapped to the sound. Lady Dimitrescu tapped the arm of the chair beside her with two fingers. You sat, now daring to look at the rest of the room. As you did, you caught all three of the daughters staring, and then glancing away. 

“The Duke’s first delivery will arrive in the morning.” Lady Dimitrescu said, folding your note back up. 

She took a sip from her goblet and then handed it to you. You leaned over the table to pour from the already opened glass, but she stopped you, grabbing your wrist. No doubt she felt your heart race at her touch, but she did not comment on it.

“I will drink from the one you brought. Help yourself to that one,” Lady Dimitrescu said quietly, gaze averted from the rest of the room. As if she did not want her daughters to hear. 

Your eyes widened, but you simply nodded and did as she asked. Pouring her glass first, you then poured yourself a smaller portion. You resisted the urge to settle back in the chair and get comfortable. Getting comfortable is what landed you in such trouble today. 

Lady Dimitrescu took a deep sip of her wine and then looked at you, clutching your wine glass stiffly. “You may drink. It is not...altered.” 

Nodding, you take a small sip. The tart, heavy liquid coated your mouth and thickened your throat. Red wine always made your head heavy and off-balance, your skin flushed red. It wasn’t a state you wished to be in around your Lady, but you would oblige her out of politeness. 

Beside, the vampiress nodded. Her expression was more relaxed, almost amused. Had she forgiven you for earlier? She brought wine for you to the meeting. Was it a peace offering? You couldn’t decide.

Bela began to warm-up at the piano, her fingers dancing over the keys in a series of scales and grand melodies. Your Lady’s attention turned to her daughter, a warm smile lighting her face. The music filled the hall, vibrating through the floor and into you. 

“She is a lovely player,” Lady Dimitrescu said, and it took you a moment to realize she was speaking to you. 

You nod eagerly. The performance hadn’t even begun and you already felt your heart swelling at the sound. “Beautiful. I have not heard live music in a very long time.”

Lady Dimitrescu glanced over at you. Her lips parted, but whatever she meant to say was interrupted.

“Attention, attention,” Cassandra droned, standing in front of the gathered chairs picking dried blood from underneath her nails. “Bela will be, once again , performing the Gymnopédie by Erik so-and-so ”

Bela huffed from behind the piano. “Take this seriously, Cassie.”

“But it’s so much funnier to annoy you, Belly.”

“Don’t call me that,” Bela snapped, standing from her bench.

“Oooh are you going to fight?” Daniela rolled onto her stomach and peered at her sisters, a wicked grin on her face. 

It seemed as though Bela and Cassandra just might, but Lady Dimitrescu’s smooth voice broke the tension in the room. “Daughters. Save the brawl for later, if you would. And snuff out some of these candles.”

Cassandra begrudgingly pinched a few of the candelabras out and returned to her seat. The light in the hall dimmed considerably. You could make out the shape of your wine glasses on the table and the outline of your Lady to you right. She relaxed into her chair as the dark settled, so you allowed yourself to sink in as well. The chair was sinfully comfortable, though your side smarted as you leaned into it. 

Bela sat, cracking her knuckles. It seemed like that was close enough to cracking her sister’s head, and the blonde relaxed into her chair. Her feet spread out to the pedals, fingers hovering over the keys.

The piece began softly, barely a touch upon the keys, and gently descended into a series of mournful chords. The melody stretched out pensively on the undertones of a darker bass. Bela played it masterfully. If you were honest, you had expected a much more frenetic piece. This one surprised you with its contemplative, almost melancholic pace. 

You let the music wash over you, a smile spreading unbidden across your face despite the somber tone of the song. You drank deeply from your glass, not minding the hazy effect it had on you. The darkness and music soothed the strain of the day. As you relaxed into the moment, a large cold hand settled on the back of your neck. You shivered at the touch, turning to look up at Lady Dimitrescu. She looked fondly at her daughter as her fingers spread to the base of your scalp, gently dragging her nails down your neck.

The sharp touch nearly made you gasp, but you held it in, squirming in your chair. You couldn’t count how many times in the past two days you had felt this familiar flush. In combination with the wine, you must have been red as a tomato. 

Lady Dimitrescu pulled out the small bun you had tied your hair up in and carded her fingers through it, gently scratching at your scalp as she went. Despite the boundaries you’d hoped to maintain, you felt yourself melting into her touch. It was in complete contrast to the unyielding grip she’d had on you earlier in the day. This touch was compassionate, caring. You drank deeply from your goblet of wine, enjoying the warmth spreading through you.

You felt her shift in her seat. Her light perfume wafted towards you as she leaned over the arm of her chair. Lady Dimitrescu’s breath puffed hotly on your cheek, her lips mere inches from your own. A stray curl of her hair tickled your brow. You dared not turn to meet her gaze. After a few moments lingering at your side, she spoke.

“I’m sorry, darling,” she admitted into the darkness of the opera hall. Her breath tickled at your ear, shooting warmth through your body. “My behavior earlier today was unbecoming of a lady. I simply...am cautious of those who offer me care.”

You couldn’t explain why your heart ached at that. Breaking your resolve, you turned your head slightly. Lady Dimitrescu’s scarlet lips hovered just before yours, her golden eyes relaxed and half-lidded, gazing at you. Again you saw regret wavering in her eyes. She held you so tenderly, hand cupping your neck. You weren’t sure whether it was the wine or her proximity, but you wished you could loosen your tie and unbutton your shirt slightly.

“Thank you, my Lady.” You returned, fingers clutching at your glass of wine to deter you from any wayward touches. “I didn’t mean to make you uneasy. I just...don’t like seeing you in pain.”

Lady Dimitrescu smiled and leaned back from you. Her hand remained at the nape of your neck, returning the massage you had given her earlier. You fully gave over to her touch as Bela played, closing your eyes. Soft sighs rolled from your lips. You hoped the concert was too loud for anyone to overhear.

A few minutes later, Bela’s piece trickled to an end. As it did, Lady Dimitrescu rose clapping for her daughter. Cassandra clapped slowly from her chair, and Daniela applauded from her place draped over the couch. Bela quickly bowed, beaming at her mother. You stood as well, clapping in earnest. But you had risen too quickly and with too much wine in you. In fact, it seemed your glass was empty now. The room swam a bit before your eyes, so you quickly returned to your chair before you completely lost your footing. 

As you did, Lady Dimitrescu caught your shoulder and guided you back into your seat. She glanced at you briefly, concern creasing her brow. Once she saw you were safely seated, she returned to her daughters. Around you, the ladies of the house chattered, but you couldn’t quite follow any of it. A minute later your body calmed and your head stilled its spinning, though you still felt light headed and out of sorts. 

“I will see you all at breakfast, girls. Seven a.m. sharp, Daniela,” Lady Dimitrescu reminded.

“Yes, Mother,” the daughters said together.

“Off with you, then.”

There was a brief silence.

“Will they…?” Bela began to ask.

“They look like they’ll fall asleep there, Mother.” Even through your wine-induced haze you could hear Cassandra smirk.

“Don’t fret. I will escort them to their room,” Lady Dimitrescu reassured.

“Oh, mother, I could go for you…” Daniela started, maybe a tad eagerly.

Whatever you Lady did next seemed to shut down the conversation. A moment later you heard the swarms of flies gather and disperse from the room, leaving you in the sem-darkness with your nine-foot tall mistress. You looked up at her blearily from your chair, feeling your insides roll traitorously.

“I’m so sorry, my Lady. I don’t usually…”

“Please. Next time you may say if what I offer is not suited to you.” Lady Dimitrescu said, pulling you up from your chair gently, a hand on your shoulder and another on your side. 

You winced as her hand gripped your bruised side, and she flinched away, repositioning to rest on your back. You let yourself be held by her as you found your footing. And even as you did, Lady Dimitrescu’s hold on you remained. 

She spoke again, her voice tighter. “You may always say if something I’ve done is not suited to you.”

Though your mind was fuzzy, the words warmed you and brought the stinging in your side to a dull throb. You leaned into her touch, nearly falling into her hip. “You too, you too,” you mumbled, reaching out to grasp at the loose fabric of her dress. It was incredibly soft. You wanted to bury your head in it. 

Lady Dimitrescu held you back slightly, chuckling, but allowed you to remain latched to her. She slowly guided you from the room, bracing you with a firm grip as you descended the stairs. If you’d been more yourself, you would have found it odd how well she seemed to know her way around the servant’s quarter of the castle. You never saw her down here. Though maybe she spent more time than you knew escorting maids back to their rooms. 

The thought made you flush with annoyance. You pushed away from her dress for a moment before she drew you back in. The annoyance flared in your chest and receded just as quickly. None of that mattered. Lady Dimitrescu wasn’t escorting some maid she’d fucked silly back to her rooms. She was escorting you, her drunk furniture maker. Getting fucked silly was not on your agenda. Although now that you thought about it in the haze of wine, you wouldn’t necessarily mind it...

Lady Dimitrescu cleared her throat as you arrived at you and Maria’s door. The Lady pushed it open and guided you inside. She followed, ducking through the door to stoop within your room. Her eyes flickered across the room. You felt yourself giggle at the sight of her hunched against the ceiling. 

“Careful, you’re gonna knock your neck back outta whack,” you muttered into the fabric of her dress, unsuccessfully biting back a grin. It was no doubt the wine, but you felt abnormally at ease around the taller woman.

“Lady Dimitrescu.” Maria scrambled to her feet, trying to press the wrinkles out of her nightgown. She looked like she’d just been nodding off over her book, but now she stared at you, eyes wide in shock.

Ignoring your giggling comments, Lady Dimitrescu gently pushed you to your bed, which you fell into without complaint. She smoothed a lock of hair out of your face, and then turned to your roommate. You closed your eyes, trying to calm the swirling in your gut.

“Was it red wine?” Maria asked quietly.

You imagined your Lady nodded, but you couldn’t be sure with your face pressed into your pillow. It was so soft. Not as soft as Lady Dimitrescu’s dress but close. 

“They will need water...you may find medicine for the headache in the servant’s bathroom.”

“Thank you, my Lady. They prefer whiskey...if it is relevant.”

“Good evening, Maria.” Lady Dimitrescu said quietly. 

The door to the room clicked shut, and you felt Maria help you under your blankets. Quickly, you fell into your wine-induced sleep.

Chapter Text

The morning began with you staring bleary-eyed at yourself in the mirror. When you’d awoken, Maria had shoved a glass of water and a couple pills into your hand and pushed you to the toilet. You swallowed the pills with a grimace and down the rest of the water. You felt like shit and you looked like it, too.

Puffy bags hung underneath your eyes, and your hair sat askew around your head. You pulled a brush through it, though your arms ached from the previous day’s work. In the mirror you tried to force a smile out of yourself and were a bit horrified at the result. With your hair drawn back into a bun you splashed your face with water and dried yourself.

The previous night was hazy in your mind. You remembered Bela’s piano performance, your Lady’s gentle words to you, her hand in your hair.

“I have no idea how I managed to get back down here last night,” you groaned as you re-entered the room. 

“Well, you didn’t,” Maria said with a laugh. 

“What do you mean?” you asked as you picked up the new clothes sitting on your bed. 

Neatly folded on your bed were a pair of thick work pants in a deep green with a brown belt; a couple light, open-collared shirts in white, brown, and deep marigold hues; heavy, steel-toed boots; and a pair of hefty gloves.

Maria was already dressed, turning her back to you so you could help lace up her dress. You began drawing the string together as she spoke.

“The Lady escorted you back--do you really not remember? You were practically glued to her hip!”

What little color remained in your face instantly drained. A cold spike of fear flashed down your spine. Had you done something stupid? Offended the Lady yet again? And just after she’d apologized?

“I did...what?”

“She was very kind. Put you to bed, told me to take care of you. I told her to give you whiskey next time,” Maria told you with a wink as she turned back around. “She must have forgiven you, huh?”

Hearing how the Lady acted, you knew that color had returned to your cheeks. Especially as you remembered her fingers in your hair, her words against your cheek. “Well, she apologized last night. I suppose it’s my turn again. I must have acted foolishly.”

Maria shook her head, unable to stop grinning as she gathered herself to head out for the day’s work. “She didn’t seem to mind.”

After Maria left you dressed, still feeling a bit weak from the hangover. You quickly grabbed food from the kitchen and ate it on your way out to your new workshop. Already you could see the Duke’s carriage pulled up to the building, and a few servants were pulling your requested items into your workshop. As always the Duke seemed to work in mysterious ways, but you wished for the first time that he could have been delayed. If you could only have a few hours for the medicine to squash your headache and the food to fill you…

The jolly voice of the Duke interrupted your wishes. “Ah, the new carpenter, I assume.”

You stepped around the side of the carriage to greet the Duke as he leaned out of the back. The servants often spoke under their breath of the Duke’s size and over-familiar candor, but the only things you found off-putting about him were his bare feet. You wondered if maybe he could not find properly fitting shoes, or if he simply preferred to go without. Either way you wished he would cover them.

“Hello, Duke. You know me--nobody knew.”

“Ah, but with a new position comes a new personhood, especially in your Lady’s castle.” The Duke raised his eyebrows, as though he knew something you did not.

“I’m sure,” you replied politely. “Thank you for so quickly delivering what I requested.”

“Yes, yes. A few things are still on the way. Paint and stain, drawer handles, the like. They’ll arrive as you need them, though, don’t fret.”

You gave him a smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll see you soon, Duke.”

As you slipped inside your workshop, you heard the Duke try to pick up conversation with another servant, who seemed nervous to speak at all. Inside, the servants had scattered the incoming tools and materials throughout the space, so you spent some time rearranging. 

Thankfully, the Duke had thrown in a small generator to power your tools so far from the castle. Your saws and drills hung from now-empty hooks, along with their long cords. You stacked the wood against a wall near the old forge and away from any windows. They were longer and thicker than typical cords your mother would purchase. You had requested them to come bigger to accommodate your Lady. Glue, screws, nails, and a couple thick sanding blocks found a home near the plans you had drawn up earlier. You checked your derusting tools and saw they needed more time to soak.

You heard the Duke’s carriage roll away outside and, with all your materials brought in and arranged, you returned to your plans. So far, you had great ideas for function and design, but you realized that what you really needed were precise measurements of the space available to you. Which meant you’d have to go up to Lady Dimitrescu’s office. And speak to her, no doubt.

How mortifying. How could you face her after getting absolutely wasted at her daughter’s piano recital? She probably didn’t even want to see you. You groaned and laid your head against your workbench. At least out here no one could catch you bemoaning your own foolishness over the lady of the house. 

As if hearing your thoughts and wishing to immediately dash them, a buzzing swarm of flies materialized into Daniela at the door of the workshop. She wore her usual flowing black robes, red hair blown about in the warm wind of the morning. A bit of blood caked the side of her mouth as she cackled at the sight of you.

“You look like shit, human,” she said in a mockingly sweet voice, flitting around the room and looking at all your tools. She picked up a drill and pointed it at her own face, looking curiously into the drill bit. “Ooo, what’s this?”

“Don’t do that!” You snap, reaching out to pull the drill out of her hands. Immediately, you remembered yourself. “Sorry, Miss Daniela. It’s just dangerous.”

The red-head frowned and crossed her arms. “You’re lucky mother won’t let us punish you. And that your little roommate is so cute.”

You let the comment about her mother slide by--you couldn’t think about the Lady just yet. Instead you turned a teasing tone on her. “Oh, you think Maria’s cute? I think she feels the same.”

Daniela’s eyes flashed. She drew in close to where you sat at the workbench. For a moment you were afraid she would lash out, but then she simply asked, “Does she really?” 

Her eyes searched yours with a dogged determination you were unused to. The youngest Dimitrescu seemed genuinely invested in your answer. It was cute.

“Well, of course, Miss Daniela. You’re a very beautiful woman.”

“I don’t care what you think. What does she think?” Daniela hissed, eyes narrowing at you.

You cleared your throat, fighting down a smile. It was actually very cute. Some might think it odd, considering the appetite of the Dimitrescu family, but like many of the servants your life was made much easier by accepting the vampirism and moving on. “Well she thinks you’ll grow bored of her, actually.”

“What!” Daniela snapped, whirling away from you. You wondered if she was hiding a furious mouth of teeth or a blush. A grumble came from the woman. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Not to speak out of turn, Miss Daniela, but it is not uncommon for you.” You tried to say it gently, not wanting to provoke a more in-character reaction.

Daniela glanced over her shoulder at you, a deep frown set on her face. “I know that. But those were just... maidens .” She said it with such dismissive malice that you were thankful you weren’t considered one yourself. 

“What makes Maria different then?”

“Well...she’s….” Daniela glanced back towards the castle and then whipped her sickle out and sunk it into the wood of the workbench you sat at. “If you tell her any of this, I don’t care what mother says. I’ll make it hurt.”

You nodded quickly, and Daniela seemed to relax. 

“She’s very pretty,” Daniela admitted with a blush. “And she’s not afraid of us like all the others. When I’m pestering her she won’t just put up with it...she’ll tell me to buzz off.”

You laughed. And then caught yourself, slapping a hand over your mouth.

“No! It’s funny. Maria is very funny. And I think she sees me like a person and not like a...a monster.” Daniela looks back toward the castle, a sad expression crossing her face. “I want...well, I don’t want her to think I’ll get bored.”

“Well, how can you show her that?” you asked. 

It was odd, coaching Daniela through the motions of a courtship. She seemed so young. You doubted she had much experience with romance before she became a daughter to Lady Dimitrescu. And she had spent years and years taking exactly what she wanted. Now she had to play the delicate game of courtship, and you were glad to help.

“Well.” Daniela paused to think and then wrenched her sickle out of the bench. “I could give her a sickle?”

You shook your head.

“No? Well...a necklace...made of...bones?”

Again, you shook your head.

“Well, what then?” she huffed.

“Those are all things you want, Daniela. What does Maria like? What could show her that you’re paying attention?”

This seemed to stump the woman. She pondered for a moment. “She seems to enjoy cleaning the library. Maybe a new feather duster?”

You wanted to groan. Daniela was so close...but so far. “She cleans for her job, Daniela. A new feather duster would feel weird, don’t you think?”

“Oh…” Daniela chewed a strand of red hair between her lips. “Maybe a book, then?”

Daniela’s face lit up at your nod. She clapped her hands excitedly and disappeared in a cloud of flies. Bewildered, you were about to turn back to your work when the cloud rematerialized beside you.

Daniela said quietly, “I see why mother is so entranced by you. You’re very wise.”

Before you could ask about her mother, the youngest Dimitrescu had disappeared back towards the castle. Flushed and unsure what to do with Daniela’s statement, you opted to step into the stables. 

The horses snorted at you as you stepped in. You grabbed a couple apples and fed each of the beasts, calming down as you stroked the long noses of the horses. Animals had always been calming to you. They were without judgement and easy to love. There was no questioning the appropriateness of your affection for the horses in the stable. They were not your employer, your Lady, your mistress. Just thinking about the word made you groan again. What was going on with you?

Whatever it was, it didn’t seem to be going away. But maybe once you learned what an embarrassment you’d made of yourself the night before you might have a change of heart. Surely your Lady would barely want to see you, much less be near you after your drunk stumbling. You headed back into your workshop and gathered up a tape measure and your plans before making your way back to the Castle. 

Maybe you’d get lucky. It was nearly lunch now, and occasionally the Lady took her morning tea in the library before going down to the dining room. You let this faint hope carry you up the stairs to Lady Dimitrescu’s study. The door was closed which could mean anything. Taking a deep breath, you knocked.

“Enter.”

No luck. Though a guilty part of you was happy you could see her, a larger part of you was still unendingly embarrassed over your behavior.

“Good morning, my Lady,” you announced yourself as you stepped in. You held up your tape measure. “I’m here to take some measurements of the space.”

Lady Dimitrescu sat at her desk as usual. Today it was a deep forest green dress. A similar style to the usual, but the green played off her pale skin, golden jewelry, and dark hair beautifully. She sat very tall and straight in her chair. You thought perhaps she was trying to avoid another crick in her neck or strain to her back. 

“Very good.” Lady Dimitrescu placed her fountain pen down and stood, towering above you magnificently. 

You rushed forward to help pull out her chair as she stepped away from the desk. Her hand wandered over the top of your head gently. “Thank you, dear--” 

The Lady stopped short, eyes raking over you as she finally saw you in your new clothes. “What’s this? Another change of outfit?”

“Yes,” you said, brushing down a bit of sawdust on your shirt. “I asked Miss Bela for more appropriate clothes for working on the desk. I hope that’s alright.”

Lady Dimitrescu took another moment to observe you, her golden eyes blazing over your opened collar. “Of course. You look charming,” she murmured, reaching out to pull the cloth over your collarbone. You felt heat rise to your chest as her fingers grazed your skin, sliding beyond your chest to briefly touch the base of your neck. 

She met your eye. “But you will wear your suit to present your report at the end of the day. I’ll not have all this dust on my furniture.”

You smiled and nodded, your chin grazing against her knuckles as she pulled her hand away. “I wouldn’t dream of it, my Lady. I’ll only take a moment with these measurements.”

The Lady nodded silently and stepped over to the lounge, laying herself upon it. She looked like a painting. You couldn’t look away. Her long body stretched luxuriously over the velvet, a slit in the dress revealing just a touch past one of her knees. As she adjusted the fabric fell further down her body and you forced yourself to look away. 

To work, you reminded yourself.

You set about measuring the space available for a desk, and you were nearly done when the longest measurement proved too much for you. Extending the measuring tape from one side to another, your arms couldn’t reach the entire distance. Forced to take an inaccurate measurement, you pinched one end of the tape and, trying to hold your position as much as possible, looped the tape around to continue measuring the other side.

“No.” Lady Dimitrescu said sharply. “That won’t do.”

The woman crossed the room in a matter of seconds, standing just behind you. Her large hand covered your own solidly. Warmth radiated from her and into you. You looked up at her and realized her thighs were just behind your head.  If you simply leaned back, you’d be nestled just in between them. Lady Dimitrescu’s barely contained smirk distracted you from your daydreaming. She looked down at you with mirth before using her other hand to gently push you towards the other end of the tape measure.

“Do it again.” She instructed, holding her end of the measure incredibly still. 

You took the measurement, and then, ducking beneath her statuesque arm, took the other side without error. You scribbled the number down quickly before gathering the tape measure back up. Reaching the end, which Lady Dimitrescu still held as she watched you work, you decided to be bold and covered her hand in your own.

It looked rather silly. Your hand was at least twice as small. All the same, though, your thumb brushed over her knuckles, and Lady Dimitrescu let out a soft gasp and immediately dropped the tape measure. Biting back a smile, you gathered it up. You began to calculate the dimensions you would need for each piece of the desk. This was easy work. Numbers and proportions. It was like a puzzle, and you enjoyed fitting the pieces together. 

Across the room, Lady Dimitrescu reclined again, quietly flipping through a book. Surprising you, she broke the silence.

“Do you feel alright this morning?”

“Much better, my Lady. Thank you,” you admitted. The headache was nearly gone, and your work and conversation out in the workshop had kept your mind off the aches in your body.

But you knew you had an apology to give, even if you weren’t sure what for. You looked up from your calculations and gently cleared your throat. When she looked up, golden eyes meeting yours, you spoke.

“Lady Dimitrescu, I wanted to apologize for how I may have acted last night. Though I don’t remember it all…”

She cut you off with a raised hand, as was her custom. “As I told you last night, dear, you have nothing to apologize for. You may inform me if I’ve done wrong.” Lady Dimitrescu glanced at you, a trace of hesitation forcing her lips shut before she spoke again. “You have shown me care, and I wish to return that, though I may not be very talented.”

“I...thank you, my Lady,” you said, almost stunned into silence. She wished to show you care as well? Were you still dreaming, drunk off the wine? 

After a moment, you returned to your calculations, but you could not help yourself. It was addicting to talk to your Lady once you had begun, just as it was addicting to remain in her presence, get closer to her. 

“From what Maria told me, you took very good care of me. I only hope I said nothing out of turn.”

“Such as?” Lady Dimitrescu asked, eyes glinting with humor.

A blush returned to your cheeks at that. You stammered over your work, flipping your pencil out of your own grip. “I--I don’t know. Something unsuitable to our relationship.”

“Oh?” the Lady hummed, looking amused as she lounged. A delicately shaped eyebrow quirked at you.

She was teasing you! Your lips curled into a pout briefly before you realized what you were doing and pulled yourself together. 

“I wouldn’t want to overstep, my Lady.” You insisted, even though you were pretty sure it was a lie.

“Well, it’s much too late for that.” 

Your mouth dropped open at the words, but Lady Dimitrescu continued regardless. 

“You’ve overstepped nearly every day this week, and so far I have nothing but thanks to give for it.” The statuesque woman said plainly, “As far as last evening, you’ll simply have to take my word for it. Though you did seem sad to let go of my dress when I returned you to your bed.”

Knowing that your face already burned with embarrassment, you ran a hand through your hair and turned back to your work. You quickly finished up your notes and stood. “I have everything I need. When should I bring you the report for the day, my Lady?”

Lady Dimitrescu pursed her red lips and moved to stand from the lounge. You stepped over quickly and offered your hand. She smiled teasingly at you as you did and took the offered hand. The Lady’s hand completely enclosed your own, and she gave it a brief squeeze before letting go and standing on her own. 

You just can’t help yourself, can you? You berated yourself, stepping out of her way as she walked back to her desk.

“Same time, the library. Bring my wine with your report.” She sat with a sigh, stretching her neck to the side. “I do hope you work quickly. My shoulders ache more each day from this desk.”

Bolstered by her earlier praise of your overstepping, you decided to do it once again. You sunk your thumbs into the muscles of her back and wordlessly began working the knots out. Lady Dimitrescu's neck extended in pleasure as low moans escaped her lips. 

“Very good, [Y/N],” she murmured as your hands worked at the tension in her neck.

Heat built inside you at the praise. Had it always felt so good?

“Is it mainly your neck?” you asked, fingers running down the skin there.

The Lady hummed an affirmation. Palms cupping the column of her neck, you gently guided her neck to the side to stretch the tense muscles. She hummed at the strain as you pushed her to stretch each side. The little noises she made as you touched her--breathy gasps, satisfied growls--were sending you into a fever. You tried reminding yourself that she was your employer, a woman four feet taller than you, a vampire . But none of it quelled the arousal building in you. 

You wanted her. You wanted to take care of her. Touch her like this, and other ways. You wanted her to take care of you, you realized. Perhaps that was more frightening, because you knew it was the more impossible option. She would allow you to work out these kinks, maybe escort you to your room when you were drunk. But would she return this favor? Satisfy the heat building between your legs? You tried to shake the thoughts from your mind.

As you finished up, you were tempted to simply let your hands roam. Her shoulders were slightly exposed in this dress, and the top of her muscled back peaked temptingly from her dress.

Lady Dimitrescu settled more comfortably into her chair, turning her head slightly to meet your gaze. She looked relaxed, golden eyes lacking their usual intensity in place of a near-sleepy haze. Your Lady spoke quietly, a small smile at her lips. “Back to work with you, then.”

You nodded, and with a last lingering touch to her neck exited the room. Fully distracted, you wandered the castle for a bit. Heat coursed through you still from touching your Lady. And damn proper decorum, you wished you had time to quickly take care of yourself. If only you could remember how she brought you back to your rooms last night. She had touched you, held you to her side. What if she had held you? And you missed it? You banished the thought. It was too frustrating to imagine what-ifs if you would never recall.

Stopping into the kitchen, you gathered a quick sandwich of cheese, bitter greens, and thin cuts of beef, as well as a corked jug of water. You ate quietly and quickly in your workshop, trying not to think too hard about the teasing way the Lady had addressed you. 

Over the past few days you had gotten such sudden and mixed signals from the Dimitrescu family. Hesitant acceptance, fury, teasing, genuine care. You weren’t sure what to make of it, especially from your Lady. You sensed that she appreciated your attention though she was nervous about it. Just as you felt nervous about the attention you wanted to give her. 

After a year in the castle you had seen many maidens and servants escorted to and from the Lady’s room. Her reputation was whispered throughout the servant’s quarters. Girls walked funny for days, or they were sucked dry in the throes of passion. The Lady’s appetites were voracious in all senses. Those who survived the encounters raved about the Lady’s talented tongue, her thick fingers, her dominating presence. The thought of it tugged at your core sharply, completely distracting you from the precise measurement you were trying to take. 

You shook your head and took a deep gulp of water. You couldn’t mess this desk up, thoughts clouded with your Lady’s sexual prowess. Besides, you didn’t want to be...a quick lay to your Lady.  If something were to happen between the two of you, you wouldn’t want to be discarded once the evening came to an end. And the likelihood of that seemed slim, anyhow, so why bother thinking of it?

Shaking the thoughts from your mind, you dove into the work. Measuring out your boards, you set up the miter saw and began making your cuts. It took a few hours to cut out all the long pieces of wood and round their edges. For a typical desk you could cut these long pieces in half and have all the wood you needed. But Lady Dimitrescu was no typical woman, so your work drew on longer than you expected. Not that you minded. It would take a while to sand down all this wood, and then it would be on to staining. 

But since the stain would not arrive until at least tomorrow, you allowed yourself a break to drink more water and visit the horses again. You sanded half the wood before cleaning up and walking back to the Castle.

Your new clothing was covered in a thin layer of dust, and you did your best to smack it off before entering the building. After a quick rinse, you put your suit on. You straightened the tie in the mirror and smoothed the buttoned shirt into your pants. The blazer felt constrictive after a day in such loose clothing, but you knew your Lady appreciated how you looked in it.

It felt odd to put the uniform on so late in the day, but at the same time, the act made the evening feel like an event. Something to be excited for. And you were excited. Lately, every encounter with your Lady brought new surprises and new feelings. So far luck had been on your side, and you were anxious to keep playing the game.

Chapter Text

After cleaning yourself up, you headed to the servant’s dining hall and took a plate of baked potatoes, pork loin, and roasted root vegetables. You approached Maria, who sat in your usual spot with a book open beside her. She ate slow bites of her meal, holding a finger over the line she read. You sat quietly across from her and began to eat.

The book Maria was engrossed in was not the one she had been reading the night before. Deep red leather wrapped around the covers, and you could spy just a touch of gold engraving on the spine as Maria flipped to a new page.

“New book?” you ask.

Maria startles at your question, clearly not noticing that you’d sat down. The woman placed a hand on her heart and closed the book. Golden, looping script on the front cover spelled out Carmilla.

Hesitantly meeting your eye, Maria laughed uncomfortably. “You scared me! How long have you been there?”

“Only a minute. Didn’t you just start a new book the other day?” You knew you were teasing her, maybe unfairly. But it made you smile seeing how quickly Daniela acted on your advice. And it seemed to have worked.

“Well...yes, but this one is more interesting.” Maria said, a touch defensively as she slid the book off the table and into her bag.

“Doesn’t look like one from the library. Did you order it from the Duke?”

A faint blush lit Maria’s neck. “Um...no, it’s just from here.”

You nodded, smiling at Maria’s embarrassment, and allowed the conversation to slip past Daniela’s gift. The two of you caught up on your days. Maria skirted over her time cleaning the library, as you similarly left out details of your visit to the Lady’s office. No need to further embarrass yourself.

“Did the Lady ask after you, then?” Maria asked as you cleaned your plate.

“She did,” you admitted. “And I apologized.”

“For what? She seemed very understanding.”

“Well, what if I said something...I don’t know...lewd?” you stumbled over the words. Knowing yourself, it wasn’t unlikely to have happened, but if it hadn’t...

Maria bit back her laughter. “Lewd?” she hissed. “Are you having lewd thoughts about our Lady?”

“No!” you whispered sharply. “She’s just...well, she’s very lovely. I’d be insane not to.”

“Not to have lewd thoughts?”

“Maria,” you groaned. The two of you made your way back to your rooms, and you were tempted to shove her into the wall for all the teasing.

Maria stepped quickly away from you, as if sensing your idea. Her face was bright with a smile, curly dark hair bouncing around her cheeks. You hadn’t seen her so upbeat in quite a while.

“Oh come on, [Y/N]! It’s okay to have a little crush on the Lady. Just so long as you don’t become her dinner.”

You blushed. “Fine, fine. Maybe a little crush. But nothing will come of it. I’ll simply make her this desk, and then things will return to normal.”

Maria shrugged, and the two of you walked the rest of the way in relative silence. As you approached your door, you noticed it was already opened. Just a crack, revealing a faint light from inside. Occasionally intruders got inside the castle, and the servants went on lockdown. None had ever invaded the servant’s quarters. But surely if someone had gotten in--

“Oh just open it. It’s fine,” Maria said with a huff, pushing past you to open the door. “I asked her to come.”

Inside, Daniela lounged comfortably on Maria’s bed, flicking through a spare book. She was dressed in nicer clothes than you’d seen her in. Fitted dark pants, a burgundy button up. A long black cloak lay across the bed. Even her mouth was clean of blood, instead a muted pink painted across her lips. As the two of you entered, she bounced up from the bed and grabbed a bundle of flowers that she had discarded on your make-shift desk.

She bowed deeply before Maria with a goofy grin. “M’lady,” she said teasingly, offering up the flowers.

Maria’s face burned brightly at the display. She took the flowers and inhaled them deeply. “Thank you, Dani. They’re beautiful.”

Your eyes widened, not expecting Daniela to run so far with your advice. Trying to make yourself small, you sidled over to your bed and busied yourself with gathering materials to write your report. You only had an hour until you needed to be in the library, so you really should get to work. But you couldn’t help overhearing.

“Are you ready for our stroll?”

“I need to change...do you mind?”

You looked up to see Daniela pouting, but then slipping out of the room. “Are you going on a date?” you hissed from across the room.

Maria dug through the wardrobe frantically. She looked over her shoulder, a bit panicked. “I don’t know! She just gave me the book and then asked to go on a walk. It was so sweet, I just...I don’t have anything to wear!”

You grinned at your friend and pushed off the bed to come help her. The two of you sifted through her non-work attire quickly, eventually settling on a flowing orange sundress and a thin white shawl. Maria furiously washed her face and dabbed on a touch of makeup. The girl took several deep breaths, prompting you to rub her shoulders encouragingly.

“Just have fun,” you encouraged. “She likes you a lot.”

Maria nodded quietly, and then ducked out the door. The voices outside were muffled but cheery. After a few moments, you heard them walk down the hall. And suddenly you realized you only had thirty minutes to write your report and get upstairs.

You wrote furiously, knowing the Lady would not be happy with the state of your handwriting. Grabbing a bottle of wine from the kitchens, you legged it to the library. Wiping sweat from your brow, you knocked lightly on the door and entered.

The square room broke into a circular center, the sunset glowing through a circular sunroof. Bookshelves lined the walls and bracketed the central reading area. Candelabras were lit throughout the room, giving a warm glow to the books, scattered chairs and tables.

In the center, Lady Dimitrescu sat in a large ornate chair with a book perched in one hand and her long cigarette holder in the other. Her large hat hung from the chair beside her. She took a leisurely puff from it before tapping the ash out in a tray beside her. The sunset’s oranges and purples played off her skin beautifully, alighting in her golden eyes.

You were frozen in your admiration of her, lingering in the darkened portion of the library. Imagining Daniela and Maria on their walk, you imagined what you might wear should your Lady ask you on one. What would she wear? What would you even speak of?

“Come, then.” Lady Dimitrescu’s voice carried deeply through the library.

Startled from your thoughts, you hurried to her side. You noticed now that Bela sat in the large chair beside her mother, flipping through a hefty tome of sheet music. The blonde caught your eye and shot you a devious smile, which you tried very hard to ignore.

“Good evening, My Lady. Miss,” you said with a stiff bow to each.

You placed the wine on the table, where you noted an aged bottle of whiskey sitting unopened beside a tumbler. Didn’t Maria say…? You chose not to linger on the thought, and instead placed your folded report beside your Lady’s goblet as you poured her a glass of wine.

“Serve yourself.” The Lady motioned absentmindedly to the whiskey as she picked up your report. Her glasses came out again, resting low on her nose as she peered at your words.

You examined the bottle of whiskey. It was a bottle you knew to be quite expensive and sought after. You hesitantly broke the seal and poured a couple fingers into the tumbler. As your Lady read, you took in the rich smell of cocoa, wood shavings, and brown sugar before taking a small sip. The drink melted in your mouth--vanilla and charred oak, caramel and cinnamon, a smooth finish as you finally swallowed.

“I’m afraid I can’t ask you to bring me a report again, dear thing,” Lady Dimitrescu sighed, pulling you sharply out of your reverie.

“I-what? I’m sorry, my Lady,” you stuttered, clutching at the glass in hand.

Lady Dimitrescu folded your note up and removed her glasses so they hung around her neck from a delicate pearl chain. She looked at you plainly, though you searched for the disappointment you felt running up your spine. You could see the faint crow’s feet creasing the sides of her eyes and admired the laugh line bracketing her lips. You wondered briefly what the wrinkle felt like to the touch.

“Your handwriting is quite illegible. From now on, you shall simply tell me of your day’s work. I’d rather neither of us waste time communicating so inefficiently.”

With that Lady Dimitrescu took her goblet of wine and sipped from it, licking her lips. You gave her a tight nod, a touch overwhelmed at the whirlwind she’d just taken you on. The fear of rejection had gripped so tightly at your stomach--the thought of your Lady not wanting your company or your service. You tried to squash the desperate feeling clutching at your heart.

Lady Dimitrescu waved at her daughter, who sat perched in the chair watching the two of you. If Bela was trying to be subtle, she did a poor job. But you didn’t think she was trying.

“I shall see you in the morning, daughter. Do get another hour of practice in before the Lords arrive.”

The blonde nodded eagerly as she stood. “Of course, mother. I hope Lady Beneviento comes early--do you think she will?”

You wondered how aware Lady Dimitrescu was of her daughter’s crush on the mourning lady of House Beneviento. From her unfazed reaction, you guessed she was not.

“Perhaps, dear. Did you invite her for dinner?”

Bela’s eyes widened. “No...I didn’t realize…”

“If you wish, you may invite her and that...insipid doll to eat with us. She is the most tolerable of the Lords, if only for the fact she refuses to speak.”

You bite back a laugh at your Lady’s decisive judgement. Lady Dimitrescu seems to notice your amusement, a small smile playing at the edge of her mouth.

“I’ll call right away, mother. Will you be attending my performance, [Y/N]?”

“Oh, I...Well, that would be up to your mother, Miss Bela. Though I would love to hear you play again.”

You secretly hoped your Lady would acquiesce. Although the previous evening had been marred by your drunkenness, it had been the most pleasant night you’d had in a very long time. And if it meant your Lady might touch the back of your neck again…

“Oh, please mother. I like them. They’re very sweet, don’t you think?” Bela asked teasingly.

Lady Dimitrescu seemed not to notice the teasing, simply blowing out another cloud of smoke and glancing sidelong at you. Her elongated teeth bit into her lower lip as she looked at you. “I suppose they are,” she said absentmindedly, seeming to relish in the blush her words brought to your cheeks.

“And very handsome,” Bela said, shooting you a wink.

At her comment, Lady Dimitrescu’s gaze snapped wickedly to her daughter. You could see the furrow of her brow, her lips curling into a snarl. It was embarrassing how warm you grew under your collar at the defensive look she shot her daughter.

“To bed with you now, sweet Bela,” Lady Dimitrescu growled.

Bela giggled as she disappeared into a swarm of flies, flitting around the library quickly before making her exit. You stood awkwardly holding your drink, unsure what to do with your body. The Lady glanced at you and then tapped the arm of the chair beside her. You climbed into it and took another sip from your drink, relishing the smooth taste.

“Do you think I’m handsome?” you ask, only fully realizing what you’d done once the words left your mouth.

Lady Dimitrescu seemed just as taken aback by your words, pausing as she was about to take a sip of wine. After a moment she drank from her cup, meeting your eyes over the rim of the goblet. She licked a stray drop from her red lips, and you found yourself unable to look away as she spoke.

“Haven’t I said it already?” she asked with a low hum, reaching out and touching your chin with a long finger. She angled your face further up to her own.

Your mouth opened and closed before you could get the words out. “Along those lines,” you murmured, wishing she would lean in closer. There seemed to be a cavernous space between you. All of the chair, the drinks, the work.

“Well…” her voice rumbled low in her chest as she smiled at you. It was such a full, amused smile. “I do find you very handsome, dragă mea.”

Your face turned scarlet at the admission and the term of endearment, but you couldn’t look away from her. She caught you with such an intense stare, her eyes glowing with affection. Her hand moved from your chin to cup your cheek. She touched you so delicately, like she was afraid to break you. It made you feel oddly safe, though you knew the true nature of your mistress. Maybe you had lied to Maria. Maybe this was more than a little crush.

“I find you very beautiful, my Lady,” you admitted quietly, leaning into her touch.

Lady Dimitrescu looked surprised. But after a moment her raised brows lowered and a warm smile spread across her lips. A contented purr radiated from her chest and through the room. Even while sitting, she towered above you. Her generous bosom was at your eye-level now, and you had trouble looking away from the soft curve of her cleavage.

Her hand on your face drew your eyes back up, though. It felt like she was leaning down to you. Eyes lidded, chin drawing down to your level. Her scarlet lips wetted by a quick tongue. Your throat ran dry as the moment caught up to you, warm and sensual.

A heavy thud within the library broke the moment. Lady Dimitrescu snapped away from you, back to her composed, straight-backed sitting. You lingered over the arms of the chair, breathless and flushed. As you pulled yourself back together, you heard a telltale buzzing of flies slipping out of the library. Beside you, your Lady swore under her breath--a harsh word you’d never heard from her.

The vampiress smoothed her dress and looked down at you, all of that warm affection drained from her face. “My apologies. My daughters are rather nosy...and I should not have…” she trailed off, clutching her hands tightly in her lap. “Tell me more of the new workshop. I shall have to come see what you’ve done with it.”

The moment was clearly lost, and you decided to mourn it later. For now, you could still feel the warmth of her hand on your cheek, her lips approaching your own. You settled back into your chair and took another sip from your drink, trying to quell the warmth on your neck.

“It is a good space, my Lady. I have set it up for the project quite well, though I am still awaiting some supplies from the Duke. All of the wood is measured out and cut for the project. In the morning I will begin sanding. If you’d like to come by, I would wait until the afternoon. The dust will have cleared by then.”

Lady Dimitrescu nodded slightly and poured herself another drink. When you moved to stand, she gestured you back down with a hand. “I shall see you then.” The Lady paused a short moment, gazing down into her goblet before speaking. “I trust the forge is not in your way?”

“Not at all,” you said quickly. “Did the smithy used to get much use? I noticed quite a number of tools, but they had fallen into disuse. I took the liberty of beginning to clean them--”

“Don’t.” Lady Dimitrescu snapped, her composed demeanor breaking in an instant. Brows curled into sharp fury, fingers clutching at her goblet as she glared at you. You flinched back, sloshing your drink. “Don’t touch those. They aren’t yours.”

“O-okay.” You stuttered, smarting at the sudden change in your Lady. Things had been going so well. She had even brought up the forge herself.

Quiet fell between you after that. Lady Dimitrescu stared sternly into her wine, drinking without thought for decorum. You sipped from your drink but had trouble finding joy in it. It seemed like the evening was over. Setting your glass on the table, you stood and averted your eyes, giving your Lady a stiff bow.

“I’ll take my leave, Lady Dimitrescu. I hope--”

A hand closed around your wrist and stopped you from leaving. You looked up, catching a familiar look in the Countess’s eyes. Regret. Her lips were drawn into a tight line. She didn’t speak, but drew you in, not breaking eye contact. Your thighs hit the seat of her chair as she pulled you to stand between her legs. The emerald fabric gathered around you and you felt her thick, powerful thighs closing you into her. With her hand still wrapped around your wrist, you were sure she could feel your heart hammering.

She laid your hand onto her thigh and brought it up to your shoulder, brushing her knuckles against the side of your neck. Her touch was gentle, a harsh contrast to the fury you’d just experienced. The Lady stared deeply at you, at the path her fingers traced down your neck. You wondered if she was considering how you might taste.

“Forgive me, dragă mea,” she said softly. “I do not mean to be harsh with you”
Despite yourself, you relished in her touch and her closeness. If you’d had more resolve, maybe you’d be firmer in how upset her anger had made you. But her apologies, rare as they were, seemed to completely dissolve you

“The woman who worked in the smithy before you...she…” Pain flashed across Lady Dimitrescu’s expression, drawing her lower lip beneath her teeth, her brows worried. “It is difficult for me.”

“I can move the workshop, my Lady,” you said. It would actually be very time consuming and laborious, but for her, you would do it by yourself, immediately.

She shook her head. “It’s unnecessary. I must better control myself. In all things.”

With that, she pushed you back by the chest gently and withdrew her hand from you. You buried the groan building in your chest in her absence. Instead, you nodded.

“I’ll try not to bring it up, my Lady. Unless you’d like to talk about it.” At the Lady’s raised eyebrow, you quickly continued. “I only mean, I’m here.”

She gave you a curious look before settling on a small smile. “Interesting. I shall see you in the workshop.”

You could have sworn she winked at you, but it happened in such a flash that you weren’t sure. Either way, you felt your neck grow warm. “Of course, Lady Dimitrescu. I look forward to seeing you.” You were turning to make your leave when you remembered your manners. “And thank you for the drink, my Lady. It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad to see it hasn’t knocked you off your feet, dear.” Lady Dimitrescu said teasingly. “Now, off to bed. And make sure my Daniela delivers Maria home in one piece. I told her she must be on her best behavior.”

“I appreciate it. Maria was rather excited.”

“Yes, well, I don’t often approve of my daughters becoming involved with the maids. Especially when it often ends in such...unfortunate ways.”

“Yes…” you said quietly, not wishing to think about Maria ending up like one of the many maidens who passed through the halls.

“I made Daniela swear no harm would come to her. You may remind her of that promise, if you see fit.”

Lady Dimitrescu looked at you, as though she was trying to tell you something more. This was an olive branch, a show of compassion and trust. The extension of your working relationship into life in the castle. All you could do is nod thankfully.

You said your good evenings and departed from the library. There was a lightness in your step. Despite your Lady’s moment of anger, the evening had only further drawn you into your affection for the Countess. The whiskey, the near-kiss, the apology, the show of care…

You were sure if any servant were to see you, they’d report your face scarlet as a rose. When you returned to your room, it was still empty. You hoped she was having fun, and that Daniela kept her word. An unfamiliar trust filled you, and for some reason you felt that, with your Lady’s promise, Maria would meet no harm. Putting on your pajamas and cleaning your face, you settled into bed and sleep took you before Maria returned.

Chapter Text

You stood between her legs in the library yet again. She leaned down into you with her elbows on her knees so she could look you in the eye. Your breath came to you in short bursts as her closeness became almost unbearable. She smelled of sour cherries and almonds. Her lips painted as usual a deep and alluring red. This time she wore her hat, and it dipped past your head, concealing the two of you in shadow. In the darkness you could only see the glow of her golden eyes, lanced with desire. Her fingers played with the collar of your shirt, the nape of your neck. You felt as though you could collapse, so overcome with want for your Lady. 

As she leaned in closer, you raised your hands to pause her descent. Just for a moment, to catch your breath. At her deep chuckle you realized you clutched at her exposed cleavage, but you didn’t stop. Instead, you slid your hands up further, around her neck and into her thick hair. You pulled her down into you, feeling her lips upon yours for the first time. 

A surprised gasp  escaped her mouth as you kissed, and for a moment you feared the worst. But then you felt her smile, and she was kissing you back. In a moment, you were pulled up into her lap, straddling her wide hips as best you could. She held you tightly against her as she kissed you ferociously. In a flash her lips had moved on to your collar, marking the skin with bright red paint. You groaned at the feeling, wishing you could get even closer.

Nipping lightly at your neck, her mouth began to move lower. With inhuman strength she ripped your tie from its place and snapped the buttons of your shirt loose. Her hands roamed your body, one moving up your torso and the other coming to rest gently at your neck--

BANG!

You woke with a thin film of sweat on your skin, feeling your own arousal slick between your legs. Outside your window, the Duke’s carriage trundled onto the grounds and the heavy steps from the back seemed to be what woke you. Groaning softly into your pillow, you pushed your hair out of your eyes and regretfully got up. 

Maria was fast asleep in her bed, her evening dress discarded haphazardly over the foot of her bed frame. From your vantage point you could see the faint traces of lipstick on her neck. You were happy for her  but couldn’t help the burn of jealousy in your chest. 

You showered and dressed quickly, before grabbing breakfast for the both of you. Maria still slept when you returned, and regretfully it was time for the both of you to begin work. Starting gently, you shook the girl’s shoulder.

“Maria...Maria…” 

Maria groaned and then very slowly turned over in bed. After a moment of waking, her eyes shot open in panic. “Oh god, what’s the time?”

You stepped out of her way as she leapt from the bed, hurriedly pulling on her uniform. She shoved the pastry you got her into her mouth and was almost out the door when you grabbed her arm. 

“Your neck…” you said, forcing down a smile as you pointed to the red marks.

Your friend rolled her eyes in annoyance and quickly wet a washcloth to wipe down her neck. Both of your eyes widened slightly when you saw that some of the marks seemed not to be lipstick at all. Maria closed her eyes in defeat.

“What does she think, I can just wear a scarf ? It’s a uniform for Miranda’s sake!” Maria said, tossing the washcloth on to her bed and storming from the room. 

You chuckled as you caught the door with your boot and headed out to the stables. Again, servants carried supplies from the Duke’s Carriage into the workshop. You nodded at the man, but headed straight in and got to work. As you’d promised the Lady, you wanted to have the workshop aired out of sand and dust before she arrived. 

As buckets of paint and stain arrived by the door, you donned gloves, some goggles, and a heavy-duty mask and got to work sanding. The work was simple and satisfying. Your biceps burned at the repeated movements, but you found your mind calming as you worked. All the questions that lingered in your head after the previous night and this morning’s dream faded from you as the sanding took priority. 

You were about halfway through the morning’s work when you looked up and saw Cassandra standing in the doorway to the workshop. Dressed in a flowing black dress with her dark hair in a long, thick braid, she stared at you with a blank expression. You’d always found her the most difficult of the sisters to read. She acted aloof and almost silly with her sisters but could contort herself into the most furious anger the next moment. 

Waving the gathered dust away, you removed your gear and brushed some of the dust from yourself. “Hello, Miss Cassandra. Can I help you with anything?”

The woman said nothing as you addressed her but took a step inside. You remembered Daniela’s eagerness to sink a sickle into your workbench and subtly moved your body in front of your finished work. Better you to go than your Lady’s new desk, you figured.

“My family seems taken with you for some idiotic reason. So I’ve come to see for myself.” As she spoke to you, her eyes moved from the forge, to the tools sitting in buckets of vinegar, to the bundle you’d made in a corner with the apron, hammer, and sculpture you’d found. Her eyes lit up seeing those items, but she didn’t comment on them. “What is it you’re doing?”

Cassandra walked around you slowly, eyeing the pile of wood and sawdust on the ground. She reminded you of a predator, taking her time observing you. Getting to know your habits, your tendencies. All the better to eventually take you down. But you’d become used to the woman’s stalking presence throughout your year in the castle. Sure, it intimidated you a little bit, but you knew better than to show that.

“Sanding,” you said plainly, waving your hand sander. “For your mother’s new desk.”

“Why?” she interrogated, pausing her circle around you to touch the apron on a nearby bench.

“Wood takes better to stain and paint when it’s been sanded.” You watched as Cassandra picked up the apron, smoothing a hand down the front of it. If she was going to interrupt your work, you figured you might as well try to get some answers. “What is that?”

Cassandra looked up at you quickly, and she dropped the apron almost immediately. After a moment, she crossed her arms and leaned against the bench. “Of course you’d want to know.”

“What do you mean?” You adopted a similar position across the room. 

“I saw you and Mother last night. Getting awfully comfortable with her for a dusty little furniture maker, don’t you think?”

You fought down a blush at that. You’d wondered which daughter had been spying on you last night. Cassandra seemed like the worst one for it to have been. You don’t wish to simply give up, though, and bite back just the same. “That’s for Lady Dimitrescu to decide, not me.”

“Hmph,” Cassandra snorted. “Well, mother isn’t ready for that kind of thing. I’m surprised she’s even let you use this place.”

Seeing Cassandra’s defensiveness flare up, you choose your next words carefully. “Was the woman who worked here very important to the Lady?”

After a tense moment, Cassandra met your eye and nodded. You gave her another moment, and she spoke again. “To all of us.”

You understood what she was trying to tell you. The woman wasn’t just a throw-away lover of her mother’s. She had become part of the family. Standing in this room where this woman worked, you could only imagine the intense emotional toll it had on Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters. Though she’d said it was alright for you to work here, you felt a thick wave of guilt wash over you.

“That must be very difficult,” you said quietly. “I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped with you, Miss Cassandra.”

The foreboding woman seemed surprised at your apology. So much so that she loosened her stand-offish stance. Her lips searched for words, so you decided to keep talking.

“I’ve not been at the castle long, but I only wish to take care of your mother. She is a wonderful woman, who I admire very greatly…” you felt yourself about to wander down a cavernous road of compliments and pulled back sharply. “But once this desk is complete, I will return to my usual duties. If there is a way I can make the time easier for you, I will do what I can.”

Cassandra’s mouth set into a firm line as she considered your words. “I only wish for my mother to be happy. If we are in agreement with that, then we have no issue. Just...let her move at her own pace.”

It was funny to essentially get Cassandra’s blessing in this way. You’d barely even realized you’d been a contender for your Lady’s affections until last night. The middle Dimitrescu sister seemed to show her care in this way--protection and slow trust. Ensuring the safety of her family the best she knew how. 

“Of course, Miss Cassandra. And those…?” you gestured slightly to the apron and other items. “Would you like to hold onto them?”

The woman’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, as though she’d barely even considered it herself. She turned back to look at them and picked up the hammer. “I...perhaps just this”

“Great,” you said, moving to strap back into your safety protection. You saw Cassandra staring at the tools curiously. “...Would you like to try?

Cassandra nodded eagerly, and you got the first glimpse of the childishness you saw in the Opera Hall. You hoped you could give her more reasons to relax, let go of the defensive pretenses. For the next forty minutes, you instructed her on how to properly sand down the wood. She threw herself into it with dogged determination, and probably cut down your work time by an hour or two. 

As you watched her work, you wondered if she had helped the smith with her work. It was easy to imagine Cassandra in a leather apron, releasing her frustration into the hammering of a piece of scorching metal. It was also easy to imagine the joy Cassandra might get at fashioning her own sickle. As the lunch hour approached, Cassandra left with an awkward raise of a hand before dissolving into flies.

You finished up the sanding and opened all the windows, attempting to sweep all the dust out of the building in preparation for the afternoon. When you’d done as well as you could, you headed back into the castle to eat. 

Maria joined you at the table with her own cup of borscht after a few minutes. Others in the room stared curiously, or wickedly, down at the two of you. No doubt they’d all gotten a good look at the bruises on Maria’s neck, and servants were good at nothing if not cruel gossip. You shot the onlookers murderous stares until they turned back to their food.

“So it was a good evening?” you asked.

Maria huffed into her soup loudly. “It was. It was great. It’s just all these--” she gestured around the room with her spoon “--idiots won’t give me a fucking break.”

“Ignore them,” you insisted. “I know, easier said than done, but you get to enjoy yourself, Maria. Fuck them.”

Your roommate shrugged. “You’re right. It’s just annoying...and I haven’t seen her all day.”

“Not even in the library?”

Maria shook her head, nervously twirling her spoon in the broth. “I’m worried maybe...maybe I was bad? I didn’t want to, you know, go all the way, but she said it was fine. I thought we had fun.”

You stilled Maria’s nervous hand with your own. “I’m sure you did, Maria. Maybe something came up today. The girls are getting ready for Bela’s performance tonight, after all.”

“That’s true. I’m just overanalyzing. That and alphabetizing the books--the things I’m best at.”

“Oh hush.” You swatted playfully at her arm. “You know what you are good at, though?”

“What?” she looked at you glumly. The stares around the room had returned.

“Cutting hair,” you whispered. “Give them something else to look at, huh? No one will pay those hickeys any mind when I’ve chopped all my hair off.”

Slowly, the idea brightened Maria’s expression. She nodded in agreement, and after finishing up your meals the two of you rushed back to your rooms. You only had a short break between lunch and afternoon duties, so Maria worked quickly. She sat you in a chair before the small vanity mirror. 

Using sharp fabric scissors, she set to work on your long hair. Seeing the locks drop to the floor filled you with a sharp mixture of dread and glee. What if you looked horrible with short hair? But what if you looked incredible ? You worried your lip as Maria worked, wishing it would go faster. After a while she took out a pair of motorized clippers--you’re curious where she even got those--and set to work. You couldn’t bear to watch, so you closed your eyes while Maria told you more about her date.

“We walked in the garden and watched the sun set. She asked me about my life, like she was actually curious. I don’t know how but we were out there for hours talking, until it got chilly and we came inside.”

“When I returned you still weren’t in bed, though.” You smirked a little, sure that if you opened your eyes your roommate’s face would be red. 

“No...she wanted me to come to her rooms, but I thought it was a bad idea. So we made out a little in the hallway. It wasn’t even that much but it looks like I was mauled.”

You snorted, imagining what Lady Dimitrescu would have done if she had stumbled upon that scene. “It sounds like a nice time, Maria. Just...remember to put a sock on the door if--”

“Hey!” Maria snapped. “Remember who has the scissors here.”

You both laughed, and Maria soon finished cutting your hair. When you opened your eyes, you were stunned by your reflection. Maria had cut down the sides and back of your hair but left the top long. She’d rubbed some product into the top and ruffled the longer portion to give it a messy look. You were sure you’d have to neaten that out to meet with your Lady, but you couldn’t help grinning at yourself. 

“Wow.” You finally said, reaching up to run your fingers over the sides of your head. It was so short. It felt fuzzy and funny under your palm. “Touch it, it’s so weird.”

Maria ran her hands over your head playfully. “It feels like a peach!”

You touched it again, and then ran your fingers through the curls that sat on top of your head. Then you grasp your friend’s hand and turn to face her fully. “I’ve never liked the way I’ve looked. But this is...thank you, Maria.”

“Oh, you’ll make me cry,” she joked, pushing at your shoulder. “Now come, let’s clean up and get back to work. The Lady’s desk won’t make itself.”

The Lady. You gulped, remembering her afternoon visit. And then the idea you’d had of informing her before you made the big chop. There was nothing to be done about it now, though. I hope she likes it , you thought as you wandered back out to the workshop.

Chapter Text

The afternoon passed quietly, much to your disappointment. You glued and clamped your pieces of wood together, and after that examined some potential legs for the desk. The Duke, or a servant of the house, had brought out some spare and broken furniture for you to examine. Most were too fractured to use or too small, but a couple pieces stood out. They looked like they may have been used as columns for the railing in the main hall, before they were replaced by the carved flowers. They were tall, strong, and seemed in good condition. You decided that with a fresh coat of paint, they would serve just fine. 

After an hour the glue held firm, and you unclamped the pieces. You’d assembled enough for the adjustable and stationary desktops, the sides of the desk, and the several drawers your lady had requested. On the whole, you were making great time. As you set to staining and painting the wood, you wondered if your Lady were to come at all. Half the afternoon had whiled away now, and as the evening approached, you were sure she was busy with preparations for the festivities.

“Doesn’t look like much,” Bela quipped from the doorway.

You jumped, almost streaking paint over your clothing. How did these women move so quietly? And with such timing? 

“Hello, Miss Bela. These are simply the pieces. It will look much better all together.”

“Hmm…” Bela flitted into the workspace, blonde hair wrapped up in a bun. She ran a hand over the side of the forge thoughtfully. “You remind me of her.”

You looked up at that, but chose to say silent. On this matter, it seemed best to let the Dimitrescus process in their own time.

“Very...skilled and caring.”

“Thank you, miss.”

You worked in silence as Bela examined the space you’d constructed. She picked up the table legs you’d selected and twisted them in her hands. “Is it like a piece of music? Making furniture.”

Setting another piece of wood to dry, you stirred the paint thoughtfully. “I’m not sure how you mean.”

“You need all these parts to make it good. The bass, the melody, the quiet bits, the loud bits. Is it the same?”

You considered it. While not the perfect metaphor, she wasn’t far off. You nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose yes. Or how the piano itself needs so many interlocking pieces to function. The keys, the pedals, all those strings, a talented player.” You say that bit with a wink, which makes Bela smile.

“I am excited for tonight,” Bela admitted. “But also nervous. I haven’t performed for anyone outside the castle.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it,” you said, and then caught yourself. “I mean, they’ll all love it. You’re very good.”

“Hmm…” Bela eyed you suspiciously. “What do you mean she? You think I care about the other lords?”

You were at a loss for words. Didn’t she…? “I only thought, Lady Beneviento...you seemed particularly excited to see her, is all.”

Bela reddened at that. She picked up one of your saws and tested its weight in her hand. “It doesn’t matter. Lady Beneviento cares not for me, if she even acknowledges my existence.”

“Didn’t you invite her to dinner?”

The blonde scoffed, tossing the saw aside dejectedly. “Of course I did. I tried. How mortifying.”

You wondered what happened. Surely the Lord wouldn’t turn down an invitation from the Dimitrescus? It wasn’t polite.

“Was it the…'' you trailed off, not sure how to address Lady Beneviento’s animated companion. They had come to the castle once before while you were a servant. The Lady had spoken very little from beneath her mourning veil, but you remembered her doll wreaked havoc among the servants as Cassandra and Daniela chased her.

“The doll?” A dark look crossed Bela’s face. “Yes, Angie answered the phone and refused to hand it over to Donna--Lady Beneviento. She’s cute but also unbearable at times.”

“The Lady will still attend the recital, though?” 

“Yes,” Bela huffed. 

“Then she won’t be able to take her eyes off you,” you insisted. “Who could?”

Bela shrugged, though you saw a smile beneath her put on aloofness. “Perhaps. But it’s impossible to get her alone, what with Angie, the other Lords, and my family.”

You thought for a moment. “Perhaps we can work together?”

Bela arched an eyebrow at that and motioned for you to continue.

“If you can insist she stays longer than the other Lords...perhaps for a nightcap? Then we send Angie and your sisters on another game of tag. And then…”

“And then you can get time alone with my mother?” Bela’s eyes narrowed again, brows arching down. “You think I’d let you soil her honor just so I could speak to a woman?”

Heat spread across your chest at the insinuation, but before you could defend yourself, Bela continued. A sly grin spread across her face as she gnawed on a fingernail.

“I’m only teasing, [Y/N]. So, maybe we do this idea of yours. But then what? No doubt it will be another year until I see her again.”

“If you allow it to be.” You corrected her.

The blonde swayed by the window thoughtfully, as if she hadn’t considered her own agency in the situation. After a moment she shifted the conversation, gesturing to your hair. “I like what you’ve done with it. Did you show mother?”

You ran a hand through your hair, still unused to the feeling. “I haven’t had the chance.”

Bela snorted. “Good Mother Miranda. Tonight should be interesting.”

“You think she’ll be mad?” You asked nervously, suddenly wishing you could take your decision back. Sure, it would distract the other servants from Maria’s hickeys, but if it got you killed before you could finish the Lady’s desk…

“Oh, I wouldn’t say mad,” Bela said teasingly. “You’ll just have to see, I suppose.”

With that, Bela took her leave, buzzing around the workshop briefly before swarming out the window. Quiet overtook the workshop yet again. You continued painting and drying the wood, glancing over your shoulder every now and then in hopes that Lady Dimitrescu would make an appearance. But soon it was time to return to the castle, and after cleaning up you retreated to your rooms to clean up for the evening. 

You tried not to let your disappointment overwhelm you as you showered and dressed. It wasn’t as if Lady Dimitrescu had promised you a visit. And even if she had, she was a busy woman. The status of her diligent carpenter wasn’t necessarily the highest of her priorities. Maybe she harbored an affection for you, but that would never be more important than her daughters, her castle, or her work. And you shouldn’t be more important, you decided.

Besides, tonight you would get to listen to Bela’s piano music again. Perhaps you would sit alongside your Lady once more. You wondered what her nails would feel like upon your scalp now that it was freshly buzzed. If maybe, you would find an uninterrupted moment together.

Chapter Text

You ate dinner quietly with Maria. You’d been correct in assuming the other servants would turn their judgement onto you, but you were wrong in assuming you’d feel comfortable with it. Though you felt more like yourself than you ever had before, the looks you got made you feel as though you’d made a terrible mistake. Maria didn’t look much happier either. What a pair you were. Both with your excitement doused under the judgement of others. 

After dinner you tidied up your curls and examined your selection of clothing. You had a couple pairs of clothing for working in the castle, but some you wore more often than others. You opted for the navy blue suit and a mustard tie. Brown leather shoes accompanied, which you gave a quick polish. Ensuring the lighter was in your breast pocket, you smiled at yourself in the mirror. You looked good. You looked unlike yourself, but that felt incredible. 

As you left your room, you asked another servant if the Lords had arrived, and she told you that Lady Beneviento had just arrived. You were unsure what to do. Should you join the family in their greeting of the other lords? Or simply be at the Opera Hall? Did Bela wish for you to come to as a guest or a helpful servant? What did Lady Dimitrescu desire? Either way, you figured, you would have to ascend the grand staircase and pass by the foyer. Perhaps you'd receive some instruction there.

“Of course I didn’t invite that sliming mass of fish oil. You think I’d subject even my servants to the smell?”

Your Lady’s laugh carried brightly through the halls as you approached the grand staircase. It was well known that Lord Moreau made poor company, what with his acrid smell and unsightly growths. You felt sympathetic for him, though. Hopefully one of the Lords took pity on him, even if it wasn’t your Lady. A shrieking cackle joined Lady Dimitrescu’s. You recognized it instantly as Angie, Lady Beneviento’s doll. Something about the doll set you on edge--more so than any other creature you’d encountered here. 

You approached the foyer and saw, from the stairs, Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters gathered around the veiled figure of Lady Beneviento. The woman dressed in a simple black skirt and ruffled shirt. Pearl buttons decorated the shirt, as did slightly exaggerated sleeves. Angie stood hauntingly at her side in a stained wedding dress, pulling on the woman’s skirts. 

“Lady Dracula’s gotten meaner!” Angie cackled. “You think it can’t happen and then…” the doll dissolved into cackles.

You watched as Lady Dimitrescu stiffened, clearly unamused by Angie’s antics. Bela stood hesitantly at her mother’s side, swaying slightly. Cassandra and Daniela leaned down to prod and play with Angie. You were about to turn and head up the stairs when Lady Dimitrescu turned, as though she sensed you lingering behind.

She addressed you as if unsurprised to see you lingering. “[Y/N], come--oh.”

Lady Dimitrescu stopped short, her breath catching in her throat as she saw you. Her eyes widened, lips parting slightly as she took you in. Those manicured brows rose in shock. Beside her you saw Bela and her sisters bite back laughter at their mother’s entranced look. The Lady stared at you deeply, her lips slowly closing to a pleased line. You don’t think you’d ever seen her truly surprised before.  

You couldn’t look away from her either. She looked stunning. One of her hands tightened around the draped bodice of her golden dress. The color glittered off her marble skin, and the dress complimented her curves and generous bust. Her gaze had deepened from surprise to a hungry fire.  You weren’t sure you’d ever been looked at so desirously.

“Mother,” Bela said quietly, touching the woman’s elbow.

Her daughter’s touch brought the Lady back to herself. Just as quickly as her face had broken into surprise, Lady Dimitrescu reined it back in. Eyes cooling, teeth sinking into her lip to restrain a smile. You could have sworn a rosy tinge lighted her cheeks. 

“Have a servant bring drinks to the Opera Hall.” The Lady tutted at you with a dismissive wave of her hand, ripping her eyes away from your hair. 

You hesitated slightly, pointing to yourself in question. She nodded before turning back to her guests, as though that should answer your question. Still unsure, you moved towards the kitchens. You loosened your tie as you went. Had it gotten warmer in the castle? It was nearing summer but dear god.

In the kitchen, you assembled a tray with a few bottles of wine and several goblets. Debating it, you eventually included the whiskey and a couple tumblers before making your way upstairs. You shouldered the door open and immediately realized that Lord Heisenberg had arrived.

The man was a presence. Tall--for a near-human--and scraggly, always in the most downtrodden of clothing. As was usual for him, a cigar puffed in his mouth, tiny dark glasses concealing his eyes, floppy hat atop his stringy hair. Lord Heisenberg stood surrounded by Daniela and Cassandra, who eagerly searched his pockets.

“You brought us gifts, Uncle!” Daniela exclaimed, ripping a handful of scrap metal from the man’s pockets.

“Uh, sure, kid,” Lord Heisenberg said, allowing the girls to rummage through his duster. “Just be careful.”

“Yes!” Cassandra tore out her own handful. Then looked at her sister conspiratorially. “Don’t tell Bela, she’s too distracted.”

You glanced over to Bela, who stood nervously near the piano. Lady Beneviento was examining the interior of the piano, running her hands along the wood. She held Angie by the shoulder as she tried to gnaw on the legs of the piano. Despite the doll’s feral attempts, Bela seemed unable to take her eyes off Lady Beneviento, or speak a word to her. 

“Eh, who’s this? Dressed awful fancy for a servant. You one of Alcina’s new pets?” Lord Heisenberg’s darkened glasses glinted in the candlelight.

You blushed at the implication, unsure how to answer the Lord. You’d never spoken to any of the Lords. And who was Alcina? You assumed it must be your Lady. You’d never heard her first name before.

Fortunately, Daniela spoke in your place, eager to share with her uncle. “They’re Mother’s new carpenter. They’re making a desk for her.”

“Oh?” One of Heisenberg’s scruffy brows raised.

You nodded. “Yes, my Lord.”

Heisenberg snorted at you and then turned back to his nieces. “Tell me about your latest hunt, girls.”

As they chattered, you moved to set the tray of drinks in the center of the room. You uncorked two bottles of wine and were about to pour a glass of whiskey when a puff of sweet smoke wafted beneath your nose. Looking up, you were shocked to have missed your Lady’s towering form standing by the window. She cut a powerful figure in the rising moonlight--tall, curvy, and alluring. The woman pulled another drag from her slender cigarette holder, her golden eyes glowing in the semi-darkness at you. One of her large fingers curled, summoning you to her side. You abandoned the drinks to stand before her, walking into the clutches of something dangerous and beautiful.

“I asked for a servant to bring our refreshments, [Y/N], not you .” Lady Dimitrescu said it as though it were obvious. 

And now that you thought about it, maybe it was. But your instinct was to serve your Lady. To assume you’d play a different role this evening would have been overly presumptuous--even dangerous.

“I didn’t realize you wished me here as a guest, my Lady,” you admitted, tugging at the hem of your blazer nervously.

Lady Dimitrescu looked at you curiously. “I thought it was obvious. You’re no longer a house servant, dear. I have no need for a carpenter in my evenings.”

You returned her gaze, raising a brow. What did that make your evenings thus far? Did she even care about the reports or were they simply an excuse to…

“Tell me about this haircut.” Lady Dimitrescu said sharply, a hand lowering to your shoulder. She twisted your upper body slightly, examining the fade in the moonlight. Again, you couldn’t tell if she looked at you with want or with annoyance. Perhaps it was a bit of both.

“I’d meant to ask you about it first, my Lady. But it just...happened?”

“You are rather impulsive, aren’t you?”

You nodded sheepishly, noting how your Lady’s hand lingered on your shoulder. Her nails scratched absentmindedly at the base of your neck. You tried to contain a shiver as the sensation sent sparks under your skin.

“Does this make you feel more...comfortable?” Lady Dimitrescu asked quietly.

“Yes, my Lady. I feel more myself.” 

“Good,” the Countess said. "It suits you."

Looking up at her now, you found her expression softened and admiring. Her hand slipped from your shoulder and over the shaved sides of your head, grasping lightly at your curls. The tug pulled a gasp from your lips. You’d never felt something quite like that before.

All too quickly, her hand was gone from your hair. Snatched back up to rest at her hip as she took another deep drag from her cigarette. She leaned into the shadow of her wide-brimmed hat and motioned you back towards the center of the Opera Hall.

“Be a dear and pour us a drink. Bela will begin soon.”

You did as she asked, with the intention of only serving yourself and the Lady. However, eventually you poured drinks for everyone in the room. Across the room you saw your Lady looking at Lord Heisenberg with thinly masked rage as he snapped at you to pour some whiskey for him. The girls preferred the family blend of wine, while Lady Beneviento took part in an unaltered bottle of red. Angie stuck you with wicked glare when you neglected serving her, prompting you to pour a cup’s worth of wine for the doll. She grabbed it from you, liquid sloshing dangerously. 

“Thanks a lot, bed head,” the doll said snidely.

You touched your curls self-consciously, trying to tamp down their wildness. 

“Be kind, Angie.” 

The soft voice came from beneath Lady Beneviento’s mourning veil. It was rare for her to speak, especially around strangers. You gave her a thankful smile.

“I am Lady Beneviento. Bela tells me you are crafting a desk for Alcina.”

There was that name again. It was beautiful. You wondered if Lady Dimitrescu would ever let you use it. 

You nodded at the dollmaker. “Yes, my Lady. It’s an honor.”

Lady Beneviento took you in for a moment. You couldn’t be sure though--she could simply be staring off into space. 

“I work with wood myself. I am eager to see your results.”

“I’m sure Bela will inform you when I’ve finished.”

The veiled woman’s head seemed to cock to the side. Her soft voice questioned with the vaguest hint of interest. “She will?”

Before you could respond, the light in the Opera Hall dimmed. You looked around and noticed Daniela and Cassandra flitting about the room snuffing out candles. More seating had been arranged for the event. Where you and Lady Dimitrescu had sat the other night there was another armchair now. Lady Beneviento and Angie moved to sit there, closest to the piano, while Lord Heisenberg shared the couch with Daniela and Cassandra. 

Your Lady sat beside the veiled woman and took an elegant sip from her goblet of wine. You came to join her, sitting in the chair beside her unprompted. The chairs seemed closer together than you remembered, perhaps a result of your closeness the other night. As you settled in, you believed it would be frighteningly easy to lean over and touch the woman’s exposed shoulder. Or settle your hand over hers. 

Lady Dimitrescu cleared her throat. You’d been caught staring. The Countess looked down at you, brow raised. You dared a smile at her as you sipped from your own drink.

“Aren’t I a guest, my Lady?” You asked teasingly. It felt like you could push your luck tonight. She seemed in good spirits and rather enamored with your new hair.

Lady Dimitrescu’s lips twitched. “Only if you behave.”

You blushed at that, but while you were trying to come up with a quip to make her blush, Lady Dimitrescu rose and began to speak to the room.

“Thank you all for attending tonight. You know how it thrills me for all us Lords to convene on the occasion.”

You bit back a laugh at the sarcasm dripping from her voice. Though she seemed to revel in the attention of an event like this, it was clear she’d rather be spending a quiet evening with her daughters, or perhaps even working.

“My eldest daughter Bela has prepared a piece of music for us this evening.” With a sweeping gesture to Bela, the Lady took her seat. “Please, my daughter, you may begin.”

Bela sat at the piano as she had the other night. This evening she was dressed formally in a well-fitted sleeveless black dress. Her lips were clean of blood, and her blonde hair was drawn up upon her head in a tidy bun. She sat straight-backed and cracked her knuckles. She glanced sidelong at all of you, but you imagined that in the brightness around the piano and the darkness you were ensconced in, she could see very little.

Bela began to play, and just like the other evening, the slow and somber music washed over you. She played thoughtfully and passionately, leaning in and out of her crescendos. You wondered what she thought about while she played. The music felt like a slow heartbreak or an aching, unsatisfied longing. You wondered if it was Lady Beneviento she thought about, a woman Bela seemed unable to reach thus far. You secretly hoped that this performance would enlighten something in the mournful Lady.

Glancing around the gathered audience, you noted Bela’s sisters sat enraptured. Though they’d listened to several performances, it seemed like this one finally struck a chord with them. Beside them Lord Heisenberg even seemed to shift his glasses slightly, as though brushing away the irritation of a tear. On the other side of you, Angie handed Lady Beneviento a silk handkerchief. 

“Oh…”

The pained sound came from just beside you. Lady Dimitrescu clutched at the arm of her chair with one hand, covering her mouth with the other. Her golden eyes wavered in the darkness. You wondered if the music made her think of the woman from the smithy. If the ending of their relationship was so enduringly painful. Your heart ached to comfort her, even if the pain could only be eased so much.

Without thinking you reached for her and, gently as you could, pried her hand from its grip on the upholstery. She shook slightly as you turned her wrist and settled your palm in hers. You could barely get a grip on her but did your best to squeeze. Looking at her hands, you’d once thought they must feel like the marble they resembled. Hard, carved to perfection, maybe even a little cruel in its longevity. But the real thing was much softer. Curved and warm. 

You refused to look up at your Lady because, as you held her hand, you knew you’d once again overstepped. But, to your surprise, her hand closed around your own. Her fingers encompassed your own entirely, manicured nails pricking slightly at your wrist. The larger hand flexed around your own--a squeeze? Breaking your own resolve, you looked up at your Lady. She did not cry. You couldn’t quite imagine the sight of that. But her eyes had grown watery despite herself. The Lady’s other hand still covered her mouth slightly, as if to hold back an emotion she wasn't prepared for. She didn’t look at you, eyes trained on the piano.

After a moment, you returned to Bela’s performance and allowed yourself to close your eyes and enjoy the music. It carried on for much longer than her rehearsal had, introducing new acts. In the moment, you didn’t even regret losing your privileges to visit the village tomorrow. This was all you really needed, and it was much more than you’d find in the village. 

Before you knew it Bela was concluding the performance, and as the final notes reverberated throughout the hall, you were amused to see Lady Beneviento the first to spring to her feet in applause. As everyone else joined in the standing ovation, Lady Dimitrescu released your hand and rose to her full height. 

“ Bravissimo! ”

The applause carried on for quite a while, bringing a proud flush to Bela’s face as she bowed. The gathered crowd convened around her as each person extended their congratulations. You hung back slightly, sensing this was not a moment for you. 

However, you were privy to Angie rooting around behind the armchair and pulling out a bouquet of dark roses. She passed them off to Lady Beneviento. The dollmaker carried them over to Bela and presented them shyly. Bela blushed harder at this and leaned into the woman for a brief embrace.

With the performance ended, you sidled over to Daniela and Cassandra as your Lady went to congratulate Bela. The girls huddled together near their seats, whispering conspiratorially as they watched Lady Beneviento and Bela interact.

“A beautiful performance, right?” You asked casually.

“Even better now,” Cassandra snorted. “Look at Bela just falling all over herself over there. Hopeless.”

“I thought it was beautiful...but so sad,” Daniela said, a far-off look in her eyes.

“I bet Maria will be excited to hear about it,” you mused. “She loves music.”

The redhead’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Would she? Interesting…”

Daniela mumbled something in farewell and then dissolved into a swarm of flies and disappeared. 

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Great. Now what am I going to--”

“Hey, bug face!” Ange tottered over to the middle sister, a crazed look in her eye. “Betcha can't catch me.”

With the taunt in the air, Angie zipped away inhumanly quick, blasting the doors of the Opera Hal open as she went. Cassandra growled, though a pleased smile spread on her face as she glared after the doll.

“I'm gonna get you, you wooden bitch!”

You laughed as they wandered away. It seemed Heisenberg had made an exit as well, slipping out during the applause. Lady Dimitrescu, Bela, and Lady Beneviento lingered by the piano, laughing quietly in their conversation. You looked away, absentmindedly gathering stray glasses and placing them back on the platter you’d delivered.

You were hesitant to act upon the rest of the plan you and the eldest Dimitrescu had discussed. Though you wished to spend time alone with your Lady, the thought of it now made you slightly nervous. How could you propose such a thing to her? She seemed to appreciate your, often unthinking, boldness, but you weren’t sure if this would be a push too far.

All of a sudden, a shadow cast over you. Lady Dimitrescu stood above you, goblet in hand. She smiled wryly at your surprise and reached down to run a hand through your hair once more. Tugging gently on your curls, she laughed softly at your immediate gasp of pleasure. 

“Take me to your workshop, dear.”

Chapter Text

You led your Lady out of the castle, downing your entire drink as you walked. She trailed close behind, her hand resting against your back. Even through the blazer and shirt, her touch felt like fire up your spine. Neither of you spoke as you stepped out into the night. Lady Dimitrescu’s heels clicked against the cobbled stone. 

Halfway to the stables, her hand gripped your shoulder. “Give me a light.” 

You paused and looked back as she crouched delicately, knees tucked together. Nearing your eye-level, she slipped a rolled cigarette into her holder and held it out to you. You fumbled with the lighter for a moment and then flicked it to life. Leaning in, you lit the end briefly and then snapped it shut. 

Lady Dimitrescu’s lips closed around the mouthpiece of her holder and drew in a deep drag. You watched, transfixed, as her cheeks hollowed slightly. She met your gaze briefly, and then the smoke blew out the corner of her mouth.

“Thank you.”

Still unused to your Lady’s gratefulness, you blushed a bit. She seemed amused at your reaction. Her nails traced over the shaved portion of your head. You bit back a groan at the sensation, eyes fluttering shut. So close to her now, her perfume enveloped you completely. If you opened your eyes you’d come face-to-face with the bust of her evening gown. 

“I do enjoy this hair of yours. It suits you. You took me rather by surprise with it, but...should I expect any differently?”

With that, she rose to her full height again and walked past you towards the workshop. You stood still for a moment, breathing deeply. After a moment you turned on your heel and followed the larger woman. The smoke trailed behind her as she leisurely strolled. You soon overtook her and opened the wooden door to the workshop. 

Ducking inside, you lit the lanterns hanging from the walls. In the dim light you saw the pieces you’d painted today shone, not yet dry. They’d need until at least the morning, if not later. Spotting the cans of vinegar and rusted tools, you quickly draped a tarp over them and shoved them beneath a bench. No need to upset your Lady this evening. A shadow cast across the floor, and you knew your Lady stood in the doorway.

“This big piece here will be the adjustable desktop and this smaller one will remain flat. I’ve chosen these for the legs if you think…”

You lifted up one of the balustrades, heavy as it was, and turned to show her when you saw your Lady still lingered outside. She released another stream of smoke, eyes closed. You placed the balustrade back down. Maybe this was a bad idea, but you found yourself already halfway to the woman.

Reaching up, you clasped the Lady’s hand in your own and gently tugged her inside. The tug, of course, didn’t move her an inch but caught her attention all the same. She looked at you in shock. You watched as she considered you, mouth twisting from a frown to a sad, hesitant smile. She knocked the ash from her cigarette holder and then stooped to come inside the workshop.

Her hair just barely brushed the ceiling as she stood inside. She looked around the room, that same wavering wetness returning to her eyes. Keeping a firm hold on her hand, you drew her over to the drying wood and showed it to her. She leaned in closer, examining the shades of white and gold you’d selected. 

“Miss Cassandra helped with this, actually” you tell her. “She took to the sanding very quickly.” 

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled at that. “Cassandra loves working with her hands. Don’t be shocked if she lingers.”

“I’ll be honored. She helped move the process along quite a bit.”

Giving you an approving nod, she signaled you to move along. You lifted the balustrades again, turning them slightly for her to see.

“You don’t think this is...too much?” you asked. “I thought it would be a nice touch.”

“Trust your instincts, dear.” Lady Dimitrescu said, running a hand down the shape of the wood. “What comes next?”

“Once they’ve dried I’ll start assembly for the desk and the drawers. Then it will be smaller details, embellishments, ornamentations. Any decorative pieces you require. I don’t imagine it will take much longer…”

You trailed off as you noticed Lady Dimitrescu had slipped her hand away from yours. Now she stood by a table in the corner of the room holding a piece of sculpted metal. She held it delicately in her hand, as though it were a fallen bird. You watched her observe it, twisting it in the light slightly.  Her back was turned to you with her bare skin exposed to you, which made it all the easier to see the slight shake of her shoulders.

Someone who was not a fool, who valued their life, who had a lick of sense would not have rushed to the vampire’s side. But you were a fool, and so you joined her at the table. She stared single mindedly at the sculpture, cheeks staining with moisture. You climbed atop the table, but the Lady barely noticed you. A few glistening tears rolled down her cheek. You wiped them from her porcelain skin, and before she could react, you wrapped your arms around her neck. 

You felt her stiffen beneath you, but you didn’t let go. If you died, at least you would die like this. Clutching to her, head tucked into the curve of her neck. A couple tears dropped onto your scalp, and then you felt the press of her mouth against the side of your head.

“I’m sorry, my Lady,” you whispered into her neck.

She said nothing, but her hands came to rest at your lower back, pulling you into her body. For a few minutes she quietly wept into your hair, pressing her lips chastely to your scalp. You squeezed her tightly, though you were sure with her stature it felt like very little. Her fingers gripped the back of your blazer but soon loosened, running up and down your back. 

Eventually, the tears stopped, but she did not release you. Instead, she rested her chin atop your head.

“May I ask what happened, my Lady?” you asked quietly, perfectly content to remain clutched to her.

“Nothing awful. No betrayal or violence.” Lady Dimitrescu drew in a sharp breath. “She simply died. You humans do it quite regularly. It’s very aggravating,” she said with a hint of mirth in her voice.

“It seems she was very special to you all.” You spoke softly, wanting to create as much room for her to speak as possible. 

She hummed. “She was. Like another mother to my children. We were together for forty years.”

“Wow,” you breathed. That was a long time. A big love. You felt embarrassed for thinking you could contend with such a thing.

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled, the sound reverberating from her chest and into you. “Yes. It’s part of what makes you so aggravating.” 

“Me?” you asked, attempting to pull back from her grasp. It was impossible, of course. Her grip was like iron on you, and it seemed she was more comfortable talking into the workshop than straight to your face.

One of her hands traced up your body to play with your hair. She hummed slightly, enjoying the feel of your hair between her fingertips. Despite yourself, you nestled deeper into her embrace.

“Yes, you. You’re nothing like her, but I haven’t felt...drawn to someone in this way since.” Lady Dimitrescu pressed her mouth to the top of your forehead and then tipped your head up with a finger. You looked deeply into her golden eyes. “It’s been quite a while since someone cared for me the way you seem determined to.”

“I am very determined, my Lady. But I would never dream to think I could be anything like--”

“None of that,” Lady Dimitrescu instructed sternly. “I’m trying to tell you...Dear Mother Miranda, why is this always so difficult?”

You smiled at her annoyed expression. Her brows drew tight into each other, eyes darting off to the side. Bringing a hand up from around her neck, you tried to smooth out the worried line forming near her lips.

You’d never touched her face before. You’d never touched her like this before. Inches away from her lips, from all of her. A burning, coiled part of you wanted to fling yourself forward and kiss her. But you tamped that urge, sensing the Lady needed to make that move. Pulling your hand back from her face, you opted to simply rest it against her collarbone. 

“I am very drawn to you, my Lady,” you tell her, trying to coax her own admission out. “And I don’t wish for this desk to be the only way I show my affection for you.”

She studied your face, as she would a report come across her desk. Looking for inconsistencies, shorts, something to criticize or amend. You tried to show her your honesty, if that could be conveyed in a look. After a moment, she gave up the hunt.

You thought she might speak again, give you a mirroring reassurance. Something to tell you, plainly, that she shared the same desire. Instead, she turned your chin and placed a soft kiss on your cheek. Heat bloomed across your face at the touch. This could be reassurance enough.

She whispered along your cheek, hot breath tickling your ear. “I do not wish to hurt you, draga mea.”

“Neither do I, my Lady.” 

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled at that and moved to pull back from you. Before she could fully, though, you took her face in your hands and pressed your own kiss to her cheek. She gasped at the surprise of it.

As you parted, you saw the faintest of blushes on your Lady’s cheeks. She finally allowed you to step back from her, though she spent a moment smudging the lipstick from your cheek.

“We wouldn’t want any rumors spreading, would we?” Lady Dimitrescu said with a laugh.

You snorted. “This would be a pretty tame one, comparatively.”

“Oh?” Your Lady raised an eyebrow at that. “What do the servants say?”

You narrowed your eyes at her this time. Was she joking? “They...well...the girls you’ve brought to your rooms. They often talk about your evenings.”

“Hmmm,” Lady Dimitrescu pondered. Her fingers played with your tie as she thought. “And what do you think?”

This woman would send you to an early grave with questions like these. You burned at the collar, where your Lady now loosened your tie. “I wouldn’t like to be one of those girls.”

“Well, there’s no chance,” your Lady chuckled. “You’re nothing like them.”

You rolled your eyes before you could stop yourself, but it only seemed to amuse your Lady further. “How so?”

“Well, those girls I used to satisfy cravings of one sort or another. I don’t wish to use you.” She tapped at the side of your neck with one finger, signaling the finality of her statement.

You sensed this was as good of a confession as you’d get this evening. Lingering slightly in her grasp, you leaned slightly into the touch, unwittingly revealing the long column of your own neck. You heard a sharp inhale at your neck, realizing Lady Dimitrescu was suddenly very close. Looking up you saw a fierce hunger in her eyes. When you flinched at the gaze, she took a step backwards immediately and covered her nose. 

“I apologize.” She said, voice suddenly tight and high. 

You gave her a moment. Her eyes were clenched shut tightly, a harsh grimace on her face. You tightened your collar, wishing you could do something to help her. After a minute, Lady Dimitrescu composed herself, the statuesque and composed face overtaking the ravenous, impulsive one. Though it had scared you slightly, you couldn’t help feeling intrigued at the flash of a woman you’d just seen...and maybe a little flattered.

Once she’d gathered herself, you slipped off the table and approached her. You touched the back of her hand gently. “It’s okay, my Lady.”

Lady Dimitrescu didn’t meet your eye, but nodded slightly and took your hand in her own. “Come. It’s late.”

Before she could lead you from the workshop, you picked up the metal sculpture and held it out to her. Wordlessly, she took the object and then tugged you from the workshop. Your return to the castle was quiet but content. She led you through the halls, still holding your hand, until you reached your rooms. Bending significantly, she pressed her lips to the back of your hand and then disappeared into the labyrinthine castle. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, Maria had your village privileges and dressed quickly in the morning to get the most from the day. You rose as she began scurrying around the room, wiping the sleep from your eyes. It was still your day off, though, so you took your time dressing and considering what you’d do. As you pulled on your shirt, you noticed the bruise on your side turning deep purple and greens as it healed. It still smarted a bit, but you’d mostly been able to ignore it.

“How was Miss Bela’s performance?” Maria asked as she tugged on a light jacket.

“Beautiful. Really beautiful.” You smiled remembering the tears the eldest sibling’s music brought to everyone’s eyes.

Maria turned back to you with a sly grin. “I heard you disappeared with Lady Dimitrescu last night.”

“Oh, you heard? Did Daniela come visit you?”

Maria rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, where’d you wander off with her?”

You touched your cheek lightly, trying not to get too caught up in the memory of your Lady. “I took her to the workshop to show her the desk. Nothing happened, but...I don’t really know what’s going on.”

Your friend’s brows raised a bit. “Well, tell me all about it later. I’ll be back around supper.”

“Have fun. I’ll probably be in the library or the gardens. Bring me back a treat or something.”

She left with a cheerful nod, and after dressing, you gathered your notebook and went to get breakfast. You took your bowl of fruit into the greenhouse and quietly ate. The greenhouse was lush with plant life. It’s high ceiling permitted a few carefully cultivated fruit trees, as well as blooming flowers, rich leafy plants, and a handful of vegetables. The space was well landscaped, permitting some winding paths through the foliage with a few stone benches. It was usual for you to spend your free time here, especially in the winter, when the bright UV lighting of the greenhouse felt particularly necessary.

Being a day off, you were almost disappointed that you wouldn’t have a report to bring to the Countess. Whether she engineered it that way or not, it was a convenient excuse to see her. You wondered what your lady would do over the weekend. From the past year’s work, you knew she often took her time bathing, reading in the library, or taking a walk with her daughters. 

Once you’d finished your breakfast, you sat and read for a while among the blooming plants of the greenhouse. The book you were reading was interesting; nevertheless, your mind wandered to the events of the previous evening. Your Lady’s tearful confession, the gentle press of her lips to your cheek, the overwhelming reaction she had to the smell of you. Remembering the hungry glint in her eyes made you squirm in your seat, pressing your legs together tightly. You probably shouldn’t feel so excited at the thought. Beautiful as she was, she feasted on blood. She was dangerous. You wished you could explain the unerring safety you felt with her despite those facts.

“Your plan worked perfectly, [Y/N].”

You hadn’t even heard the buzzing of Bela’s swarm coming, but suddenly she stood before you in her usual dark robes. An excited grin stretched across her lips at having surprised you.

“Lost in thought?” she teased.

“Simply enjoying my day of rest, Miss Bela.” You said, trying to dismiss the flush on your neck.

“Please, just Bela when we’re alone. You helped me yesterday with no real reason to...I appreciate that.” Bela smiled, running a hand along a broad dark leaf. “Lady Beneviento is an incredible gardener. She invited me to her estate to see her plants.”

“Well, maybe you didn’t even need my help at all,” you laughed as you attempted to return to your book. “Not that I did much anyway.”

Bela frowned at you and with one long finger tipped your book away from your nose. “Of course you did. That little pep talk was surprisingly helpful. Plus you convinced mother to leave me alone with Lady Beneviento--she never leaves us alone with the other Lords.”

“Oh…” you trailed off. This was an interesting misunderstanding. Perhaps you should just accept it?

The blonde’s eyes narrowed at your noncommittal response. You’ve seen this look before. Focused on maidens just before they’re dragged to the basement, or just before they’re dragged back to her rooms...before then being dragged to the basement. 

“Sorry, Miss Bela--Bela. It’s just I didn’t convince Lady Dimitrescu to leave. She asked me to show her the workshop.”

The eldest Dimitrescu’s eyes widened. She quietly considered what you’d said, biting a nail thoughtfully. “That’s interesting. Not what I’d expected.”

“What had you expected, my daughter?”

The low timber of your Lady’s voice startled both of you. Down the stone path in the garden, Lady Dimitrescu walked slowly, her hands ghosting over the healthy palm leaves and arched trunks of trees. Words caught in your throat at the sight of her. You weren’t sure you’d ever seen her without a dress on, and here she came strolling down the path in loafers, pleated pants, and a cream blouse. Her half-rim glasses hung around her neck, laying on her bosom. Atop her head was a sun hat, similar in style to her usual hat but made of a thinner, brighter fabric. She carried a small toolbox with a trowel, hand rake, heavy gloves, and a lightweight apron tucked inside.

“Oh, good morning, Mother,” Bela chirped, completely unfazed at her mother’s change of dress. “I was just telling [Y/N] how I was surprised that Lady Beneviento enjoyed the music last night.”

“Hmm, she is usually rather unemotive. But perhaps the music shook off some of that dreadful malaise she carries with her.” Lady Dimitrescu said it affectionately, giving her daughter a pat on the head. She then turned her gaze on you, the hint of a smirk on her lips. “And do you not have work?”

You blinked slowly, still a bit stunned by how handsome your Lady looked in pants. “I, uh, it’s my day off, My Lady. The paint still needs the day to dry.”

“I see. And you don’t wish to go into the village? Escape from the hallowed halls of my castle?” Lady Dimitrescu sent you a teasing wink, which immediately sent a spike of heat through you. You raised your book slightly to conceal the redness at your neck.

“I bet my privileges in a game of cards.” You admitted a bit shamefully.

Bela snorted. “Is that roommate of yours so devious? Better warn Daniela.”

Lady Dimitrescu smirks at her daughter. “Daniela needs a firm hand. Perhaps it’s a good match.”

You wondered how often the Dimitrescu women gossiped about each other’s love lives. Lady Dimitrescu seemed peripherally invested in Daniela’s interest in Maria, but entirely oblivious to Bela’s affections for Lady Beneviento. It seemed impossible that she couldn’t know, but perhaps she only chose to comment when it was necessary.

“Have you seen Cassandra this morning?” Lady Dimitrescu asked. “She promised to help me with the gardening.”

Bela shrugged. “She mentioned something about a mess in the cellar to tidy up.” 

Lady Dimitrescu rolled her eyes, putting a hand on her hip and taking a look around the greenhouse. “And Daniela?”

“Disappeared after breakfast.”

The Lady squared her daughter with a sweet, if not vaguely intimidating smile. “I don’t suppose you wish to help me, my sweet Bela?”

Bela gave her mother a wide grin and before she could say anything, dissolved into a swarm of flies. She buzzed by your ear loudly and then disappeared back into the castle. Your Lady sighed.

“Children are impossible,” she muttered, mostly to herself you sensed.

You set your book and empty bowl to the side and stood, wandering over to the toolbox your Lady had placed on the ground. Inside, there were multiple sets of the tools you’d seen, as well as a spare apron for Cassandra. You looked up at the tall vampire and before you could get too distracted by her outfit, asked, “Can I help you with the gardening, my Lady?”  

Lady Dimitrescu peered down at you, considering your question. “You are not working today, [Y/N]. You should rest.”

You looked around and spotted a thin-necked watering can. Grabbing it, you headed towards the hose nearby and began filling it up. “It seems like fun. I’ve never worked with plants.” With the can filled, you hauled it back over to her. “You can teach me, if it won’t be a bother.”

Lady Dimitrescu ran a hand through your hair affectionately, nails running lightly over your scalp. “Not a bother at all. It’s very sweet of you, dear. But don’t come crying to me when your arms ache in the morning.”

“So you won’t return the favor of a massage?” You asked teasingly, amused at the way your Lady froze in surprise.

She chuckled deeply, wrapping her apron around herself before handing you another smaller one. “Well, when you put it that way...perhaps you can.”

That surprised you. Quite a lot. Lady Dimitrescu left you stammering into the apron as she stepped deeper into the greenhouse. She summoned you over with a wave of her hand. You gathered yourself and brought the toolbox and watering can over to her. She knelt in the dirt, large hands caressing the fronds of a pale green plant. 

“Water these here,” Lady Dimitrescu instructed you, pointing to plants in the section. “Not too much, just a second or two for each.”

While you watered, she retrieved a long dowel rod from the greenhouse cabinet and held it up to a wilting sapling. You watched out of the corner of your eye as one of her long metallic claws extended from her knuckles. She swiped at the rod, cutting it down to size, before retracting the claw. Pulling out a bundle of twine, she then looked up and caught you staring.

“Come here, dear.”

Lady Dimitrescu smirked at you, and when you approached, she took you by the hand and pulled you down into the dirt with her. She held the rod against the drooping plant and handed you the twine.

“Measure it out, and I’ll cut,” she instructed, allowing the same claw to emerge. This time, though, it didn’t extend to its full length. 

You did as she instructed, holding out the twine for her to cut. She buried the rod in the ground beside the plant, and then you tied the rod to the plant with delicate knots. As you finished, she tested the stability of the plant and retracted her claw. You noticed a bit of blood drying on her knuckles and mindlessly ran your hand over the spot. Lady Dimitrescu flinched at the touch, looking down at you curiously.

“Does it hurt?” you asked, licking your thumb to wipe the blood from her hands.

Lady Dimitrescu watched you clean her hand, her expression softening. “Over time it’s dulled. It used to be excruciating.”

You wished you could ask more about them. Why did she use them if they hurt her? How did she even get them? But you knew that the answers to those questions lay in a history beyond humanity and burdened with violence. 

“Do they scare you?” she asked quietly.

You shook your head adamantly. “No, my Lady. I’ve only ever seen you use them to protect us. Once, when a hunter came into the castle and threatened to kill one of the cooks. You killed him. It was...unpleasant. But you did it to protect all of us.”

“I am not always so virtuous, darling.” She busied herself digging a few weeds from the soil. Dirt covered her nice clothing, despite her apron. 

You helped, digging into the earth with a trowel to uproot the invasive plants. “My Lady, you are...higher in the food chain than us humans. We kill animals to eat every day. Animals eat plants like these. Plants take the nutrients of the earth. That you kill humans to eat is only horrifying to humans because we are unused to being prey. It does not make you bad, only willing to survive.”

Beside you, Lady Dimitrescu paused in her digging. You looked up, surprised as her hand cupped your cheek. “You are not afraid to be prey?”

“I...don’t think you view me as such, my Lady,” you said, hoping you were correct. 

“Hmph,” Lady Dimitrescu huffed, slapping your cheek lightly. “You have a smart mouth.”

“I think you like it, mistress.”

Her eyes narrowed at you, burning with a sudden fire. You couldn’t look away. Saying the word tugged at your core sharply, threatening to topple you into the dirt. The hand on your cheek gripped your chin tightly. Her nails pricked into your cheek. She was on her knees, but still loomed over you. Your lady leaned in closer. Her painted lips hovered just before yours, breathing her next words onto your face. 

“You play with fire, draga mea. Careful.”

With that, she stood and dusted the dirt off her clothing before carrying on to the next section of the garden. You remained in the soil for a few moments, trying to still your heart. You clutched at the spade in your hand, hoping you could transfer all the pent up arousal out of you and into something else. It didn’t really work, and after a few moments you just had to get up and dust yourself off. 

Still a bit flushed, you followed your Lady around the garden, watering where she directed you to and tugging stray weeds out of the ground. The morning passed quickly after that, and eventually your Lady sent you off to eat. She remained, examining a leaf darkened with brown spots.

You ate lunch in relative peace. The weekend shift was sparse, and many servants spent the day in town if they could. You were relieved. It meant fewer looks at your haircut and also more privacy to relish in the morning’s time with your Lady. Calling her your mistress seemed to have lit something new, maybe dangerous within her. If she cared for you less, you wondered if she would have taken you there in the dirt. 

Thinking about your Lady pressing you into the ground, lifting your shirt from your back and drawing her lips along your body...you couldn’t be public any longer. You rushed back to your room. There was a lot of the day left. You could spend some time alone and still have plenty of time before Maria returned. 

Approaching your room, you were in such a haze that you didn’t notice the sounds coming from inside. You opened the door, intending to toss yourself immediately into your bed, but stilled at the sight before you. Daniela lay in Maria’s bed, clutching the girl straddling her hips. The red head’s lips pressed into the exposed belly of your roommate. Maria was just in the middle of removing her shirt as you entered. At your gasp, she twisted in Daniela’s lap, clutching the cloth to her chest.

“Oh god,” you sighed, slapping a hand over your eyes. “I just need to take a...shower.” You reached for your towel and shower caddy blindly. “Don’t you have your own room?” 

As you shut the door to the room tightly, you heard Maria call from inside. “I’m so sorry, [Y/N]!”

Skin hot with embarrassment and pent up feelings, you barreled into the showers. Thankfully, the room was empty and you slipped into a stall, closing the curtain tightly. You sunk into the heat of a shower exhausted and aroused. It wasn’t seeing your roommate half-naked or seeing her making out with Daniela. Just the idea of the situation in combination with your morning flirtations only stoked the heat between your legs. 

Hot water streaming over you, you imagined what it might be like to straddle your Lady just like that. Your legs probably couldn’t even encompass her hips. She’d have to hold you against one of her thighs, or pull you up to her belly. Your hands wandered over your body, distractedly spreading soap and wiping dirt from your skin. If your Lady held you that way, in her lap and biting at your torso...your head knocked back against the tile of the shower as your hands descended between your legs. 

Lady Dimitrescu was so much larger and stronger than you, she could probably drag you into any position she’d like. Push you between her legs and hold you there until she’s satisfied. Drag you up beyond her breasts to sit on her lips. Hold you against a wall with her fingers inside you. 

Your thoughts spurred your fingers on, quickly building the pressure inside you. Usually it took you a lot longer, a lot more concentration, but you fell over the edge suddenly, tingling warmth racing through you. You shoved the back of your hand between your teeth as you came, trading a guttural moan for harsh whining breaths. Pressing your forehead into the walls of the shower you let your body settle for a few moments before twisting the water to spray cold. 

A few minutes later you returned to your room, towel wrapped around you and knocked first.

“It’s fine,” Maria called from inside. 

Inside, Maria was fully dressed and perched on the edge of her bed with the red leather book in hand. She blushed furiously as you entered, tossing the book aside and covering her face.

“I’m sorry.” She groaned into her palms. “Dani said you were out gardening with the Lady...I thought you’d be gone.”

You chuckled as you pulled on a fresh set of clothes and waggled a stray sock at her. “It’s okay, Maria. Just remember one of these next time, and I’ll make myself scarce.”

Maria just groaned again. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“I’m surprised you’re here. Village not interesting enough for you this weekend?” You ruffled your hair in the mirror, tracing a finger over your chin. The Lady had gripped it so tightly this morning.

“I was there for a while. Got you a couple of those cheese things you like. But then Daniela showed up and wanted to show me some sculpture garden back here and then...you know.”

“Just glad you didn’t waste those privileges you stole from me,” you teased her with a wink. 

She shot you a glare, and then started laughing. “I can’t believe that just happened. I knew it was a bad idea.”

You snorted, falling back into your bed. “Well, it looked like it was a good idea, just bad timing.”

“Oh ha ha,” Maria droned. “What were you doing out gardening? You really don’t know how to relax.”

“I do too,” you insisted, though you knew she had a point. “The Lady’s daughters were meant to help her but they all bailed, so I thought I’d help her.”

Maria adjusted her dress and then rose to pull out a pastry box she’d left on top of the dresser. She passed it over to you, a skeptical look on her face. “Are you sure this is just a little crush?”

You looked up to your friend, looking a bit ashamed. “No...it’s definitely more.”

“I bet Daniela would find out if she feels the same for you. She’s very nosy.”

“I already know.”

Maria had opened her own box of chocolate filled pastries and choked on the flaky treat. “You what?”

You opened the box and melted at the smell of buttery pastry and sweet cheese filling. There were a couple in the box, so you’d try to make them last over the next few days. You wondered if your Lady ate sweets.

“She said as much last night.”

“And you’re still here, heart beating and full of blood? That’s impressive.” Maria muttered.

“I think she needs to go slowly. But it’s very...difficult,” you admitted, remembering how quickly you’d come in the shower. 

“Well, play it safe. You’re the only friend I have here.”

You smiled at Maria and patted her on the shoulder reassuringly before wrapping one of the pastries in a handkerchief and heading to the door. 

“I’m going for a walk before dinner. See you then? Or will you be otherwise occupied?” You waggled your brows suggestively with your question.

“Shut up!” Maria called after you.

You laughed to yourself as you headed outside. The sun beat a bit hotter as the afternoon rolled on. Strolling around the castle, you wandered off the main path and into the manicured gardens. Like the greenhouse, everything was manicured to perfection. You followed a stone path through the greenery and admired the blooming flowers. Somewhere within the gardens there was a gazebo, and you wanted to sit there and eat your treat. Catching a glimpse of the roof of the structure, you followed winding paths until you came upon it. The white wooden gazebo sat in the center of a circular portion of the gardens, rimmed with dark roses. 

You startled as you saw none other than Lady Dimitrescu seated in the gazebo, sipping from a tea cup. She was dressed still in her gardening attire, a bit of dirt stuck to the knees of her pants. She’d removed the hat and placed it on the back of the chair beside her. You looked around briefly, checking to see if you’d missed a Dimitrescu sibling lingering in the foliage. 

“Would you care to join me?” 

You hadn’t thought you’d been that obvious, but Lady Dimitrescu’s senses were as sharp as ever. You hesitated briefly.

“Unless you’d prefer to be alone, my Lady. I was just walking--”

“I wouldn’t ask if I preferred to be alone. Come.” She commanded, tapping the chair beside her with a nail. 

The smell of the roses wafted by you as you climbed the steps of the gazebo and sat beside your Lady. She poured you a cup of tea, and when you looked questioningly at it, Lady Dimitrescu pulled a flask out of her pants pocket and gave you a conspiratorial smile. One of her large hands slid a plate in front of you.

“Feel free to enjoy your treat.”

You nodded and placed the pastry upon the plate. It had flaked a bit in your handkerchief, but mostly kept its integrity.

“Have you eaten, my Lady?”

She glanced down at you curiously, but did not speak. Maybe you were wrong in assuming she even could eat?

“Unless, you are...now?”

Lady Dimitrescu broke into a smile, a soft laugh carrying through the garden. “Adorable. Technically this is my meal, yes.”

“Oh.” You flushed slightly and then gestured at the pastry. “If you’d like to try some, though, feel free.”

“I wouldn’t wish to starve you of your treat, dear. It is your favorite, after all.”

You looked up at her curiously. She remembered? Something you’d told her days ago now? You hadn’t assumed she was truly listening. Lost in your thoughts, you took a bite of your pastry. It was just the right balance of sweet and savory, the buttery pastry flaking perfectly into the rich cheese. A grateful hum rumbled in your chest.

“It does sound rather delicious, though.” Lady Dimitrescu commented, glancing down at you over the lip of her tea cup. 

You held the half-eaten pastry up to her and watched, mesmerized, as her lips closed around a portion of the sweet. She took a delicate bite, careful not to tear the thing out of your hand. As she pulled back, flakes of pastry stuck to her lipstick, a pleased purr rolled out of her. You felt your neck grow hot at the sound and the way her tongue licked gently over her lips.

“Delicious.”

The harsh sound of swarming insects interrupted the moment. A burst of giggling laughter echoed from close by.

“Daughters!” Lady Dimitrescu snapped, her expression shifting immediately from one of near-bliss to stern mother.

Almost instantly, the swarms materialized into the three Dimitrescu siblings, standing guiltily before the gazebo. Daniela shot you a sly wink.

“What have I said about spying? ” Lady Dimitrescu stood now, towering even further above her daughters from the gazebo. 

“Only do it when you say so,” Bela said glumly.

“Only on Uncle Heisenberg?” Cassandra chirped.

“Only always?” Daniela teased, giving her mother a toothy grin.

Lady Dimitrescu pinched the bridge of her nose and then turned to look at you. A touch of apology in the sad smile she gave you. “Enjoy the rest of your day. See me as usual tomorrow evening in my office for your report.”

You nodded, a little embarrassed to be spied upon by the sisters and also to be dismissed like a child. But you took the rest of your pastry and slipped away from the assembled family, just overhearing Daniela’s crooning as you left.

“Mother, were you seducing them? ”

Chapter Text

Lady Dimitrescu knelt before you, golden eyes laced with desire. Her strong hands gripped your bare knees and spread them. Your chest bloomed with heat as she gazed upon you. She placed her lips up the inside of your thighs, holding you still as she nipped at the skin. From this angle she looked incredible. Still rather tall, but you had just a bit of height on her from this chair. Her lips parted breathlessly as you ran a hand over her cheek and then sunk it into her curls. Gripping lightly, you held her in place for a long moment. 

 As she neared the apex of your thighs, she nuzzled her nose into your short thatch of hair before licking into you. Your back arched instinctively into the sensation, pulsing heat racing up your neck.

“Delicious,” the Lady hummed, finally looking up to you. 

***

The dream followed you throughout the day. Your hands trembled with the drill as you began assembly of the Lady’s desk, and you had to take a quick lap around the building to steady your nerves. The morning passed without interruption, which felt odd. The past week had found a Dimitrescu sibling nosing into your business at least once a day, but today they seemed scarce. You wondered if they’d been punished after spying on the two of you yesterday.

Either way, it was a little lonely without a sudden someone to speak with. On the plus side, you got an incredible amount of work done. The desk stood on its legs now, a golden and white frame for quite a large workspace. You stood on a stepstool to work on the desktop, lowering the stationary portion into a frame before beginning to construct the adjustable mechanism. By lunch, you had the angled desktop firmly attached and easily lowered. The drawers stood by, just awaiting construction of wooden slides for them to ease into. Tomorrow would no doubt be the finishing touches--drawer handles, embellishments.

You ate a quiet lunch and treated yourself with another sweet cheese pastry. You hoped the Lady would be impressed with your progress. If all went smoothly, she could have the new desk installed by the next evening. Several days ahead of schedule and, hopefully, perfectly suited to her. 

In the afternoon, Daniela did wander into the workshop, peering into one of the drawers you’d assembled. Though you felt a bit awkward after yesterday’s encounter, it was still good to have company.

“You look like you’re nearly done, human.” Daniela commented, running a finger along the desk.

“Nearly. Likely by tomorrow.” You said, maintaining focus as you carved the wooden sliders for the drawers. 

“What will you do then? Return to serving tea and dusting the dining room?” 

You looked up from the work, caught off guard by the question. Though you knew it was the eventual outcome, your heart fell at the idea. Working in the workshop the past week...it had been one of the best weeks of your time at Castle Dimitrescu. For it to end so quickly seemed like a shame.

“I...suppose so. Unless your mother requests otherwise.”

“Hmm.” Daniela hummed. “She was terribly upset yesterday because we were spying on you.”

“She was?”

Daniela nodded. “Threatened to put us in little jars for the night.”

Your eyes must have bugged out of your head at that, because Daniela cackled at you.

“Only joking. Though it is an interesting idea...anyhow, she wants us to leave her alone when you’re around. Why do you think that is?” Daniela stepped up to you, her voice sing-songy and teasing.

You flushed into the carving work. “No doubt the same reason you’d rather I hadn’t returned to my rooms yesterday, Miss Daniela.”

Daniela let out a shocked gasp. “Little carpenter!”

Chuckling at her mock surprise, you moved on to sanding the pieces you’d just carved. “I only mean, she’d rather her privacy regardless of my involvement.”

“I don’t know if that’s true. She seemed pretty clear.” Daniela screwed her face up tightly and mimicked her mother’s voice. “ If I am speaking with them, you’ll afford me the dignity of my privacy, daughters!”

You couldn’t hold your laughter back at her impression. It was pretty close. And it warmed you to think your Lady wished to spend time alone with you. 

“Sounds pretty specific to me,” Daniela mused. “Anyway, what I really came here for.”

“It wasn’t just to tease me about your mother?”

“No…” Daniela trailed off, swinging her dress slightly in the growing sawdust on the floor. “I just wanted to see if...you could not be in your room an evening later this week?”

You looked up from the sanding. Cassandra had been so helpful when she’d visited. Daniela seemed determined to distract you from the work, though. “Are you…?”

“I’m being good!” Daniela insisted, almost looking childlike with her clenched fists. “Mother made me promise.”

“Well I only--”

“It’s very annoying! I hate waiting for things. But I will.” Daniela huffed, kicking at the buckets of vinegar you’d hidden beneath the workbench.

If taking things slow with Maria meant kissing and sleeping over, you could only imagine how torturous Daniela would consider your Lady’s definition of slow. “Then I guess--”

“But I just want to be alone, even if we’re only going to read together.”

You raised your hands in defeat. You’d never anticipated this side of Daniela. When you first arrived at the castle, she’d been pointed out to you as a woman to avoid at all costs. Once she dragged a maiden by the hair right by you, as though you didn’t exist. It was difficult to see that as the same woman who stood in front of you, moodily bemoaning that she had to take her romantic life at a slower clip.

“Fine! I’ll occupy myself...somewhere?”

“Incredible.” Daniela gushed, her glum mood gone in an instant. “You can just take my room. Hang out. I’ll have a maid bring you a snack.” 

“Wait, when--?”

Daniela was already swarmed into the wind as you spoke. It was very annoying when they did that, though you wished you could simply disappear from a conversation when you were done with it. You turned back to your work, wondering if your Lady knew about this little plot Daniela was hatching.

Once you’d sanded and painted the drawer guides, you carefully measured and glued them to the interior of the desk. Tomorrow you’d be able to test their effectiveness. As evening approached, you swept up the workshop and went inside to change and eat.

Maria’s duties kept her beyond dinner, so you saved a plate for her and left it on her bedside table. You cleaned up and changed, running a hand nervously through your hair. Meeting with your lady always resulted in wayward touches and a flushed face. She had only kissed you on the cheek the other night, but the thought of another one made your neck sweat. And yesterday, after so many gentle touches, teasing words...you almost dropped the Lady’s bottle of wine on your way to her office. 

“Enter,” the Lady responded to your knock on the door. 

You slipped inside and placed the wine beside the whiskey she sat out for you. Seeing the bottle made you smile. Your Lady sat on the lounge, clearly preferring this seat to hunching over her desk. Some papers sat beside her, and she held a small book in her hand, scribbling in it with a fountain pen. Her glasses rested on her nose, but she slid them off as you handed over her goblet. She shuffled her papers a bit and moved them to the table beside the lounge, patting the velvet beside her. 

Drink in hand, you perched beside her. As you did, your bruised side smarted and you bit back a wince. Your Lady didn’t seem to notice, only settled into her lounge and leaned back against the tall velvet backing. She took a deep sip from her goblet while her other hand busied itself at the back of your neck. You perked up at the touch.

“Tell me of your progress with the desk, draga mea,” she purred.

“I--I’m nearly finished, my Lady,” you told her, trying to keep your eyes from shutting completely. Her nails against the nape of your neck stirred something deep within you.

“Very good. When?”

“Perhaps tomorrow, the day after. So long as it satisfies you.”

“Hmm…” Lady Dimitrescu hummed. “I think you’ll satisfy me plenty.”

You blushed at that. “You enjoy teasing me, my Lady?”

The Lady chuckled at that. “And you enjoy acting out of turn. We all have our flaws.”

“Are flaws always so enjoyable?” You quipped, leaning back into her hand. 

A deep, satisfied sound came from your Lady’s chest, but she merely smiled at you, finishing off her goblet. As you moved to stand and pour her another glass, her arm wrapped around your waist and pulled you up towards her. 

“Ah!” you exclaimed. The bruise on your side ached at her touch, nearly knocking the breath out of you. 

She had you in her lap now, hands hovering by your sides. Her head ducked beside yours, trying to inspect your body for wounds. “Did I harm you?”

“No, no.” You grimaced. “Well, not just now. The other day when you...pushed me, I…”

Lady Dimitrescu tutted. “I apologize. I struggle with my anger, darling, but I would never wish to hurt you. Will you show me?”

You nodded, pulling your blazer off and tugging your shirt from your pants. As you did, you tried your hardest to ignore the fact that you sat in your Lady’s lap, basically taking your shirt off. You lifted the fabric for her, displaying the splotchy purple bruise.

“It isn’t too bad, my Lady,” you muttered.

“Nonsense. Stay here, and take your shirt off.” 

Without another word, she lifted you gently and laid you down on the lounge. She ducked out of the room, and you couldn’t help but watch her go. After a moment you began unbuttoning your shirt, but then draped it over your chest. You wore a bra out of necessity, but it felt like a lot to bare even a portion of your chest to your Lady.

Lady Dimitrescu returned with a small tub of salve and a few towels. She set them to the side and then reached down for you.

“May I?” she asked.

You nodded, biting your lip as she hoisted you back into her lap. She held your shirt in place, seeming to understand your hesitancy. Her long fingers dipped into the tub of salve, scooping a generous portion out. She tipped your elbow up slightly, and then rubbed the lotion into your bruise. 

Her touch was softer than you could have anticipated. It barely hurt at all. You couldn’t help the way your head dropped back against her chest. Her fingers on your skin felt incredible, warming your entire body. Your neck already flushed hot. How could it feel so good? You could tell she didn’t mean for the touch to be sexual, but you were already there. And as she massaged deeper into your skin, you twisted your head slightly in an attempt to get just a bit of distance from the intoxicating way she touched you. The Lady only held you closer, and you realized that you’d just buried your head deeper into her bosom.

Oh my god .

You froze in the position, even when her laugh shook you. Her chest was soft, easy to sink right into. Breathing shallowly, you struggled to turn your chin away.

“Comfortable?”

You could only groan in response as the salve she’d applied grew warm against your skin. It was relieving, but didn’t help cool you down at all. Your breath came in short pants as she touched you.

Lady Dimitrescu leaned into you. Her lips ghosted against your neck, then your shoulder. Done applying the salve, she let her hands wander over the softness of your belly. The Countess pressed her lips to the shell of your ear, whispering, “I see how enjoyable this is now. You’re quite irresistible like this.”

You bit back your moan. How could she have such a powerful effect on you? You felt like you’d completely melted. Not even the strength to respond. She nipped your ear gently and held you for a moment more. Then she released you, guiding you back to the ground. 

Standing quietly before you, she helped you back into your shirt but left the buttons to you. Once you were dressed, she ran her hand through your hair affectionately. With a light tug at the curls, she ducked in close to kiss your cheek again. This time, closer to the edge of your lips. If you’d moved slightly, you would have kissed her. 

“Wash that off before you sleep.” She instructed, standing and opening her office door for you. “Good evening, darling.”

Flustered and feeling slightly fuzzy around the edges, you stumbled from the room and back to your own bed.

Chapter Text

When you woke in the morning your bruise felt much better, the color fading slightly. Maria woke earlier than you, but left a note that she’d see you at dinner. It had been a full day since you’d seen each other--you hoped no one was giving her any trouble.

Out in the workshop, you worked with a dogged passion. Maybe it was the care your Lady had shown you last night or the ghost of her lips on your neck, but you were determined to finish the desk that day. The drawers slid in perfectly, and it didn’t take long to attach the handles. You tested the adjustable desktop a few more times, ensuring it slid easily and could bear significant weight. 

A few final touches and you stepped away from the desk. It was nearly as tall as yourself. The gold and white gleamed in the late morning light. Again, you tested all the drawers. You were done. It made you happy. Serving your Lady in this way, helping her. But a heavier sorrow weighed on your chest. 

Was this it? If you returned to your regular duties, would you fade into the backdrop of the castle yet again? It had only been a week as her carpenter, but the Lady’s interest in you directly coincided. If you weren’t serving her in such a way...would she still care?

Your gloom accompanied you back into the castle. On your way to the kitchens, you heard your Lady’s voice booming through the halls.

“His complete incompetence has ruined my day yet again .” Something cracked on the floor above. “To pull me away from my work at a time like this? For another inane meeting? I should kill him. If only Mother Miranda would finally see the light, there would be nothing of that idiotic man-thing left.”

Your Lady raged, stomping down the stairs. Watching her descend from the hall, you saw she had a shawl wrapped over her shoulders and a leather clutch in hand. She barely noticed you as she swept towards the doors. Her daughters followed in a cloud of flies, chittering reassurances. 

“Mother surely it won’t be so bad.”

“And we can take care of everything here. Don’t let it concern you!”

“But if you kill Uncle Karl can I at least help?” 

She cast them away with a stern flick of her hand. Her lip curled in annoyance, and her next words snarled from between them. You’d rarely seen her in such a mood, all thoughts of composure and proper etiquette lost to the red anger in her eye. 

“I shall be back by the evening. Don’t wait on dinner for me, I shall have a meal along the way.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what that meant. As you moved to disappear down the hall, her golden eyes met yours for the briefest of seconds. And then the doors were thrust open and she was gone. 

Cassandra caught your eye from the door and, as her sisters dispersed into the castle, she used her sickle to motion you forward. You joined her by the door, watching out the window as your Lady ducked into a carriage. The larger horses from the stable led an enormous black carriage. One of the workers from the vineyard sat at the reins, snapping them at Lady Dimitrescu’s request.

Cassandra sighed deeply behind you, dragging a hand over her blood soaked mouth.  “She’ll be in a foul mood tonight. And now I must take on her work for the day, as well.”

“I suppose it’s a good thing I haven’t delivered the Lady’s new desk. It would be impossible for you to work at.” 

Cassandra smirked, brushing a dark lock from her face. “Not that work, human. Though that is...thoughtful.” She grimaced as she said the word. “You’ll return to your usual duties after this desk affair?”

“I suppose I will. The Lady hasn’t said otherwise.” You tried to hide the disappointment in your voice.

“I may need your services. I’ll have to inquire with Mother, but I would like to,” Cassandra coughed, clearly uncomfortable, “learn to make my own casks for the wine. 

You couldn’t help the surprised sound that left you. Cassandra wanted to learn from you? Were you hallucinating?

“What?” Cassandra sneered, taking your silence as a refusal. “Does the idea of teaching me repulse you so much?”

Hurrying to reassure her, you grabbed one of her hands. Once you’d done it, you realized it was too late to turn back, so you tried to smile. 

“No, no, Miss Cassandra. I was just surprised by the request. I’m not specialized in such constructions, but with some research I can teach you what I know. And the rest we’ll learn together.”

The middle sister’s eyes flashed quickly between surprise, excitement, and then indifference. She crossed her arms, trying desperately to mask how pleased she was with your answer. 

“Good. I’ll inform you should Mother agree. I believe you’re of better use to us out there, anyways.” Cassandra tacked on, dismissing it with a flick of her hand.

“Thank you, Miss Cassandra.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Cassandra turned and was about to swarm away when she glanced over her shoulder. “Just be careful with Mother this evening. These meetings enrage her without fail, especially when they’re sudden.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” You said, bowing slightly as you took your leave of the brunette. 

You grabbed a sandwich and ate outside the workshop, enjoying the warmth of the day. Your thoughts drifted to Lady Dimitrescu. Whatever meeting she’d been summoned to, you hoped it wasn’t as awful as Cassandra made it sound. If you didn’t deliver the desk, you probably still needed to give your report. But if the Lady wasn’t even back in the castle by then...you weren’t sure what to do.

With the desk complete you instead wiped off the rusted tools, which had spent more than enough time in their vinegar soak. Using a metal brush, you scrubbed at the remaining spots until the tools shone. You hung them up where you could, and even propped a few up on nails for display. Perhaps it would make your Lady smile to see a tribute, simple as it was, to her old lover.

At dinner, Maria ushered you over to your usual spot.

“You’ll never believe this--” Maria started, pointing her spoon at you excitedly.

“What, that you and Daniela are having a sleepover?”

Your roommate blushed deeply, glancing around just to check no one had heard. “Shut up about that!” she hissed. “But no. Miss Bela and Dani asked me to give them haircuts. I’m going up to Miss Bela’s room after dinner. They said you could come, too, if you like.”

“Oh, wow,” you murmured into your stew. The request seemed much more familiar than you’d expect. A request, not a demand. Maybe the romantic affections the two Dimitrescus harbored were softening them a bit. Or maybe it was a fluke. It was hard to tell in the castle sometimes.

“You don’t have to. I know your favorite Dimitrescu won’t be there, but it might be...fun?” she said, questioning herself even as the words came out. She shivered. “Didn’t think I’d ever say that when I got here last year.”

“I know.” You muttered. “But it sounds more interesting than what I had planned. Besides, the Lady might not return until later this evening.”

“Well, great.” Maria stuffed the last of her bread into her mouth. She tapped the side of your bowl with her spoon. “Hurry up.”

“Alright, alright. If I knew getting a girlfriend would make you all bossy--”

“She’s not!” Maria hissed.

She waited impatiently for you to finish your food. After, the two of you returned to your room and changed. You folded your blazer over your arm, figuring you wouldn’t need to put it on until your Lady arrived later. You didn’t have much to report to her, other than the desk was ready to be moved up to her office. But you hoped she’d want to talk about other things, or not speak at all. Pushing your blush down, you spruced your hair up in the mirror and then filled a small flask with whiskey, shaking it at Maria conspiratorially. With a laugh, Maria grabbed the hair clippers and the two of you wandered upstairs, avoiding the curious eyes of your fellow servants. 

The two of you arrived at Bela’s room quickly, and Maria gave the wooden door a few quick knocks. Daniela answered the door a few seconds later, dressed in a black silk nightgown with a deep neckline and came to a stop just above her knees. You watched as Maria’s face reddened slightly. 

Daniela sank against the door frame with a grin, folding her arms just below her exposed cleavage. “Oh hi, Maria.”

“Hi, Dani,” Maria said quietly, clearly trying to hide her fluster. 

“Come in.” Daniela said with a smirk, pushing the door open further and standing out of the way. 

Bela sat inside in a much less revealing nightgown, flipping through a book of deadly plants. As you entered, she perked up and invited you to sit around the tea table. She helped Maria arrange a chair. However, before there could even be a discussion about it, Daniela slipped into the chair and twisted around to beam up at Maria.

“Do me first, Maria,” she said with a wink.

Maria groaned in annoyance, but you could see her smiling through it. She grabbed Daniela’s temples and twisted her back to face front. “Shut up, Dani.”

Daniela giggled in the chair and pointed to a spot near her hairline. “I want this half gone. Or not half, but almost?”

“Ok, just stop squirming around,” Maria lectured, flipping a switch to turn the clippers on.

Both Bela and Daniela jumped at the sound. Daniela curled up in the chair. “What is that!”

Maria glanced at you, dumbfounded. You stepped in for her. “It’s the motor in the clipper. It makes it buzz and cut your hair finely.”

The two Dimitrescus relaxed slightly, but as Maria brought the device to the side of Daniela’s head the girl shrieked and tried to push away from the touch.

“No,” Maria said firmly, planting her other hand on the side of Daniela’s head. She held the vampire in place and spoke sternly to her. “I’ve already started. It’ll look stupid if I stop.” Maria ran her fingers through Daniela’s long hair. “It won’t hurt.”

You watched Daniela slowly give in to the feeling, humming pleasantly as Maria cut her hair. Bela looked over at you and rolled her eyes, coming to sit beside you.

“I don’t know what this is...but it’s gross.” Bela huffed as she flipped through her book again.

“It can be cute, Miss.”

Bela shot you a dirty look. “It’s not cute, it’s annoying.”

You considered the blonde carefully. She didn’t seem that annoyed, but was pouting all the same. You’d seen this woman slice through a man’s calf with her scythe and drag him into the darkness. And now she pouted? 

“Is it annoying or are you just jealous?” You asked, hoping the questions wouldn’t get you in trouble.

The blonde stiffened beside you, snapping the book shut. She sighed and closed her eyes, sinking into the chair a bit. “Is this sort of thing that Mother finds so charming about you? I like you fine, but it’s aggravating.”

“I’m sorry if I overstepped, Miss.”

“Please, just Bela, like I told you.”

“Bela, then.” You paused, knowing you’d struck a chord with her. “Are you visiting Lady Beneviento soon?”

Bela nibbled on a nail. “Yes. Tomorrow afternoon.”

“Perhaps you won’t need to be so jealous after that.” You couldn’t hide your smirk. It was obvious how much Bela wanted what Daniela and Maria seemed to be starting into, and you hoped she got it. 

Bela shrugged and returned to her book. A few minutes later, Maria was done with Daniela’s hair, and the redhead squealed as she looked at her reflection. 

“I love it! Bela look.” Daniela suddenly gasped. “Do you think Mother will like it?” 

The eldest daughter looked up at her sister, and you saw a warm, affectionate smile light her face. “You look great, Dani. And don’t worry about Mother. This was my idea. If she’s upset, she’ll be upset with me.”

“You’re the best, Belly.” Daniela said with a smile, ignoring her sister’s deep frown at the nickname. The redhead turned back to Maria and leaned in to give her a firm kiss on the mouth. She pulled back grinning. “Thank you, Maria.”

Maria sputtered at the affection and struggled to clear her throat. “O-of course. Miss Bela, please.”

Bela rolled her eyes again and slid into the chair. She only wanted a small portion of her head shaved, a triangle on one side of her skull. As Maria finished up, you heard the buzz of a swarm of flies slipping under the doorway. Cassandra materialized, looking haggard.

She glanced around at the room and sneered. “What are you idiots doing? Mother is home !”

The other sisters gasped and disappeared in their swarms. Maria ran her clippers through nothing at all as the girls were suddenly gone. Maria looked up to you with a raised brow.

“That didn’t sound...great?” Maria muttered, grabbing a broom to start cleaning up the room.

“It didn’t,” you agreed. “I hope the Lady isn’t too upset from this meeting.”

Maria nodded, and together the two of you cleaned up Bela’s room. As you retreated down to your rooms, Bela appeared before you. Her haircut looked good, but the rest of her looked distressed. She clutched at your arm tightly.

“Will you come? Mother is too upset, we can’t calm her. Maybe you can…?”

At Bela’s request, your first instinct was to run to your Lady. And you did, despite the part of you that worried about Lady Dimitrescu’s anger. Perhaps it was a better idea to let the Countess cool down on her own. But you hadn’t been very good at preserving your own life lately, so you rushed with Bela past the Lady’s office and towards her chambers. 

Inside, you heard a furious growl and a crash as something shattered against a wall. “That imbecile! ”

You looked at Bela, who gave you a pained smile. The doubt in your stomach gnawed harder at you, but you shook it off and clutched the doorknob.

As you opened Lady Dimitrescu’s door, you ducked as a crystal goblet shattered against the wood. The Lady’s chamber suited her. Gilded in gold trim and ivory walls with high vaulted ceilings to accommodate her height. A vanity with a large mirror sat in one corner, beside a towering wardrobe. Her bed was an enormous four poster affair, dressed in luxurious blankets and furs. A small area for taking tea used to be by the window, but all you could see of it now were the broken legs of the table and the torn upholstery of a shattered chair.

Inside, the Lady hunched by the window, a tea cup crushed underfoot.  The room was unlit but bathed in moonlight. Your Lady cut an intimidating figure in the light, shoulders shaking with anger and golden eyes darkening. She glared at you. She seemed like an entirely different woman. 

A bit hesitant now, you stepped inside and shut the door.

“ What are you doing here? ” Lady Dimitrescu growled. She took a step towards you, claws extending from her knuckles. “ You shouldn’t be here. ”

“Your daughters asked me to help, my Lady.” You spoke quietly, avoiding her gaze.

The Countess took another step towards you, and you took a step back, feeling your back hit the wall. “You think you can help me, pet?” 

You glanced up at the word, feeling heat spread over your chest. “I...I…”

Lady Dimitrescu approached, now towering over you. Her brows knit tightly down, lips curled in distaste. She spoke down to you, fists clenching. “You foolish child. You forget your place.”

The Lady’s voice rumbled like thunder. She glowered at you, an anger ignited in her that you hadn’t seen before. She didn’t look like your Lady at all. For the first time, a sliver of fear pierced your heart. 

“I don’t, my Lady.” You bit back. “You like me in this place.”

Lady Dimitrescu roared, and before you knew what was happening, your back slammed against the wall. Your Lady held you by the chest, fingers wrapping coolly around your neck. She leaned in close, dragging a nail down your throat.

“You are just a toy .” Lady Dimitrescu’s nose nestled into your neck and inhaled deeply before she growled into your ear. “And I can smell how good you’ll taste.”

Her fangs grazed your neck, drawing a bead of blood. You heard her sigh, tracing her fangs gently down your neck. You could feel the small cuts spill blood onto your skin. A shiver shot down your spine as her long tongue swiped up the blood. A mixture of pleasure and pain washed through you, and if you’d agreed to it you might be falling apart at this. A hot puff of air hit your neck as she opened her mouth wide, preparing to sink into your neck.

You clutched at the Lady’s hand on your chest as her fangs hovered over your neck, trying to hold back tears. You couldn’t believe she was doing this to you--not after the workshop, the garden. She’d said she didn’t want to use you, but now she was about to tear into you like any other disposable servant. Did you truly mean so little to her?

“A-alcina, please,” you shouted hoarsely. “Alcina, stop .”

To your surprise, the sound of her first name seemed to snap Lady Dimitrescu from her rage. She pulled back harshly and removed her hands from you. You slumped to the floor, holding a hand to your grazed neck. Lady Dimitrescu looked down at you, the anger in her shattered and replaced by fear. Her face contorted in disbelief and horror, as though she didn’t know what she’d done. A touch of blood sat at the corner of her mouth. The age lines of her face deepened in the shadow of the moonlight. After a long, tense moment she tore her eyes away from you, staring down at the floor.

“I apologize,” she whispered, holding a shaking hand to her lips. “I did not mean—“

You pushed yourself to your feet and swayed as you stood. You saw one of her hands reach out to steady you. 

“Don’t touch me,” you snapped, flinching away from her touch.

She retreated, looking uncertain why she’d done it. The tears that had threatened to fall earlier came now, rolling down your cheeks. You swiped them away angrily and moved toward the door.

“[Y/N], please--”

“Good night, my Lady,” you muttered, storming from her chambers and pushing beyond Bela’s questioning look.

Chapter Text

“Do you want to talk about it?” Maria asked from the other side of the room the next morning. 

You sat in front of the small mirror, examining the scrapes on your neck. They’d stopped bleeding soon after you left your Lady’s rooms, but you didn’t want them to open back up and risk infection. You refused to meet your roommate’s eye in the reflection. Last night you had returned a mess, weeping into Maria’s arms until you grew too tired. You slept fitfully, and now you were just mad.

“She’s a vampire. I shouldn’t expect anything different.”

Maria was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” you said quietly. “I don’t know what to do.”

Maria came over and squeezed your shoulders gently. “I think it’s up to her now.”

You shrugged, slowly pulling on your clothes. Your body ached from where Lady Dimitrescu had slammed you into the wall. It had been a nice week, and you were foolish to think the Lady’s kindness would last. Maybe you’d just been wrong. She didn’t find your overstepping endearing, she didn’t find you handsome--you were just a meal she took her time with.

“I know you’re upset with her, and I understand why. But maybe she’ll apologize?”

“Maybe. I just thought she...I thought she cared enough not to treat me like that.”

Your roommate nodded in understanding and sent you on your way with the box of cheese pastries in hand. After getting a cup of coffee from the kitchen, you made your way to the workshop and ate several pastries. The food was comforting and delicious, and it took your mind off last night’s events for a while.

There wasn’t much to do, other than deliver the desk, but you didn’t feel like seeing or interacting with the Lady. What would you even say? This wasn’t how you anticipated the end of this job being like. With how things had been going, you’d thought maybe she would finally have rewarded you with a kiss. Slim chance of that now. You’d felt so comfortable with her before last night, but after what happened...you weren’t sure you’d ever feel at ease with her again.

“[Y/N], are you ok?” 

You glanced up and saw Daniela standing in the doorway, looking concerned. You weren’t sure you’d ever seen her worried for another person. Any other time you’d feel a touch proud of her, but now it mostly felt annoying. Turning back to the workbench, you picked up a hunk of spare wood and started carving away at it with a knife.

“I’m fine.”

“You know, in all my romance novels when someone says they’re fine, they never are.”

“That’s interesting, Miss Daniela.”

Daniela huffed. “I’m just worried about you after last night. Bela said it didn’t sound very good, and when she went in to check on Mother, she was in a state.”

You remembered the regret and fear that had immediately washed over your Lady when you’d said her name. 

“Yes, it was upsetting.”

“She wouldn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t think she was in her right mind,” Daniela explains, running a hand over the finished desk.

“Well, she did. I know what she is, but she almost...she said she wouldn’t do something like that to me. Use me.” You gritted your teeth, hacking away at the wood in your hand.

“She’s sorry, [Y/N]. She’s distraught!”

The words hit you sharply. She was distraught? You were the one who was one breath from getting drained last night. If she was so upset why didn’t she come and say something about it? You clamped your mouth shut and angled your shoulders away from the vampire. Daniela was quiet for a long time. 

When you looked over your shoulder, she was gone. You still hadn't decided what you were carving, but kept at it anyway, a pile of shavings gathering around your arms. Maybe it was a duck.

It wasn’t long before another Dimitrescu buzzed in and materialized atop the desk behind you. You dropped your head to the workbench. Would they all appear throughout the day trying to apologize for their mother? 

“Mother said you were to deliver the desk today,” Cassandra tapped the desktop with her nails. “We can carry it up for you.”

Well, that wasn’t what you’d expected. And it was refreshing. Cassandra seemed unaffected by her family’s romantic lives--much more focused on work she could do or maidens she could torment. Today you didn’t mind it so much.

“It’s not done,” you muttered from where you sat at the workbench. 

Maybe this wood used to be on the way to being a duck, but now it seemed you were just hacking away at it until it disappeared. 

“Looks done to me. Got all these handles and everything.”

You stood up and walked over to the desk. You took your knife and unscrewed all of the drawer handles. Cassandra watched, her blood-stained mouth dropping open. 

“It’s not ready.”

Cassandra cackled. “Oh, you’re really mad aren’t you? I suppose I understand, but surely you knew the risks of getting so close to a woman like our Mother.”

You shot Cassandra a glare, which only made her grin. “That’s not what it’s about.”

“You aren’t mad she scraped up your neck? Then what? It could have been much worse, you know. She could have actually bit you.”

“I trusted her, Cassandra,” you snapped. “It doesn’t matter if she didn’t bite me. She wasn’t going to stop.”

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed, a brow cocked. She didn’t look like she understood but slid off the desk and disappeared into a cloud of flies. You turned back to the workbench and your pitiful carving, hoping that you’d finally get some peace.

Was she sending them down to you? Were they her little scouts, reporting back on how angry you were? The thought only made you more furious. Was she so cowardly she couldn’t face you after last night? She hadn’t had any issues with asserting herself then. What kind of regal Lady was she if she couldn’t eke out an apology? 

You growled in frustration, tossing the carving into a pile of scrap wood and sinking your knife into the workbench.

None of it made sense. The Lady had been so sweet with you up until now, and so trusting. When she had massaged you the other evening, you felt closer to her than ever. You’d thought she might have kissed you if you’d lingered long enough. She’d shared parts of her life with you that seemed quite guarded. So why would she do this to you? Was it truly just some vampiric rage she couldn’t control? But more importantly, why had you thought she cared?

It was only as you ate lunch that Bela appeared with a clean mouth and dress, holding a small basket. A bouquet of flowers peeked from one end of the basket, a bottle of wine from the other. She looked sad, even though you knew she was excited for her excursion to the Beneviento estate. 

“Hello, Bela,” you said, looking up briefly from your sandwich.

“I just wanted to check on you before I left. Are you…” Bela gestured around with a hand.

“I wish you hadn’t asked me to go in there last night,” you told her quietly. 

Bela looked at the ground guiltily. “I thought seeing you would break her anger, but it was too strong.”

You chuckled bitterly. “I don’t think she cares about me as much as you think.”

Staring at you firmly, Bela stood her ground. “She does. I know it. But our nature is much stronger than our will, especially when provoked. That wasn’t her.”

“You all keep saying that, but I don’t know how to believe it.”

Bela considered you for a moment. “Allow her to apologize, at least. She knows she made a mistake.”

You nodded noncommittally. “Have a good time this afternoon, Bela.” 

Seemingly satisfied, Bela led her horse from the stable and quickly mounted it. She galloped off towards the castle gates and soon disappeared from sight. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent slowly refastening the handles to the desk, taking your sweet time. When you returned to your room to clean up, a brown box sat before your door. It was warm to the touch and fragrant, and you opened it to find another half dozen cheese pastries and a folded note. 

Looping script inside said,

“[Y/N],

I send my sincerest apologies for my behavior in the evening. I hope these assure you of the fact and quicken your healing and forgiveness. I await you as usual this evening in my office. 

Fondly,

A. Dimitrescu”

You scoffed at the note and tore it down the middle. Once you had washed and dressed, you took the pastries to the servant’s dining hall and abandoned them on a table near the door. 

“Were those from the Lady?”

You nodded. “Along with a pretty half hearted note.”

“It’s something, I suppose.” Maria commented, shoving her vegetables around the plate. “Do you have to see her this evening?”

“Yes. I’m not sure what to expect, honestly.” Just the thought of seeing the Lady threatened tears. You tried to blink them back, but they fell down your cheeks regardless.

“Oh, [Y/N]…” Maria grabbed your hand. 

“I got swept up in her, Maria. I thought there was something there. It was stupid.”

Maria squeezed your hand. “I thought there was too. And I’m not stupid.”

You laughed at that, brushing the tears away and stomaching a few bites of food. Maria walked with you back to your rooms and gave you a reassuring hug before you departed to meet with the Lady. 

You’d never been one to drag your feet around the castle. There was no faster way to get sacked, or worse. But tonight you dawdled, rearranging candle sticks and adjusting paintings as you approached the office. You noticed outside that the day’s humidity had finally broken into a thunderstorm. Eventually you arrived, but the Lady swept the door open before you could knock. 

“Please, come in,” she said, her voice thin as she stepped away from the door. 

You stepped in obediently but lingered by the entrance as she sat on her lounging chair. Lady Dimitrescu looked at you sadly, lips drawn downwards. She looked tired—not a thing you thought she could even be. Her make up looked freshly applied, though you could see a touch of redness around her eyes. She touched the arm of a chair sat across from her, but you didn’t move towards it. 

“Are you frightened of me now?” she asked coldly. “I am the predator you feared?”

She seemed surprised when you shook your head. “Then you despise me?”

You shook your head again, and she sighed, bringing fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Have I ruined this irreparably? I don’t wish for this to end in such a way.”

You sighed softly, but she heard you, searching your face for an answer. The thought of whatever this was ending made your heart ache. You didn’t want it to be over before it had barely even begun, but the previous evening weighed heavy on you.

“I don’t know, my Lady. You…you hurt me. You were going to—“

“I didn’t. I wouldn’t,” she insisted, clenching a hand. 

“If I hadn’t said your name, would you have really stopped?” you snapped at her, not even feeling regretful for it.

“I-I can’t know. I hardly know what happened. I was so angry . At Heisenberg, not you. Over some inane...It doesn’t matter,” she sighed and then looked at you sorrowfully. “But you walked in and I couldn’t…I have lost myself in other moods around you, darling, but I didn’t anticipate one of them to turn violent. I regret it terribly. You must believe me.”

She said it so sadly, a familiar wash of regret painting her face. Your heart ached, despite your own anger. You wanted to comfort her, but held firm, only allowing yourself to come stand by the offered chair. 

“I trusted you, my Lady, when you said you didn’t want to use me.” You stated plainly, trying not to tear up as you continued. “But you called me a toy and then treated me like one. How can I know what to believe? I don’t wish to be dispensable to you.”

“You aren’t,” your Lady said softly.

A flash of lightning lit the room, followed swiftly by a clap of thunder. She was quiet for a moment, legs crossed beneath her cream dress. It annoyed you to notice that, despite everything, she looked lovely. You were sure you looked just as upset as you felt. 

It always seemed to rain in moments like these. When the stress of the day has built and built until it can no longer be contained. Bursting from within, uncontrollably. You did your best not to burst into such tears over all this. 

“I will prove it to you,” the Countess offered. “You may decide when I’ve earned your trust. When I have, you’ll deliver the desk to me. I don’t…” her eyes glazed over for a moment. “Well, I don’t deserve it yet.”

You were surprised at the vampire’s offer. It was fair, selfless, even self-aware. You didn’t let your surprise capture you for too long.

“And if I never deliver the desk?”

The idea clearly pained her, her mouth dropping sadly. But she maintained her eye contact. “Then we move past it. You may leave, if you wish.”

“I don’t wish to leave, my Lady,” you insisted. “I want to serve you, make you…”  

Happy. You bit your lip. You were still angry with her.

The Countess smiled at last, and you almost resented how much that pleased you “Then I must do my best,” she said with a hint of laughter in her voice. 

It was quiet for a moment. And then you spoke. “The desk is completed, my Lady. Until I can deliver it, does your tea table need replacing?”

She looked at you curiously. “You would keep building? After all this?”

“I much prefer it to serving tea and cleaning, my Lady.”

The Lady gave a small smile from her seat and then stood. “Very well, then. May I walk you out?”

You nodded and watched as she stepped up beside you. She gave you your space, holding her hands in front of her waist.

“May I?” She asked quietly, nodded to your shoulder. 

You nodded, but she shook her head. 

“I’d like to hear it.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

With that, her hand glided smoothly onto your shoulder and over your back, guiding you to the door. After a day of turmoil and anger, her touch softened you. Earlier, you’d been sure her touch would only provoke memories of last night. But she handled you now with such gentleness and awareness.

“This storm seems dreadful. I hope Miss Bela returned safely from Lady Beneviento’s estate,” you commented as she opened the door for you. 

The Lady’s face fell at your words. In an instant she was at her ornate telephone, dialing the doll maker. 

“Angie, please put your Lady on… now, Angie .” Lady Dimitrescu barely held back her annoyance at the doll. 

“Ah, Donna. I’ve just noticed this terrible turn in the weather, how is…I see. Good…very well, have her set out once it’s cleared in the morning. Give her my love…thank you, Donna,”

The Lady hung up the phone with a sigh. “She’s fine. She’ll stay the night, wait out the rain.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that,” You said, grinning. 

The Lady looked up from her desk. “How so?”

You fumbled a bit, unsure how to respond. “Just, uh, to be able to wait out the storm.”

“Not due to her schoolgirl crush on Donna?”

You tried to hide your surprise, unsuccessfully as the Countess chuckled. “I…well, perhaps that as well.”

“I know everything that goes on in this castle. Bela is painfully unsubtle. Luckily Donna is equally perceptive. A perfect storm. Good for them, they have an unending lifetime to sort it out.”

Lady Dimitrescu said it with a smile, but you felt the twinge of sadness in her voice. “Indeed, my Lady.”

She smiled at you briefly, a glint of hope in her eyes. You hoped she could see it reflected in your own. 

Chapter Text

The next morning was spent fully reattaching drawer handles and beginning preparations for the construction of the tea table. As you worked on the tea table, it only dredged up memories of the evening it was destroyed. Your Lady’s commitment to apologizing to you last night felt good. It quelled the fear that had struck you that night, the anxiety of not knowing your place with her. If she, the Countess and infamous vampire, would spend her time seeking your forgiveness, then perhaps you’d not been crazy to care for her. 

You just wished she would apologize now—do something incredible so you could move beyond this quickly. It didn’t suit you to be angry or to expect apologies from others. But you knew it was necessary this time around. Maybe you were being impatient, but how could you not?

Restless, you resorted to another attempt at whittling. This time was slightly improved, if only because you knew now that the Countess was trying. And her daughters weren’t giving you the third degree. 

Around midday the rain had cleared completely and Bela soon rode up on her horse. She wore a new outfit, you were surprised to see. A dark dress shirt tucked into black riding pants and a light cloak. The blonde hopped off her horse and led him to his stall. 

“How was the sleepover, Bela?” You called into the stable. 

A few moments later, Bela wandered into the workshop. Her face was slightly red from the wind and steady gallop. She grinned at you, her fangs glinting in the light.

Bela peeled off her riding gloves and laid them on the workbench. “Lovely. I’ve never been more pleased for a storm. She showed me her gardens, we ate dinner, I played her more music.”

“Wow...three dates all in one day, huh?” you teased, cutting another length of wood for the tea table.

Bela sighed, biting her lip. “It was very special. She took her veil off this morning while we ate. She’s beautiful.”

You smiled warmly at the blonde. “Will you see her again soon?”

“Yes.” Bela grinned. “I’m going to ask Mother to have her for tea next week.”

“I’m happy for you, Miss Bela,” you said. 

It was true, but hearing about Bela’s romantic adventure made you sad. You felt like you’d just been on the cusp of something similar. And now you felt a strange distance between you and Lady Dimitrescu. One she was meant to bridge--not you. You always took on a caring, attentive role in relationships. It made you happy to make other people happy, but it made you terribly uncomfortable for someone to go out of their way for you. It felt like an inconvenience, like you weren’t worth their time. Were you truly worth the Lady’s time? It seemed ridiculous to expect her to commit so much energy to you and your delicate humanity.

“Are things alright here? With Mother?” Bela asked the question hesitantly, pulling at her shirt.

You looked up from the saw you were handling. “We spoke last evening. She wants to prove herself to me. That I can trust her.”

Bela’s brows raised dramatically. “Oh. Well.”

“What?”

“That’s just...very unlike Mother.”

“I thought so, too. But if she’d like to do it, then...I don’t know.”

Bela looked around nervously, and then closed the distance between the two of you. “Mother hasn’t done such a thing since Laura. I hope she follows through.”

Suddenly, Bela’s head cocked, like she heard something you couldn’t. She stepped past you and out of the workshop.

“Mother! I’ve returned.”

“Sweet Bela, you are unharmed?” Lady Dimitrescu’s voice rolled through the summer heat.

“Of course. Lady Beneviento was a lovely host.”

“Mm, I imagine,” Lady Dimtrescu hummed. “Head along inside. Your sisters missed you.”

A moment later Lady Dimitrescu ducked into the workshop, her dark hat touching the ceiling as she rose. She stood just in the doorway, holding a wicker basket. As usual, she wore a flowing cream dress and bright red lipstick, looking regal and intimidatingly beautiful.

“I’ve brought you lunch.” She set the basket on a nearby workbench and opened it, pulling out a book. “And a book. Cassandra mentioned wishing to learn how to make casks for the wine. This is from my personal collection. I thought it may be useful.”

You looked up from your work curiously. You hadn’t expected such a quick turn around on Cassandra’s idea. Much less your Lady’s enthusiasm. 

Lady Dimitrescu glanced away as you wordlessly stared. “I shall leave you, then.”

She was about to duck out the door when you called out. 

“Wait, my Lady.”

The Countess glanced back at you.

You came over to the basket and hauled it off the table, gesturing out to the gardens. “Are you not going to join me?”

***

Your walk with the Lady to the gazebo was a quiet one. As you approached, she finally spoke.

“How is your morning?”

Was this...small talk?

“I...well, not great. I’m still pretty upset, my Lady.”

She stiffened beside you slightly. “I understand.”

“And you, my Lady?” you peered at the ground as you asked.

“I…” The Lady started and stopped, surprised. “I am also upset. With myself. I have not been very productive.”

You nodded. Lady Dimitrescu placed the basket on the table and took a seat on the in-set bench along the wall of the gazebo. You sat as well, a bit further away than you would otherwise, and watched as she served you a rather indulgent lunch. Short ribs, roasted vegetables, rice, and a large carafe of iced tea. You felt undeserving of the meal, considering how little you’d accomplished that morning. As you tucked in the Lady withdrew her flask of blood and deposited the contents into her iced tea. She swirled the liquid around in it and then took a delicate sip.

“I am unused to apologizing,” Lady Dimitrescu said tightly, glancing around the gardens as she spoke. After a moment, she looked over at you. “When I have fear, I rarely need trust. But I would like to regain yours. As you well know, I am a private woman. I don’t often allow others to know me. But I wish to share a bit about myself with you, if that is agreeable.”

You startled at that, nearly choking on a forkful of rice. Wiping your face of any stray food, you looked up at her. One of her fangs gnawed at her lower lip, her eyes cast distractedly out towards the garden. Sensing your state, she glanced at you from the corner of her eye. When Lady Dimitrescu let her guard down, she looked incredibly beautiful. At the thought, you chastised yourself. You’re upset with her. She’s not beautiful when you’re upset with her.

“Alright,” you said with a nod, trying to restrain yourself from saying more.

The Lady sighed, taking another sip. “I was born in the late 1700s, into my royal family Dimitrescu. Sickly and frail from birth. A blood disorder. At the time it was a death sentence, and I lived as though I were dying. Very rebellious, sneaking around with other men’s wives, singing in brothels.”

“Oh.” You felt your brows shoot up at that, eliciting a laugh from Lady Dimitrescu.

“Yes, it was rather scandalous. Stories for another time. I was in my forties when Mother Miranda implanted the virus in me that made me what I am now. She had disguised herself as a beautiful woman, and I’ve never been one to resist,” she said with a hint of a smile. “I’d never known pain like that. But I returned to this castle after a while. I have been in Mother Miranda’s debt ever since, performing experiments and producing wine for her. She gave me my daughters at the turn of the century.”

“What do you mean ‘gave?’ I thought they were--”

“They aren’t mine biologically, no. I’m not sure if it would even be possible. The girls were successful experiments of Miranda’s. They were a gift, for my dedication.” Lady Dimitrescu said it with a touch of sadness, staring down into her flask of blood.

She then looked at you sorrowfully, her lips opening and closing once. The Lady looked nervous, uncertain of herself as she gathered the will to speak. With a slow drink from her flask, her posture straightened imperceptibly. 

“I have been this way for some time, a vampire, a mutation, what have you. It has never become easier to quell the rage it stirs in me. It is animalistic and blinding and for a long time I did not care for others enough to temper it. Not until...the smith. And even then we still had incidents such as this.”

The Lady’s grip on her flask tightened. Golden eyes wavered. “Though it is the truth of my nature, I do not wish to be cruel and vindictive and violent. Occasionally it is out of my control, and in part you must accept that side of me. And we must create a boundary to avoid any further heartache. It would haunt me endlessly were I to hurt you like this again, but I also know it is not something I can guarantee.”

You didn’t speak, taking the information in. At heart, you knew all this to be true. You’d never once seen the Countess in such a blinding fury--and that was because she did not enjoy it. Did not want that anger to define her. The woman you’d been spending time with, though still a vampire with all that entails, was real. Her kindness, vulnerability, her interest.

With your lack of response, the Countess continued speaking, as though afraid to let the silence fill the space up. She looked at you fully, though you could see it made her uncomfortable to do so. There was no convenient way to avoid eye contact, so she maintained it.

“I deeply regret the way I treated you the other evening It wasn’t the truth of my feelings for you. My only hope is you allow me to prove that to you.”

You could not speak for a long moment. What was there to even say? She had shared so much, so quickly. Of her life, of her family, herself. You felt privileged to be let in on details that seemed precious to her, information she wouldn’t share with just anyone. 

You wanted to forgive her. You wanted to believe that last night was a lapse of control, something she didn’t intend. It felt good for her to treat you like an equal, like you weren’t just some laborer she wanted to bed. Like you were a lover. 

Lady Dimitrescu looked down at you with a strained smile, your silence unnerving to her. “Do you have questions?”

You hesitated. She’d just told you so much, so quickly, and it was hard to pick a thought out between the new information and the internal debating over her intentions. You asked the first thing that popped to mind--the most unexpected information of it all, honestly.

“Do you miss singing? At brothels or otherwise?”

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled, surprised by the question. “I do. I imagine I wouldn’t like today’s version of brothels, but I miss the crowds, the energy. The company of the fellow Lords is not...shall we say, party enough for me.”

It was your turn to laugh, trying to imagine the Lady partying . You smiled brightly at her, and she beamed at her accomplishment. She was sharing herself with you, letting her guard down, making jokes. You wouldn’t have expected this sort of openness from her.

As your laughter subsided, you lobbed another question. “Do you like being...alive like this?”

She stiffened slightly, and after a long moment rolled the tension out of her shoulders. “I am not alive, dear. But I understand your meaning. I don’t bother any longer with thoughts of life and death. Neither will ever end or begin for me; I have no choice in the matter.”

You nodded. You wondered if, after years and years of being alive, you would simply wish for it to end. If you were forced to kill and drain people’s blood to sustain yourself, you’re not sure you could maintain it.

“Is there any way to pull you from that rage when you’ve started? Could the smith-- ”

“No,” Lady Dimitrescu said quietly. “I don’t believe it’s a stoppable force. Her interferences resulted similarly to yours, if not worse. She was as bad as you when it came to avoiding dangerous decisions.”

The Lady recalled this with a hint of laughter. You were happy to share this quality with her old lover. It seemed to be a trait she admired quite deeply, and you wondered what it stemmed from. Perhaps her years and years of servitude to the cultish deity of this valley? That would make anyone appreciate of spontaneity. 

“I know that Mother Miranda is a god, or something like a god. But it seems…” you paused. The Lady had said you could ask any questions. “Well, it seems like she tricked you into this.”

“Is there a question in that?” Lady Dimitrescu seemed a little annoyed at the question, picking at your leftovers with a fork.

“Do you love her?”

“I…” Lady Dimitrescu glanced off into the gardens, and then briefly over her shoulder. “The love I have for Mother Miranda is reverent. She gave me life, when otherwise I would have perished. I would have never had my daughters, accomplished what I have, fallen in love. Without her, my final days would have been painful and miserable. Instead I have experienced great joys,” she said, gazing down at you tenderly. 

Your heart swelled at the look she gave you, full of admiration and care. When you’d sat at the gazebo, there had been quite some distance between the two of you. Over the course of her story, you weren’t sure which of you closed the distance. You were near enough now to touch her hand, let her know you cared for her as well. But you couldn’t yet. Images of her fangs grazing your neck flashed behind your eyes, making you shift your gaze away.

“We should return to our work,” Lady Dimitrescu said softly, looking down at the proximity of your hands. “I wouldn’t want to keep you.”

You nodded and stood from your seat, helping to place the items back in the basket. “I enjoy learning about you, my Lady.”

Lady Dimitrescu hummed. “I hope you will do me the honor of the same one day. When I have your favor.”

You smiled at her and handed the basket over. “I hope so as well, my Lady.”

Your hands brushed as the basket was exchanged, sending a spark through you. She accepted it with a nod, and you returned to your work. In the afternoon, you began reading the book the Lady had delivered, getting lost in the text as the sun began to set.

Chapter Text

The next evening, you returned to your room to find a silver platter set on your bedside table with a folded note resting upon it. The same scrawling script as the previous note looped across the parchment.

“[Y/N]

I would request your company at this evening’s dinner in the main hall. Dress appropriately. Dinner shall begin at six thirty sharp, as you know.

Fondly,

A. Dimitrescu”

Maria glanced over from her bed, where she lounged before the servant’s dinner. “She brought that here herself, on the little platter.”

“Oh?”

“Kind of sweet, if you ask me. When does she ever do anything for herself?” Maria snorted, and then looked sidelong at you, a hint of panic in her eyes. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

You chuckled, folding the note back up. “Of course not. I suppose I should get dressed?”

“For your date?” Maria teased.

A blush rose to your cheeks as you elbowed off your work shirt. Was that what this was? The note wasn’t very clear. The Lady’s words were measured and precise, without much room for interpretation.

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “Do you think so?”

Maria rolled her eyes. “Of course. She’s trying to make up with you. It’s not a business meeting.”

With that in mind, you examined your wardrobe more intently. If it was a date, you wanted to look good. Eventually Maria helped you settle on a charcoal suit and deep maroon tie. You styled your hair in the mirror briefly, and with Maria’s approval, you walked to the dining hall.

It had been since early last week that you’d stepped foot in this room, late and fearing for your life. You hadn’t imagined to be in such a different position now. Servants you passed in the hall gave you judgmental looks, and you weren’t sure if it was the hair or the fact you’d been invited to dinner. Probably both. 

You slipped into the dining hall just at six thirty and were surprised to see the Dimitrescu daughters missing from the dining table. In fact, the room was near empty save for your Lady. She sat at the head of the table, furthest from you, and the only other place setting on the table was at the other end. It seemed like miles stretched between you, full of candelabras, arranged fruits, flowers. If it weren’t for her larger stature, you might not have even seen her.

“Good evening, [Y/N],” Lady Dimitrescu said, her voice low in her chest as she stood and crossed the room to you. 

Tonight she wore a long, black evening gown cinched at the waist and flowing around her heels. She looked ravishing, hair perfectly pinned and lips painted red. She gestured to the chair, and as you sat she pushed the high-backed chair into the table. 

The chivalry made you blush. “Good evening, my Lady. Are you daughters not joining us?”

Her hand brushed, maybe accidentally, over your shoulder as she moved away and back to her chair. It left you feeling warm 

“No,” she said as she sat, smoothing her dress out. “I wish to dine only with you this evening.”

Your cheeks warmed at that. You wondered if she was smirking at you from across the table, but you could barely see her through the centerpieces.

“I’m honored, my Lady--”

“Please, call me Alcina when it is just you and I. I do not wish to be your employer while we share dinner, dear.”

You smiled. “Alcina, then. I only wish I could see you better from here.”

She hummed in interest, glancing down at you. “I suppose there is an awful lot on this table. Why don’t I come to you, hm?”

With that, she rose and moved her larger chair to come sit closer to you. She sat again, arranging the flatware to her liking and then glanced at you. Her golden eyes sparkled hopefully at you, painted lips smiling. Under the table, you moved your leg slightly and felt your knee pressing against her thigh. You pulled back quickly, feeling the back of your neck burn.

“Is this better?”

“Much,” you said.

Lady Dimitrescu clapped her hands twice, and immediately a troop of servants entered the room and wordlessly delivered food and wine to the room. You avoided eye contact with them, knowing you wouldn’t hear the end of it in the servant’s quarters. But a beautiful meal lay before you. A roast duck, fried potatoes, and heaps of beautiful vegetables. You served yourself generously and saw that the Lady even filled her plate a bit. She poured herself a glass of wine, and then you a whiskey, sliding it across the tablecloth to you.

“This is beautiful, my Lady,” you said, almost sad to devour such beautiful food. But it was delicious. She fed you well, you could never deny that.

“As is the company,” Lady Dimitrescu commented with a smirk.

You blushed at that, trying to hide it behind a healthy sip of your drink. She sat much closer to you today. So much so you could smell her perfume. 

“How goes the tea table?”

“Quickly. It’s not a difficult piece.”

“You will proceed with the casks after?”

“If you wish it. I still have some learning to do before we could start, but Cassandra seems excited.”

“She is. She loves to work with her hands, that one. When Laura--” she paused briefly, examining the food on her fork intently while she thought. A million emotions seemed to cross her face before she continued, clearing her throat. “Laura was the smith. When she began to work for us, Cassandra was out with her almost every day of the week. I had to reclaim her after a time, though she would sneak out to work regardless.”

“That’s very sweet,” you said, hoping she would continue.

“When she died, the girls were very upset. The village population dipped quite concerningly,” she said with a dark chuckle. “My daughters didn’t understand why she died. In our family, no one dies. It’s unnecessary. It was hard for them to understand that Laura did not want a life such as this. She wished to live fully and then go in her time. What could I do but respect that wish?”

“That must have been difficult. To know you could have someone with you forever, but being unable to keep them,” you said quietly, reaching out to touch the back of the Lady’s hand.

Lady Dimitrescu looked down at you. “Yes. It was. But it has been a long time now. Time reconciles grief as much as it can.”

You nodded knowingly. “It hasn’t been nearly as long since my mother died, but I think I understand. I sometimes find it helpful to tell stories about her, to remember her fondly. Do you do that with Laura?”

The Countess hummed thoughtfully. “I suppose not. The girls found it too difficult to speak about her. I dealt with it in my own way.”

“Would you like to? Tell stories about her?”

“Is that something you’d really like to hear? She was...with what we--”

You gripped the Lady’s hand softly. “She was important to you, Alcina. You are...I care for you, and I wish to know you. She is a part of that story.”

Alcina nodded slowly, considering you from above. She glanced into her goblet and then took a deep drink. Clasping her hands in front of her, you noticed her thumbs twitching slightly as she began to speak. 

“Laura came to work here as a young woman. Thirty or so. She was, well,” Alcina chuckled, “she was very bad at being a maid. Broken glasses, wrinkled sheets. Dreadful, really. But she was very beautiful and very persuasive. I barely remember now how she weaseled her way into a forge on the grounds. I have always been weak-willed to beauty.” She winked at you.

“She crafted many weapons for us, equipment for the winery, decorations for the house. Eventually she dabbled in sculpture. She was enchanting, and I believe she knew the effect she had on me. It wasn’t long before I was attached. Brought her into my chambers, the life I had built, allowed her to parent my daughters. It was all rather easy. Simple.”

You simply nodded, knowing the painful part was coming.

“We had many beautiful years together. Not without their hardships. You know already that I can be quite difficult,” she said with a hint of mirth. “But like many, a cancer of the lungs took her. It was slow and terribly sad.” A tear dropped from Alcina’s eye, hitting her sharp cheekbone and rolling down to her lips.

The Lady shifted in her seat to look at you more fully. “Since I have taken this form I’ve not made it a habit of getting close to those who would so quickly leave me. There is no relief to the pain that losing someone brings when you live forever. It simply carries on in you, dull as it may grow. I hope you understand how difficult it is for me to...feel so strongly for someone as fragile as yourself.”

Heat raced through you, and you felt yourself leaning into the Lady more. There was such complicated pain in your Lady, and you wished you could alleviate it.

“And I wish to do it, to care for you,” she elaborated. “Even if it will be difficult.”

Alcina reached for your face, but paused hallway to you, seeing the apprehension in your eyes. She didn’t flinch away, though, and asked, “May I touch you?”

You nodded, then remembered her request to hear your consent. “Yes.”

Her cool hand slid over your skin, cupping your face gently. Fingers curled behind your ear, scratching at the nape of your neck. You had missed the feeling, and it nearly dissolved your composure. 

Alcina was very close now, drawing you deeper into her with sympathetic, glowing eyes. She spoke to you quietly, “I’m very sorry for hurting you, draga mea. You are no toy to me, no passing fancy.”

Her golden eyes searched your face as you struggled to respond. It all felt so real. The way she spoke to you, how she touched you. You leaned into her touch, nodding. 

“You hardly know me,” you murmured, trying not to completely give in to the woman.

She laughed at that. “I hope to alleviate that. But I know you are kind, you care for me despite my faults, you are talented and passionate, bold to a fault. You make me smile, which has been historically difficult for humans to do.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of all the sneers and deeply set frowns Alcina had worn throughout the years with human servants. It did feel pretty special to draw a smile to the woman’s lips. She could be so cold, so removed, but now that you considered it, she had been uncharacteristically sweet this past week. Not just to you, but to the staff if general. 

You turn your face into Alcina’s hand and press a soft kiss to her palm, taking the hand in your own. She seemed pleased at your actions, another smile spreading on her face. 

“Thank you for all this, Alcina. It makes me feel very, well, special.”

“Good. Now would you care for dessert?”

The two of you ate and drank another hour more, sharing light conversation. As the night drew to a close, Alcina escorted you to your room. Her hand rested gently against your back, and when you arrived she pressed her lips to the back of your hand in the ghost of a kiss. You blushed and bid her goodnight. 

Chapter Text

The following day you considered delivering the desk. The Lady had shown you a sweet side of herself, admitted her fault, shared her life with you. All the same you still felt the ache of where she pressed you into the wall. Every dull throb of your muscles reminded of that evening. And so the desk remained. 

Your meals in the servant’s dining room were tense. Many of the servants had seen or heard about your private rendezvous with the Lady, and none were very pleased with you. Preferential treatment from the woman who more frequently drained servants than pampered them wouldn’t win you any favors. You kept your head down, but it didn’t stop someone from “bumping into you” as you carried your food, splattering a healthy portion of borscht onto your shirt. 

In the afternoon, Daniela came by to ask to swap rooms the following evening. You tried thinking about it as a treat. A softer, bigger bed, and a night of room service, essentially. And privacy. You weren’t sure when the last time was that you slept fully alone.

You were nearly finished with the tea table, needing only for the paint to fully dry and then to attach the legs. With most of your work completed and the heat making your workshop unbearable to remain in, you trudged back inside and took a cool shower.

Unlike the previous day, there was no silver platter in your room when you returned. Instead, a leather bound book sat on your bed. It was another tome on the construction of wine casks, and as you flipped through it you found a note tucked inside. 

“[Y/N],

If you would join me for a night cap this evening, I would be delighted. If it suits you, you may come to my chambers at ten. If that is too familiar, please go to the library and a servant will inform me. 

Yours,

Alcina”

You were thankful that Maria wasn’t yet back, because your face turned crimson at the note. A bubbling, almost juvenile excitement swelled in your chest at yours . 

All through dinner, it was all you could think of. Maria noticed your distraction and teased you for it, but you didn’t mind. You knew it was silly. You felt giddy. But you couldn’t decide where to meet her. Part of you wanted to invite the intimacy of such a meeting place as her chambers, but part of you worried it would be too much too fast. This was still an apology. You hadn’t even kissed yet--wouldn’t it be extreme to visit her chambers for a night cap? 

In the end you opted for the library. As you entered, a servant at the door shot you a dirty look and scurried off towards the Lady’s chambers. The servant was Angelica, an ironic name for a girl who had only been cruel to you and Maria. You were sure she would gab her mouth plenty about tonight. It would not be pleasant in the mess hall. 

You tried to shake it from your mind and took a seat in the library, where all the necessities for an evening drink were laid out. As you waited, you poured a drink for yourself and wandered around. You understood why Maria enjoyed working here. It was cavernous, with many areas to be forgotten in, and the Lady’s collection seemed vast. You browsed the stacks, pausing briefly at a small section that seemed to be exclusively romance and erotica. You wondered which Dimitrescu these belonged to. It was another ten minutes before you heard the door open and your Lady ducked into the library. 

“My apologies. A last minute call delayed me from coming right away,” she said, clearly trying to restrain her frustration. She sat without her usual decorum and poured herself a brimming goblet of wine. 

You came to sit beside her, nursing your drink. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “My family can be exceedingly difficult to work with. Heisenberg, idiot as he is, loves to make my life more complicated.”

“I didn’t realize you considered the lords family?” 

She often spoke about them as though they were barely worth her time. And there was certainly no resemblance to speak of. To call them family seemed like the most strenuous definition of the word.

“Not by blood, obviously. Otherwise Bela’s crush would be quite the cause for concern. We are all tied together by Mother Miranda as successful products of her experimentation. Some more successful than others. For all that Karl looks like a man, he acts more beast than that wretched Salvatore.”

You chuckled at her harsh derision of her so-called family members. For insults that always seemed so off the cuff, she never stumbled a moment over the wording. She gave you a curious look. 

“What’s so funny?”

“The way you insult the other lords…” you tried to figure out the best way to word it. “It’s cute.”

Her brows rose in surprise. “You find my cruelty towards them…cute?”

“Well, it’s very mean. But you’re so upfront about it. You’d never hold back, not even to their faces. I like that about you.”

You weren’t sure how much vampires could blush, but you swore Alcina did in that moment. The Lady glanced away, taking another sip of her drink as you tried to spy the redness on her cheeks. 

“I know I hurt you the other evening, drags mea. I was hoping to make up for it tonight, if you’d allow me to.”

“What did you have in mind?” You asked, intrigued. 

“With your permission, I wanted to return the favor—so you said—of a massage.” The Lady looked at you now, a low flame burning behind her golden eyes. 

A sharp tug of arousal pulled in you just at the words. The idea of your Lady’s hands soothing the pains of the other evening, running up and down your body, pressing deeply into your muscles. Her smile deepened, as though she could hear your heart rate pick up. A red tinge rose up your neck. 

“I—I would like that very much, my Lady,” you admitted. It was hard to maintain eye contact with her when she looked like she wished to ravish you right on the spot. 

“Very good,” she purred. “I’m not sure the library is the most suitable place…would you be willing to try my chambers again? It will be much more comfortable.”

“Yes,” you said, maybe too quickly. Fears of moving too fast were gone from your mind at the idea of your Lady’s hands working the stress from your body. You gathered yourself. “I would try.”

She grinned, rising quickly and offering a hand to you. “Fantastic. Come along.”

You took her hand without question and followed her from the library. It was a quick walk to her quarters, and you were thankful not to run into any servants along the way. As you approached her door, she squeezed your hand reassuringly and then pushed it open. You watched her duck in, admiring her without much guilt as she went. 

Inside, it looked as though her rampage never occurred. Other than the missing tea table, all was neatly arranged in the room. Alcina moved to her vanity and removed a bottle from a drawer. Then she plucked a small robe from her wardrobe and handed it to you. 

“If you feel comfortable changing. I’ll be a moment in the washroom.”

She disappeared into an adjoining room, door shutting gently behind her. You considered the silky material in your hands. It did feel rather luxurious. And the suit you wore was restrictive and difficult to relax in by design. You peeled your clothes from your body, leaving a bra and boxers beneath the silken robe. Folding your clothes on an ottoman at the foot of the Lady’s bed, you tied the robe around you, appreciating the masculine cut of the fabric. It only came down just to mid-thigh, but fell around your body boxily. 

“My…” Lady Dimitrescu entered the room, eyes raking up and down your body. “That suits you rather well.”

You blushed, at the compliment and the vision before you. Lady Dimitrescu had changed as well. A silk set of nightclothes, shorts and camisole, beneath a similar robe to yours. Her long, marble legs were on display--statuesque and strong in the candlelight. You’d never seen so much of her, and you almost felt dizzy at the sight. Her robe revealed just a bit of her chest, and you knew that beneath the robe, strong arms flexed as her hands came to rest at her hips. 

“My eyes are up here, darling,” she said with a laugh, smirking at the way you gazed at her. Then she gestured to the bed, “Climb up, if you like. And take that off, at least to your hips.” 

You nodded and hauled yourself into the bed. It was much taller and larger than any bed you were used to, so it took a moment to get up and settled. With Lady Dimitrescu’s back turned, you loosened the robe and slipped it down around your hips, settling chest-down against the bed. 

After a minute, you felt the bed dip as Alcina sat behind you. Glancing over your shoulder, you nearly fainted at the sight. She had disrobed as well, exposing her arms and chest. She sat on her knees, looking down admiringly at your exposed skin. A hand came down to the middle of your back, cool and gentle. You shivered at the touch, allowing her to run her hands over the slight curve of your lower back, and then back up near your neck. She slipped a finger beneath the strap of your bra questioningly.

“Might you unhook this? I don’t want to destroy it.”

Wordlessly, you unhooked your bra and let the straps fall from your shoulders. You heard her hum appreciatively behind you, dragging her nails lightly down your back. You couldn’t help the squirming groan the touch elicited, your back arching suddenly at the arousal that speared through you.

“Oh my. Quite sensitive here, aren’t you?”

You nodded into the bed, trying to control your breathing as her nails traced up your back. She adjusted slightly, and you felt a little pressure on your calves as she rested on you. You heard a bottle snap open, and then closed. Without preamble, she spread a quickly-warming oil over your back, palms gliding gently over your skin. It felt thick and luxurious, growing to a pleasant temperature as she rubbed it in.

You could barely believe this was happening. Lady Dimitrescu’s hands roaming over your exposed back, dipping to your sides to spread the oil. She hummed in satisfaction as she worked. Even the gentle pressure was exquisite, making your eyes flutter closed. You wondered if she felt this way when you touched her. If so, you aren’t sure how she maintained her composure so well.

When her thumbs sunk into the muscles of your back, you moaned. After a week of constant work building the Lady’s desk--not to mention the way you’d been tossed around--your body was in dire need of relaxation. You let the darkness behind your closed eyes lull you calmly into the moment. She wanted to make you feel this way, at rest and coursing with pleasure. You wanted her to do it, too.

You were quickly overwhelmed by the sensation of her hands on your body. She worked the tension from your upper back and neck, slowly easing the muscles to rest before moving down your back. Her fingers pressed gently to your sides, close to your breasts, following the tight chord of muscle. You weren’t even sure what noises you made now as she touched you, but you were sure they were embarrassing. She didn’t seem to mind though, her breathing growing heavier by the moment as she touched you. Alcina gripped your hips tightly, working her thumbs into the tightness of your lower back. 

As her thumbs slowed in their work, you felt the bed shift slightly. And then her lips pressed to the back of your neck, drawing a sharp gasp from you. She kissed down your neck, delicately pressed to the cuts she’d made the other night, and then proceeded down your spine. You squirmed in her touch, each kiss building the heat between your legs. But you couldn’t move much. She maintained her grip on your hips as she kissed you, making your squirming futile. 

You tried squeezing your legs together to alleviate some of the tension, but she slipped a knee between your own before they could close. You whined at the denial, growing only more frustrated. As her lips neared your lower back, her chin grazing the waistband of your boxers, you felt her forehead hit your back. She breathed heavily against you as you heaved your own breath into the bed.

“Fuck,” you breathed into the sheets. You hadn’t realized how tightly you’d grasped the fabric as she touched you, but now that you let go, you realized your knuckles had grown white. 

“Yes,” Alcina sighed, pressing her lips to your spine once more before rising to her original position behind you. “I think we must stop. You’re much too tempting.”

You nodded into the sheets quietly. You felt like jelly. And totally entranced by the woman above you. She made you feel so intensely desired, appreciated, valued. You weren’t sure you’d ever felt this way.

“Are you alright, darling? Can you say something for me?” Alcina touched your arm gently.

“Yes,” you croaked out, your throat a bit sore from the near-constant groans she’d pulled from you. “Just...just recovering.”

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled deeply. “Indeed. Take your time. I’ll get a cloth to wash this oil off you.”

You laid there for a while more, hazily thinking about the Countess until she came back and ran a damp cloth down your back, then a fresh one to sop up the moisture. Her touch was delicate and caring. You could easily fall asleep like this.

“A shame to see my lipstick wiped from you like this,” she mused. 

“You’ll just have to do it again, then,” you murmured, nearly asleep beneath her touch.

She made a surprised sound, laughing. “Well, good. You may redress, if you wish.”

Refastening your bra, you rolled over to push yourself out of the bed. Alcina stared wide-eyed and short of breath as you turned over, bringing a blush to your cheeks. You knew you looked a mess. Flushed from her touch, a bit sweaty, hair no doubt mussed from pushing into the bed.

“What is it?”

“You look...incredible,” she admitted quietly, before turning to her wardrobe. “I’ll give you your privacy.”

The blush on your cheeks seemed permanent now. You dressed quickly, not bothering to fasten your tie or even don your blazer. Approaching Alcina, you touched her hip where she stood selecting a dress for the following day. She looked down at you warmly, and you gestured for her to lean over. You took her face in your hands and pressed your lips to her cheek. Her hands came to rest at your back as she returned the kiss.

“Thank you, Alcina. This was perfect,” you whispered into her ear, smoothing the hair there behind her ear.

A satisfied rumble radiated from her chest and into yours. “The pleasure is mine, draga mea.”

She escorted you to the door, and you returned to your room, wishing you had it all to yourself.

Chapter Text

“[Y/N]...[Y/N]...”

Someone shook your shoulder. Once. Then again. Your dream faded and slowly became Maria’s face, leaned over your bed.

“I’ve never seen you sleep so soundly! You must have had a good night,” Maria said with a smirk. “I brought you breakfast, you slept through it.”

“What?” You murmured, rising slowly and rubbing the sleep from you eyes. Your body ached a bit from the intense massage, but a pleasant thrum still warmed you. “I can’t believe I slept so late.”

“What happened?” Maria teased. “Daniela came down here in a tizzy saying she heard...sounds coming from the Lady’s room.”

You groaned, covering your face. 

“Oh my god. Did you--”

“No! No, Maria. She gave me a massage. It was...intense.”

Maria smirked. “Sounds like it was. Have you forgiven her?”

You picked at the eggs and potatoes on your plate. “I think...well, I feel better. I trusted her enough for that, right?”

Your roommate smacked your arm lightly. “Wow! So you’ll deliver the desk?”

Nodding, you cleaned your plate. “I think I will.”

“Well, I hope it goes well,” she said with a wink. “And tonight is still alright for me and Dani…?”

“Have fun,” you said with a smile. “I’ll be enjoying my king sized bed and platter of treats, thank you very much.”

Maria spent a bit of time cheerily teasing you but soon departed for her duties. You finished dressing, spending a little extra time in the mirror. You touched your neck, your lower back, trying to remember all the places your Lady had kissed you the previous evening. She had shown you such thoughtful care these past few days. While you still had concerns about her temper and her control, she had been vulnerable and generous. Willing to sacrifice her own privacy and pride to share her life with you.

You departed for the workshop, almost unaware of the smile on your face. Once inside, you dusted off the desk and double checked it for imperfections. You were busy adding steel reinforcement to the adjustable desktop when someone groaned behind you.

“ Ohhh, Alcina . Harder, Alcina! ”

You whipped around, fire burning on your cheeks as you caught Daniela swooning dramatically in the doorway, palm pressed to her breast. She cackled at the look on your face and swooped in closer, grinning maniacally. 

“Did you soil my Mother’s purity, human?” she teased, leaning deeply into the desk.

“N-no! God, Daniela. I can’t believe you heard that,” you muttered, trying to focus on your work and not Daniela’s teasing eyes.

“We hear basically everything. But don’t let that hold you back. You sounded like you were having a great time.” The redhead waggled her eyebrows at you suggestively.

You didn’t respond, cheeks burning. After a moment, Daniela spoke up again.

“So...can we take the desk up to Mother now?”

You glanced up, unable to completely tamp down your smile. You fastened the last piece of reinforcement to the desk and gave it another look over. Tapping your fingers on the desktop, you met Daniela’s eye and nodded.

“I think so. Would you call your--”

“Is it time?” Bela buzzed into the room, examining the desk closely.

“Finally.” Cassandra joined, suddenly joining her sisters.

You rolled your eyes. Had they just been lingering outside the whole time?

“Heard you got hot and heavy with Mother last night.” Cassandra shot you a teasing wink.

You dropped your head against the workbench in embarrassment as the Dimitrescu sisters cackled together. You shooed them off, and together they easily maneuvered the desk towards the castle. You followed at a distance, watching for the desk where it might catch against a wall or a stair. The girls successfully navigated the stairs and, once they had removed the old desk, they squeezed the desk you’d made inside. They skittered away, excited to make a game out of destroying the old desk. 

With them gone, you were finally able to see the desk in its place. It looked good. Honestly, you were impressed with yourself. You imagined your mother would be proud as well. You shifted the desk slightly, centering it between the furniture. You were about to step away and push the chair into its slot when you heard a gasp from the doorway.

Glancing over your shoulder, you saw Alcina standing there, a pleasant look of surprise on her face. The surprise eased into a smile. She crossed the room in a moment, scooping you up from the ground and seating you on the desk before her. At this level, she was just a touch taller than you. Her golden eyes gazed deeply into your own. A hand tilted your chin upwards, then came to rest behind your neck. You reached out for her, stroking a hand down her cheek. 

“Do you truly mean it?” she asked softly. “It’s alright if you don’t yet--”

“I do, Alcina.”

Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment, and then her forehead bumped against your own. She looked down at you, eyes flickering to your lips. Your breath caught in your throat at the deep desire you saw in her.

“May I kiss you?”

“Please.”

She leaned forward, lips grazing your own. You held to her cheek desperately as the feeling of her lips on your own clouded your mind completely. Zips of excitement shot from your lips to your chest. Alcina held you at the back of the neck, by the hip, pulling you closely to her. Flush to her, you spread your legs enough to encompass her waist and press you closely to her chest. You kissed back, sinking into it totally.

You’d dreamed of this moment. It was not the wholly romantic, deeply sensual kiss you had dreamed of, but it was incredible. As you adjusted to each other, your teeth clattered goofily. You lost your leverage for a moment and accidentally kissed her chin, drawing a laugh from the Countess. 

She dipped down to kiss you again, biting at your lower lip gently and pulling. The sensation sent heat straight between your legs. Instinctively you tried to close them, but her body prevented it. She gripped your hips tightly, dragging you in closer to her and letting her fingers slip under the fabric of your shirt. 

You groaned, surging up to kiss her back harder and biting down on her lip in turn. She smiled against you, tongue flicking out and passing over your upper lip. Breath caught in your throat, you released her lip and allowed her to sink into you, tongue licking gently into your mouth. You gripped at the sleeves of her dress, afraid if you let go that you would completely melt. Briefly, your tongues intertwined and then she retreated, placing a soft kiss against your lips. 

“Huh…” you murmured in a daze, unable to look away from her.

She smirked. “Was that to your satisfaction?”

You nodded dumbly, leaning up to kiss her once more. “And yours?”

“Very much so,” she said, kissing your cheek, your chin, your lips again.

You returned to yourself, the haze of Alina’s affection fading. Running a hand over the desk, you looked up at her. “And the desk?”

She hummed, and then sat back in her chair. She pulled the chair in closer to the desk, and now you had an inch or two on her. You’d never seen her from this angle, hooded eyes glancing up at you, ruby lips resting just below her nose. You took advantage of the situation, cupping her chin in your hand and angling her head up so you could lean down and kiss her. Lady Dimitrescu smiled into you, a laugh rumbling in her chest.

As she pulled away, she ran her hands down your sides and then over the desk. She settled back into the chair, pulling drawers out and back in smoothly. With a gentle push, Lady Dimitrescu shifted you from the adjustable to the stationary portion of the desktop. You showed her how to use it, and then she tested it for herself. She pulled you back to sit before her and ran her hand over your cheek. 

“I love it,” she said and kissed you again.

After a moment, she pulled away. “If we continue like this, I’ll never let you go.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to,” you teased.

A deep growl unfurled from her chest, and you saw the desire in her eyes growing. A harsh scrape sounded as she pushed her chair backwards and stood, forcing a distance between you. She sunk a hand into your hair, tugging at it gently to make you look up. Lady Dimitrescu smirked as your breath caught in your throat at the buzz of arousal tugging at you. 

“Don’t tempt me. Now…” she stepped away from you and turned to her office. Without much preamble, she extended her claws and approached the small area she took meetings in. She sliced the chairs there in half and then retracted the claws, glancing over her shoulder.

“I believe I’ll be needing you down in that workshop of yours, darling.”

Chapter Text

You returned to the workshop, sure that your lips were puffy and a little bruised from the make out that followed your Lady’s destruction of the furniture. You worked without real purpose, too high on the sensation of her lips pressed against your own.

You hadn’t made a chair in a long time now, and the designs were slow going. Part of you wished Lady Dimitrescu had just asked for new chairs, or told you that you were to become the resident carpenter--not just destroy them. But you knew it was just a dramatic display of her affection for you, and just the thought of it made you smile. You found the doodles you drew throughout the day quickly became blotted with ink as you glanced out the window towards the castle. Was she in there thinking about you as well? When would you see her again?

Before you left for dinner, you put the finishing touches on the tea table. You would deliver it the next day, hopefully. You swept the workshop and tidied up. Now that the desk was gone, you had a lot more room and also a lot of stray sawdust to dispose of. You wondered if your Lady would want to use it for mulch in the gardens?

You walked to dinner with your head in the clouds, considering the different uses for the sawdust on the grounds. Maria pulled you from your distraction, banging her spoon on your bowl.

“Hello? Anyone in there?”

“Oh!” you startled, not realizing you’d been gazing at the wall so intently. “Sorry, just lost in thought.”

“What’s got you so dreamy, huh? Delivering the desk was that good?”

The memory of it made your heart race, and you knew you couldn’t contain the blush. “It was.”

Maria narrowed her eyes at you and then thoughtfully took a bite. “You kissed?”

You looked up at her, surprised. How did she always know these kinds of things? “I--well. Yes,” you admitted.

Your roommate grinned widely, and you could tell she wanted to truly congratulate you. Unfortunately the two of you had become pretty unpopular in the servant’s quarters. You’d always kept to yourselves, but the servants had caught wind of both your entanglements with the Dimitrescus by now. The maids sat even further away from you than usual. Maria had found her cleaning liquid replaced with mayonnaise earlier in the week and spent hours remedying the mistake.

“We will talk about this so much, [Y/N]. Just, later. Like tomorrow. I have to get ready for tonight. Will you help me pick out something to wear?”

You nodded, and soon the two of you departed for the room. Maria stripped to her skivvies and stood in anguish by her dresser.

“Nothing will do,” she muttered, flicking through the hangers. “Everything I have is for a drab little maid. Not a...not a…”

“Drab little maid seducing a vampire?” you quipped, finally getting your turn to send her a shit-eating grin.

She scowled at you good naturedly. “Yes, in fact. All my dresses are like potato sacks.”

“Well, what about pants?”

Maria hummed. “I hadn’t thought about that. I haven’t worn pants in a long time. They don’t seem all that convenient for, well, you know.”

You rolled your eyes. “Aren’t you ‘going slow,’ or something?”

“Something,” Maria insisted. “I don’t want to have sex yet, but I still have needs.”

You grunted, considering your own needs. It had taken so much anguish and work to finally kiss your lady. Would things progress further? When? The thought of touching Alcina intimately, of her between your legs like in your dream...you bit a nail to try and tamp your own arousal. Would it be wrong to touch yourself in Daniela’s bed? Yes, it would. Plus, she’d surely be able to tell. Damned vampire senses.

“Okay, maybe this.” Maria held up a pair of dark denim shorts and a high collared red tank. “Is this saying, ‘I want to read a book and make out all night’ or is it a little too ‘take me now’?”

You laughed hard at that, moving to glance into her closet. You grabbed a soft, short-sleeved button up with an exposed collar. “Maybe this? A little more bookish than the tanktop, I think.”

Maria considered it for a moment, and then tossed it all on. She twisted in the mirror, taking in the look. She smiled happily and turned back to you. “Much better. Thanks, [Y/N]”

You folded her discarded clothes and set them back in her dresser, smiling knowingly. You gathered a change of clothes, some toiletries, and your book on wine casks before heading for the door. “Anytime. If she’s on her way down, I think I’ll head up.”

Maria gave you a quick hug goodbye, and then returned to pampering herself in the mirror. You were halfway up the stairs when a swarm of flies whizzed by you, paused momentarily to circle around you, and then darted off towards the servant’s quarters. You chuckled at Daniela’s goofiness and carried on to her room.

Daniela’s room was not nearly as macabre as you’d anticipated. You supposed Alcina didn’t spare much leniency for the tidiness of her daughters. The constant maid service didn’t hurt either, you imagined. The room was immaculately kept, but traces of Daniela’s personality remained. A jar of teeth and some mysterious pastes on her vanity. Around the mirror hung a bundle of bones strung together with twine and decorated with herbs and grasses. A bookcase held some of the erotica you’d found in the library, along with what seemed to be Daniela’s personal collection. A desk in the corner carried a few journals, as well as an inkwell and pens. You wondered if the girl tried her hand at her own novels in her spare time. Her bed was large and luxurious, draped in dark blankets. A plush window seat seemed to be a favorite spot of the girl’s, as there was a slight indent in the upholstery. There were a couple closed doors and dressers, and you thought it best to keep your snooping to the surface-level. You were sure you’d only regret digging deeper in here.

Once you’d removed your shoes and changed into more casual clothes, you tossed yourself onto the bed and sank into the down comforter. This was bliss. The beds in the servant’s quarters were perfectly serviceable, but these were...exquisite. Your Lady’s was slightly better, you had to admit, but maybe you were biased from the intense massage you’d received there. Just thinking about it made you squeeze your knees shut. You needed to cool it with that, especially while in Daniela’s room.

After luxuriating for a while in the bed, you started to flip through the book on wine casks. It seemed like a time intensive process to make a barrel at all, not to mention all the treatments it had to endure to become useful. But if Cassandra wished to try it, you would do your best. Besides, the middle sister seemed the most apprehensive about your involvement in her mother’s life. Perhaps the project would be a good way to bond.

A knock came on the door, and a servant entered. Much to your dismay, Angelica stepped into Daniela’s room, eyes lowered as she pushed a cart with a variety of covered platters.

“Good evening, Miss Danie--” Angelica stopped as she looked up at you. Her previously docile, submissive expression contorted into rage. “What, are you fucking the psychopath, too? I thought the big bitch was after you.”

Your brows furrowed deeply as you stood, clutching your book. You snapped at her, “Don’t talk about them like that.”

“Those monsters? Are you serious?”

“Watch your mouth, Angelica,” you growled, coming over and tugging the cart of food away from her. “The Lady deserves your respect.”

She let it go with a scoff and a shove, sending you stumbling back a bit. “Watch your back, whore.”

Angelica slammed Daniela’s door as she left, and you slumped into one of Daniela’s chairs. The girl would be a problem, you could already tell. Maids had the capacity to be quite cruel when they wanted to--especially when they ganged up on someone. You’d have to keep an eye out.

The food Angelica had brought was delicious though. A kettle of hot coffee, an assortment of biscuits and iced cookies, and a small charcuterie plate with dried meats and fruits, cheeses, and crackers. Under one platter you found some meat stuffed pastries, and under another a slice of pie. You wondered if Daniela had specially requested this for you, or if this sort of thing was a frequent delivery to her room. You didn’t think the Dimitrescus had much of a taste for human food, though you’d seen your Lady eat some of it.

You ate your fill, picking at the charcuterie board and the cookies as you continued reading. It was all filling and sweet, and you found yourself growing more and more sleepy as the night dragged on. You’d been sitting at the desk for a while, but you migrated over to Daniela’s plush bed as the candles burned down their wicks. You curled beneath the covers and were just falling into slumber when a soft knock sounded at Daniela’s door and it opened once more.

“Daniela, I’ve just come to wish you good--”

Lady Dimitrescu stopped halfway through her duck into the room, watching as you pushed yourself up from the bed. You looked at her with a sleepy smile, trying to rub the tiredness away.

“Well, what a surprise,” Lady Dimitrescu said, rising to her full height and approaching the bed. She took a seat on the edge, reaching out to stroke your cheek. “And where has my daughter absconded?”

You leaned into the touch, waking up a bit. “We traded for the night,” you murmured.

“Did you now? And you think you can do such things without consulting your Lady?” She leaned in closer, taking your chin in her hand. Her voice was deep and alluring, eyes flickering across your face.

You couldn’t help but reach for her, grabbing at the fabric of her dress. “I didn’t think you’d find out, my Lady. Are you upset?”

“Not at all. After all, I get to do this again,” she chuckled and then leaned in and kissed you. Your eyes shut as you scooted closer to her, trying to wrap your arms around her neck as the kiss deepened. Lady Dimitrescu pulled away after a moment.

“My daughter’s bed seems an inappropriate place to continue this. Would you care to accompany me to my chambers, dear?”

You hesitated. Last time you’d been in her bed, you’d barely been able to contain your desire for her. You wanted to be closer to her, but would going to her room now accelerate things too quickly?

“We’ll do only what you desire, darling,” Alcina reassured, kissing the corner of your mouth. “Nothing more. You may return here at any time. I am simply eager to explore this new...side of our companionship.”

You nodded, a flush creeping up your neck, and shifted out of the bed, taking her offered hand as she led you from the room and to her own. Luckily the walk was quick, and you weren’t spotted along the way. She ducked into her quarters and moved immediately to her vanity. You followed, watching as she sat and began to take her jewelry off. You weren’t sure where to sit or what to do, so you did what you knew best. You approached your Lady from behind and pushed a chair behind her larger one. Stepping up, you grabbed one of her hands as she started to remove an earring.

“Let me,” you said quietly, tracing your fingers up her neck and removing the earring.

Lady Dimitrescu hummed happily, eyes closing in the mirror as you removed her hat and then her other earring. You traced your lips down her neck and upper shoulders as you worked. Next, unfastening the clasp of her pearl necklace, handing it to her to place on the vanity. You unpinned the three black roses from her breast, hands running over her shoulders and down to her collarbone. Your Lady groaned slightly as you brushed over her skin. Almost done, you pulled bobby pins from her carefully pinned hair. Her long dark hair spooled out over her shoulders as the bun released, and you sank your hands into it. It was silky and soft, and you were able to run your thumbs down her neck, releasing tension from her upper back.

“I brought you here to seduce you, darling, not the other way around,” she murmured, eyes still closed in bliss.

“Shame, isn’t it?” you laughed, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

For a moment, Lady Dimitrescu froze, and you realized you’d acted a bit out of turn. Perhaps she wished to initiate these sorts of interactions? Was she upset? You watched in the mirror as one of her hands came up to your head, holding you in place as she turned and met your lips. It was brief, but sensual. She held you firmly in place, licking gently into your mouth before releasing you.

“Just a moment. You’re awfully comfortable in those nightclothes, and I’ve been in this dress since morning.” She stood from the vanity and, after taking something from her wardrobe, disappeared into her adjoining washroom.

You looked down at your clothes, just now realizing that all you’d been wearing this whole time were boxers, socks, and a tank top. This was perhaps the most comfortable you could be. What would your Lady change into?

You stepped hesitantly around the room, taking it in. Lady Dimitrescu’s quarters were tidy. Her vanity held makeup and jewelry, as well as a few framed photographs. You saw several of the girls, a few of them with Alcina, and then one, tucked behind the rest, of Alcina with a middle-aged woman. The woman’s skin was rich and dark, hair blooming around her face in tight coils. She rested in Alcina’s embrace, smiling broadly. The photo was taken outside, and you could see the stable and forge in the background.

“Ah,” Lady Dimitrescu sighed. “Snooping?”

You turned, holding the frame. “Admiring. She was very beautiful. You look happy.”

Lady Dimitrescu approached, taking the frame from your hands. She looked at it fondly, and then set it back down, pulling you from the vanity and towards the chaise lounge by the window. “I was. It was another time, though. I’d like to focus on now.”

You noticed now that she wore a similar robe to the previous night, her long legs extending well beyond the hem. When she sat, she pulled you up into her lap, and you came face to face with her bosom, blushing hotly at the proximity. You adjusted slightly, raising up on your knees to come closer to her face.

“Is that alright with you, darling?” she murmured, swooping down and capturing your lips.

You nodded eagerly into the kiss, grasping onto the lapels of her robe as she pulled you in closer. As she deepened the embrace, you moved to wrap your legs around her waist, though they didn’t close fully. You simply gripped her sides with your thighs, whimpering slightly as one of her arms came to support you from beneath. Your ass rested on her forearm as her nails clutched into the meat of your thigh.

Breaking the kiss, you dove down to kiss Alcina’s cheek, then the corner of her jaw. Dragging your lips down the column of her neck, you relished in the gasp you pulled from her. You sucked a bit of skin between your teeth and massaged it with your tongue. The sounds she made sent spikes of arousal straight to your core. As you pulled away, you saw the darkening mark on her skin quickly fade away.

“Those won’t last,” Alcina breathed. “But it does feel rather nice.”

You hummed into her neck, running your nose up her skin until you could kiss below her ear. She laughed, as it seemed to tickle her, and then pushed you back gently, pressing her lips to yours. Alcina held you firmly, tracing her lips down your jaw and to your own neck. You knew she wouldn’t hurt you, but you stiffened all the same.

“Is this alright?” Alcina pulled away slightly.

You nodded. “Just, no teeth. Not the sharp ones, at least.”

Looking down, you saw long fangs retract and she pressed another kiss to your throat, running her tongue over the muscle. She nibbled gently at your skin, sending shivers down your spine. Between kisses and small bites, Alcina spoke to you.

“Someday, it may feel good,” she murmured, letting go of the skin she was sucking on and moving on to your collarbone. “If you’re ever ready and trust me not to go too far.” Alcina nipped sharply at your shoulder and then soothed it with her tongue. “As I understand, it can feel quite orgasmic.”

Her touch brought a pleasurable haze over your mind. You wanted her to kiss you more, bite harder, mark you. Your hands sunk into her hair, holding on without pulling too hard. It was the most beautiful anchor to the moment, feeling her head dip and twist as she kissed across your upper chest.

“M-maybe, mistress,” you breathed.

Her hands gripped you tighter at your thigh and at your shoulder blades, teeth releasing the skin she’d just bitten. You nearly lost your breath at the tightness of her embrace, relishing in the pressure. You wouldn’t deny that the idea turned you on. Even as it had happened the other night, you knew that you would have enjoyed it, had you had a choice in the matter. Maybe someday...

“Alcina, darling. I can be your mistress another time, if you like,” she said with a chuckle, kissing you on your blushing cheeks.

“Right,” you muttered, glancing away. But there wasn’t much anywhere else to look--Alcina was everywhere, occupying your whole field of vision.

Her hand left your back briefly, tipping your chin up. “Don’t be embarrassed. You are lovely like this.”

It only made you blush harder, pushing your head into her shoulder. She let you burrow in there, laughing richly.

“Now, would you mind if we move to the bed? I only wish to lay down, my lower back is a bit sensitive today. We can just continue like this, nothing more,” she reassured, petting the back of your head with a large palm.

When you nodded, she surprised you by standing, lifting you with her. You yelped at the sudden movement, realizing now you were nearly nine feet off the ground. You gripped around her waist tighter with your legs, looping your arms around her neck. Alcina laughed again, scratching at the nape of your neck in amusement. With a few steps, she reached the bed and laid you down on the opposite side.

You lounged on the plush mattress and watched as she undid the tie of her robe and laid it over the back of the lounge. She wore a long, strappy chemise underneath. It complimented her ample curves and bosom nicely, leaving you speechless.

“Mm, no little quips? Have I left you without words?” she teased as she delicately lowered to the bed.

She laid down on her side, facing you, and a strap of her slip slid down her shoulder. You were eye-to-eye now, but she still loomed over you, red lips smirking and manicured brows quirked in question. You opened your mouth and closed it, and when words didn’t come, you simply reached across the bed and pulled her mouth to your own.

The Countess allowed the movement, dipping down for your kiss as she pulled you close with a hand to your back. Alcina pressed you to her bosom as you kissed. You let her lips slide over your own gently, getting lost in the exhilarating sensation. Squeezing your legs shut, you tried to stave off the hot arousal working you up, but the Lady wasn’t helping in the matter.

As you shifted, so did her hand, dipping down to palm your ass. You gasped into her mouth and your eyes shot open to see her looking playfully at you. Pained as you were to move your hand from her collar, you reached down to tug at her wrist. With a slightly embarrassed smile, she shifted back up your spine and opted to drag her nails down your back. Even through your tanktop, it made your body shiver. You keened into her sharply as she continued touching you, digging your forehead into her chest breathlessly.

“I do love this,” Alcina murmured into your hair.

She pressed her lips to your scalp as she continued her ministrations. You moaned into her skin as she slid a hand beneath your shirt, raking her nails up and down your sides. Her palms were hot against your skin, firm and soft in their pressure. You lowered your lips to her chest, and at her gasp you realized that you were nestled into the tops of her breasts. But her nails on your back didn’t stop, and so you nipped at the exposed skin, kissing the bite marks away as they disappeared. It only encouraged her. You were sure your back would be a scraped up mess the next day.

After teasing you for a few minutes, she tugged you away from her chest and back to her lips. Her mouth captured your own, kissing you deeply and with barely any time for you to catch your breath. Your tongue slid over her teeth, feeling her fangs elongate slightly at the sensation. Alcina drew in a quick breath and kissed you harder. Your fingers sank back into her hair, carding through her locks. After a few deep, languid kisses, Alcina bit down on your lower lip, and you gripped at her hair tightly.

To your surprise, Alcina’s head dropped backwards. She released your lips and exposed her neck to you, chin tipped back in pleasure as you pulled on her hair. Encouraged, you tugged on her locks and dove in to kiss her neck. You did your best to mark her, though all the bruises faded in an instant. She seemed to appreciate your dedication, though, sighing softly as you scraped your teeth over her neck and pulled at her hair. If you’d known it would affect her so dramatically, you would have played with her hair much earlier. You wondered briefly what it would feel like when she pulled on yours in such a situation.

Distracted as you were by those thoughts, Alcina recovered slightly and moved down to you, nuzzling her nose into the corner of your jaw. She kissed gently at your neck, and from where you were, you could feel the heaving breaths from her chest gently slowing. You gave over to the touch, letting the calm sensuality of it wash over you. Her hands stilled around your back as she moved her lips up to your cheek, then your lips. She kissed you softly and rested her forehead against your own.

“You are…” she breathed with a smile “...quite the surprise.”

You laughed, pressing your temple into hers a bit. You had been tired before this, and now after the excitement of your make out and the slow cool-down, you felt your eyes growing heavy again. “Thank you?” you murmured.

“It is a compliment,” she said, a hint of sleep in her own voice.

“Well, I’ll take it then…” you felt yourself mumbling, falling deeper into the comfort of the Lady’s bed and her company.

Lady Dimitrescu’s laugh was soft. You felt her head drop down to her pillow, and she dragged you up beside her. Her arms closed around you, pressing her lips to your forehead.

“Lay with me a while longer,” she murmured. “I’m hesitant to let you go so soon.”

If you’d been awake enough, you might have felt apprehensive about the request. After all, it had only been that morning that you and Alcina had kissed for the first time. And you could feel yourself falling asleep already. Laying just a while longer would surely turn into a sleep over, with all the potential disasters that accompanied such a thing. You didn’t want to move too quickly, but you also could barely keep your eyes open.

“You’re thinking much too loudly,” Alcina said softly. “You need not stay if you are uncomfortable.”

“No, no,” you mumbled, sinking deeper into her embrace. “I’m too comfortable.”

“That is all I wish for, darling,” the Countess said with a small smile.

With that, she loosened her grip, allowing you the option of leaving. But at heart, you didn’t want to go. You were comfortable in her arms. You felt safe. It had taken what felt like ages to get to this point, but you weren’t ready to let go of her either. For now you let your mind quiet and drew her arms back around you, quickly falling asleep.

Chapter Text

You woke the next morning slowly. Unwilling to fully wake yet, you cuddled deeper into the plush bed, wrapping your arms around the woman you lay beside. That thought perked you up, and your eyes fluttered open. 

Lady Dimitrescu reclined by you, sitting against her headboard with a book in her hands. She looked down at you, golden eyes amused at the way your arm draped clumsily around her hip. In the night, she must have removed her makeup. Without it she was maybe even more beautiful--her laugh lines more visible, an honesty in the tiredness around her eyes.

“Good morning,” you mumbled. 

“And to you, dear,” she said, pushing a curl out of your face as you sat up. 

“Did you sleep?” you asked, wiping your eyes.

“Yes, in fact. It’s been a long time. Typically I just rest in the evening with a book.” She waved her book. 

You smiled at her, and then realized how bright the room was. Morning light streamed in from the window, as well as a gentle breeze. Tea was set out on the Lady’s vanity, still steaming. Glancing around urgently, you searched for a clock.

“What time is it? I have to--”

“You may take your time. I won’t be upset should you be a touch late out to the workshop, you know,” she teased, brushing a thumb across your cheek.

“No, no. I’m supposed to be in Daniela’s room. All my stuff is still there!” you insisted. 

Getting caught in your Lady’s room overnight by Daniela would be the most insufferable fate. If you could just get back to her room before she did, she’d never be the wiser.

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled at your distress, motioning towards the door. “Go if you must. I shall expect you later tonight.”

You nodded quickly and moved to hop off the bed. Before you did though, you caught yourself and clambered up into your Lady’s lap. You slid underneath her arms and in front of the book she held. Standing at your full height, you braced yourself on her shoulders and gave her a quick kiss. As you slipped out of her arms and to the floor, she simply laughed. You looked back and saw her touching her lips with a smile. 

“Until then, my Lady,” you said, returning the smile. With that you stepped out of the room and nearly ran down to Daniela’s.

You weren’t as fortunate as the previous evening. A servant, whose name you didn’t know, was in the hall with a bundle of linens. You avoided eye contact, but saw the shocked and judgemental look that crossed the woman’s face as you rushed down the hall in boxers and an undershirt. Pushing on in annoyance, you opened Daniela’s door and were relieved to find the room empty. You moved quickly, pulling on your shirt and buttoning it feverishly. You had your pants halfway on when the door clicked open again.

With a pleasant hum, Daniela swept into the room. She wore her usual dark dress, and a distracted smile tugged at her lips. Curiously, she picked at the leftover food on the cart, and then at your cough, looked up to see you. You buttoned your pants, thanking whatever god was out there for the timing.

“Oh! I would have thought you’d be gone by now, human,” Daniela said. “Maria was nearly late to her duties.”

“Is it so late?” you asked, trying to mask the lie. “I was so comfortable in your bed, I didn’t--”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine if you just lazed about,” Daniela said with a wave of her hand. “I don’t care. If Mother finds out, though, I’m sure she’ll be upset.”

You nodded distractedly, gathering your toiletries and book from the desk. “I’m sure she would be.”

“Unless…” Daniela trailed off, eyes lighting with interest. She swooped in closer to you, taking a deep breath as she neared you. “Did you two make up?”

Narrowing your eyes, you huffed irritably. “Don’t you already know?”

“Well, Maria did tell me, yes. But I can smell her all over you. Seems your make up session was more like a make out session?” she teased with a toothy grin.

You blushed fiercely at that but didn’t even bother trying to refute it. Daniela would find out either way. Besides, you’d hear all about the youngest daughter’s night later on. “Maybe,” you said defiantly. “But I’m sure it doesn’t hold a candle to your evening, Daniela.”

Daniela cackled, rushing past you to her vanity to begin brushing her hair. She seemed done with you, but yelled on your way out. “I like you, human!”

You hustled down to your room and changed into your work clothes. In the mirror, you could see that your open necked shirt would be an issue. Lady Dimitrescu had left small bruises down your neck and shoulders. The sight of them flustered you, remembering the way she had mercilessly teased you the night before. You rooted around in Maria’s dresser and eventually found a thin scarf you could tie around your neck. It wouldn’t cover everything...and it looked a little silly...but it would have to do.

Out in the workshop you could already feel yourself sweating through the makeshift scarf, but you pressed on. You were able to work a bit on the designs for the chairs, and by mid-morning you were giving the tea table a quick look-over. It was in good shape and sturdy, too. 

You wanted to go deliver it to your Lady, but you weren’t sure how to act after the previous day. You’d kissed--a lot--and whatever else happened in her bed. Plus falling asleep together. How did you greet her now? Should you kiss her? Should you wait for her to initiate?

The thoughts only curled into each other, knotting up confusingly in your head. It had been a while since you’d been involved with anyone, especially anyone you cared for. You didn’t want to mess it up by being over-eager or aloof. All in all, it was probably best to let her guide your interactions--if you could hold your impulses at bay.

You took a deep breath and decided you wouldn’t know until you delivered the table. And you weren’t about to delay with the Lady any longer. Or give up a chance to see her, for that matter. With help from one of the groundskeeping staff, you were able to move the table inside and up to just outside your Lady’s chambers. The groundskeeper took off as you knocked on the door. 

“Enter,” Lady Dimitrescu called.

You pushed the door open from the other side of the table and carefully maneuvered it inside. 

“Good morning, my Lady,” you huffed as you lifted the table and brought it over to her sitting area. “The table is ready.” 

You glanced over to her. She sat at her vanity, robe wrapped around her as she applied her makeup. Lady Dimitrescu sipped at her tea, looking at you over the lip of the cup. The look she gave you calmed your fears about the awkwardness of seeing her. Her golden eyes glittered at the sight of you, crinkling at the sides into a smile.

“So I see. You look like you’ve been working hard,” she noted, taking in your sweat drenched neck and rolled up sleeves. “And you’ve donned a new accessory, I see.”

Blushing, you adjusted the tea table slightly and walked over to her. “It’s hot out today, my Lady. And you...left quite a few marks on me.”

“Did I?” she asked teasingly, resting her chin in her palm as she leaned over to you.

You untied the scarf, which was disgustingly wet at this point and pulled down your shirt a bit, showing your neck to her. A shiver ran through you as one of her fingers ran down your neck to your shoulder. Looking up at her, you wished she would kiss you again. She looked so at ease, a small smile on her lips as she took in the bruises she left on you.

“Are you enjoying your morning, my Lady?” 

“Very much,” she said, lifting her hand from you to attach her second earring. 

“Do you usually lounge in your nightgown until ten?” you asked, feigning innocence. “Or is today a special occasion?”

Lady Dimitrescu barked out a surprised laugh, painting on her lips with a smile. “My, my. You spend one night in my bed and suddenly think you can tease me like I am some schoolgirl?”

You grinned, stepping even closer to her. “Would you like me to stop?”

She looked down at you, amused. Tracing her hand back up your neck, her fingers curled into your hair and tugged sharply. You gasped, forced to look her right in the eye.

“You know very well I do not,” she purred. “I simply enjoy teasing you back, draga mea.”

You blushed deeply, still held in place. She pulled at your hair again, chuckling at the strained moan she drew out of you. 

“My Lady…” you eked out, feeling your body growing hotter.

“Would you like something?” she teased, leaning down closer to you.

“Kiss me--”

Her lips were on your own before you could finish, hands sinking down to pull you closer to her chair. It was just as intoxicating as the night before. You grabbed at her nightgown, hoping she would pull you closer to her. Your wish was granted quickly. She seemed as impatient as you, groaning into the kiss and scooping you up by the underarms to settle in her lap. 

Your knees bracketed one of her strong thighs, relishing the sensation. Lady Dimitrescu held your hips in an iron grip, deepening the kiss with a swipe of her tongue. As the Lady’s hips shifted beneath you her thigh pressed hard between your legs. You let out a quiet moan at the sharp tug of pleasure.

“Alcina,” you breathed, breaking your kiss to drop your forehead to her chest. 

She laughed deeply. “Feel good, darling?”

At your feverish nod, she used her hands to grind you into her thigh. Slowly and without any real goal. Just to feel you keen against her, draw another breathy moan from you. The pressure built steadily in your core. Even through your heavy work pants, your clit pressing deliciously into her with every push and pull from her hands. You could come from this. Just your Lady’s steady teasing.

“Look at me, darling,” Alcina breathed harshly. “If you’re going to come, I want to see it.”

You groaned at her words, forcing your chin up. Her golden eyes blazed ferociously into your own, nostrils flared, bottom lip caught between her teeth as she watched you. The Lady’s hands dragged you up and down her thigh, but soon you joined in, hips rucking sharply into her. 

Is this too fast? It’s definitely too fast.  You could barely think, so suddenly overtaken by your need for her. If you kept this up, you’d fall apart in her lap within minutes--without even having her truly touch you...

You were just about to press a hand to her chest and slow things down when a knock sounded at the door. Completely snapped from your reverie, you flinched away from Alcina’s touch. The tension between the two of you dispersed in an instant, dissolving into a feigned professionalism. Lady Dimitrescu’s expression leveled out, the desire in her eyes cooling quickly as she turned back to her mirror.  You clambered back down to the floor and straightened yourself out quickly, tying the slick scarf around your neck again. 

Relatively unphased, Alcina touched up her lipstick in the mirror, calling out. “Come in, Bela.”

You fought down a blush, realizing who had almost stumbled in on the two of you. You tried to busy yourself at the tea table, adjusting it back and forth to find the perfect spot. No doubt, Bela could hear your heart still thundering in your chest.

“Mother, good morning--oh, [Y/N]? I didn’t realize…” Bela trailed off, looking between the two of you. Her eyes narrowed in question, but she didn’t have time to comment.

“Yes, they’ve just delivered this new tea table,” Lady Dimitrescu said, rising and motioning to the table. “It’s quite lovely, don’t you think?”

Bela glided over to you, giving your slightly disheveled state a critical look. The blonde bent over the table and ran a finger over the stained finish. “I suppose so,” she said to you. “Did you...deliver Mother’s desk?”

“They did,” Lady Dimitrescu supplied for you as she moved to her wardrobe. “It’s perfect. ”

“Hmm, I will go take a look,” Bela said. She looked critically at her Mother’s back, still covered in her evening robe. 

Lady Dimitrescu glanced over her shoulder at the two of you, red lips curved. “Did you need something, daughter? I was just about to dismiss our carpenter so I could begin the day.”

“Ah…” Bela stuttered. “I wanted to check on you, since you missed breakfast. And I wanted to ask you something.”

You glanced at Alcina with a smirk. 

“Go on,” Lady Dimitrescu said, acting none the wiser.

“I...well,” Bela glanced at you, a little annoyed, but continued. “I wanted to ask Lady Beneviento over for tea sometime next week.”

“Well, of course, Bela,” Lady Dimitrescu drawled as she selected a dress from her wardrobe. “We can take it at the gazebo, should the weather maintain.”

“Yes,” Bela said slowly, brows furrowing in concern. “I was thinking, perhaps, I would take on the role of entertaining. As practice. For when I run more of the business down the line?” Bela stated it like a question, as though she wasn’t quite sure what excuse she was making.

Lady Dimitrescu hummed. You wondered if she was smiling into her closet at her daughter’s crush. “I must insist that I’m present for at least some of the event, dear daughter. It’s only proper. But I can make myself busy at some point, if you’d like.”

“Oh that’s wonderful, Mother!” Bela swarmed over to her mother and wrapped her arms around the woman affectionately. “Thank you! I’ll call just now. Hopefully that accursed doll doesn’t answer.”

As Bela drifted out of the room towards the closest phone, you bit down your laughter. The door shut and your Lady stepped over to you, laying her selected dress over the back of a chair. 

“Well, that should be interesting,” she murmured. “I shall see you later on? I can’t dawdle any longer, unfortunately.”

You nodded. “I might have another list for you by this evening for the chairs.”

“Very well. Run along now,” she said with a wink and disappeared into her washroom.

The afternoon passed slowly. Every time you measured out a piece of wood for a chair, you were reminded of the way your Lady pressed you into her thigh and urged you to come. It made you shift self-consciously as you ran the wood through the humming saw. You hadn’t expected to get so worked up so quickly with her. Part of you had believed things would progress just as slowly as before you kissed, but your Lady didn’t seem much concerned with that. You might have to determine the pace, but the thought of that seemed impossible.

Even though you felt pretty comfortable in her desire for you, you didn’t want her to lose interest. It had happened before. Moved too quickly into sex and suddenly you weren’t worth someone’s time any longer. You knew the Lady treated girls in the castle like that pretty regularly, but she had said you were different. You would just have to trust her.

Eventually you just started working on your list for the Lady. If you kept getting distracted like this, you’d slice a finger off. It was better to take everything one day at a time. You couldn’t predict the future. But now you wondered if your Lady or one of the other Lords could? That would be interesting, you mused as you compiled your list.

The sun started to dip in the sky as you entered the castle again. Maria was sleeping as you stepped into the room, so you quietly slipped out for a shower. As you returned, your roommate woke from her catnap and stretched lazily. 

“Where have you been all day?” she yawned and smoothed out her uniform. “I thought you’d come back in the morning.”

“I, uh, slept in. Daniela’s bed is really comfortable. I’m sure you’ll find out,” you said, trying to quickly get your clothes on. Your body was still covered in marks from your Lady. Bright red scratches on your back, tiny bruises up and down your neck. If you could just--

“Oh ha ha very fun--oh my god, did you get mauled ?” Maria yelped, scrambling over to press at your back.

The touch smarted. “Hey! I-no, I didn’t get mauled,” you huffed, quickly tugging your dress shirt on.

“And your neck! Did you even go to Daniela’s room?” Maria accused with a grin.

“I did!” you exclaimed, blushing harshly. “Lady Dimitrescu just came to say goodnight to Daniela, and I was there so…”

Maria’s nose scrunched up. “Did you do it in Daniela’s bed? She’ll be so mad if you did.”

You rolled your eyes as you tied your tie in the mirror. Your neck did look bad. Maybe the blazer would give a bit more coverage?

“Of course not, Maria. She took me to her chambers, but we didn’t go that far. Just...fell asleep after a while,” you admitted quietly, busying yourself with the laces of your shoes.

Maria laughed loudly. “So we both had sleepovers, huh?”

You couldn’t help but smile at that. It made you happy. You were both happy. How often did that happen? Maria seemed the most at ease now than she had since you’d met her. 

“Let’s go eat, and we can debrief before I go see the Lady.”

“Mm, beginning and ending the day with her, huh?” Maria teased as you walked to the servant’s mess hall.

You knocked her with your shoulder. “It’s my job. But, it is nice.”

“Ah, yes, your job pleasing our Lady, right?”

You shoved her with a laugh. Your dinner passed quickly, but not without your noticing the glares of your fellow servants. Angelica sat at a table nearby, muttering to her friends and shooting you a dark look. As much as you tried to ignore it, you could feel her gaze on the back of your neck the whole meal. 

Back in your room, you dressed quickly. On your way up to your Lady’s room, a nervous knot tied itself up in your stomach. After this morning’s events, you weren’t sure what to expect from your Lady. Knocking at her office door, Lady Dimitrescu hummed gently from inside, so you opened it up.

You were pleased to step in and see her sitting at her new desk. She sat straight backed, wrist resting on the inclined surface of the desktop as she marked up a piece of parchment. 

“Good evening,” Lady Dimitrescu murmured from her desk. She wore her half-rim glasses low on her nose, peering down at her work. 

“Good evening, my Lady.”

You quietly poured her a glass of wine and brought it to the desk. The Lady took it wordlessly, taking a small sip as she scribbled something down. 

“I apologize,” the Lady said, eyes still focused on her work. “I’m rather behind tonight. Though I would love to keep you here longer...I’m afraid I must cut our meeting short.”

This certainly wasn’t what you’d expected when you’d walked in here, but you supposed it was better than contending with slowing things down. In a roundabout way, her pile up of work was as much a deterrent as you could be. 

“Oh, of course,” you said hastily. Pulling out a folded list of supplies, you slid it onto her desk. “I’ll just leave this with you, then.”

As you turned to leave, a hand closed around your elbow, stopping your retreat. Lady Dimitrescu finally glanced away from her work, gazing down at you with an apologetic smile. 

“May I request something?” she asked quietly, leaning down closer to you. 

You turned fully to her, feeling a hot flush rising up your neck. Her lips grew close to your own as you breathed out a Yes . Lady Dimitrescu’s finger slid under your chin, angling you up to her with a small smirk. Her thumb traced gently over your lip, golden eyes gliding appreciatively over you.

“A goodnight kiss?” she asked lowly, leaning in so close that her eyelashes grazed against your forehead.

Preferring to answer with actions as opposed to words, you closed the distance between your lips and kissed your Lady sweetly. She hummed happily into your mouth, holding you gently by the chin. Since yesterday you had kissed her dozens of times already--something you could hardly believe. Each time growing more and more accustomed to each other. Her lips sent waves of warmth through your body, urging you to pull her closer, kiss her deeper. 

But before things could get out of hand, Lady Dimitrescu pulled back. “Good evening, [Y/N].”

Chapter Text

The next day passed slowly, your work dragging by in the morning and afternoon despite minimal interruptions. Flashes of your embraces with your Lady distracted you endlessly, sending you into long periods of gazing out the window at the castle. If any of the daughters had stopped in, you’re sure you would have been teased endlessly.

For a late lunch, you ducked into the kitchens to assemble a sandwich. Thankfully, the kitchen and the pantry were relatively quiet--just one of the older cooks, Ophelia, wiping down a countertop. You gave her a small smile, hoping she didn’t have something against you like Angelica, and opened up a cabinet and rifled through it.

“Need me to whip you up anything?” Ophelia called out to you as you stared blankly into the pantry.

The woman’s graying black hair was drawn up on top of her head, a stained apron tied around her uniform. Crow’s feet and creased laugh lines deepened her features to age, and--to be honest--made you feel a bit at ease. Not to mention she wasn’t glaring at you or ignoring you completely.

“Oh!” you jumped a little, surprised to be talked to. Ever since your position had changed, not many of the other servants had spoken to you--even in passing.

“Sorry, dearie,” she chuckled.

“That’s alright, just surprised. And I’m fine. I’ll just make a sandwich or something.”

She chuckled, motioning towards a steaming pan nearby. “Some leftover brisket, case you change your mind.”

You leaned over to look at the meat, interest piqued, which made the older cook laugh again. Pulling out a clean plate, she gave you a hearty serving and a sympathetic smile.

“Look, I know you ain’t been eating as much in the mess hall, [Y/N].” Ophelia said. “So I hope you’re eating. I know that girl Angelica--”

“It’s alright,” you interrupted, wiping your mouth. “People are angry with me--probably deserve it.”

“No, no,” Ophelia said, swiping at you with a towel. “I don’t care. Think most would rather the Lady pay attention to you than any of the rest of us. And I’ve been here long enough, just want to see the Lady happy.”

“I…” You were at a loss for words. All you’d felt lately from the other servants was judgement and derision--all of which felt shamefully deserved as you were caught in compromising situations around the castle. It was shocking (and relieving) to hear that perhaps it wasn’t the whole staff that had it out for you.

“Those younger girls will torment you for a while, but soon enough they’ll see how much nicer it is to work here when the Lady’s in a good mood,” Ophelia said with a finger in the air.

You laughed at that. “How long have you been here? Was she--”

“Oh,” Ophelia said with a wave of the hand. “Thirty so years. First ten were hard--Lady Dimitrescu still grieving and that. Things levelled off eventually. Just needed to keep your toes in line.”

“Huh,” you remarked, taking another bite. You’d only experienced a year at the castle before this--it was hard to imagine your Lady more consistently furious or bereaved. You didn’t think you could stand the sight of her in such pain. “And you think I’m making her happy?”

Ophelia shrugged, tossing her washcloth in a laundry bin and putting away a clean bowl. “Past month she ain’t killed a single girl, don’t think. Not to mention she’s a bit less snippety--but don’t tell her that.”

The older woman gave you a quick wink at that, and then gave her goodbyes before heading off to take her afternoon break. You left in a better mood than you’d arrived, and with a warm, satisfied stomach.

Soon, the day wound down, and you returned to the castle, eager for the visit to your Lady that the evening would bring. Perhaps she had been more productive than you, and she would be able to give you more than a passing kiss. It was wonderful, despite its briefness, but you felt impatient for more. Something about Alcina made you weak. In her company, you lost your common sense and fell into your urges. To care for her, touch her, and now kiss her.

Grabbing Maria from your rooms, the two of you made your way to the servant’s dining hall. Pushing the door to the mess hall open, you took a breath of roast chicken and potatoes and your stomach grumbled. The two of you filled your plates, but as you approached your typical seats, Angelica bumped into your shoulder.

“Oops,” the maid said tauntingly. She reached out to the table and tipped over a heavy jug of wine. It spilled fast over the table and the benches.

“Seriously?” Maria hissed, glaring at Angelica.

“Better clean that up, sluts,” Angelica said in a wicked sing-song voice as she flounced back to her gaggle of maids.

You sighed, reaching down and picking up the overturned jug. You handed Maria your plate and went to gather a bunch of towels. You passed Ophelia in the kitchen as you got the towels, and the older woman gave you a small smile, clapping your shoulder in silent camaraderie as you passed. With Maria, you slowly cleaned the wine dripping off the table, feeling the laughing, judgmental eyes of Angelica and her friends on you.

“I’m gonna kill her,” Maria muttered. “She’s been such a bitch all week.”

“She caught me in Daniela’s room the other night. I don’t know what we can really do about it. She’s just going to be mad.”

The two of you finished cleaning and solemnly carried your plates back to your room. You ate over your nightstands in relative silence. The thrill of each other’s romantic evenings lost under the shadow of Angelica.

After a couple minutes, Maria wiped her mouth and spoke up. “Y’know, I told Dani about Angelica being so cruel. She said that she’s probably jealous of you.”

“Of me? I think she hates me,” you scoffed.

“Well, that too, probably. But apparently she used to be a pretty regular, uh…” Maria looked off awkwardly. “Evening guest of the Lady’s?”

You stiffened at that. A quick burn of jealousy shot through you. Angelica? With Alcina? The thought made you feel sick. Your dinner roiled in your belly, burning down your throat. You took a deep drink of water, trying to quell the feeling.

“Seriously?”

“That’s what Dani said...Should I not have said anything?” Maria asked nervously. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”

“No, no,” you insisted, trying to still your stomach. “I’m just surprised.”

“She obviously doesn’t care about Angelica anymore,” Maria reassured. “Dani said she was a complete wreck this past week when you hadn’t forgiven her. Like, barely ate anything, wouldn’t spend time with the girls…”

That news broke you from your funk for a moment. You knew she’d been upset with herself, but not to that degree. You simply hummed at the news, trying to process it. The last thing you wanted was your Lady not taking care of herself over you. Hopefully she had returned to her usual rhythm. It probably wouldn’t do you good to bring it up to her.

“Anyway…” Maria quickly tried to change the subject with a suggestive wink. “Did you have a good time the other night? I’ll tell you mine, if you...”

You laughed hard. “I did. It was, well...it was hot.”

“So the Lady’s full speed ahead now, huh? Leaving all those meaningful glances behind?”

“Still meaningful glances. But also kissing and stuff.”

“Ah, stuff.” Maria sighed dreamily. “Gotta say, I love stuff these days.”

“Oh my god,” you laughed. “I assume you had a good time?”

“So good,” Maria said, cheeks turning rosy as she remembered. “We didn’t have sex, but I came like three times. I don’t even know how she did it but--”

“Okay, okay. You have to tell me all about it, but it’s time for me to go,” you interrupted as you suddenly caught the time.

“Ugh, fine,” Maria groaned, falling back onto her bed. “I’ll just relive it by myself.”

“Sock on the door, remember?”

You grabbed a bottle of wine and booked it up to Lady Dimitrescu’s office. The thought of Angelica walking with similar intention sent a shiver down your spine. It would explain why she was so bitter about the whole thing, but she clearly thought the Lady a monster regardless. You debated asking Alcina about it, but for all she was irritating you, you didn’t want Angelica to get punished. You’d just rather she leave you alone.

You knocked on the door to the Lady’s office and waited for her cue to enter. When it came, you were both pleased and disappointed to see her at her desk yet again. It suited her, certainly, and you were happy to know she would not be in pain any longer while working. But you wanted her attention, despite how bratty it felt to admit it.

Lady Dimitrescu lifted one finger as she continued working. You busied yourself with pouring her a goblet of wine and, finding she had brought the whiskey, poured yourself a glass, too. Delivering the wine seemed to give an appropriate pause for her. She lowered the desktop and placed both drinks down. Before you could say anything, she lifted you up to sit on the desk before her.

“Good evening, dear,” Alcina said, leaning in to kiss you.

Your complaint about being lifted died as she kissed you. One of her fingers touched your chin as her red lips moved against yours. You couldn’t help but reach out for her, pulling on her dress to urge her closer.

“Good evening,” you replied breathlessly. “How is the desk serving you, my Lady?”

“It is magnificent. I’ve felt no discomfort working today. And I quite enjoy this feature,” she said, pressing her lips to yours again.

You laughed into the kiss, holding her face there for a moment. Kissing her was intoxicating. It didn’t seem possible to see the woman and not touch her, now that the door was open.

“Not a planned one, but I’m glad you enjoy.”

“Oh? You didn’t have this in mind?”

You blushed at that. “It wasn’t the main goal.”

“Hm,” Lady Dimitrescu hummed, leaning back in her chair to take you in. Your cheeks reddened at the unabashed attention. “And the main goal?”

“I wanted you to be comfortable, my Lady.”

She smiled warmly at that. “And I am. Are you?”

“Very much. You’ve made me feel very reassured in the past few days.”

Lady Dimitrescu smiled, a fang worrying at her bottom lip as her eyes flittered over you. Her lips opened to speak, and then closed slightly. After a moment, she tried again, hesitantly meeting your gaze.

“When I kissed you yesterday, I didn’t anticipate moving quite as fast as we have in the last few days. I’ll admit I’m surprised by my own comfort with the situation,” she remarked, pulling distractedly at the threading of the chair’s upholstered arms. “I haven’t cared about someone I’ve...cavorted with since Laura. I expected to be much more apprehensive.”

“I expected that as well.”

Lady Dimitrescu raised one brow at you--somewhere between annoyance and amusement. “Mind your tone. You may be cute, but I am still your Lady.”

“I only mean, I didn’t expect to fall asleep in your bed or...whatever happened yesterday morning,” you elaborated, feeling a bit flush at the memory and the chastising.

The Lady chuckled softly. “Yes, well, that was a rather fun surprise.”

“I am comfortable with you, Alcina,” you said, sliding off the desk to land in her lap. You ran a hand up to her neck and laid it there. Were you reassuring yourself or her? “But I don’t want to rush into anything.”

“Neither do I,” she admitted, brushing a finger softly over your cheek. “I got a bit carried away yesterday. You are quite difficult to resist. Especially like that.”

Lady Dimitrescu kissed you gently this time, none of the desperate desire of the day before. Her hands remained obedient at your back as she pecked your lips, your cheeks, your forehead. She stilled after a minute or two, nestling your head into her neck and sinking her nose into your hair. You embraced like that for a while, savoring the feel of each other. You felt her chest expand and contract with each breath, her lips pressing to your scalp.

“I am so...happy we can be like this,” she admitted quietly, into your hair.

You nodded, a wide smile spreading across your face. “I agree.”

A comfortable silence passed between the two of you. From the corner of the room, a clock ticked methodically and outside the window, birds sang sleepily to each other. The warm glow of the candles made your eyelids heavy, but you knew you could not linger here through the night again. There would be no ‘going slowly’ if you slept in her bed again.

“Should we discuss work?” you asked eventually, trying to move your thoughts away from your Lady’s bed.

“I suppose,” she said regretfully. “I’ve been a touch distracted lately, making tomorrow unbearably busy.”

“I would say I regret being a distraction, but I wouldn’t wish to lie to my Lady,” you teased as you withdrew yet another list of needed materials. The chairs would need extra care to be replaced to their full glory.

She snorted at your quip and took the list, drawing her half-rim glasses up to her nose. “I see. Quite demanding aren’t you?” she teased with a smirk as she folded the paper and tucked it away. “I’ll have this to Duke in the morning. I’ve prepared my own list for you, darling.”

The Lady lifted you back onto the desk so she could open a drawer and take her own piece of parchment out. You unfolded it, seeing a list of repairs and requests.

“If you are to be my resident carpenter, we ought to have tasks for you. I can’t simply destroy chairs as an excuse to see you in that delightful outfit of yours,” she said with a smirk.

“Suspicions would be raised eventually,” you agreed, wondering how much she had even seen you in your work clothes. She always insisted on your wearing the suit to meetings such as this--was she taking time from her day to catch a glimpse of you? You supposed you probably wouldn’t notice her unless she wished you to. “Is this in order of priority?”

“Indeed. The girls are in need of lounging furniture for the greenhouse. As the weather turns, it will be the only place they can experience the outside world, or be around plant life. If anything else comes to mind, however, you may improvise. I’m sure they will love it.”

You knew the daughters hated the cold, and they rarely went out once November hit. Last year you had figured it was a typical melancholy that came with the winter months, trapping the girls inside. Though they never seemed all too melancholy. Did the cold have something to do with their supernatural nature? Did your Lady abhor the cold as well? Perhaps you would ask another time.

“And the casks? I haven’t spoken to Cassandra yet, but--”

“They aren’t a priority, but if you and Cassandra would like to spend a few hours a week I will have no complaints. She is slow to warm to new faces, especially once she learns of our involvement.”

“Is that...are you…” you fumbled with your words, not expecting the Lady to tell her daughters at all. Was there even that much to tell? Would Cassandra be furious? You’d felt Bela and Daniela were relatively supportive of the courting, but Cassandra was harder to read. Besides, what would it even mean for you to be with their mother? Were you to be like a parent to them? The thought sent a bloom of anxiety through your chest.

“Don’t fret, darling,” Alcina said, stroking your cheek. “We are still testing the waters, aren’t we? When there is something to tell, we shall.”

You nodded, reassured by her commitment to proceed thoughtfully. “How are we to test the waters, my Lady?”

Lady Dimitrescu smirked, dragging her palm down your neck to your collarbone. “I expect more of our previous activities. But perhaps we will share another dinner? A riding lesson perhaps.”

Riding? You flushed at the word, ashamed at your own immaturity. Looking up you saw your Lady smirking at your reaction. Learning to ride a horse from your Lady did sound very romantic, especially on the castle grounds. It was easy for anything to seem romantic. Or perhaps that was because of your own crush-addled mind. All the same, you wouldn’t turn down an excuse to see her in a new outfit.

“That sounds lovely, but I wish to court you as well, my Lady,” you insisted.

You didn’t have a good idea yet for a date, but there was time to cook something up. What would even impress your Lady, though? Surely she’d been on every type of outing by now. You’d just have to get creative.

The Lady laughed, drawing you in for a kiss. “And I look forward to it. Unfortunately, I must keep working. We are close to harvest season and preparations for winter must begin earlier and earlier each year.”

Your Lady sounded tired just talking about it, and you wished you could treat her now, drawing her away from work and to a steaming bath. The thought warmed your cheeks, imagining her sinking into the water.

“Has the sound of all my work excited you?” Lady Dimitrescu murmured.

“How did you--”

“Your heart picked up quite a bit there. And when I mentioned riding,” she said, the hand on your chest roaming gently over your shoulders and down to your heart. “And you get a lovely color when I’ve embarrassed you... or otherwise.”

“Well, I…” you huffed, distracted by how close her hand was to your breast. “I didn’t think I was so obvious.”

Lady Dimitrescu gave you a sweet, sympathetic smile and patted you gently on the chest. “There’s no shame in it. It’s quite flattering.”

“If you can hear my heartbeat, then what else?” you asked, hoping you could stay right here a bit longer.

It was nice just spending time with her. You hoped you’d be able to share a meal with her soon, or a walk in the gardens. Anything, really. You’d do the accounting with her if it meant you’d be together. There was so much to learn about her, and so much you felt itching to tell her.

“Well,” she said slowly, drawing a finger up from your chest to your neck, “the heartbeat is quite noticeable. It tells me a lot. But I can smell you, too. I know what you’ve had to eat, how much sawdust has collected in your hair, if you desire me.”

You blushed deeply. She could smell that? It was mortifying to think about. How many times had you been turned on around her? Countless times by now. And she always knew? You wanted to cover your face, but the Countess held you by the cheek as you tried to twist away.

“You are intoxicating, draga mea. I do not wish for you to hide around me. And I shall endeavor to do the same.”

Nodding, you moved your head slightly to press a kiss to her palm. You could see her piled papers to the side and almost felt bad for delaying her return to work. “Thank you, Alcina.”

“I would say you smell an awful lot of wine tonight,” Lady Dimitrescu commented. “But I recall you having quite the adverse reaction to wine the last time I served it to you. Should I be concerned?”

You couldn’t help the frustration that set on your face. “No,” you muttered. “Just some of the servants messing with us in the dining hall.”

“Why would they do such a thing?” The Lady looked concerned, an edge of irritation in her voice.

“Mostly I figure they are upset about how close I’ve gotten to you. That I might be treated better than them, or think I’m better. Maria says one of them is jealous, but I’m not sure.” You tried to pass it off casually, but your Lady only grew more irritated.

“Who?”

You hesitated. “I don’t want her to get in trouble.”

“Very noble of you. But I cannot dole out appropriate punishment if I don’t know the culprit.”

You sighed, knowing there was no way out of telling her. “Angelica.”

The Lady sighed heavily at the name, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I see. I will handle this.”

You reached for her, dragging a hand over her cheek. “You won’t...hurt her?”

Alcina stiffened under your touch. Her eyes hardened slightly at the accusation. “I will not. I hope you trust me when I say that.”

“I do.” You ran your thumb over her bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to--”

“I understand,” she said softly, cutting you off as she pulled back from your touch.

You’d hurt her with this. It was easy to tell. Lady Dimitrescu was trying to shrug it off, return to the comfortable togetherness you’d just had. But she was closing off, turning inward. She was thumbing at the papers on her desk, clearly wishing for this moment to end. You weren’t sure you could fix this tonight.

You pressed a quick kiss to her lips, smoothing a lock of hair behind her ear as you pulled away. “Don’t work yourself too hard.”

“Very sweet of you,” she murmured. “I shall try to see you tomorrow.”

Try? You felt your eyes widen in panic. Wasn’t this a standing meeting? Didn’t she want to see you?

“I can come by around this time?” You asked hesitantly. You had to create an opportunity to remedy whatever just happened. It hadn’t been a major mistake, but you sensed it struck a nerve in the woman.

She hummed noncommittally, allowing you to slide from the desk, to her lap, to the ground. Lady Dimitrescu dipped down to kiss you a final, brief time, and then sent you on your way. You saw her returning to her work, the desktop angled up again as you shut the door and descended to your room.

The day had gone so well, up to that moment. Now you crawled into bed heavily with Maria already snoring softly in her bed.

Had it been so wrong of you to assume her version of punishment was violent? It wasn’t an attack on her. You were just concerned about Angelica, bully or not. She didn’t deserve to be harmed, or worse, for her jealousy. Clearly she had some unresolved feelings for the Countess, and you didn’t blame her. The thought of Alcina suddenly moving on from you was...devastating

You pressed your face deeper into your pillow. Just the thought broke your heart. Alcina clearly took your apprehension personally. Maybe she feared you were still afraid of her, or hadn’t actually forgiven her. You wished you could go back up to her and explain yourself. But she’d drawn so harshly inward at the end of your conversation. And she had so much work to accomplish. Perhaps better to leave her alone.

Blinking away tears, you sighed deeply and pulled your blanket up, falling into a fitful sleep.

Chapter Text

Your funk from the evening carried into the morning, following you like a cloud as you trudged to the showers and then to the kitchen. Ophelia, still preparing the servant’s breakfast, shoved a piping cup of coffee into your hands as you walked in.

“You seem sour,” the older woman commented wryly, kneading a ball of dough rather aggressively.

“A bit,” you mumbled as you rummaged for some bread, cheese, and pickles.

“That Angelica again?”

You shook your head, trying to give the woman a smile and reassure her. It might have come out more a grimace. “My own fault. Said something stupid.”

Ophelia rolled her eyes--so dramatically you nearly choked on the bread you’d just bit into. 

“What?” you exclaimed, feeling like you were about to be chastised.

“You and the Lady is all. All this stepping on each other’s toes just trying to tell each other the simple things. I’ll admit, me and my wife were the same, but looking back on it all, wish we hadn’t wasted so much time.”

“That’s really sweet,” you said, a small bundle of breakfast wrapped up in your hands.

Ophelia snapped at you playfully with a dishtowel. “It’s not sweet, it’s stupid. Get your act together before the Lady’s sullenness bites us all in the ass.”

That finally made you laugh, which made the weight of your misstep the previous evening a bit lighter. “Alright, alright...Is your wife here as well?”

Gesturing out the window towards the grounds, Ophelia began dividing her dough. “Reka’s the groundskeeper. The Lady got us a little cottage on the grounds, towards the tree line there.”

“Wow,” you said, glancing out to see if you could spy the house. “That’s pretty nice.”

“Lady Dimitrescu rewards hard work, honesty, loyalty--you know the deal, I’m sure. Now go apologize to that woman,” Ophelia instructed firmly. 

Your high from Ophelia’s pep talk didn’t last terribly long though--just thinking about the way Alcina had shut down on you made your lips turn down. You were torn between feeling it was unfair and feeling horribly guilty. She was the vampire. Didn’t it make sense for violence to be the solution to her problems? But she’d just proven to you over the past week that such violence wasn’t who she wished you to see her as...and you’d almost instantly spat it back in her face. 

Returning to your room, Maria brushed her hair in the mirror, brows raising at your sullen expression. She turned in her chair to give you a concerned look. “What happened? What’s with the one-eighty?” 

You groaned, sliding back into bed and popping a pickled cauliflower in your mouth. “I upset the Lady last night. But it was going so well. Like, really well. And then Angelica got brought up.”

“Uh oh...I should have kept my mouth shut,” Maria said guiltily.

“I just didn’t want the Lady to hurt her. And I think she took it pretty personally.”

“Ah. Daniela and I need to talk about the whole...hurting people thing, too. It’s not an easy conversation.”

It surprised you to hear that. From what you’d seen so far, Maria and Daniela didn’t spend much time talking, but you supposed you’d only just walked in at the most inopportune times. And it was something you needed to talk about. You could rationalize Alcina’s nature away easily when you were simply an employee, but now that you were involved, or whatever it was you were doing...the reality of it was a bit closer to home.

“No, I don’t think it will be. It’s one thing to know she won’t bite me, but I hadn’t even considered how it would feel knowing she could so easily hurt someone else…” You felt ashamed admitting it, how self-centered you’d been. Do you know how you’re even starting that conversation?”

Maria scrunched her nose. “I brought it up the other day, and she got pretty upset. I think they’re all pretty sensitive about the vampire stuff when it comes to the humans they care about. Daniela is scared I’ll think she’s a monster.”

You nodded knowingly. The fear and regret in your Lady’s eyes when she had allowed her vampiric side to overwhelm her and lash out at you...she didn’t want to be that way, at least not with you. But you knew she couldn’t cease being who and what she was. The fact remained she was centuries old, desensitized to violence, and subsisted on blood. There was no getting around it, and you didn’t think you needed to. You just didn’t want anyone to get hurt unnecessarily, or on your account

“You’re right. We just need to talk,” you sighed, pulling your work shirt on. “I hope it goes well with Dani.” 

“Me too,” Maria said sadly. “I don’t want her to be upset. But I don’t want their ‘cellar’ business spilling out into the castle. Not when I’m the one who has to clean it up. Not really a turn on.”

You snorted. “Not exactly. Has she tried to...you know.” You tapped your neck.

Maria flushed. “No. She wants to. But I think we need to talk about the other stuff before that. You know?”

Nodding, you touched up your hair in the mirror beside her, giving her shoulders a squeeze. “I do. Are you still up for going into the village tomorrow?”

Maria nodded, smoothing out her uniform. “Ugh, yes. I could use a day away. Maybe get Dani a present.”

That was a good idea. Maybe you should get something for Alcina, too. You wished Maria a good morning and made your way to the workshop, feeling a bit lighter. That morning you were able to measure out all the table legs you needed and carve them down in the lathe. It took a couple practice attempts to shape the legs the way you wanted, smoothing the legs into curved sections. Once you got the hang of it, your pace picked up, and you were able to make almost all the legs you needed by lunch. 

You ate quietly outside the workshop, glancing up towards the castle every now and then. You were sure one of these windows was Alcina’s office. It was hard not to wonder if she was thinking about you up there. If she would treat you to a surprise visit. You doubted it after last night, but you couldn’t help wishing for it anyway. 

Would it be inappropriate to visit her during the day? Would she even appreciate that? You bit your groan down, rocking your head back to hit the stone of the building lightly. Why was this so hard? It had been so easy yesterday, and now--

“I can smell the angst from the cellars, human,” Cassandra drawled as she materialized before you. “What’s got you all riled up? Mother not cutting it for you?”

You fought down the blush, and turned to face the brunette, trying to draw your face to a blank. “Cassandra, can I help you?”

“Ah, repression,” Cassandra hummed. “It won’t last, trust me. Regardless, I came to speak with you about the wine casks. Mother said she gave you books about it. Can we begin?”

You motioned for Cassandra to follow you into the workshop, where you’d taken some notes on the casks. “It’s not a complicated process, just a bit time intensive. We’re essentially making barrels and then setting a fire inside of them to tighten the barrel and give the wine a richer flavor.”

“Interesting,” Cassandra murmured, peeking over your shoulder at the book. “Do you think we can have them ready before harvest?”

You grinned. “We can try. The Lady would rather we work on this in our own time...so perhaps in the afternoons? I typically set things to dry or rest mid-afternoon and spend a few hours tidying up. But we can set aside a few days for this.”

The middle Dimitrescu sister hummed in agreement. “I’m typically done with my work by midday. It’ll be a nice change in the routine. Shall I request anything from the Duke?”

You wrote out a quick list for the girl, who peered at it critically.

“Your handwriting is atrocious. I see what Mother meant.”

“What do you mean?” You knew the Lady had chastised your handwriting in front of Bela, but Cassandra hadn’t been spying on the two of you until later...you thought.

“She told us about it at breakfast last week. Showed us your little note. She thought it was quite cute, though she wouldn’t admit that. We could just tell,” Cassandra remarked casually, but her eagle-eyed glance told you how excited she was to tease you.

You blushed, but tried to keep your response clipped. It wasn’t as if the Lady was too pleased with you right now. “Well, that’s flattering.”

Cassandra pouted. “Is that all? Bela said she walked in on the two of you in the middle of something yesterday, but I get not a peep from you! Didn’t your evening go just as well?”

“I…” 

You weren’t sure how much to even share with Cassandra. The Lady had said you’d share with the girls when there was something to share. And even though they seemed to pick up on the developments well enough on their own, you doubted Alcina would appreciate you spilling all to her daughter.

“Oh come on . You can tell me,” Cassandra whined, swarming around the room briefly before sidling up close to you. “I won’t tell Mother, I swear.”

You groaned, not really trusting the brunette. She seemed miles more devious than her sisters, but you weren’t going to sneeze at some advice. “I don’t think your Mother is very pleased with me right now. I’m not going to push it, Cassandra.”

“Not pleased, hm? What have you done?”

“I don’t know,” you huffed. “She wanted to know which of the servants had been picking on me and Maria, but I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t hurt the girl.”

“Ah,” Cassandra hummed, hopping up to sit on a workbench. She crossed her arms. “Mother doesn’t like when her lovers know the details. She doesn’t want to be... that way ...around you.”

“Well, we aren’t lovers --”

“Sure, human, look, when Laura was here, she didn’t kill a single member of the staff. She hasn’t been so strict since.”

“I feel like I hurt her, even suggesting she’d hurt Angelica,” you said softly. So much for keeping this to yourself. “She really shut down.”

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You did hurt her, clearly.”

You winced at that, despite already knowing it was true. Luckily, this didn’t seem to be the final straw for Cassandra with you. She simply ran a hand over one of the polished tools you’d hung up in the workshops. Her eyes softened slightly before she looked back at you. 

“But you’re still alive, so not all hope is lost. Trust Mother to handle that snooty drama queen. Sometimes girls just can’t handle being cast aside for the next best thing. Mother knows how to talk them down.”

“So this is a...usual conversation?” 

The middle sister shrugged. “Probably something you should ask her. But if you really want to show you’re sorry, there’s nothing a nice bottle of wine won’t fix. And I mean a nice one.”

You nodded, as if you knew what a ‘nice bottle of wine’ even meant. Living in the castle had only taught you so much...mostly about serving wine, not selecting it. 

“Thank you, Cassandra,” you said. “I appreciate you talking with me.”

Cassandra smirked. “You think I do this for you . I simply want what’s best for Mother. Right now, that seems to be you. So don’t fuck it up.”

You chuckled, which seemed to surprise the vampire. “I want what’s best for her, as well.”

“Yeah, good,” Cassandra mumbled, clearly wishing you’d been intimidated by her. 

But now that you’d spent some time with her, you could see she was a dedicated daughter. She cared deeply for her family, for her mother. And she was willing to accept you, so long as you fit. Maybe eventually she’d do more than accept you. 

“I’ll come by the day after tomorrow to work on the barrels?” Cassandra clarified. 

You nodded, and Cassandra disappeared in a cloud of flies. You watched her go, hoping confiding in her wouldn’t backfire on you. The girl seemed selectively gossipy. She stored information until it was useful. 

You pushed through the thought, reviewing the next steps for the chairs. Now that you had legs, you needed to assemble the bases of the chair and the backings. You could get all the wood measured and cut by the end of the day, perhaps even begin sanding. 

“The latest crop is quite robust…”

You’d barely worked a full hour before you heard your Lady’s voice outside the workshop. Looking through the window carved into the stone, you saw her telltale dark hat and cream dress swooping by the workshop. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight, a flare of hope lighting in your chest. Was she here to see you?

And then you saw who walked with her, Lord Heisenberg. The shorter man held his giant hammer over one shoulder, lagging behind the Lady as she led him beyond the workshop and to the vineyard. He eyed the workshop, and you ducked your head as your eyes met. 

“That pet carpenter of yours still out here?” Lord Heisenberg grunted.

You heard your Lady respond. “Indeed. They’re quite talented.”

Hearing her praise, you looked back out the window. Lady Dimitrescu now looked right at you. As you met her eye, you saw her gaze flick away, down to her smoking cigarette holder. She took a long drag from the thing, motioning for the Lord to move along.

“What, I can’t see the little workshop?”

“We have work to do, you imbecile,” the Lady growled. She spared you a final, conflicted glance, and then turned to drag the Lord towards the vineyard by the collar.

You sunk back into your chair, a bit defeated. Lady Dimitrescu only seemed to smoke when she was nervous, and you were sure a meeting with the ‘brother’ she despised most would have inspired a cigarette. But had you upset her to such lengths, too? If you were to be the one cleaning her office today, you wondered if her ashtray would be overflowing.

The rest of your work day passed slowly, mired by your anguish over your Lady. The evening couldn’t come quickly enough. If you could finally talk to her, you were sure you’d feel much better. But the day dragged, hours stretching unimaginably. Every length of wood took forever to measure, even longer to drag through the blade of the saw. You were embarrassed by how frustrated you got, working like this. 

Eventually you tossed the wood into a pile and retreated to the castle. Your shower did little to relieve your tension, and when you arrived in the dining hall, you saw that you and Maria’s usual table had already been slathered in a sticky white substance. You shot Angelica a death glare and retreated to your room. The food calmed you slightly, bringing your body back to a kind of balance. You dressed slowly and restyled your hair. Surely it would help if you looked impeccable, right? Alcina had said it herself, she couldn’t resist beauty…

You chastised yourself for the self-flattery and tried to remember everything you’d talked about with Cassandra and Maria throughout the day. You grabbed a bottle of wine from the kitchen and carried it up to the Lady’s office. You could do this. It was your turn to apologize. Your Lady had done an elaborate, romantic job of her apologies. You could handle one, right?

Lady Dimitrescu hummed from the other side of the door, signaling you could enter. Alcina sat at her desk, files and papers piled on the stationary portion of the desk. She already had a brimming goblet by her side, and you noticed with some disappointment an ashtray partially filled with cigarette butts. Currently she held the cigarette holder to her lips, a quilled pen in the other, making notations on a piece of parchment. A cloud of smoke slipped from between her lips as her golden eyes glanced at you. That same guarded hardness sat there, keeping you at arm’s length. After a moment she stopped, resting her pen in an inkwell.

“Good evening,” she said tightly. “You’ve come to give your report?”

You set the bottle of wine on a table and came to stand beside her. The top of your head only barely surpassed her hips, and without her help, you weren’t about to climb up onto the desk. So you looked up at her silently until she met your eye.

“No.”

Alcina’s brow rose inquisitively, a displeased turn on her lips. “What is the meaning--”

“I’m here to apologize.”

Lady Dimitrescu huffed. “And for what?”

You urged on, not taking her stubbornness seriously. “You have been tender, sensitive, and caring to me, and I made you feel like a...like a monster.”

You said the word quietly, shamefully. It was easy to see the hurt in her eyes at the word, how deep it ran. Alcina shifted in her seat, taking another deep drag from her cigarette. She regarded you quietly, eyes eventually closing. 

“Yes,” she said into the room, the smoke briefly guarding her features. “You did.”

The words made your heart ache. You reached beneath the arm of the chair, touching the side of her thigh. Feeling her body relax at your touch reassured you. You hadn’t ruined it all.

You reached up, just grazing her chin in the hopes she would look at you again. When she did, you spoke. “Well, I don’t want that. So how can we...how can I not do that to you?”

The Lady sighed. “It’s not completely your fault, dear. We should have had a conversation about this before. Things just progressed rather quickly.”

“Then let’s have a conversation, my Lady,” you offered. 

After a moment, Alcina offered a hand down to you, her voice softening. “Come here.” 

She lifted you up into her lap in one smooth movement. You rested there on your knees for a moment as she cleared her desk, taking her all in. After a day of nervously anticipating this moment, the tension had dissolved pretty quickly. Now, in her lap, you sunk into her slightly, moving deeper into her and slipping your arms around her waist. You resisted the urge to rest your head on her, because you just wanted her to kiss you.

“Getting awfully cozy for proposing we have such a conversation, dear,” Lady Dimitrescu chuckled, a hand coming to rest on your back. She tipped your chin up to meet your eyes. “You know I’m not angry with you, yes?”

“It’s okay if you are,” you mumbled.

“Darling.” Alcina leaned in and kissed you firmly on the lips. 

You tasted the smoke and wine on her lips, feeling momentarily intoxicated by the sensation. As you kissed, she lifted you by the back of your thighs to set you on the desk. You bit back a squeak of surprise, but your cheeks burned at the touch. You held her wrists in place as she dropped you on the wood. She drew close and pressed another kiss to your lips, a small, warm smile on her face as she pulled back.

“I was upset, yes. It hurt, thinking you viewed me as some kind of primal...beast,” Alcina spat the word out like it spoiled in her mouth. She took a moment to compose herself, another deep inhale from her cigarette before she set it in the ashtray. 

After the smoke filtered from her lips, she continued. “But I know recent events haven’t been entirely convincing otherwise. And it has been quite a while since I’ve restrained myself in the castle. You’ve been privy in the past year to some of my...activities with the maids. What reason do you have to believe I would temper myself for such misbehavior?” Her eyes glazed over a bit. “It’s not how I wish you to know me.”

“That hardly matters, my Lady. I know you and care for you all the same.” You touched her cheek softly, urging her to continue. 

“There are certain things I must do to survive, and I must know you’re comfortable with that. It is an unavoidable fact, but I shall promise to you that you will never have to contend with such violence. Some things must remain separate, should we wish for this arrangement to work.”

You nodded slowly. “I understand. I would never object to you doing what you must to survive. But…”

“But?” Lady Dimitrescu asked with a brow raised. “Ask what you must.” 

“I just know that, or I’ve heard that you sometimes have your cake and eat it too?” You cringed at your own phrasing, though it reassured you when the Lady laughed heartily.

“You mean feeding during sex?” Alcina asked, a purr in her chest.

You nodded, blushing at your own foolishness. “I wouldn’t want to ask too much too soon, my Lady, but I’d feel better if you weren’t having sex with them.”

Lady Dimitrescu smiled, taking your hand from her cheek to hold it. “Darling, I haven’t touched anyone but myself since you began this flirtation.”

At her words, you felt heat flood between your thighs. The thought of your Lady in her own bed, stripped of her nightgown and robe, hand sunk into her own heat. You could imagine the sheen of sweat on her skin as she built herself up, her eyes closing and her lips parting. Maybe even your own name falling out of them as she came.

“Well, well,” Lady Dimitrescu said, her voice rumbling deeply from her chest. You looked up to see her golden eyes flaring brightly at you. “That certainly did something for you.”

You gulped under her gaze, knowing that your neck and cheeks were rosy with arousal. “The thought is quite appealing, my Lady.”

“Alcina, draga mea. We’re talking about me touching myself, after all,” Alcina purred, drawing you in for a longer, deeper kiss. 

The burning in your core only deepened as she kissed you, her tongue flicking gently over your lips and then inside to meet your own. You groaned, unable to stop yourself, and dove back into your Lady’s embrace quickly. Images of your Lady in her own bed, touching herself, during this past week flashed across your mind, making you squirm on the desk. You could feel her smile into the kiss. Her hands came to your thighs, sending another spark of want through you, but she only grabbed them, pulling them apart as you tried to relieve some pressure.

Reluctantly, you pulled away from her, a groan on your lips. “Alcina,” you huffed. 

“I have work to finish tonight. Though I wish I could, I can’t get so riled up. And if I can’t, I don’t see why you should either,” Alcina teased with a smirk. She dropped her hands from your thighs, moving them back up to your collarbone. Her nails scraped at your neck gently, causing your eyes to droop shut.

“Are you sure?” you murmured, running a hand down her forearm. 

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled deeply. “If I had a choice in the matter...well, you would not be so upright on this desk.”

Breath caught in your throat at that, tugging something deep in your core. “Fuck me,” you muttered, only biting your tongue after the words has slipped out.

Lady Dimitrescu pressed a kiss to your cheek, a smile on her lips. “Another time. But do we understand each other? We got a bit distracted.”

You opened your eyes at last, giving her a confident smile. “We do, my Lady. I trust you. And I don’t want this to be our only conversation. We should check in about things like this. So we don’t misunderstand each other.”

The Countess hummed. “A good idea. Will you help me? To be sure we communicate this way?”

“Of course.” You looked at her, relieved to see the warmth and care in her face. It worried you to ruin the moment, but you needed to ask. “What will you do with Angelica, then?”

Alcina sighed slightly. “Such girls need a firm talking to, or the threat of dismissal.”

“Okay,” you said, relieved. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.”

She considered you for a moment. “Why so noble? Hasn’t this girl made your life difficult?”

“She has. But I understand why she’s upset. If you moved on from me with someone else…”

“I did not care for her in this way, darling,” Alcina interrupted, her thumb tracing over your lips softly. “You should have no such concern.”

You blushed at that. “Well, that’s very flattering.”

“I will speak to Angelica. We can come to some sort of understanding, I’m sure,” Lady Dimitrescu reassured, her fingers carding through your curls. 

You spent a quiet moment like that. Her hand in your hair, nails scraping over your scalp as you let your own hands drift down her cheek, to her neck. Pulling her close, you pressed your lips to her cheeks, her chin, the side of her temple, trying to fill the day with all the touch you had missed. It was comforting to be in her arms like this--nothing much even happening, other than luxuriating in the company. 

When Alcina finally pulled away, you bit back your complaints and allowed her to lower you from the desk. She pressed a final, deep kiss to your lips.

“Come to me after your visit to the village, draga mea. I do not wish to go so long without seeing you,” she said softly into your cheek.

Chapter Text

The next morning, you and Maria dressed quickly and took a few pastries from the dining hall before setting out for the village. You were lucky to depart so early, as the heat of the day hadn’t quite fully set in, and the mile or so walk to the village was pleasantly cool. Maria had dressed in a flowing sundress, and you had opted for a fresh pair of your workshop clothes, since they were the most comfortable thing you owned at this point. 

“I think we should first stop in the bakery and get everything they’ve freshly baked,” Maria said, using her fingers to count out your itinerary. “Then, we should probably visit the fruit stand, because you know the heat won’t help. After that, I propose a stop into the bookstore--I’ve heard they’ve improved their selection quite a bit. If I haven’t found a gift for Dani by then I’ll want to keep looking, but after we could sit by the river, read our books, have a snack, sunbathe.”

Maria listed it all dreamily, twisting around with her wicker basket as you walked. She enjoyed these weekend jaunts to the village more than anyone else you knew. If Cinderella had a ball, Maria had village visits. 

“That sounds perfect,” you said. If it were up to you, you would wander the village without any real plan, getting bored quickly. The village didn’t hold much appeal for you, only reminding of a life you’d left behind and people you could no longer greet. 

Your mother’s old home stood still near the center of town, her old workshop in the auxiliary building. The family that lived there now used the workshop as a daycare for the village children. All her tools and supplies had been sent to a neighboring village. 

You passed by the house then and tried not to give it too much of your attention. Seeing it sent you into a pit of memory that was hard to extract yourself from. And today was a day to have fun, not get mired in your grief. 

Maria squeezed your shoulder reassuringly as you walked away from the house. She led you to the bakery, on the other side of the village square, and inside the two of you marveled at the heavenly scent. Buttery pastry, fresh cream, sliced fruits and meats, and rich dark coffee. The smell drew you both to the display counter, where you selected a wide variety for your second breakfast. You paid the baker and left a hefty tip for his skill, and the two of you wandered around the weekend market.

Maria selected a variety of fruit, cheese, and dried meat to put in her basket for your lunch. You found a good looking jar of pickles and tucked them away as well. There were a good number of villagers in the market, purchasing food for the week and browsing jewelry stands.  A couple of the villagers gave you suspicious glances as you walked around, no doubt knowing that you were from the castle. It was easy, especially since you’d grown up in the village. It was well known you’d taken to the employ of the Dimitrescu family, and anyone seen with you became associated as well. The villagers never treated you poorly--they knew better than that. But it never made your village visits fully pleasant. You tried to offer a smile to the butcher, who you had grown up coming to for cuts of meat. He looked at you blankly, and then returned to his work.

Maria led you by a couple of the trinket vendors and each of you pondered gifts for a Dimitrescu. The jewelry all seemed beneath you Lady--too flashy, too gaudy for the elegance she carried herself with. Maria didn’t seem satisfied either, though she did pay for a pair of emerald earrings. 

You moved on to the bookstore, which you had much better luck in. Much to your surprise, there was a substantial section dedicated to furniture making and woodworking. Figuring you could probably get reimbursed for the spending, you splurged and bought a large stack of them. You were essentially relearning all these techniques, dredging them up from your childhood. It wouldn’t hurt to get a proper refresh.

Eventually you found Maria in a dimly lit corner of the bookstore, where a red velvet curtain separated the books on health and wellness from a fairly impressive erotica section. Maria stood before the shelf nervously, gliding a finger over the spines.

“Need some inspiration?” you asked with smirk.

Maria jumped at the sound of your voice, whipping to face you with a blush. “N-no! Dani just likes reading books like these, so I thought...:”

“Ah, so that’s her section of the library?” you mused. It made sense, in a way. The girl was so utterly clueless when asking you about how to approach Maria, maybe because all she’d ever learned about relationships was from erotica.

“Yes,” Maria said. “She caught me looking through one of her books a couple weeks ago. I think that’s when she really took notice of me.”

You snorted, glancing at the titles of the books. My Night with a Succubus, A Willing Prisoner, Laid Bare. Part of you was curious, honestly. And if you and your Lady really were going to take things more slowly...maybe it wouldn’t hurt…

“Anyway, I think I’ll get her this one,” Maria said, holding up a thin volume.

The Vampire’s Desire. A woman’s back on the cover, the curves of her shoulder blades visible.  Over her shoulder, fangs bared, the curved face of another woman about to sink her fangs into the woman’s neck. Your brows raised sharply at it.

“Oh, wow.” 

“Yeah. There’s a lot about vampires, weirdly enough.” Maria tapped a shelf just above your head, and you looked up to see a variety of titles. 

“Well, maybe I’ll just…” you muttered, grabbing one and quickly scanning the back. It ticked all the boxes, sure. You tucked it into your stack of carpentry books.

“Very covert, [Y/N], very covert,” Maria teased. “Everyone needs something to keep them warm at night...especially if their lover is keeping things chaste.”

“It’s not chaste,” you grumbled. “It’s just...it’s just beginning. I don’t think either of us wants to rush right into...you know.”

“Sex? You can say it. We’re in an erotica section right now.”

“Yes, sex,” you said, rolling your eyes. “I want to. She wants to. But I think it’s still a lot for her, the whole thing.”

“Yeah,” Maria agreed. “Dani told me a little about it all. The smith. I’m not shocked that the Lady wants to take her time.”

You nodded. “And it’s been a while for me. Since before I came here. There was a girl in the village, but it didn’t work out.”

“Wasn’t there a maid last year? Dahlia or something? I thought--”

You shrugged. “Never got that far. Plus, it’s just intimidating. The Lady has been having sex for hundreds of years!”

“Sure, but when you do have sex, it’ll be the first time for each of you. With each other. You know? Don’t worry about things that aren’t happening. When the time comes, I’m sure you’re going to blow her mind,” Maria reassured, smiling suggestively at you. “Plus, now you have some studying to do.”

You swatter her on the arm playfully. “Alright, alright. Are you and Dani…?”

Maria flushed, but tried to hide it by glancing back to the shelves. “Soon, I think. I’m getting tired of stopping just when...well, we’ll see. She might come sit with us at the river later. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Just keep the clothes on this time.”

The two of you gathered up your purchases eventually and paid near the door. The total staggered you a bit, but you appreciated the clerk’s unwavering blank stare as he checked the price of your erotic novel. Out on the street, Maria checked her watch.

“I’m about ready to eat lunch. Do you need to find anything else?”

You glanced around the square, soon catching a glimpse of a wine and spirits shop. Remembering Cassandra’s recommendation of getting the Lady a nice bottle of wine, you shifted your already heavy bag of purchases to your other shoulder. 

“I’m going to run in over there and take a look. I can meet you. The usual spot?”

Maria nodded and waved you off as she meandered toward the riverbank. You wove through the growing crowd in the market, eventually popping out in front of the wine shop. It was cool and dim inside with racks and racks of wine lining the walls. All the labels meant nothing to you, other than the few that held the Dimitrescu signature emblem. But it would be in bad taste to buy your Lady her own wine. You had to find something unique and good. 

An elderly man sat in the back of the shop, snoring quietly onto the counter. You didn’t have it in you to wake him for your questions, so you took a few circles around the shop. All the descriptors of the wine seemed similar, but you knew enough to go for a red, not a white. But there seemed to be so many different kinds of red, and within that, different kinds of different kinds, from different regions and different times. It was like a riddle.

“Too simple to select a vintage, I see.”

The snide voice in the doorway was, of course, Angelica. The blonde stood in the entryway, arms crossed with a cloth bag hanging from her shoulder. She wore a light dress, perfect for the weather. If you didn’t know her, you’d think she was just a sweet village girl. But you saw the malice in her eyes as she pushed off the lip of the door and wandered into the shop.

“Too simple to speak, too? What does the Lady even see in you?”

You steamed beneath your collar, thoughts of wine eradicated as Angelica walked circles around you. You half wished you could tell her how you’d looked out for her, despite how cruel she was. But it felt like the woman would just throw it back in your face somehow. 

“I just want to buy some wine. Let me be.”

“Why should I? We’re not at the castle. She’s not here to protect you.” Angelica walked up to you, getting much too close for comfort. But the closer she got the more you could see how upset she was. The mask of anger did a good job at covering it up, but up close you could see the furrowed brow and fiery eyes crack into pain. “You know, she used to ask me up to her rooms at night, too. Don’t go thinking she cares .”

“I’m sorry, Angie,” you started, but she cut you off before you could say anything more.

“Don’t call me that.” Angelica snapped. She was a touch shorter than you, but held herself like she towered over you. Her sharp green eyes narrowed as she poked a finger into your chest. She hissed at you, “She’ll get bored of you in a week. You won’t think so much of yourself then.”

You felt the anger bubbling up in you as she poked your chest again, but you did your best to tamp it down. Your fists clenched at your sides, and you fought to keep them there. “I can tell it meant more to you than you’re letting on. And I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but I’m just like everyone else at the castle.”

Something burned in Angelica’s eyes at your words--a flash of hurt that warbled and threatened to overwhelm her. “You don’t know anything,” she hissed sadly. “You’re just her flavor of the month, so don’t let it go to your head.”

Breath pushed out of your nostrils harshly. You’d worked too hard with your Lady for someone to suggest she would get tired of you. You felt your heart rate picking up, anger pulsing in your neck as Angelica talked. “I don’t know how to apologize for this, Angelica. Just let it go.”

“Or what? You’re gonna get the Lady to ‘take care of me’? She’s not interested anymore,” Angelica spat, a deeper hurt clear in her eyes.

“No,” you hissed, having a hard time feeling bad for the girl now. For a flash you’d felt bad for her. Angelica was clearly heartbroken, but you weren’t sure why she had to take it out on you. “I’m going to hit you myself.”

That clearly surprised Angelica, who took a sudden step back from you. Her cheek twitched and you saw the beginnings of tears welling up in her eyes. Angelica huffed and turned on her heel to stalk out of the shop.

The shop was quiet again, the only sounds were those of the store clerk’s snoring. Flustered and not wanting to linger, you grabbed a red wine and left money on the counter for when the clerk woke. You rushed from the shop and to the riverbank, avoiding the eyes of everyone in the square. No doubt more of Angelica’s friends were with her, and you didn’t want to be caught in a group of all of them. 

By the time you made it out to the riverbank, lugging all your purchases and trying to pull yourself into a good mood, Maria and Daniela sat on a thick blanket. You caught the tail end of a kiss as you approached, but they drifted apart as you came into view. Daniela swarmed over to you and tugged your bag of books out of your hands.

“Let me help,” Daniela insisted. “You aren’t some pack mule.”

“Thanks,” you muttered, sliding down to lay on the blanket. 

“Was picking wine out so painful?” Maria asked. Her tone was teasing, but you saw she was concerned, her hand hovering over your arm.

“No. Angelica came in,” you huffed out, shielding your eyes against the sun as you pushed yourself up to sit. 

Maria rolled her eyes. “I hope your mother fires her, Dani. She’s been a nightmare.”

Daniela grinned, dumping all your books beside you and dropping down to sit close to Maria. Daniela wore a black linen dress. Despite the fabric, you couldn’t imagine how hot she must be. But maybe it didn’t affect her that much. She seemed to soak the heat in as she laid out and dropped her head into Maria’s lap, luxuriating in the sun like a lazy cat.

“I hope she gives her to us,” Daniela said with a malicious grin. 

Maria smacked the redhead on the thigh, and Daniela sighed, closing her eyes. “I mean...I hope Mother deals with it as she deems appropriate. Good enough?”

Your roommate hummed, carding her fingers through the girl’s hair. “You’re getting there. I appreciate you trying.”

You smiled at the display, glad that Maria had been able to talk to Daniela about some of her concerns. And it seemed Daniela was willing to try and adapt for her. You reached for the basket and assembled yourself a plate of dried meat, cheese, crackers, and fruit. It wasn’t much, but it would tide you over until dinner. Maria and Daniela drank from a bottle of wine together, getting flush and giggly, but you stuck to water, feeling the sun sapping the moisture from you the longer you sat out in it. 

“Oh, what’s this?” Daniela purred, pulling a book from your bag. “Little carpenter, I never realized you were a pervert.”

You snatched the book from her hands. “Oh, like you’re one to talk.”

Daniela cackled at that, motioning for you to give the book back. “True enough. Let me see.”

Maria rolled her eyes and shook her head at you. “Leave them alone, Dani. I got you your own.”

The redhead shot up eagerly, twisting to look Maria in the face. “You did? Can I have it?”

You watched in amusement as Maria jokingly withheld the book, making Daniela chase her down the riverbank and back until they collapsed back on the blanket. You grinned. Seeing Maria like this was so nice. She deserved this happiness, this unfiltered silliness.

“ The Vampire’s Desire …” Daniela gasped. “Maria, I never realized they wrote a book about you .”

You couldn’t hold back the laughter, and neither could Maria. Daniela snickered along, though it was clear she hadn’t been making a joke on purpose. Once you and Maria had calmed your giggles, Daniela pressed a quick kiss to Maria’s lips.

“I can’t wait to read it. You’re very sweet to me,” Daniela said shyly. Then she turned to you, a smirk replacing the shyness. “And did you get a gift for Mother?”

You slid the bottle of wine out and shook it slightly. “I don’t know if it’s any good. I couldn’t really focus after Angelica came in.”

Daniela looked at the bottle briefly and shrugged. “I’m sure it’s fine. The wine stuff isn’t really my thing. Bela or Cassie could tell you.”

You hummed, returning the bottle to your bag. ‘Fine’ wasn’t really what you’d been going for. 

Soon, those thoughts left you as the three of you enjoyed the afternoon. You dipped your feet in the river for a bit and started reading one of your books on carpentry in the shade of a tree. Maria and Daniela cuddle on the blanket for a while, sharing bites of food and reading to each other. From the way Maria’s face turned red every few minutes, you had your suspicions about what book they were reading.

Eventually the sun began to cast pinks and oranges across the sky, and the three of you headed back towards the castle. You were thankful Daniela accompanied you, because she could carry your heavier bags without breaking a sweat. Daniela deposited all your things inside you and Maria’s room, and you headed in to let the two of them have a moment in the hallway. A few minutes later, Maria returned, chest flushed red and threw herself on the bed.

“This was a great day,” Maria exclaimed, tossing her shoes off. “But my feet are killing me. I don’t know why I always do this when I know I just have to go back to work in the morning.”

“Oh, you love it,” you laughed. You stripped down and wrapped a towel around yourself. “You’d get so depressed if you didn’t go into the village.”

“That’s true. But now I’m so full, I don’t know if I even need to eat dinner. Maybe I’ll just,” Maria interrupted herself with a yawn. “Maybe I’ll just take a nap.”

“I’ll make you a plate in case you get hungry later,” you called on your way out the door. 

The shower was calming, washing the stress of your encounter with Angelica away. Maria was already dozing when you returned, so you dressed quietly and grabbed a couple plates from the dining hall. Ophelia had her day off as well, it seemed, and most of the other servants with village privileges weren’t back yet, so you could eat in peace. Soon you could head up to see Alcina. The thought of her made your heart race.

You hurried to finish eating and returned to your room. In the end you wound up carrying two bottles of wine up the stairs--one of her special blend, and the other what you’d bought in town. It felt pretty silly, and when you arrived at the Lady’s office, you could barely knock. You waited a few moments and were surprised when not a sound came from the other side. 

You pushed the door open and found the office empty. You were about to investigate further, when a shadow encompassed you and your Lady spoke from the hall.

“Accompany me to my chambers, draga mea?”

Chapter Text

At your Lady’s behest, you followed her down the halls to her room. She touched your back lightly as you walked and even removed one of the bottles from your hands.

“How was your time in the village?”

“Very pleasant, my Lady,” you said, cognizant of the fact you weren’t fully alone yet. “Maria and I purchased maybe too much. I think I’ve used my entire paycheck.”

Lady Dimitrescu laughed, grinning down at you. “Who knew you were such a spender? Perhaps I should have guessed from the elaborate lists you’ve brought me.”

You blushed at that. “I found some really great books. Plus I got you a present.”

Lady Dimitrescu ducked into her room, turning back to watch you enter and shut the door. “You did, now did you? This, I assume?” 

The Lady held a hand out for the bottle in your arms, and you were quick to hand it over. She held it up, examining the label. Her painted lips curled downwards slightly as she scanned the text. With one long claw, she uncorked the bottle and set it to breathe beside her usual vintage.

“Thank you, darling. It’s quite thoughtful of you.” Alcina traced a finger along your jaw, drawing you up to meet her lips. 

The kiss quelled your anxieties, but you pulled back regardless. “Is it good? I wasn’t sure...it’s pretty confusing.”

Alcina chuckled, leading you over to her tea table and motioning for you to sit beside her. You couldn’t help but look longingly at her lap, eager for her to pull you there. 

“Would you prefer honesty?”

“Of course.”

“It’s not a particularly good wine.”

Your heart fell at that, and your face must have as well, because Lady Dimitrescu was quick to take you by the chin. She angled your jaw to look at her. 

“Luckily for you, I care more for the sentiment than the flavor. You are very sweet to get me a gift.”

She silenced your apologies with another kiss. This one much longer, her lips and tongue lingering on your own as though you were the wine to be savored. 

When Alcina pulled back, she didn’t move far. Her lips lingered before your own, smiling softly as she spoke. “Tell me more of your day.”

You adjusted slightly so you could sit facing her in the chair. From here it would only take a quick tug from her to pull you over the arm of the chair and into her lap. 

“We bought a lot of food and then went to the bookstore for a while. I found a lot of good books for woodworking, but Maria was pretty distracted by the, uh, erotica section.”

The Lady’s brows raised slightly. “Oh? And did you peruse with her?”

“A bit,” you admitted. “I’ve never read anything like that.”

“No? I imagine you might enjoy it quite a bit.”

“Well, I...bought one, so…” you blushed at the confession, wishing you could at least sometimes seal your lips around this woman.

“Did you? Tell me more,” she purred, one finger perched beneath your chin and holding your eye contact.

You flushed. The book was pretty telling, just in its name, so you muttered it, hoping she wouldn’t hear. “ My Lady’s Desire …”

It was foolish to think she wouldn’t hear. She could hear your heartbeat change--there was no hiding from her. Lady Dimitrescu laughed deeply, though you swore a blush crossed her cheeks.

“And have you begun to read it?” she asked, dipping in deeper to you and pressing a kiss to the side of your neck. Her hand came to your other cheek, pressing you into her lips firmly as she began to kiss down to your shoulder. 

Breath caught in your throat at the feeling. “N-not yet.”

“Well, I am intrigued,” she murmured into your ear. 

Her closeness, her lips, the way she whispered to you like it was a secret. She had you in the palm of her hand, and you knew if you gave in to this feeling you couldn’t properly treat Alcina. That was the whole point of the wine--to make her feel special. And you hadn’t pulled that off. 

With her face so close to yours, it only took courage to turn your neck and press a kiss below Alcina’s ear. You felt the way her body shivered at the surprise, and it only emboldened you. Your hands reached for her, sinking into her hair as you nipped at her throat. 

“I wish to treat you tonight, my Lady. Perhaps a massage?”

Alcina laughed deeply, though it caught in her throat sharply as you pressed your lips to her neck again. Though you still sat in your own chair--albeit on your knees, leaning up into her like she was the only oxygen in the room--you felt in control of the situation. And the thought only spurred you on.

“I’d like to have you on the bed, Alcina,” you murmured, hands wandering down to her shoulders to pull at her dress gently. “Out of this dress. Beneath me.”

“Ah,” Alcina breathed. You wished you could see her face now, how her eyes clenched shut and her fangs gnawed at her lower lip. The Lady’s hand gripped the back of your head, tugging sharply at your curls. It sent arousal straight through you, but you didn’t let that distract you. 

“Let me take care of you tonight,” you said, pressing your thumbs into the muscle above her collarbones. 

Alcina let out a gasp at the feeling, and her body sank into yours completely for just a moment. One of her hands pressed at your chest, pushing you away from her firmly as she tried to compose herself. But still, her eyes were fogged over with want, her teeth worrying at her lip. 

“If you insist,” she said, shakily. She rose from her chair, smoothing out her dress. After a moment, she looked down at you, an impressed smirk on her lips. “You never cease to surprise me.”

You grinned at her as you pulled your blazer off and hung it over the chair. “I wouldn’t want you to grow bored.”

Alcina laughed richly as she retreated to her washroom. She looked back from the door. “I doubt I could.”

Alone now, you let yourself feel the glee of the statement. You were unable to wipe the grin off your face as you disrobed. As you’d spoken to her, telling her what you wanted from her...you’d felt a little silly. But it truly affected the Countess, and that made you swell with pride. 

You stripped down to your undershirt and pants, toeing your shoes off and placing all your clothes in a tidy pile. Alcina took her time changing. So much that you nearly bore a hole in the carpet as you paced, waiting for her. Eventually, she emerged in her silken robe, which she held tightly around her body. 

She dipped to kiss you as you stared, humming happily. “Come then, make good on your promises.”

Without another word, she stepped past you and let the robe slip from her shoulders and pool at the floor. Underneath, she was completely nude. You watched in awe. She had taken her hair down, and it curled long over her shoulders. Her shoulder blades scooped down to an hourglass waistline, and tiny dimples sat just above the swell of her ass. Hips curved out broadly and then tapered to her endlessly long legs. And she walked like she knew you were watching, swaying her hips and glancing back at you to wink. Then Alcina sunk a knee into her bed and slipped on, pulling a sheet up to just cover her lower half. 

You lingered only for a moment, trying to memorize that view. But soon you climbed up into the bed as well. Your Lady handed you the bottle of oil she had used a few days before, and as you settled onto her lower back, you took another long moment to admire her. Her head was turned to the side, so you could see the edge of her lips and long eyelashes as they fluttered close. Her arms propped her head up slightly as they crossed before her, and the stretch showed you the outline of her muscles more clearly. 

Squeezing oil into your hands, you spread it generously across her back. She sighed at the sensation, her head dropping from her arms to the mattress. Her skin warmed beneath your touch as you slid up to begin pressing into the built up stress. The knots near her shoulders were hard. You were shocked to hear a whimper from your Lady as you started working them out.

You stopped immediately, leaning down. “Are you ok?”

“Yes,” Alcina breathed. “Just...tense.”

You nodded and slowly resumed, taking the massage a bit slower. Your thumbs pressed into her tense muscle, gently easing a week of work out of her body. Her pained noises soon dissolved into satisfied groans. You soon moved down her body, working beneath the shoulder blades. 

She moaned fully as your hands slipped down to her sides, brushing against the swell of her breasts. The sound made your legs clench, but once again her body blocked you from satisfying yourself. All the same, you felt yourself ache as she continued moaning. 

Just as you were about to continue working at her sides, you switched things up and pulled at her arms, urging them down. She complied without complaint, so you dove in quickly to massaging her arms. Her breathy noises quieted slightly as you handled her arms. When you got to her palms, you pressed into the flesh between her knuckles, hoping you could alleviate any brewing pain there.

She hummed happily at the feeling, nestling deeper into her bed as you worked. From her palms, it was easy to drag your hands back up her sides and draw another moan from the Countess. A flush ran up her neck, across her cheek as you worked at her muscles. After a moment, you didn’t even dig your palms into her sides, but let your fingers glide from the bottoms of her breasts to the middle of her back. She shivered beneath you, struggling to remain still. After a particularly sensitive swipe of your fingers, she nearly bucked you off her completely. 

There was little you could do about her movement, other than press your palms firmly to her back. “Stop,” you commanded. “You don’t move until I tell you.”

That seemed to trigger something in her, and she pressed herself up on her elbows slightly to glance back at you. Her eyes were sharp and critical. “You think you can--”

You pressed your whole body onto her back, breaking the hold her elbows had and pushing her into the bed. You let yourself fall into her, not thinking of the oil that would stain your shirt. Letting your teeth drag against the shell of her ear, you continued running your fingers up her sides.

“Just relax,” you breathed. “I want to make you feel good. Let me.”

Alcina tensed against you. Her usually golden eyes were dark with want as she glanced back at you. But after a long moment, her body relaxed and her eyes drooped close. She allowed you to nuzzle your nose into her neck, press a kiss at the corner of her jaw. 

“Thank you,” you whispered.

You pushed back up to sit on her, a hot blush across your cheeks. You could hardly believe yourself, but now you needed to back it up. Shuffling back even further, you came to sit on the swell of her ass. In your new position, you could sink your thumbs into the dimples on her lower back. She groaned again as you started massaging the tension there away. Despite her new desk, you knew this was a spot that carried stress. 

You smoothed away what you could, but kept yourself from wandering any lower down her sides or her back. Instead, you pressed the balls of your hands from her lower back up to her shoulders, putting all your strength behind the long, deep passes. 

These seemed to draw something deep from the woman beneath you. Throaty moans ached from her, and you could see her struggling to remain still. It didn’t help that these movements only deepened the way you dragged your clit against her body. Even through your pants, it was becoming unbearable, and you felt your own breath coming in short, hot bursts.

“[Y/N]...” Alcina whined .

And you nearly fell off her completely. The sound jerked you from your position, and your torso dropped suddenly onto her back. Your hands were trapped beneath you, your nose pressed hard into her shoulder. She stilled beneath you, and it was a long moment before you both burst into laughter. 

Alcina’s deep, hearty laughs shook you from on top of her. And with your own laughter, you easily slipped from her back and onto the mattress beside her. Your Lady grinned at you, mirth still dancing in her eyes as she reached to pull you close. Pressed into her side, your own amusement calmed as she drew you in for a kiss. Her hand played with your curls, tugging gently as she slipped her tongue into your mouth. 

“You are quite skilled with your hands, darling,” she murmured as she pulled back. She gazed at you sleepily, lids falling heavily over her golden eyes. 

You smiled in return, stealing another kiss from her. “And you turn me to putty, despite my being on top of you.”

“Mm, you flatter me.” She twisted slightly to face you better, and you dragged your eyes away from her breast, now exposed. 

“Yes,” you said, pressing a hand to her shoulder to stop her from turning any more. If you were to see too much, you felt like you’d come immediately. And that wasn’t the first impression you wanted to make. “Let me get a towel for your back.”

You slipped from the bed quickly and retrieved the towels from the washroom. Quietly, she allowed you to wipe her back down and dry it. When she motioned for her robe, you passed it over and turned to let her dress. Only now was your heart slowing to its normal rhythm. The flush receded from your neck. You weren’t sure how much longer you could hold back when you were with her like this. 

A larger hand enveloped your own and tugged you back to the bed. Alcina reclined on a couple luxurious pillows, looking utterly relaxed and absolutely divine. A pleased smile spread over her lips as she pulled you back into bed. She slipped down the mattress and pulled your back to her chest. With a kiss to the nape of your neck, the underside of your jaw, she settled into her pillow and let her chin rest atop your curls.

“Stay with me?”

Chapter Text

Held so close, you could feel her breasts pressed against your back. How her chest rose and fell behind you. Instead of falling gently to sleep, Alcina’s hands began to wander from their innocent hold on your midsection. Her palms were so large, one could nearly cover your whole torso, but she used both anyway. Gliding up and down your front without any real intention, never lingering for too long in any place you might like. 

Her fingers traced down the front of your throat, pressing gently, and then moved on to brush over your collarbone. Her palms laid on your breasts, as though it were inconsequential. Regardless, your nipples hardened, and she hummed appreciatively into your hair. Slowly, her palms moved up and down your chest, roughing your shirt over your nipples each time. Pleasure built steadily there, coursing down to your core. 

You breathed heavily as she continued teasing you, rocking your head back into her shoulder. Her lips lowered, dragging down the column of your neck. Gently nipping at your skin, urging you to relax into her touch. One hand continued at your chest, using her fingers now to tease at your nipples. The other hand slipped down your torso, fingers slipping beneath the waistband of your boxers to touch your hip bone, trace it to the flare of your waist.

“Alcina, please,” you begged as the finger kept teasing.

“Since you asked so nicely,” Alcina hummed, letting her fingers dip lower, and lower--

***

You awoke flush and suddenly having lost something you craved. To your surprise, your Lady held you still. Maybe even tighter than before. Her nose was nestled in your neck, and you noticed she was breathing heavily.

“What were you dreaming about, draga mea?” Alcina huffed, lips pressing into your shoulder firmly.

“You,” you said, letting her hands slip up and down your body. 

“I hoped as much,” she said. “What about me?”

“This, mainly” you eked out as her palms settled over your breasts. You were still in the process of waking up, but it seemed she had been awake for a while. 

“Surely I wasn’t so tame…” She kissed your pulse point, the underside of your jaw, your cheek. “The way you were reacting certainly wasn’t tame.”

“Oh?” You could only imagine how your body acted during a sex dream. It was a bit mortifying to think she witnessed your unfiltered wanting.

“Mm,” Alcina hummed, her fingers dragging down your chest and then back up your sides. “So many little moans...and you were getting so worked up...I was surprised to find your hands above the waist.”

“I wouldn’t…” you murmured.

“No?” Her nails traced up your sides, beneath your breasts. “Even if I asked you to?”

“Alcina,” you husked, cheeks burning. “What are you doing?”

She kissed behind your ear, laughing softly. “I just watched you rather enjoy yourself over a dream of me ravishing you...shouldn’t I get to follow through?”

Yes . You wanted nothing more than to sink into the feeling, let her do whatever she wanted. “You want me to touch myself?”

Lady Dimitrescu chuckled. “Not just yet. I want to take this off. Is that alright?”

Her fingers tugged at the undershirt you had kept on while you slept. Underneath, you hadn’t worn a bra--not figuring you would need to worry about it when you’d gotten dressed. You turned in her arms to look at her fully. Before you’d gone to bed, Alcina had removed her makeup and lipstick, and she looked at you now with a tender, honest desire.

“It’s alright if it’s not. I know these aren’t always a person’s favorite place to be touched,” she said softly, glancing down to where your smaller bust pressed into her own. 

You smiled gratefully at her. She never made a big deal out of your gender, only checking in when appropriate and giving you the respect you deserved. It made you feel safe with her, like she understood who you were, or at least was trying. And while you appreciated her check in about this, there was no way you would turn down an opportunity for her to take your shirt off.

“No, my Lad--Alcina. Thank you for asking,” you said, kissing her softly. “But I want you to.”

Your response widened her smile, and she returned the kiss. Her lips moved smoothly against your own as her hands traced up and down your back, then beneath your shirt. You couldn’t help but shiver at the feeling, knowing how much more was in store. Alcina pulled the shirt smoothly over your chest and flung it to the floor. Those golden eyes gazed down at you appreciatively, taking in the curve of your breasts, the pebbling nipples, the softness of your stomach. Her hand traced admiringly between your breasts, across your stomach, up your back.

“You are gorgeous,” she murmured, and then quickly glanced at you. “Is that a suitable word?”

“Yes,” you laughed, kissing her to halt her worries. Your cheeks burned all the same to hear her say such a thing. You, gorgeous? You’d never truly considered it a possibility, especially in the Countess’s eyes. “That is a very suitable word.”

“You’ll be hearing it a lot, then.” Alcina kissed you back firmly as she traced her fingers along the sides of your breasts, ghosting over your nipples and then coming to rest on your hips. 

Before you knew what was happening, she had pushed you onto your back and climbed atop your hips, resting just above your body to not crush you. She grabbed both your wrists and guided them above your head, holding them there with the strength of one hand. Your breath caught in your throat at the sudden resituating, almost unable to comprehend the hold she had on you. Still in just her robe, you felt her bare thighs on your own and had a clear view of the shapely form you’d massaged the evening before. And now she leaned over you, restraining you completely, and kissed you.

You barely even struggled against her grip, perfectly content to let her take what she pleased. And she did. Lips briefly on yours, then dragging down your neck, to your collarbone, to the top of your chest. Her tongue darted out, making a slow descent to circle teasingly around your areola. A sharp gasp passed through your lips as she continued the teasing, the sides of her mouth brushing against your nipples. 

You strained now against her grip, trying to guide her mouth closer to where you wanted. She merely laughed, tightening her hold on you and tracing back up your chest to tease your ear.

“Your turn, darling. No moving until I tell you.” 

Her nose pressed a line down your throat, breathing you in, and you were reminded of the orgasmic way she described feeding during sex. It was a thought you would store away for another time, when you weren’t quite so worked up.

Without warning, Alcina drew the flat of her tongue over a nipple and then closed her mouth around it. Typically your nipples weren’t a hyper-sensitive area of your body. And maybe it was just because it was her . That this was the first time she’d ever touched you like this. That her tongue pressed and circled in ways you’d never experienced. That her free hand squeezed gently on your other breast as her tongue worked. But it felt incredible. A low, tingling sensation sending a blush to your cheeks and a gentle hum between your legs. Your face grew hot and your eyes snapped shut as her free hand rolled your nipple between her fingers until it stood at attention.

It grew more and more difficult to remain still. You ached to press your thighs together, to buck your hips up into her. You allowed yourself to twist your head to the side, biting softly into your arm. Alcina’s eyes were shut softly, a faint line of concentration across her forehead. Her cheeks narrowed as she sucked. 

You could get used to waking up like this. Wrapped up in her arms, submitting to her desires. Your mind already sunk into a pleasurable haze as she slowly worked you up, ravishing the undersides of your breasts, biting gently at the skin to leave purpling marks. You could feel her breath growing heavier against you, her back heaving up as she kissed down your stomach and then back up.

Lady Dimitrescu’s hand dropped to your stomach, scraping nails down towards your boxers, and her mouth closed around your breast once again. Arousal shot straight to your core at the closeness of her hand, and without thinking you bucked your hips up into the touch. As soon as you did, Alcina trembled on top of you.

Concerned, you tried again to move your hands, wanting to drag her up to look at you. To your surprise, she let you go. But she ignored your tugging at her hair to press gentle kisses against your shoulder. A slight wetness was left against your neck, and though you tried signaling her to look up she refused with a shake of the head. 

“Perhaps this was a foolish idea,” she breathed shakily into your collarbone. “I’m not sure I can proceed much further.”

You carded your fingers through her hair, enjoying the silky texture as your mind cleared. She eased off of you, and you instinctively moved to her side, pressing your lips to her cheek. You found salty streaks there and wiped them away best you could.

“Alcina, are you--”

“I apologize,” she said tightly. She pushed you back a bit to wipe at her eyes. “I’m not...ready to go there yet, darling.”

She sealed it with a kiss and tucked your head beneath her chin. Drawing you in close, she sighed heavily, chest fluttering against you. You wondered if she was fighting back the worst of the tears. 

“You don’t have to apologize” you whispered, wrapping your arms around her neck and nestling in. “It’s okay if this is hard sometimes.”

Alcina trembled again against you, and now you were certain she was holding back something deeper. “Yes,” she said, her voice wavering. “Intimacy has always been more difficult.”

That confused you. Wasn’t she pretty regularly intimate? “But haven’t you--?”

“That isn’t intimacy, dear. I don’t feel anything, other than, well, hungry for the maids I’ve brought up here. It has been since Laura’s passing that I’ve cared about someone I had sex with. I don’t...I don’t wish to cry with you.”

You stroked the portion of her back you could reach, hoping it was reassuring. “I don’t either. But we must at times. I feel honored that you trust me to be with you like this.”

“I hardly understand it myself. The ease I feel with you. It is almost unnerving.”

“Thank you?” you said smarmily, grinning into her neck.

You were pleased when she laughed, too. It was always an accomplishment when you did, and the reward of her deep, hearty laughter satisfied you for hours. 

“You’ve come out of nowhere,” she said softly, lips pressing to your curls. “I will need to adjust.”

Nodding into her, you pulled back slowly and drew her head down to you. You wiped the lingering tears off her cheeks and kissed her. Gently, reassuringly. So she would know you wanted to wait, to adjust with her. You kissed for a while, softly and slowly. Simply finding comfort in the embrace, the tender way she cupped your head.

“You’ve missed breakfast, I’m afraid,” she commented as she finally sat up and checked her timepiece. “As have I. I imagine my daughters will--”

Perfectly timed, a heavy knock came at the door. “Mother? Are you ill? Can I come--”

“No!” Lady Dimitrescu snapped, quick to toss a blanket over you. You were still partially nude, something you had forgotten until that moment. “I’ve simply slept in, Bela. I will take tea in half an hour. Inform Ophelia, won’t you?”

“...yes, Mother,” Bela said from the other side, a hint of suspicion in her voice. 

Lady Dimitrescu held a finger up to you, signaling your silence while she listened for something beyond your range of hearing. After a long minute, she lowered the finger and slipped from bed, handing your shirt over. You fought back a giggle at the situation, though she caught your grin. 

“Funny to you?” Alcina teased--she looked a bit miffed over nearly being caught.

“Only slightly. Made me feel like a teenager,” you said as you pulled your undershirt, and then your shirt back on.

“Ah, I hardly remember that time. Though I think I can understand your meaning,” she said with a smirk as she sat at her vanity. “Come, give me a kiss before you depart.”

You slid from the bed and came up to her side, meeting her lips as she dipped down. It was sweet and brief. You slipped from her room quietly, with a secretive smile. 

Fortunately, you’d arrived in your formal attire, so it didn’t seem suspicious for you to be wandering the castle. Except to the Lady’s daughters. So it was fitting that you would run right into one. 

“Ah,” Bela said with a pleased smirk. “Now I understand.”

Composing yourself in a split-second, you clasped your hands in front of you. “Understand what, Miss?”

Bela snorted. “Don’t play dumb. I can hear the lie in your heartbeat already. You were with Mother just now.”

“I…” Well she had a good point. What hiding was there from a vampire? “I was.”

The blonde’s brows shot up. “Oh. I didn’t think you’d admit it.”

You flushed. Were you so easy to trick? “I don’t see the point in lying.”

“Mm,” Bela hummed. “Well I don’t want to know the details. Mother never misses a meal, though, so you must be quite captivating.”

“I don’t...know,” you stumbled over the words. You’d never had to contend with a lover’s children before. If you were lovers. What did Alcina think?

“I’m only teasing, [Y/N]. You’re very easy to embarrass, you know.”

“My pleasure, Bela,” you said, trying not to totally lose your ground. “And when is your tea scheduled with Lady Beneviento?”

The blonde laughed shortly at the turn around. “Tomorrow. Mother insists on having tea with us. Perhaps you could…?”

“Could what?”

Bela shuffled in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Well, like last time. When you distracted her and led her off.”

“Bela, I would need to be invited for such a thing. Your mother would be very upset if I crashed her tea.”

“Then I’ll get you an invite,” Bela hissed. “Don’t be so difficult. Is it a deal?”

You forced yourself not to roll your eyes at the girl. She was in deep. You wondered how long it would take for anything to happen between her and the dollmaker. “Sure, it’s a deal.”

“Fantastic,” Bela grinned and, shocking you, drew you in for a quick hug. “Sorry to twist your arm, but you’ve really been a huge help.”

“Of course,” you said, still a bit dazed from the affection. 

With that, the blonde took off in her swarm, and you snuck down to the kitchens to assemble a small breakfast. Waving to Ophelia as you put your plate together, she gave you a warm smile and pointed towards a covered basket of croissants conspiratorially. You ate it on the way out to the workshop, humming lightly as you went. Despite getting caught by Bela, it was a perfect morning. Your body felt loose and bright, and every thought of your Lady brought a smile to your face. 

Though things had turned overwhelming for the vampiress, you didn’t view it as a setback. This was part of getting to know each other, as people. And having lost a love like Alcina had, you knew that this would not be the last time that sex would result in tears. Someday it may even be you. You would be lying if you didn’t admit that this whole experience was overwhelming. To go from servant to carpenter to paramour...you’d barely taken a beat to process the incredible change. And the incredible swell in your heart each time you thought of the woman. How much you wanted to be back in her room, ensuring she felt safe and comforted after the morning. It felt impossible not to care for her. 

You worked smoothly and quickly in the morning, constructing chair seats and backs with ease that you were only just getting back to. As you waited for glue to dry, you flipped through one of your newest books on woodworking. You were fortunate to find a section dedicated to lounging chairs and long wooden deck chairs that could be adjusted to different angles. As you read, you picked up tips for the next time you made chairs, as well as how to approach the project for the daughters. 

With Maria too busy to take lunch, the afternoon passed, and soon Cassandra arrived to work on the wine casks. She stepped into the workshop instead of her usual swarming in and out, and you noted she was dressed in unfamiliar clothes. Heavy black work pants and boots, as well as a thick shirt similar to yours--all covered by a leather apron worn and marked by time and use. The middle sister’s dark hair was drawn up behind her head in a tight bun. Her arms were crossed sternly over her chest.

“Well,” Cassandra said, “are you ready?” 

You dropped the book you were reading and dusted off your clothes. “Yes. The beginning is the most time intensive. It would be helpful to know how many barrels you’d like to see.”

Cassandra pondered it for a moment. “They’ll be 60 gallon barrels. Perhaps twenty.”

Your brows must have shot up at that. Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “Is that a problem?”

“No, no. I was simply surprised. That’s nearly six thousand bottles just with those. How many do you already have?”

The dark haired girl grinned. “Yes, well, Belly and Dani and I are going to make our own blend, beginning this season. It will debut in the Spring, as will we.”

“That’s exciting, Miss Cassandra!” You put a hand to your hip and regarded the girl with a smile. “Is your Mother just as thrilled?”

“She doesn’t know,” Cassandra said, her eyes narrowing. “And you won’t tell her, will you?”

“Of course not,” you swore, crossing your heart. 

“Good. It’s a surprise. To show her how much we’ve learned from her.”

“That’s very sweet of you three. And sweet of you to take on such a labor intensive portion of the work,” you commented as you drew out several lengths of white oak. The Duke must have delivered more of your materials before you even got down to the workshop, and you were thankful everything had arrived on time. You just might need to order more for so many barrels.

“I’m no saint. There’s plenty more labor to put in beyond this.” 

“All the same,” you shrugged. “Now we’ll need about thirty staves from these lengths to assemble a single barrel. Here are the dimensions we need each stave at. Have you used a saw like this before?”

Cassandra shook her head, stooping down to examine it. You talked her through the mechanics, and showed her how to measure and make a cut. She took to the work quickly. You wondered if her vampiric nature helped in work such as this. The woman moved incredibly quickly, eyes darting up and down the lengths of wood as she measured and cut. You moved much more slowly, measuring out lengths for Cassandra, though it seemed not all that helpful. 

“This is fun,” Cassandra said, an unfamiliar brightness in her voice. 

You concealed your surprise. “You’re very good at it.”

A quiet blush crossed Cassandra’s cheeks at your praise. “Thank you.”

“We’ve almost finished enough lengths for five barrels. It’s nearly time for your dinner, though. You should wash up and join your family.”

Cassandra finished her last length and tossed the staves in a growing pile. “I’ll be back tomorrow to cut more. Then we sand?”

“Very good. You took to that quickly, as well.” You peered at Cassandra, who looked disappointed to be leaving. You gestured at the staves. “You clearly know what you’re doing, Cassandra. Feel free to come out here and work when I’m not around. I’ll just need to order a bit more wood from Duke.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened at your offer. She glanced around the room and then back at you. “Thank...you.”

You nodded, imagining she wouldn’t want to drag the interaction out. Quietly, Cassandra slipped from the workshop and back to the castle as you finished cleaning up the workshop. It was progress, small as it might be. You appreciated that your conversations with Cassandra were about work and craftsmanship, not your relationship with her Mother. 

As you made your way back to the castle, you did wonder how Alcina would react after hearing about Cassandra’s work in the workshop. She seemed endlessly proud of her daughters, and it pleased you to think you could give her another reason to admire her children. 

Just as you reached your room, someone bumped into you, sending you into the door. You whipped around, holding your shoulder, and saw Angelica standing in the hallway. Her cheeks were stained with tears, a thin thread of snot hanging from her nose, which she wiped away at the sight of you. Her expression morphed all at once from surprise to anger to regret, telling you everything you needed to know.

“I--I’m sorry,” she muttered, looking at you with watery eyes.

A long, quiet moment passed as the girl straightened her back and took a long, suffering breath. She tried to look you in the eye, you thought, but she seemed to stare just beyond you as she spoke. “I…I was jealous and angry. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

The girl trembled before you but looked unharmed. If anything, her pride had been shattered and her confidence shaken. Nothing she didn’t deserve. You nodded slowly. 

“Thank you,” you said quietly, endlessly curious as to what your Lady had said to the girl.

“Have a good evening,” Angelica said stiffly, trying to correct her shoulders and blink back her tears. She turned and rushed down the hall to her own rooms without a second glance.

A bit stunned at the apology, you stepped into your own room. Maria laid out on the bed, whipping up to look at you as you walked in. A conniving smile donned her face.

She teased you in a sing-songy voice, “Well, hello, Little Mx. Sleepover.”

Chapter Text

"So you didn’t have sex? After all that?” Maria looked aghast as she darned a sock

You shook your head with a laugh. “No. It was just...intimate,” you said, borrowing your Lady’s wording.

“Well, your restraint is admirable. I would have come straight back here to work that out,” she said with a suggestive wink.

“I was tempted,” you admitted. “But you’ll never believe who just apologized to me in the hall.”

“Angelica?”

“Yes, isn’t that wild? She looked pretty upset.”

“Good,” Maria huffed, stabbing her needle through the sock she held. “She’s a bitch.”

You shrugged. “I feel bad for her. I imagine Alcina was pretty harsh with her.”

“Alcina? Is that...oh my god.”

Cursing yourself at your mistake, you clapped your mouth shut. “Damnit.”

Maria burst into laughter. “Your secret is safe with me! I figured you must know her name by now, but I’m going to do my best to just forget it completely. I don’t need Dani’s mother angry at me.”

“Right...has the Lady spoken to you at all about that?”

Maria shook her head, finished with her darning. “Honestly, I’ve barely seen the Lady since it all started. She’s been too preoccupied with you , I imagine.”

You blushed at that. “Well, maybe. I think she approves though.”

“I should hope,” Maria laughed. “I would not want to get between Dani and her Mother.”

You nodded in agreement and finished getting dressed for the evening. Maria had brought your food into the room, but you wondered if now it might be safe to eat in the dining hall again. You didn’t prefer crumbs all over your bed, after all.

“Speaking of Dani…” Maria mumbled, starting to look through her closet. “I’m going to meet her just now.”

“Oh? Should I expect you back?”

Maria winked. “Probably. But don’t wait up.”

You laughed as she gleefully slipped out of the room, and after a few moments of primping you followed suit. With the customary bottle of wine in hand you paused at the top of the stairs, unsure where to meet your Lady. Technically this was a work meeting, though they hadn’t been very professional as of late. You opted for her office, raising your hand to knock just as the towering vampire opened the door. 

“Hello, dear,” she said warmly, opening the door wider for you to enter. 

Alcina moved back to her desk, gesturing for you. Without a second thought, you stepped into her awaiting arms, biting your lip as she lifted you from the ground and to the desk as though you were a stray book. Set upon the desk, she smoothed a curl back from your forehead and gave you a lingering kiss before leaning back into her chair. As Alcina straightened her spine, the cool, collected, business façade of Lady Dimitrescu settled in.

“I’ve spoken to Angelica,” she said, voice controlled and steady. “She won’t be bothering you any longer.”

“She apologized to me in the hall. Seemed pretty upset. Can I ask what you said to her?”

Lady Dimitrescu shrugged in indifference, checking the luster of her nails in the candlelight. The moon already peaked over the mountains in the window as night began to settle over the valley. 

“I simply explained how she had overestimated the nature of our relationship. That what she felt was not returned. Perhaps I was not always...generous in my communication about the terms of that arrangement. What you and I have, [Y/N]...” Alcina trailed off as she seemed to bite her tongue. 

You gave her a moment, sensing she would continue if she was given the space to collect herself. And soon she took a breath and briefly met your eye. You felt suddenly bare before her. Your Lady looked at you with such warm affection and vulnerability. You could only hope you returned the same look, or at least offered her a gentle place to land.

After a long moment, Alcina glanced away, nervously flipping through the ledger on her desk. “It is much more. The girl clearly has never been in a relationship such as ours. One in which she has been understood or cared for, and I am not the woman to do that for her. It is the way of such things, unfortunately. She will find another, better suited to her,” your Lady said with a dismissive flick of her wrist. 

“But none could compare to you , my Lady,” you teased, though a niggling thread of doubt unspooled in the back of your mind. It was exceedingly easy to fall into the allure of Lady Dimitrescu. To believe you were special for getting her attention. You could certainly understand Angelica’s tears after this talk. And while you didn’t believe you were falling into the same trap, the thought of it made your chest bloom in anxiety.

Though it pleased you endlessly to see the surprise on her face, the hint of a blush on her cheeks. 

“Well,” Alcina said, “you are quite the charmer.”

You reached out for her, happy when she acquiesced and let you place your hands on her shoulders. “Should you not know the truth?”

“My, my.” Alcina laughed heartily, leaning in to kiss your cheeks. Her hands tugged you from the desk, into her lap, and held you there by the back. She looked down at you, painted lips smiling softly.

“Thank you for speaking with Angelica, my Lady. I only worry that it won’t be enough,” you admitted softly.

“You think my talk was not effective?” Lady Dimitrescu asked haughtily.

“No, no,” you reassured. It was hard to have a serious conversation while sitting in her lap. You kept getting distracted by the feeling of her chest pressing into you. “I only mean that the other servants suspect there is something between us. Angelica’s jealousy aside, I fear the rest of the staff will grow bitter about any special treatment I receive.”

“Ah,” your Lady sighed. “I see.”

She pondered for a long moment, resting her chin on your curls. It seemed to be a position that comforted her. Where she could touch you without the stress of seeing you. You thought you should be offended by it, but if it was what she needed to do, then you could deal with it. Eventually, though, you hoped she could look you in the eye when you needed to talk about something serious.

“What do you propose?”

With her throat against your cheek, you felt her swallow harshly. Was she nervous? It was hard to tell like this. And you didn’t have the benefit of feeling a quickening heartbeat. You’d never truly noticed the stillness in your Lady. Your heart always beat so quickly when you were around her, you hadn’t processed her lack of one. Unable to stop yourself, you pressed a kiss to her neck, hoping it would reassure her.

“Perhaps we should be more discreet with our...personal time? So it doesn’t seem like I’m getting preferential treatment.”

“What does that mean?” Alcina snapped, squeezing you a bit tighter. She took a deep breath and loosened the grip. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what this means. You don’t wish for me to be affectionate with you?”

You leaned back, pulling her chin down to kiss her. You’d caught her by surprise, but she quickly relaxed into the embrace. Pulling away, you stroked her cheek. “No, that’s not what I mean. I only mean, I’m a servant, too. If we share a meal, the other servants shouldn’t be there serving me. And if we spend the evening together, I should always have appropriate clothing to change into.”

“But we may still spend our time together? In the library, or elsewhere?”

“There is no question, Alcina,” you said softly. “I am always waiting for the next time we are together.”

“As am I,” Alcina said deeply, bringing your noses together and then stealing another kiss from you. “Then what will your reaction be to an invitation to tea tomorrow?”

“To tea? But isn’t tomorrow when Lady Bene-”

“Yes, I thought it might be…” she searched for the word “...nice.”

What had Bela said to her? She must have been pretty convincing to get Alcina to invite you to tea with another Lord . You were about to respond when she continued, the same nervous swell in her throat bobbing. 

“Lady Beneviento, is as discreet as she is quiet. She will not speak to any of the other Lords about such a guest at tea. Just as I will not speak about her and Bela’s...flirtation. Both would be equally mortifying, should Mother Miranda hear of it. Besides--”

“Alcina,” you stopped her with a hand to the cheek. “I will have tea with you.”

“Oh,” she said simply, looking a bit taken aback. “Good.”

“So long as you promise we let them have some time alone,” you insisted. Pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth, your voice dropped low and rough. “Which means we can, as well.”

Alcina hummed deep in her chest, a smirk playing on her lips. “I suppose you’ve convinced me, darling.”

She turned her head to meet your lips and kissed you deeply. You slipped your fingers into her hair, bypassing bobby pins and clips to get a firm grip. It was some of the only leverage you could get on her. A sharp tug on her hair and Alcina gasped, allowing your tongue to glide in. You traced over the enamel of her elongated fangs, loving the way it made your Lady shiver. 

You did your best to hold her in place. And even though you were sure she could break it at any moment, it felt incredible to be in control. To guide your kiss and explore her mouth. You kept returning to those fangs, growing more and more curious about them. How it might feel if she drank from you--even for a second.

Alcina’s hands slid up your torso, slipping beneath your arms to touch your face and reclaim control over the kiss. After a few gentle kisses, she pushed you back slightly, leveling her golden eyes at you. They were darkened with arousal, made only more alluring by the smudge of her lipstick around her mouth.

“Is there something you want, draga mea?” she purred, kissing down your neck.

“I…” You melted into the touch, nearly forgetting to respond. “I want to try it.”

“Oh?” she husked, her lips pausing at your pulse point.

You pressed your body into her as you ducked your head into her shoulder, embarrassed now to admit what you wanted. It had always made you nervous to ask for what you wanted in sexual relationships, so you were impressed you’d even admitted to this. 

“Not tonight, but...I am intrigued.”

“Alright, darling,” she breathed, kissing your pulse gently and then pulling back to look at you. She placed a hand at your neck. “We’ll start slowly. Not here. It’s much too tempting. Perhaps the wrist. See if you enjoy yourself. If not, we won’t revisit it.”

“You would really be alright if I didn’t like it? If that wasn’t on the table?”

Alcina laughed. “I don’t need you on the table. All I need is you in my bed.”

You pushed your furious blush deeper into her neck, mumbling, “Okay.”

After a quiet moment, you looked back up at her. She looked serene, calm. Eyes and brow at ease as she returned your gaze. Tracing a hand up her cheek, you remembered the tears she had shed this morning. And how quickly the encounter had ended.

“How are you feeling?” you asked hesitantly.

She smiled down at you, running her fingers through your curls. “Much healed from this morning.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Continue to tell me what you want, and I shall do the same. I wish to feed from you very deeply, but I anticipate it shall be overwhelming for us both.”

You nodded in understanding. There were some things you couldn’t fully prepare for, just be cognizant of. This felt like one of those things, and you did your best not to feel helpless.

“Maybe for now, we focus on tea?”

Alcina nodded, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “That sounds lovely. Wear your suit, of course. And what shall our excuse be to leave my daughter and the dollmaker?”

“We must go to the greenhouse to...discuss rearranging for the patio set?”

“As good a lie as any.”

“Perhaps we can, though. It would help me understand sizing and such things.”

Lady Dimitrescu cocked a brow. “I thought you wished for us to spend some time alone .”

“Well, we can still do that. Who ever goes into the greenhouse?” you asked with a suggestive wink.

It seemed the thought had not crossed Alcina’s mind, because a faint dusting of pink crossed her cheeks at the suggestion. “Perhaps,” she murmured. 

Your mumblings to each other fell into soft kisses, an innocent enjoyment of each other. You were learning how she liked to be kissed, how you liked her to kiss you. The size difference made it interesting, and you were only just adjusting to it now. Knowing how to angle your head, move your lips, submit to her size. There was no question she controlled the majority of your encounters. Her strength demanded your compliance, though you knew that she was willing to give it up. And in these slow, sensual embraces, you felt she allowed you to give as much as she did--forfeiting her advantages to you equally.

It wasn’t long before a clock in the hall chimed a new hour, and your Lady pulled back. She looked pleasantly tired, eyes lulled and lips resting in a gentle smile. She kissed your cheeks and soon set you back on the ground.

“As much as I would like to invite you back to my rooms tonight, I’m afraid I haven’t the energy for a late night.”

“That’s alright. I was teased mercilessly today for the sleepover, anyhow.”

“Ah, yes. Maria. Her and Daniela have certainly hit it off.”

You snorted. “It’s rather...remarkable.”

“Isn’t it? Perhaps I should speak with them soon. Ensure we all understand each other.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well,” Lady Dimitrescu said, biting back a yawn, “I haven’t fully decided yet. But my daughter has never courted anyone. I would ensure they treat each other with respect. And that any such relationship does not come to light with Mother Miranda.”

“She seems to have a lot of sway over, well, everything.”

Alcina sighed. “She is not a woman who would find humor in such dalliances. So I will not allow her to know of them.”

You nodded in understanding, feeling your own tiredness begin to press on you. She noticed and pressed another kiss to your lips before sending you off to your room. You collapsed into a delicious sleep, dreaming of Alcina.

Chapter Text

Tea time was mid-afternoon the next day, so you put in as much work as possible in the morning. The chairs for the Lady’s office were nearly done drying, so you shifted your focus to the lounge furniture for the greenhouse. You wanted to give the daughters a variety, but there was only so much you could do before properly seeing the space. After some research and preliminary sketches, you began a list for the Duke. 

Just before lunch, you stepped outside the workshop and looked up to the castle. The chairs were ready to take inside, but last time you’d taken in the tea table was pretty exhausting. You were about to call for Cassandra to help you take up the chairs, when the girl swarmed out of the materialized at your side.

“Need help with something, [Y/N]?” she drawled, licking a bit of blood from the side of her mouth.

“How did you--?”

“I have very good hearing.”

“I see...did you just call me by my name?” you asked hesitantly. You weren’t sure she’d ever done that before. 

“What of it?” she huffed, glancing at her nails.

“Nothing,” you said innocently. “It was nice of you, that’s all.”

Cassandra waved it away. “Whatever. Did you want help or not?”

“I’ve finished the chairs for your mother’s office. Could you help me take them up?”

“Hm, why not. You take one, I’ll get the rest.”

Cassandra dissolved into her swarm, and you watched, a bit amused, as the dark cloud of flies rushed three chairs into the castle. You followed behind at a much slower pace, watching your step as you ascended the stairs. Just outside Lady Dimitrescu’s office you heard Cassandra speaking to her.

“...they’re a good teacher. I’ll have casks ready by the end of the month, I hope.”

You smiled to yourself at the praise. It was hard to know with Cassandra sometimes, so it was nice to hear such words from the woman.

“Excellent, Cassandra. I’m very proud of you for taking this on. Our production will grow immensely from this.”

“O-of...course, Mother,” Cassandra said. You wondered if it was difficult to keep a secret from her Mother. If she was nervous to surprise her with this new blend she and the girls had been working on. You sensed that having the Lady’s approval meant a great deal to Cassandra, as well as the other daughters.

“I know it is not...easy to be out in that space.”

“It was harder at first, but now the workshop feels like theirs. Have you spent time out there, Mother?”

There was a pause. “Only a small amount. They are very understanding about the whole thing. But being there is still difficult.”

“I’m...sorry, Mother,” Cassandra said softly. “But I am glad you have found them, whatever it results in.”

“You are so sweet, my daughter.”

Though it brought a blush to your cheeks, you decided it was rude to linger outside any longer. You shouldered the office door open and dragged the chair inside rather inelegantly. Cassandra took it from you quickly, placing it where your Lady instructed. The dark-haired daughter didn’t linger long, bidding her mother a good morning and disappearing back to the cellar.

“You’ve outdone yourself, yet again,” Lady Dimitrescu murmured as she stood and examined the chairs. “They are exquisite”

“Thank you,” you said, feeling your heart quicken with the praise. 

“Mm, you enjoy when I tell you what a good job you’ve done,” Alcina noted, leaning down to stroke your cheek. 

You blushed harder, embarrassed to be caught like this. “I...it makes me happy to please you.”

“And you do,” she said, her voice low in her chest. “I shall endeavor to remind you of it more often.”

She sealed her teasing with a gentle kiss, and then sat back at her desk. You followed, hoping you might be pulled up as well. But she simply ran her fingers through your hair, smiling at you.

“I shall see you at tea, draga. Be sure to clean up. While the smell of sawdust is appealing after you’ve just delivered me new furniture, it will not be appropriate for our company.”

You nodded and quickly departed for lunch. For the first time in a while, you and Maria were able to sit in the dining room without a dramatic ordeal. Ophelia even gave you a quick one-armed hug as she brought out a basket of fresh bread. Maria had a very good time with Dani the previous evening, and you were disappointed that you didn’t have time to hear all the details. You rushed to the shower regretfully as Maria returned to her duties, and then quickly dressed for the afternoon tea. You’d been fortunate enough to have a linen suit made, so even with the layers, you didn’t think you’d become too hot during tea.

Once you were ready, you made your way to the gazebo in the garden. It was a pleasant day, with a gentle breeze cooling the harshness of the afternoon sun. You were excited for this tea, but you couldn’t help the nerves brewing in your chest. This was the first time you and Alcina would truly be in public together. What did it mean? You’d never really discussed the terminology of your relationship. You were courting, but was this a bigger step? How would she treat you? It didn’t seem like your place to initiate affection around another Lord. But a part of you hoped she would. 

“Ah, there you are,” Alcina’s deep timber sounded from behind you as you approached the gazebo. 

You turned back to see her with a platter of tea in one hand and a plate of assorted pastries and treats in the other. Instead of her usual dress, she wore a pair of brown trousers and a cream blouse, her usual dark hat missing. Her half-rim glasses rested on a chain around her neck, and though she was dressed casually, she still wore a full face of makeup. You knew that a woman donning pants didn’t make her a new woman, but each time you’d seen Alcina in trousers, you felt like you were meeting someone new. The way the fabric emphasized the endless length of her legs, cinched high at her waist to display her impressive figure, allowed you to see the smart loafers she wore...she was gorgeous.

“Good afternoon, my Lady,” you said, a bit slowly. “You look incredible.”

“My,” Alcina laughed. “In these rags? You’re too kind. Come, sit. Our company shall arrive soon.”

You joined her at the table set up in the gazebo, sitting at her side. It filled you with an inordinate amount of pride to sit at her side. For your association to be stated, even in such a subtle way. As you sat at her side, her fingers sank into your curls, playing with them absentmindedly as she set four places for tea. You moved to help her, but she simply held you in place by the hair. That ignited something else entirely inside you, so you stayed put, not wanting to lose yourself at tea.

“There we are,” she said, finally sitting fully and releasing her grip on your curls to draw a palm down your cheek. “Is this comfortable for you?”

You blinked slowly, a bit confused. “I wouldn’t have agreed to this if it wasn’t.”

“Well, that is reassuring. And if I treat you this way during tea? Touching you?”

Your cheeks warmed at that. “You wish to do that in front of Lady Beneviento?”

“Of course. It is quite calming to have you close. Besides, I don’t believe Donna has ever been romantically involved. Our affection might be illuminating.”

“And Bela? I thought you wanted to wait to tell your daughters until--”

“Bela is already well aware after the other morning. So I imagine her sisters know as well. At some point I’ll sit down with them, but I see no harm in it.” She paused, regarding you cautiously. “So long as you agree?”

“I do,” you said softly. “I am quite enamored with you, Alcina.”

“And I, you,” she returned, leaning in to steal a kiss.

You would have fallen deeper into the embrace, were it not for Lady Dimitrescu snapping back, ears pricking at a distant sound.

“They’re coming just now. Donna is actually speaking, shocking as that may be,” Lady Dimitrescu snarked. “I swear, if she clams up when she sits down with us--”

You laid a hand over hers. “I doubt she will.”

Her eyes snapped to you, momentarily disturbed by your interruption. And then softened at the simplicity of your kindness. She took a breath and straightened her back. “Too right, dear.”

At that moment the veiled Lady Beneviento walked into the gardens with Bela at her side. They walked closely, Bela stooped slightly to lean in and hear the woman. You could have sworn you saw their hands snatch away from each other as they caught sight of you and Lady Dimitrescu at the gazebo already.

“Mother,” Bela said cheerily, swarming ahead to embrace her mother. “Angie remains at the castle with Cassandra and Daniela. And Lady Beneviento brought us clippings from her garden for our own.”

“How thoughtful of you, Donna,” Alcina says warmly as she stands to her full height and then lowers to press quick kisses to the veiled woman’s cheeks. “Please, sit. You recall [Y/N]? They attended Bela’s lovely recital a few weeks back.”

“Thank you, Alcina,” Lady Beneviento said softly before turning to you. “And of course, the carpenter. Bela tells me your work with the desk was exquisite. I would love to see it.”

You smiled, standing to take the Lady’s offered hand. “Should my Lady approve, perhaps Bela can show you later on.”

Bela grinned at Lady Beneviento, sending her mother a quick, pleading look. As Lady Dimitrescu nodded slightly and took a seat. Lady Beneviento did as well and, after an encouraging smile from Bela, slowly removed her veil. She set it at her side, neatly folded, and you finally saw the lord’s appearance. Her angular face was slim and pale, dark hair piled atop her head and falling in stray ringlets to her cheeks. Pale and plump lips stood beneath a strong nose. The evidence of her infection was obvious, covering her right eye completely in densely textured scar tissue. Her other eye was a pale silver that glowed warmly as she glanced at Bela. 

“Of course you may,” Lady Dimitrescu said, taking her seat and moving to serve the tea. “Now, tell me how things fare at your house, Donna.”

You’d never seen Alcina serve herself tea before, but she did it with a practiced grace. Each cup filled perfectly, without spill, and a flask of blood shared between herself and her daughter. You tuned out the conversation to watch her in this role of hostess. While you’d technically seen her host, you’d never seen her plate a danish or scoop fruit into a small bowl. You knew it was all because you’d asked. In any other situation, a servant would be here, filling tea cups and plates as invisible as the wind. But she took the role on, for your comfort. You gazed at her longingly as she spoke with Lady Beneviento and were only shaken from your distraction by a sharp kick to your shin.

You grunted softly, glancing across the table to see Bela glaring at you, a finger mock-gagging her throat. Impulsively, you shot a glare back at her. The surprise on the girls’ face was worth the chastising that immediately bore down on you.

“Are we boring you so immensely?” Lady Dimitrescu cut your staring match off sharply.

Bela immediately snapped to attention. “No, Mother. [Y/N] is quite enraptured by you, I couldn’t help poking fun.”

Your mouth dropped open, prepared to snap back at the blonde, but then Lady Dimitrescu laughed heartily. You looked up at her, ready to defend yourself when you saw the warm look in her eyes. It gave you pause, wanting to bask in the glow.

“They are quite the flatterer,” Alcina laughed, leaning down to kiss you on the cheek.

You burned at the affection, watching Bela and Donna’s eyes widen slightly. Alcina pulled back, returning to her tea as though not much had happened. Donna gave Bela a sidelong glance. The blonde looked down into her cup immediately, a faint blush on her cheeks. 

“Donna, do tell me of your courtship of my daughter.”

Bela nearly spat her tea out. “Mother!”

“Bela,” Lady Dimitrescu said plainly. “Should a mother not ask such questions? I am merely concerned for your dear heart, cold and still as it may be.”

Bela sputtered, looking panicked at Lady Beneviento and then at you. You returned her incredulous stare, not sure you should intervene. Lady Beneviento, for her part, looked only mildly taken aback by this question. 

“It’s alright,” Donna said softly. 

One of her slim hands came to the table and rested upon Bela’s. The blonde blushed intensely, eyes darting downwards.

“I feel quite affectionately towards Bela. She has treated me very sweetly of late. And I hope to treat her the same.”

“Hm,” Alcina hummed thoughtfully. She took a long sip from her tea and then set it down, primly dabbing at her lipstick with a napkin. Her golden eyes danced over her daughter, her fellow lord, their hands still touching by the pinky upon the table. “Very well, then. Now, [Y/N] and I have business in the greenhouse. Do enjoy the tea.”

Lady Dimitrescu stood, paying no mind to your and Bela’s stunned expressions. Tea had only just begun, and already she had imploded it. Perhaps for the better, but imploded all the same. Lady Dimitrescu offered you a hand as she reached her full height, brow quirking in impatience.

“My Lady, are you certain--”

“Come along, you know we’ve matters to attend to,” Alcina insisted. 

You nodded slowly, sparing the remaining women a glance. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Beneviento. Good afternoon, Bela.”

You took Alcina’s hand, shooting Bela an apologetic look. Her mother had truly just opened a can of worms for her daughter and Lady Beneviento. You hoped they could sort through it themselves. For her part, Donna seemed willing to talk about things. You wished you could be the metaphorical fly on the wall for this, but your Lady pulled you gently from the gardens. 

“That was rather devious of you,” you commented as the two of you made it a fair distance from the gazebo.

“Why thank you,” Alcina purred. “I thought it quite effective.”

“I hope as much.”

“I can hear it already. An important conversation is beginning,” she said with a sly smile. “Now, must we go to the greenhouse? I feel rather accomplished and would like to celebrate it with you. Privately.”

She said the words so confidently and so casually, as though she weren’t propositioning you on your walk back to the castle. For how often she spoke of being surprised by you, you equally found yourself taken aback. 

“I...I would still like to visit the greenhouse. If only briefly,” you followed up quickly. “And then, yes, I would want to...celebrate with you.”

Lady Dimitrescu peered down at you. She almost pouted ? “Very well, then.”

“I’ll celebrate you very thoroughly,” you reassured, squeezing her hand. 

Alcina hummed, her lips lifting at the thought as she led you to the greenhouse. As you arrived, she released your hand and lifted a broad, flat leaf in her hand. She regarded it with narrowed eyes, eyeing it for dark spots. You wandered deeper into the greenhouse, searching for a suitable area for furniture. After a bit of searching, you found the spot--far enough from the windows that the girls wouldn’t catch a chill but close enough to the plants that they would feel part of nature. You gestured for Alcina to join you. 

“I was thinking of this spot for the patio furniture. We may have to rearrange some of the plants, if that seems alright?”

Lady Dimitrescu stepped around the space, kneeling to examine the plant life and making silent calculations as she looked around. Eventually she gave you a nod. “It should do nicely.”

You wandered a bit from the spot, taking measurements with the tape measure you kept handy in your pocket these days. The measurements led you soon to the glass of the greenhouse. Marking the distance in your head, you began to walk back to the center, but found Alcina standing in your way. Her long shadow covered you totally, and with her hands on her hips, she looked ravishing backlit by the sun.

“Oh,” you said, surprised. “I didn’t hear you.”

“I can be quite quiet when I wish to.” She stepped in closer to you, continuing until your back hit the glass. Alcina leaned in close, drawing your chin up with a hand. “Can you?”

You squeaked as she lifted you into the air, pressing your back against the glass at eye level to her. Her hands hooked beneath your arms, holding you with surprising gentleness as she pressed her body into yours. It reminded you of the night she’d nearly bit you, but her touch now was soft, attentive. Lady Dimitrescu’s head dipped in close to you, lips grazing over your neck, your cheek, your lips. 

“May we celebrate here?” she murmured. “Having you sit by my side has...affected me.”

“Oh, has it?” you asked roughly, feeling completely at her mercy. And you didn’t mind it now. You wished she would just kiss you.

“Indeed,” she growled and granted your wish.

You were able to stroke her cheek as she kissed you, keeping her where you wanted her. The glass of the greenhouse was cool through your shirt, helpful in keeping you balanced as Alcina stoked a fire between your thighs. She broke the kiss eventually, opting to kiss and nip at your neck. You bit back satisfied sighs as she teased you, wishing her hands could wander instead of holding you up. To your surprise, she did wander a bit, one nail slicing through the threads of your top two buttons. With your collarbone exposed, she dipped lower, leaving marks where no one else could see them.

“Alcina,” you breathed, feeling a familiar warm haze settle over your mind. “Please.”

“Mm?” she hummed in question. “Please what, draga mea?”

You groaned softly. “I want to touch you, too.”

“Oh? And what will you do--”

A harsh shriek split the quiet of the greenhouse and the intensity of your moment. Alcina whipped around, still holding you. Angie--held now by Lady Beneviento as she and Bela entered the greenhouse--howled bloody murder, a wooden finger pointing accusingly at the two of you. Alcina dropped you gently to the ground, smoothing her blouse as she did. A faint blush lit her cheeks as she gave you an apologetic smile. You barely had the wherewithal to compose yourself, flushed with embarrassment.

“Mother!” Bela hissed, a deep blush lighting her face. 

“Apologies, daughter, Donna,” Alcina said, her tone as even and calm as though they had walked in on the two of you sharing a drink, not a heated kiss. She placed a hand on your back reassuringly, guiding you subtly towards the door. “I trust your conversation went smoothly?”

Lady Beneviento’s veil was drawn across her face again, so you could only imagine her expression. You did note her tightly clenched hands, and the way Angie continued to rant and rave, making furious laps around the greenhouse. You were unsure how connected the two of them were. But if Angie was any indication of Donna’s interior self, the woman had certainly just been sent for a trip.

“Y-yes, mother. Donna was just going to show me where best to plant the clippings she brought.” Bela gestured to the basket of greenery that Donna held. The dollmaker’s knuckles had nearly turned white with how hard she gripped the wicker. 

“Ah, very good. Carry on,” she said, pressing your shoulder more firmly as she began to walk towards the castle. 

You followed Alcina’s lead until the doors to the castle, your face a furious red, before glancing back. Bela held Donna by the shoulders, stooping slightly to look her in the eye--or where her eye would be, were the veil up. You knew Alcina didn’t mean for this to happen, but you hoped that an afternoon of teasing by Lady Dimitrescu would not deter Lady Beneviento from pursuing Bela. 

“Did you mean to torture Bela today, my Lady?” you asked as she began escorting you towards the servant’s quarters.

Lady Dimitrescu laughed, her nails scratching lightly at the back of your neck. “Only a little.”

“Do you really think it will help?”

“I suppose we shall see. I was surprised Donna even responded to my question at tea.”

A quiet moment passed. You supposed this was Alcina’s gentle--in her consideration--way of pushing her daughters from the nest. It wasn’t what you’d expected, but she seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Perhaps this was revenge for the girl's younger years. You could only imagine Bela, Dani, and Cassandra had been a handful. 

The Lady’s hand dropped from your neck as you approached the servant’s area. “Would you like me to leave you here?” 

You looked at the door, feeling frustrated by the boundary you’d put in place. “Not really,” you muttered. “But it’s probably for the best.”

Lady Dimitrescu sighed. “Very well. When is your next day off?”

“I was only just at the village, so another four or five days. Why?”

Her nose crinkled at the response. “How unfortunate. I would like to take you riding. And I would not like to wait quite so long.”

“Well, you are my employer, my Lady.”

A slender brow rose in question. “Would that not be preferential treatment for me to give you a day off?”

She had a point. It was already so difficult to adhere to these rules. You almost wished you could take them back. “Perhaps I...win Maria’s village privileges?”

Lady Dimitrescu scoffed. “If you really think you can. But if you lose your own, I will not be pleased to wait so long.”

“Waiting can have a rewarding pay-off, my Lady,” you said with a wink. You took her larger hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles before slipping into the servant’s quarters.

Chapter Text

Maria snorted as she dealt another hand. “Oh absolutely. I’m about to make my comeback. Just watch.”

“This isn’t fair!” Maria groaned, setting down another losing hand.

Behind her, Dani only clutched Maria tighter, arms wrapped about her middle and chin resting on her shoulder. The girl had a wicked look on her face. Throughout the hand, Dani had been whispering things into Maria’s ear. Whatever she whispered made your roommate look like a tomato, and gave you the slightest edge against her. It wasn’t how you’d want to win in an ideal situation, but at this point you didn’t care enough to complain. If it was distracting Maria, you’d put up with the temporary discomfort of their PDA. A day had already passed since your Lady’s invitation to go riding, and you didn’t want to wait much longer either. 

You poured another drink for the both of you, grinning as you pulled in a haul of Lei. You had a pretty hefty prize pot already. Enough to make back what you spent in the village, and maybe even pay Maria for her village privileges if you lost the next round.

“Alright, next round I put my village day up. You gonna match?” you asked, as if Maria would ever back down from a bet. 

The redhead perched on Maria’s shoulder let her hands wander from Maria’s midsection up and down her body. You looked away in embarrassment. “ Maria ,” Daniela said in a sing-songy voice. “What’s this card mean? It looks like a fancy little lordling.”

“Daniela!” Maria snapped, gasping out loud and pulling her hand close to her chest. “Don’t you dare give my hand away.”

“But I’m just curious,” Daniela said with a faux innocence. 

“You have to stop distracting me, Dani,” Maria hissed, nudging the girl unsuccessfully with her elbow. “I want to go to the village tomorrow!”

“But I want you to stay ,” Dani said with a wicked grin, diving her nose into Maria’s hair. 

Maria rolled her eyes, despite her blush. She looked at you, eyes narrowed. “One more round. Don’t think I’m going easy on you because of her. I’m winning all of that back plus your village day!”

“Okay, okay,” you laughed, smirking at the wink Dani sent you from over Maria’s shoulder. 

Maria did not win all of that back, it turned out. Daniela turned the distraction up to a ten. You were glad you couldn’t hear what was said, only witness the furious blushing and squirming of your roommate as she tried to assemble a winning hand. Even with Maria preoccupied, you still struggled to put a hand together. Maybe it was the alcohol or the luck or the pressure, but getting the cards was proving difficult. Towards the end of the game, though, something shifted, and you could barely contain your grin. 

“Show ‘em to me,” you told Maria. 

Your roommate wearily put down three sevens, a jack, and a two. She shrugged. “It’s ok.”

“Sorry, Maria. Guess you’ll just have to hang out with Dani tomorrow.” You smiled triumphantly as you laid out a straight flush--six, seven, eight, nine, and ten of hearts.

Your roommate groaned, shoving Daniela off her shoulder. She scowled deeply. “I can’t believe you. And you! You don’t even like going to the village that much! What gives!”

You shrugged nonchalantly, pooling your winnings into your bedside drawers. This much lei would certainly make up for all those books you’d purchased. 

“They’re going on a date with my mother--that’s what gives,” Dani said, flinging herself onto Maria’s bed with a giggle. “Mother asked me to come distract you so [Y/N] could go tomorrow.”

Crouched over your nightstand, you froze, turning slowly to look at Daniela. She winked again, then shielded her face as Maria threw a pillow at her.

“What the hell, Dani!” Maria yelled.

It didn’t shock you that Alcina had sent Dani as a rogue agent, but you didn’t expect her to fess up to it. 

“What?!” Daniela screeched. “I want you to myself tomorrow, too. Is it a crime?”

Maria huffed and stood, swaying a bit from the alcohol. “No, but I won’t forgive you until then.”

The redhead rolled her eyes dramatically and stood from the bed. She sauntered to the door. “Fine, fine. You won’t be complaining tomorrow.”

“That was a dirty trick,” Maria grumbled as she donned her pajamas. 

“Ancient vampire secrets I suppose,” you joked, ducking as a pillow was tossed your way. 

“What even kind of date is the Lady so dead set on you going on, anyway?” Maria pulled her blankets over herself with a huff. 

“Horseback riding,” you murmured, a weighty alcohol-induced tiredness pressing on your eyes. 

“Fancy,” Maria mumbled sleepily. She waved a hand in defeat as she shifted onto her side. “You’re welcome, then.”

***

After lunch, a package wrapped in brown paper sat waiting at your door, tied with a piece of twine, and a pair of long black riding boots standing beside. Inside the package, you found a pair of sturdy, rough hewn pants, a crisp button up, a pair of tobacco gloves and a similarly colored vest, and a deep blue houndstooth blazer. A small card tucked between the clothing read:

[Y/N],

Meet me in an hour in the stables. Wear these if they are to your liking. 

Yours,

Alcina

She was always so no nonsense in her little notes to you, but then pulled out things like yours at the end, just to make you blush like an idiot. You folded the note back up and slipped it in your pocket. Maria was spending her day off with Dani, having forgiven her quickly in the morning when she brought a decadent breakfast spread to her room. With the room to yourself, you took your time putting on the outfit your Lady had selected, double checking your hair in the mirror to be sure you looked your best. 

Eventually, you ambled out to the stables. Bypassing the workshop completely, you felt fortunate to have had Daniela’s backup during the game last night. The thought of working anymore today felt cruel now that you were on your way to spending time with your Lady. 

You entered the stables and saw your Lady standing beside one of the gigantic horses used to draw her carriage. It was stark white, built so large you wondered if it had also been experimented upon. Your Lady brushed the horse down as you entered, and you saw she wore a similar outfit to your own. Unlike yours, though, her pants were white as the horse, and her hunting jacket a deep burgundy. She already wore black gloves but now a deep red, patterned ascot was tied around her throat. Her usual hat was abandoned for buns pinned-low against her neck. Like every time you saw Alcina in pants, your breath caught in your throat. 

“Don’t you look handsome,” Lady Dimitrescu said as she spied you gawking in the doorway. 

“And you, my Lady,” you returned, uncaring that you’d been caught admiring her.  

You let your eyes rake up and down the woman, appreciating the faint redness it brought to her cheeks. Lady Dimitrescu laughed, patting the horse in front of her and then unhooking a corral door nearby. A slightly smaller tawny horse with patches of white stood there, huffing gently at you.

“Have you ridden before?” the Countess asked, handing you an apple.

You let the horse sniff it and then lick the fruit from your hands, chomping cheerfully. “As a child. But we had no need or money for horses.”

“Well then, this will be an important lesson.”

Alcina showed you on her own horse how to harness a bit and reins and secure a saddle. You followed along, tightening straps and patiently waiting for your horse to accept the bit. When you’d prepared the horses, she led the animals out of the stable and you followed, admiring the firm hold she had on both beasts. When your horse began to veer towards a patch of grass, all it took was a firm tug on the reigns for the animal to correct its course. Without preamble, she scooped you from the ground and into the saddle, guiding your boots into the stirrups and handing you the reins.

“Aren’t I meant to do that myself?” you asked, a bit out of breath at the sudden movement.

“You can do it next time,” she said with a smirk. 

Beside you, she hefted herself onto her horse. She took her reins in one hand, and you watched as her thighs clenched slightly, signaling the large animal to begin a slow walk. You mirrored her action, earning you an approving smile, but you tensed up as your horse began moving. It was slightly unsettling to have the animal moving for you. 

A calming hand landed on your shoulder. “You must trust her to do the job for you, darling. I won’t let you get hurt.”

With her reassurance, you allowed yourself to relax slightly and followed Alcina’s lead. She led you around the courtyard in circles, showing you how to signal direction, speed up, and slow down. Once you had a handle on the basics, she led the way to a trail just off of the gardens.

“The horses know this path well. You’ll hardly need to do anything,” Lady Dimitrescu called to you, glancing over her shoulder to give you an encouraging smile. 

“Okay,” you responded, still clutching onto the reins. 

For a while, you simply trailed behind your Lady, getting used to the horse’s instinctive traversal through the woods. You leaned in and out of the movement as the horse ascended and descended a small hill. It was a beautiful day out. Sunlight filtering through the canopy to light you and your Lady flatteringly. Upon the white horse, she looked like an oil painting. Finely rendered, ephemeral, deeply symbolic. Worthy to be hung in a museum. It baffled you that, if you asked it of her, she would turn back and kiss you.

The thought of such a reward did spur you a bit of bravery within you. So you urged your horse forward to trot side by side with your Lady. She looked over with the slightest hint of surprise arching her brow.

“Getting comfortable?” she asked, reaching out to trace your jaw.

You nodded into the touch. “It’s relaxing, now that I’m getting used to it.”

“Good.”

You rode in silence beside her for a while, navigating a rocky bit of the path without much hassle. As your horses ascended and came to level ground, you felt your grip on the reins relax. You didn’t think you’d experienced anything like this before. A date such as this, for one, but more so such a calming ride through the woods. Thoughts of work and money and food forgotten--not even relevant. You felt lucky knowing that Alcina wanted to give you this comfort and security. 

“May I ask you a question?” she said softly beside you. At your nod, she continued. “I wondered if you might tell me about your mother.”

“Ah,” you said, a bit surprised. Though you supposed you hadn’t been very forthcoming about yourself lately. “What would you like to know?”

You didn’t talk about your mother often. When she died, you’d struggled living on your own for a few years, and then come into the service of the Dimitrescus. You worked through the grief with friends and in your solitude over the years, but more than seven years from the event, you found the memories, the recollecting, all of it came and went. Around anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays the memories came back stronger, more painful. But rarely did it crop up in your day-to-day.

“Did she raise you by herself?”

It wasn’t the question you were typically asked, which was refreshing. Nice not to dive straight into the story of her death right away.

“Mostly. My father was in the picture for a few years before he left for work in the capitol. Then it was just the two of us.”

“I imagine that must have been difficult,” she said wryly. “Children are a handful, even with help.”

“I’m sure you know,” you laughed. “She never complained, though. I was a resourceful kid. Helped her make deliveries and organize her workshop.”

Alcina guided the way through a gentle stream, glancing back to ensure you’d made it over. “Did you often work with her?”

“Most days, after school. It was much more interesting than anything I was learning. She was a very patient teacher.”

“And a good one, it seems,” Lady Dimitrescu commented warmly. “When did she pass?”

“Almost seven years ago. Very suddenly, overnight.”

“Cruel,” Alcina said, almost to herself. 

“I agree,” you laughed. “But any way it happens is cruel. We just come to know some ways of losing better than others.”

The Countess looked at you curiously, her golden eyes warm. “Well put, darling.”

You smiled at that, feeling a warmth blooming in your chest. “The anniversary is coming up, actually.”

“Do you commemorate her on that day?” she asked, making room on the trail for you to ride beside her.

“Typically. Eat the food she liked, read a favorite book, visit her grave. Nothing fancy.”

Alcina hummed knowingly. “You shall let me know the day? I wouldn’t want you burdened by work.”

You were tempted to argue with her, insist she not give you a pass like that. But the tender way she looked at you as she said it silenced you. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for sharing with me. I appreciate knowing you better,” Alcina said softly, reaching a hand out to rest on your thigh. She squeezed it with a smile and then pointed ahead, to a break in the trees. “We’re just coming upon a meadow. Would you like to try a gallop?” 

“Um,” you hesitated. “Are you sure I can--?”

“Of course. You know how to stop. Now, just snap the reins and…” 

With a sudden snap of leather, Alcina and her white horse zipped off towards the meadow, hoofs thundering into the dirt. A bright laugh echoed back to you, making you grin widely, and then she was gone into the field ahead. Though your nerves welled in your throat, you snapped the reins and yelped as your horse bolted up the path. The forest blurred into shades of green and brown as the horse dashed by. You adjusted your body slightly, leaning over the saddle to feel better in control as you broke through the trees and into the open meadow.

You saw your Lady making a lap around the meadow, sitting back in her saddle as the horse galloped. She shot you a grin, and you urged your horse to follow. You had no hope of catching up with her--not when her horse was so much larger-- but gave chase all the same. Eventually, she looped around behind you, and you slowed to match her trot.

Lady Dimitrescu gently guided her horse towards the middle of the meadow, and you followed, lagging slightly behind as you saw what she was leading you towards. In the middle of the field, a couple large checkered blankets were laid out with a large wicker basket sat upon them. Alcina dismounted gracefully and allowed her horse to graze in the field. You slid, much more awkwardly, to the ground and joined your Lady on the blankets. 

The Countess sat with her legs folded to the side, and somehow she made such a pedestrian pose look elegant. She opened the basket and removed a carafe of iced tea and a smaller basket of baked goods.  “I thought we might share some tea.”

Warmth brewed in your chest at the gesture. No one had ever put so much thought and planning into a romantic outing with you. It was touching and brought a smile to your lips. 

“That sounds lovely. How did you get this all set up?” You asked as she handed a glass off to you. 

“Cassandra offered to help. I believe she’s growing fond of you,” Alcina said as she swirled a bit of blood into her tea.

You smiled to yourself at that and took a bite of a flaky chocolate pastry. “And I her. I enjoy spending time with all your daughters, really.”

“That pleases me endlessly,” Alcina said, resting a hand on your knee. “They are the most important thing in this world to me. The fact they are comfortable around you is reassuring. And that you care for them, even more so.”

“I’m glad as well. It would be much more awkward to be caught sneaking out of your rooms if Bela didn’t approve,” you laughed, placing a hand over hers.

“Yes, unfortunately, it would be quite some work keeping you alive if the girls weren’t happy with my choice,” Lady Dimitrescu mused, a pained grimace flitting across her face. “But we need not worry over such things.”

You pushed the idea from your mind. You were lucky to have endeared yourself to her daughters, and there was no use thinking about the what-ifs of them despising you. You only hoped their affection for you remained once they realized how intensely you felt for their mother. 

Lady Dimitrescu pulled you from your thoughts. “Come, you have something…” 

She leaned into you, a large thumb brushing over your lips. A few stray crumbs of pastry fell to your lap, but you were enraptured with the feeling of her finger at your mouth. Without thinking, your lips parted and Lady Dimitrescu’s thumb slipped into your mouth. She gasped as your lips closed around her knuckle.

You looked up at her as a sharp spike of arousal shot down to your core. Alcina’s eyes glowed hot, mouth dropped open slightly. Before you could do much else, the hand she had on your knee moved up to your waist, pushing you down into the blanket. Alcina pressed you into the ground, removing her thumb from your mouth and letting her lips take over. You moaned heavily into her mouth, clutching at her neck as her tongue deepened your kiss.

“You are much too tempting,” Alcina growled as she pulled back, her mouth dragging down your neck. A sharpened claw sliced the buttons from your collar, allowing her to dip down even further. “Do you know the effect you have on me?”

Alcina nipped gently at your exposed skin, her chest heaving as she held you down. You groaned at the sensation. Desperate to touch her, you wrapped your legs around her as much as possible, bucking gently against her grip. Drawing her lips back up to yours, you busied your hands untying her ascot and working on the buttons of her shirt. You wanted to touch her, to be in control this time.

Pushing at her shoulders, she eventually pulled back, a brow raised in question. “What is it? Do you wish to stop?”

You shook your head, blushing at the sight of your Lady’s mussed hair and lipstick. “I want to...to be on top. I just can’t roll you over.”

“Ah,” your Lady chuckled. She shifted her hips to the side and dragged your body atop hers as she reclined against the blanket. Your calves bracketed her as much as possible, leaning against her bosom to seal your lips. An elbow propped her up as she kissed back, one hand bracing your back.

The day was warm and bright, the scent of sweet flowers in the air as you languidly kissed Alcina. You couldn’t quite press her into the ground the way she had, but you asserted yourself where you could. Exposing her neck with a tug at her hair. Sliding your hands up and down her sides, just grazing over her breasts. Bucking your hips into her. 

Your Lady smiled into your kiss, slowing it down after a while and pulling you to rest against her chest. She pressed her lips to your temple and gazed up at the clouds, but you couldn’t take your eyes off of her. The refined shape of her jaw, the way her hair shone in the sunlight, the smudge of lipstick on the side of her mouth. You felt deliciously tired in her arms, dozing slightly as she began to hum a song. The vibrations carried through her chest and into your own, lulling you into a calm, sleepy state.

The sun had dipped lower in the sky when your Lady woke you. Pinks and oranges spread across the sky as she helped you back onto your horse and led you back to the castle. On your horse, you perked up a bit--mostly the ache of your thighs and butt from the riding keeping you annoyingly alert. You could tell already that this would hurt much more in the morning. 

On your journey back, the forest seemed serenely peaceful. A chipmunk or two scurried along the path, but looking deeper into the woods, it was hard to make anything out. It was on one of these long looks into the trees that a large dark crow burst from within and across your path--disappearing just as quick back into the woods. Your horses reared up at the surprise, and you held on for dear life until the hooves touched the ground again. Your heart beat wildly in your chest, and you glanced around, just in case something else was coming along.

"Are you alright?" Lady Dimitrescu asked from her steed. She looked surprisingly harried as well, golden eyes scanning the woods. 

"Of course," you said, clearing your voice of any warbling fear. "Just startled. That was a big bird."

"Indeed it was," your Lady murmured, looking shaken by the whole thing. But she said no more, simply urged her horse back onto the path, and you followed her lead.

As you arrived back in the stables, Lady Dimitrescu gave you a hand to dismount. You took it gratefully and slid from the horse, wincing slightly at the stretch in your thighs. 

“Are you alright?” she asked, concern pinching her brows. 

“Just a little sore,” you said with a dismissive wave. “Not used to so much bouncing around, I guess.”

Alcina smirked at that. She put your horses back in their stalls and gave them fresh water and oats. As she finished, she rebuttoned her shirt and tied her ascot back around her neck, and you straightened your clothes as well. 

She leaned down and kissed your cheek. “Come to my chambers after dinner. A hot bath will do you good.”

A bath in your Lady’s chambers? Would she just...sit in her room while you bathed? Or did she mean bathe together ? A hot blush rose to your cheeks just thinking about it. Alcina’s eyes widened slightly and then a smirk settled on her lips. There was no keeping secrets from her, after all. 

“Alright,” you said, a bit flustered.

“Very good.” 

With that, Lady Dimitrescu turned and walked from the stable, black gloves poking out of the pocket of her blazer. As she walked, she unpinned her hair and shook it out. Dark curls tumbled over her shoulders. It felt like she knew you were watching her go because her hips swayed as she walked. If she was inviting your stare, then who were you to deny her? Leaning against the side of the stable, you eyed her appreciatively until she disappeared inside. 

As she did, Cassandra appeared before you, arms laden with blankets and the wicker basket from the meadow. She caught your final glance at her mother’s retreat and rolled her eyes dramatically. The brunette stuck her tongue out, pretending to gag, before giving you a small smile and disappearing back inside. 

You smiled to yourself at the interaction and slowly made your own way back to the servant’s quarters. Maria was nowhere to be found, so you assumed she was busy with Daniela, as the redhead had hoped. You hoped Maria wasn’t too angry about the card game deception from the night before. Hopefully Daniela was doing her own work apologizing for that. 

Undressing, careful of the aching in your limbs, you took a quick rinse. You wouldn’t wish to smell bad with your Lady, even if you’d be taking a bath. Figuring this evening’s visit to Alcina’s chambers was a casual one, you dressed in a fresh pair of your work clothes--heavy brown pants and a deep blue, slightly oversized shirt. You ascended the castle quickly and quietly. The other servants you passed in the hall did not meet your eye, nor did they glare at you. For now, you figured, that would be good enough.

Your Lady did not answer when you knocked on her door, and after a moment you pushed it open yourself. Her room looked the same, but a relaxing steam filtered out from the adjoining washroom. 

“Alcina?” you called out, hesitantly approaching the washroom. 

“In here, darling,” she said, voice low and relaxed.

You entered the washroom and immediately turned red. This was your first time here, and you had no idea the bath was so large. An inset tub, as big as a pool, filled the room. It was filled with steaming water, and to the sides of the pool were a couple of stone shelves where colorful bottles and vials sat. In the water, your Lady lounged. Arms stretched out over the lip of the bath, her body disappeared beneath the water and bubbles. Steam curled off the tops of her breasts, framing her face. Her lips stretched into a smile at the sight of you, and a marble-like hand raised from the water, a finger curling to beckon you closer.

“I see you’re dressed rather casually,” she purred as you approached. 

“As are you,” you quipped back.

Alcina laughed deeply, eyes glittering at you. “Would you like to join me? Or would you rather I leave you to your soak?”

Your mouth went dry. This was an opportunity you couldn’t refuse. So far the two of you had been doing...poorly at taking things slowly. You didn’t want to push her to a place she was uncomfortable with.

“Are you sure?” you asked, shifting in place. 

“I am,” she said softly, letting her damp hand trace down your cheek. 

With that, she turned back towards the bath, giving you privacy. Cheeks burning, you disrobed and placed your folded clothes on a stone bench nearby. Totally nude, you stood, covering your chest slightly as you looked for a place to step into the bath.

“There are steps near the door,” Alcina said, gesturing towards them.

You nodded silently and stepped over to them, careful of the slick tile. Stepping into the water, your muscles almost immediately relaxed. The water was hot, scented slightly with eucalyptus, and enveloped the aching in your limbs. You sighed gratefully, letting the water come up to your chin as you stepped deeper and deeper in. Looking over, you saw Alcina’s eyes open now, watching you admiringly from across the pool. She offered a hand out to you over the water.

“You are gorgeous,” she said, the words rumbling over the water to you. 

Floating over towards her, the depth of the pool now forcing you to wade, you took her hand and allowed her to pull you across the water and into her lap. You settled gently upon her, bare thighs closing around the softness of her stomach and hands coming to rest against the tops of her breasts. Your thatch of pubic hair pressed against her belly, making you blush. But her breathing only grew heavier at the feeling. Her breasts pressed into your torso, stirring the heat between your legs. She kissed you wordlessly, hands smoothing down your back and settling on your hips. Her fingers roamed aimlessly across your lower back, dipping down over your butt and then back to your hips as her tongue entered your mouth. 

“Are you still sore?” she murmured in your ear.

You nodded, feeling the stretch still in your thighs as you tried to pull yourself closer to her. It was almost impossible to form words this close to her. The feeling of her skin against yours, hot and soft and dripping with water, was fogging your mind with arousal. You resisted slightly as she used her superior strength to turn you around in her lap, pressing your back against her front. Alcina’s hands traced down your front, caressing your breasts and dragging over your hips until they reached your thighs.

Moaning, your eyes closed as Alcina’s hands circled around the inside of your thighs, massaging the muscle gently. Her fingers worked at the soreness there slowly, thumbs brushing just slightly over your pubic hair as she did. Even in the water, you felt yourself growing wetter by the moment. Head sunk back into her chest, you couldn’t help the pitiful noises that slipped from your lips as she kissed at your neck. 

She worked you up slowly, letting her hands wander your body and ease the aching from you. Massaging the deep pain in your buttocks with a practiced hand, making your whole body hot at the touch. Her mouth busied at your shoulder and neck, leaving splotches of lipstick in her path. Your thighs spread wider as she touched you, hoping she would take the invitation to touch you more intimately. You were growing more and more desperate by the moment, tightly drawn tension between your legs taunting you. It would be so easy for you to spill over the edge. And with her fingers guiding you there, you were sure you’d fall apart right in her arms. Perhaps even a single, decadent touch...

“I don’t mean to tease you,” Alcina murmured. “But I’m not sure I’m ready to have you tonight.”

“That’s okay,” you breathed heavily, trying not to show your disappointment. Her words alone to have you had you nearly losing your mind. “But do we have to stop?”

“Oh, not at all, draga mea,” she purred, continuing the massage on your thighs. “I can tell how riled up you’re getting. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“Not possible,” you sighed, sinking deeper into her embrace. 

Alcina chuckled, and her mouth wandered up and down your neck as she touched you, stoking your arousal. You felt her breath catch in her chest as her nose pressed to your throat. And then her forehead hit your shoulder.

“I want you so badly, though,” she said harshly. “I want every part of you.”

You flushed deeply at that. “Do I smell so good?”

“Irresistible,” she groaned, kissing your neck with finality before leaning away from you.

She continued her massage, but kept her head held high above your own, even as your breathing grew heavier and heavier. You gazed up at her longingly, pleased to see a similar yearning in her eyes. Alcina dipped down to kiss you upside down, which made you giggle.

“You find this amusing?” she asked curiously.

“Just silly. In a good way,” you clarified quickly.

“I see,” she hummed, gently turning you back around in her arms. “Perhaps this will be less so.”

Alcina settled you on her body with purpose, forcing a thickly muscled thigh between yours and grinning at the way your eyes fluttered shut. She held you firmly there, slowly grinding your hips against her. Your clit rubbed torturously against her muscle, winding the tension in your core impossible tighter. You gripped her wrists tightly as she kept up the pace. 

“Alcina…I-I’m…”

“Look at me, draga mea,” she husked. 

It was incredible how just her words could summon you into action. Your eyes opened, taking in the hungry look on her face. She grinned at your no-doubt delirious expression. 

“Are you going to come for me?” Alcina murmured, resting her back against the edge of the pool as she watched you come undone against her leg. 

You nodded urgently. “If you don’t stop I’m gonna…”

Your own moan cut you off, making Alcina sink a fang into her lower lip. 

“Do you want me to stop?”

Your mind was hazy with desire, tempted to let her continue. To come all over her leg and collapse in her arms, totally spent. But you craved so much more than this. You wanted those fingers that gripped your hips inside you, her tongue licking into you—you wanted so many things you knew she wasn’t prepared to give to you just yet. 

“I…I…” you hesitated breathlessly, unsure what it was you wanted from the moment. 

Her movements slowed, bringing you down from the heights of your arousal. “Was that too much?” She asked quietly, pressing her nose into your curls as she drew you into a hug. 

You returned the embrace, shaking your head. “No, I just…I don’t think I’d want to stop after just one. And I know you aren’t there yet, so—“

She cut you off with a kiss, gentle and sweet. “You are thoughtful. But I am happy to pleasure you. As many times as you’d like.”

That made your cheeks burn wildly. You shifted in your lap, though the movement was dangerously close to working you back up. “Well it doesn’t seem fair not to return the favor.”

“Perhaps sometime soon, no?” She asked with a teasing quirk of her brow. 

“I would like that,” you said softly, kissing up her neck. “I want you.”

“And I you,” she returned with a soft sigh. “But if we linger longer here, I’m afraid our skin will suffer.”

You knew she was right and nodded reluctantly. Already your fingers were pruning, and you didn’t really prefer her seeing you shriveled up like a raisin. 

“May I?” She asked, keeping her hold on you and beginning to stand. 

You nodded again, not minding the weightless feeling of being lifted into the air and carried from the bath. She set you on the tile again and passed you a towel. As she wrapped a large fluffy towel around herself, you only got a glance at her body in full, but even the passing glimpse made your core tug wantonly. 

Alcina stepped wordlessly into her room, and you took a moment to dry yourself off before following, clothes clutched in hand. Your Lady sat at her vanity, towel tucked around her and spreading lotion up and down her legs.