Fair Maiden - Alcina x Fem Reader

8: Make Your Decision

Lady Dimitrescu pulls away, releasing you from her grasp, but leaving you on her lap. You have the urge to move away from her, her actions left you feeling confused and terrified... But honestly, craving more. You watch her with a stunned expression, not knowing what to say or do. You're frozen.

What the actual fuck just happened!? Did she really just suck the blood from my lip? Are these her intentions with me? Is that why she's been so merciful while I've been here... to win my trust?

"I have been merciful to you because I didn't want to scare you. As I can see, that's exactly what I have just done." She licks the remnants of your blood from her lips. "You have no need to be frightened of me. Not at this moment anyway."

Did she read my mind again? How is that even possible?

"M-my Lady..." You try to catch your breath. You feel as though she has emptied your lungs.

"Shhhh." Her fingers push the hair from your face, resting it behind your ear. "I do not expect an answer to my proposal at this very moment. There are some things you need to think about first. If you are to remain at Castle Dimitrescu, you will be my personal maiden. You will stay in the maid corders that is connected to my chambers. You will be assigned tasks just like the other maids. In addition, you will also assist my daughters, as well as fulfill my wants and needs. A personal maiden is not a position to take lightly. I suggest you obey my every command. Unless, of course, you want to face the consequences."

Your mind is spinning, running from one thought to the next. You thought you wanted to stay in the castle, after all - where else would you go? You can't return home to your father, but you have nowhere else to call home. It seems like staying in the castle is your only option, even though you feel a sudden surge of anxiety flooding through you.

"I need to think about it, My Lady. You have brought so many new things to my attention that I was not aware of before. And whatever just happened... I-I still don't understand what that was about." You try to sound as calm as possible despite your current emotional state.

"You enjoyed it, no?" She stopped stroking your hair, now looking intently into your anxious eyes.

"I-I'm not sure I can say, honestly." You stutter.

"That's another thing; You must always be honest with me. I despise liars just as much as I despise man-things." She tells you with a serious tone.

"I won't lie to you, My Lady. I am just unsure of how I feel right now." You sigh.

Lady Dimitrescu doesn't respond. She slides you from her lap, placing you back onto the lounge chair. She hoists herself up and makes her way to the exit. Hand on the doorknob, she turns to you.

"You have until midnight to make your decision. If you choose to leave, you may do so. I will leave a bag of supplies by the castle entrance to help you on your new journey. However, if you choose to stay, I will be waiting for your arrival in my bedchambers. If you do not show up by midnight, I will know what you have decided." She turns herself towards the door, ready to leave this conversation behind her. You can't see her expression, but you can hear a slight whisper of sadness in her voice.

"My lady." You get her attention before she leaves you. "May I stay in this chamber for a while. I would like to sort out my thoughts, maybe even try my hand at painting again."

"Of course, my Dear." She tells you softly. "And Y/N...If I do not see you again, take care of yourself. And if you return to your home - Tell your father that if he lays a hand on you again, he will be killed. If not by your hand, by my own. Nobody harms my little bird." She is very serious about her statement, she wants to be sure you know that. Lady Dimitrescu exits, leaving you by yourself.

I am so confused. The version of Lady Dimitrescu that I just witnessed was far from her normal self. Or maybe that is how she is normally, but she's hidden it from me during my stay. Until now. This was the first time I saw her give into her desires. If I stay, it sounds like that wont be the last time she does that if I stay. Although it was terrifying, part of me enjoyed it. Her aggressive movements also held a sense of passion. Maybe she enjoyed it too. Hell, I know she enjoyed it. I could see it in her eyes - Black with unspoken desire. I know I will have no issue being a maid. It's not like I haven't worked my ass of doing chores before. That's all I did at home. Lady Dimitrescu made it sound like I would be doing some questionable tasks though. Knowing her daughters, I can imagine there will be plenty that I will not enjoy. Lady Dimitrescu saved me. She took care of me, even though I am sure she had more pressing matters to attend to. I do owe her my life. And according to her, I also owe her my mind, body and... my blood.

You make your way to the canvases, brushes and paints while you contemplate your options. You select a small canvas, pull fine tipped brushes from their cups, and choose from an array of oil paints. You set yourself up on the easel, ready to release your tornado of thoughts onto the blank canvas. Without a plan, you swipe the first color. It's a dark red. It reminds you of the color of Lady Dimitrescu's crimson lips.

I felt her lips. They were so soft. Cold at first, but her urgent sucking of my lip soon made them warm. Surprisingly, I enjoyed feeling her in such an intense way.

As the image of what had happened moments ago danced in your head, you found yourself painting it onto the canvas. Your bleeding lip embraced in your Lady's mouth. Your heart pounds as you imagine the possibilities that could have occurred if she didn't stop. You continue to paint for hours, the rooms glow slowly fades into darkness. You glance outside, noticing the cool light of the moon illuminating the castle grounds.

This place is truly astounding.

On the other side of the castle, you can see the tower in which Lady Dimitrescu's bedchamber is. A warm light fills her room. You can see shadows of furniture through the windows. You can also see a towering mass, blocking the light from escaping one of the window panes. It's shapely, curves accented by a flowing material.

Lady Dimitrescu...

You narrow your eyes, trying to get a better look. You can barely see her, but it appears she is facing your direction. Watching you. She must have noticed you looking at her because she swiftly turned around and left the window. You sigh. Your heart sank into your stomach a little.

I miss her for some reason.

You direct your attention back to the painting. It's complete. You don't dare move it from it's place on the easel. Oil paints take a few days to dry, so you leave it in it's place. Lady Dimitrescu said that nobody uses this room anymore, so you feel okay with leaving such a intense painting out in the open like this. Maybe Lady Dimitrescu will find it some day and think of you. Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room, you realize that it is nearly midnight. It is time to make your final decision. Both options leave a sense of dread in your stomach. The outcomes of either are unpredictable.

You blow out the candles you had lit to help you see while painting. You exit the chamber, stepping into the silent hallway. Torches lighting your way through the dark. You close the door behind you and begin walking. After a few minutes, your arrive at the door.

This is it.

You take a deep breath and grab the door handle. Slowly you open the door. Your future is unpredictable. You are not sure if you made the right decision, but you had to follow through with it. No matter what, you were going to make a better life for yourself. And this was the first step.