Behind the Castle's Door [COMPLETED]

Thirty-Fifth Door

Warning: Long Chapter consists of 6k words.

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Clementine was alone in Alcina's room when the morning came. The woman stretched her arms to her sides in search of Alcina's body, but she opened her eyes when her arms landed on a pillow. Alcina was no longer on her side of the bed, which made her unhappy because she had hoped to see the tall woman's face when she awoke. She sprang up from the bed, removing the blankets from her body, and her gaze fell on the bedside table, where a small card had been left. She took it in her hands and a smile appeared on her lips.

Good morning, Clementine. If you're reading this, it's because you just woke up; I apologize if I left without saying goodbye; I'll be heading to the reservoir today for the shipment of my sister company's new wine flavors; I hope you understand. I've laid out the clothes you can wear on the armchair, and if you want to eat breakfast, simply go to the dining hall or kitchen.

Kisses, Alcina

She stared at the bottom right corner of the letter, where Alcina's lipstick mark was, a little smile on her lips formed on her lips and she pouted.

She shook her head, "Geez, why am I smiling like an idiot?

She put the letter on the nightstand and walked over to the armchair to get the clothing Alcina had left for her to wear. She went into the bathroom and had a bath, then returned to the bedside table, where she picked up a letter and stuffed it into her pocket. She exited Alcina's room and closed the door behind her; she was now in the living room, where she was drawn to a portrait hanging behind the curtains. She approached the portrait and drew the curtain aside to reveal it; her jaw fell as she saw the image hanging on the wall. It was a new family portrait of Alcina and her daughters, but what astonished her even more was that she was included in it, painted alongside Alcina.

"What am I doing here?" Her lips were squeezed together. "Am I a member of their family?"

She snatched the curtain and draped it over the image once more to conceal it. She exited the room and proceeded into the dining hall, hoping to see the three females, but it was empty and only servants were washing the table when she arrived.

"I need you in the kitchen right now, Maya— Clementine!" As soon as she spotted her, Ingrid yelled.

"Hello, Ingrid— oof!" As Ingrid hugged her fiercely, she said.

"What are you doing here? Lady Dimitrescu is gone, and the girls have just departed; they're going to the reservoir today for a project."

"I slept here last night," she admitted nervously.

"You're here last night? Why didn't I notice you?"

She muttered, "I was in Alcina's room, and it was similarly late when I came here."

Ingrid gasped. "Isn't it strange that you met late at night and in secret? Did you two finally did it?" She nudged her with a sneer on her lips.

She whacked Ingrid's shoulder with her widening eyes. "What? No! What are thinking?"

The redness on Clementine's cheeks made Ingrid laugh even harder to tease her.

"You're so slow! What did you do last night? Most couples at this stage do it. Did you just cuddle?"

"We're not a couple," she bit her bottom lip. "Not yet, but we did confess our feelings for each other."

Ingrid grabbed her shoulders and gave her a firm shake. "You should definitely ask her! I'm becoming concerned because you're moving so slowly."