Resident Evil Oneshots

A Winter ball

The candlelight flickered softly in the dim study, casting elongated shadows across the stone walls as I stood by the window, staring out at the familiar landscape of my village. It had been some time since I last visited Castle Dimitrescu, and the memories of my previous visits were still fresh in my mind—elegant yet tinged with a sense of unease that always seemed to linger around the imposing structure.

My family's crest, a symbol of my noble heritage, was embossed in gold on the invitation that now lay open on the desk behind me. The wax seal had been carefully broken, revealing the elegant script that summoned me to the ball. The words "You are cordially invited to the Dimitrescu Ball" seemed almost to shimmer on the parchment, carrying with them the weight of both expectation and tradition. I knew this was not just any gathering; this was a significant event, marking my official introduction to the society that revolved around the Dimitrescu family. As the next Lady to take over the family, my presence was not only expected but required.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in,"

I called, turning away from the window. The door creaked open to reveal my maid, a young woman who had served my family for years. She curtsied, her eyes respectfully lowered.

"Milady, the carriage is being prepared for your journey to Castle Dimitrescu,"

she informed me, her voice steady.

"Thank you, Mariela,"

I replied, offering her a small smile. She nodded and exited the room, leaving me alone once more. My gaze drifted back to the invitation. The last time I had visited the castle, it had been under very different circumstances. I had been a child then, accompanying my parents on one of their many diplomatic visits. The grandeur of the castle had left me in awe, and the towering figure of Lady Dimitrescu had seemed almost otherworldly to my young eyes. Now, years later, I was returning not as a child but as a woman—a noble with responsibilities and expectations of her own.

I knew that the Dimitrescu family held a certain power in the region, a power that was respected and feared in equal measure. The rumours that circulated about the family were as numerous as they were unsettling, but I had always found it best to ignore such talk. After all, my family had worked closely with the Dimitrescu lineage for generations, and their alliance had always been beneficial. Yet, despite this, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in my chest as I thought about returning to the castle.

The preparations for my departure were swift and efficient. My maid had selected a gown befitting my status—deep burgundy velvet, with intricate gold embroidery that highlighted my family's crest. The fabric felt heavy and luxurious against my skin, and as Mariela fastened the last of the delicate buttons along my back, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my new role pressing down on my shoulders.

"Milady,"

Mariela said, breaking the silence.

"You look beautiful. The Lady Dimitrescu will surely be pleased to see you."

I nodded, though I couldn't bring myself to voice my thoughts. Would she remember me? Would she even care? I had always been told that Lady Dimitrescu had a sharp memory, but that was years ago. Perhaps the time away had made me less memorable.

As I made my way to the grand entrance of my estate, where the carriage awaited, my thoughts continued to swirl. The journey to Castle Dimitrescu was not a long one, but it felt as though I was crossing into another world entirely. The village roads, which I knew so well, gradually gave way to the winding, narrow paths that led through the dense forest surrounding the castle. The trees, tall and foreboding, seemed to close in around the carriage as I drew nearer to my destination.