It felt strange to be "home" after six years of being gone. It wasn't even the home that she remembered. The house was bigger, though not by much. The first thing she noticed was that there were three beds. Brittany learned that the two spare beds were shared between the brothers. The downstairs was still a workspace for her father but she noticed that the tools were nicer.
"You seem to have done well, father." She said, trying to break the silence. He looked up at her with a start. It had been six years since he'd heard her voice. And for those six years he harbored guilt for doing what he'd done. To see his daughter, all grown up and still calling him father was more than his heart could bear. He nodded and mumbled a "yes" and looked back down at the table.
Without warning, her father got down on the ground and put his head to the floor. Brittany put her hand over her mouth, surprised.
"Brittany...what I did six years ago...it was inexcusable."
"Please don't, father."
"I don't deserve your forgiveness."
"Father."
"The things...I can't imagine what life has been like for you." He said. Brittany stood up and lifted him off the ground. She bent down and looked him in the eye and smiled. He searched her eyes, confused as to why she was being so gentle.
"Father." She said. "Please, sit down." She guided him back onto the chair where he folded his arms and questioned her with his eyes. "When you left me..." She closed her eyes. "I...I was saved." Her father's eyes widened as did her mother's. Her brothers leaned in closer to hear her story. She looked around.
"S-saved? What do you mean?" Her mother stammered.
"A girl bought me from Count Baste." She said. "She took me from Count Baste even though he didn't want to sell me. She took me in and made me her personal servant. She saved me from him. I grew up well fed, well treated, and far away from the Count." Her father's jaw dropped open. Brittany looked down and bit her lip. She missed her Mistress. Even if she was back with her family, there was still a sense of loss in her chest.
"We must thank this girl and her family. What is her name?" Brittany looked up again.
"Santana Lopez."
Quinn knew that the Lopez family had closer connections to the king than her family ever would. Quinn knew she had a slight edge when it came to looks but she could've been the prettiest girl in the country and Santana would still beat her simply due to her family's influence. It had been set from her birth, she was going to marry the Prince. Her mother told her every night before she went to bed that soon, she'd be in charge of everything.
And then Santana Lopez and her family had to come into court, saved the King's son and gained unimaginable favor with him. Suddenly it wasn't "you'd be in charge of everything" at night, it was "you must beat the Lopez girl." Soon she was working hard every day to earn even a little bit of the Prince's attention while Santana's parents had to force her to spend time with the Prince. It was as if she didn't care about the crown.
That was going to change, however. She knew something that Santana did care about. No matter where she went or what company she kept, she was always kept Brittany close. Brittany was the only person Santana ever showed more than a passing interest in. She and Santana been "friends" since they met and Quinn had never seen Santana smile at her the way she did at Brittany. It was clear, even if it was unheard of and inappropriate, Brittany was more than just a servant to Santana. Quinn was going to use that to her advantage and there was no greater opportunity for that than now.
"Hello, Duchess Lopez." Quinn curtsied.
"It's so nice of you to drop by. But remember, Santana is being punished for her actions. If you visit too often, she'll forget that." The Duchess always made Quinn feel uncomfortable. It was clear that any kindness she showed was feigned. She was false from head to toe and Quinn saw through the facade. It didn't make her any less uneasy. She was certain that, given the chance, the Duchess would gladly lead her off a cliff.
"I'm sure it's more punishment for her to entertain me." Quinn laughed politely. The Duchess smiled her sickly sweet smile.
"Don't be silly. Your presence is always welcome." I'm sure it is. Quinn thought to herself but she nodded and the Duchess gestured up the stairs. "If you have the time and energy, please teach Santana how to behave more like you; a proper lady."
"I'll do my best." The Duchess excused herself and disappeared into a room. Instead of going up the stairs like the Duchess expected her, Quinn stole out to the back and looked immediately for the stable. She poked her head in and looked around. It seemed empty. She took a cautious step in.
"Hello?" She asked. "Is there anyone here?" Suddenly, a man jumped out of the hay roaring at the top of his lungs and grabbed Quinn around her waist. Quinn screamed and when the man realized who it was he had terrified and assaulted, he jumped away.
"I apologize, Miss! I had no idea!" Quinn opened her eyes and looked at her assailant. It was none other than the troublesome stable boy, Puck. She crossed her hands in front of her and composed herself. He looked scared of her, rightly so since she was from one of the most influential families in the country. And to have touched her and frightened her like he did...
"Please forgive me." He said. "I've had enough trouble with the stable master. He told me that if I were to..."
"That's enough." Quinn commanded, straightening her hair and pulling bits of straw from her dress. "I won't ask what you were trying to do or who you thought I was. I have more pressing concerns." Puck had been staring at his feet for most of the time. He worried that if he so much as looked at Quinn Fabray wrong, she'd have him drawn and quartered. But now that he seemed to be in no immediate danger, he glanced up at her.
He'd heard stories of her beauty; it was near legendary. Miss Lopez was not hard to look at, but when he glanced up, her face took his breath away. He'd only seen her close once, the day before when she asked him about the carriage driver. But he'd been too sad and distracted to really pay any attention to what she looked like. It had registered in his brain that she was beautiful, but it was only now that it really sunk in. Her face was pale and smooth, the complete opposite of his own skin which was dark and dry. Her eyes were light brown with emerald flakes in them. Her form was lithe and she carried an air of grace and serenity that Santana lacked. Santana was a fiery handful to deal with. Miss Fabray on the other hand was cool and collected despite the scare he'd given her. His mouth fell open a little as he gaped at her. Quinn shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"I was looking for the carriage driver. Do you happen to know where he is?" Quinn asked, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Puck shook his head and snapped out of his stupor. He looked back at the ground.
"No, Miss. He lives in a small cottage a little ways into the woods." Puck replied. "He will probably be there." Quinn nodded courteously and left. Puck strained to watch her walk away, creeping up to the side of the door where he peered out at her quickly retreating figure. He'd never met anyone as beautiful as her.
Quinn walked a little ways into the woods before she spotted the lone cabin. It was made of wood but it looked barely large enough to fit two people. When it creaked loudly, Quinn feared that the roof would collapse on her head. Nevertheless, she pressed on and knocked softly on the door. It took a moment before the door opened.
"May I he-" The man's eyes widened. "Miss Fabray! I didn't...please, come in. Oh, what am I saying, it's a mess in here." He stopped and cleared his throat. "Excuse my manners. How may I help you?" Quinn planted her feet firmly. She saw the mess of clothes and unwashed dishes behind him and decided it would be better for her health to say outside. She smiled at him.
"I understand you took a Miss Brittany Pierce back to her family, is that correct?" Quinn asked. The man looked at her.
"Yes, Miss." Quinn chose not to acknowledge his clearly perplexed look with an answer. Instead, she went on with her question.
"Do you mind telling me where they are" She asked.
"No, Miss. But may I ask why?" He said.
"It's a matter of...personal business." Quinn replied cryptically. The man scratched his head. "If you'd be so kind..." Quinn discretely pulled a small coin purse from her dress and placed it in his hands. His eyes went wide again.
"I can draw you a map, Miss." He said and hurriedly went inside to fetch parchment and ink. "Please, come in."
"No thank you." Quinn shuddered in disgust when she saw a rat escape out the window. "I'll be fine out here."
The low roof of their house bore down on Brittany's head as she stared up. Outside, she could hear dogs barking and she curled up, the memory of the mad dog still fresh in her mind. More than that, she remembered her Mistress. It was odd, she should've been happy to be with her family again. She hadn't seen them for so long and yet, the first thing that came to her mind was how much she missed the Lopez estate.
It wasn't that her room was nicer, Brittany wasn't one for material things. It was the bond that she'd forged with Santana. She'd grown used to keeping an ear out for Santana's tell tale ring. She remembered the crisp peal of the bell, signaling for her to get up and tend to her Mistress. It hadn't happened that often, mostly it was because Santana couldn't sleep and she needed Brittany to stay with her until she did.
In her family's house, she couldn't smell the familiar smells. She couldn't hear the sound of crickets chirping in the back or the distant whinny of a restless horse. Here the air was musky and uncomfortable. The sound of her father snoring was paradoxically calming and grating. It was calming to know that she was home, that her family was safe. It was grating because she had a home already, back at the estate.
She rolled over again on the lumpy, poorly made bed and stared at the stone wall. She felt guilty for wanting to go back. But knowing that her family was fine, that they'd survived and seemed to be doing well was enough for her. She wanted to take her place by her Mistress's side. But that would never happen. The Duke would never let on his estate again. She sighed with a heavy heart and clutched the frayed ribbon to her chest tightly. She tried to imagine the sound of her Mistress's voice as she tried to sleep.
The morning was just as jarring. Brittany woke with a start when the sounds of a bustling city filled the air. She could hear vendors in the street yelling their prices, women humming as they walked around and children screaming and laughing. She sat up and looked around. It was just like the first day she woke up at the estate six years ago. She didn't recognize anything around her for a moment until she realized that the nanny was not sleeping in the same room, that Santana was not ringing for her because she'd accidentally slept too late.
"Brittany!" Colin jumped onto the bed and hugged her. Brittany hugged him back.
"Colin!"
"I missed you, Brittany." He said. "Mama always said you'd come back some day." Brittany smiled down at him.
"Of course. I missed you too much." She said. He grinned. He'd lost a tooth in the front, a mark of growing up. Brittany knew she'd missed much of their growing up but she was with them and she could make up for those years.
"Breakfast is ready, Brittany." Her mother said as she made her way up the stairs. "Go on, Colin." Colin scrambled out of bed. Her mother sat down next to her and looked at her.
"I'm home." Brittany said.
"But you don't seem happy." Her mother pushed back her hair.
"I am, mother! I'm with you and papa, and everyone." Her mother smiled. Her eyes were faded with age but they held such knowing that Brittany sighed and relented. "It's not that it was more comfortable, mother."
"She must've treated you very well." Her mother noted.
"She did, mama. She saved me and Mary. She never once got mad at me, no matter how many times I did something wrong. She made sure I was always comfortable."
"For a noble, she's very kind." Her mother said. Brittany nodded and ran her thumb over the worn ribbon.
"More than you can know, mother." She whispered.
"She's done more than I can repay in a dozen lifetimes." Her mother said, straightening Brittany's tangles. "She must be a saint."
"It's strange, mother." Brittany said. "I've seen her with others. She's not like she is with me." Her mother smiled knowingly.
"You are very special, did you know that, Brittany? You were blessed from the moment you were born. God must've switched you with an angel when He delivered you to us but it is a mistake I will go to heaven and fight Him for if He wishes to correct it by taking you back." Her mother said. She stood up. "Come, breakfast is ready. We have a house full of growing boys, it'll not last long." Brittany got out of bed and followed her mother downstairs.
Her mother had found work washing clothes for a nearby city patrolman. The extra coin helped and since her father had a steady, if slightly sparse, supply of customers, that meant that the boys no longer had to beg. Her mother and father earned enough to feed them. Nathan, as Brittany found out, had taken an apprentice ship with a local weapon smith. Working with swords and around people who knew how to wield them expertly planted the idea in him that he too was strong and invincible. That was why he chased after Mary as he did.
The weapon smith scolded him for being so foolish but Brittany could tell just by the way he yelled that the old scraggly man cared very much for Nathan and hated to see him as hurt as he was.
"He's a talented boy." The weapon smith said to Brittany privately. "Stupid beyond belief, but very talented." Brittany smiled at her brother as he prodded at a piece of metal sitting in the furnace. The old man turned to watch him and immediately hobbled towards him.
"Don't poke at it like it's your evening gruel! You'll ruin the metal that way!" He shouted. Brittany laughed a little. Everything was going well.
Quinn Fabray knew she didn't have to dress up too much for people to recognize her as a noblewoman. She simply put on a light blue dress and fixed her hair before walking downstairs. It was very early in the morning but she had a long trip ahead of her. Her father was just exiting the bedroom when he spotted her.
"Quinn!" He said, surprised. "Where are you going this early?" Quinn turned around and flashed a mysterious smile.
"A lady never tells all her secrets." She said, putting a finger to her lips. Her father laughed loudly.
"Secrets yesterday, secrets today, at such a young age...You get that from your mother." He said. He walked downstairs dressed in his night robe and kissed her on the forehead. Quinn smiled at him warmly. "Be back before dinner, understood?" Quinn nodded and descended the steps. She walked outside where a carriage was waiting.
"You know where we're going." Quinn said. The carriage driver nodded and they were off as soon as the door closed.
The ride was not a pleasant one. Quinn was very sick for the trip. She had been too excited to execute her plan that she hardly slept, hardly ate and that resulted in a very nauseating experience. It was also a very long journey. But it was a necessary task. For hours they traveled with no rest. The carriage driver informed her that in order to go there and back by evening, they needed to travel without stop. So Quinn swallowed the bile and sickness rising in her stomach and tried to focus on the scenery. Eventually, the long country road morphed into a dirty, smoggy, smelly town.
"We're almost there, m'lady." The carriage said.
"So I can tell." Quinn remarked sarcastically. The bumps on the road didn't make her sickness any better and she was more than a little relieved when the horses stopped. She waited anxiously for the door to be opened. A lady was always patient. When the door finally opened, it took every ounce of self-control not to fling herself onto solid ground. When she finally stepped onto the cobble, she looked around. She'd never been to such a poor place before. There was water everywhere, and it smelled just as awful as it looked.
"Where is it?" She asked. The sun was bearing down on her mercilessly and she wanted nothing more than to go home and have her servants fan her.
"It's here, Miss." The carriage driver pointed to a house with a cobbler sign on it. Quinn took a deep breath knocked delicately on the door. Inside, she heard what sounded like a stampede. It started soft and soon Quinn was frightened to be near the door. It opened and it looked like the whole town was crammed into that small apartment. Almost half a dozen boys gawked at her and she cleared her throat carefully.
"Is a Brittany Pierce here?" She asked, flashing a weak smile.
"Boys! Get back to the table!" Quinn recognized the voice and sure enough, Brittany appeared from behind the door. When their eyes locked, Brittany's mouth fell open and she froze completely. Quinn flashed her best smile.
"Brittany." She said. The boys did not do as she said. They looked up at their big sister.
"B-boys, get back inside." Brittany said again.
"What on earth is going on?" An older woman appeared and the resemblance was enough. This was Brittany's mother, Quinn concluded. When she spotted Quinn, she raised a hand to her mouth in shock. "Oh my goodness."
"You must be the Mrs. Pierce." Quinn said politely even though she was talking to mere peasants.
"Miss Fabray, to what do we owe this honor?" Brittany stepped in front of her family. Quinn directed her attention to Brittany. By now her whole family was watching from the door.
"I heard what happened at Count Bastes's estate. If you ask me, it was well deserved." She said. "It's unfortunate that you had to lose your position. Believe me, Santana had never been happier."
"Thank you, Miss." Brittany replied skeptically. She wasn't sure what Quinn was getting at. She knew Quinn was a master at scheming, and her visiting was not likely a personal visit.
"It looks like you have quite a big family." Quinn noted. "And the boys are only growing older. Soon they'll be eating you out of house and home."
"We'll manage." Brittany replied but she wasn't entirely sure. They were just scraping by with what little her mother and father made. "And when the boys get older, they'll find work."
"Well, in the mean time, I was hoping you could come work for me." Quinn said. Brittany blinked in surprise.
"She just came back!" Her father walked outside. "Please, Miss Fabray, excuse my intrusion. Brittany has been missing from our family for years. Please, don't take her away so quickly."
"I won't be taking her away." Quinn reassured. "The decision is hers to make. I will pay her, unlike the Lopez family and she may come see you every so often. I think it a fair trade and it will certainly help with the family's finances, will it not?"
"I sold my daughter once...I won't have her leave for money again." Her father swore.
"Miss Fabray." Brittany said. "It is as my father said. I haven't seen my family for years. I am not anxious to leave them so quickly." Quinn nodded and looked at the family staring her down, some angry, some anxious, some in amazement. She would not convince Brittany with them watching.
"Brittany, a word with you, please." She glanced at everyone else. "Alone." Brittany motioned for her family to return inside the house. She and Quinn walked to the carriage and got inside. Quinn smoothed her dress and exhaled.
"Miss Fabray..."
"Santana has not been the same without you." Quinn said bluntly. Brittany's voice hiccuped and Quinn took that opportunity to continue. "She's been holed up in her room all day. She hasn't gone to any of her lessons, she barely talks, even to me."
"Is she sick?" Brittany asked.
"Perhaps." Quinn looked down at her smooth hands. "But more than likely, she is simply not the same without you." Brittany's eyes fluttered upwards to hers and Quinn could see a slight fear and confusion in her eyes. It was as if Brittany felt she had been found out but didn't quite know what it was that had been revealed. She needed Quinn to tell her exactly what it was.
"Perhaps it is being an outsider that has given me insight into your relationship with Santana." Quinn suggested. "You two were close."
"I was her personal servant for six years." Brittany said.
"You were her friend." Quinn said in a hushed tone. Brittany's eyes widened and she looked down. Her hands started shaking. "I won't tell anyone. It would damage Santana's reputation and I would never do that." But an evil smirk touched at the corners of her outwardly pleasant smile. Brittany fidgeted in her seat.
"I've always thought of Santana as more than just my Mistress but I would never say it aloud. On our birthdays – we shared one, you know – we would go into the garden at night and exchange presents. And we'd stay with each other long past our bedtimes." Brittany spilled. Quinn took it all in stride even though the revelation caused her to pull back a little. She never suspected that their relationship went that deep. But then she realized just how wonderful it was for her plan.
"She's very fond of you." Quinn said. Brittany blinked back a few tears. Quinn searched her eyes. "Do you miss her?"
"Very much." Brittany admitted. "I love my family, do not mistake me, but to see that they are all doing fine...and...for all these years, well, Santana has been my family. She's all I have needed." Quinn settled back down.
"Would you like to see her again?" She asked. Brittany hesitated for a moment before nodded slowly. Quinn felt her metaphorical claws sinking into Brittany. She almost had her completely. "Then come, be my personal servant." Brittany paused longer this time. She looked back at the small stone house where her family was peering out from the windows. She loved every single one of them. She didn't want to leave them, not after they'd been apart for so long. But she knew where they lived and Quinn, well Quinn promised to let her visit them. The boys weren't growing any smaller and who knew when business would sour for her mother and father. They needed all the money they could get. But all of these reasons were excuses for why she really wanted to go with Quinn. She was inexplicably drawn to Santana and she couldn't stop thinking about her former Mistress. She wanted to see how Santana was doing, to cheer her up if necessary. Her family was fine, they had gotten along fine without her. But from what Quinn told her, it sounded like Santana was having a difficult time.
"I just want to see her again." Brittany whispered. In her head, Quinn heard the sound of the trap closing shut and she smiled, no longer caring to contain the wickedness behind her grin. Brittany hardly noticed.
One Week Later...
Santana lasted a solid two days before she felt like she was going to jump out of her balcony window. Her mother, she thought coldly, was very patient in waiting. When Santana finally walked outside, her mother was standing right at the door and gave Santana a start.
"It certainly took long enough." Her mother sneered at her. "French lesson begins before lunch. I informed her you will be working through it to make up for the time you've spent laying in bed these past few days."
Santana went back to her normal schedule. She received a new servant to tend to her but after a day, she dismissed the poor girl. It was the same girl who had tended to her the day Brittany took care of her wounded brother. For the servant's own safety, she told her father that she would get along just fine without a servant. Her father only grunted in response. His cold demeanor signified that he had not forgiven her for the incident. For the rest of the week, her father barely spoke to her and Santana missed his warm greetings in the morning and the fond goodnight he would bid her when it was time to go to sleep.
But most of all she missed Brittany.
She half expected, no, she wished that the feeling would fade as time went on but as the week drew to a close, the feeling of loneliness and loss only grew. The longer she went without Brittany, the stranger every passing day felt. Every morning she woke up and that sense of unfamiliarity sank in, like she didn't even belong in her room, like the clothes she wore were not the same ones she fell asleep in the previous night.
It was at dinner the seventh night of Brittany's departure that her father spoke to her again. They were just sitting down for dinner when her father cleared his throat.
"The Fabrays want us to attend a private dinner party." He said.
"I won't go." Santana said.
"Of course you won't. You're still being punished." Her mother snapped.
"No, they specifically requested that all of us go." Her father replied. Santana furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why?"
"Heaven knows. Probably Judith's doing. More than likely she wants to keep our family close. You know what they say about enemies and friends." The Duchess scoffed.
"Regardless, we are to attend tomorrow night." The Duke said firmly and the family went on eating their meal in silence.
The following evening, Santana rode in the carriage with her mother and father in silence. Ever since Brittany left, there had been an uneasy tension between the three of them. Her mother was always glaring at her and her father was always in a foul mood. Santana largely ignored her mother's fussing on the way.
When they got to the estate, the Fabrays greeted them warmly, or as warmly as Judith could muster. Quinn was there too and Santana couldn't help but shake the feeling that something was off with the young Fabray daughter.
"It's very nice to see you again, Santana." Judith lied. Santana curtsied and followed them inside.
"Dinner should be ready shortly. Shall we?" Russell asked, gesturing towards the study. The Duke nodded, there was always business to discuss that was not polite in front of the ladies. He excused himself and went on his way. Quinn also had something to discuss with Santana.
"I have something to show you." Quinn said. She went up the stairs quickly and far too excitedly for Santana's comfort. Quinn was almost never that excited. The only time Santana had seen her that way was once when the Prince acknowledged Quinn before he bowed to Santana. That had been the only time.
"What is it?" Santana asked. Quinn opened the door to her room and Santana went inside. Nothing seemed out of sorts so Santana turned back towards Quinn.
"You may come in now." Quinn said. The room was dimly lit and Santana strained her eyes to see in the small light. The side door to Quinn's room opened and a figure stepped inside. Santana narrowed her eyes.
"Who...?" And then her mouth went dry. Brittany stepped into the dim light, wearing the servant garments of the Fabray estate. Santana's mouth dropped as she gaped.
"Miss." Brittany bowed low, refusing to meet Santana's eyes. Santana looked from her to Quinn and Quinn smiled.
"I'll let you two get reacquainted." She said before stepping out and closing the door. Santana and Brittany stood in silence a small distance from each other. Brittany stood as still as possible while Santana struggled to find words.
"How...how can this be?" She stammered.
"Quinn found me. She visited my home and asked me to work here." Brittany explained. "My family needs the coin, so I followed her." Brittany left out any mention that the coin did not matter, that it was really Santana she wanted to see. "It was an opportunity I could not afford to pass by." Santana bit her lip to prevent from crying. Seeing Brittany ignited such a sense of loss. It looked wrong for Brittany to be wearing the colors that all the other Fabrays' servants wore.
"But you left hardly a few nights ago..." Santana still couldn't believe her eyes. Brittany, the girl she thought she'd lost was suddenly standing in front of her again. It was as if God himself answered her prayers somehow.
"Quinn promised that I could visit my family. It's work and she pays me well for my services." Brittany threw excuse after excuse in front of Santana to mask the fact that the reason she'd left so easily was the promise to be with Santana again. She could not explain what the feeling was, or why it was so strong but when Quinn said those words, "Would you like to see her again?" hope and happiness ignited inside Brittany and she said yes instinctively. But she could never tell Santana. Santana was above her. She could not tell her.
"Brittany..." Santana wanted to say everything as well. She wanted to say that nothing was the same without her, that everyone seemed sadder, that the whole estate missed her, that Santana missed her. But nothing came out of her mouth except her name. "Brittany..." The door opened and Quinn walked back in. She looked at Brittany and waved her hand.
"You may leave now." She said. Brittany looked desperately at her, begging with her silently to let her stay just a few more seconds with the Mistress she so cared about. But Quinn shot her an angry glare and Brittany left the room, not even casting a backwards glance at her. Quinn focused her attention on Santana and took delight in noticing how forlorn Santana looked as Brittany closed the door behind her.
"You like her." Quinn said. Santana's head snapped sideways. Her sad expression hardened into one of hate.
"What is the meaning of this, Quinn?" She demanded. Quinn laughed in a way that sent a chill up Santana's spine. Quinn cleared her throat.
"Why I want nothing more than to reunite you with your precious servant." Quinn sneered. Santana ground her teeth together and clenched her fists. "Let us talk like adults for a moment, shall we?"
"Yes, let's." Santana growled.
"Tsk, tsk. No wonder your mother wants you to learn from me. That growl was simply animalistic. You are supposed to be a lady, not some wild beast. You are hardly fit for the throne." And then it sunk in; why Brittany was there, what Quinn was really after. Brittany being here, at the Fabray residence was no mistake and certainly no kind deed on Quinn's part. It was all a part of her plan. The realization must've shone on her face because Quinn's expression grew serious. "I will be frank. You are not fit to be a queen."
"That's none of your business and you have no right to drag Brittany into this!" Santana all but yelled.
"Calm your voice. You wouldn't want to scare her away would you?" Quinn said coldly. "It is no one's fault but your own that you are in this situation. To befriend a servant of all people." Quinn shuddered in disgust. "What would the court think if they found out? What would they say? You would be laughed out of your rank." Santana took a step threateningly towards Quinn but the other girl did not move an inch.
"You wouldn't dare..."
"No. Of course not. I would never do that to a friend. After all, that's all I've been to you. I even brought you your precious servant girl after your father kicked her out." Quinn smiled again.
"If not for blackmail than what?" Santana asked.
"I never said I wouldn't use her for blackmail." Quinn replied. "I have a proposition for you." She waited for Santana to say something but Santana just seethed in place. "I won't say a word of this to anyone. You may come see Brittany as often as you like under the pretense of visiting me. In exchange, you will turn down any offer of marriage from Prince Finn and when you are with him, you must only talk of how wonderful I am."
"You are mad..." Santana hissed.
"No, you are for befriending someone like her. This is your fault, Santana and you may choose. You can either sabotage any chance you have for the throne or you can sabotage your friendship with Brittany. The choice is yours." Quinn snapped. Santana knew she had been cornered. Quinn was far more devious than she'd ever thought possible. She knew her options. She'd grown up with the impression that the crown was hers, but finding Brittany seemed like fate. She didn't want to lose either of them.
"You have time to think about it, though I'm sure I know what decision you'll make. You've never wanted to be Queen, Santana. Be honest, you never liked the idea."
"And you want it so badly that you would do this to a 'friend'?" Santana laughed bitterly.
"I have spent my whole life working for something that has been handed to you. This was my birthright, not yours!"
"Under who's authority?"
"Under mine!" Quinn yelled.
"Girls!" The door to the bedroom opened and Judith walked in. "This is not how young ladies should act. Your voices should be quiet and collected."
"My apologies, mother. We were simply having a debate about politics." Quinn said. Her eyes never left Santana's.
"Well, politics or not, it's time for dinner. Come." She turned around, completely oblivious to the holes that each girl bore into the other's head with their gazes. Santana gritted her teeth and set her jaw while Quinn brushed past her. Santana wanted nothing more than to push her down the stairs and hope it looked like an accident.
At dinner, Santana drank too much wine. She hardly ate anything so it wasn't long before the room was spinning. Her mother noticed and motioned for the servant to ignore any requests for more.
"This is unbecoming, young lady." Her mother hissed to her. Santana ignored her and instead, took a long drink while glaring at Quinn. Quinn for her part played calm and entertained the Duchess and Duke with stories.
"So what politics were you discussing?" Judith asked Quinn. Quinn smiled sweetly at Santana even though her eyes glittered maliciously.
"Nothing important, mother. Just ideas for the future, what decisions our husbands may make. Small things." She replied nonchalantly. Santana couldn't take it anymore. She stood up abruptly, causing everyone to stare at her.
"Santana!" Her mother exclaimed. "What are you doing, sit down immediately!"
"I'm not feeling well, mother." Santana said. "I think I'll take a quick walk." She left the dining room, not caring that it was quite rude of her to do so. Her mother, clearly flustered, pursed her lips together and turned back forward.
"Please excuse her, Marquess, she's been feeling ill as of late. She has been out for too long in the sun." The Duchess quickly lied. Marquess Fabray shook his head to signify that he thought nothing more of it.
Santana, still very drunk on wine, wound up in Quinn Fabray's room, standing outside the door that Brittany entered through. She knocked softly and put her ear up to the door, swaying slightly. When she heard no response, she opened the door a little and peered inside.
"Brittany?" She whispered. When no one replied, she opened the door all the way.
It was a small room, smaller than the one Brittany stayed in before. There was only enough room for a bed and a small wash bucket. Brittany lay on the bed on her stomach, her head resting on her forearms. She was sound asleep. Santana walked in and closed the door quietly behind her. She sat down on the ground next to the bed without any care that it might've been dirty. She rested her head against the frame and watched Brittany sleep.
Her hands were rough and showed signs of hard labor. There were small cuts on her palm, probably made when scrubbing the floor with a wooden brush or some other equally physical task. Brittany's hair fell messily over her face and Santana brushed it back. She felt frustrated but not at Brittany. To have her so close and to have Quinn manipulating their relationship, it made Santana boil with rage. But as angry as she was, she delicately pushed Brittany's hair back behind her ear.
"I would never work you this hard." Santana sighed. "You must be very tired." She brought her knees up to her chin and watched Brittany's back rise and fall with every breath. What Quinn said was true, she didn't particularly care about the throne. Her mother was the one who pushed her, and to some extent, her father as well. But she never found the idea of being married to Prince Finn particularly exciting. Yet it was what was expected of her from her family and the court. But for some reason, Brittany had such a hold on her. She could not shake the thought of the blonde servant from her mind.
Her eyes floated around the room until it settled on Brittany's right hand. Her hand was tucked under her chest, and Santana knew it couldn't have been comfortable there. She very gently pulled Brittany's arm from under her and gasped when she saw what Brittany was holding. She hardly recognized it, it was so faded and old. The ends were coming apart yet there was no mistaking the thread and the color. It was the ribbon that she'd given Brittany. Her gaze traveled upwards and settled on Brittany's wrist, where the silver bracelet rested. Santana's eyes watered. Brittany had never forgotten her and even though she worked for Quinn Fabray, her thoughts must still be of Santana.
Santana quickly brushed the tears from her eyes away. Wine always had that effect on her; bringing out emotions she would rather bury quickly. It was even more pronounced now.
"Brittany..." Santana breathed. Her eyes fell on Brittany's face. Brittany looked troubled even in sleep. She studied Brittany's face, the curve of her eyes, the high bones in her cheek. She looked at Brittany's lips. The wine made her head swim and her thoughts wandered back to the night Brittany left. The image of Puck reaching up and kissing Brittany burst forth into Santana's mind and she found herself slamming her fist on the ground. The sharp pain of it brought Santana back to reality and she quickly glanced over at Brittany to make sure that she hadn't woken the girl up. But Brittany slept on.
"He had no right..." Santana said quietly and then stopped. If Puck had no right...who did? Santana wondered. Her eyes fell once again on Brittany's lips. She had always imagined a servant to have cracked, rough and dry lips but Brittany's were a light shade of red and they looked soft, possibly softer than her own.
"No right." Santana repeated. Why? She asked herself. Because he has no right. But why? She struggled internally with a reason. Puck had every right, didn't he? He clearly had affections for Brittany. So why, then, did Santana feel so strongly that he couldn't? Why did just thinking about the two of them stir such violent emotions in her?
Because...because she is mine. And then, whether because she was drunk or because she finally realized why Brittany mattered so much to her, Santana leaned over, just a few inches and pressed her lips to Brittany's.