Being a maid in Castle Dimitrescu was challenging, yet you couldn't help but thank your parents for offering you to the Lady in turn for protection from the Lycans that terrorized the village. Lady Alcina Dimitrescu and her daughters Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela had been quite welcoming on the first night. Your duties were simple, you would mostly work in the kitchens with the occasional request from the Lady to maintain the parlor and library. All the other servants feared the Lady and her daughters, but you were different. You knew what they were, how they sustained their life, yet you never once looked upon them in terror. The girls first thought you were putting on a false bravado and would take turns appearing out of nowhere, sickles drawn and threatening to slice you open.
"If you require me for sustenance, then I am merely fulfilling my duty to serve House Dimitrescu." You said softly, no fear in your eyes. The girls would then quickly leave the hallway they had cornered you in, perplexed by your odd acceptance. You simply shrugged your shoulders and continued on with your duties. The morning following an attempt by all three daughters, you were summoned to the Lady's personal chambers, much to your confusion. You had been working at the castle for barely a month, always doing a good job, yet the Lady was asking for you personally. You quickly made your way to her chamber door and knocked politely, waiting to be addressed.
"Enter." The deep tone of Lady Dimitrescu called from the other side. You quietly entered and waited patiently to hear what your Lady required of you. "My daughters tell me of a most curious incident that took place yesterday Y/N, would you care to tell me your version of it?" Lady Dimitrescu asked from her seat in front of her vanity.
Clearing your throat softly, you nodded and recanted the incident. "I was on my way to tidy the parlor that the Duke settles in when he has business here, My Lady. Misses Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela appeared abruptly with their sickles drawn and began commenting about how delicious my blood must be. I believe Miss Cassandra also ran her sickle across my face, though not deep enough to leave a mark. I then simply told them that if they required my blood for sustenance then I was merely fulfilling my duty of serving House Dimitrescu. The Misses then left quickly, though they gave me rather peculiar looks, and I continued on with my tasks for the day." You paused for a moment and thought about what could have been wrong with what happened. "Did I do something wrong, My Lady?" You asked softly.
Alcina Dimitrescu stared at you with a critical gaze. You were unlike all the other servants, never working in a fear induced hurry. You didn't shy away when her girls were going out of their way to terrorize you like they did with the workers. You knew what happened to those who messed up in their duties, yet when threatened with the same treatment, despite no wrongdoings on your part, you simply accepted things as they were, claiming you were doing your duty to serve. "No my dear, you have done nothing wrong. You merely perplexed the girls and myself with your acceptance." She said in a measured tone. You nodded in understanding.
"If I may speak freely, My Lady, I am not afraid to die. I am definitely not afraid to die while in service to you and your house. If my flesh and blood are needed to sustain the lives of you and your daughters, then that is my final task." You state plainly. Alcina still stared at you critically, but you could see a slight warmth in her eyes at your acceptance.
"Thank you Y/N, feel free to take the day off. You may go to the village, or simply lounge in the Library. Consider this a token of thanks for your hard work and pledge of service to House Dimitrescu." Alcina said with a soft smile. You bowed in thanks and returned to the servants quarters, changing out of your uniform into a light pair of black trousers and a simple white tunic shirt. It was very rare for any of the staff to receive a day off, along with permittance to leave the castle, but you would accept the gift graciously. After grabbing your heavy coat and boots, you set off for the village, hoping to see your parents for a little and making a small purchase.
Alcina watched as you quietly left her chambers and thought back to your recanting of the events from yesterday. "Girls, come here." She called out to her daughters and waited for them to appear in her room.
"Yes Mother?" Bela asked as she and her sisters reformed in the room.
"Tell me again, why did you decide to threaten Y/N with your sickles yesterday?" Alcina asked in a rather stern tone.
"We weren't trying to threaten her, Mother, we swear!" Daniela cried out.
"We just wanted to see if she was faking not being scared." Cassandra added.
"But she didn't flinch or scream at all. There's something not right with her, Mother." Bela added cautiously.
"And did it ever cross your minds that this servant merely wishes to serve us without fear?" Alcina asked as she gave her daughters a hard stare. "That young servant is one of the rarest ones we will ever have. She knows how we survive and would gladly give her life as long as it means serving House Dimitrescu. Try to understand that she does not see us like all the others do, and stop this incessant need to scare her." Alcina ordered in a tone of finality.
"Yes Mother." The three girls chimed together. The concept of acceptance from a mere human mortal was strange to them, nearly every human had run away in fear and cursed their very existence.
"Now then, I have given Y/N the day off, when she returns I would like you all to apologize for attempting to scare her. Especially you, Cassandra, am I understood?" Alcina asked with a quirked brow.
"Yes Mother." The sisters said in unison once more. Alcina stared at her daughters for another minute and then held her arms open wide to give them affection. The girls piled into her with hugs of their own, reveling in the love she had for them.
"Go do your duties and then enjoy the day my lovely girls. Mother Miranda will be calling shortly to discuss when the next council meeting will be, but perhaps we can meet in the library for tea this afternoon." Alcina said with a heartwarming smile. The girls nodded eagerly, excited to spend some quality time with their mother and quickly bid her farewell as they set off to complete their own tasks. Not even a minute had passed and the telephone rang as expected. Alcina waited for the appropriate three rings and then answered. "Mother Miranda."
Entering the village after being away for a month was a surreal experience for you. It was as if nothing had changed, but it had. Several homes had been torn apart, meaning more families had suffered at the hands of the Lycans. Luckily your parents home was left unchanged, but you wondered how long that would last for. It was not uncommon for the houses and families that sacrificed one of their own for protection to be destroyed anyway.
'Perhaps Lady Dimitrescu is more impressed with me than I thought and truly marked my family safe.' You thought to yourself as you knocked on the door. You could hear the telltale signs of your father's boots scuffing across the floorboards, a subtle clinking of the family rifle being moved for safety.
"Mama, Papa, it's me Y/N." You called out. The Lycans had been attacking the village every couple of days after sundown, but looters had become a problem during the daytime.
"Y/N? What are you doing here girl?" Your father hissed through the door. "You had better not have run away from the castle, your mother and I gave you up for protection from those beasts." He continued angrily as he opened the door. It was not common for those who left to serve in the castle to ever return. You sighed in exasperation, wondering why you thought coming to see your parents was a good idea.
"No Papa, I was given the day off for my work and permission to visit the village." You explained quietly. Your father gave you a hard stare and moved to let you into the home. "Where is Mama?"
"Your Mother went over to Luiza's house, some bullshit about extra prayers for protection." He muttered as he grabbed a half empty bottle of whiskey.
"I see, how have things been the last month? Did Andrei have enough work for you to make it through winter?" You asked patiently. Though you may not be as devout to Mother Miranda as your mother, you knew better than to blatantly disrespect her name.
"The poor bastard died before we could even start. The money we got for giving you to that monster will only last us so long." Your father grunted. You felt a slight raise of anger, but quickly stuffed it back down.
"Lady Dimitrescu is no monster, Papa. She's been gracious enough to protect this house in exchange for my servitude. Maybe the money you got would last longer if you didn't drink as much." You said shortly as you gestured to the five empty whiskey bottles in the corner. Your father had a slight drinking problem, it had never caused your family to slip into poverty, but it had cost him his fair share of jobs in your youth.
"What would you know you stupid girl? That monster is keeping you safe until you're no longer useful and then due to your stupidity you'll get your mother and I killed as well." The man spewed in his drunken haze. Before you could say another word, your mother walked in the door.
"Y/N, what are you doing here? Please tell me you didn't screw up and they revoked our protection." Your mother said as she placed a loaf of bread on the table.
"No Mama, I was given the day off as a gift for my service. How was Luiza?" You asked, hoping to prevent your father from going on another tirade.
"She's doing fine, her husband left the other night to speak with Lord Moreau about possibly allowing some of the men to search the reservoir for enough fish to build the stores for the winter. With any luck Lord Moreau will agree and your father can go do some work." Your mother said softly.
"If you want me to work so badly, then just ship me off to the factory. I'm sure you'll get more than enough money for my hide." Your father harshly bites out. Your mother frowns and you throw your hands up in the air.
"Just because you're a drunk and bitter old man, doesn't mean you get to snap at everyone who is trying to make a helpful suggestion." You say as you stare at your father. "Hell it's a wonder that you didn't have me and Mama starve to death long before the village attacks."
"Y/N! That's no way to talk to your father!" Your mother yelled at you. "He worked hard to keep us clothed and fed, you aren't allowed to get upset with him because times are hard on us now." She continued as you stared at her incredulously.
"Mama, he's wasting the money Lady Dimitrescu gave for my servitude on fucking alcohol! That money could be better spent getting supplies to last the winter and the Lycans." You explained. You knew it was useless though, she'd always side with him no matter how drunk he got.
"You better get back to that castle of monsters girl and you better keep doing a good job." Your father said darkly. You shook your head and left the house without saying another word. With how angry you were, you could care less if your parents were killed by the Lycans during the next attack.
Quickly trekking towards the horse drawn carriage just outside the Ceremony Site, you smile at the sight of the Duke.
"Ah, if it isn't Y/N. Having a lovely day outside of the castle?" The Duke asked in a jovial tone. The rather large and portly man was sitting in the back of his carriage, selling random trinkets and baubles to anyone who had enough lei.
"Hello Duke, Lady Dimitrescu was kind enough to give me the day off. I wish I could say that the day has been good, but not quite." You said in a saddened tone.
"That was very kind of Lady Dimitrescu, though I am disheartened to hear the day has been poor. Perhaps I have something in my wares that will make you feel better?" The Duke said charmingly. There were many speculations that the man was some type of ethereal sprite due to his uncanny knack to have just the right item. You originally had plans to make a few purchases from him and smiled at his offer. Sure enough he had several books on Ancient Greek history that were not in the castle library that you had been dying to read.
"Duke, I was wondering if you happened to have anything Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters might like. I wanted to give the Lady a thank you for my day off and hopefully give the Misses a gift to try to build a friendship on." You said thoughtfully. The Duke smiled at your kind nature, pleasantly surprised at the lengths you'll go to extend that kindness to your Mistress.
"I think I have just the items you are looking for, Lady Dimitrescu informed me one that she loved seeing the variations of orchids that bloom during the summertime and I happen to have a crystalized three-toothed orchid broach that the Lady would love. Now for her daughters, I suggest this specialty blend of tea to help with their winter headaches." He said with his silver tongued tone.
"Those are marvelous suggestions Duke, I fear I don't have enough lei to cover this all." You said slightly dejected.
"No worries my dear, I'll let you have it all for 500 lei and you must tell me why your day is not a happy one." The Duke offered. You knew that if you told him that word would get out to Mother Miranda and the Lords. You didn't want to jeopardize your parents, but perhaps you didn't need to tell the Duke everything.
"Well Duke, I went to see my parents in the village. I was hoping they'd have enough to last the winter, but my father is wasting the little they have on whiskey. I just fear for their safety, but he insinuated that because I was able to visit I was dooming him and my mother to death." You said, omitting the harsh comments your father made about Lady Dimitrescu.
"I see, well fret not my dear. Lady Dimitrescu will continue to protect your parents due to your exemplary service. Now a deal is a deal, just hand over the 500 lei and you can be back off to the castle in time for supper." The Duke said with a knowing look in his eyes. You quickly handed over your money and the Duke handed you a sack containing your purchase. Before you could thank him, the gates leading to the Beneviento Estate creaked open and a woman covered in black mourning clothes stepped through.
You had met Donna Beneviento when you were both small children. Despite your parents warning you to stay away from the quiet girl, you still walked up to her and complimented the white doll she was carrying. Donna's timid nature had intrigued you, but sadly after that first meeting you never saw her again. The tragedy of the Beneviento family was well known through the village, the eldest daughter Claudia and the parents had died during a very bad storm when Donna was still a child and left her the sole heir to House Beneviento.
"Good day Lady Beneviento and you too Miss Angie. I trust the day is treating you both well."You said softly. Though you could not tell Donna's reaction, Angie quickly flew out of her Mistress's grasp and stared you down.
"Thanks Gorgeous! Me and Donna just decided to take a walk to see Fish Boy. Are you going back to the big lady?" The doll asked as inquisitive as always.
"Yes Miss Angie, I'm about to return to the Castle in a moment. I hope your journey and visit to Lord Moreau is enjoyable and that you visit the castle soon." You said with a polite smile. Though Angie was incapable of behaving like this when you had first met her all those years ago, when you met her again a few weeks ago at the castle you just accepted the behavior as another fact of life. You smile warmly at Donna and slide the Duke another 200 lei. "This is so that Angie can pick out something she'll like." You informed the Duke who nodded and smiled widely. You then bid the trio farewell and began your trip back to the castle.
"I don't know about you Donna, but I like her!" Angie exclaimed as she looked for something shiny in the Duke's wares. Donna only stared as you walked away, remembering the child she met all those years ago and a small smile graced her face.