Castle Dimitrescu – later that evening…

The fireplace coated the Main Hall with its orange vibrance as the three Dimitrescu sisters relaxed in their chairs, sipping from their glasses of Sanguis Virginis. It was their favorite blend. A house recipe. There was no better moment than one like this, especially nowadays.

Bela held her glass between her thumb and forefinger, her eyes gazing at the fire as she swirled the crimson liquid around. Cassandra, ever the wild and untamed of the trio, sat across from her, leaning back in her chair with her legs kicked up onto the table. It poked and pried at her eldest sister's patience, but there would be no reaction to satisfy her hunger for attention tonight. As soon as her drink was sipped down, she held out her glass towards Luana, gesturing for another refill.

Daniela was right next to the brunette, her own glass of wine untouched; her attention instead split between her two siblings. There was a desire for conversation deep in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to just be with them, but not knowing how to go about it kept her words at bay.

I'm just happy to be here with you two.

Luana picked up the ornate wine bottle from the nearby side table. She stepped forward and poured more of the blood-infused drink into Cassandra's glass. As soon as the level neared the rim of the cup, a simple flick of Cassandra's finger was the girl's cue to withdraw and move away. The maid returned to her post beside the fire place after she set down the container, her hands cupped at her waist, and her eyes respectfully set upon the noblewomen.

Cassandra, now with her glass refilled, took a long sip and let out a content sigh before her gaze settled back on Luana for a second. There was a teasing tone to be found in her voice as soon as she redirected her attention to Bela. Her antics were far from over. "You know, dear sister, aren't you getting a bit greedy?" The middle child grinned with her signature raised brow.

Bela arched an eyebrow as well, mirroring that of her sister's; only this one expressed perplexity, rather than mischief. "Greedy?" she repeated, her voice rife with curiosity. "What are you talking about?"

"Think," Cassandra said with a lazy gesture of her glass towards Luana. "Don't you have enough servants already? And now there's that new one... What's her name again?" She paused, her brow furrowing in false thought. "Kaia? Kaya?"

Daniela, who had been slowly sipping on her wine, perked up at the mention of Kyia. Her lips curled into a sly smile as she finally removed her glass to her lips, now chiming in. "Ah, you mean Kyia," she corrected, accentuating the new girl's name with flair. "What a weird one she is." She giggled, finding amusement in the gossip.

Bela sighed, shaking her head. "Kyia..." she muttered, her tone raging with irritation as she picked up her glass. "Honestly, dinner was almost delayed tonight again because of her. She couldn't even manage simple ingredients without messing something up."

Cassandra snickered, the delight in her sister's annoyance clear on her face. "Isn't that grounds for getting rid of her?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she glanced towards Bela. The brunette would never forsake the opportunity to set up one of the maids for certain death. "Mother's patience seems unusually strong when it comes to her, don't you think?"

Daniela grinned, leaning forward slightly in her chair, her eyes filled with excitement. "What do you think it would take to get Mother's permission to cut her up?" She made a slashing motion with her hand, her fingers mimicking the swinging of a blade. In truth, she held no real opinion on Kyia. The thing the redhead cared about more was the chance to bond with her sisters during the process of murdering her.

They had shared a great deal of memories over the years while committing such acts. The laughter. The joy. All of it at the bloody expense of those less fortunate to be born within their reach. They felt like one in those moments, and Daniela yearned to return to that coveted old feeling.

Bela's expression softened as she shook her head, letting out a low chuckle in the process. She already knew what Cassandra was up to. "Oh, dear sister. You know how Mother is. Kyia would need to make a royal mistake for that option to even be considered."

"Shame." Cassandra sighed dramatically, shrugging her shoulders. "I was hoping we could have a little fun." Her lips curled into a malicious grin, and she took another sip of her wine.

Luana stood by silently, her eyes nervously shifting between the three sisters. She had no connection with Kyia—the woman was an outsider, incompetent, and always seemed to cause more problems than she solved. Coupled with her revolting attitude, the brunette earned herself no sympathy.

But despite that, Luana couldn't help but feel a wave of concern. As much as Kyia irritated her, there was something unnerving about the way the sisters spoke of her, the way they casually discussed her fate as if she were nothing more than a plaything.

Suddenly, Bela turned her head, her gaze locking onto Luana before the maid could think any further. The servant stiffened, her heart skipping a beat as the eldest daughter's eyes bore into hers. This was nothing good.

"Luana," Bela said, her voice smooth, almost conversational, yet there was an unmistakable sharpness to it. There was no heartfelt grace to ever be found within her. If there was even the slightest hint of kindness in the way she spoke, it was always carried with some sinister intent. "What do you think we should do about Kyia?"

Luana blinked, caught off guard by the question. The expression of the other two ladies was no better—Cassandra's smile was almost predatory, while Daniela looked at her with innocent curiosity, though her gleam betrayed her true nature, which Luana was privy to. The girl took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully.

"Miss Bela," she began with a respectful voice, "I believe Kyia... simply needs more guidance. She is... unfamiliar with her duties, and perhaps that is why she struggles. I think, with time, she could learn."

Bela tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. Ordinarily, if she had heard something that she didn't like, she would have called it out immediately, especially from one of her personal staff. This wasn't one of those times. "More guidance, you say?" she mused, her fingers tapping against her wine glass. "Do you think she deserves that kind of effort?"

Cassandra let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Bela. You're asking one of these stupid maids about what is best to do? You must be kidding me!"

Daniela, however, seemed intrigued. She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Luana. "Oh, Luana," she said with a smile, "you're always so soft-hearted. Do you really think Kyia has it in her to improve? Because I have my doubts. Would you dare say that I am wrong?"

Luana swallowed, feeling the crushing weight of all three sisters' gazes on her. She hesitated, then shook her head. "No, Miss Daniela. I believe there may be potential there, Miss Bela. If she is given the right tools, perhaps she could prove useful."

Daniela chuckled, her glass of wine nearly spilling over. "And what kind of motivation do you have in mind, hmm?" she asked, her voice teasing, almost mocking.

Luana paused, carefully choosing her next words. As much as the topic was about Kyia, the spotlight was truly on her. She knew the dangers of suggesting anything that might be considered too lenient. "Perhaps harsher discipline," she said quietly, remorseful that she had just suggested such a fate. "A reminder of what happens when she fails in her duties."

Bela seemed to consider this, as her amber orbs turned thoughtful when she looked back towards the fire. Cassandra, meanwhile, let out a huff of laughter, clearly unphased. "Harsher discipline," she sarcastically repeated, shaking her head. "I think you mean fear. She should fear for her life every moment she's here. I have my own set of tools as well, and I'd be more than happy to apply them to her."

Daniela smiled, her eyes glittering with sheer enthusiasm. "I think that would be great," she said. "Perhaps we could make it an eventful night of skinning her alive and roasting her over the flames!"

Cassandra groaned. "Ugh, I hate cooked meat so much!"

Luana kept her expression neutral, though she couldn't set aside the uneasy feeling over what these witches were concocting in their heads.

Bela finally looked back at her sisters, lifting her glass. "We shall see," she said simply. "For now, Kyia remains under observation. If she proves herself, she lives. If not..." She shrugged, her lips curving into a small smile. "Well, I suppose we can have a little fun with Mother's permission, can't we?"

The three sisters laughed, the sound of their cackles echoing in the hall, which cast a chill that seeped into Luana's bones. She bowed her head slightly, her stare dropping to the floor. As much as Kyia frustrated her, she wouldn't wish that fate on anyone.

Bela's laughter cut through her thoughts, and Luana forced herself to focus. The sisters were dangerous and unpredictable, and Kyia was walking a very thin line. A line that she would likely cross at some point or another.

The blonde's amber eyes gleamed as her lids curled, that wide grin of hers shining against the glow of the fireplace. "Oh, Luana, for such a quiet maid, you certainly have a bloodthirsty side," she said with a giggle. "Willing to see Kyia punished so easily... I never would have guessed."

Luana's eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest. She silently gulped, trying to steady her voice as she opened her mouth to speak. "Miss Bela, I—" But she stopped herself, knowing full well that trying to argue or backtrack would be a mistake. The sisters would jump on the first opportunity to correct her, and to show opposition would only worsen her position. "Yes, Miss Bela."

Bela chuckled again, the sound of her voice fading away to a sigh. "The truth is, Mother gifted me Kyia," she said, her voice almost resigned. She had had her fun, and now the conversation was done with, for the most part. "And as much as she irritates me, I can't simply throw that gift away. She's mine, and Mother expects me to mold her into something of use."

She then glared at her most faithful servant in a devilish manner. "So, Luana, you will be in charge of overseeing Kyia. If she messes up, it will be on you to correct her. And if she fails again, well, you'll pay the price."

Luana nodded vigorously. "Yes, Miss Bela," she said in a voice that betrayed the fear she felt inside. She bowed her head, accepting the burden that had been placed on her, knowing she had no choice.

The discomfort that Luana felt was only rattled further by Daniela's childish laugh. "Look at her," she said, her voice filled with glee. "She's terrified! It's adorable, really!"

Cassandra joined in, her voice way harsher. "Oh, Luana, stop! You're so weak. So worthless. It's a wonder you've survived this long." Her eyes narrowed, her lips twisting into a cruel smile. "Maybe one day you'll break. Maybe that day will come soon. I can't wait to just get my hands around you when the time is right."

A tear formed at the corner of Luana's eye, the sting of humiliation and resentment cutting deep, but she refused to let it fall. With a quick blink, she held it back, remaining devoted to their needs.

Bela frowned, raising a hand to silence her sisters. As enjoyable as it was to torment her, this was still her most trusted maid that they were speaking about. She would not allow Cassandra to even get the idea that Luana was on the table. "That's enough," she said, her voice firm. "You're being too loud. I can barely hear myself think."

Cassandra rolled her eyes, scoffing as she lifted her glass and drained it in one swift motion. She held it out towards Luana, her lips curling into a sneer. This was her way to maintain control. "Refill it," she ordered, her tone dripping with disdain.

What else could the servant do but obey? Luana stepped forward, picking up the bottle of wine and pouring it into the glass.

As Luana refilled it, Cassandra leaned back in her chair, her eyes still on Bela. "You think that was loud?" she said with sarcasm. "You clearly don't know the definition of the word, sister."

Bela's eyes rolled as she picked up her own glass and took a sip. "Oh, I know what loud is, Cassandra," she said, looking towards the maid in thought. "In fact, I remember how Mother was rather pleased that we got the quiet one when they brought the prisoners back. She was quite relieved we didn't end up with the loud one instead."

The mention of the "loud one" made Cassandra's and Daniela's eyes light up with curiosity. They knew that she spoke to their mother so often that it was likely she held information that her siblings would otherwise not know. Bela's words hung in the air as the door to the hall opened, drawing their attention.

Kyia stepped into the room, her posture stiff as she carried a basket filled with food, her eyes focused straight ahead. She moved with speed, her expression blank, clearly trying her best to not attract the three sisters. There was a great deal of tension in the room, and she could feel their eyes on her but refused to display her stress.

Cassandra leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to call out to Kyia, her lips already curling into a taunt. But before she could speak, Bela raised her hand, waving her off dismissively. The blonde snapped her fingers towards Luana, then pointed at Kyia. "You go with her," she said firmly. "Now."

"Yes, Miss Bela!" Luana nodded, immediately moving to obey. She hurried to catch up with Kyia, her footsteps echoing across the room as she drew closer to her.

As Kyia moved closer to the kitchen door, Bela's voice could be heard in the background. "Mother said that there was another woman that our stupid uncle captured. That worthless nobody even said that she had killed Mother in the past, can you believe that?"

Kyia froze for a brief moment, her heart up to her throat. Narratha. The name flashed through her mind—the memory of the fierce redhead who had been brought here along with her. She quickly masked her reaction, pretending to stumble slightly, her foot catching on her shoe. She played the act, steadying and fixing herself while Luana caught up to her and continued walking.

Neither of the daughters seemed to pick up on Kyia's display, choosing instead to continue their conversation about the freckled fawn.

Sadly, Kyia would not get to hear anymore of it. She and Luana exited the Main Hall together, the heavy door closing behind them and silencing the voices of the murderous sisters. If Luana was not present, the brunette would have been tempted to place her ear to the barrier, hoping to pick up on any additional information that she could learn.

But that was not her reality.

...

Kyia and Luana walked down the hall toward the kitchen, seeking to place as much distance between themselves and the daughters as possible. As soon as she felt like they had moved far enough, Kyia turned her head slightly toward Luana, her curiosity getting the better of her. She needed answers. "Luana," she began, her voice low, "have you heard anything about another outsider? Someone who was captured along with me?"

Luana glanced at her, her expression already giving away what she would say. "I don't know what the Dimitrescu family's business entails," Luana replied. "It is best that people like us stay away from it."

Kyia sighed, annoyance evident in her voice. She felt like an idiot for even trying. Yet she would not give up. "Fine," she said. "But does the name Narratha sound familiar to you?"

Luana shook her head, her eyes still forward. It was clear that she did not want to converse about this anymore. "No, it doesn't."

Kyia frowned, her frustration only growing, but she said nothing more as they approached the kitchen door. As soon as it opened, the brunette was already hit with the wafting stench of rotting meat. It served to only dampen her mood.

When she stepped foot inside, Kyia moved toward the counter, setting down the basket of food she had carried in. Her fixation wandered to the window, and she felt the urge to open it, despite what had been said to her previously. The moldy air in the kitchen was suffocating, but it was the overwhelming odor of festering flesh that drove her to the brink of insanity. It was just like the clock tower in Serpenmoor. Vikcia's den that was filled with an unimaginable number of corpses.

A castle full of corpses. What was the difference?

Luana must have noticed her lingering eyes because she spoke up, her voice quick to cut the fawn's ambitions down. "Don't even think about opening it, Kyia."

Kyia grunted, her brow furrowing. "Does it ever get warmer around here, or is it always freezing?" she asked, irritated as ever.

"It does get warmer, eventually." Luana didn't know what else to tell her. The way the woman carried on about the most mundane things wore the blonde's patience down to the very bone.

Kyia raised an eyebrow, still unwilling to accept whatever she had to say. "And do you open the windows then? I can't imagine the smell of death in this place being bearable when it does."

Luana nodded. "Yes, the windows are opened when the weather gets warmer," she affirmed.

Kyia scoffed, shaking her head. "Then it makes no difference. Fresh air is fresh air."

Luana took a step closer, her eyes locking onto Kyia's. This had to end right here and right now. "It's Bela's orders, Kyia. You need to stop questioning everything."

Kyia's eyes turned sharp. Against Luana's wishes, she would not back down. "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

Luana held her ground, refusing to flinch under Kyia's glare. Even though she was younger, she could not allow this woman to run the kitchen. With the way her anger teetered on the hinge of slipping, Kyia's attitude needed to be reeled back in. "Since Bela placed me in charge of you," she said. "You must listen to me, Kyia. This isn't a choice."

Kyia snorted, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Listen to you? I'm older, Luana. I've seen more. Lived more. I will not take orders from a young maid who barely understands life."

Luana's jaw clenched. "You might be older, but here, that doesn't matter. And if you continue to push against the rules, you'll learn the consequences the hard way," she said. "The last thing I want to do in this castle is make enemies, but I'm warning you, Kyia—challenging the way things work here will not get you what you want."

Kyia's eyes flashed with anger, her voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "Is that a threat, Luana?"

Luana hesitated but then shook her head, reminding herself that her safety was alsoon the line as well. "No, Kyia. It's a grave warning," she said with a hint of concern in her eyes. "Maids that threaten the stability of the castle are dealt with quickly. I don't want to see you get hurt, but I can't control the actions of the Dimitrescu family. They will not hesitate to kill you."

Kyia's glare didn't subside; the tension between them was thicker than ever before. Her lips curled slightly, her sharp cheeks glistening from the window light. "Threats do not sit kindly with me, Luana. I do not forget them."

"You don't understand what's at stake here, Kyia. You think you do, but you don't."

Kyia scoffed. "And you think you do? You have no idea, Luana. None at all."

The Factory

The clattering of machinery could be heard in the far distance as the streams of water passed by Narratha's ears. A modern shower was something that never existed in her world, but the one that she had been provided with seemed to be as shanty as it could be. Separated by a thin curtain, the fawn huddled in the corner, seeking to gain as much personal space as she could within the confined area.

She stood beneath the hot stream, her bushy red hair plastered against her back as the water washed away the grime accumulated after several days of hard work. Her freckled skin, now exposed and clean, revealed old scars from recent battles.

The wounds that Cassandra had managed to inflict on her back in Locwitary stood as a reminder of how close death could get. Never in her life had she met someone that matched her magic until Lia fought against her. But when Cassandra displayed the ability to dissolve into a carnivorous horde of insects, the powers of a fawn meant nothing. Every gap in her shield could be found. Her strings of energy could only harness a single bug at a time.

While her flames could effectively burn the buzzards to the ground, Narratha still found herself exhausted during the fight. That was when the brunette's sickle made its share of contact with her body, and then the redhead knew that this was no longer a game.

Now, vulnerability was her daily existence. It all ended back in that decaying castle across the barriers of universes.

Despite the warmth of the water, a chill crawled up her spine. Just behind the thin curtain, separated by nothing more than a wall, was Karl Heisenberg. She knew he was there, his presence carrying the weight of the orb in the sky. She tried not to think about what he could do to her if he chose—about how susceptible to assault she truly was.

Narratha's shoulders slumped slightly as she sat in those dark thoughts. The idea that Heisenberg might force his way through the curtain and violate her gnawed at her mind. But her logical side reminded her that he could have done that at any moment before this—yet he hadn't. It didn't give her much comfort, but it was the only justification that allowed her to focus on cleaning herself.

Why would he have waited for so long? None of the poils waited during that horrible afternoon. She had witnessed the savagery of corrupt men. Even after all these years, the touch of their hands could never be removed from her body.

Heisenberg's voice echoed through the small room. "You know, I don't usually grant showers to my prisoners, but the smell of you was just too damn much to bear." His voice carried the tone of amusement. He was having fun with this.

Narratha's jaw clenched, her nostrils flaring at the insult, but she stayed her tongue. Arguing with him was pointless—it would only make things worse if her pride sought to gain the upper hand. Instead, she lifted her head slightly and called out, "How many prisoners have you kept here before?"

There was a brief pause, then Heisenberg's voice spoke again. "None."

Narratha blinked, her hands pausing over her arms as she moved closer toward the edge of the wall. "None?" she repeated, trying to make sense of how his statements contradicted one another.

Then she realized that he was just messing with her once again.

She sighed, frustration boiling as she resumed washing. If it wasn't the insulting subjection to manual labor that made her want to scream, it was the constant jabs and remarks that the bearded man in the long coat tossed her way. The sound of his voice was so smug. She wished for nothing more than to just gut him, but he had proposed the idea of loyalty when they first met. While he hardly made mention of his greater intentions, the man seemed to have a solid plan of sorts.

Whatever that plan was, it would keep her alive for the time being.

"Managing prisoners is hard work, you know," Heisenberg said.

Her fists tightened, and Narratha was suddenly reminded of her past. Of the women she had captured, tortured, and murdered back in her realm. She had never allowed them to bathe, never given them enough food—just enough to keep them alive. Looking around now, with the hot water washing over her, she realized how imbalanced her situation was. She had done horrible things to her captives, yet here she was, being afforded food, water, and even a chance to wash herself. Even if she felt persecuted in the process, her commodities stood above her own set standards.

It didn't sit well in her chest.

Her lips parted, and she hesitated before speaking again, her tone soft as she contemplated what alternatives there would have been. "What happens to most outsiders captured here?"

Heisenberg gave a snort, as if the answer should have been obvious. "It's Mother Miranda's decision, of course. But most often, they're put to death. Can't have strangers running around, messing things up. Mother Miranda would not like that."

Narratha had suspected as much, but the confirmation wasn't comforting. It only made her come to terms with the fact that she shouldn't even be alive now. Heisenberg continued, and she could practically hear the smirk in his voice. "If anyone's good at managing prisoners, though, it's my bitch of a sibling, Alcina."

"Alcina?" Narratha questioned, genuinely confused.

Heisenberg gave a huff of laughter. "That tall bitch with the big hat. How could you've missed her?"

Narratha's attention took a sharp turn, her memory flashing to that monstrous, deformed lady that she had faced back in her world. The grotesque version of Alcina that had suddenly materialized before she'd killed it. She still didn't understand how that was possible—how someone from this realm had ended up in hers. Were there more portals at play that she had not known about?

More importantly, how could a person exist in one world alive yet perish in another?

With no answer to be found, she pushed the thought aside for the moment, her mind jumping instead to Kyia. Heisenberg's mention of prisoners made her hopeful that she could find some information. Things would have been hopeless if Narratha was the only fawn that entered this world. But with the brunette here as well, she knew that there was a way forward.

"That other girl..." Narratha began, hesitant to come off like she was begging. She wanted to play her cards well, lest Heisenberg be inclined to purposefully withhold what he knew. "The one who was captured with me—what happened to her?"

Heisenberg laughed again, as one should have expected from a man like him. "Oh, her? She's Alcina's newest maid," he said, sounding both amused and annoyed. "Apparently, Mother thought it'd be fun to gift her to that overgrown bat. Can't say I'm jealous." He paused for a moment, sarcasm dripping from his teeth. "Bet her daughters are disappointed, though—they got stuck with the skinny one."

Narratha's head whipped around, her wet hair flicking water as she turned, even though there was a curtain and wall separating them. "What do you mean by that?" she demanded sharply.

Heisenberg's laugh sounded out again. "Oh, don't get all wound up, princess. I just meant you're well fed, that's all."

Narratha glanced down at herself, her wide hips and chest coming into view as the water descended her skin. She grimaced, her cheeks flushing slightly—not from embarrassment but from sheer irritation. The silence on her end must have given something away because Heisenberg's voice came back again, this time a little more amused and cockier than it was before.

"It's just an observation, you know," he said.

Narratha clenched her teeth, unwilling to engage further. She turned abruptly, reaching for the valve and twisting it shut. The hot water stopped, leaving the room suddenly much colder than before. She grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself as she stepped out of the shower. She didn't want to speak to him—not anymore.

Heisenberg seemed to sense her mood, and for once, he said nothing more. The silence in the room grew, growing stronger with each passing second. Narratha dried herself off quickly, her movements tense. She had no desire to remain here, feeling as vulnerable as she did. It was one thing to hear a comment like that. To be as exposed as she was only made it worse. She could hear Heisenberg move somewhere beyond the curtain, but she kept her eyes down, focusing only on drying up and getting dressed, seeking some semblance of protection in her clothing.

Once she was dressed again in the rough, worn gown that had been provided for her, she took a deep breath, her hands still balled into fists that were destined to remain at her side and not at his jaw. She needed a plan—needed to figure out a way to find Kyia and escape this place. And for that, she needed to play along and endure Heisenberg's remarks.

She exited the small room once her clothes were on. As soon as her feet stepped onto the floor, Heisenberg was leaning against the nearby wall, his arms crossed over his chest. The man's eyes watched her with that same calculating look he always seemed to have, even if they weren't visible past those darkened glasses of his. Narratha met his gaze, her expression soulless as she twisted more of the water out of her hair.

"Done already?" Heisenberg asked, staring at the droplets as they fell onto the ground.

She said nothing, answering only with the release of her hair from her hands. As soon as her eyes set on the door behind him, Heisenberg gestured with his head for her to follow. It would be a straight walk to her cell and another night of uncomfortable sleep. Tomorrow would then place her back in that field, next to villagers that she could not stand.

Narratha felt herself teetering closer to the edge of killing someone.

Heisenberg flicked his cigar into the nearby trashcan, turning his head and observing Narratha's eyes as they followed the stub along the way. As soon as her eyes met his, he still had one more thing to say. One more thing that would turn her entire thought process around.

"Mother Miranda doesn't want you out of my sight, but I need to go to my bitch-of-a-sister's castle tomorrow morning. That means you're coming with me."

Castle Dimitrescu – January 23rd, 2021

The following afternoon was not unlike any other. Bela was running around, fussing over every errand that she could undertake to please her mother. Cassandra was nowhere to be found, but such a thing was probably for the best. Whatever mischief the brunette was up to was better left unknown.

As for Daniela, she was back to staring at that portrait of her and her siblings, hopefully uninterrupted this time.

Hmm… I still can't understand why something about this painting feels off. The artist had to have been ignoring our most important features! Ugh!

She curled her lip as she inspected it further, seeking to gain a better understanding of what exactly it was that kept pulling her back here. She had crossed this area numerous times before. More times than anyone could count. Why was it now that she felt so drawn to it? What sparked inside her that could have caused this mindset?

Bela's picture looks... Wait, which one is Bela? Huh?

A tingling rushed across her head, deep within her skull. Daniela momentarily paused, and then out of the blue, she found herself unaware of why she was gazing at the painting so intently.

What am I doing? I should go find Mother. She must need something.

It only took a matter of seconds before her form dissolved into its usual horde of flies and she was out of the room. There was an eerie stillness left in her wake. A calling, of sorts, unheard. Silent screams of a young woman who desperately wanted to escape. A soul trapped within the soul of someone who never existed—not as the way there were now.

Later that day...

"Delia…" Daniela said as she crept up from behind the girl, placing her hands on her shoulders as she did so. The auburn-haired servant nearly flinched upon her touch, but she remained still, just as she was expected to.

"Yes, Miss Daniela?" Delia said as she continued to dust the shelves. The dusting was endless. Always the same spots, again and again. At this point, she wondered if her master had even noticed the monotonous nature of it all. There had to have been something better that she could do in this disheveled library, but no.

It was always dusting.

"I'm going to be stepping out to go see my sisters. When I come back, I expect this room to be cleaner than it is now."

Delia nodded without question. "Yes, Miss Daniela."

As the redhead began to make her way toward the door, she cast one last glance at her favorite book. As if temptation got the better of her, Daniela decided to pick it up off the table and take it with her as she drew closer to the exit. "You're going to finish your lunch as quickly as you can and get back to work, understand?"

"Yes, Miss Daniela."

With a smirk, the pale noblewoman giggled as she turned around and pushed open the door, her voice trailing off behind the walls. "You better."

Sparing not a second to linger on her, Delia immediately went back to her duties, brushing the feathers across the wooden panels. She didn't want her continued displeasure to slip through the cracks. Even the slightest oversight could have immense consequences if Daniela were to have seen it. The woman did not take kindly to any sort of perceived disrespect.

It had already been a rough week, and Delia did not want to endure another round of punishment.

It was about twenty minutes later that there was a subtle knock on the door. It was the kind of knock that she had only heard once before. The banging of a fist that did not yet know this place.

Kyia.

Delia opened the doors as soon as she could, greeted with the sharp features of the slender brunette. With a tray of food in her opposite hand, Kyia's emerald eyes flickered over and onto her. There was not a word said on her part before her fellow maid reached over and took custody of the metal plate.

"Thank you," Delia said with a warm smile. "It is good to see you again."

With a short-lived grin, Kyia straightened out her apron and gown before she entered the circular room, gazing up at the ceiling as she did so. There was something to be admired about how this place was constructed. Never in all of Locwitary's history had architecture like this ever existed. She had witnessed numerous buildings of the very sort back in Serpenmoor, but that nightmarish city existed in a place that she could never assimilate to.

This village, on the other hand, resembled the best of both worlds. It was as sparse as the lands that she called home, but with the advancements of the world that had ruined her. Between the stories that Ethan had told her and what she had seen with her very eyes, there was an undying curiosity left in the fawn's head about this realm.

What else was out there that she had yet to see? Were there things that she could enjoy?

A life without limitations seemed like a fabled story, but she knew how true such possibilities could be. Crossing worlds was something that no lifeform was ever supposed to do—but here she was.

"Likewise," Kyia replied as her eyes drifted back down toward the young woman nearby. Acting on instinct, she picked up the duster that had been set down nearby. The fawn inspected it for a bit, ensuring that she understood its purpose well. She had seen Delia working with it before. Brush the shelves and the couches. Simple tasks.

The young maid was quick to step in, the tray still in her hands. "Oh, Kyia, you don't have to do my work for me. I can take care of it after I am finished. I'll eat quickly!"

Kyia's eyes alternated between the girl and her food as her body turned toward the bookshelf in front of her. She already had her arm extended with the duster ready for its job. "Huh? You go eat. I'll keep myself occupied in the meantime."

With a subtle sigh of relief, Delia smiled as she sat down on the floor and lifted the lid off her tray. A vegetable sandwich with minimal portions of meat stacked on top. A glass of water. An extra helping of hard fruit.

Luana must have prepared this. She tried to give the maids a little more than the Dimitrescu family allowed, especially to the ones who needed their strength.

Kyia peeked at the food while she dusted the corners. "That looks good. I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you," Delia replied as she took the first bite. "Did you get to eat?"

With a hum, Kyia shook her head, dusting the shelves just a little bit faster this time. "No, not yet. I'll probably get to do so after we're finished with their lunch. Only then do we get to eat, according to Luana."

Swallowing her food, Delia's eyes caught sight of just how truly skinny Kyia was. While it may have been her natural metabolism, the woman appeared like she hardly ever ate at all. The ties of the apron dangled along the sprawl of her lower back. Her skirt swayed around her thin legs. The only thing that made the slender lady appear sizable was that massive bun of curly hair that was tied up behind her head. Other than that, she was like a stick.

Delia couldn't help but offer up some of her food to Kyia, but the woman quickly rejected it. "No," she said. "That is all yours. I do not prefer to take from others."

"Oh, but I insist!" Delia continued, still feeling bad that she was the only one in this room who got to relax. Unlike Daniela, the servant could not find herself content with the imbalance of fairness. She would rather sacrifice something than see her peers go without it.

But Kyia remained firm on her decision, going as far as to move over to the next shelf, just so Delia knew that the food would be hers and hers alone. The maid's hand that held onto the piece of the sandwich that she had ripped off slowly found itself back at her lap. With a nod, she returned to her meal, but her eyes would not leave the brunette as the lady wandered about.

"So, Kyia…" Delia began, "How was your day yesterday?"

"Hmm…" Kyia playfully rolled her head as she leaned in closer to the next shelf, seeking to see just how much more dust she had to knock off. "Less than enjoyable. May I say that?"

Delia let out a hearty little giggle. "You may. I don't know what I was expecting by asking such a stupid question."

"It is not a stupid question," Kyia mused. "Just a blind one. Kindness is not stupid."

Delia took another bite of her sandwich, chewing thoughtfully before looking at her. "Kyia, if you don't mind me asking, how have you been handling being new to this place? I don't mean to pry, and I'm really sorry if it's a sensitive subject... I just want to be sure you're okay."

Kyia paused briefly, her face giving away nothing at first. Internally, she smiled at Delia's concern—concern she could use. Outwardly, she let her posture relax, seemingly considering Delia's question deeply. She wanted to look as vulnerable as possible.

"I... I guess I'm managing," Kyia said quietly. She let out a sigh, setting the duster down on the shelf beside her. Her fingers traced the wooden panel as if she were still forming her response. "But everything here is intense. Sometimes I feel like I can't even breathe without worrying that I'm going to mess up. Honestly, I was looking forward to dropping off the food here because it gives me a moment just to think."

Delia frowned in sympathy, her eyes softening as she watched Kyia. "I think you're doing really great, you know. You've been holding up better than most would in this castle, believe me."

Kyia offered a small shrug, her eyes fixed on the floor. "I don't know." She paused, drawing out the silence, then looked back at Delia with a glimmer of sadness in her gaze. "Have you heard anything about me since I got here? Anything... negative?"

Delia shifted slightly as she sat there, the words catching her off guard. She opened her mouth as if to immediately reassure Kyia, but her hesitation got the better of her. Kyia noticed it—she saw the unease in Delia's eyes, the delay in her response. It was enough confirmation for her. Of course, the other maids had been gossiping. Kyia could almost see herself unleashing flames upon them—watching them scream and scatter like insects. The fantasy was vivid, but Kyia reeled herself back, aware that she had to focus right now.

"Yeah, I should've figured," Kyia finally said with a resigned tone. With a bitter smile, her eyes met Delia's, acting as though she was struggling to hold back greater emotions. "It's okay, though. I guess I can come off... wrong."

Delia swallowed, the guilt heavy on her face. She believed that she was partially at fault, as she had openly speculated about how Kyia could be before she ever spoke to her. "Well, I have heard... that some of the others think you're a bit hard to talk to. Sometimes a little... unfriendly, I guess," she added hastily. "I mean, I want to get to know you. We're all in this together, you know."

Kyia stared at Delia for a moment, pretending to let the words sink in. There was a part of her that did appreciate the genuine sense of goodwill. It was nice to know that there was someone who cared, but in this perilous situation, she would rather make it out alive than die for someone else.

She finally exhaled. "I guess it's true. I haven't really been open to anyone. But honestly, Delia, it's because I'm scared." She looked down at her hands, whispering as she went on. "I don't know if I can trust anyone here, and that is such a terrible feeling."

Delia's heart ached for her. She put her half-eaten sandwich down and gave all her attention to her seemingly broken peer. "Kyia, you don't have to feel that way. Maybe if you opened up to some of the others, they'd understand what you're going through."

Kyia took a step closer to Delia, as if against all the insecurities that she projected, this was the moment where she could be direct and to the point. "Delia, I told you all of this because I want to be able to trust you. I don't know if I can handle sharing this with anyone else." Her gaze was nothing less than intense as her thin hand landed on the girl's shoulder. "Please, just keep this between us for now. I need someone to trust, and I want that to be you."

The word "trust" hung in the air like a heavy cloud of smoke. Delia's eyes shut, and she nodded slowly. The significance of what Kyia was saying wasn't lost on her. Trust sometimes meant more than anything else in the world when it came to others. If Kyia was giving her that trust, Delia didn't want to betray it.

"Of course," Delia sincerely replied. "You can trust me, Kyia. I promise."

Kyia offered her a smile, one that masked everything that the fawn wanted to hide. "Thank you, Delia. That means more to me than you know."

NOTES:

Surprise! I finished this chapter faster than expected, so I didn't want to wait an extra week to release this one. Hope you all enjoyed it!

We had a lot of characters in this chapter, showcasing all three sections of the story.

Some of you have (rightfully) made mention of just how unlikable Daniela is. I'm sure we all want to know when and how she will be redeemed. There are two major complications with her, and it is that she is in her enabling environment and she is psychologically unwell. Bela and Cassandra had the benefit of being stripped of their powers and their world, tossed into scenarios where they must confront themselves. Daniela doesn't get that opportunity, but trust me, it will come to her in the form of these two murderous fawns. So, for now, she is still Daniela. However, that scene with the painting does throw a hint as to what is going on with her.

Moving onto Kyia and Delia, we see the brunette is up to her old tricks. She knows that she needs someone to help her get out of this place. Now, why is she being so kind to Delia and cold to Luana and Sorina? Simple: She is not around Delia 24/7. This allows her to be someone else without having to put up her guard.

You can think of Kyia's actions here as testing the waters. She wants to learn more about Narratha, and she wants that dagger. There has to be someone that she can trust.

Speaking of the other redhead, Narratha's section in this story was brief, but what is to come will surely set the stage for the later part of the story. It seems like Karl and her are bound for a trip to Castle Dimitrescu. What will happen when she sees Kyia?

What about when she sees Cassandra?

I know this story has been moving slowly, but we're ramping up the speed now. You can expect the next set of chapters to tackle character relationships, as well as the circulating events that will put this story in line with the events of the game. Yes, Ethan and Chris will make an appearance later on in the plot (and rest assured, a good chunk of this story will take place during that time).

By the end of this journey, a lot of things are going to happen and a lot of lives are going to be lost.

Daniela's fairytale life is about to shatter.

The next chapter will hopefully be out next week on the 12th, BUT if not, then the 19th for sure.

I hope that you all have a great weekend and stay safe out there! Thank you so much for supporting this and being the awesome people that you are! Until then!