Chapter Text
You never imagined you would end up harboring feelings for the eldest Dimitrescu daughter.
You recalled the first day of your employment at Castle Dimitrescu. You were ushered in – including many other young women from the village – by the grand chambermaid who ordered everyone to stand in line. There was an air of uneasiness surrounding the main foyer but no one dared to make even a single sound. Everyone stilled when an ominous sound of clicking heels echoed throughout the halls.
You inhaled sharply as your gaze fixated on the imposing figure of the countess. She navigated the double doors with a regal grace that belied the physical effort required, her form bending slightly at the waist to accommodate the entrance. Following in her wake were three hooded figures that you knew to be her daughters.
As the countess straightened, she towered over the foyer, her commanding presence casting a shadow that seemed to engulf all beneath it. With an air of indifference, she surveyed the gathering, her steely gaze piercing through the foyer, leaving no one untouched by her scrutiny.
The lady of the castle was a unique sight to behold but your attention was soon caught by someone else. Your gaze wandered off to the side to see the lady's daughters standing next to her, each possessing a distinct charm and aura. Their demeanor was a fascinating blend of nonchalant boredom and eager anticipation.
However, it was one woman among them who captivated you the most, her presence drawing you in with an irresistible allure that sparked your curiosity.
You stared transfixed at her, unable to tear your gaze away. It was as if you were struck by cupid’s arrow at that exact moment. She was gorgeous.
Her hair, a cascade of golden strands, flowed freely out from underneath her cloaked hood. It framed her perfectly oval-shaped face, which was accented by her high cheekbones and dark, full lips. Despite her towering height, she seemed almost diminutive next to her mother, who loomed over her by a considerable margin. Yet, her lithe form belied the hidden strength she possessed if the tales you heard prior to your arrival held any truth to them.
Though, what stood out to you the most were her eyes. They were an inhuman gold, reminiscent of molten metal, glowing so brightly that they could easily light up a darkened room.
Your heart skipped a beat when her eyes met yours, their intensity piercing through you like a searing flame. Her gaze was all-consuming, leaving you feeling as if you were on the verge of being swallowed up whole by the depth of her stare.
The need to feel invisible at that moment was overwhelming. You shifted on your feet, fiddling with your fingers, unable to maintain eye contact for long as you looked away from her. The beginnings of a blush spread across your cheeks, betraying your embarrassment at being caught staring.
Attempting to be discreet, you shifted your gaze back toward the same woman a minute later.
She was still staring at you.
You will never forget the moment when the corner of her lips tugged upward into a self-satisfied smirk, her luminous eyes dancing with amusement at having caught you again.
From that moment on, she became increasingly attentive. She seeked out any chance to be near you, playfully diverting your attention from your tasks with light, teasing gestures as she passed by you. At times, she would linger close, her lukewarm breath tantalizingly close to the nape of your neck – eliciting goosebumps across your skin – while her fingers traced patterns along your lower back, letting it linger longer than what is considered appropriate by societal standards.
Her mere presence stirred a rapid flutter within your chest. She reveled in the effect she had on you.
There was one particular night that you still became flustered over when you think back on that memory.
You were instructed by a fellow maid to deliver a set of freshly laundered bath towels to Miss Bela, who demanded them promptly. Navigating through the intricate maze of hallways, you followed the familiar route to Bela's quarters, a path ingrained in your memory since your first week of service at the castle.
You were about to knock until you noticed her bedroom door was ajar, the soft glow of lamplight spilling out into the hallway. You pushed the door open, careful not to make a sound as you stepped inside.
“Miss Bela?” You called out but you didn’t receive an answer.
She was nowhere to be seen.
A loud, guttural groan echoed from the bathroom, its intensity pulling your focus like a magnet. Startled, you turned your head toward the source, your eyes fixed on the slightly ajar door.
You creeped forward, the soft padding of your footsteps muffled by the plush carpet beneath your feet. With the bath towels cradled in your arms, you inched closer to the door, anticipation heightening with each step. As you neared the entrance, tendrils of steam slipped past the space between the doorframe, swirling and dancing in the air.
You looked past the narrow gap and your heart stilled at what you saw.
Your eyes widened in shock as Bela sat in a large circular bathtub, head tilted back, eyes closed, a blissful expression on her face as her hand moved between her legs under the steamy water.
Her long lashes fluttered against her cheeks; her lips parted in ecstasy as soft moans escaped from her throat.
She reached up to cup her own breast with her free hand, rolling a nipple between her thumb and forefinger. A long-drawn-out moan slipped past her lips and you slapped a hand over your mouth to prevent yourself from making any noise. Unable to tear your gaze away, you felt a surge of arousal course through your body, your own desire building with each passing second.
Bela withdrew her hand out of the water, glistening droplets trailing down her arm. Her fingers lingered at her lips, teasingly grazing them before she sucked them into her mouth, her tongue swirling around each digit.
She made another sinful sound as she savored the taste before releasing them with a pronounced 'pop.' She dipped her hand back under the water, moving her hand between her legs once more.
“Oh yes.” Bela groaned as she increased the pace of her hand, panting in short gasps.
Her face contorted in pleasure as her back arched off the edge of the bathtub, mouth opening wide as a loud moan tore from her throat.
Your cheeks flushed with heat. It was surreal, almost dreamlike, to see her unraveling before you. That you would get to witness Bela come undone so beautifully.
As you stood there, hidden from view, your heart raced with a cocktail of emotions. Arousal and shame warred within you. You couldn't shake the guilt of accidentally peeping on her but it’s not like you expected to walk in on something like this. Bela must have known you would arrive here with her clean bath towels.
The sound of water sloshing around filled the bathroom, drawing your attention away from your thoughts. Your gaze returned to see Bela reclining against the edge of the bathtub. When she opened her eyes, they locked onto yours with a hungry intensity, sending a shiver down your spine.
You let out a gasp as you dropped the bath towels, not even caring about the fact that you left them on the floor for Bela to pick up. Or the fact that you could be sent to the dungeons for being a deviant.
The thought of consequences faded into the background, overridden by the primal urge coursing through your veins. With a frantic rush of adrenaline, you bolted from her bedroom, the sound of your pounding heart drowning out any rational thoughts.
Was Bela going to kill you for intruding on her private moment? You knew she liked to tease you but you weren’t so certain that you were going to come out of this experience alive. This may be a step too far.
Despite the intensity of that night, Bela never chased after you – to maim you or cut you down – once you ran from her bedroom. Even when your paths crossed during work shifts, she didn't acknowledge the events of that night.
It was as if it never even happened.
You shook the intrusive thoughts away, feeling the weight of the moment as you focused on your current task at hand. Holding the heavy, ornate bottle of Sanguis Virginis, its crimson contents shimmering in the dim candlelight, you approached Daniela’s side with purpose – having already served Lady Dimitrescu and Daniela's two older sisters their drinks – and began pouring the wine into her crystal glass.
They’re chatting animatedly, their voices rising and falling in excitement as you continued to pour the wine, the rich aroma wafting through the air. They seemed entirely engrossed in their conversation, barely acknowledging your presence. You withheld a bored sigh, the repetitive motion of pouring wine becoming almost mechanical. That is until the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end, as though someone was watching you.
Tactfully, you looked up from your task, glancing around the room, and noticed that everyone else was focused on their meals, their attention elsewhere, except for Bela.
She leaned far over the table, her movements graceful yet deliberate, reaching for a platter of outdated fruits placed out of her range.
Shock crossed your face then, freezing you in place as your gaze locked onto Bela. Your jaw dropped open as you couldn't help but notice how her low-cut neckline accentuated her curves, her breasts pushed upwards, dangerously close to spilling out.
The grip you had on the wine bottle tightened as your throat began to go dry. Bela's movements were almost agonizingly slow as she leaned forward even more. The muscles in her bicep flexed, pushing against the side of her breast which created an enticing display of cleavage that drew your gaze downward. You couldn't help but appreciate the perfect view down her dress, where the lace fabric teased and revealed hints of her skin underneath.
Due to your blatant ogling, you neglected to pay attention to your task until Daniela's sharp voice snapped you out of your leering, jolting you back to the present.
To your horror, you saw that you overfilled Daniela’s glass. Your heart sank as you watched the deep red liquid cascade down the side of the stem in slow motion, forming glistening rivulets that pooled at the base.
In your haste, you swung the bottle back with a swift motion, inadvertently causing it to collide with Daniela's glass. It teetered precariously before toppling over. The liquid inside spilled forth in a torrent, descending across the pristine surface of the table.
“Hey!” Daniela shouted in surprise as she instinctively jerked backward into her seat, narrowly avoiding the stream of wine that threatened to stain her dress.
You could hear Cassandra's distinctive laughter off to your left side, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said something snarky. However, your attention was completely consumed by the mess you had just made.
You fumbled with the ties of your apron, your fingers becoming clumsier with each passing moment, desperately trying to remove it so you could attend to the spilled wine. You apologized profusely, your words tumbling out in a rush of regret and embarrassment.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Daniela! It was an accident! I truly am sorry!”
“Enough!”
You paused in your movements as Lady Dimitrescu’s voice resonated loudly throughout the dining room. Glancing over to the lady, dread instantly washed over you like a chilling wave as her gaze met yours. Her eyebrows were pinched together in annoyance and her crimson-colored lips were pressed into a thin line as she stared you down.
“Come here.” Lady Dimitrescu demanded.
You shakily placed the wine bottle on the dining table, the delicate glass clinking softly against the polished surface. With trembling hands, you immediately made your way over to Lady Dimitrescu. Bowing your head low, you attempted to appear as meek and as small as possible in her formidable presence. Tears began to form in the corner of your eyes.
Lady Dimitrescu gripped your lower jaw in her oversized hand, her fingers wrapping around it with vice-like pressure. With a commanding strength, she tilted your head back to face her. You stifled a whimper as you met her piercing golden eyes, which flashed in disapproval. Her sharp nails, like talons, dug into your skin through the thin fabric of her gloves as she tugged you closer to her.
“You will pay for your carelessness,” Lady Dimitrescu said in a calm voice despite the displeasure that’s clear on her face. “Cassandra, take her down to the cellar. Punish her as you see fit.”
Lady Dimitrescu shoved your head away from her with a dismissive gesture. Without deigning you any further attention, she returned to her meal.
“Yes, mother.” Cassandra rose from her seat, looking a bit too eager for your liking.
Her sickly-sweet smile betrayed a hint of malice lurking beneath the surface, quickly replaced by a menacing, sadistic grin that sent a shiver down your spine. With predatory grace, Cassandra began to prowl in your direction, her gaze burning with an unsettling intensity.
Your heart was about to burst through your ribcage until Bela interrupted.
“If I may intervene, mother?”
Cassandra paused mid-step, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion as Lady Dimitrescu arched a single inquiring eyebrow at Bela.
“Allow me to handle her punishment, mother. I can properly discipline her. Cassandra would more than likely end up killing her and we can’t afford to lose any more staff as it is.”
Cassandra narrowed her eyes at Bela, her upper lip curled in displeasure. Daniela remained quiet, her eyes dancing back and forth between her two older sisters. Lady Dimitrescu pursed her lips in thought before breaking the silence.
“I’ll allow it.”
“But mother!” Cassandra exclaimed indignantly before a sharp, scolding look from her mother halted the rest of her complaint.
Cassandra huffed loudly, her chest rising and falling with each irritated breath. With a scowl etched deeply across her face, she lowered herself back onto the chair at the dining table. Crossing her arms over her chest, she assumed a defensive stance, resembling a petulant child sulking after being denied a treat. Her gaze, filled with simmering resentment, bore into you.
“Thank you, mother.” Bela inclined her head toward her mother in gratitude.
Bela raised her head again, her gaze turning toward you instead. Her expression was now a mask of neutrality, hiding her inner thoughts and emotions.
You tensed in place, your muscles coiling like springs as she made her way – in slow and precise steps – around the table toward you.
Bela grasped your wrist firmly, her fingers tightening around your skin as she tugged at your arm with determination. You found yourself stumbling behind her, the abruptness of her action catching you off guard. Your feet faltered as you struggled to keep up with her brisk pace.
“Please, Miss Bela! It was an accident!" You pleaded, your voice tinged with desperation.
But she didn't respond. Bela continued to drag you along, her determined footsteps echoing alongside yours as you were led through the maze-like halls.
You furrowed your brow in confusion as Bela led you to her bedroom instead of the dungeon. Despite your apprehension, you remained silent, observing her every move as she unlocked the door. When Bela turned to you, a mischievous glint shone in her eyes, causing a nervous gulp to escape your throat involuntarily.
She motioned for you to enter first.