Lady Dimitrescu x female reader

8 - warmth

As I made my way back to Lady Dimitrescu's chambers, my heart pounded with a mix of dread and determination. I knew I had to face whatever consequences awaited me. When I reached her door, I knocked softly, hearing her familiar voice call out,

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, I entered her chambers. Lady Dimitrescu was already dressed in her usual elegant attire and was seated at her vanity, applying her signature red lipstick. I kept my head low, my hands clasped behind my back, feeling her gaze on me. The silence in the room was suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. I stood there, waiting for her to speak, to give me orders or to deliver the punishment I knew was likely coming. The room was so quiet that the only sounds were our steady breaths and the occasional click of her lipstick tube. The weight of the silence became too much for me to bear.

"I apologize for my earlier behaviour, Mistress,"

I finally said, my voice breaking the oppressive quiet. I couldn't stand the tension any longer and felt compelled to speak, even though I knew I was at her mercy. Just as Lady Dimitrescu was about to respond, the phone on her vanity rang. She took a deep breath before picking it up, her demeanour shifting as she answered.

"Mother Miranda."

I could only catch mumbles from the other end of the call, but the name sent a chill down my spine. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but the significance of that name wasn't lost on me. When Lady Dimitrescu's gaze turned to me, she waved her hand dismissively, signalling that I was free to go for now. I bowed slightly and left her chambers, relieved to have been given a temporary reprieve. 

As I walked through the castle, I headed towards the kitchen, where I intended to check on the other maids and ensure that everything was in order. However, as I got closer, I began to hear the distinct sound of voices—voices that were unmistakably talking about me. The closer I got, the clearer the words became, and what I heard made my blood run cold.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Arin had framed the head maid just so she could take her job. God, what kind of person would do that? You know, I heard she killed her so-called friend when she was younger... no wonder they were never adopted. I wouldn't want that living in my house either. Ohhhh, we should try and get her killed, frame her for something and let the daughters take her down to the basement, or we could kill the daughters?"

The words cut deep, sharper than any blade. I paused at the entrance to the kitchen, my heart hammering in my chest. The maids facing me noticed my presence immediately and fell silent, their expressions betraying their guilt. But the one who had been speaking hadn't realized I was there and continued, her voice dripping with malice. 

When she finally saw me, her eyes widened in shock, but the damage had already been done. The room was filled with a heavy silence as the other maids avoided my gaze, their faces a mix of fear and guilt. I felt a cold, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The idea that they were conspiring against me, that they would go so far as to try and frame me or even harm the daughters, was terrifying. 

But more than that, it was heartbreaking. I had done nothing but try to do my best in this impossible situation, and now I was faced with betrayal from those I was supposed to work alongside. Taking a deep breath, I stepped further into the kitchen, my expression carefully controlled even though I was trembling inside.

"Is there something you'd like to say to me?"

I asked, my voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of hurt and anger. The maid who had been speaking paled, her bravado crumbling as she realized she had been caught. The others exchanged uneasy glances, but no one spoke. The atmosphere in the room was tense, thick with the weight of their words. I knew I had to be careful with how I handled this. Any sign of weakness or rash action could make things worse, not just for me but for everyone involved. I couldn't let their words shake me, not when so much was at stake.