“I'll be back soon,” Alcina says as she picks up a small bag. You followed behind her as she made her way to the front doors of the castle. She was going to the village for matters unknown to you.
“I could come” you try again for the fifth time. Ever since she had told you she was going out you had begged her to let you come with. It had been forever since the both of you had some alone time since you were constantly trying to hide your relationship from the girls. WIth a laugh she rested her hand on your cheek.
“I will be back before sunset. Ill even bring you back something” You thought it over for a second. She would only be gone for a few hours and she said she’d bring you a gift. You lean into her hand, closing your eyes to take a moment to just feel her before nodding. After a second she pulls away and begins walking out the door. You watch her until she climbs into her carriage and then you turn to go back to your work.
The day was going smoothly as you spent your time cleaning and dusting. A smile on your face as you thought of your lady and what you both would do once the girls were asleep. Hiding your relationship from them wasn’t easy but Alcina thought it was necessary since the girls didn’t seem to like you much. She was thinking of ways to introduce your relationship to them without it going south but for now it was best to keep it under wraps.
As you're cleaning you round a corner and stop in your tracks at the scene in front of you. Standing in one of the smaller hallways was Cassandra standing in front of one of the maids. The maid was holding a large knife. The room was cold, preventing Cassandra from doing much to defend herself. Your eyes widen as the maid lifts the knife and without thinking you run in front of Cassandra to shield her. Time seemed to slow as the maid brought the knife down on your shoulder and you cried out at the pain. The maid looks at you with mouth wide open before she drops the knife and runs off. Falling onto your knees you clutch your shoulder as tears well up in your eyes. Behind you Cassandra stands quietly.
Your vision blurs and your ears ring as you hear more buzzing getting closer. Words are being exchanged but you can’t hear any of it. Suddenly a cloth is pressed onto your wound and you hiss. Looking up you see Bela crouch in front of you. Her mouth is pressed into a thin line as she tries to slow the bleeding. Behind her you see Casandra and Daniela looking on with worried faces.
“Girls im home” You can barely make out the sound of your lady as her steps grow closer to where the four of you are. You can see the way Daniela tenses slightly and feel as Bela presses a little harder onto your shoulder. Looking up you watch as Alcina rounds the corner and freezes as she sees the scene in front of her.
“Mother-” Cassandra starts but before she can say anything else Alcina is pushing past them to get to you. She kneels beside you pushing Bela over slightly. She lifts the cloth from your shoulder slightly and her eyes narrow as blood gushes out of the wound.
“What have you done!” She yells at the girls and they stand in a small line as they squirm nervously.
“It wasn’t used! One of the maids did it! She tried to attack me but y/n stepped in front of me” Cassandra explains. Your vision starts fading and you reach out your good arm to grip onto your lady tightly. The blood loss was causing you to sweat and feel cold. With a gentleness that not many experience from her Aina lifts you into her arms. Just as she begins walking to her room your vision fades as you go limp in her arms.
You wake up hours later. The first thing you notice is the dual pain in your shoulder and the feeling of bandages on it as well as the hand holding your own. Opening your eyes you flinch at the light. Slowly blinking you look around the room. Alcina sits beside the bed. Her hand in yours as she smiles at you when you blink up at her. At the foot of the bed stands Bela and Daniela you frown as you notice the tears falling from their faces. Before you can ask any questions the two quickly engulf you in a hug. Bela curled up on your good side and Daniela pressed gently into your other side. Alcinas hand slips from your own and instead goes to rest on your thigh.
Scanning the room once more you find Cassandra hugging herself in the corner. Her hands shake slightly and you can see the way she is trying not to break. You try to move but the other two girls curl up to you tighter forcing you to stay laying down.
“Cassandra? What's wrong?” The second the words leave your lips a small sob leaves her lips and she joins her sisters in clinging to you. Her head rests on your stomach and you can feel as her tears soak into the fabric of your shirt.
“I'm sorry. It's my fault” She cries as she holds onto you tightly.
“Honey it's not your fault. I choose to step in front of you. Your not the one that hurt me” She nodded against your stomach but you could tell she didn’t truly believe your words. They all continued to hold onto you, their cries growing quieter.
The girls fall asleep quickly after. Still clinging to you tightly as if you would disappear if they let go. Looking over at Alcina you see the happy smile on her face as she reaches out to rub your cheek.
“It looks like they finally like you” She whispers as to not wake the girls.
“All it took was a little blood loss” You joke. Alcina playfully glares at you.
“It was more than a little.” You laugh at her words but wince slightly at the pain it brings to your shoulder. “Rest dear. Ill be back” She pulls away from you and you frown as the warmth of her touch disappears.
“Where are you going?” You ask as she stands and walks to the door.
“To take care of that maid”