I'm always by your side...(Lady Tremaine x fem!reader)

Changes

(( A/N: Heyhey! Thank you for reading my fanfiction :) I don't really have much to say right now other than I named Ella's father Ben Smith and ofc Ella's last name is also gonna be Smith. Also idk if they have an actual last name but I couldn't find anything when I looked it up, welp enjoy :) ))

You just finished cleaning the kitchen and were on your way back to the maidens quarters since night had already fallen. As you walked, you came past the master bedroom. You stopped and listened, she was crying again. You hated it when she cried, though she would never admit it even after the countless times you basically walked in on her, crying her eyes out. She would always find excuses like, "Oh no dear, it's just my allergies" or "A lady doesn't cry, it is simply all the dust in this room. I suggest you go on and change that!"

Though she'd never open up to you, you wouldn't ever leaver her alone. You'd always be by her side. So, taking a deep breath, you knocked three times at her door. A minute or so passed until you could hear her call "Come in!" You did as she said and stepped inside, she stood at her window, back facing you.

"And who disturbes me at this time of the day?" she spoke, her voice broken from all the crying. "It's me madam...I just came past your room and wondered if you'd need anything?" you asked her carefully stepping a little further away from the door and closer to her. As soon as she heard your voice she spun around. "Oh...it's you" she spoke, physically relaxing. "Are you alright madam? It seems that..." you cut yourself off. "It seems like what?" she asked with a clearly threatening undertone. You remained quiet. "Y/N do hurry yourself, I haven't got all day " she spoke pinching the bridge of her nose. "It seems like your allergies are coming back, do you want me to call for the doctor?" Once more you could see her relaxing while you spoke, clearly relieved that you did not bring up her, crying. "Oh no, don't worry it isn't my allergies" she spoke turning around again. "Madam?" you asked as you stepped towards her and then stood at her side. She sighed, looking out of the window. "You know Y/N..I don't exactly have the money to pay you anymore. Since Francis passed it's just..difficult" she said. You let go of a breath you didn't know you were holding. "You might have to leave us" she continued, while stepping away from the window and towards the family portrait. "Oh! No please madam, don't you worry about me, I shan't leave you only because you can't pay me anymore" you replied looking at her. That got her attention, as she turned her head towards you. "I'm sorry, what?" she asked looking at you confused. You stepped closer to her "I said madam, that I shan't leave you." You now stood in front of her "You see, the girls, Francis...you, you all have become like family to me, I could never think of leaving you."

She looked at you with such intensity, like she couldn't understand what you just said, like you started to speak another language. A thought shot through your head, and as she continued to stare at you, you took her hands and intertwined them with yours. As you did she snapped out of her trance and looked down, to your intertwined hands. "I guess what I really want to say is, I'm always by your side, madam" you said as you smiled at her.

She opened her mouth, only to close it again and you could start to see tears welling up in her eyes again. Yet, before she could answer, there was a knock on the door and she immediately took advantage of that and left the room. "Damn it" you cursed yourself silently. You knew if you kept sneaking moments like this with her, she might just find out about your feelings, and that could never happen. You straightened out your apron before following your lady downstairs.

As you arrived downstairs you could see the mailman, standing by the door, and your lady reading a letter. She was entirely focused on the piece of paper, and with every sentence she read her face lit up a little more. As she finished reading she looked at you, happiness written all over her face. " A miracle! Truly! We are saved my dear!" she handed the letter to you and you read for yourself...

"Dearest Lady Tremaine,

I am terribly sorry for your husband,

I can imagine what pain it must have caused you.

Now, this isn't the reason why I am writing you today though,

you are an honorable woman, that finds herself alone,

though still in the prime of her life.

If you'd allow me, I'd like to put an end to your loneliness.

Come visit me and my daughter this weekend, and I'll show you

that we both, still have and deserve a chance in love.

signed, Mr. Smith"

As you looked up you had to hold tears back but just overplayed it with a smile. it had to happen, sooner or later she would've remarried..but still it hurt so much, to know she would be taken from you once again, the thought alone made you want scream your lungs out. "Madam, that's great! I shall get everything ready for you to leave this instant, and don't worry I'll keep the house under my watch while-" she interrupted you "No no no dear, you're coming with us of course! I couldn't bear spending a weekend with only my daughters to keep me company!" you swallowed. You hoped she wouldn't invite you to come along, you were more than sure you couldn't handle seeing her with someone else. Yet you gave her a small smile and said "Of course, my lady"

It was then, that she pulled you into a tight hug, which, at minimum, surprised you. You didn't need long, to wrap your arms around her. "Thank you Y/N..." she whispered into your ear, and though it was such a simple action, it send a shiver through your whole body. She was the first to pull away, and you followed suit. You tried to hide your blush that had started to spread across your face, but you weren't sure if it worked. Lady Tremaine looked at you and continued, with her cold and demanding tone of voice slowly coming back. "Now, I expect everything to be ready by sunrise is that understood?" she spoke as regained her posture "Yes madam.." you almost whispered as you bowed down.

After your lady went back upstairs, to use the little time that was left until you would start your journey, for sleeping, you scrapped any plans of sleeping yourself and started to get everything ready for the long travel that layed before you.