Bela was conflicted. She wanted so much to confess the not very well hidden feelings she had for you, but she kept ruining it for herself. For example, during your late-night chats in her room (you are surprised she lets you stay), she gets so close to confessing then ends up changing her mind or postponing it to a later date. While she is mentally fighting herself you are very clingy confusing her even more. Your lingering touch sent tingles on her pale skin. The random hugs you give when you feel that she is in a bad mood. You loved to hold her face in your hands. Watching her usually pale face turn red and flies buzz around uncontrollably. Why did she let you get this close? She has no clue, but she likes it and accepts your touchiness and only from you.
Before you were graced with the acceptance of the Dimitrescu family, you were outcasted from the village since you were a foreigner and didn't really follow their devotion to Mother Miranda. Not that you cared. As long as they didn't try to physically attack you, you couldn't care less about them giving you judging looks. But all bad things must come to an end, and they chose to sacrifice you (and many other unlucky people) to Castle Dimitrescu when the time came for their bi-monthly wine restocking. Instead of being skinned alive and having your blood drained, the Dimitrescu sisters spared you and made you their pet. You grew a close bond with them though it took a while for Lady Dimitrescu to get used to your presence, she eventually accepted the fact that you weren't leaving, not willingly that is. Between finding new books for Daniela to read and keeping Cassandra company in the armory, you were the closest with Bela. Other than bothering her while she did paperwork you felt more comfortable around Bela. It was obvious that she too felt the same way.
You were completely aware of Bela’s feelings towards you. Honestly, everyone knew but her. When you first found out you couldn't conceal your emotions. Who wouldn't? The most stable but still deadly out of both her sisters loved you? Their pet? You needed a few hours alone to ponder and came up with the idea to just wait until she said something. As you sat in your room (it was a guest room until you came around)
your mind searched, wondering if there were any hints Bela gave you. Maybe it was the time she scolded you for staying out in the cold courtyard for too long. That day was when you just simply wanted some fresh air, and to be left alone for a while only to come back to a concerned Bela. The next day you were sick and Bela took care of you. She was uncharacteristically soft and was babying you the entire time you were sick. You thought you were imagining it but upon further reflection, She was definitely calling you almost every pet name in the book. You giggled remembering that Bela was calling you her “Dragă proastă.”
Or maybe it was when you got a nasty bruise on your back after falling from the library ladder. Bela wasn't in the room at the time but after your sharp hiss and raging flurry of curses filled the room her flies swarmed around you. Her body finally manifested and the dissatisfied look on her face after hearing said foul language was replaced with worry. It was quite embarrassing for the both of you since you were standing shirtless in her chamber waiting to be healed while she was showing an uncanny shy side of herself. You later found out that she had one of her flies watch over you and kicked Daniela out of the library for a while. There were small chances of Bela ever getting jealous but never none. You began noticing the slight glint of murder in her eyes when you would get too touchy with one of her sisters. You once had gotten dragged out of your room after being found lying in Daniela’s lap while she read to you. She made you sit in her chambers for the rest of that day playing the role of what you assumed was a teddy bear, because all you did was just lie there and accept the embrace Bela trapped you in, moving even a little resulted in a low growl. You were frightened, but the faint sound of her flies humming reassured that you were safe, despite the deadly look in her eyes.
It's been a short while after your discovery and it's been getting worse as time goes on. (Or better for you.) Bela was trying her hardest to get you alone to finally talk. But between both of her sisters, it's making her grow restless. Cassandra was to put it lightly, a nuisance. Constantly flirting with you on purpose just to get a rise out of Bela. You tried your best to not interact but Cassandra was clever and quick with a follow-up remark leaving you even more flustered. Daniela on the other hand was unintentionally cockblocking. She would pull you away from others, and use your clingy nature by luring you to the library for reading or the kitchen to cook only to have you to herself. She meant no harm of course only wanting company, but sometimes it would be too frequent. Especially the times when Bela would gain the courage to confess Daniela, would pop up saying she needed a favor from you then whisk you away. You always saw the pained or aggravated look on her face every time her sisters would hog your attention and knew if this kept up there would be bloodshed. You also grew desperate wanting this game to be done with and forced the middle and youngest children to leave you alone for the rest of the day. Thinking they did something wrong they begged for answers only to get an eerie “Don't worry” in return much to their horror. But they left you alone with the promise of going out hunting keeping them motivated to stay away.
Now that you have your own time you seek out Bela who was sulking in her chamber for a chat. You watched her anxiously glance around the room, finding somewhere, anywhere to look but you. “It's okay, I just wanted to check up on you.” You plopped down on her bed. She sat across the room at her desk, which one stack less of papers than the last time you came in. Bela hummed before turning back to her paper. “You okay?” Bela paused her movement.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? You looked horrible when I stepped in.”
“I'm fine.” Bela (tried) reassuring you. But if she doesn't want to talk, you are willing to let it go just for another day. You began to shuffle back to your feet before her voice spoke up again stopping you. “Why?”
You looked at her again, still facing the away from you, but this time her composure was faltering and her hand was shaking.
“The other day,” You started. “When Daniela was being awfully attention needing. You said you wanted to talk about something but she had interrupted” The blonde writing became heavier as it scratched unneatly across the paper.
“Yeah, um..shit.” Bela cursed under her breath. She knows how to do many things like play instruments, live up to her mother's expectations, and deal with her sisters all the time without murdering them, but can't muster out a simple “I love you.” But it's not simple. It shouldn't be especially for someone like you. Too busy suffering in her thoughts she didn't notice you slowly saunter over to her. “I wanted- was going to say that I…” Ugh, this is so childish was all Bela was thinking. She should be practically pouring her heart out to you but here she is stuttering like she is in grade school. You wrapped your arms around her making her frantic thoughts come to a halt. “That you?” Your voice dragged out the pronoun. The sudden touch made her relax, maybe a little too much as her head tilted up to meet your gaze. It felt different. Normally your eyes always bear the look of nothing but sweetness and love. (It made Bela wonder if you could ever truly hate someone.) But the way you were looking at her currently was enticing. Your lovesick eyes stared through her gold ones as if you were searching for a soul that was probably long gone.
“That I love you,” Bela lifted her hand to touch your face. “But...I'm scared.” You leaned into her hand.
“Of?”
“You not loving me.” Her voice strained, and you felt your heartache.
“Oh, but I do.” You grabbed her head and connected your lips to her forehead. “What, Is this not enough?” Bela shook her head.
“No it is, but-” She sighed. “I can't tell sometimes because you are normally like this…to all of us.” You hummed, hearing the subtle jealousy behind the last word. Your fingers absent mindlessly reached up to her head, kneading her scalp.
“Yes, I know. I could tone it down a bit if you want.”
“No. You don't have to change for me” Bela turned her body to face you. Grabbing your waist to pull you into her lap. “Yes they are annoying but they would bug me and ask what I do to you if you're suddenly asking distant.” You listened to her ramble on.
“Well, they wouldn't be stealing me away from you anytime soon.” You laid your head on her shoulder. “We can finally relax without having to worry about Daniela somehow finding a new book or Cassandra and her flirting. Just us.” That's right. It has been a while since the both of you did nothing but rest against each other. Not having to think about anything for the moment. Finally, Bela had you to herself but without a heavy heart or overbearing yearning. Finally.