Betrothed To Another~ (Dolores x Female Reader)

Chapter Three- Giftless In Distress

I apologize for this taking so long, I went away for a couple of days and had no wifi. And of course, the shit we call high school. But anyways, enjoy.

Y/N POV

Dolores slowly lowers her hands from her ears as we walk into her bedroom. With an interested glance around the room, I realise one thing. Her room is freaking cute.

Set out to look as if it is in the woods, with grass as the flooring and the ceiling painted like the sky, and trees placed carefully around. A small cobblestone path leads to a small cottage-like building in the not-so-far distance. While the path seems pretty boring, a closer look reveals a small pond underneath a section, causing a bridge to form. On my right, a small bench is seated with flowers surrounding it. To the left, a swing is tied in a large tree, with longer grass situated beside it and more small flowers.

I take a small step onto the path and smile. Dolores no longer looks stressed, but she is ducked down.

"Can we go in there, or is it for show?" I ask quietly, pointing to the cottage. Dolores's eyes shift upwards and she nods her head. We walk in silence along the path, which is fine because it means I can admire the room in depth.

Miniature fish are swimming speedily through the water, darting this way and that. The pond isn't really deep, and I notice small, mossy pebbles on the bottom with moss lining the sides. I notice a small clearing of dirt beside the pond, and I guess it is a place to sit and chill when Dolores, or any of the Madrigals, needs it.

Dolores opens the door to the cottage and I walk inside with her following behind. If I thought the outside of the cottage was beautiful, this must have been made by Picasso.

A darkish yet still light shade of brown lines the walls in wooden planks (imagine Minecraft spruce planks) and the floor is a twisted dark wood. While the outside makes it look big, the cottage is really just two small rooms. The first room is a sort of living area, with a tan couch and small, round table. A bookcase lines the wall opposite the sofa, lined with books and photos, drawings and games. The books, I realise, are all stories, fiction, fairytales, as if Dolores reads them to escape whatever hell of a life she has to live from time to time. The photos are obviously of her and her family, and some people in town. The drawings are, more or less, scribbles and stick figures, probably done by Antonio. Beside the bookshelf, there are some other shelves, featuring plants and more books, and some pictures hanging on the walls. Mainly of the family, outdoors and food, for some reason.

The other room, Dolores's bedroom, is even more gorgeous. She has a bed with a shelving head, made of light wood and with plants and pictures. A bedside table places to the right of the bed has a lamp on it and a small vase that holds a bundle of Daisys. On the wall above the table are three picture frames. One of Isabela, one of Camilo and Antonio and one of Pepa and Felix. At the opposite end of the bed is a bench ottoman, and a full body length mirror with tiny pictures of Dolores and Mirabel hung on top. A set of drawers sit beside the mirror and beside them is a wardrobe.

I step closer to admire the pictures on Dolores's mirror. Dolores and Mirabel both looked so young, so small, so fragile and cute.

"I'm sorry, I pulled you away from the party," Dolores apologizes with a small sigh. I snap out of my trance and turn to face her.

"Dolores, you can all to me whenever you need to, for whatever reason. Okay?" I confirm, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at me with an unhappy smile.

"I feel like I can hear things I don't want to sometimes, you know? It's scary," Dolores states sadly.

"Oh, they're bringing out food and stuff, my family's about to take a picture without me! Dios mío, we gotta go!" Dolores exclaims, eyes widening.

"Wait, right this second?" I ask, secretly bummed out I have to leave the cottage.

Dolores squeaks in response and rushes out of the cottage. I give the sweet, humble rooms one final glance before running after her. Though I thought she would be gone, she was actually waiting at the entrance to her bedroom.

"Let's go," She says with a smile, opening the door and gracefully hopping down each of the stairs. I chuckle at her enthusiasm before following pursuit, a little faster than her so I catch up.

By the time I get downstairs, Dolores is helping Camilo and Julieta grab some plates of food.

"Ah, Y/N! Do you think you could help out?" Julieta asks with a smile.

"Of course, Señora Julieta!" I exclaim energetically, grabbing a plate of pineapple rings off of Camilo's arm.

"You know what, call me tía Julieta!" She says happily. I grin and the four of us walk upstairs to Antonio's room.

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Just as Dolores said, Alma was wanting a family picture. So once we put the food down, Dolores, Camilo and Julieta run off. I follow behind, but stand out of the picture frame.

"Everyone, together!" Alma calls to her family, all striking poses that match their gifts. Isabela growing flowers, Dolores with a hand behind her ear and Pepa with a rainbow above her.

I smile at the family. My mama never does this with me and Mariano, she never has. Mirabel may not have a gift, but at least she has an amazing family filled with people who love her.

"La familia Madrigal!" The Madrigals chant. All except one.

As Mirabel steps a little closer, it feels as though time stops. It feels as though my own clapping is put in slow motion, but obviously that isn't the case.

I doze off, daydream, and by the time I come to people are dancing and eating, Mirabel no where in sight.

"Y/N!" I shake the tint of worry in my mind and turn to face the young child.

"'Tonio! You did great!" I encourage. He grins toothily.

"Can you come dance with me, Mami, Papi and Dolores?" He asks with a small sqeal.

"Why of course, buen senor!" I say, bowing down. Antonio giggles and grabs my hand.

I yelp as the, surprisingly fast, boy drags me to the dancefloor, past Camilo chewing something and where Dolores, Pepa and Felix stand.

"There you are, mi hijo! And hermosa Y/N, preciosa como siempre," Pepa compliments with a warm smile.

"Gracias, como tú!" I respond.

"C'mon, let's dance!" Felix says, doing a weird dad move. Dolores smiles yet cringes at her father.

"Dolores and Y/N should dance together like that, and you Mami, Papi!!" Antonio exclaims, pointing to a couple dancing in eachothers arms.

"No estúpido! Mamá! ¿Puedes decide que no haga eso?" Dolores asks accusingly and harshly.

"Dolores, don't call him that. How about you guys go off, do your own thing?" Pepa suggests.

Dolores huffs and I start dancing like an idiot. Pepa laughs and joins in, as does Antonio, and eventually even Alma is dancing. Or, she is about to.

"The house is in danger! The house is in danger!" The music stops, and so does everyone's moves, as the whole guest party turns to Mirabel. She looks worried and flustered.

"The tiles were falling, and there were cracks everywhere!" Mirabel explains hurriedly.

"Show me," Alma demands, as Pepa and Felix share a nervous glance.

Everyone bundles out the room, following Mirabel. But, when we all reach the stairs, nothing. No cracks, no fa!!en tiles, no broken Casita.

Mirabel starts trying to prove herself, but Alma refuses. After a lazy confirmation that the magic is strong and whatever, I start feeling a bit tired.

"Y/N, time to go, I think." My mamá aways sternly. I nod and stroll to the exit. I don't bother saying goodbye to anyone, I'll see them tomorrow anyway.