The Bite From Those Golden Eyes

Lady Bela

It was such a normal day, how did it go so wrong, yet. So right? Wake up at 6am, get ready, make breakfast, eat and then work. Same routine every day, it's driving me insane, I don't know how much longer I can take it. Ever since my family sold me to the Ladies of the Castle I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly, the voices keep getting worse, and the shadows always stare at me while I work. The only thing that has helped me is reading and art. That's all I ever do; I can't go into the Oprea Hall and play any music to help soothe my brain.

"Y/N!!" I was brought from my thoughts by a yell of my name, scaring me so bad that I dropped my mop and twisted around to see who called me. Seeing Felicia, the Head Maid had a stern look on her face and a hand on her hip.

"Huh?" I say in confusion, scratching my head.

"What do you mean huh?! I've been calling your name for 5 minutes! Why weren't you answering??" She scolded me, pointing a finger at me.

I look down in defeat and guilt for not answering, "Sorry Ma'am, I was just stuck in my head... It won't happen again."

Coming up in my face angrier than ever, "it better not, what if one of the ladies saw you? You've been mopping the same spot for at least 10 minutes now." Concern now written on her face, "What's been going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" I questioned, confused.

"Don't give me that 'what do you mean' statement again, whenever you're on the job, you clean the same spot until someone either yells at you, or you snap out of whatever you're on. It's like you're going to a different place in your head. Like your imaginary play area." She just kept talking but I wasn't paying attention, all I could focus on was the feeling of bugs crawling all over me. Sure, we live with three little fruity bug people, I personally have never met them. I hope I never do...

"Hello!!?? See you're doing it agai-"

"Is there a problem here?"

Both of us freeze, clearly being caught by one of the ladies, we turn in the direction of the voice, only to find a blond in an all-black dress, glaring at us. Speak of the devil.

"L-Lady Bela, m-my apologies miss, this maid hasn't been doing what she's supposed to b-be." her voice trembling. I gave her a face of 'wtf', but I wasn't going to say anything, for fear of being hurt by Lady Bela.

"I see." She glanced towards me, with an eyebrow raised. Striding her way in front of me, staring down. I had to crane my neck up just to look her in the face. "Felicia. You're dismissed. Go about your duties." The head maid bowing with a little 'yes my lady' and skirting away from the scene. I was left there standing in front of the eldest daughter, hands shaking and twitching. So much anxiety was filling my chest that I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

Raising her eyebrow again at me, confused on why I was twitching and breathing weird. "Come, let's sit down." She turned and made her way over to the little couch in the living room, hesitantly I followed her, she sat down and patted the seat next to her. "Come on, sit down."

I sat beside her nervous as hell, fidgeting with my fingers. "Am... Am I in trouble, My Lady?" I bit down on my lip, chewing hard at it. 'What is she going to do to me? Am I going to be put in a cell and have my blood drained out of me? Is she mad, will she tell her mother?? What's going to happen?' My breathing started to become unsteady, stuck in my head, thinking of every possibility, not knowing what's going on in the real world. My vision blurred, tears pooling in them. Suddenly I feel a hand on mine, shocked and scared I pull away quickly, shooting my head to Lady Bela. Sadness and content are on her face. She gently reaches over with her hand, I flinch away and squeeze my eyes shut, thinking of the worse.

"It's okay little one, I'm not going to hurt you." I feel a soft hand caressing my cheek, wiping away the tears, my eyes shoot open to now see, her golden eyes filled with trust and restraint. Her other hand slowly lifted to hold my left cheek; my face consumed with relaxation within her grasp. "Breathe." She held her forehead with mine and breathed with me, "In 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. Out 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.." This went on for a couple of minutes, until I was able to breathe again. "There we go. How do you feel now?" She moved away but I grabbed her wrists and kept them there.

"Please... just stay with me for a little longer... please." I spoke weakly afraid of being ripped away from such a feeling, it was new, and I didn't know how to process it, but I knew that I wanted to keep it for a while.

"Of course, little one, whatever helps you." She whispered softly to me, after a few more seconds she pulled my head down, still a little cautious of what was to come, I backed my head away. "Shh it's okay, would you like to lay down?"

Worry was written all over my face, "But won't I get in trouble?"

She chuckled a little, and softly smiled at me. "I'm your boss, you won't get in trouble if I'm the one asking." She pushed a strain of my hair behind my ear. "Take all the time you need to think."

I sat there and stared at her, looking for any signs of lying or disgust. But I couldn't find any. So, I slowly but surely laid my head down on her lap, and in an instant, I was closing my eyes and melting into her touch. She was caressing my head, playing with my hair and humming a tune to me. I didn't want to fall asleep, but it was too hard. I was so comfortable, the world drifting away as I closed my eyes, leaving the real world behind.