i.

9.3K 400 236
                                        

Raindrops sputter and drizzle down the dimly lit windows of Castle Dimitrescu

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.




Raindrops sputter and drizzle down the dimly lit windows of Castle Dimitrescu.

The low hum of a record player can be heard from somewhere within the walls of the grand building. A rumble of thunder ripples across the sky, lightning crackles and pops along the treetops with vicious intent. Inside the castle, four women reside in a wine room, glasses stained crimson and not a single drop left to waste.

There is no urgent need to leave the little room, for there is no matter that requires any of them to do so at the moment. A mother, her three daughters and a selection of special wine.

A chorus of laughter erupts from the three girls sitting on either side of their mother, conversing on something that had struck their fancy. A crimson smile lingers over the mistress of the castle's lips, content with her current state. Between her fingertips rests a book encrusted with dried twine and silver ribbon, the other hand effortlessly holding a wine glass between two fingers.

Another bolt of lightning flashes outside the window, illuminating the inky black sky with golden only for a moment. A ringing boom of thunder followed after.

"Mother, would you care for another glass?"

Alcina Dimitrescu glances up from the worn pages of her book, leather clad finger coming to smooth the page down. "No, not right this moment, Cassandra, thank you, dear."

Her daughters stare at her through golden eyes, cloaks removed for the evening and hair on full display for once. "The storm will provide an excellent hunt tomorrow." Daniela tells her, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Alcina nods, a light hum of acknowledgment to her daughter. "Yes, should you leave before dusk, you remember to be back before sunrise."

Bela nods. "Of course, mother. Will you join us this time?"

She parts her lips to respond to the question, pausing at a strange aroma invading her senses. None of her maidens, save for the kitchen staff, should have been roaming the halls at this hour, they all had their assigned nighttime duties. She inhales another take of the scent, retrieving a maroon sliver of ribbon and tucking it into the current page of her book.

"Mother, is everything alright?" Bela questions, tilting her head to the side.

Alcina pauses, listening carefully to the hallways. It wasn't the first time she'd had a maiden get "lost" in the middle of the night and it certainly wasn't the first time she'd had to...dispose...of the help.

A knock at the door interrupts her.

"Come in," she calls, watching as a young maiden hesitantly steps into the doorway.

"I am so sorry to disturb you, my Lady and Ladies. There is a stranger at the door, a traveler it seems, lost in the storm."

Alcina watches the curl of her daughter's lips, a chorus of low buzzing filling the small room. She holds her palm out, waiting until they've simmered down to stand up from her seat. After smoothing down her dress, she nods. "I'll return in a moment, daughters."

ETERNAL. 𓄼 𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑢. Where stories live. Discover now