Thank you for reading! In this chapter Dorothy uncovers a deep secret about Lady Dimitrescu. One Mother Miranda had failed to show her.
Dorothy had not gotten much sleep that night. All she kept dreaming of was the door being flung wide open by the creatures she had seen. Each time the nightmare would awaken her, she would get out of bed and check to ensure the door was closed.
After she would scurry back into bed due to the floor being as cold as ice, and lay awake thinking about who opened it.
'Could Allison have done it?' she thought. 'No. Why would she do that?'
Eventually she would drift back to sleep, only to be awoken by the sound of the others waking up. She groaned and rested her arm over her eyes. The room still plenty dark due to the sky completely covered by thick, gray clouds.
All robotically went through the same routine with donning their attire, washing their faces, brushing their hair and then their teeth. Once they all were finished, the women all stood in front of their bunks and awaited Anya's arrival.
The older woman entered a few minutes later with the roster. She was listing off names and instructing them where they would go.
"Alice, you will go to the Atelier room. You will dust and clean the floor."
"Yes, ma'am," Dorothy said.
"All of you know your assignments. Be off with you," she said.
Everyone left the room in a hurry, Harriett waving goodbye to Dorothy as she made for the Opera Hall.
Dorothy walked quietly to her next destination with Anya taking her there.
"Be done in an hour," Anya said to her. "You are expected to be in the Dining Hall and support breakfast service."
Dorothy nodded her head, walking into the room alone and coming to a halt. Her attention was directed straight on the giant portrait of Lady Dimitrescu. She was mesmerized by it. Forgetting what she was supposed to be doing for the moment and walking up to it.
"Stunning," she murmured. "I wonder how long it took the artist to paint her?"
Dorothy finally tore her attention away and got to work cleaning. It was mainly picking up books and torn out pages before she could scrub the floor.
"My back is already sore," she muttered, scrubbing the floor with a sponge. Back and forth she went, and all the while she could not help but continue to look back at the portrait. Lady Dimitrescu's gaze seeming to follow her everywhere she went in the small room.
Unfortunately there was no clock in the room to tell her what time it was. She could only try to clean as diligently and perfectly as she could and rush to the kitchen.
"All right." She placed the dirty sponge back into the equally dirty water. "Time to dust…"
She pulled out the duster from her apron pocket and started to dust the tables and shelves.
She sneezed as the dust flew up in her face, causing her to stumble back against the table where a statue of a snapping turtle sat. She rubbed at her nose, her eyes beginning to water from the particles.
"I hate dusting," she sniffed, now approaching the portrait to dust as much as she could. "I best get a chair…" Finding one and setting it not too close to the portrait, Dorothy climbed up and stretched to reach the top. It was there she felt a little stream of cold air hit her. "Is this a passage?" she wondered aloud, touching the side of it and finding she could just poke her fingers between the painting and the wall. It took a few hard tugs, but then came a 'click' and the portrait started to open like a door.
Dorothy jumped off the chair and quickly moved it, unable to believe her eyes upon finding this secret passage. She entered inside to find a short hall and a ladder.
"An attic?" Dorothy said, knowing she should not go up and explore, but she could not help herself. She took hold of the ladder, her hands instantly cold from the metal and ascended. It did not take her long to reach the top, eyeing about to ensure she was alone before proceeding further into the space.
She wandered about with cautious steps. Worried when a few of the boards creaked loudly underneath her. She could only hope it would support her weight.
"There is nothing here," she said, looking at a few broken picture frames. "It is so cold. Oh that's why." Dorothy came to a halt in front of a doorway leading out to the rooftop. "Perhaps this could be another means of escape, but not today." Dorothy turned back in the direction she had come and stopped. She had not noticed the box before underneath a pile of books. The box was worn and clearly had been sitting in the attic for a long time.
Dorothy removed the books off the top and dragged the box further into the room.
"What secrets do you hold?" She opened the top and gasped in alarm as a mouse went running out of it. Her heart beating straight out of her chest, watching the mouse scurry into a small hole in the wall. "Ye Gods." She took in a deep breath before returning her attention to the contents inside. There were so many different letters. All belonging to different members of the Dimitrescu family line. Names Dorothy did not recognize. She took the items out carefully and continued to dig through. "These must be Lady Dimitrescu's relatives." Just as the words left her lips did Dorothy find a photograph. Many photographs of Lady Dimitrescu with her mother and father. "Where did these come from?" she said, continuing to pull out more photographs and letters.
Dorothy took hold of one in particular. One that was a letter from her mother, Beatrice, to Lady Dimitrescu. Her fingers started to tremble after taking the letter out and reading through the contents. Her eyes darting from left to right as she read the letter not once but twice.
"This cannot be. This just cannot be…"
Numbly she started to place the photographs and letters back into the box save the letter from her mother. This she stuffed into her apron pocket before she closed the box, set it back where she had found it and climbed back down the ladder.
As quietly as she could, she closed the portrait and waited for the 'click' before letting it go.
"I suppose I best get to the kitchen…" she said, her mind still reeling on what she had just read.
{…}
Dorothy entered into the kitchen to find it already buzzing. The staff running back and forth from the kitchen and to the Dining Hall to deliver the food.
"Hey you!"
Dorothy turned at the sound of a black haired woman speaking to her. She did not know who she was, but approached her nonetheless.
"You are in charge of the tea."
"Do I pour it like the wine at dinnertime?"
"Yes," she said. "Be quick about it. Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters will be arriving very soon."
Dorothy grabbed the kettle and filled it with water in the sink. Receiving further guidance from the black haired girl on where to find the tea packets, which had a very strange scent wafting from it. In fact, it smelt of blood.
Once the tea kettle began to whistle, Dorothy plucked it off the stove with a mitt and placed four of the bags inside. Just as she had suspected, the water turned a deep red color. The steam wafting out of it making her nearly gag.
"Five minutes ladies!" Anya's voice rang out as she clapped for their attention. "Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters have arrived. Alice! Get out there with the tea."
Dorothy picked up the tea kettle and walked out into the Dining Hall. There she looked to Lady Dimitrescu first who was dressed in her usual attire. Next were Bela, Daniela and Cassandra who were all dressed in their matching black dresses.
"Good morning, Alice."
Dorothy bowed her head to Lady Dimitrescu.
"Good morning, my lady."
"You may begin pouring the tea for us."
Dorothy got started with Lady Dimitrescu first and took her time pouring to ensure she did not spill.
"Would you like milk, sugar or honey?"
"No, I like it plain," Lady Dimitrescu said.
Dorothy started to move away from her only to be stopped. How fast Lady Dimitrescu had struck out and grabbed hold of her wrist to prevent her from going away.
"Not so fast," she hummed, smiling at her.
"My lady?"
"Let us see how we did."
Dorothy stood in wait to see what her fate would be. Lady Dimitrescu first sniffed the aroma before she took a small sip.
"Mmm," she nodded, continuing to hold her smile. "Well done. You may continue."
"Thank you, my lady," Dorothy said, deciding to pour Bela's tea first since she was the eldest, though she could not help but notice a change with the daughters. They were not as lively as they normally were. All three were seated in silence. Daniela and Cassandra specifically were not giggling to one another. They were not even looking around for their next victim. Bela was the only one who made any motion. Clicking her fingers at the servers to fill her plate with everything that was on the table.
Dorothy approached Bela timidly and started to pour into her cup.
"Milk and honey," Bela said before Dorothy could inquire.
"Yes, Miss Bela."
Now came the tricky part, how much did she want? Dorothy took hold of the milk first and allowed two drops to fall in and did the same with the honey.
Bela then took over by picking up her small spoon and stirred it together. Just like Lady Dimitrescu's ritualistic method, Bela inhaled the steam first and then took a small sip.
"What do you think, Bela?" Lady Dimitrescu asked, having been watching them the entire time.
"I am satisfied," she said, waving her away.
"Tea!" Dorothy jumped at the sound of Cassandra's voice, quickly approaching the brunette.
"Do not put anything in it," she snapped.
"Yes, Miss Cassandra," Dorothy said, pouring her the tea.
"Get away from me," Cassandra snarled, picking up the tea and taking a sip.
Dorothy bowed her head respectively and backed away slowly, which left only Daniela.
The redhead was staring straight at her. The sight of her dilated eyes making Dorothy stop. The sight reminding her of a shark.
"Miss Daniela?"
"Sugar."
"Not too much," Lady Dimitrescu spoke up.
Daniela looked over at her hurt.
"Why, Mama?"
"You do not need the calories."
"Not to mention it will rot your teeth," Bela added.
"And your brain…" Cassandra said under her breath.
"Shut up, Cassandra!"
The room fell silent. The unexpected outburst from Daniela a great shock even to Lady Dimitrescu.
"What did you say you little brat?" Cassandra's voice was low. Dangerously low.
"Are your ears filled with flies?" Daniela retorted.
Cassandra stood straight up out of her seat in a flash.
"Enough!" Lady Dimitrescu boomed before Cassandra could jump at her.
"How dare she speak to me like that!?" Spittle flew out of Cassandra's mouth.
Daniela started to laugh manically at her, which only further fueled Cassandra's rage.
"When I get my hands on you."
"Sit down!" Bela snarled, reaching out and grabbing Cassandra to pull her down.
"Back off!" She wrenched herself free, causing Bela's arm to fly backwards and slam directly into Dorothy's stomach.
She grunted out in pain, the tea sloshing out and hitting Bela directly in the face.
Instantly Bela started to scream out in pain, causing Cassandra to back away while Daniela's laughter ceased.
For a split second all Dorothy could see were stars. She had not registered the punch she had received. Her senses coming back due to a pulsating, throbbing pain from her nose. She was on the floor. The tea kettle beside her and flooding out in all directions.
"Uh-oh," came Cassandra's voice, resting her knuckle underneath her chin once she had returned to her seat.
"You clumsy wretch," Bela hissed. "How dare you!" she leaned down and grabbed the front of Dorothy's dress, pulling her up with ease to her feet.
Dorothy was still a bit light headed from the first attack, unable to do anything to protect her face as Bela punched her again. There was blood on the blonde's hand as she hit Dorothy for a third time.
Once again Dorothy saw stars. If it had not been for Bela holding her up, she would have collapsed to the floor.
"It would seem she has failed, Mother," Cassandra sneered. "Poor thing will die before she reaches my table."
Bela bared her teeth at Dorothy, her face drawing closer and closer to her face to no doubt rip it off.
"Bela!" Lady Dimitrescu's voice erupted. "Release her!"
Bela growled in rage, dropping Dorothy to the floor and set her sights on her mother.
"Go to your room now. I will send a maid to attend to you."
Bela said nothing, staggering out of the room still growling like a wild tiger.
Cassandra had begun to titter at her.
Lady Dimitrescu slammed her fist down upon the table, causing the utensils, plates and cups to clink loudly.
Cassandra fell silent instantly, meeting her mother's gaze to find her eyes had become slightly red in her anger.
Daniela had shrunk so far down in her chair only her neck and above could be seen.
Lady Dimitrescu then set her sights on a maid who had just entered the room through the yellow door.
"Harriett!" she barked.
"M-my lady!" Harriett said quickly.
"Fetch Francis to go upstairs and attend to Bela. In addition, go inside and fetch Allison to take over pouring the tea. We will need a fresh pot made."
"Yes, my lady," Harriett curtsied, running back in the way she had come.
A black haired maiden came out first, bowing her head to the family first before she left to attend to Bela. Allison was the next to enter into the room, bowing her head to Lady Dimitrescu.
"The kettle is on the floor," Lady Dimitrescu pointed to the floor.
"Yes, mistress." Allison walked behind the sisters and came to a halt. Her eyes widening slightly at the sight of Dorothy laying on the floor, unconscious.
"Allison," Lady Dimitrescu said, making her grab the kettle and flee back into the kitchen to prepare more.
No one spoke the remaining duration of breakfast. Cassandra and Daniela walking out alone while their mother remained in the room. The maidens taking away the remainder of the food, plates and utensils off the table.
Lady Dimitrescu drew in a deep lungful of smoke, waiting for the maidens to leave the room before she rose out of her chair. She stared straight down at Dorothy, her breathing barely audible. There was no doubt Bela had broken her nose. Her face was already puffing up and making her left eye swell shut.
"Dorothy?" Lady Dimitrescu called out to her. "Are you there child?"
Dorothy did not stir.
Lady Dimitrescu exhaled the smoke through her nostrils, the scent of the child's blood stirring the hunger within her. She drew in more of her cigarette to block out the smell, but it only seemed to intensify it.
"My lady?"
Lady Dimitrescu glanced over her shoulder at Anya. Her head maid standing by the second window nearest the kitchen door.
"What would you like me to do with her?"
Lady Dimitrescu looked back down at Dorothy.
"Clean her up as best you can, I fear my Bela has broken her nose, but I know you are more than capable of fixing anything."
"Yes, my lady," Anya said, fetching two of the maidens from the kitchen to help get Dorothy into the servants' quarters.
Lady Dimitrescu watched them take her away before she exited the room and walked to her parlor.
{...}
'Dorothy? Dorothy can you hear me?'
Dorothy opened her eyes to find herself in a dark room. No. It was not just any room. It was the servants' quarters, but what was most peculiar was the other maidens were not in their beds.
'Dorothy.'
"Mother?" Dorothy rose out of her bed and approached the door.
'You must open the door, please!' she said frantically. 'The creatures are coming!'
Dorothy ran straight to the door, thinking it would just open due to it already being unlocked, her heart stopping to find it was locked.
"No. Mother! Mother just hold on!"
'Hurry, my darling, hurry! They are coming.'
Dorothy yanked and pulled with all her might to no avail. The sound of those monstrosities hissing as they drew near.
'Dorothy.'
"Mother! Mother hold on!" she yelled, catching an idea by taking a hair pin out of her hair and attempting to unlock it.
'Dorothy they are here!'
Snap!
The hair pin broke in the lock, her mother's screams of pain and agony shooting straight through the door and hitting her. She fell to the floor on her back, tears streaming down her face as her mother's cries stopped. All she could hear was the tearing of flesh and the soft hissing of the monstrosities.
"No! NO!"
"Alice!"
Dorothy awoke screaming in terror and then came a sharp pain in her nose.
"Thank god you are all right."
Dorothy could barely turn her head due to the pain, her blurry gaze settling to find it was Harriett seated beside her bed.
"Harriett?"
"I am so glad you are awake!" she said.
"How long have I been out for?"
"A few hours," she said. "You are looking better. Your face is not as swollen as it was."
"What happened?" she slowly sat up, Harriett reaching out to help her.
"You see… Miss Bela attacked you. She, um, she broke your nose."
Dorothy touched the side of her head, pain beginning to pulsate there.
"I do not remember any of it."
"That is a blessing, no offense. Are you hungry or thirsty? I did not bring anything, because I was unsure if you were awake or not."
"Water and some bread, please," Dorothy said.
Harriett smiled, touching her shoulder before she ran out of the room and to the kitchen.
Dorothy watched her go and then swung her legs over the bed. She did everything slowly and in stages. Her head started to swim as she got up a little too fast and she was forced to sit down again. On her second attempt she was standing up and shuffled over to the mirror. She barely recognized her own face. She had purple and blue ringlets around her eyes. Her skin around and near her nose was puffy. She reached up and touched the white bandage covering her nose, wincing in agony as a sharp pain went through her.
"I'd say Bela did more than just punch my nose. She used my face as her own punching bag…" It was then did she look over to the door, a shiver running through her at the nightmare. Was the door locked? She had no time to check due to Harriett returning with a cup of water and a piece of bread on a little bowl.
"Thank you," Dorothy said, sitting back down on the bed and taking her time eating the bread.
Harriett took a seat back in the chair and stared straight at her.
Dorothy tried not to let it bother her.
"Are you sure you are all right? You sounded as though you were being attacked by something."
"I had a nightmare of those creatures we saw," Dorothy said. "I dreamt my mother was stuck behind that door and they were eating her alive."
"That is horrible," Harriett said. "I mean, I have been having night terrors myself."
"Harriett," Dorothy said.
"Do you think we should tell Anya the door is unlocked?"
"No," Harriett was quick to respond. "I will get to work locking it. I have a few tools that may work."
"You do?" Dorothy said.
"Yes," Harriett smiled proudly. "I have not had the time nor been given the right opportunity to do it, though. I continue to wonder if Anya was the one who unlocked it to try to get us all killed."
"Or to bring another body below like Wendy's."
Harriett's face went as pale as wax at her words.
"I have already told you to be cautious of your words here."
"Look at me, Harriett. What else could they possibly do?"
"Much worse," she whispered. "Much, much worse."
Dorothy set the bread back down on the plate, growing annoyed by Harriett's continuous secrecy.
"I have already seen what goes on down there."
"You what?"
"There are women down there at this very moment caged and dying. As I have said before, how can you be all so complacent? After all that could be anyone of us down there praying someone from above will help."
"You cannot save them," Harriett said coldly. "You must have already come to terms with that."
Dorothy did not answer her, for Harriett was indeed correct, but still.
"You have all known what goes on here and have done nothing. To me, that makes you just as bad as Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters."
Harriett looked hurt by her words.
"We are all just trying to survive, Alice. You do not understand what it means for many of these young women. Even if they were to escape here, they would have no place to go. No doubt they would die in twenty-four hours where here they have a better chance at surviving longer."
"That is not the case for some."
"True, but that is a very low percentage. Lady Dimitrescu tries to keep all the young women for as long as possible. She is not so unkind and unloving. She takes care of us by clothing us, feeding us, sheltering us and giving us a place to sleep."
Dorothy did not like the way she said that final piece. She sounded almost fond of Lady Dimitrescu.
"And what about Wendy?"
"What about her?" Harriett said.
"I was told by a young woman below she watched Anya drag her body down there, do you think that is true?"
"She has been gone for quite some time," was all Harriett said.
Dorothy stared down at her food, despondent.
"Well," Harriett said, sounding far too upbeat. "You best get more rest, because you still have a date with Lady Dimitrescu Friday night. Allison has been acting quite the sourpuss as it draws nearer. I heard her talking with another maid about taking your place for the private dinner tomorrow. Bitch."
"By all means she can go, I no longer have any interest in this place, nor with Lady Dimitrescu."
Harriett looked at her appalled.
"You cannot give up! You must go and take Allison down!"
"Why do you care so much?" Dorothy snapped.
"Because you are my friend," she said. "Forgive me. I lose myself in my passion… Are you still hungry?"
"No, I am fine," Dorothy said. "I think I will try to get some more rest."
"Sleep as much as you can," Harriett said. "You will need all your strength."
"I will," Dorothy said. "Thank you for checking on me."
"You are welcome," she smiled at her before she left the room.
Dorothy slept for the remainder of that day. Harriett did not come back to visit it her, but instead Anya arrived to change her bandage and clean the stitches.
"There is no infection," she said. "And the wound is healing very well."
"Why are you bothering to check it?" Dorothy said bluntly. "Why have I not been sent down to the dungeons already?"
Her words made Anya flinch, staring blankly at her for a moment before taking hold of herself.
"The mistress deems you worthy to be here. Your use is still needed…" she said it without feeling. Her expression was cold. "You are expected to begin working tomorrow morning." She got up and walked to the door, adding over her shoulder: "And the mistress expects you to join her for dinner at 8 p.m. sharp. Allison will help you dress."
{...}
Lady Dimitrescu had never felt so exhausted. She would fall asleep only to be tormented by dreams. Dreams of Dorothy and then Beatrice. If it was not for Bela seated beside her and keeping her awake, she would have fallen asleep at her desk.
"May I pour you more blood tea?" Bela asked.
"I might as well drink straight from the kettle," Lady Dimitrescu groaned.
Bela bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing, concentrating on pouring the tea into her mother's cup.
"I am sorry you are not sleeping well," Bela said. "Perhaps you should postpone your dinner tonight."
Lady Dimitrescu looked at her, knowing how much she was seething with jealousy.
Bela feeling her mother's gaze on her, she looked up to receive an unexpected kiss from her.
"Was that supposed to make me feel better?" Bela said.
"Yes, and also to tell you how much I admire and appreciate you, but you already know that, yes?"
Bela did not respond.
Lady Dimitrescu shook her head, her gaze drifting from the paperwork and over to the window. The shades were closed, causing the room to darken substantially as the dark clouds hung heavily above the castle. The feel of the cold air letting her know that snow would arrive soon.
"Alcina."
She clenched her eyes shut, trying to remove Beatrice's voice from her head.
"How do you think Cassandra is doing below?" Bela asked her.
"I am sure she is doing just fine," Lady Dimitrescu said, taking a sip of her tea.
"You really believe so?"
Lady Dimitrescu looked down at Bela.
"Yes, I sincerely do. It is the one thing she enjoys the most and keeps her interest. She will do the task perfectly."
Bela did not make another comment, focusing down on her own papers filled with numbers and continued to work on them. How much her mother hated the math piece and left that task to Bela, and if she did say so herself, had quite the knack for mathematical problems.
"We should check in with her in a little while just to see how she has fared."
"I will join you."
Lady Dimitrescu smiled.
"Mother?"
"Hmm," she said, crossing off a name from her list.
"Are you still going to join that maiden for dinner tonight?"
"Yes, Anya has informed me she is healing well and should be able to meet with me, why?" Lady Dimitrescu asked.
"I just do not think it wise to play with the food like this…"
"You could be right," Lady Dimitrescu nodded.
Bela quirked at brow at her remark.
"Will you stop this charade, then?"
"No," Lady Dimitrescu said. "As lady of the house, I will do as I please with these blood bags." Her tone was growing harsher. "However when you become lady of this house one day, you may change the rules and do as you please."
Bela lowered her head down in a bow of submission. Not wanting to further fuel her mother's temper.
"I apologize, Mother…" she whispered.
The two fell silent. The only sound came from the scratching of their pens on the paper.
An hour passed and Lady Dimitrescu set her pen back in the ink jar.
"I think now is a good time to stop." She checked the grandfather clock. "Yes, let us go below."
"Ooh, my legs are all cramped up," Bela said.
"You are far too young to be feeling that kind of pain."
"Apparently I am not," Bela said. "I am an old lady."
"Nonsense," Lady Dimitrescu said, the two now walking down the corridors. "I am wondering if we should invite Daniela to join us?"
"You sound like you are asking me for permission," Bela said.
Lady Dimitrescu looked down at her with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
"Perhaps I am. You are learning to be the lady of the house. Direct me on what I should do."
"Well, I think allowing Daniela to join us would be most beneficial for her. She can continue to learn more about how things work below, and eventually take over some parts of it like Cassandra."
Lady Dimitrescu nodded her head.
"Would you like me to call her?"
"Yes," Bela said, her heart swelling with pride. To be in charge was all she ever dreamed, but to think that her mother would ever retire was almost laughable. Yet eventually the time would come for her to take up the mantle, and she was more than confident in herself that she could do it.
Daniela joined them five minutes later, smiling up at her mother, who rested her hand atop her head. How much she adored her youngest. The child's eyes were so big and innocent, like a newborn kitten. However, behind such sweet, benign eyes was an unhinged soul. One moment she would be laughing with a maiden, and the next she would be slicing her open and playing with her entrails.
Bela gave her a smile. How happy Daniela looked to be with them. Giggling as their mother allowed her to wrap a digit around the tips of her fingers and walk side by side.
"Cassandraaa!" Lady Dimitrescu called out to her middle child in a sing-song voice.
Cassandra appeared from around the corner with a wide smile on her countenance.
"Hello, Mother," she wiggled her fingers at her.
"Hello, precious, we have all come down to admire your handiwork."
"And what do you think?" Cassandra asked, clearly knowing the answer, but wanting to hear her mother say it aloud just to jab at Bela.
Bela crossed her arms, knowing precisely why Cassandra was doing this, and even more annoyed to think she was so stupid not to catch on to her dumb game.
"You have done an exceptional job, my darling." Lady Dimitrescu walked around the hanging maidens bound by chains by their wrists. Many of them breathing either heavily or slowly depending on how deep Cassandra had cut them. Some would be bled faster to go into the vintage that was due in a month while the others would take longer. How wonderful Cassandra seemed to have already caught on to this, and needn't to have her hand held.
"How come some of them have deeper cuts than others?" Daniela asked.
Lady Dimitrescu smiled proudly at her for asking the question.
"It is simple-" Bela started to explain, only to be cut off by Cassandra.
"Allow me to explain. You can cover the part about the math, though her head may explode."
"On the contrary, Daniela has a sharpness for mathematics due to her constant reading. In fact, I would say she would far surpass your mediocre skills," Bela shot back.
"You bit—"
"Girls!" Lady Dimitrescu clapped her hands loudly together to silence them. "I believe Daniela asked a question. Cassandra explain it to her."
"Well it all has to do with the shipments and where the barrels or wine bottles are headed. If they are headed a long distance than that determines when and how many maidens must be bled. Now, it gets even more complicated, because we must decide which maidens from which cells are to be bled. That then gives me a choice on who is to be bled faster and slower. So all the girls whose buckets are already almost filled are to be shipped out to consumers who live a long distance from here."
Daniela nodded as she listened, walking around each maiden and scrutinizing the buckets.
"These three, then."
"Yes, those three and a few others," Cassandra said, shooting a look over at their mother, who gave her an approving nod. She beamed with pride as she kept walking around with Daniela.
"And then there were two," Bela mumbled.
"Hush, my sweet," Lady Dimitrescu said. "Permit them their fun, after all, it is good to see them getting along."
"Come, I have more to show you."
She led the way as she showed her mother the new maidens in the cells.
"I am glad to see you have replaced the maidens and kept written data on them," Lady Dimitrescu said. "We are going to need more, aren't we…"
"Yes, indeed," Cassandra smirked.
This topic grabbing all three daughters' attention now. It would mean a hunt to collect the wenches above and bring half of them below.
"Mother?"
"I will have to make a list," Lady Dimitrescu said. "Once I have decided who, you will be allowed to round them up and bring them to the cells down here."
"All of us?" Daniela said.
"Yes, dearest, all three of you will be given this fun task."
Daniela clapped her hands with glee.
Cassandra's smirk widened.
Bela did not react.
"Well, Cassandra, I will leave this to you. Bela; Daniela, will you join me upstairs?"
"Yes, Mother," Daniela said.
"Yes," Bela said.
"Toodaloo," Cassandra cackled, wiggling her fingers at them in farewell.