Dorothy wiped away the sweat. Her arms and backed ached something fierce. Thankfully their job was done, but Robin explained they were to head into the kitchen next.
"They are a bit short staffed due to a few of the girls coming down with a cold. We are to get the table set."
"Are we serving?"
"No, but I'm sure you will be soon. We are all trained to do everything just in case one of us falls sick. For now just follow what I do and you will be fine."
"Thank you," Dorothy said, truly grateful for all Robin's help.
The two entered into the Dining Hall where the table was stationed. It was empty at the moment save the red table cloth.
"Over here, Alice. This is where we keep the plates and utensils. Start with the utensils and then I will go around with the plates."
Dorothy worked quickly to set the utensils on the table. Robin going behind her and setting the plates down. Ensuring the utensils were all placed in the correct spots.
"It smells delicious in the kitchen area."
"We dine after the mistress and her daughters," Robin said.
"Good," Dorothy said, her stomach having begun to hurt due to the lack of food.
"I am going to go in and see if they need us to begin setting the food on the table. You can start setting the glass out. Lady Dimitrescu has her own separate goblet."
Dorothy walked over to the cupboard and started to set the glass and goblet down on the table. Presuming the large chair at the front of the table belonged to Lady Dimitrescu, she set the beautiful goblet beside the dish.
Uncertain what to do next, Dorothy walked around the room to look at the paintings, stopping by one window. She could just make out the courtyard. The frost thickening against the glass as fresh snow fluttered down from the sky.
"Alice."
She turned at the sound of Robin calling to her.
"We are to begin setting the food out on the table."
Dorothy followed her through the yellow door and into the kitchen. It was stifling hot. A roaring fire burning in the hearth the cause of it. There were also eight maidens who were bustling around.
"Take these first," Robin said, pointing to bowls steaming hot with what appeared to be vegetables.
Back and forth Dorothy and Robin went into the Dining Hall. Sweat slipping down her face and making her feel rather uncomfortable, but after ten minutes the table was packed with all sorts of delicious food.
"Are we finished?"
Robin used a cloth to wipe the sweat off her own face.
"Yes, we will remain back here and wait."
Dorothy took a seat beside her, continuing to watch the others scurry into the Dining Hall with different wine bottles in hand. It made Dorothy wonder how much the family would drink. There was no possible way they could consume eight large bottles…
"Here, Alice, take a drink. We don't want you to pass out on your first day."
"Thanks," Dorothy said, taking the cup from her and drinking it slowly. "Where does that door lead down there?"
"That is a pantry," Robin said.
"And beyond that?"
"I am not sure," Robin replied.
Dorothy not one for small talk, took another drink and stared out the window. She could see it was snowing heavier now. The bushes in front of the window covered.
"I wish we could open a window in here," she said.
"No!" Robin snapped.
Dorothy jumped at her voice.
"Sorry, I mean we are not permitted to do that. The Mistress does not allow any windows to be open."
"Why?"
"Her orders are her orders. She does not ever explain why."
Dorothy found that to be a strange thing to say, but did not press any further. Instead she leaned back so she was at least touching the cold glass.
She did not know how long they sat in the kitchen. There were no clocks to give the time. Only outside could give her an estimation. Darkness had begun to descend. The gray sky now turned black. She could now hear her stomach growling. The temptation to steal a piece of cheese and bread off the center table so very tempting.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind when she and Robin heard something smash from the Dining Room. The two looked at one another, Robin's face filled with alarm.
"What was that?"
"It sounded like a bottle breaking."
The next sound was a young woman crying softly as she came down the hall and entered inside. Both stood right up to see her palm had a deep cut. Blood flowing down and dripping to the floor.
"Harriet," Robin said, quickly rushing over to her and guiding her over to the sink. "What happened?"
"The bottle just slipped," she croaked. "It was an accident." She sniffled, her brown eyes finding Dorothy. "The Mistress has ordered for me to send one of you in to clean the mess."
"How does she know we are here?" Dorothy blurted out.
"Allison told her."
"Who is Allison?"
"Never mind about her," Robin snapped. "I must attend to this. The broom is there. Make sure you wear your gloves when picking up the glass. The gloves should be in your front pocket."
"The stain is on the rug," Harriett said. "I am sorry."
"Everything will be just fine," Robin said to her gently. "Alice. There is a bucket there and a sponge. Clean up the bottle first and then scrub the floor after."
Dorothy went to work filling the bucket underneath the sink with the water. Placing on her gloves next, she took the bucket in one hand and the broom in the other. Never had she felt so anxious walking down the short hall. Just between the yellow door and she sat the family. She could hear loud, girlish giggles from the other side.
She paused briefly to control her racing heart before pushing the door open with her foot. Inside the room was comfortable, though the air smelt of smoke from Lady Dimitrescu's cigarette. She could already feel her eyes burning and the smoke wafting out of the fireplace behind Lady Dimitrescu did not help.
Dorothy tried not to stare at Lady Dimitrescu who was donned in a red dress. She wore no hat and allowed her black hair to flow down her face and curl nicely at the ends.
"Alice," Lady Dimitrescu said, drawing in a deep lungful from her cigarette.
Quickly she lowered her eyes down to the floor where she could see the broken bottle.
"I am here to clean the mess," Dorothy said, keeping her eyes down.
"Get on with your duty," was all she said.
Wanting to be seen as little as possible. She hurried over and began to pick up the pieces. Continuing to listen to the daughters laughing and talking loudly.
She could not follow exactly what they were discussing, and did her best to tune them all out.
"Who is that?"
Dorothy fought the urge to look up. She did not know which daughter had said that. Instead she focused on picking up the glass and setting it into a pile before reaching for the sponge already in the bucket. As she turned back to clean the spot, she gasped upon one of the daughter's faces directly in front of her own.
'The red head, what was her name again?' Dorothy thought, paralyzed. Her hair was hanging loosely down her face, making her look that much more manic. 'This has to be Daniela!' the name popped randomly into her head.
"Her name is Alice," Cassandra said, smiling a wide; unnatural smile. "We met earlier today."
Daniela kept staring at Dorothy with an unreadable countenance, she rose back up to her full height and looked straight at her mother.
"Why, this one simply has no manners, Mama. Is she a bit funny?" Daniela said.
Lady Dimitrescu slowly exhaled the smoke through her nostrils before speaking:
"Educate her, then." She drew in another lungful of smoke, watching the scene like it were a play.
"My la—" Dorothy was cut off by a swift kick to her ribs. She collapsed instantly, her face hitting the stain hard and also finding a few more pieces of broken glass with her cheek. She could only cough. The wind had been knocked completely out of her.
She could hear one of the daughter's laughing at her, while Daniela now stood over her with the crooked smile.
"Perhaps you were raised in a slum and they forgot to teach you about manners, but here in this house we take pride in them. When we speak to you, you will stand up and bow," Daniela said.
Dorothy attempted to rise.
"Far too SLOW!" Daniela barked, giving her another hard kick.
Dorothy coughed out, wheezing in breaths to keep herself from passing out.
"You best find your strength," Cassandra said. "Or this may be the shortest stay in this house."
Using her arms to push herself onto her knees, she slowly stood on shaking legs. Her head already bowed, she kept her eyes trained on the hem of Daniela's dress.
"Much, much better," Daniela said, circling around her. "Now introduce yourself properly."
"I am Alice."
"Who?"
"Alice," she repeated, wincing when Daniela grabbed her hair and yanked down.
"Alice is your name that I am confiscating. Until you prove your worth, you will be known as… as…" Daniela looked over to her mother for support.
Lady Dimitrescu did not answer.
Bela completely ignored the situation, but Cassandra. Cassandra was watching this entire scene fixedly. Thinking about what would be a most appropriate name.
"Oh! I think I have one," Daniela said.
"Have what?" Cassandra asked her.
"I have just finished a story about a young woman who spends all her days and nights cleaning a house," Daniela said, excitedly. "The name she was given was Cinderella, because of how filthy she became after cleaning."
"Ugh," Bela harrumphed.
"What?" Daniela looked hurt now.
"This is all a silly waste of time."
"Keep your nose out of this," Cassandra spat at her.
Bela turned her head to look at Cassandra fully. Her yellow eyes not wavering for an instant.
"I suggest you sit back down before you find yourself in her shoes."
"I do not recall probing you for suggestions, though if you like we can step downstairs and continue this."
Bela rose right up out of her chair. Her blue dress sparkling like sapphires in the firelight.
"Sit. Down."
Cassandra bared her teeth in a snarl. Ready to take a chunk out of Bela's throat and spit it upon the floor.
"Enough my girls…" Lady Dimitrescu clucked at the two. "Take a seat."
Bela and Cassandra both sat back down.
"Daniela release her."
Daniela did as she was told and shrank back to her seat.
"Alice is new in our midst. We cannot be so quick to jump on her for little mistakes, in fact, it was Robin who should have been helping you," Lady Dimitrescu clicked her tongue in disapproval.
"Robin has been most helpful," Dorothy spoke up.
The entire room was still and quiet. All the servants in the room looking at her horror stricken.
"This in truly insulting, Mother," Cassandra hissed. "Now she speaks out!" She started to rise.
"Normally," Lady Dimitrescu clipped. "But I will allow this one error to go unpunished, though Daniela…"
The red head stared at her mother expectantly.
"Dearest, could you please tell Alice what the punishment is for those who speak out."
"Of course, Mother," she said, now looking straight at Dorothy. "No breakfast or supper for three days'."
"Consider yourself lucky you get to eat anything," Cassandra had to slide her piece in.
"We will move on now and finish our supper," she tapped at her goblet. "Why is my cup empty?"
One of the woman hurried over and filled the goblet to the brim, bowing her head as she slowly backed away and returned to her spot in front of the window.
"Clean up the mess," Lady Dimitrescu ordered after taking a sip. "And get back to the kitchen." Her tone almost motherly.
"Yes, my lady," Dorothy said, bending down on her knees to continue cleaning the mess. It took her ten minutes, but soon the carpet was clean and there was no more glass to be found. Slowly she rose back up and winced. Her ribs aching terribly from Daniela's savage kicks.
She limped out of the room, taking a fateful glance back at the table. Once again Cassandra and Daniela were laughing and talking as if nothing had occurred. Bela quietly finishing her plate and looking at her mother, who was staring directly at she, Dorothy. She immediately dropped her gaze and pushed through the yellow door.
When she entered into the kitchen, Robin had just finished wrapping up Harriett's hand. When she looked up at Dorothy, she gasped upon seeing her face.
"I am all right," Dorothy said.
"Sit here and I will fix you up."
Dorothy far too exhausted to argue, took a seat on a second bench and allowed Robin to clean away the blood.
"You are lucky this is not too deep."
"It stings," Dorothy admitted.
"It will. Glass is the worst thing to be cut by in my opinion."
"Papercuts are just as bad," Harriett chimed in, giving Dorothy a little smile.
Dorothy sucked in a sharp breath when Robin placed a cloth that smelt of alcohol onto her cheek.
"How did this happen?"
"I really do not want to speak any more about it," she whispered.
"Just so you know we have all been where you are," Harriett comforted her. "Do not feel too bad about it."
"Thanks," Dorothy said.
"Now I should get back into the room," Harriett said.
"Not with that hand you won't," Robin said. "There is no way you can pour wine with just one hand. No. You stay in here and I will go out as substitute."
"Robin…" Harriett started to say, but she had already left the kitchen. She looked down at the floor sadly. "She is always rescuing me, and never can I repay her. I fear if I blunder once more, I will be finished working here."
"Nonsense," Dorothy said.
"It is not nonsense," Harriett said, looking up at Dorothy with a stern expression. "House Dimitrescu rarely gives you two chances of redemption. I have been very lucky so far, but this was my third blunder."
Dorothy eyed about before she leaned in closer to Harriett, speaking in a low voice.
"Can I ask you something that you may find extremely curious?"
"What is it?"
"What happens to those who are sent below?"
Harriett's eyes widened in alarm, clearly this was an universal topic that was not to be discussed by anyone.
"I do not know the details, but it is a punishment for those who underperform."
It was exactly what Robin said.
"I see…"
The two fell silent and waited for the kitchen staff to return.
Dorothy could not shake the feeling of unease in her heart now. No doubt she had placed a large target on her back. She would have to be extra careful, she could not afford to be thrown out just yet.
'I must find Wendy,' she thought to herself, her gaze fixed out the window to observe snow coming down in sheets.
It would be a few hours later did Dorothy finally get to eat dinner. What she received was not the best she had ever eaten, but it was enough to eliminate the ache in her stomach. She followed Robin and Harriett back to their sleeping quarters where each women had her own little bowl and soap to wash her face, hands, arms and legs.
Dorothy had never felt such exhaustion. Wanting to just lay down in the bed and fall asleep. She had just finished washing her face when Anya appeared in the doorway.
"Lights out in five minutes ladies." She eyed the girls over carefully. Ensuring they were all donned in their white nightgowns and had cleaned themselves. "Robin, the Mistress acclaims you for your effort tonight. You have stood out most favorably. She is pleased."
"Thank you," Robin whispered.
"Harriett," Anya said. "The Mistress is willing to give you one last chance."
Harriett bowed her head to her in thanks.
"That being said, she requires recompense for the wasted wine. You will see her before breakfast in her quarters."
Harriett kept her head bowed low.
"Rest well, ladies, you are all expected to rise at five."
With that she closed the door and left the room, the girls all quiet as they climbed into their beds and blew out each of the candles.
{…}
It was the worst first night Dorothy had ever experienced. The night feeling as if it were stolen from her as the first light of morning broke through. How tired she felt. Her limbs protesting as she forced herself to rise.
The room had been terribly cold. So cold that when she awoke, Dorothy had found fresh frost covering the top of her blanket.
Not to mention a few of the girls snored and kept tossing and turning all night.
As she climbed down her bunk, Dorothy followed what the other girls were doing. They cleaned their faces, brushed their hair and then their teeth.
"Hygiene is most important to Lady Dimitrescu. Everyone in her castle is expected to uphold cleanliness," Robin said to Dorothy, leading her out to the kitchen to where Anya would give each of them their duties.
"Is Harriett still with Lady Dimitrescu?" Dorothy asked, not finding her face amongst the others as they circled around the table.
"Must be," Robin said, motioning for her to be silent as Anya appeared with a piece of paper in hand.
"Ladies," Anya said.
"Good morning," everyone said to her.
"Your daily duties are as followed…" she read out the names of the girls who would start breakfast for the family. "Robin, I will have you with Alice in the library. Miss Daniela wishes for her books to be returned to the proper shelves. She also wishes for you to dust off the shelves and then clean the floor."
"Yes, ma'am," Robin and Dorothy said in unison.
"Hurry along and get what you need. The rest of you get ready for breakfast service."
Dorothy followed Robin to collect the bucket, fill it with water and soap and two mops.
"Follow me," she said to Dorothy.
Dorothy found herself unable to keep her gaze off the artwork decorated throughout the castle once more. Mainly she loved the paintings. One in particular was of a man with two horses and a few dogs. She remembered back at her family manor, her father would always collect artwork. He had loved going to auctions to either purchase or sell.
"Now remember, Alice," Robin spoke up as they neared the library. "If Miss Daniela or anyone else from the family appear, you must stop what you are doing and bow."
"I understand," she answered.
"Good," Robin said, using her back to push the door open. "This is where Miss Daniela spends the majority of her time. Do not be surprised to find her making an appearance."
"Who is she again?"
"Miss Daniela is the youngest Dimitrescu. She has red hair. Now, let us start by working on the books on the floor. They are all color coded to which bookshelf is their home."
"Right," Dorothy said, staring in awe at the library, especially the gorgeous window in the center. It was covered with snow at the moment, but she could just imagine staring up at a clear night sky. Looking at the stars to see the constellations. That was something else she and her father would do on rare occasions. All that felt so very far away now.
"You start over there. I hope we can meet in the middle and get this done in thirty minutes. It will be cleaning the floor that may take a while."
That did not bother Dorothy, though what did was the notion that Daniela would make an appearance. She was still feeling the pain from where she had received her vicious kicks. In fact, that morning as she was changing, she spied a good-sized black and blue mark had appeared. Luckily nothing had been broken, but it was an unpleasant reminder.
Robin got straight to work on the books. Masterfully checking the books and setting them on different shelves.
Dorothy occasionally double checking with her where some of the books went, the two were moving right along with the task.
"Nice work," Robin nodded in approval. "That took less time than I thought. So now we can start breaking our backs mopping."
"The lack of light makes it hard to judge where to clean," Dorothy said, having begun dusting once she had finished.
"Yes, but it should be easier not to miss any spots with two of us here instead of just one. Come help me with this and we will finish dusting after."
Dorothy set the duster down on a shorter cabinet and grabbed her mop out of the bucket. She followed Robin's lead and went right behind her to ensure no spots were missed.
"How long have you worked in the castle?" Dorothy inquired, starting to hate the silence.
"It has been almost a year," Robin answered. "Tell me about you? You said you lived in the village with your parents."
"Yes," Dorothy said.
"What prompted you to work here?"
"I needed money and I saw a job posting in the church.
"I see," Robin answered, turning her attention towards the door.
"What's wrong?" Dorothy asked.
"Did you hear a door slam shut?"
"No," Dorothy said.
Robin continued to stare at the door for another minute before she started to mop again. Dorothy focusing entirely on keeping up with her, the two were now right beside the door.
Dorothy looked over at it.
"Where does that lead?"
"To the Atelier Room. It is also where Miss Daniela will go to paint," Robin said. "Keep up with me. We are nearly finished."
Dorothy followed along behind her. Their previous topic was completely forgotten, which for Dorothy was just fine. She did not want anyone knowing exactly how she came to be here, yet it appeared many of these girls came to be here in less than normal circumstances.
"Let us go around one more time just to be safe."
'Safe,' Dorothy repeated inwardly, thinking that even stranger word to use. Once again they went around the library. The mop water a disgusting brown after all their cleaning, the two got to work dusting the shelves.
"Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters should be nearly finished with breakfast. Then we will be able to go and eat our breakfast."
"Good," Dorothy said, her stomach having been growling for at least ten minutes now. "Should we go down and see if they need our help to clean up?"
"Yes, we probably should," Robin said.
"You take the two mops and dusters. I will take the bucket..."
{…}
Lady Dimitrescu dabbed at the corner of her lips with her white napkin. Eyeing over her three girls who seemed much quieter than normal, especially Cassandra and Daniela. Normally they were bouncing off the walls, but at the moment they were almost docile. Sleepy.
She noted to Mother Miranda years ago this behavior seemed to occur during the winter months. Her girls' grew more and more sluggish. Dormant. She at one point had completely given up on attempting to wake both Cassandra and Daniela. The two having slept nearly the entire day until their stomachs growled for blood. Even Bela seemed just as off. She was yawning and yawning. Yet when spring and summer rolled around, the girls were back to their natural states. Zooming about the castle. Giggling and laughing like wild things in the forest.
Lady Dimitrescu lit her cigarette and drew in a deep lungful of it. The taste much better than she recalled.
'I will ask Anya where she procures these from…' she watched the servants' wordlessly as they cleaned up the plates. Going back and forth into the kitchen. She wondered if Dorothy was inside the kitchen somewhere, or had Anya tasked her with something outside?
"Mother?"
"Yes, Bela."
"May I be excused? I wish to continue my work below on the subject you tasked me with."
"You may," Lady Dimitrescu said, smiling as Bela walked over to her and placed a kiss to her cheek before leaving the room. "Darlings, what are your plans for today?"
"I have not decided, Mother," Cassandra said, drinking some of her blood tea.
"I think I will go to the library and inspect the cleaning job," Daniela said. "And then after I may continue making the final touches on my painting."
"As you wish. If you feel they did not do sufficiently, I will bring the two down and allow you to punish them."
"Thank you, Mother," Daniela said.
That seemed to bring Daniela out of her lethargy, whereas Cassandra looked as though she were about to fall asleep at the table.
"Cassandra, would you like to join me in my chambers? Rednic is bringing in the final four from Mother Miranda's lab."
Those words seemed to have brought Cassandra back to life. That crooked smile forming across her lips.
"Oh… I want to join you, too!" Daniela spoke up, receiving a nasty glare from Cassandra.
"Now, now Daniela," Lady Dimitrescu said. "Remember you helped me last week. It is Cassandra's turn."
Daniela did not look happy, but it could not be helped as much as it was difficult for Lady Dimitrescu to say no to her youngest. She tried to treat her daughters all equally and fairly, which included the alone time they all received from her.
Cassandra looking very smug about it, she quickly finished the rest of her food.
Daniela barely touched the rest of hers.
"Go ahead Cassandra," Lady Dimitrescu said, rising out of her chair ten minutes later.
"Yes, Mother," Cassandra said, a bit suspicious if her mother was going to give in to Daniela's sulking. "Baby brat," she hissed under her breath, descending the stairs.
"Go ahead up, dearest," Lady Dimitrescu said from the bottom of the stairs, Daniela dragging her feet as she ascended, giving her mother many looks back. "This inspection will not take long. Once it is completed, my love, you may join me in the study."
"Will Cassandra be with you?"
"Perhaps," Lady Dimitrescu shrugged. "I do not know."
"I may just go to my room and read…"
"It is your choice, but that is what I am offering you," Lady Dimitrescu said, turning away from her youngest.
Daniela continued up the stairwell and to the library, rambling incoherently to herself as she went. Spittle appearing at the corners of her mouth as she raged…
"Unfair. Unfair. Unfair!"
Below in the chamber, Cassandra was seated in the bed and staring at the door expectantly. Lady Dimitrescu seated in her rose embroidered chair in wait for Anya to bring the four down.
"This is the worst part," Cassandra groaned.
"Patience, precious," Lady Dimitrescu tutted at her. "They will be here shortly, and I am most anxious to see how much you have learned."
"Meaning?" Cassandra asked.
"You will sample their blood and tell me if they need to be harvested, or will go below to be drained."
"That will be easy," Cassandra said confidently.
"That makes me happy to hear," Lady Dimitrescu said.
"How long will the new girl be around, Mother?" the question coming out of the blue.
"Hard to tell at the moment."
"You could not tell from her blood?"
'Alcina.'
Lady Dimitrescu averted her gaze to the fire.
"My dearest Alcina.'
Lady Dimitrescu grimaced in pain from what felt like someone jamming a needle into her temples. Beatrice's voice unexpectedly calling out to her from a distance. She closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths to keep this unexpected wave of dizziness from consuming her. The last time she had felt like this was the first time she had transformed.
"Mother?" Cassandra said. "Mother the head wench is knocking."
"Let her in!"
Cassandra jumped out of the bed, looking at her mother fearfully. Her voice nothing she had heard before, like a woman just on the verge of exploding. She opened the door and allowed Anya in.
"My lady," Anya bowed. "I have cleaned each girl. I will bring in the youngest one first."
Lady Dimitrescu waved a hand in acknowledgement.
"Move!" Cassandra barked at her.
Anya gave another bow before exiting the room and sending in a young woman. Her brown eyes red from all her crying. She stood frozen in place as Cassandra circled her. Touching her hair. Pinching at her face.
"A little thin, but that is not where my concern lies." Cassandra snatched her face with one hand, giggling. "Hold very still. This will take only a second…"
The girl cried out as Cassandra used a little knife to slash just above her right breast and clamped her lips over the flow.
"You sad creature," Cassandra sneered, wiping the blood off her lips. "And even worse for you."
"W-what?"
Cassandra raised her hand and slapped her hard against the face. She crumbled to the floor in a heap, unconscious.
"Next!"
While Cassandra continued to work through the remaining girls, Lady Dimitrescu finally collected herself, though she had developed a headache. She turned her focus to Cassandra, frowning deeply at the sight of one of the girls unconscious on the floor.
"Cassandra!"
She looked up at her mother, fresh blood coating her red lips.
"Mother?" she shrank back over to the bed as her mother rose up to her full height.
"Do you remember what I told you about being too rough?"
"I do Mother," Cassandra said. "I just…"
"What?" Lady Dimitrescu raised a brow.
"I was only tenderizing the meat a little."
There was a brief moment of silence before Lady Dimitrescu's lips began to crack into a smile, which then followed with her laughing.
How typical of Cassandra to be so unpredictable with her actions and words…
"Oh my darling," Lady Dimitrescu said. "That is checkmate."
Cassandra giggled at her, her yellow eyes shining with pride.
"Pick up this child for me," she said, collapsing back down in her chair. "I will take her blood."
Back and forth they worked together. Cassandra taking the girls' blood first and then Lady Dimitrescu taking a sample after.
"Well done, Cassandra," Lady Dimitrescu finally said. "One you were incorrect, but the other three you were correct. Seventy-five percent, my dear."
"I suppose I did not fail," Cassandra huffed, annoyed she had not gotten them all correct.
"Go and inform Anya that three will be going below and the brunette will be sent to the servants' quarters."
"Yes, Mother," Cassandra said.
Lady Dimitrescu watched her go with a tired smile, her attention returned to the fire.
{…}
Dorothy had never been so happy to eat her plain bowl of oatmeal and a piece of bread with some butter. Robin seated beside her, but still there was no sign of Harriett.
"We are tasked next with cleaning the Opera Hall," Robin was telling her. "We must polish the floors and clean the piano. I may have to leave you to help another new recruit. I will be back to see how you are doing later."
Dorothy did not like the sound of being left alone, but did not express that outwardly. Once they were both finished with their breakfast, Dorothy followed Robin out of the kitchen.
They had just entered into the Main Hall and were ascending up the stairs when Robin came to a halt. Dorothy almost slamming directly into her back at the unexpected stop, she glanced over her shoulder to spy Daniela.
At once the two bowed their heads to her, attempting to press themselves against the wall to let her through; however, she came to a halt one step above them.
"Why if it isn't the fresh blood! I was hoping to see you again," Daniela said, placing her pointer finger under Dorothy's chin to raise her head. "Tell me, do you know who cleaned my library?"
"I did, Miss Daniela," Dorothy said, noting how crazed Daniela looked.
She wore a twisted smile much like Cassandra's only her eyes were far more demented. They were too wide. Unblinking like a serpent.
"Good," was all Daniela said, flashing her pearly white teeth. "You will be coming with me, then. And you," she giggled at Robin. "Be on your way…"
Dorothy nearly fell down the stairwell as Daniela grabbed hold of the front of her dress and dragged her down.
"Where are you taking me?" Dorothy asked, nearly twisting her ankle on the next set of stairs.
Daniela cackled at her, now pulling her towards the parlor room. Once they had entered into the little sitting area, Daniela knocked on the double doors.
There was a long pause before Lady Dimitrescu's voice was heard from the opposite side.
"Move along," Daniela said, pushing her inside where Lady Dimitrescu was seated in a chair, dabbing at her lips with a napkin.
"Daniela?" Lady Dimitrescu's gaze went from her daughter to Dorothy. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It is about the library, Mother," Daniela said.
"What about it?"
"Some of my books have gone missing and she was the last one in there cleaning," Daniela said, pointing an accusing finger straight at Dorothy.
"I see," Lady Dimitrescu said, folding her hands together. "And what does the accused say in her defense?"
"I may have placed them on another bookshelf by mistake, my lady," Dorothy began. "If Miss Daniela could tell me which books are missing, I may be able to tell her which bookshelf I may have placed them on."
"Tell her, dearest," Lady Dimitrescu said.
"Origins: A History of Romanian Wine and assorted letters from previous occupants of the castle."
"So one book and a few letters, does that ring a bell?"
Dorothy could not recall seeing either of those, which meant that Robin may have placed them on a bookshelf, and if so… she bit the inside of her cheek. No. She would not mention Robin was with her.
"I will take your silence as a no," Lady Dimitrescu said. "And if I recall correctly from Anya's schedule, you were not alone in the library, is that correct?"
"I was…" Dorothy held on to Lady Dimitrescu's gaze. "Alone."
"Are you willing to risk punishment for protecting another? For I know the truth, my dear Alice, I read the roster and approved it before Anya told any of you."
"Shall I fetch the other one, then?"
Lady Dimitrescu gave her a wave, which sent Daniela dashing out the door in a blink of an eye, leaving Dorothy alone with the mistress herself once again.