Thank you for reading! Dorothy's new life in House Dimitrescu begins...

Dorothy went in and out of consciousness. She could hear voices speaking and then silence. There were times during this period, she believed she was back at her mother's manor and hearing her; feeling her fingers running through her hair; humming softly to comfort her.

"Mother."

"Wake up child."

Dorothy blinked her eyes open to a dimly lit room. A fire burning somewhere nearby and casting the woman in a dark shadow.

"Dorothy."

"You…" Rage burned through her once Lady Dimitrescu came into focus. "YOU!"

Lady Dimitrescu was seated in a chair by the bed and keeping an eye on her. Just the very sight of her. The rage. The pain. The sorrow. It brought back the vivid memory of when she had found herself in Roderick's manor. Waking up to realize her life would never again be the same.

"Monster!"

Lady Dimitrescu watched Dorothy attempt to sit up. Her fists at the ready to punch her. To claw her eyes out. Instead her body gave out and she fell back against the pillows, panting.

"It is hard to swallow, but I have indeed become the one thing I never wanted to be," Lady Dimitrescu said. "I became like /him/ in the end. As much as I try to deny it, the truth of it lies right before me. The same scene playing out only with different characters."

Dorothy was still breathing heavily as tears flowed down her face.

Lady Dimitrescu continued to look right at her.

"I never would have imagined I would meet you again like this."

Dorothy turned her attention towards the window. The shades were drawn and the moon was shining brightly outside.

"What will you do with me now?" she said hoarsely.

"I have not decided," Lady Dimitrescu whispered. "Mother Miranda has decreed you must die."

"Will you be my executioner?"

Lady Dimitrescu pursed her lips in growing discomfort.

"Is that what you wish? Have you lost all will to live and wish for me to send you to your mother?"

"I have seen my mother. She is still here with me," Dorothy said. "Just as I am sure you see your children, husband and mother, Lady Daciana."

"Your mother taught you of them, did she?" Lady Dimitrescu asked.

"A little, yes," Dorothy said. "But it was your Mother Miranda who showed me everything. Taught me your history and what befell the downfall of your family. It is she who is your enemy." Dorothy turned her attention back to Lady Dimitrescu. "She stole your family from you."

"I have my family," Lady Dimitrescu said in an even tone. "I have my daughters. They are all I need."

"What about Helena and Josie? Have you forgotten them?"

Lady Dimitrescu turned her gaze away from Dorothy. A faraway look making her eyes looked glazed, like she had escaped to another time and place.

The sight of her made Dorothy's rage slowly subside and change to sympathy. The memories of what Mother Miranda had showed her some consolation. She would always have that to remember her mother by. Something the witch could not take from her, but Lady Dimitrescu seemed to be unable to grasp the happiness from what she could recall. It made Dorothy wonder how much the woman did remember, and what she had slowly allowed to die away.

"My mother told me what had happened to them. Josie and Helena. I am so very sorry."

Lady Dimitrescu rose up from her chair and walked over to the window. She was silent for a few minutes before she spoke again.

"I think I miss them less and less as every day goes by." She sighed. "I loved your mother the moment I saw her…, but at her final moment, I did not recognize her. Not until she started to hum our song. One she would always play for me on the piano. I have lost so much. Too much for one heart to contend with in such a short amount of time. There were days' I just wanted to fall asleep and never awaken. To be with my family wherever they were, but there was one thing that kept me here. I had to destroy him. I would kill him, and I did…" her voice darkened. Animal-like. "Just as I have killed so many more who have entered through my doors." She glanced back at Dorothy, her hat obscuring one side of her face from sight to show only one of her yellow eyes glowing in the light at her. "I will not kill you yet, my Dorothy, and I will not give you to Mother Miranda. You will work under my employ until I have made my decision."

Dorothy did not move an inch as Lady Dimitrescu walked towards the bed, pulling out a key from her dress pocket and something else. She set the object on the bed before she moved away to the door.

"You will remain in here for now. I will have Anya attend to you soon," she explained, opening the door and glancing back at her. The resemblance between her Beatrice and her daughter so uncanny. "Get some sleep. You will need it."

Lady Dimitrescu locked the door with the key and faced the dark hall fearlessly. It was time to deal with Beatrice's remains and then speak with Daniela…

Inside Dorothy reached out and took hold of the object. More tears flowing down her face as she held the ring to her chest and lay back in the bed.

{…}

Lady Dimitrescu stared into the roaring flames as Beatrice's remains burned away. She allowed a single memory to play out before her of when they had been together at the abbey as little girls. Playing in the snow and going to the lake to ice skate. Despite how young she had been, she had felt something deeply for her. A love that would never go away.

"Farewell, my love," she whispered, closing the latch and stepping away. "I do not know what will happen to Dorothy, but for now I will keep her safe from Mother Miranda. She will not have her, I swear to you."

Sudden anger overcame her and sent her soaring back upstairs. She would punish Daniela for this. The child would know pain. As she ascended up to the second floor and towards the nursery, she came to a halt at the sight of Bela standing in her way.

"What is the reason you're out of bed?"

"Your malice," Bela said bluntly.

Lady Dimitrescu took a step forward to close the distance between them.

"Go back to bed."

"I cannot obey that order, Mother," Bela said.

"Then I will punish you, too!"

"You cannot punish Daniela for this!" Bela snapped, standing her ground as her mother loomed over her. "She does not understand what she has done wrong!"

"She is old enough to control her bloodlust!"

"She is only a child!"

"Get out of my way," Lady Dimitrescu snarled.

Bela extended both her arms out to block her mother's path once more.

"No."

"You dare defy me?"

"Only when you are wrong."

A sudden burst of laughter escaped from her lips. Unable to believe any of this was occurring.

"What are you two doing?" came Cassandra's tired voice, rubbing at her eyes and yawning. "Practicing for a new stage performance? No offense, but it needs some serious work."

"Go to bed, Cassandra," Bela said.

She scoffed, crossing her arms and stopping a few feet from her mother.

"Since when do you give me orders?"

"It is not safe."

Cassandra started to cackle at her.

"Not safe from who?"

"Your sister believes I have ill intent," Lady Dimitrescu said, glancing over her shoulder at Cassandra, who took a noticeable step back from her. "Even you recoil from me."

"Not I," Cassandra said.

She gracefully turned to fully face Cassandra, who was looking more and more uneasy. Her cockiness draining from her as her mother approached.

"Is Daniela in the nursery, precious?"

Cassandra gave a small nod.

"I see, well, I need you to go and fetch her for me."

"No Cassandra!" Bela shouted.

Cassandra did not listen and vanished in a plume of bugs to fetch her little sister for her.

"You see how loyal she is?" Lady Dimitrescu scolded Bela with a nasty smile. "She will do anything for me. Why can you not do the same?"

"You are not in your right mind!"

"Will you try to stop me from punishing Daniela?" she sneered.

"Would you kill me if I tried?" Bela shot back.

Lady Dimitrescu was caught off guard by her comment. Of course she would never do such a ridiculous thing.

"Let go of me!"

The sound of Daniela struggling against Cassandra made Lady Dimitrescu turn. Bela managing to zip past her mother before she could grab her, she barreled straight for Cassandra, who released her hold on Daniela and readied herself to fight Bela off.

"Come on, Queen B!" Cassandra jabbed.

Bela released a roar of rage as she went to leap straight for her sister.

"Enough!" Lady Dimitrescu boomed, causing Bela to skid to a stop. All three stared up at their mother as she approached Daniela, who was shaking from head to toe. Bela's words from earlier coming back to her. She was not in the wrong. Daniela did not know how much Beatrice meant to her, nor why she was so furious with her. How heavy she felt so suddenly. Her bones ached. Everything was leaving her all at once. "Go. All of you. Back to your room. I expect you at breakfast bright and early."

"Yes, Mother," Cassandra said, shooting Bela a nasty look before vanishing.

"Mother!" Daniela unexpectedly called out to her.

"Daniela come along," Bela said, touching her shoulder.

Daniela shook her off and ran straight to their mother, halting in front of her and blocking her path.

Bela held her breath.

Daniela bowed her head low to her mother as she said:

"I will take any punishment, Mother."

Even from where Bela stood she could see how badly Daniela was still shaking. Their mother's silence only bringing forth more fear.

Finally Lady Dimitrescu moved by raising her hand up and then resting it on the top of Daniela's head.

"Raise your head, dearest," she whispered.

Daniela did so.

"I am not angry with you, but disappointed. You must control your bloodlust."

"Yes, Mother," she whispered, tears brimming in her yellow eyes.

"I forgive you," Lady Dimitrescu said, stroking her hair. "Now please go to bed."

Lady Dimitrescu waited until Daniela was gone to look back at Bela, who remained where she stood staring at her.

"Coming?"

"Am I still welcomed?"

"Must everything be an argument with you?"

"A moment ago I thought you were about to kill me," Bela said.

"You foolish child," she said, walking away from her eldest. She was far too tired to argue any further.

{…}

A few days' had passed by and Dorothy was facing her new life in the castle.

"Trim her hair, too," Lady Dimitrescu ordered Anya. "Once she is finished Anya, I wish for you to take her through the routine and bring her to Robin to learn the ropes."

"Yes, my lady," Anya said, bowing to her.

"Starting today you will be called Alice," Lady Dimitrescu said, taking one final look at Dorothy satisfied by her appearance. "Is there anyone in this castle who knows her true name?"

"No, my lady," Anya said.

"Excellent," she smiled, giving Dorothy one final examination before she departed to her next assignment. She could not help but wonder how Dorothy would do on her first day. She made a mental note to roam the castle more today to keep an eye on her. She did not quite trust her daughters.

'I have not seen Bela in a few days'. Cassandra has spent more time with me than usual, and then there is Daniela who continues to still tiptoe around me.'

'Are we still to hunt down this rat, Mother?' Cassandra had asked her the other day.

'I have taken care of the rat and informed Mother Miranda she has been disposed of.' She had lied to her, which made Cassandra clearly upset she had not sunk her claws into the rat first. 'Be sure to tell Daniela when you see her and Bela for that matter.'

Lady Dimitrescu satisfied that she had called off her daughters, she had only one other individual to worry about.

'Mother Miranda.' She thought, entering into her study.

On the opposite side of the castle, Dorothy was being led to the staff area. She remained quiet as they walked from the parlor room and into the Main Hall. Dorothy unable to tear her gaze from the chandelier, she averted her attention over to the staircase upon hearing someone whistling at her.

"Well, well, aren't we a pretty sight to behold."

"Miss Cassandra," Anya said, immediately bowing her head to her.

She strolled down the stairs leisurely, her nails galloping on top of the railing as she descended.

"Who is this lovely morsel?"

"A new maid," Anya explained.

"I can see that," Cassandra snapped at her, circling around Dorothy with a growing hunger in her eyes. "Do you have a name?"

"Her name is—"

"I was not speaking to you!" Cassandra said, moving back around to come to a stop in front of Dorothy. "Answer me, sweet thing." She took hold of her chin roughly to make Dorothy look straight at her.

Dorothy stared straight into her yellow eyes. The wild look in them was disturbing. So unhinged and demented.

"My name. My name is Alice, Miss."

"Alice," Cassandra repeated, pausing a moment to further take her in. It was like she were sampling wine; swirling it about to test whether she liked it or not. "You have an interesting look about you. I am curious to see your length of duration." She giggled and released her hold on her.

Dorothy had not realized her heart was hammering loudly in her chest until Cassandra had left. She felt dizzy all of a sudden.

"Come along, Miss Do—Alice," Anya said.

"Who was that?" Dorothy asked once they were out of the Main Hall.

"Miss Cassandra. She is the middle child of Lady Dimitrescu," Anya said, clearly not wanting to speak of them; however, Dorothy was not finished with her.

"Is she one of those girls from the portrait in the Entrance Hall?" she asked, the two leaving the dining room and exiting out into a courtyard.

"Yes," Anya said.

"Bela, Daniela and Cassandra are their names?"

"Correct."

"Why do they not look as they did in the portrait now?"

Anya stopped in her tracks, turning around with a severe look.

"Never question, my dear. That is the best advice I can give you working under House Dimitrescu. Now hurry up."

"But what of the other two daughters?"

"I can assure you you will meet them soon enough, and you best keep your eyes down around all three of them. They are fickle girls and will not hesitate to punish anyone if they are insulted." Dorothy was shoved through another door, her nerves that much more raised upon seeing Cassandra, and ever more fearful of Anya's words.

'Perhaps I should have stayed with Donna after all…' Walking now through a kitchen and into a back room. Once Anya had gotten Dorothy to the servants' quarters, did she feel a bit more relaxed. There were six bunkbeds in total. She was motioned over to one nearest the window. Able to feel the chill from it seeping in through the glass.

"Place this on," Anya said, handing her a black and white maids outfit. "You must wear this at all times when in the castle. Only at night are you to take it off and wear your white gown. The other girls are already out doing their chores, I will take you to where Lady Dimitrescu would like for you to begin cleaning. Now hurry along and put the clothes on. I will wait for you outside of the room."

Dorothy stared at the outfit with disgust. It looked tight and uncomfortable. She was proven correct once she had donned it.

"I am all set," Dorothy called out.

"Excellent," Anya said, eyeing her over. "I will now bring you to Robin. She is already cleaning the carpet you have been assigned to."

"Where exactly is it?"

"You will see."

Dorothy did not like the secrecy, but thankfully the walk was not too long. She was now on the second floor of the Main Hall. The beautiful chandelier glimmering and twinkling in a long hall with equally long carpets. There she spotted a black haired woman she guessed to be in her early twenties on her hands and knees scrubbing the rug.

"Robin," Anya said, making her look up.

Robin stopped what she was doing, rising up to her feet and bowing respectfully to her.

"I would like for you to meet Alice. She is a recently new hire and is learning the ropes. Lady Dimitrescu wants you to show her the routine."

"Yes, ma'am," Robin said, giving Anya a little bow as she left them, she motioned for Dorothy to join her on the carpet.

"Take the sponge in the bucket. You want to use the rougher side in order to get the stains out," she explained.

Dorothy reached into the bucket and pulled out a gray object she surmised was the sponge. The stench of it smelling of iron.

Robin did not speak much. Only when she was directing Dorothy on where to clean the carpet next.

Dorothy did not mind the silence, though as the minutes passed by did her thoughts return to her mother. She had to force herself to think of images of her mother when she had been alive. Despite her efforts flashes of her mother's mutilated body intruded upon her pleasant memories.

"Are you all right?" Robin asked, noticing her pained countenance.

"Yes," Dorothy answered.

"You know it is not so bad here. Considering where a lot of us have come from, the castle is a haven to us."

Dorothy could not concur with that statement.

"Are you from the village?"

"No," Robin said. "I lived in an orphanage and was sent here by the Abbess, what about you?"

"I live in the village," Dorothy lied. "Do you have many women from the village who work here?"

"I am not sure," Robin said. "I do know Wendy was from the village…" she fell quiet.

"Wendy?" Dorothy said, almost forgetting about her. "Does Wendy still work here?"

Slam!

Dorothy jumped at the sound of a door behind them slamming shut.

"Keep your eyes down."

Dorothy having been looking back at the source of the sound, turned her focus back to Robin. She had visibly become paler. Her scrubbing more rigorous.

She went to inquire what was the matter, but then she heard the sounds of heels.

Click-clack. Click-clack. Click-clack.

Thick perfume wafted through the hallway now. Dorothy found herself wanting to turn around, but forced herself to continue to scrub.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

Dorothy caught sight of a similar black dress just like Cassandra's. Her gaze slightly shifting upwards to spy the young woman. Her thick blonde hair flowing down slightly past her shoulders. She was paying them no attention as she continued to walk away from them and to the staircase.

She was quite elegant in her gait. Placing one hand upon the railing as she descended down to the Main Hall.

"Miss Bela."

Dorothy looked back to Robin, seeing she was shaking slightly.

"Lady Dimitrescu's eldest daughter?" Dorothy said.

"Yes, the very air of authority she has is just as frightening as the mistress. Be sure you keep your nose clean, or else Bela will enact an unforgiving punishment upon you. She needs no permission from her mother unlike the other two. Because she is the eldest, Bela can do just about anything she wishes if the mistake is grave enough."

"I understand," Dorothy said, ringing out her sponge and getting back to cleaning the carpet."But Robin…, what about Wendy? Do you know if she is here?"

"Did you know Wendy?" Robin asked her.

"My parents know hers," Dorothy said.

"Truth be told, Alice, I have not seen her for a couple of weeks now…" she drifted off.

Dorothy frowned at her sudden change.

"What does that mean? Where did she go?"

"I do not know the details, but I have heard rumors that those who underperform are sent below to be punished."

"What happens to them below?"

"They are taken to the dungeons where unimaginable things happen."

"Torture, do you mean?" Dorothy persisted.

"I do not know, but the majority of them never return to the surface."

Dorothy fell silent as growing dread consumed her. Was Wendy below in the dungeons? It would be risky, but she had to try. She owed it to Malkin and Gabrielle to save her.

'I will save her. I swear I will not allow anyone else to die,' she vowed to herself.