The Love of Lady Dimitrescu X Female Reader || One-Shots

Gripped by Fear

It was your scream that got her attention. As Lady Dimitrescu slightly ducked her head and entered through the kitchen's entrance, she found you standing on the kitchen countertop. It was truly a remarkable and hilarious sight. Your pale expression, palpable fear, and darting eyes caused her to smirk at you. But not wishing to embarrass you, she exhibited concern.

"My dear. Are you quite all right?"

Feeling uneasy and unwilling to set your foot on the floor, you glanced at your employer. Your heart swelled with happiness at the sight of her, yet your body language was giving off anything but joy. You still feared the monster lurking about the floor. Your kneecap throbbed painfully due to whacking it against the counter during your hurried attempt to get away from it.

"M-my lady. I apologize! Forgive me for the delay. I am coming with the food. It's just I felt something brush up against my foot and when I looked down, I saw a creature scurry around. It freaked me out."

Alcina held back a chuckle and grinned at you. "And what creature did you see, dear?"

Refusing to meet her gaze, your face reddened. "A mouse."

Mice had terrified you since you were a little girl. When you were only 7 years old, your mother asked you to fetch a cup of flour for her. Once you opened the bag and grabbed the cup, you caught sight of a small, brown mouse lying inside the cup. It appeared dead, yet once you reached for its tail, it squirmed and rolled out of the cup and into the flour. You shrieked, abandoning the cup and running over to your mom. Tugging on her apron and pointing frantically at the flour bag, it took nearly two hours for your mother to console you.

You knew it was absolutely silly. That mouse never did anything to you; you barely touched it, but seeing it in such an unexpected location frightened you. Since then, it was just one of those unexplainable fears that you've carried with you for over twenty years. Now working in a castle that was filled with them, you hoped that you'd never have to encounter or deal with them yourself.

A soothing voice broke your train of thought, chasing away your fear momentarily. "A mouse? Well, we can't have that now, can we?"

Your eyes widened as you watched Lady Dimitrescu amble toward you, bend over to inspect the kitchen floor, and search for the little rascal. Once her search was over, she straightened up her back and gave you a soft smile. If you were butter, you would've melted in front of her.

"I believe the pest has escaped the kitchen. But don't worry your pretty little head, I'll make sure the other maids will be on the lookout for it. Are you ready to come down off the counter?" She extended her long arm and offered you her gloved hand, patiently waiting for you.

Having worked for Lady Dimitrescu for nearly ten months had proven to be a pleasant experience so far. Before you were employed to work at the castle, you heard rumors around the village. Rumors of incessant screams of agony rising from the floorboards, the blood of maids extracted and consumed by the Mistress and her three daughters, and further horrors of what really went on inside the walls of Castle Dimitrescu were often the talk of the town. It sent chills down your spine, you couldn't help but wonder if you would be their next potential meal.

As these thoughts flashed through your mind, you were surprised to find that you had already taken her hand. A feeling of comfort washed over you as your fear abated. Alcina Dimitrescu could sense this; she could hear the rhythm of your heart slow down, which caused her smile to broaden.

Allowing her to help you off the countertop, your right foot slipped on some spilled flour. You suddenly lost your balance and were about to scream again until you felt your Lady's strong arm catch you, supporting your back and lifting you up. You just about died. It was awkward enough being caught standing on the kitchen counter by the woman you wished to impress the most, and now she saved you from slipping on the mess that you created. Your face resembled the color of the tomato that laid next to the tray of food that you had prepared for the Mistress and her daughters.

A laugh escaped Alcina's lips as she couldn't hold it in any longer. You could see her dazzling teeth when she smiled. This entire predicament and your clumsiness were most amusing. After she helped you regain your balance, she gave you a light pat on the back.

"I do hope you're all right. Now come, my daughters will become most impatient and ill-tempered if they do not eat in time." Alcina grabbed the food tray and placed it in your arms. She then walked back to the entrance and stood there.

Was she waiting for you? You engaged your brain and all of your muscles, rushing to her side. You were rather shy in her presence, but you managed to offer her a sincere, grateful smile. "Thank you, M'Lady. I do apologize again for the delay."

Alcina only returned your smile, staring down at you. Her curiosity and affection grew evermore. "You are most welcome, my dear. You have nothing to fear in this castle, we will always watch over you." She turned the knob and began to open the door. "After you, please."

You felt a warm sensation in your stomach after hearing her words. Was this not the same woman who also held the reputation of having such a fiery temper that she would scream at her maids for such delays and mistakes? Whatever rumors you had heard in the village, your mind dismissed them.

Lady Dimitrescu had only demonstrated kindness and patience toward you since you set foot in her castle. Her daughters also warmly welcomed you and mirrored their mother's demeanor. You felt like you belonged, and your recent fright over the tiny mouse was long-forgotten. Thankfully, you were safe under Alcina Dimitrescu's care. That was all that mattered.