𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝: Lady Dimitrescu x Female Reader [COMPLETED]

Chapter 1: Tormented Tradition of Torture

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Rewritten Version

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You glanced at the ceiling above you, reflecting on your miserable life.

You've lived in the village with your aunt Maria for as long as you can remember. You don't recall anything about your parents or your past. Your aunt always maintained that they passed away from a disease. A month ago, she passed from a blood disease. You've lived with her your entire life, and now you're all alone in this stupid village.

You sighed deeply, gazing up at the empty, plain ceiling. The only thing on your mind was the choosing ceremony tomorrow.

Ten women from the village receive a letter from the castle informing them that they have been chosen to be maids in the castle, but every woman who enters the castle never returns... They certainly have great expectations for their maidens. The woman must have all of her arms and legs, as well as be in good health and free of diseases.

"Agh, stop thinking and go to sleep already!" Irritated, you blew out the candle on your nightstand and curled up in your comfortable blankets. After some tossing and turning, you eventually fell asleep. The chipping birds outside your open window awoke you slowly. You yawned into your palm and rubbed your eyes sleepy eyes, trying to wake yourself up. Your eyes opened immediately, as you remembered the ceremony letter. You jumped out of bed and opened the door, sprinting down the stairs to the front door.

You pressed your hands against each other and murmured beneath your breath. "Please, please, not me." You silently repeated it, hoping you hadn't received a letter under your door.

Your heart sank to the floor as you looked over a small white letter pushed under your door. You froze in your skin, unable to comprehend the devastation you felt swelling in your chest as you approached the front door slowly. With shaky hands, you picked up the letter and looked at the golden wax seal with a flower symbol stamped on it. You took a deep breath and opened the envelope to read the following words in red cursive words.

"House Dimitrescu

Dear Y/N,

We'd like to inform you about your new position at the Dimitrescu residence, where you'll be serving under the Lord, Lady Dimitrescu. The ceremony will be held on-site at midday, as is traditional.

We strongly encourage the chosen maiden to attend the ceremony, nevertheless, if you choose not to come, one of your family members will be replaced in your place without expectation or mercy, relating to the Lord's rules.

As the new chosen maiden, we do not expect you to bring any personal items to the castle or anything that could potentially violate the rules we set forth. We expect you to be clean and dressed properly for the ceremony on time.

Further instructions will be announced at the castle.

Signed, Castellan Dimitrescu."

You stared down at the letter, tears welling up in the corners of your eyes. Devastated tears fell on the cursive lettering before you frustratedly threw the envelope aside, feeling yourself drift away and leaned against the wall. You slid down the wall and held your knees, certain that no matter what you did, there was no way out.

"This is so unfair," you muttered through sobs, looking up at your aunt's portrait picture on the wall in front of you. "What should I do?" you asked the portrait, placing the envelope next to her framed pictures on the cupboard.