Oh, Darling Mine [Lady Dimitrescu] [REVIII]

Chapter IX

a/n: long, long overdue chapter - allow me to apologize for that, I truly didn't mean to take so long - but it's finally here! 🖤

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A comfortable silence reigned in the dining room as the Dimitrescu ladies enjoyed their breakfast; only the light clattering of forks against the porcelain plates could be heard as they ate, although the Countess could sense the knowing looks her daughters shared every once in a while.

It took her only a few minutes to realize what their gazes spoke, and she didn't doubt on speaking her thoughts.

"Is there anything you'd like to discuss, dears?" She asked firmly as she took a bite of her food, and observed her daughters' expressions shifting drastically.

The room remained quiet for a few more minutes, before Bela spoke up first, a slight smirk adoring her face. "Mother... I was just wondering if it would be alright to call [N] our second mom from now on?" She inquired, giggling at the end.

"Hmm, I'd prefer mommy," Daniela suddenly chimed in, grinning.

"Mama is better," Cassandra butted in, laughing. "I am calling her mama."

Alcina stared wide-eyed at her daughters, as they indulged themselves into a somewhat heated discussion on what to call... [N] from then on. She had had a feeling her daughters knew of what had happened the night before, she could tell from the looks they gave [N] whenever she came around. However, seeing them so happy, ready to start treating the maiden as their second mother, that she did not expect—and yet, she was elated to witness such an endearing moment.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at their bickering, for they seemed quite into the discussion even after finishing breakfast. The girls didn't even notice the maiden in question walking in to retrieve the empty plates, and completely missed the confused and amused look she sent their way.

As soon as [N] met Alcina's gaze, the lady smiled warmly at her and beckoned her to come closer as she wiped her lips with a napkin. "I promise you I have not told them a single thing, and yet they already know about us," she murmured, once the maiden came within hearing range.

[N] looked slightly embarrassed for a moment; but soon her lips turned into a grin as she paid attention to the girls' conversation, and lovingly stared at each of them. "They've always treated me like a mother," she admitted, quickly remembering whenever they sat by the fireplace to read books together. "Thing's are not going to be that different, I believe."

Alcina hummed quietly, grinning at the maiden as she softly cupped her cheek. [N] smiled tenderly, meeting her needy gaze. "They adore you; if anything, now you'll have them around you even more."

"I'm happy with that."

Alcina bit her bottom lip, feeling her love for this maiden increase even more. She tugged the girl's face closer to hers to meet her lips, and shared a tender kiss amongst their daughters' bickering. The moment their lips drew apart, Alcina snuggled her face against the maiden's cheek, then her neck, feeling the warmth she radiated and made her feel so alive.

She beamed up at her once she pulled away. "When you're done, come find me in my chambers; I've got a surprise for you." She whispered, and winked at the maiden as she gracefully stood up.

"Of course."

Before Alcina could leave the dining room, she got startled by her daughters' sudden outburst.

"Mom!"

"Mommy!"

"Mama!" they each had screamed their nickname of choice in unison, bursting into the kitchens without a warning.