Fair Maiden - Alcina x Fem Reader

74: Two Days

Two Days Until The Ceremony.

Waking in the morning is a struggle after a your long journey the previous night. Your limbs are sore and aching, muscles tense from stress and strain. You groan as you roll over to face Alcina. Opening your eyes, you find that you are alone. Instead of Alcina's resting body, a crisp folded sheet of paper is placed on her pillow. Your name is scrolled in neat cursive, clearly written by Alcina's hand. You slowly sit up, shaking off your slumber. Lifting the note and peeling it open, a faint wave of Alcina's perfume fills your nose. Noticing the small oil stain in the corner, you chuckle to yourself. Alcina always paid close attention to small sweet details that never fail to make you smile. If you couldn't wake next to her, you'd still get the pleasure of taking in a breath of her familiar scent.

My Dearest Draga Mea,

Good morning, beautiful woman. I hope you've managed to find sweet dreams in your peaceful slumber.

If you go into the bathroom, you'll find that I've prepared you a hot bath. Take some time to relax that delightful body of yours.

Mary will be in to check on you shortly.

See you soon, love.

- Alci

You Smile and set the note onto the nightstand as you rise from the comfort of the bed. You make your way to the bathroom. Pushing open the door, the sweet smell of fresh lavender lingers in the steamy air. It must not have been long ago that Alcina had left you alone. Black rose petals float within the hot oil infused water, small crimson candles resting around the edge of the tub. Fresh towels sit atop the counter next to a neatly folded gown. Another small note rests on its surface with a short message.

Wear this for me.

Feeling the tension within your limbs, the steaming bath calls your name. You quickly undress and climb into the tub. You gradually submerge into inviting warmth, relief wrapping around your tender body. The subtle smell of lavender eases you further into tranquility. You dip your head under the water for a moment, wetting your hair. Rising up into the steamy air, you take a deep breath. Your head tilts back, resting on the tubs edge as you close your eyes. All your stress and worries melt from your body, drifting away from you with the bobbing rose petals.

As the water begins to cool, you swiftly wash yourself of any clinging filth. Once you're finished, you rise from the basin and step out of the now soapy water. The freshly cleaned fabric of a towel absorbs the dampness dropping off your body as you secure it around you. As you twist your hair into an additional towel, a soft knock comes from the bathroom door.

"Come in." You call out.

"It's just me, my lady." Mary coos, peeking in from the crack of the door. "Finished with your bath?"

"Yes. I'll be out in a moment." You chime with a smile.

"I'll fix your bed in the meantime." Mary exclaims.

Once the door clicks shut, you finish drying off. You smile as you reread Alcina's little note. Setting it to the side, you unfold the gown she had picked out for you. Your heart flutters as you recognize it's elegant silhouette. The soft royal blue fabric drapes to the ground, long sleeves decorated with dainty lace. This gown is a precise replica of the one you had painted in Lady of the Forest. The dress your mother wore as she strolled through the forest of fate. You always told Alcina that you had wished the gown was real, and now, it was. You toss your towel to the ground and slide it onto your body. The fabric is light and soft against your skin. You take a moment to admire how it hugs your body in all the right places. For an instant, you become lost in the reflection as is seems to shift from your own. Your eyes seem to return to their mortal hue, scar across your chest fading away. Briefly, you catch a glimmer of your mother staring back at you. A gentle smile stretches across your face.