A sudden knock on her chamber door brought the reclusive woman out of her thoughts. Irina sat down her teacup and permitted entry to the person on the other side – most likely a maid as Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters rarely bothered her. Dinner was a few hours away, so she was curious as to what was needed of her. She hoped it was not a last-minute task as she was tired and ready for bed; it had been a long morning.
The door eased open, and a young maid walked in wearing a smile.
She was new, Irina reckoned. None of the older maids radiated such hope. Irina was envious of her. At least the said woman had a clue as to what horrors awaited her.
"Madam, Lady Dimitrescu has asked for your company in the east wing of the parlor. She asks that you make haste," the maid explained.
Irina raised a curious brow. What did she need her for? And in such a rush. Standing with a sigh, she walked past the young woman, heading down a gold-adorned corridor towards the stairs. Since Lady Dimitrescu took her in, she was given a room and ordered not to leave it unless she was called on. Honestly, that was fine. Irina was scared of the Lady of the castle and her three daughters; they were monsters, literally.
Irina wasn't too surprised.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
The number of maids employed under Lady D had begun to wane in the last few weeks. The first Irina noticed disappear was the woman with the bow; the note she gave her weighed heavy on her mind, but there was nothing Irina could do to save her. One by one they vanished; to where she didn't know. But if her time with Heisenberg told her anything it was that they were already dead.
She would be too if not for her temporary usefulness. Honestly, Irina thought Miranda was just keeping her alive to study the rate of infection in her. It was only a matter of time before she became one with the Megamycete.
Sighing in woe, Irina hurried down the stairs and across the parlor. She tried hard not to think about her impending death, but from time to time the thought crossed her mind.
Stay busy. That's all you can do, she told herself.
Standing in front of the door on the east end of the parlor, Irina took an uneasy breath and knocked before she entered. Her heart filled with hope as she noticed the Duke at his station. He was a sight for sore eyes, so much so that she ignored Lady Dimitrescu seated across from her until the said woman cleared her throat.
"Forgive my rudeness, My Lady," Irina uttered with a bow. "I came at your call."
"At least you have manners," the said woman stated.
The Duke laughed.
"Irina is a breath of fresh air, is she not?"
"An acquired taste," Lady Dimitrescu retorted.
She grinned as Irina visibly shivered. Her fear was delicious. Standing, Lady Dimitrescu averted her eyes to the portly gentleman.
"Mother Miranda insists that she attend a family meeting around dusk, so for the meantime she is yours."
What meeting? Irina raised her brow in question.
"You are as generous as you are beautiful, My Lady. Thank you for honoring me," the Duke retorted with a flourish of his hand.
Someone is smooth, Irina thought, grinning.
Lady Dimitrescu quickly sauntered from the room.
Once her footsteps were out of earshot, Irina sighed in relief. A weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She turned to the Duke and bowed.
