Fair Maiden - Alcina x Fem Reader

10: Through the Halls

Despite your body being exhausted from your evening activities, you find it challenging to sleep. Each time you fall asleep, your dreams haunt you with frightening memories of your past. Your mother's death, your father's abuse, your near death experience - every bad thing that has ever happened to you keeps your mind from resting. Your body is covered in sweat, dripping from your pores.

I can't lay her anymore. Maybe a leisurely walk through the castle would help calm my nerves.

You pull the covers away from you, a chill hits your body allowing goosebumps to rise under your skin. You quickly make your way to the wardrobe, not letting your feet rest on the freezing stone ground for too long.

There has to be something in here that will keep me warm.

You find a thick cotton robe and encase your chilled body in it. You snuggle it's cozy fabric to your face. A hint of lavender fills your nose. After securing your robe, you exit your chamber, entering the room where Lady Dimitrescu is sleeping. You glance at her, taking advantage of your opportunity to admire her without getting caught. She looks peaceful curled up in her heavy fur blankets. You smile softly at the view. Careful not to wake your mistress, you slowly open the door to the hall and close it even softer as you exit.

The halls are quiet and dimly lit. The sun hasn't began to rise yet, everyone is surly fast asleep. You stroll through the halls, observing all the fine details that you had missed before. It's strange to think that this amazing castle is your new home.

You pass a strange metal door that you haven't noticed before. It looks sturdy, unbreakable. There is a large padlock keeping anyone from entering, or possibly even escaping. You peer through a tiny window at the top center of the door, stretching up on your tiptoes. At first, you see nothing but darkness. Your eyes begin to adjust. A steep staircase comes into view. Your curiosity sparks. Despite knowing it's most likely locked, you jiggle the handle. Your assumption is correct, it's locked.

What's down there? It must be important if there is a massive lock keeping the door shut.

"Looking for something?" An unfamiliar voice startles you, causing you to accidentally hit your head against the door.

It's Bela, Lady Dimitrescu's eldest daughter. You caught a glimmer of an object in her hand, her sickle peeked out from behind her cloak.

"Bela, you scared me."

"As I should." She takes a step closer to you. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

"I-I um..." You struggle to use your words. Your head pounded, distracting your thoughts.

"I-I-I. Spit it out, wench!" Bela raised her voice, making her frustration known.

"I couldn't sleep so I decided to take a walk to tire myself out." You explained, hoping an answer would calm her down.

"Hmm. From the sound of what went on in my Mother's chamber, I would have thought you'd be exhausted." Bela glared at you.

"You heard that?" You blushed.

"For Mother's sake, of course I heard it! Mistress, ohhhh mistress." She taunted you in an exaggerated high pitched voice, chuckling at her own joke - then she went back to her serious self. "You know she's just using you, right. She does this with all her 'precious' pets. It won't be long until she gets bored of you. Then you'll be OUR little toy." She snarled. Suddenly her sisters appeared in a swarm of flies behind her.

"Oh I can not wait to play my favorite torture games with you!" Daniela chirped.

"Shut up, Daniela. You do realize you'll have to share, right?" Cassandra sounded annoyed with her sisters greedy excitement.