It was decided that Circe would stay with Lady Dimitrescu the day before she had to meet with Mother Miranda. That way, Circe could just leave from Castle Dimitrescu and head straight to Miranda's lab. They were closer in distance, so it just made sense that way.
It was three days until then.
The first day, Heisenberg kept to his word on getting Circe writing supplies. He said she could work on her "little memoir" in the forge while he worked on his own things. Said he felt better if she was within eyesight as if Mother Miranda could swoop in at any moment to steal her away.
Circe was more than okay with this. She got to do what she wanted while also having some company. He didn't seem to mind either, because she could see him looking away from his work at her a few times, but anytime she would return his gaze he would look back at his project. It was like he was trying to hide it. This confused her and every time she noticed it she would make a note in her book.
When it got late, he offered to bring her back to his place before he went to bed. She accepted. They chatted on the sofa until Heisenberg was tired, then he walked her to her room.
This went on for the next two days. He would come to get her from her room to go to the forge. She would bring her notebook and some books. They would eat lunch. It would get late. He would ask if she wanted to accompany him, maybe have a drink. She would accept; they would talk. He would drink and she would drink sometimes. He would walk her home when he was ready for bed, and she would work in her memoir if she didn't sleep.
Every single time, before he would leave for his room, Heisenberg would caress her cheek like the night he showed her the army, and place a kiss on her forehead. After the second time, she started to expect it; look forward to it.
Before Circe was able to explain to herself why she wanted to be closer to him, it was time to go to Castle Dimitrescu. She had extra clothes and The Notebook all packed away in an overnight bag Heisenberg had given her. She wasn't going to bring her memoir; that would be stupid. What if they found it? Everything would be let out into the open then. There would be nowhere to hide.
She sat in her living room, knees bouncing, while she waited for him to come to get her. She wanted to get this over with so she could come back. She wanted to get this over with so she could just be herself again. This was the only place that she felt she could call home.
Most of the conversations the past few days between them were about keeping her story straight. Her name was Zero, she hadn't remembered anything, and she wasn't any special. Going by Zero would be the most difficult part. She was so used to being referred to by her actual name that she had almost forgotten she was called anything else; well, except "sweetheart".
Everything else should be easy. However, she was extremely unhappy about it. She had no idea how Lady Dimitrescu would be; she seemed very no-nonsense the time she saw her. She was nervous meeting the three daughters Heisenberg had warned her about. "They're entitled brats," he had told her.
Circe's main concern was Mother Miranda. She didn't want that sickly, chilled feeling she had felt during the meeting to return to the pit of her stomach. She didn't want her porcelain fingers touching her. Not to mention how terrified she was about what Miranda might do to her.
The thoughts of being experimented on caused her anxiety levels to rise.
Yes, she had more things to worry about other than being called Zero.
It was noon when Circe finally heard the familiar knock on the door. She 2as up in a flash, and the door was open before he could knock a third time.
"Hey," she breathed, smiling up at him and opening the door wide, her worries leaving her for the moment.
"Hey, sweetheart," he chuckled, bringing his hand up to ruffle her hair as he waltzed around her.
"Oh-" she tried to flatten any stray hairs he might have caused and turned to face him; nose scrunched up. "Lady Dimitrescu is going to think I'm a peasant," she stressed.
"Yeah, well, she's a bitch, so it doesn't matter." He always said "bitch" with such passion. He peered over his glasses at her. "And the only person you need to worry about thinking about anything is me," he picked up her overnight bag and gave her a knowing smile. "Remember?"
Circe grinned at him. "Yes."
It had kind of become a joke between them now, him asking if she remembers.
"Good. Just remember that you also don't remember, alright?" Then he walked out the door, leaving Circe to shadow behind him.
The journey to Castle Dimitrescu was interesting. Circe hadn't been outside the factory fence since she had entered it, and though she already felt a longing to return, she appreciated being able to view more of the land. She would have to get used to it someday. What if she had to go through it by herself one day? She shuddered at the thought, hoping she would be able to get comfortable with the surroundings before that happened.
They went around the outskirts of town. Heisenberg said that the villagers would be spooked if they saw her. Mostly because of the way her skin looked.
"Don't think anything of it," he had said. "Fits you just fine."
At some point, they passed by a carriage shop a little ways away, and Circe asked about the rather thick man who looked to be maintaining the stock. Heisenberg had merely waved away at him, saying, "The man's a leech."
Everything was fine and dandy until they came up to a very old rope bridge. Seemed like it would fall apart at any moment, and Circe looked at it apprehensively.
Heisenberg already had a solution. A thick sheet of metal flew from the other side of the bridge. He stepped on it and held his hand out for Circe to take. When she did, he pulled her close to his chest and wrapped an arm firmly around her. Her fingers clutched the fabric of his coat, thumb rubbing against a button.
"Close your eyes."
She did, then she felt weightless. She guessed they were flying over the gap to the other side.
Circe was nearly losing her mind. She felt like screaming. Not in a bad way, no, but it felt like she had a whole lot of something bubbling inside her. She had to keep reminding herself to breathe. She refused to move a muscle as if she would wake up from a dream from doing so.
Heisenberg must have taken her tension as nervousness about being in the air. "It's alright, Circe. It'll be over before you know it," he said in a gentle tone.
She didn't want it to be over, but sadly, only a second later, she felt them land. He pulled away, leaving Circe feeling colder than before.
"Open your eyes, Circe."
She did and found herself raising eyes up at him. He was smiling, but there was something else to it. Concern? Worry?
"Let's get goin'."
He guided her up to the castle, through intricate staircases that looked ancient. It wasn't difficult; just tedious. Eventually, she could see the gate that most likely leads to the courtyard. As they got closer she also noticed a person standing in front of it.
"Who is that?" she asked.
"Don't really know; one of the bitch's temporary servants, or their permanent Head Maid," he waved his hand lightly, showing that he clearly did not think this was important enough to mention.
Circe thought about this for a moment, because she did think it was important. Temporary servants? What did they do with them? Do they all eventually become experiments, or are they just killed? Heisenberg did say that Lady Dimitrescu drinks blood, but he never went into very much detail about it.
As they got closer, Heisenberg suddenly stopped and turned to her expectantly.
Circe stopped, as well, and cocked her head to the side in question. They weren't very close to the gate.
"Look, I wanna say the real good-bye to you right here," his head turned to glance at the person waiting. "Don't want them to hear."
Circe nodded understandingly and took a step closer to him; gaze sinking to the ground. "I don't want to do this."
"I know," he responded. "But you gotta."
"They won't hurt me, right?" she whispered.
"They shouldn't."
Circe nodded but was unconvinced.
She heard Heisenberg let out a sigh, then he held out the overnight bag. "Take this." As she did so, he pulled out the contraption he had been working on in the forge for the last three days. He hadn't told her what it was, though she also hadn't asked, so seeing him pull it out now made her curious.
It was a rectangular shape and had a screen on the top half of it. There were several buttons, several different colored wires, and a red switch on the side.
"This is a special walkie-talkie. There are only two. This one is yours," he waved the device in a circle then continued. "I have the other one. I made it so they can only connect to each other's frequencies. All others are blocked," he held it flat in one palm. "This is the volume. This trigger here is how you talk to me, and this-" he pointed to a red switch. "-is kind of like... an S.O.S. beacon. It will send a signal to me that you are in danger without alerting anyone around you."
Circe nodded gravely.
"As I said, they shouldn't try to hurt you, but if they do, just flip that switch and I'll come for you."
"What if you can't find me?"
"Oh, I'll find you," he said as he fastened the device to one of her belt loops. "There's a tracker on it. You can even track where I am if that makes you feel any better. Just press this button," he pointed to it. "And an arrow will pop on the screen in the direction I am."
This did actually make her feel a bit better, but not enough.
"Just keep it on you at all times, and if they ask about it, just say it's for tracking you if you try to run away," he opened up one side of his coat to show his walkie talking attached to it. "
Circe touched it gently, eyes now staring at the ground. This whole situation was extremely stressful, and she didn't even want to be a part of it in the first place.
"Hey. Look at me."
She did. She felt like she was about to cry.
"Don't-" He took her face in his hands. "Don't cry. You can't; not now," he leaned down to the ear that wasn't facing the castle. "You have to be brave, Circe," his voice was an urgent whisper, then he leaned back to look her in the eyes.
"I'll try," she said, though she didn't sound convinced. She attempted to blink away the tears that were only just forming.
"You'll have to be," he took his hands away and donned a smile. It was like he was trying to lighten the mood, and she couldn't help but smile back. Even if it was weak. "You trust me, right?"
"Of course."
"Then you have no choice but to believe me when I say: you got this."
Without waiting for her reply, Heisenberg looked towards the servant, still waiting patiently, then turned Circe towards the gate by putting his hand firmly on her upper back. He started coaching her to walk with him.
"By the way. I think you're a lot stronger than you think you are," he was speaking low, with minimal lip movements. They were getting closer to the servant now; he didn't want them to hear. "So if things go to shit..." She saw him side-eyeing her. "...don't be afraid to fight back if you have to."
Circe put her eyes on the castle ahead. She was hoping these next two days would go smoothly, and she didn't really want to think of things going any other way. She just really wanted to continue living her life and make new memories; find out who she is.
Before she could think of a response they were standing in front of the servant. It was a young woman. She was wearing a long black dress with white, ruffled accents on her wrists, collar, and the hem of the skirt. Lavender hair framed her pale face, and it was styled in two twisting braids that fell over her chest. Though the corners of her mouth were upturned, her heavy-lidded eyes looked a dead gray; completely apathetic.
Taking a bow, while holding one arm out to the side, the servant spoke in a dull voice. She had absolutely no emotion. "Welcome to Castle Dimitrescu, Lord and Lady."
"Yeah, yeah. You just make sure Zero is comfortable. She loves sandwiches and chamomile tea," Heisenberg stated, unperturbed by her bland presence, then turned to Circe one last time. "It's time we parted. I'll be coming to get you from Miranda's before nightfall tomorrow," he glanced at the servant and then back. "See you soon, okay?" His hand rose up to ruffle her hair.
She was expecting him to kiss her on the forehead like he had been doing, but he didn't. She guessed it was because the servant was right there. He might not want them to know how close they have gotten, no matter how minimal.
To think what Mother Miranda would do if she knew Circe had given herself to Heisenberg, completely denouncing the feathered being altogether.
"I'll see you, Lord Heisenberg." That was all she said.
He gave her a smile, ruffled her hair once more, and walked away. Probably on his way to do important, metal-man things.
She was sad to watch him go. She desperately wanted to be walking back with him, and just have a normal day.
But she had to do this.
Circe looked at the servant, who had straightened herself up now, and tried for a smile. "Hello. I'm Zero," she hated the way the name tasted on her tongue.
"Welcome, Zero. You have been expected," she turned to the side and gestured towards the gate; which had started opening on its own very slowly. "Please. Follow me. Countess Dimitrescu awaits."
Circe followed her as she walked slowly through the courtyard, hands folded down in front of her. Her heels clicked on the stone pavement.
"Um...may I ask your name?" It felt like the servant was miles away. Circe absentmindedly began fixing her hair that Heisenberg had messed up again.
"I am Cynthia. Head Maid," she replied apathetically. "I will tend to your every need while you are under our care."
Circe wouldn't deny her words were reassuring, but her tone was so off that it made little difference. "So...if I want something, I just ask you?" She quipped as she was trailing shortly behind her up the steps to the entrance.
"Correct, my Lady." Cynthia pushed open one side of the double doors with both hands, revealing the inside of the castle.
The interior structure was made mostly of dark wood, probably mahogany. The floor was checkered with black and white tiles. Accents of red, gold, and silver adorned most things. The ceiling was grand, and a chandelier hung from the middle, causing light to dazzle around the room. There was a nice highlight on the curved banister of the stair leading up to the second floor on the left side.
"Wow," she breathed, looking around to take everything in. "This is beautiful. Reminds me of a painting."
"You will only find the finest of the fine here, Lady Zero," Cynthia droned, heading towards the door up ahead. "Come. The Countess is this way."
They went through a couple of doors till they came into a room with a fireplace. Circe immediately saw Lady Dimitrescu sitting in a fancy chair, back turned to her. She was holding a glass of red wine in her hand.
"Countess Dimitrescu. Lady Zero is here," Cynthia announced and stood to the side with her hands behind her back, facing straight ahead of her like a statue.
The regal woman hummed and set what looked like a book down on the table in front of her, along with the glass. She then stood, so very tall, and turned to regard Circe with a posh expression.
Circe suppressed a shiver and curtseyed. It was something she had learned in the etiquette book she read. "Lady Dimitrescu, thank you for inviting me."
"Zero. How nice of you to join us here at Castle Dimitrescu," she returned, taking only two steps forward so that she could lean down, hands on her hips. "Let me get a good look at you, my dear," she mused, even giving Circe a smile, but then she reached out and took a hold on her chin with a strong hand.
Circe had no choice but to let the woman turn her head from side to side in appraisal. Though her grip was solid, she was at least not trying to crush her jaw. She took this as a good sign.
"Hmmm, yes. Yes, you may look strange, but you have a beauty in you," she commented, releasing Circe and straightening herself. "Now, let me see the back of your neck."
Circe obeyed and turned, moving her hair over the front of her shoulder. She let her fingers twiddle with the ebony strands. She felt something graze the back of her neck for a moment. It was like everyone couldn't help but touch it.
"This is indeed interesting," she said, mostly to herself, but then Circe heard her speech higher behind her. "Mother Miranda will figure out what this means. I'm sure you'll be promising, but for now, it's time for you to meet my wonderful daughters."
Circe was in the middle of turning to face her when she realized that Dimitrescu was already walking past her. She bent low, holding her hat so that she could walk through the door they had just entered.
"Come on then, child. Let's not waste time," the Countess urged, her voice trailing behind her.
They walked through the halls and came to an open room. A painting of three beautiful women embracing each other. The three daughters? Was she about to greet a painting?
Then Lady Dimitrescu's voice boomed; deep, rich, and loud. "Bela! Cassandra! Daniela! Come here!"
A buzzing noise could be heard growing near, and then one of the doors busted open. Three swarms of flies flew into the room, one right after the other. Circe was astonished to see the swarms form into young women in black cloaks. Their skin was stained around their mouths, and they each wore a different colored pendant.
"Yes, mother."
"Yes, mother."
"Yes, mother."
They all spoke in the same fashion they had entered; one right after the other. They were looking straight at Circe. Two of them looked hungrily at her.
Circe swallowed.
"Now, my daughters. Introduce yourselves," Dimitrescu told them, her hand waving with a flourish.
The one with the yellow pendant spoke first. "I'm Cassandra," she was smiling from ear to ear.
It was the one with the green pendant who spoke next. "Daniela," she curtseyed, as well.
"My name is Bela," the one with the red pendant sounded more mature for some reason, and she wasn't smiling. She actually looked curious.
"It's nice to meet you all. I'm Zero," Circe tried to sound confident, but the way Cassandra was looking at her unnerved her.
Lady Dimitrescu looked at them sternly. "Zero is important. She will be a Lord of her own, one day. Treat her with respect and dignity."
"Yes, mother," they all said.
"Good," she turned to Zero with a small smile, but she frowned suddenly. "Oh, how dreadful. Cynthia! You useless wench, get in here!" She practically growled, causing Circe to shudder.
It took a moment, but Cynthia entered the room; expression flat as ever. She bowed slowly forward as she spoke. "How may I be of service, Countess?" It was a question, but with her voice, it sounded like a statement.
"Did you not think to take Zero's belongings to her room? Do so immediately!" She 2as appalled and didn't even look at Cynthia when she spoke to her
"Yes, Countess. Right away," she replied, walking Circe's way and holding out one hand. She didn't seem to mind being yelled at for some reason. "Please. Your belongings, my Lady."
Circe slowly removed her bag from her shoulder and handed it over to her. "Thank you, Cynthia," she said softly. She felt bad for her and didn't understand how she was reacting so coolly.
"Of course, Lady Zero," Cynthia gave a deep bow, then walked out of the room to complete her task.
"My apologies for any inconveniences this may have caused," Lady Dimitrescu declared, placing a hand over her bosom. "The staff here can be atrocious, even the Head Maid."
"And delicious," she heard from who she thought was Daniela, she couldn't tell. She wasn't looking at them now, and she didn't want to.
"It-its okay. No trouble," Circe stammered. She hoped Cynthia wouldn't be eaten any time soon
"Wonderful. Now, I have business I must attend to. I hope you all can keep each other company until dinner," she looked at her daughters. "Show her around. Give her some bearings of the castle and behave."
"Yes, mother." They all said.
Lady Dimitrescu pinched Circe's cheek. One corner of her mouth was turned up like she was trying to appear soft. She had a much too powerful presence than that of softness, however. She then bent through a door, her heels clicking down the hallways heavily as she went.
Circe let her gaze fall over the siblings, feeling sheepish. She took a shaky breath. "Um. Hi," was all she managed to say to them.
"What makes you so special?" Daniela asked outright, her eyes narrowing scornfully.
Circe was taken aback, eyes growing wide. "I-I don't know. I-"
Cassandra transformed into her swarm of flies and flitted behind Circe, capturing her hair one hand, and her shoulder in the other. She raked her nose down Circe's throat. "She smells weird," she commented.
"P-please, I-"
"Cassandra, Daniela, enough," Bela spoke now, stepping forward a few paces. "Listen to mother."
Cassandra let out a hiss but swarmed away to stand next to Daniela.
Bela moved in front of Circe, who was now trembling uncontrollably. "I'm sorry," she said, offering a hand and a smile. "They don't know how to control themselves too much when they are hungry."
"You can't either if you are too starved," Daniela sneered, pulling Cassandra into her arms, who seemed to almost be pouting.
Bela rolled her eyes but smiled again at Circe. "I won't hurt you," she assured.
Should she trust her? She didn't know, but she pretended she did.
Circe stared at her hand for a moment before shakily taking it. "Th-thank you, Bela." She dared a glance in Daniela's direction. "Um. To answer your question, I never really know what's going on," she looked back at Bela. Mostly for some sort of calm stability. "So I don't know why I'm here."
"Of course," Bela said warmly, her grip was firm, but almost like she was trying to be comforting. "But to give you an answer to why you're here," she patted her hand. "You're going to be our aunt, so we have to get to know one another."
"A-aunt?" Circe felt like she was taking in so much information that she would never be able to process it properly.
"Yes, our aunt," she laughed, apparently amused by Circe's confusion. At least she seemed more good-natured than the other two.
"Why would I ever call that weak thing my aunt?" Cassandra spat, glowering at both of them.
"Because she will be our aunt, sister," Bella let go of Circe's hand to look at her sibling. "I heard mother and Miranda talking on the phone the other night. Mother Miranda is going to give a Cadou to Lady Zero."