It was just after noon when Alcina and Donna were approaching the castle entrance. The Duke just so happened to be emerging from the back of his cart as the two came closer.
"Ah, Lady Dimitrescu and Lady Beneviento, it is quite fortunate for us all to meet on this pleasant day." The Duke said as charming as ever. Alcina suppressed a shudder as she felt the man's eyes roam her figure.
"Good afternoon dear Duke, we missed you at this morning's council meeting. How are your sales going today?" Alcina said with a fake smile plastered on her face. She knew the man harbored an odd fascination with her and wanted to remove him from her presence, but he was good with helping manage her winery exports.
"I am doing as well as always, My Lady. I must say that is quite the lovely broach you have pinned to your hat today." The Duke commented with a knowing smirk. "I trust that Y/N is faring much better today after that little spat with her parent's yesterday." He continued. Alcina felt as if she was being covered in oil from how slick his tone was, yet her interest was piqued. You hadn't mentioned anything about your parents yesterday, perhaps this was the information the Duke had weaseled out of you.
"I was unaware that Y/N's family had spoken to her yesterday. Would you be so inclined as to tell me what it was about? I would like to ensure one of my best staff members isn't going to start declining due to mental fatigue from her family." Alcina said with just a touch of concern in her voice. Donna had turned her head at the mention of your name, praying that Angie would stay silent for once.
"From what Y/N told me, the argument was primarily about her father's drinking habits and how that would most likely hinder their survival this winter. Interestingly enough there was a rather inebriated man in his shed around sundown complaining about having an ungrateful child who, quote "works for that tall bitch of a monster," and other profanities that aren't appropriate to utter in the presence of Ladies." The Duke said, a conniving smile plastered on his face. Alcina saw red at the use of the word monster, but managed to keep her composure. She wondered if she had enough time to send word to Heisenberg to not warn your family despite being under her protection, but then paused and wondered how you would react to that. "Lady Dimitrescu, if I may, perhaps you simply remind her family that you are their salvation from the Lycans, but that it is now on the condition that the alcohol consumption be reigned in."
"That is a helpful suggestion Duke, I'll take it into consideration. I'll be sure to send one of the maids out here within the hour with the usual payment for information." Alcina said with another fake smile. She then gently laid a hand on Donna's shoulder and ushered her inside the castle.
You let out a small yawn as you walked by the foyer towards the kitchen. It had taken you all morning, but you had finally managed to get all the girls' rooms. The blood splatters in Cassandra's room had taken the most work to remove, her midnight snack appearing to consist of two of the servants in the cellar if the two dripping skulls on the shelf were any indication. The sleeves of your uniform taking on a pink tint from scrubbing the blood off the walls and rug, the amount of blood in one human body still shocks you. The castle doors then opened and you immediately bowed. The familiar clicking of Alcina's heels against the floor gave you a small smile, yet there was a softer footstep accompanying her that gave you a slight pause.
"Good afternoon My Lady." You said as you came out of your bow. A slight look of surprise on your face to see Donna and Angie as well. "Good afternoon to you as well Lady Beneviento and Miss Angie."
"Good afternoon Y/N, you look as though you had a rather full morning." Alcina commented as though she didn't know about your extra duties this morning. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that Donna had slightly tensed up and tightened her hold on Angie, the doll remained eerily silent.
"It was a busy morning today, My Lady. The parlor near the first floor guest room is prepared for you to receive company, if you'd like for me to bring you and Lady Beneviento some tea." You offered kindly. It was a rare occasion in the castle for any of the other lords to visit without a missive sent weeks in advance. Despite the ache in your arms begging for a break and the fact there were other servants delegated to serving the Lady and her guests, you felt this need to prove your usefulness to her. "Damn you Farther." You thought to yourself.
"Thank you Y/N, but I must insist that you take a small break after. I can't afford for one of my best staff to become overworked." Alcina said with a friendly smile. You felt a warmth spread through you from how genuine the smile was and the admission that the Lady held you in such high regard. You bowed once more and led the two Ladies to the parlor you mentioned, leaving quickly once they were seated to retrieve the tea. For Lady Dimitrescu it was a special blood blended black tea, a shot of brandy added to sooth the stress from the council meeting just as she liked it. For Lady Beneviento and Miss Angie you prepared two simple cups of black tea, setting aside cream and sugar just in case they wanted it. You couldn't explain why, but you had the strangest inkling that the daughters would be in the room upon your arrival, so you prepared three more cups of the blood tea. This was not the first time in your life you had a strange premonition, yet it did not occur frequently enough for you to think anything of it. Once all the drinks were settled on the platter, you added a small bowl of fruit and biscuits, then made your way back to the parlor where sure enough the daughters had joined.
"I'm sorry for the wait My Lady, but I prepared extra tea in case the Misses joined you." You said as you placed the cups down in front of everyone. "Would you like cream, or sugar Lady Beneviento and Miss Angie?" You asked with an unconsciously charming smile. Donna felt her face flush and shook her head quicker than she intended, causing Alcina to quirk her brow at the young woman.
"Just a little sugar if you please, Gorgeous! A doll's got to watch her figure." Angie chimed in and posed as though she were modeling for a painting. At the nickname Alcina turned to the doll, a small understanding look donned her face. She was unaware that you and her "little sister" had known each other in such a way, a small stabbing feeling that she couldn't quite place hitting her stomach.
"Of course Miss Angie, were you able to find something nice yesterday from the Duke?" You asked curiously, momentarily forgetting that you were just a servant in the presence of Ladies.
"Yes I found a pretty dress for one of my friends at home. You have to come over and meet them all!" Angie exclaimed rather excitedly.
"If that is okay with you, Lady Beneviento, perhaps I can visit on my next day off." You said as you turned to the timid woman. You were still sporting that unconsciously charming smile, it had added on a warmth that made all the women in the room stare in awe. You then turned to face Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters. "Do you require anything else, My Lady? If not, I shall take my small break. I am sorry Misses, but I may not have any free time today, but perhaps tomorrow we can meet in the Library." You suggested to the girls. They all nodded their heads in agreement, though Cassandra nodded more reluctantly.
"That is okay Y/N, please enjoy your break." Alcina said softly, still trying to figure out what the odd feeling in her stomach meant. "Before you go, I must ask, did something happen with your parents yesterday?" She asked as she stared at you. You stiffened for a moment, but quickly relaxed and let out a soft sigh.
"Yes, My Lady. My father is a drunk, I fear that my mother won't survive due to his habits." You answered, knowing full well that lying directly to the Lady was a sure fire way to end up in the cellar. "He also made some rather unkind comments about you and my work here at the castle in his drunken rage. Sadly my mother excused it as always." You added, knowing that if she didn't know about the situation already she would find out. You then quickly bowed and left the room before you could be questioned further, fear and guilt prickling the back of your neck. You felt as though you sealed your father's fate, as if you were giving the order for the Lycans to tear him apart.
"Hey Gorgeous, sorry to hear your old man is a shit person." Angie's voice popped up from your side. You hadn't even noticed the doll leave the room to follow you. "Want me to stab him in the leg for ya? Teach him to respect his betters and all that jazz." Angie offered, a small blade shining in her hand.
"Thank you Miss Angie, but I doubt there's any changing my father." You chucked and smiled at the doll. "Surely Lady Beneviento will be missing you at her side. Her demure personality might not fare well on her own with such boisterous company." You offered, slightly praying the doll would leave you be.
"You got a point there. Donna is a mess on her own, she needs her best friend there to do the talking for her! You better come visit us soon Gorgeous!" Angie called out as she flew back to the parlor.
"Lady Beneviento, why did Angie just fly out the room?" Bela asked curiously.
"Yes Donna, surely you have more control over Angie than that." Alcina bit out, still slightly furious with your father.
"Apologies Alcina, sometimes Angie has more power than I remember." Donna offered softly, internally she was begging Angie to return through their mental link. She never expected Angie would just fly off on whatever whim she felt at another Lord's home. Normally Angie was good at staying put during meetings with the other Lords, the only issue being her inability to stay silent. Donna began to fidget under the scrutiny of Alcina and her daughters, the taller and more powerful women causing her subconscious insecurities to come out.
"Sorry about that Big Lady, I just wanted to go offer my stabbing services." Angie said as she flew back into the room. Angie then settled next to Donna and sipped her tea as if she had done nothing wrong.
"Angie, you shouldn't just fly through the castle like that, we can't afford to lose any maids because you scared them to death." Daniela said with a teasing smirk on her face. Cassandra held back a soft chuckle at her little sister's antics, quickly poking her in the side to stop her.
"Dani, Cass, knock it off." Bela hissed from her mother's side. Bela took her duties as the oldest daughter very seriously and she knew her mother would reprimand her for her sisters' misbehavior after Lady Beneviento departed.
"Bela, it is okay. This is not an official meeting between Ladies, merely an informal family chat." Alcina said after taking a deep sip of her tea. "Now listen closely girls, I don't plan on saying this twice. Mother Miranda has given us orders to purge the village before tomorrow night, as you can see this would have dire consequences for us." Alcina explained, quickly holding a hand to stop her daughters' outbursts of protest. "Myself, Donna, and the other two are clearly not going to completely follow through with this order and the families under our protection are currently being told to flee into the mountain caves, where they will remain safe until we can rebuild any damage that occurs."
"Mother, what does this mean for Y/N's family?" Daniela asked quickly. She knew her mother took insults towards House Dimitrescu rather seriously and would probably have your father killed at least.
"Her family will be spared, but her father will be brought before me for the new terms of his continued protection." Alcina said with an unreadable look on her face.
"Let me bring her back in here, Mother. I want to hear exactly what her drunk of a father was brazen enough to say about his betters." Cassandra offered as she pulled out her sickle.
"That will not be necessary Cassandra. I am already aware of his words and as you can see Y/N does not agree with the foolish man." Alcina said rather calmly.
"Hey Big Lady, when you bring in the drunk can I be there? Y/N didn't say I couldn't stab him in the leg." Angie offered in what she thought was a helpful tone.
Donna stifled a groan at her companion's eagerness to inflict pain on others, but couldn't help but feel it might be necessary this time. She thought back to the day she first met you, your wide and friendly smile, the way you complimented Angie. She had gone into the village with her Papa to help him pick out fabric for his doll making, her hair fashioned in a way to hide her scar. She clutched Angie tighter, not used to all the sounds of the villagers in the marketplace, and looked to see if anything would catch her interest. She saw you with a small group of children, playing around as your parents handled their business, and once again she wondered at the concept of having a real live friend. She was grateful to her father for making Angie, but the books she read made it seem like having a human friend was the most important thing in the world. She just couldn't wrap her young brain around the need for living companionship, but Papa and Mama said that she and Claudia were the best things to come from their companionship. Before she knew it, the ball you and the other children were playing with had rolled across the market square to where she was standing. The other children bemoaned the loss of their toy, yet you walked over undeterred.
"Excuse me, can you hand me the ball?" You asked kindly as you pointed at the toy. Donna stared at you, but slowly picked up the ball, carefully trying to keep her tight hold on Angie. She then slowly shuffled closer to you and handed over the ball. "Thank you, your doll is really pretty." You said with a warm smile. Donna had never heard another person call Angie pretty except for Papa and she stared at you in wonder.
"Thank you, her name is Angie." Donna said softly, she wasn't sure you could hear her and was about to repeat herself.
"Well it's nice to meet you Angie, I'm Y/N and you and your pretty friend should come play with us next time. It's boring waiting for the adults." You said with that warm smile still spread over your face. Donna couldn't begin to make sense of what she was feeling, was this what the books meant about friendship being magical?
"Y/N, come back here!" Your mother shouted from across the market.
"Coming Mama! I have to go now, but next time you're in the market you and Angie should come play." You said as you ran off back to your friends. Donna stared in that direction until her father softly placed his hand on her head.
"Is everything alright Donna?" He asked softly. He had seen you walk up to his daughter, but couldn't hear a word you said and he worried you might have hurt his precious girl.
"Papa, how do you know if you made a friend?" Donna asked as she looked up at him.
"Donna, are you listening?" Alcina asked a little tersely. Donna slightly shook herself from her memory and sent her sister an apologetic head shake.
"I'm sorry Alcina, my thoughts were a little preoccupied. We were discussing how to handle the expected fallout from when Mother Miranda discovers we left some of the village alive, right?" Donna asked softly.
"Geeze Donna, get a grip and stop daydreaming." Angie said teasingly. Through the mental link Angie knew Donna was thinking about you and she couldn't resist making her master feel a little flustered.
"Yes Donna, do stay present while we discuss how to keep our lives." Alcina said, the corners of her mouth twitching softly into a smirk.
"Maybe we should be discussing this with Karl and Salvatore? They are risking their lives just as much as us." Donna pondered. She may not enjoy the company of the two men, but she didn't want to see them die.
"I'll call Heisenberg later, perhaps you could contact Salvatore." Alcina offered with a sour look on her face.
"Why do we have to talk to Fish Boy? I'd rather talk to Hammer Hobo." Angie protested as she crossed her arms. Daniela and Cassandra began laughing hysterically at the nickname for Heisenberg, they affectionately called him Murder Hobo in private. Bela sported a positively wicked grin at the insult.
"Hush Angie, you should be nicer to Salvatore. The poor man tries his best to be friendly despite your teasing." Donna chastised the doll. Donna felt an odd sense of kinship with the deformed man, the Cadou leaving it's own deformity on her already scarred face.
"Fine, I'll be nice when you call Fish Boy later." Angie said sarcastically. Contrary to the popular belief that Angie was the voice of Donna's inner consciousness, the doll had her own genuine feelings and opinions. Angie explained the things that Donna couldn't quite understand and was better at reading social situations.
"We still need to come up with a plan." Alcina said. "Mother Miranda's plans being achieved were always going to be an issue, but we never thought to come up with failsafes to ensure the prosperity of our houses. The reason I insist on being the one to speak to that fool Heisenberg is because I have had my suspicions for a while that he wishes to displace Mother Miranda." She admitted. Her daughters stared at her in shock as this was the first they had ever heard of a possible coup d'etat.
"If that's true, then does this mean we will betray Mother Miranda and join up with Heisenberg?" Bela asked quietly.
"Possibly, we will need to see how the day leading up to the ceremony goes. I will speak with Heisenberg to confirm my suspicions, then if he miraculously has a competent plan, we may assist him." Alicina answered as she steepled her fingers in thought.
Several hours later, you were assisting the cook by putting the roast in the oven. The muscles in your arms still protesting from the extra work, but you powered through it. When you had returned to the kitchen for your break, Elisabeta - the maid usually in charge of serving the Lady her afternoon tea - had thanked you profusely. She had been suffering a small cold and accidentally overslept, you taking care of her job had ultimately spared her a punishment. It wasn't uncommon for the maids to cover one another every so often, but they didn't do it too much for fear that Florianna would accuse them of shirking their duties and have them sent to the cellars.
"Y/N would you mind inquiring about the number of guests for this evening's meal?" The cook asked you kindly. None of the younger servants knew the cook's name and often called her Yaya due to her nurturing attitude and Greek ancestry.
"Sure thing Yaya, I'll be back in a moment." You said as you removed your flour covered apron. The cook had taken pity on you and handed you a clean shirt after seeing your pinkened sleeves. As you walked back into the parlor, you noticed the daughters and Angie were not currently in the room. You bowed quickly and waited to speak after your Lady's signal.
"Yes Y/N, was there something you needed?" Alcina asked as she noted the cleaner uniform.
"My Lady, the cook wishes to know if Lady Beneviento and Miss Angie will be staying for dinner this evening." You said. Out of the corner of your eye you noted that Donna had tensed up slightly after you entered the room.
"I'm afraid not, Donna and Angie will be leaving shortly. The girls should be bringing Angie to the foyer any moment now." Alcina answered, that gnawing pressure in her stomach had yet to leave.
"I shall inform the cook immediately, My Lady. Do you require any other information to be sent?" You asked tentatively. You couldn't quite place what you were feeling, but you knew something bad was coming soon.
"That will be all for now, but if you happen to see Florianna, please inform her that all the servants are to be assembled in the dining hall before the meals are to be served." Alcina said rather heavily. Your senses filled with dread, a dark premonition hanging just out of your reach for interpretation.
"Of course, My Lady. I hope you have a lovely evening and safe return home, Lady Beneviento." You said softly. Backing out of the room quickly, your heart pounding at the ominous request for all the staff to meet in the dining hall. Returning to the kitchens you were in luck that Florianna was conversing with the cook about the extra place settings for dinner. "You need not prepare the extra servings, Lady Beneviento will be leaving the castle shortly. I come with another message from our Lady, she requests that all the staff be in the dining hall before the meal is to be served." You told Florianna, ignoring the scowl she sent your way.
"Very well then, I shall round up the others." Florianna said as she left the kitchen. Her frustration at you giving her an order was palpable. The cook stared at you curiously.
"What's wrong child? You look as though you know something horrible." The cook probed you subtly. You had mentioned your premonitions to her before, she claimed you had a special gift that very few villagers ever received.
"I'm not sure yet Yaya, it's as though something dark is hanging over us, waiting to consume everything in its wake." You answered cautiously. As a child your mother had warned you to keep your premonitions a secret, lest you be taken in the middle of the night to be sacrificed to Mother Miranda. You then moved to check on the roast, you knew if you focused on the feeling too much you would be rendered useless and the meeting would clearly require your wits. "The roast should be ready just before the meeting, though by the smell it needs a splash of more wine." You said calmly. The cook smiled patiently and took your suggestion. Not even an hour later, you removed a perfect roast from the oven and set it aside to rest just as a bell rang, signaling the meeting would be starting shortly. As you entered you noticed the Lady standing at the head of the table, her glorious height sending familiar sparks through your body. Her daughters were standing just behind her, as though prepared to leave at the slightest indication of attack.
"Good evening everyone, I wish I was calling you all here under better circumstances." Alcina began. The dark premonitions were starting to take shape, but you ignored them as best as you could. "I please ask that you let me explain everything before you start your objections. Mother Miranda has asked the other Lords and myself to do something deplorable and purge the village of its remaining inhabitants by tomorrow evening." Alcina said plainly. The servants began to whisper in fearful tones, but the Lady held up a hand to quiet them. "Rest assured, we do not wish for this to happen and have come up with a plan to ensure your families survive. As of this afternoon, Lords Heisenberg and Moreau have gone to all of the protected homes in the village and warned them to leave for the caves in the hillside before sundown. They will be protected there until we can rebuild the village, but anyone who is still in the village come morning will be devoured by the Lycans." This brought cries of outrage from the servants. You couldn't bring yourself to join them as a vivid image of your father and mother laying in twin pools of blood flashed in your mind. "Now I understand if you wish to flee into the caves with your families, no punishment will be given to those who leave tonight and your jobs will still be available to you, should you wish to return." Alcina continued, her daughters tensing up behind her. "Anyone who chooses to stay, will have the eternal gratitude of House Dimitrescu." Alcina concluded. More than half the staff abruptly left the room, presumably to pack their things and leave. There was an escape corridor that all the staff were made aware of when they arrived at the castle that led directly into the mountains. You inadvertently made direct eye contact with Alcina, seeing the underlying fear in her eyes. Yet you also saw an interesting warmth in them, as if she was happy you were choosing to stay at the castle.
"My Lady, we will be safe here in the castle, won't we?" Florianna asked tentatively. You were surprised that she was staying, though you suspected she was staying only so she wouldn't lose her position as head maid.
"I will do everything I can to keep the inhabitants of this castle safe." Alcina offered. It did little to inspire safety amongst those of you who stayed in the room. Though you longed to leave and make sure your parents had made it to the caves, a gentle voice spoke to you in the back of your mind. It showed you the image of a blond man wearing a tan coat. One word was said as you committed the image to memory. Fight.