Revenge, and A Little Bit More

Chapter Twenty Seven: Pax Intermissa

Around noon, everyone was still tired from the events that took place earlier. Cassandra was in the art room again, painting when she heard the door creaking open slowly. Grace, the maiden she's been seen with, was sitting and reading a book peacefully.

"Cassandra?" Alcina called as she entered the room.

"Hello mother. Are you alright?" she asked as her mother embraced her tightly.

"Fine, my darling. How are you feeling?" she spotted the maiden, annoyed that she didn't even stand up and greet her properly.

"Much better, mom. Painting really helps, Lilith's music too." she said, hearing Lilith playing Debussy on the piano somewhere downstairs. Alcina smiled to herself, before turning her attention to the maiden.

"Maiden, might I ask why you're here and not busy with your work?" Alcina glared at the blonde woman, who seemed to only then realize that the countess was there. She jumped up immediately, closing the book quickly.

"Mother, wait. This is Grace. She's... my friend. She's been keeping me company after helping me with the hangover." Cassandra stood next to Grace, putting  her amr around her shoulders.

"I am glad to hear it my dear. But she can spend as much time with you as she wants, after she's finished her tasks." she said sternly, earning a pout from Cassandra.

"Of course Lady Dimitrescu. I apologize. I will see you later, Lady Cassandra." Grace bowed slightly before leaving the room.

"Can I help you with anything, mother?" Cassandra sighed. Alcina took a look at her painting she was busy with. A depiction of the castle's silhouette, with a beautiful sunrise in the background with warm colors of orange, pink, yellow and a bit of purple.

"This is beautiful, draga mea." she said, placing a hand on Cassandra's shoulder.

"Thank you, mom." she smiled proudly.

"I just came to see if you were doing better, my darling. You had me worried sick. Lilith and your sisters too."

"I am sorry, really. I won't do it again." she sniffed.

"It's alright. Just tell me what's going on?" Alcina asked as they took a seat on the couch. The stained glass window painted them in different colors, as the light of the sun shined through. Cassandra thought about what she wanted to tell her mother as a gentle crease formed between her brows.

"Mom, something happened to me, when... when I died. It feels like something is going to go wrong all the time. I am scared all the time and I don't want to be alone. Scared that man will show up out of nowhere again and hurt you and Bela and Dani. I struggle to sleep most nights. But, I am better. I think painting helps me a lot, I can put my feelings onto the canvas. Bela and Dani have been spending more time with me too. And Grace helps me too."

"I am so sorry, Cassandra. I am your mother, I should have protected you. I failed you and your sisters." Alcina said as guilty tears formed in her eyes.

"Please don't feel bad, mother. You agreed to help Miranda, knowing that if you didn't, she'd kill us all. Not me or my sisters are angry with you for making that decision." Cassandra said softly, hugging her mother in a loving embrace.

"I promise, from now on, I will protect you. You have my word." Alcina kissed her cheek, before standing up.

"Did I do something idiotic, when I was drunk?" Cassandra asked, looking up at her mother. 

"No, not at all. Don't worry, draga mea." Alcina answered as she reached the doors.

"Thank god."