Maids were dropping like flies to a cold of all things. That meant more work on your part.
"Alina!"
"Yes, Miss?"
"You're on bedroom duty and the ladies bathroom."
"All by myself?" she asked.
"Yes, we're short on staff."
Alina sighed heavily.
"(Y/N)!"
"Yes, Miss?" you now ask.
"You're on kitchen and laundry duty. Don't forget the ladies meals."
"But..." you start to protest.
"You heard what I said!" she scolds you.
"Yes, Miss." You sigh as you head out to start on cleaning the kitchen.
It was a huge task that usually had four or five of you cleaning in there and getting under each others feet, but today you were on your own.
"Seriously, it looks as though I haven't even done anything." You can't help but frown just as one of the girls enter.
It's Bela, the eldest and most quiet of the three. But that didn't mean she wouldn't have a good go at you like the other two.
"Out of my way!" she pushed past you. "Mother demands a drink and no one is around to bring her one."
"Oh, well I'm deeply sorry." You try to hold back your anger at her. "But most of the staff are down with a cold."
"That's no excuse!" the blonde glared before leaving you be.
You got back to cleaning as she appeared once again with a full glass of red liquid. You knew exactly what it was.
"Snack time," came another cheery voice.
This time is was the brunette, who came to make your life a misery by making your floor dirty with mud from her heels. Thankfully she was gone after grabbing a piece of meat. Bela had left way before her.
"I'll be here all day," you frown as you start mopping again.
Once everything was finally done, you got the laundry in and now went back to prepare dinner. Unfortunately, Cassandra had been in again with a fresh kill laying on the table.
"Why?" you almost cried, seeing the mess of blood pooling on the table and the floor.
Getting to work again, you clean it up as quick as you can to start work on the ladies dinner. The three girls would eat any meat, but the lady had to have maiden blood and meat. That was something you hated the most.
"Come on, (Y/N), you can do this."
Heading down into the dungeon had you taking a piece of the already cut parts. It still made you sick knowing these were once people you worked with.
"Don't think about it. Just don't think about it."
Heading back you started on stripping the bone of flesh before arranging it on the plate. Then came the daughters meat, a mixture of animal and human.
"Finally," you smile as you leave it to quickly sort out the laundry.
You carry a basket with a few heavy sheets and go hang them up. You have to wipe your sweaty brow as it's getting rather tiring and you really could use a break, but turning back you see its now time for the ladies dinner.
"Shit!" you sigh as you grab the basket to place back inside to go give the ladies their meals.
The last to be placed down is the lady of the castles plate.
"Sorry for the wait, my lady." You sigh as you now stand back.
"I understand," she smiled reassuringly. "We're short staffed at the moment. It can't be helped."
The three begged to differ, the staff should be worked harder.
"Thank you, my lady." You smile.
The gentle sound of the fours voices were now heard as they all started with their conversation. However, it soon started to sound rather muffled and they seemed to be getting further away.
"Mother," Bela looked your way.
Alcina turned to look at you, seeing you looking rather her pale and unwell.
"Not another one," she frowned slightly.
"I'm alright, my lady." You try to tell her. "Just need a bit of fresh air."
"Then go to the other end of the castle. You're not opening this door," one of the girls glared at you.
"Yes, Miss." You nod, turning to almost lose your balance.
Alcina now stands to walk over to you, only you don't realise until a hand is placed upon your back.
"I will lead you out," she says to you.
"T-Thank you, my lady. You're too kind."
You don't remember ever making it to the outside, all you remember is seeing the large open hall and then everything went black.
oOo
"She passed out due to being overworked," you came around to now hear. "The castle will not become overly dirty in just a few days, so I suggest you work in teams and get the main jobs out of the way first. If you keep this up, I will be out of maidens. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lady. I shall do as you say."
"Good, now get out of my sight."
"Yes, my lady."
The head maid was now gone and you were left with the lady of all people. How was she even being nice to you was a complete shock.
"My lady?"
"Rest, child. You're too over worked," she frowned as she sat on the bed next to you.
"Yes, my lady." You smile as you close your eyes.
oOo
When you awaken again, she's sat in a chair reading a book. Her eyes now leave the page to look up at you.
"I've had you something brought up. Eat up."
You turn to look over, pulling yourself up you take the plate of food and eat it while she goes back to reading again.
"I'm sure you have other important things to be getting on with, my lady?" you ask.
"Not when my staff are ill, no I do not." She tells you straight.
You nod, it was strange to have her being so nice. But at the same time her motherly side was just so sweet.
"I won't be leaving your bedside until you're feeling better," she says.
"I feel much better now, my lady." You lie which results in her snapping her book closed to stand and sit upon the bed again.
"I will be the judge of that," she frowns as she raises her hands to de-glove one which is then placed against your forehead. "Liar."
You swallow nervously at what she may do to punish you. Only she just lowers her hand to hook under your chin to kiss you on the lips.
"I like you," she smiles.
You can't stop the blush that takes over your cheeks.
"T-Thank you, m-my lady. I l-like you too."
She smiles again at your awkwardness before taking her seat again.