Everybody in the village had heard the stories. A woman needed a job, and so she went to the castle to work as a maid. But those who went into the castle never came back out alive. Everyone knew about it, yet that didn't stop the people from going into the castle for work. And that definitely wouldn't stop Seline Floarea from heading into Castle Dimitrescu.
"Hello, Mr. Duke!" A small girl with brown pigtails called out as she stopped in front of the large man. "Hello, little one! Do you have something for me today?" He asked, knowing full well the answer. Seline happily nodded and handed him thirteen intricate flower bouquets. "Oh, I believe you've given me one extra today." She shook her head. "Nope! That one's for you!" Duke took the bouquet she pointed out, and looked at it for a second. Even though it was the same wildflowers that made up the rest of her bouquets, something about it just seemed truly special. Like she had really made it just for him. "Thank you, small one. Where are you off to today?" Seline gave him a big grin. "I'm going to work at the castle!" Duke sucked in a breath, but kept any sign of alarm off of his face. "C-Castle Dimitrescu? Why there?" She didn't notice the concern in his voice. "Because that's the only place I could find work, silly! Nobody else would hire a 7-year-old, even though I'm ALMOST 8!" She tried to look angry, but it just came off as adorable. The Duke laughed. "Well, I shouldn't keep you from your work then. Farewell, little flower girl." She skipped on her way, and he stared after her long after their conversation had ended. "She's truly a special girl. Pity that she's going to her death." Tucking the flower bouquet next to him on the cart, the Duke prepared for another day of business.
Normally, Seline wasn't a nervous person, but the looming door of Castle Dimitrescu filled her with anxiety. It's prolly just the stories everyone talks about. I bet everyone's really nice! With that little burst of confidence, she knocked on the door, and a timid maid answered. "Hello! I'm here to apply for the maid job?" The maid nodded and led her though the house. Seline jabbered on happily. "Wow, this place is so big! And pretty! Who lives here? I bet they're amazing! I actually don't know anything about the lady and her daughters. I can't wait to meet them!" Hidden in the shadows, three women watched the little girl head to their mother's chambers. "She's a new one?" The first asked, and the other two nodded. "She sounds different from everyone else. She sounds… Excited." Comments another, and the last one laughed. "She's an idiot. Bet you she'll be gone within the week." The three girls began to bicker about who would get to drain her, when finally, the first one sighed. "Come along. Let's go hear what Mother has to say about this one. Maybe if we're lucky, she'll let us have a few bites." With that final note, the women dissipated into a swarm of insects and disappeared. The maid led Seline to Lady Dimitrescu's chambers, and with a nervous squeak, ran back into the halls. Not letting the maid's strange behavior deter her, she knocked on the door. "Come in." said a smooth voice, and Seline made the choice that would change her life forever: She opened the door.
"Hello! My name is Seline Floarea!" Alcina had to look very, very far down to notice the tiny girl, who was attempting to stand on her tiptoes just to be slightly taller. It didn't help much, and Alcina had to fight a smile. "Oh! I'm sorry! Where are my manners?" Seline did an over exaggerated bow, then straightened up with just as much enthusiasm. "Your house is so pretty!" Alcina gave a small nod. "Yes, it's been in my family for generations. Anyways, are you here for a job? You look a little young." Seline began jumping to appear taller. "I can clean real well, promise!" The cleaning didn't really matter to Alcina. This girl would barely be a snack. However, for some reason, she was a bit on the fence about eating this one. There's something different about her. "Alright, you're hired. I'm Lady Dimitrescu." She kneeled down just to be at the tiny girl's level and extended her hand. Seline took it and gave a tiny shake. "Nice to meet you, Miss Dimite- Dimites- Dimitr-" She struggled to say the name, and Alcina couldn't help but smile this time. "Di-mi-tres-cu." She spelled out, and the girl sighed in relief. "Di-mi-tres-cu. Did I get it right?" Alcina nodded, and Seline's eyes sparkled. "Yay!" Already, Alcina felt herself getting attached to her, and she didn't understand why. Maybe it was because she wasn't afraid? Well, whatever it was, it would soon pass, as all things did. "Would you like to meet my daughters?" She asked, already knowing the answer and the enthusiasm that would come with it. "Yeah!" Seline did not disappoint, and Alcina opened the door. "Bela! Cassandra! Daniela! Come and meet our newest maid!" The other maids chittered among themselves. Meeting the daughters already? That girl was pretty much already dead.