Fair Maiden - Alcina x Fem Reader

54: Remorse

A light knock at your door pulls you from your slumber. You Slowly open your eyes, stretching your body from it's cramped position. As you shift upright, you notice your body is covered in a heavy and warm fur blanket. You smile softly, thinking Mary had checked on you in the middle of the night and made sure you were warm. The lycan lifts his head and begins to thump his scraggly tail against the ground. Another knock comes from the door.

"Come in." You call out, voice raspy from sleep.

The door opens, reveling the welcoming face of Mary. She steps into the room, holding your now clean gown that you had worn last night.

"Good morning, my lady." She greets with a kind smile.

"Good morning, Mary." You smile back at her.

"How did you sleep, Dear?" She asks, placing your gown on a hanger and resting it on the door of your wardrobe. It's long length drapes onto the floor.

"I slept quite well. Despite being rather small, this bed is far more comfortable than the hard cot I'm use to." You exclaim.

"I'm glad to hear you got some rest." Mary coos.

"Thank you for covering me with another blanket last night." You thank Mary, but she gives you a puzzled look.

"I'm sorry, my lady. But, I never returned after you had gone to bed." Mary tells you. "It wasn't I who covered you."

"Then who did?" You ask, equally confused as Mary.

A gentle smile curls on Mary's lips as she realizes who had came into your room last night.

"I believe Lady Dimitrescu was kind enough to check on you, my dear."  Mary coos.

You glance down at the blanket. A warm feeling flutters into your heart.

"That was quite kind of her." You smile.

"I told you she's not as bad as she seems." Mary exclaims. "I've cleaned your gown for you. You'll have to make do until your new clothing arrives."

"Thank you, Mary."

"You're welcome, my lady. I'll have another servant bring you your meals. There are books on the shelf if you'd like to read or you can find drawing paper in your desk. You'll have to remain in here for a while until things are situated." She tells you.

"What do you mean? Am I not allowed to leave this room?" You ask, once again confused.

"Unfortunately, it has been requested that you stay in your chamber until you're told otherwise." Mary's smile slightly fades.

"But why?" You ask, warm feeling dissipating from your heart.

"Lady Dimitrescu's orders." Mary says.

"So I'm a prisoner in this chamber until she desires to free me." You scoff.

"Don't be silly." Mary chuckles. "If you were a prisoner, you'd be locked in a cell. Much like you were at Mother Miranda's estate. Lady Dimitrescu doesn't wish to hold you captive. Only keep you safe and comfortable until she can be sure everyone is informed of your unexpected arrival."

"Right." You huff.

"Use this time to settle in, Dear." Mary says softly.

Mary leaves you alone. You're starting to regret ever stepping foot in the castle. After all, the mistress of the castle doesn't even want you here. You stand from your bed and pull your gown from the hanger. You remove the oversized nightgown and pull the crimson dress up your body. You zip the side, securing it around you. You find your heels and slip them on. You feel entirely overly dressed for being secluded to a single room, but you obey Mary's clear instructions. You stroll over to a small bookshelf and pick through the selections. Finding a book that sparks your interest, you sit yourself back onto the bed and flip it open. If you can't escape this castle, at least you can disappear into a different world for a while.