My Fair Maiden | A Lady Dimitrescu x Reader Novel

7

TW: Sudden slapping.

"I don't think I can remember the last time I had a delicious meal like that!"

"Here in this castle, it is always made sure that good food is served. I'm glad you think so."

Feeling quite full, you decided to walk it out by perusing through the castle halls. Of course, Alcina insisted that she'd accompany you once she suggested that you might want some company. The girls wanted to join, obviously, but their eyelids grew heavier the minute after they finished their meals. After bidding them a goodnight, you and the countess made your way outside the dining hall and began to walk at a comfortable pace. After a moment, you both fall into pleasant conversation.

"Alci?"

"Yes?"

"One question."

"Ask away."

"This might sound odd, but..." you pause for a moment before looking up to her, "Are the maids here really that senseless?"

The matriarch quirks a brow at this, to which you add, "I mean, when they were serving the courses earlier... they move like the undead."

Catching on to what you meant, the countess answers, "In retrospect, they weren't like that. They've been like that since the curse struck... and, unfortunately, they're growing worse."

"Oh..." you look away, "I'm sorry if I asked such a thing. I was a bit curious, that's all."

"It's alright. We tend to get curious from time to time, after all," she softly laughs at such thought. "Although, I am a bit curious as to why you ask that."

"I don't want to say why," you nervously laugh.

"Why not?" she breaks a smile at your nervousness.

"It's embarrassing to admit..!"

"What's so embarrassing about asking such a question in the first place? I'm sure your reason couldn't be that bad!" she giggles at your antics before she has an idea in mind, "Alright, how about this? Once you tell me why you asked about the maids earlier, I won't laugh."

This made you look up to her with a raised brow, "Are you absolutely sure?"

"I am certain of it."

"One hundred percent?"

"One hundred percent."

"Tiptop?"

"Tiptop."

"... Fine."

You inhale...

And exhale...

"I asked because I keep imagining them being all happy and obedient in books."

"Ah... okay."

pft..!

You snap your head up again at her, mortified. "You promised you wouldn't laugh!"

"I'm not..!" Alcina almost snickers again. "In fact, I understand the appeal of imagining maids like that in, maybe, fairytales... or some of the fantasy looks that lie around in the library."

"Good."

"... I can't help but imagine how the undead would fit in such a scenario!" she jests, her voice bubbling into a laugh, "Have them serve an appetizer, and they'd ruin the entire meal!"