#roseabelle

“I think we have plenty of room,” said the Lady with a smile. Her lips were decorated with black lipstick.

Rose let out a sigh of relief, glancing behind her at the darkness.

“Come, my dear. Warm yourself, you must be freezing!”

Rose was surprised when the Lady took hold of her shoulder, gently guiding her inside. Her touch was warm, and Rose was more grateful for the warmth inside the building. She was only just now aware of how harshly her teeth were chattering.

“You’re bleeding,” the Lady remarked. “Whatever happened to you?”

Rose’s throat tightened, and she tried to swallow. She gently brought her hand up to touch her cheek - the cold had numbed her pain, and she was surprised when she found the amount of blood that now stained her frigid fingertips.

“I-I…”

She couldn’t bring herself to speak. She was still shaking, so cold…

“We’ve got a room for you, surely - where you can have a hot meal and some warmth. You’re freezing, my dear.”

The Lady gently lifted Rose’s chin after a moment, looking down into her face. Rose could have sworn her heart stopped, though she winced when the Lady touched her wound.

“And you can have that bandaged,” she murmured. “Tell me, dear. What is your name?”

“R-Rose… Rose Atropa,” Rose stuttered after a few moments.

“Hmm… must be for that wonderful red hair of yours.”

Rose perked up.

“Y-Yes, I believe it was…”

She noticed the woman who had been behind the door first. She was only a little shorter than she, her black hair pulled back behind her in a ponytail and her face as white as a sheet. Had she seen her before..?

“Now, come, dear,” the Lady said. “Let us warm you up.”

“T-Thank you,” Rose murmured. “I-I… I don’t have much to offer in return for your generosity…”

“We can discuss that later. For now, you are frigid. I’d rather you discuss this with a clear mind, yes?”

The Lady placed a hand against Rose’s back, leading her away from the door and further into the castle. She did her best to keep up.

In the foyer, servants kept their heads downcast as she passed. There were only a few of them awake at such a late hour.

“Do you have anywhere to return to in the morning, my dear?” Asked the Lady, causing Rose to perk.

She bit the inside of her cheek, hesitating on her response.

“No,” she murmured. “I… I don’t.”

“Interesting.”

The Lady didn’t say much after that, leading her through many rooms decorated beautifully - with gold filigree and candles, high halls and chandeliers, and furniture made with expert craftsmanship. Occasionally, there was a vase or two, either large or small and filled with beautiful red flowers.

The Lady brought her to a couch sitting in front of a warm, lit fireplace. Before her was a table. Accompanying the couch were two chairs. The couch itself was very comfortable.

“I shall arrange for one of the rooms for you to be set up. Some dry clothes will be brought for you, as well. And…”

Lady Constance gently lifted Rose’s chin, eyeing the cut across her cheek.

“A bandage, yes?”

Rose swallowed hard, looking up into Lady Constance’s brilliant red eyes.

“I-I appreciate your hospitality,” she murmured. “I… I don’t have much in return…”

She fiddled with a ring on her left hand, and removed it. It was gold, with a few small diamonds set into it.

“Here, t-this might cover it…”

“No, no, dear. I don’t need your jewelry. I think… repaying what is due will come in time. Are you currently employed?”

“No.”

“Then, I think a payment can be arranged. How would you be willing to work here?”

The Lady’s smile was soft, and she crouched down to reach Rose’s eye level.

“Room and board is provided, as are meals and protection. You’ll be safe, here.”

Rose swallowed, considering her options. She could go back, and suffer worse than she already had…

“I-I think— I think I can manage that,” Rose murmured quietly. “I can offer my hands - I-I know a great deal about housekeeping.”

“Wonderful!” Lady Constance said with a widening smile. “I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine!”

She stood up.

“Take as much time as you need to warm, a servant will lead you to your room.”

With that, the Lady left her alone in the room.

There was a bell that rang in the hallway. It was loud, echoing through the rooms attached to it. A few more bells accompanied it. An alarm to wake the sleeping staff.

Rose stirred in her bed. Cold winter sunlight shone through the open curtains, illuminating the room in an almost bluish hue. The wind rattled the window panes, the latch rattling cautiously. She sat up, slid out of bed, and re-latched it - although it still rattled, she was more assured it would stay closed.

The room was as warm as it could be with the unstable window - she had heard murmurings of the windows being replaced when the spring thaw came. There was a closet full of plain clothes: white blouses, black pants, black boots, and a black corset. They fit well, and Rose dressed herself in them.

The clothes she had worn the night before were taken away by the other staff - likely to be sewn and washed. A bandage had been given to her for her cheek. She expected the slash to scar.

After brushing through her hair, she heard a knock at her door.

“Miss Atropa, you mustn’t be late! You’re due to work downstairs!”

Right.

Rose set the brush down on the end table near her bed and pulled open the door to her room. Other servants were already rushing down the hall, quickly and quietly. Others, likely the night shift, were retiring to their respective rooms. Needless to say, the servants’ wing was bustling. She’d have to get used to this.

She figured she could follow the crowd. She didn’t know even a quarter of the castle’s layout just yet, and “downstairs” could mean any form or fashion in its massive structure. When she began to walk, she spotted the black-haired woman who had met her at the door last night.

All of the staff were women.

Rose was caught only slightly off guard by this. However, she shook it off and made her way down the hall. A set of stairs led the way down, and she was quick to descend them.

She followed a few other maidens to a bulletin, listed with the names of the staff and their rooms they were to work in - or duties required. It took a while for Rose to find her name, and in doing so, she noticed a couple names were scratched out in black ink.

Rose Atropa - Bed Making, and Dinner Service with the Lady at 6:00 pm. Lord and Lady Velkan will be visiting for dinner as well.

She swallowed hard, looking around for some form of authority figure. She noticed that she and the maidens all wore the same clothes, aside from a woman with curly black hair tied back into two buns on the top of her head. She was watching the other women and holding a clipboard. Along with the typical wear, she wore a black vest and a red ribbon tied around her collar, tied into a bow.

Rose approached her, swallowing her anxiety.

“M—Miss?” She asked, and the woman perked, looking over to her. She had big brown eyes and dark skin, as well as a set of earrings.

“Yes?”

“I-I— I was assigned bed making, m-miss— a-and I’m new, you see, s-so I’m not entirely sure where I’m s-supposed to go…”

“Ah, you must be Miss Atropa.”

The woman offered her a smile and an outstretched hand.

“Jada Gordon. If you have any questions, be sure to find me, or one of the other Head Maidens. We’re the ones wearing the vests.”

Rose stared at her hand for a moment before tentatively shaking it.

“Don’t worry. Bed making is an easy job. I’ll show you.”

Jada offered Rose that same smile and led the way to a hall and down a set of stairs. Torches were lit brightly along the walls, illuminating the gold filigree.

“The Lady enjoys fresh sheets once every three days, and today just so happens to be your lucky day. Have you eaten?”

“Oh— uh… no, I-I haven’t,” Rose admitted, biting her cheek. “I-I don’t usually eat breakfast.”

“Oh, it comes at no charge to you. The maidens must eat if they are to work. They should still be open by the time you’re done with your first task, be sure to stop by the kitchens,” Jada said, waving her hand.

The hallway had an impossible number of directions one could go, but Jada seemed to know it impeccably. It was a straight shot down the stairs, through the hallway, and to a stone archway with a heavy wooden door. It led into a washroom, upon which was another wooden door - presumably to take clothes outside to hang in the warmer months.

“Here,” Jada said, walking towards a wooden basket before Rose could properly take in the room, “is where the Lady’s sheets and blankets should be left for you. You simply need to take the basket and head up to her room.”

Rose swallowed hard. She took the basket, hands gripping it tight. Jada then led the way out of the washroom.

There was silence as Rose followed Jada, broken only by the padding of their heels on the ground and the murmurs of other maidens as they passed. They spoke quietly, and she felt eyes glancing at her, at the back of her neck. Whispers followed her.

“She has to service the Lady on her first day?”

“Oh, Lord… she’s a goner.”

“She won’t survive a week.”

Jada shot a whispering group of maidens a sharp look, and upon being spotted, they scattered.

“Don’t mind them,” she said to Rose. “They tend to gossip when we get someone new.”

“W-What did they mean, ‘She won’t last a week’…?”

Jada chuckled, shaking her head.

“They’re always so chatty when we have new arrivals. They think you’ll fail your first week. But I have faith in you.”

Rose gave a small nod, holding the basket closer to herself. Her heart was thudding much too hard for the task at hand.

Jada led her up two flights of stairs. The floor had large, beautiful windows decorated with deep red curtains. The morning sun filtered through the windows, frost decorating the panes. She could see crows fly past the window on occasion.

They arrived at a white double door, decorated ornately in gold. In the middle was engraved the crest of Crow’s Rest.

Jada knocked upon the door.

“Mistress, may we enter?”

A short pause, and then a familiar voice answered.

“You’d best have a good reason for interrupting me, Miss Gordon.”

Jada opened one of the doors, nudging Rose inside first.

“Miss Atropa here has been learning the castle layout. She’s here to make your bed.”

The room was extravagant. There was a four-post, king-sized bed decorated with a deep red bedspread: a duvet, blankets, pillows, and a curtain around the bed posts that was drawn. The headboard of the bed was decorated in gold, and there was an ottoman at the foot of the bed. There were two side tables, one on each side of the bed. The curtains were closed, save for a small sliver of light that made its way through the crack. There was also a white vanity, upon which sat a beautiful array of makeup, brushes, and lipsticks.

In front of a large, ornate mirror, there stood the Lady. Rose’s cheeks flushed. The same black-haired girl from earlier was tightening a corset around the Lady’s waist, before she tied the strings. Rose noticed her hands were shaking, but nimble and quick.

“Ah, our newest maiden?” Lady Constance said, glancing in the mirror.

For a moment, Rose saw the Lady’s bright red eyes meet her dark brown ones. Her heart leapt into her throat.

“She’s been scheduled, as well, for dinner service tonight. I’ll be there to help her,” said Jada, gently pushing her towards the magnificent bed against the wall. “Please excuse any minor mistakes she may make. It’s her first day.”

“Please, you think too little of me!”

The black-haired girl kept her eyes focused a little too intently on the small of the Lady’s back, wherein she finished tying the corset.

Rose walked towards the bed, before she began to strip it of its covers. She noticed the pillows closer to the right side were particularly indented - the Lady must have favored the right side of her bed. The left side’s blankets were still neatly tucked under the mattress.

“My, my, she is quick with that, isn’t she?”

She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up at the sound of the Lady’s soft coo. Her cheeks turned pink, and she lifted her head to glance over at the others. Lady Constance was watching her, almost fascinated. The black-haired girl was fastening a tailcoat of sorts to the corset.

Rose quickly averted her eyes back to her task.

“I-I had a— a history of housekeeping, m-my Lady,” she said, pulling off the fitted sheet. “I’m used to— to making b-beds quickly.”

She heard Lady Constance hum. Rose pulled the pillows off the bed, setting them aside before finding the clean sheet in the basket. She then placed the new sheets upon the bed with haste.

She made the bed, with the pillows favoring the right side. It was subtle, but she hoped the Lady would appreciate her effort.

“Miss Evans, you are dismissed. I can handle it from here.”

Rose perked at the name, looking over to see the black-haired girl giving the Lady a short, curt bow. Lady Constance sat at her vanity as the woman left, shutting the door behind her. Jada glanced down at her clipboard, scratching something off with a pen. She noticed Rose’s glance, and nodded towards the sheets on the floor - an indication for her to pick them up.

Rose grabbed the sheets and placed them in the basket.

“Lord Velkan will be here for dinner around 5:55,” Jada said. “He’s bringing—“

“Raven, I know. Said he wanted to discuss something. I’ll want a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of champagne for them brought up from the cellar before they arrive.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Rose tucked the sheets into the basket, and then she sat up.

“He likes those little candies, too. See to it that he gets a bag.”

“Which candies, my Lady?”

“The butterscotch ones.”

Rose took a few steps back towards the pair, noticing the Lady taking extra care to decorate her lips with black.

“I owed him a gift,” the Lady continued. “He and his wife have always been good to me.”

Annabelle pressed her lips together and, when they parted, they made a soft pop! sound. She leaned back on her stool, placing her lipstick back on the vanity, neatly amongst the others. She then stood up, turning back to Jada.

“I’ll need the dining room prepared for guests by then.”

She noticed Rose, and Rose felt her face flush as the Lady’s eyes fixated on her for a few seconds longer.

“Miss Atropa?”

Rose stiffened, her grip tightening on the basket handles.

“Y-Yes— Yes, m-my Lady?”

“You did well. Keep up the good work.”

She offered her a soft smile, before turning and walking out of the room.

There was a moment of silence. Jada then turned to Rose and offered her a smile, as well.

“I think she’s quite fond of you. That’s a good sign.”

“O-Oh..”

Rose swallowed hard.

“Y-You think so?”

“She hardly compliments servants on their first day. So I do.”

Jada chuckled.

“Think you can make it back to the laundry room from here? I’ve got to go check on some things.”

“Oh— Yeah-yeah I think— I think I can.”

Jada patted her on the shoulder, before turning to leave. After a few moments, she paused.

“And make sure to eat, alright?”

Rose nodded, watching the woman turn and leave the bedroom. Rose stood, watching it for a few moments, before following suit and making for the basement.

Rose ate, and then spent the afternoon going around and checking bedrooms for more made beds - including the staff quarters. She washed the Lady’s sheets that she had brought downstairs, and hung them up to dry on a long wire. Usually, they’d be outside, but she didn’t want them to freeze.

Eventually, she was pulled aside to help set up for dinner. She set the table with a black, neatly folded tablecloth. As instructed by Jada, she put a different glass at each seat: a wine glass, a champagne flute, and a lowball glass. It took a few adjustments to get the plate placement right - she was used to regular table setting, not such fine dining placement - but ultimately, the table looked nice. It sat in the center of a large, high-ceiling dining room. The ceiling itself was round, with a bright chandelier hanging from the center. There was a window on either end of the long, six-person table. The sides of the room were subject to paintings, columns on which sat brilliant bouquets of red flowers, and gold filigree enlaid in the white walls. Jada put three bottles on the table, with a corkscrew at Lady Constance’s side of the table. From a room to the right, down a hallway that curved, Rose could smell a delightful aroma of food unlike any she had savored in years. There was another tunnel, she suspected, below ground that allowed the kitchen staff to remain out of sight on the nights where the guest hall was used. To the left, there was another hallway: this would led into the dining room from the rest of the castle.

Miss Evans was with her. Rose still couldn’t quite place where she had seen her before yesterday, but she definitely recognized the surname Evans. Hadn’t she known a girl with that last name?

Miss Evans had Rose stand with her hands behind her back on one side of the open curtains on the window, behind Annabelle’s seat. She then took her own place on the other side, as voices could be heard entering towards the dining room.

“It’s a pleasure to have you both again. I was wondering when you’d be able to find the time.”

Rose recognized the familiar sound of Lady Constance’s heels against the cold, hard floor. Two sets of footsteps accompanied her.

“The apothecary’s been busy. I’ve hardly had the chance to sit down ever since cold season started. Every day I’ve a new person on my front door asking for flu remedies.”

There was the voice of another woman, but before Rose could ask Miss Evans who it was, the dining room was occupied. There were three of them: Lady Constance, of course, standing with her head tall and a smile upon her face; a shorter, pale woman with long, straight white hair that she pulled over one shoulder, and piercing blue eyes; and - terrifyingly - a man only a little shorter than Annabelle, with short, midnight-black hair and a blindfold over his eyes. He was decorated in gold jewelry, and a heavy-looking black cloak adorned with feathers. Black stained like tears from his eyes and down his cheeks. Under that, he wore a black shirt and pants.

Rose swallowed hard. She noticed the woman’s hand holding onto the man’s arm. They both had a long, golden earring and cuff on their left ear.

Lord and Lady Velkan?

He was much more terrifying than any story told of him. Few had even seen him - those that had were insistent that every word spoken about him was true.

The woman led Lord Velkan towards his seat, with the lowball glass. She then took her place in the seat to his left, with the champagne flute. Annabelle took a seat at the head of the table, and Rose was aware of Lady’s eyes glancing over her figure as she sat. Her cheeks flushed.

“And you, Hawthorne? How’s it been on the fields?”

Lord Velkan chuckled, and Rose felt a chill run down her spine at his unnerving smile. Despite the blindfold, it still felt like his eyes could bore into her.

“The fields were prosperous, luckily. We were able to obtain a successful harvest. I suspect you’ll have the same luck with the grapes in your vineyard.”

Lady Constance took the corkscrew and held it up with her left hand. Miss Evans immediately walked over to Lady Constance’s side and took the corkscrew, before walking over to the bottles and beginning to remove the corks. She set the bottles back on the table, and motioned Rose over with her head. Rose quickly made for the table, taking the wine bottle once Miss Evans was done with it. As Lady Constance continued to talk with her guests, Rose approached her. She noticed Lady Constance took her wine glass and held it out for her to fill, which Rose did. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she was about halfway through her pour, and Lady Constance’s eyes glanced at her through the corner of her eye. Rose swallowed, finishing and turning back to Miss Evans, bottle gripped tightly in her hands. Miss Evans was offering a bottle to the woman.

“Champagne, Lady Velkan?”

“Ah— Dr. Quinn-Casey. I don’t need such formality,” said the white-haired woman with a soft smile, holding up her champagne flute for Miss Evans to fill.

That left Lord Velkan. A lump grew in Rose’s throat when she set the wine bottle down and took the bottle of whiskey. She approached the man, trying to hide the thundering of her heart against her ribcage and the chills that ran up her spine upon growing closer. Lord Velkan had his jaw resting on his hand, as if he were surveying the table through the blindfold.

She did her best not to hesitate. She glanced over to Miss Evans, who shot her a quick, reassuring smile after finishing filling Dr. Quinn-Casey’s glass. Rose avoided the blank stare of Lord Velkan and finished his glass, before taking the bottle and returning to place it back with the others.

“Thank you,” Lord Velkan said, causing Rose to pause and her breath to hitch in her throat. How..?

Miss Evans led her back to their previous place, behind the head of the table and in front of the curtains.

“Drinking so soon? You must really want something from me,” Lord Velkan continued, taking the glass and taking a sip from it.

“It’s courtesy,” replied Lady Constance, “I know that you enjoy whiskey. That’s my finest bottle.”

“I‘ll likely send you some barley from the harvest,” he continued. “You can’t send me all of your bottles at once, you won’t have any left for future years!”

“I know that,” she replied with a chuckle. “Dinner should be here any moment.”

“Have you outdone yourself again, Annabelle?” said Dr. Quinn-Casey, taking a drink from her own flute. “It seems every time we visit there’s something new. I see you’ve made a new acquaintance.”

Rose felt her breath hitch as the doctor nodded towards her.

“I do hope it wasn’t you who put that mark on her face.”

“Of course not!” Lady Constance retorted. “She came to my castle doorstep last night in the midst of the blizzard.”

As she spoke, three servants dressed in solid white came into the room. They each held a silver tray, and from their trays they placed a plate in front of each person at the table. Rose could smell the delightful aromas from here.

“I wish you’d’ve called me or sent her to me. I could’ve bandaged that for you. What happened?”

Dr. Quinn-Casey turned her eyes back on Rose as the white-clad servants headed back into the kitchen, as silently as they had entered.

Rose felt her hands beginning to shake. She could physically feel the color draining from her face, and she nearly choked on how tight her throat became. She couldn’t speak. Her hands felt icy cold.

“She showed up on my doorstep asking for shelter. Poor thing was cut badly on her cheek. I count her as lucky she didn’t lose her eye to whatever beast did that to her,” Lady Constance said, and Rose was grateful she spoke in her stead. She was unsure if she could even get the words out, even if she wanted to.

“I do hope you’ll take better care of this one, Annabelle,” said Lord Harken, taking his fork from next to his plate and turning it over in his hand. “I can’t have ladies continuing to go missing because of your reckless actions.”

Lady Constance visibly stiffened in her seat.

“They are well-paid and well-cared for in my castle,” she said with restraint. “Those who you deem ‘missing’ are punished, simple as that.”

Rose felt Lord Velkan’s empty gaze watching in her direction, and another chill ran down her spine.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Lady Constance took her glass and took a longer sip from her wine.

“I assure you, Hawthorne, I deal with my maidens how I see fit - and I’m not going to slaughter every woman who comes to me for help.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Rose saw Miss Evans visibly stiffen, and her hands - which were tucked behind her back - tightened their grip on each other.

“I trust that you won’t. You keep killing them and there won’t be any left. Then what will you do? I know your distaste knows no bounds.”

“You are the only one I can stand to be around,” Lady Constance said with a scoff.

Though Rose was not to speak in this meeting of theirs, she found it incredibly informative. She was starting to wonder if becoming a maiden in the Lady’s household was the right choice, but was quickly steered away from that thought by the memories of what awaited her outside these walls. She was safer in here than she was out there.

“How’s your meal?” Lady Constance said, quickly changing the topic.

“Delightful as always,” Dr. Quinn-Casey replied, taking another piece of her dinner and biting into it. “You always seem to surprise me.”

“I’ll send the kitchen staff your gratitude.”

“Please do.”

Rose noticed the Lady’s shoulders slowly relax before she took another drink of wine.

“Aside from the new maiden,” she continued, “I’ve had little new affairs. I’ll be sending Miss Evans on her delivery route tomorrow. I have a few orders from your farmhands, so she may be out by the fields tomorrow.”

“I assure you, no harm will come from me. I’ll keep her in mind,” Lord Velkan said.

Miss Evans’ posture relaxed a little.

“Will you be attending the next Lords’ meeting, Raven?” Lady Constance asked, nodding towards the doctor. “You weren’t at the last one. We missed you.”

“Had a patient who broke his arm. If nothing keeps me, then I might as well,” replied Dr. Quinn-Casey, turning her fork over in her hand. “Nailah will likely be there, too.”

“She always is,” Lady Constance added. “I don’t think she’s missed a single one.”

“Legally, she can’t. She or Miss Franklin have to be in attendance to record it,” Lord Velkan said when he finished his bite.

“I like to read her transcripts afterwards. She’s very good at her job,” Dr. Quinn-Casey chuckled, a smile crossing her face. “Humorous, sometimes.”

“She should keep humor out of official documents,” Lady Constance grumbled. “They’re official for a reason.”

“She puts down everything that is said and done. Sometimes looking back on it is humorous in itself. If I thought she was doing wrong, I’d have her replaced,” Lord Velkan said with a smile.

Rose still felt unnerved by his smile.

“Miss Hassan is doing a fine job. I’ll keep her around, and it’s likely she’ll be at the next one. And the one after that, and the one after that,” he chuckled.

“I get it, I get it!” Lady Constance retorted, rubbing her temple. “I get your point.”

“Oh, Annabelle, don’t be like that,” Dr. Quinn-Casey teased with a growing smile. “He’s not doing any harm!”

Lady Constance huffed.

“Lord Avara and Lord Vallis will be delighted to see you,” she continued. “I do hope he wears a shirt this time.”

“Lord Vallis is entitled to wear whatever he likes, as are you. His indecencies are covered, that’s all we ask,” Lord Velkan snorted, the grin still present on his face. “You’d have to take up your concerns with Lord Avara, too - she’s the one exposing her midriff and shoulder. You and her get along quite nicely, don’t you?”

“Point taken,” Lady Constance grumbled.

Lord Velkan chuckled, finishing his glass of whiskey. Dr. Quinn-Casey finished her champagne, and before Miss Evans and Rose could refill their glasses, Lord Velkan held up a hand.

“Best to not walk home drunk,” he said, rising from his chair. “Dinner was delightful, Annabelle. Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” the Lady said, rising from her seat. She approached the two as they stepped away from the table, and Dr. Quinn-Casey took her husband by the arm once more. “Allow me to show you out.”

Miss Evans moved once the trio approached the exit hallway, so Rose followed suit. They picked up the dishes from the table. However, as she did so, Rose finally asked Miss Evans the question that had been burning at her ever since she heard the woman’s last name:

“Do I know you?”

Miss Evans paused mid-grab, the champagne flute in her hand.

“…I used to know you,” she murmured, picking up the plates and continuing to walk around the table. “Not well, but I recognized you the moment you stepped onto the doorstep. We lived near each other.”

Rose swallowed, a chill running down her back at the memories of her old home.

“Near the butcher shop, or-or earlier?”

“Near the shop. Alex still working there?”

“Yeah… yeah, he is.”

Miss Evans glanced towards the exit hall, as if worried the Mistress might return at their voices.

“I do hope I didn’t cause a stir when I… left. The Lady hired me a couple years ago, and I haven’t really talked much to others except my customers.”

“What’s your first name?” Rose asked, a bit tentatively. “I don’t want to have to call you ‘Miss Evans.’”

“Bayley,” replied the woman with a small smile. “Bayley Evans.”

“I’m Rose. Rose Atropa.”

The women shook hands. Bayley’s hand was small, like Rose’s.

“Your hands are cold,” Bayley murmured. “He scares you, too?”

“I-It was that obvious, huh?” Rose said with an attempt at a laugh. “I… I thought the stories were just— trying to make him seem scarier. Like a fictional beast.”

“Nope. Him and Annabelle, both - and the other Lords. Wait until you see them all here for dinner. Those whispers of Lord Avara being wolf-like? They’re not rumors.”

Rose swallowed hard.

“You’re doing well for only your first day,” Bayley continued, leading the way into the kitchen hall. “It’s almost like you’ve done this before.”

“I’ve experience with housekeeping.”

“Let me guess, did the Mrs. teach you?”

“You--You mean my mother? Yes, she did. She… said it’d--it’d be good for my-my future husband.”

A wave of cold felt like it washed over her body, like she had been dumped in icy water. The urge to take her ring off struck the back of her mind.

“That’s all they seem to think,” Bayley grumbled.

She led the way through the hall to a closed door, next to which was a short bin. The bin could slide through a hole in the wall. They placed the dishes into the bin, and when they turned to leave, a hand from behind the wall pulled the bin through to the other side.

“The kitchen staff aren’t supposed to be seen much,” Bayley whispered as they left. “Guess it’s lucky we’re not back there, hm?”

Rose could only nod, and followed Bayley down the hall.

“She likes you, y’know,” Bayley murmured when they walked a little further.

Rose perked, her cheeks turning pink.

“What makes you say that?”

“She’s never paid much mind to her servants, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of you when you were in her line of sight,” Bayley added. “I don’t doubt that she’s taken some sort of favor to you.”

Rose fidgeted with her ring, her gaze lowering to the floor. Guilt began to eat away at her, though her cheeks turned a redder shade.

Not much was said for the rest of the walk.

Rose found herself unable to sleep that night. The day’s events left her laying wide awake in her nightgown, staring up at the ceiling. The winter wind continued to rattle her window panes, the moonlight gone under a thick swathe of storm clouds. She turned over and over in her blankets, stewing on the information she had acquired that day.

The rumors were true. They were governed by fairytales. Did Annabelle really like her? Was she just being kind? Aside from that, Bayley was alive - Rose must have missed her while she was making her deliveries. She wondered if it was Annabelle who made the ring she now wore, delivered to her front door months ago. Had Bayley recognized the name on the delivery?

Rose took it off, setting it on her nightstand. She stared at the glimmering diamonds in the dim candlelight, and her stomach twisted into knots the longer she stared. The cut on her face almost burned.

Deciding she could no longer simply lay there, she slid off her bed and grabbed the candleholder. A night stroll might help her sleep.

The hallways were dark and empty. The ceiling was hidden in black, and her footsteps seemed to echo against the cold floor. Shadows flickered across the beautiful white walls, and orange reflected in the gold filigree of the columns. The vases of red flowers shone in the small light.

The silence was pressing. The curtains were closed on the massive windows, dulling the noise of the storm outside.

Rose didn’t know exactly what she was to think about. So much had happened in the last two days, she couldn’t fathom how quickly everything had changed. She still couldn’t decide if it was for better or for worse - but so far, it was infinitely better. Not one voice had shouted at her. Not one hand had raised against her.

However, as soon as that thought crossed her mind, she heard shouting down the stairs below. Though her heart leapt into her throat at the noise, she quickly descended the stairs to see what the commotion was about.

She ducked below the railing once the scene came into sight. She spotted quite a few figures gathered near a fireplace - the same one Rose had sat in front of the previous night. However, the room was not cozy and warm; instead, the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

“Sam, please! Just calm down—“

“I SAID I’M LEAVING! I am done living my life in terror because of the vile woman keeping us captive!”

One of the maidens moved. Rose recognized her as Bayley, slowly approaching another maiden. She was tall, with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. Delusion was written across her terrified face, and in her hands was a fire poker. Her hands were shaking.

“Sam, please! Keep it down, you’ll wake the Lady—“

“I DON’T CARE!” Sam shrieked, rounding on Bayley. The other maidens took a step back, and Bayley raised her hands.

“We don’t want trouble, Sam! It’ll be okay— come morning, it’ll be alright! Please—“

Sam’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she seemed to be fighting back sobs.

“Let me out!” She choked. “Let me go!”

“The Lady—“

“ENOUGH ABOUT THE WRETCHED WITCH!” Sam shrieked, swinging the fire poker wildly.

A blood-curdling shriek emitted from the group. Blood splattered against the couch nearby, and Bayley staggered away from Sam, holding her face.

Rose covered her mouth with her hand, a sharp intake of breath forcing itself into her lungs.

Blood dripped from between Bayley’s fingers.

“SAM!” Shouted another maiden, who grabbed for her weapon and tried to help restrain the frantic woman.

“NO! LET ME GO! I AM DONE PLAYING HOUSE! I WILL NO LONGER BE A SLAVE!”

The other maidens quickly tried to restrain her, pushing the poker back above her head. Shouting broke out between the maidens, and Rose finally stood upright and dashed over to Bayley. She was crouched against the ground, close to the steps, trying to control the blood spilling down her face.

“Bayley!” Rose cried, rushing over to her and crouching down to her level. She took Bayley by the shoulders. “Bayley, are--are you a-alright?”

Bayley slowly pulled her hands away from her face. Her palms were drenched with blood, and there was a long slice over the bridge of her nose. Her blood ran down her face.

“Here, it-- it-it’s alright, here…”

Tears started to drip down Bayley’s freckled cheeks. Rose gently held her head, taking her sleeve and covering the wound with it. The blood was quick to soak through the fabric, staining it scarlet.

“ENOUGH!”

Suddenly, the women attempting to restrain Sam scattered, and there was another scream cut short. Rose turned her head to look, and she gasped.

Lady Constance had appeared, taking Sam by the throat and forcibly taking the fire poker from the smaller woman’s hand. Sam choked out for air, the terror on her face even more evident than it had been before. She flailed, grabbing at the Lady’s iron grip, trying to force her fingers off her throat. Lady Constance’s face was cold, her red eyes full of malice and rage - far from the comfort and caring with which she had looked upon Rose when they first met.

The other maidens cowered at her mere presence.

“Samantha Birch,” she snarled amidst Sam’s pained choking, “I do believe we discussed what would happen if you acted out again?”

Sam’s eyes filled with terror, and she attempted to scream out. The only thing she could get out was a strangled cry, and she again tried to suck air in through her constricted throat.

“And now you’ve nearly killed one of my maidens. How crude.”

Lady Constance dropped Sam like a sack of flour, where she hit the floor and let out a strangled, horrified cry as she sucked in air. Rose physically recoiled, tears dripping down her face and her heart slamming against her ribcage. She felt sick - the screaming set her on high alert, and she covered her head and ears. She felt Bayley grab her by the head, pulling her close to her chest.

Sam didn’t stop screaming, even as she was dragged by the hair out of the room and down a hall, until the sound died out the farther she was. The room fell into an eerie, stiff silence, the tension still no thinner than when she entered. Rose didn’t even realize she was hyperventilating until the silence fell, her ragged gasps for air breaking the silence - save for the flickering of the candles. A few of the maidens trickled out of the room, dissipating until it was just Rose, Bayley, and the night shift maidens. Even they left, one saying she was going to find a bandage for Bayley’s face.

Her sobs broke through as she rested her head against Bayley’s chest, the other woman’s hand gently brushing through her hair. She gently hushed Rose’s strangled sobs, doing her best to comfort the shaken woman while being shaken herself.

Eventually, one of the maidens came back with a bandage and a handkerchief. She gently wiped the wound across Bayley’s nose, before pulling her to her feet - Rose followed suit, slowly able to stand as she began to compose herself. Her hands were trembling so hard that she could hardly hold on to Bayley’s. They were led away from the room, towards the hallway and away from the bloody scene behind them.

Bayley’s nose was bandaged. Her hands were washed of blood, as much as she could get off. They sat on a window seat in the hallway, a little ways from the bathrooms. Bayley ran a hand up and down Rose’s back, whose face was buried in her hands. Sam’s screams echoed through her mind like a call in a cavern, forcing her to relive the moment again and again. Lady Constance…

“That’s what happens to those who rebel,” Bayley murmured in a defeated whisper. “I wish she had just stuck it out a little longer…”

“What’s going to happen to her?” Rose asked in that same, hushed whisper. “Will she be okay?”

Bayley didn’t answer.

The silence pressed on for a while, but was broken by the familiar dung of the Lady’s heels against the cold floor. Rose flinched, shutting her eyes tightly and bowing her head. Would she be next? Would the Lady punish her for being awake so late? Was whatever was going to happen to Sam going to happen to her? Her heart caught in her throat.

The footsteps stopped in front of them.

“Miss Atropa.”

Rose swallowed hard, slowly but surely lifting her head to look up at Lady Constance. She could have sighed in relief - the look of anger and malice was gone. Instead, her face held a gentle expression.

“Apologies on my behalf for the outburst you had to witness. I’m sorry you had to see such an outrage of power and pain. It shouldn’t happen again.”

She then turned to Bayley.

“Both of you should get some rest. I will be sure that this won’t happen again. Miss Evans…”

She placed a hand on Bayley's shoulder. She was tense.

“I’m sorry for Miss Birch’s attack against you. I understand if you’d like to take a day or two to rest.”

Bayley nodded her head, folding her hands in her lap.

“Thank you, my Lady.”

“Miss Atropa, may I speak to you?”

Rose took a moment to nod, taking the Lady’s now extended hand and allowing herself to be pulled to her feet.

“Worry not, I would just like to make conversation.”

The Lady’s hands were surprisingly warm and gentle. Although, the rings upon her fingers were a mix of both warm and cold.

“Rest well, Miss Evans.”

“I’ll--I’ll see you later, Bayley.”

Lady Constance led the way down the hall, taking a few moments to release Rose’s hand. There was silence, and Rose fidgeted with her hands, her head lowered. What could the Lady want with her?

“I really did want to apologize, dear, for the outburst of anger I showed today. I saw how frightened you were upon seeing it.”

Rose was quiet, walking beside her Lady with her arms crossed.

“I… I don’t-- I don’t do well with raised voices,” she murmured after a while. “Bad memories.”

“I won’t pry for details until you’re ready,” Lady Constance replied in a softer tone. “I understand the pain that past events can cause someone. It… It can be painful to speak of.”

She spoke as if she had experience with such memories. Rose wouldn’t pry further.

“Th--Thank you.”

“Do you have another nightgown to change into? That one looks a bit stained,” Lady Constance continued, nodding towards Rose’s bloody sleeve.

She nodded, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Yes, m-my Lady. I-I should have one.”

“Leave that one in the laundry, tomorrow morning. I’ll have the stains removed from it immediately.”

“Yes--Yes, my Lady.”

A silence fell between them once more. The Lady’s heels clicked against the ground, and Rose found herself almost falling into a rhythm of trying to match her pace.

“If you need, I won’t be upset if you’re late to make the bedding tomorrow,” Lady Constance continued. “It’s been an eventful night.”

“I-I won’t be, m-my Lady. I’ll be-- I’ll be up on time.”

“Promise me you won’t fret too much, dear, alright?”

Rose felt red flush her face as Lady Constance’s hand rested against her back. The hair on the back of her neck stood up.

“It’ll be your second day, and already you’ve had to witness the worst. I’ll try my hardest not to let it happen again.”

“Yes, m-my Lady.”

“Trust me, it’s not nearly that terrifying all of the time. You shouldn’t have had to witness such an ordeal. However, I do appreciate the efforts you made to help Miss Evans. I’m sure she’s grateful for it.”

Another nod, and Rose bit the inside of her cheek. She almost dared not to ask, but it ate away at her chest, and she spat it out before she could take it back:

“Is Sam going to be okay?”

The Lady paused, as did Rose. She turned to the smaller woman, her red eyes looking down at her with a mix of emotions. She hesitated to reply, but gently took Rose’s shoulder after a few moments.

“Miss Birch will be punished accordingly. She cut Miss Evans across the face - an attempt at her life. This isn’t the first time she has caused trouble with the other maidens.”

Rose lowered her head, but nodded nonetheless.

“A little higher, and she would have blinded poor Miss Evans. She’s one of my best - I’d prefer her eyes to stay intact. Worse, she could have killed her.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

Lady Constance hummed, her hand resuming its place on Rose’s back as she began to walk again.

“It’s getting late. It’d be best for you to head to your room, yes?” she purred, a soft smile crossing her midnight-black lips. Her ruby-red eyes almost seemed to glow in the dim lamplight. The soft glow illuminated her pale skin, reflected off her neat, coal black hair.

Rose shook herself, before nodding a bit too quickly.

“O-Of course, m-my Lady.”

The walk continued in silence for a little while longer. They climbed a flight of stairs, leading to the servants’ quarters. Rose felt her heart beat faster as they approached her room. Lady Constance paused once they reached the door, so Rose paused as well. The Lady’s hand moved to her shoulder, squeezing it in a reassuring manner.

“Do try to get some sleep, dear. It’s been a taxing last few days for you, hasn’t it?” She said with a smile.

Rose nodded, glancing over the Lady’s smile before lowering her head.

“I-I’ll try, m-my Lady.”

“Good girl.”

Rose felt her face turn bright red, warmth spreading across her cheeks faster than she could fully register exactly what had just been said to her. She opened her mouth, but the words failed her. Her Lady was already walking away, her back turned as she gave a small wave.

“Goodnight, Rose. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Rose swallowed, watching Lady Constance until she had turned the corner and descended the stairs, out of sight. Even then, she stared at the empty hallway for a long time, until she finally opened her bedroom door and stepped inside, closing it behind her.

Her heart was pounding against her ribcage, and Rose covered her mouth with her hand. Her face felt hot to the touch. She leaned against her bedroom door, desperately trying to calm the raging blush in her cheeks.

Keep it together, Rose! She thought to herself. She’s just being kind.

She took a deep breath, followed by a long exhale as she let go of her face. She leaned her head back against the door, closing her eyes.

After a few moments of trying to collect herself, she glanced over at her bed. The diamonds of her ring sitting on the end table glittered in the moonlight. A lump grew in her throat, and she bit the inside of her cheek.

Rose approached the nightstand, taking the ring in her hands. She watched the glittering of diamonds in the moonlight, before taking another deep breath.

She opened the drawer in the side table, before dropping the ring inside and pushing it shut. She didn’t realize she had held her breath in her chest until she let it out, as soon as the ring was out of sight.

After changing her nightgown, she then climbed into bed, staring up at the ceiling as she wrapped herself in the blankets. It held no answers for her, despite her whirring mind. That plain, white stone glared down at her, unmoving despite her stare. Her head was buzzing with thoughts like a swarm of bees over a fresh, empty set of honeycombs.

She wondered if she’d be able to sleep. She needed to, but the last two days…

She shuddered. So much violence… She grazed the bandage on her cheek with her fingertips, flinching at the dull pain that followed. It stung, yes, but not nearly as much as it first had. Not to mention, the terror in Sam’s eyes as she was lifted from the ground by the throat, the deranged gleam in her eyes as she slashed Bayley across the face…

Yet…there was a glimmer of kindness, too. Annabelle’s warm gaze as she invited her in from the cold, frozen forest - offered her security and shelter. Jada’s smile as she shook her hand, leading her through the castle at a brisk pace and even vouching for her, asking the Lady to be kind to her on her first day. Bayley’s soft smile during their conversation, running a hand down her back despite her terror, offering her security from her own mind despite her injuries.

Rose sighed, running a hand through her hair. She then turned over on her side and forced herself to close her eyes, listening to the rattling of the window panes and the wind outside. It helped to take her mind off of it - she needed to rest.