"I want to share something with you, Lady Alcina," Miranda whispered, taking one of her hands into both of her own. "I had a daughter whom I loved more than anything in this world, but just like you she was taken from me before her time. I had lost all hope. I no longer had any purpose in this existence. I had no reason to live, but then I found something. A new purpose in this life…"
In this tale, you will learn the backstory of our beloved Lady Dimitrescu. I wanted to dive into what it would have been like if she had had a family before she met Mother Miranda. I also thought it would be interesting to lightly touch on who she was based on, who was Countess Elizabeth Bathory, who had a husband along with children of her own. I hope you folks enjoy reading the story!
Chapter 1:
A shrill cry broke the stillness of the castle. Alcina raised her head a fraction, a grin forming across her blood red lips. Her daughters' had found the young maiden. She turned her attention over to the key hanging on the ring. She had purposefully set the young woman free in order to test her girls. How well would they hunt together?
"They have come a very long way…" Alcina mused, flipping to the next page in her book. Her attention occasionally flickering over towards her door. Awaiting for either all three or one of the girls to come in with the victim.
Would it be Bela? Her silent, headstrong child. Or perhaps Cassandra? The child who enjoyed every second of torturing and tormenting her prey. Or lest she'd never underestimate her dearest Daniela. Though she did tend to take her time killing her prey with her flirty antics.
Who oh who would it be? Despite how much they loved one another, the three could become downright dangerous to each other. Especially when it came to their mother's affections.
Cassandra was the worst when it came to seeking her attention. The poor thing would always push herself to stand out and this would cause only more trouble.
'Daniela is the baby and always gets whatever she wants! Not to mention she gets away with everything. Then there is Queen Bela who is the first born. She can make all kinds of decisions and not ask you for permission to do it!'
Alcina felt a headache coming on just thinking about her constant whining. Yet she could understand her daughter's complaints. Being the middle child she did not feel as special as the other two. So, she came up with her own method of making herself stand out amongst her siblings. And it was that envy of the others which drove her to be that much crueler to the servants, and whomever was at the other end of her scythe.
Alcina did not mind Cassandra's bloodlust, but at times she would push herself too far, which forced Alcina to use a firm hand to remind Cassandra of her place in the house. Unfortunately, making her daughter's insecurities that much rawer, and start the whole cycle over again.
Another shrill cry could be heard. This one much closer than the first.
Alcina chuckled.
The hunt was coming to an end.
She bookmarked the page and at the same time she could hear girlish giggling from outside her door, followed by a light knock.
"Enter," she said, not having to look up to know it was Bela who had entered. Her gait soft and barely audible, as she dragged in the barely breathing maiden.
No too far behind skipped in Daniela, who had fresh blood smeared on her face, and a wide smile that stretched from ear to ear.
"You look like you had fun, Daniela," Alcina commented. "And where is our Cassandra?"
"Pouting," Bela replied, walking up to her mother and pecking her lips. "She did not listen to my plan of action and decided to go solo. Daniela and I had managed to capture this wretch quickly, but then Cassandra tried to snag her away by attacking me."
"I see," Alcina said, knowing this precise thing would happen. What a nuisance. She'd have to have yet another conversation with her. "But you and Daniela succeeded in bringing her to me. Well done both of you." She rose out of her chair, leaning forward and placing a peck to both their cheeks. "She is yours to finish off."
The two sisters giggled joyfully, Alcina smiled at the sound of their merriment. Exiting out of her bedchamber, she closed her eyes and listened for Cassandra. The child had the rare ability to completely close herself off and remain undetected, unlike the others. Making it that much harder for Alcina to locate her elusive child.
"CASSSANDRAA!" She bellowed, her voice rising all the way to the ceiling and expanding out to every corner of her castle. "Come here now!"
There was silence for a minute and then the sound of bugs could be heard. A swarm appeared and quickly dispelled to reveal the dark haired Dimitrescu. Her eyes were lowered to the floor, already knowing she was going to receive a severe tongue lashing.
"Yes, Mother," Cassandra whispered.
Alcina motioned for her to follow.
Cassandra walked beside her mother, a knot of worry forming in her stomach. Her mother's temper was nothing to laugh about. She was ferocious. Terrifying.
When they reached the Main Hall, Alcina took a seat in one of the chairs and motioned for Cassandra to sit opposite her.
"Cassandra…" A pause.
How Cassandra hated that.
"How many times must we have this discussion?"
Cassandra did not answer, staring down into her lap as her mother continued:
"You and your sisters must work as a unit. Teamwork is essential, do you understand?"
Cassandra's eyes flashed with anger, her cheeks puffed out in a strained effort to keep from snapping back a reply.
Alcina ignored the obvious pressure building inside of Cassandra.
"I do not say these things to annoy you or belittle you. This goes far beyond me simply teaching you a lesson. This is about survival, darling. This is keeping you and your sisters safe. We have been attacked enough times by self-proclaimed heroes and other creatures that you should know it is for your protection."
"I don't need protection. I can fight on my own without their help."
Alcina sat back in her chair and stared at her hard.
"You may not need protection, but Bela and Daniela do, especially Daniela. Her strength lies in torturing and making quick kills, but when it comes to full on battles, she poorly lacks any skill. Bela is fine in a battle, but she cannot fight and protect Daniela at the same time. Then there is you, Cassandra. Of all my daughters you are the deadliest. You can fight in battles, make quick assassinations and your skill in torture is unmatched."
Cassandra looked up at her mother in surprise. She hadn't expected such compliments.
"I am harder on you, because I expect more from you. You are my second in command in any battle situation."
"I thought Bela was…" Cassandra said.
"Bela is my second in command when it comes to other affairs, but there are times when she cannot fight on her own either. And the last time we were attacked, she had been mortally wounded…" Alcina shuddered at the memory, though it had been a long time ago the trauma of that day remained. She shook her head to remove the images. "That being said, I expect you to work together with your sisters. When I test you again, I expect all three of you to return to me with the prey, understood?"
"Of course, Mother," Cassandra answered.
{…}
A mother's love knows no bounds. All of her hopes, dreams and future are bestowed upon her children. That is what Alcina's own mother had drilled into her head.
Alcina sat at the head of the dining table, looking at her daughters with pride. All three giggling and whispering to each other about whatever drama they were brewing.
Alcina finished her cup of wine, which was instantly refilled by one of the maids standing by in wait. Back and forth servants entered and exited as they brought dish after dish out to the table.
"Watch this," Cassandra whispered to Daniela. "You!" she pointed to the maid who had just filled Alcina's glass. "Stand on one leg until I say rest."
The maid obeyed and was already teetering with the effort of trying to balance the tray with the wine bottle on it.
"What will happen if she drops it?" Daniela inquired, placing both her hands underneath her chin.
"Hmm," Cassandra tapped her cheek. "I'm not sure. What do you think Bela?"
Bela who had been quietly eating her supper, glanced up at her sister and then over to the maid.
"Well, if she fails, perhaps she can practice balancing by spending a night outside with a tray. I fear it is going to be the coldest night of the year so far. I pity any who find themselves stuck outdoors in such harsh conditions."
Alcina started to smirk.
"I like it," Cassandra nodded. "You hear that, maid? Does that give you enough motivation not to lose your balance?"
"Y-yes, Miss Cassandra," she stammered, closing her eyes.
Alcina watched the maiden's face screw up in pain from the strain; her leg trembling. She would not last much longer and would find herself outside tonight, and the possibility of finding her alive the next morning was very, /very/ slim.
"She's going to fall!" Daniela laughed gleefully.
"I'll give her another three minutes," Cassandra jeered.
"You two," Alcina tittered, picking up her knife and fork to cut into the meat on her plate. "I'm going to be forced to find more staff if you continue your games."
"Apologizes, Mother," Cassandra sniffed, clearly not in the least bit sorry. "But this is a perfect opportunity to weed out the truly competent and incompetent."
"So that is what we are calling it, hmm?" Alcina took a bite of the rare, blood soaked meat.
The two burst out laughing.
Alcina just shook her head still holding her smile. Once upon a time, the three would attack or play their little games with the servants, offhandedly. They had yet to control their bloodlust and by the end of each week, only two or three maids would remain. Mind you there were at least 45 in total, which forced Alcina to find other means of entertainment for them. The reason she began to give them tests to hone their hunting skills on maidens taken from the village.
Even so, it took much more than that to keep them from killing all who crossed their path, and keeping eyes on them—them being Cassandra and Daniela- who would try to escape the castle and hunt outside for fresher prey.
Crash!
Alcina was brought out of her thoughts when the maid had lost her balance. Thankfully there was little wine left in the bottle, but still. It was a shame to have wasted it.
"You lose! I told you. Three minutes!"
"Two minutes and thirty seconds, actually," Bela piped up, taking a sip of her own wine.
"What!? No it was not." Cassandra shot out of her seat, glaring nastily at her older sister. "Where's your proof?"
Bela pointed at the old grandfather clock situated in the corner of the room.
"That doesn't prove anything!" Cassandra snarled.
"What does it matter?" Daniela said. "She fell before you told her to rest. She will spend the night outside."
"Daniela is absolutely correct," Alcina said, winking at her youngest. "Sit down, Cassandra."
Cassandra tightened her fists, continuing to shoot daggers at Bela, who was purposefully ignoring her and polishing off what was left on her plate.
"Cassandra!" Alcina's voice rose sharply, the air now frigid and tense. No longer was Daniela grinning, her attention drifting from her mother to her sister.
"Yes, Mother," Cassandra said through gritted teeth, taking her seat ever so slowly.
"We will finish our meal in silence. Once we have finished you will go to your room."
"What about-"
"/I/ will deal with her," Alcina said, cutting Daniela off.
"Yes, Mother," Daniela said softly.