"Terrible things, hm?" Miranda mused, looking on almost indifferently as the maid knelt trembling before her, practically choking on her own tongue to babble out apologies she knew deep down were half-hearted. She was only this scared now because she was caught and not of the consequences that followed... Yet. "Hush now little one..." She coos to the woman, reaching out to grab the maid by the soft flesh of her throat and lift her into the air only so the tips of her shoes couldn't scrape the floor. "There is no need to cry. What's done is done and you will take your punishment with grace." Swiping at a stray tear with a thumb, Miranda contradicts all of her cold gentleness by forcefully prying open the maid's mouth to grasp at her wagging tongue. "For speaking with such a rotten organ, I shall relieve you the burden of ever using it again." The maids' struggles grow but they do nothing to prevent the inevitable as Miranda rips the length of her tongue out and drops her to the floor without care. "Little lambs like you are better off bleating in the first place." Turning to Daniela, she gestures to the maid who as now cupping her bloody mouth with a sweep of her hand. "Take this one to the cellar. If she cannot serve in the kitchen properly, then she can become an ingredient."

Daniela simply watched. Eyes wide, fixed on Mother Miranda with something almost reverent.

The way the maid’s fear turned into absolute panic drew a slow, delighted breath from her. The scent of blood hit her a second later. Fresh and warm. Her lips parted slightly, tongue brushing faintly against her teeth as a quiet, pleased hum slipped from her throat. The maid’s muffled noises only seemed to amuse her further.

Then Miranda spoke to her and she straightened immediately. "Of course, Mother Miranda," the redhead replied obediently. She dipped into a graceful bow, far more controlled than anything she had shown moments before.

The youngest Dimitrescu stepped forward, her hand closing around the girl’s arm. "Come along," Daniela cooed softly, tilting her head as she leaned closer to the maid, her voice dropping into something more playful. "Down we go…" The buzzing coming from her grew louder as she guided - no, pulled - the struggling girl along.

When Daniela returned, she approached Miranda more slowly this time, quieter. Her head tilted slightly as she studied her.

"Grandmother…" she began softly, her voice lowering just a touch. "…Are you feeling better now?" Her fingers twitched faintly at her side, resisting the urge to reach out. Were it any other member of her family, Daniela would have already pulled them into an embrace. But you couldn’t do that with Miranda. That was what her mother and Bela had told her. Multiple times.

"I'm fine." She confirms with a tilt of her head. For a moment she considers whether or not to continue including Daniela but comes to the conclusion that the extra help would be much appreciated and limit her time wasted in the castle.

"Actually... There is one other thing you can help me with. That girl... I suspect the poison she used is still somewhere in the castle stored away. I would prefer that no other 'rats' get their hands on it."

CARRIE

HAPPY 5TH BDAY TO RE VILLAGE!! i remember last year when i posted a drawing of some lord chibis for the anniversary, n wanted to one up myself a bit to see how my art skills have improved lol :] decided to use the storybook designs cus theyre lowkey bangers