Warning: Self harm scars mentioned in this scenario.   

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      There I was. Standing in from of the mirror in the maiden's room. Looking at my scars. Some faded, some dark. Even though they're old. 

     A knock interrupts my thoughts. "It's me, Maria. Countess Dimitrescu wants to see you. Better hurry." Maria, one of my friends here said before walking away. Sighing, I pull my sleeves down and exit the room, heading to Lady Dimitrescu's chambers. 

     Once arriving, I knocked. "Come in." I heard the Countess say. Doing as she said, I walked in. Lady Dimitrescu was in a robe, reading a book while her daughters talked amongst another. Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela were all wearing pj's. 

     I looked towards the Countess. "You wanted to see me, my lady? Did I do something wrong?" I ask. Lady Dimitrescu's golden eyes meet my brown eyes. "No, you didn't do anything wrong. Come here." Countess said. I walked closer, keeping a foot away. 

     Lady Dimitrescu pulled me onto her lap. I yelped in shock. "My lady, this is sudden. What are you doing?" I ask frantically. Lady Dimitrescu laughs as do her daughters. "Ronnie, dear, who told you that I wanted to see you?" Alcina asked. "Mar-Maria did, my lady." I reply. "That's interesting. I didn't tell her that I wanted to see you." Alcina said, smirking. 

     I quickly got off her lap. "I apologize, my lady, but if there's no need for me, and you didn't need to see me, I'll be on my way." I say, quickly leaving and sprinting to the maiden's room. 

     Panting, I physically face palm. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. "Who is it?" I ask, still catching my breath. "Alcina." Was all Lady Dimitrescu said. I opened the door then sat on a bed.

     Lady Dimitrescu walked in, closing the door behind her. "It was rude of you to just leave." Alcina said, sitting next to me. "I apologize, my lady." Was my reply. "Call me Alcina." Lady Dimitrescu said. I looked up at her in shock. "Wait. Really?" I ask. Alcina nods. 

     "But anyway, I heard you have self harm scars and you're ashamed of them." Lady Dimitrescu says. I nod. I don't really care who knows or how they know. Alcina picks up my left arm. "May I?" She asks. "Yes." I reply. Alcina proceeds to lift my sleeve to see the scars, running her fingers over them. 

     Alcina uses her other hand to make me look at her. "Darling, I understand to an extent of why you'd be ashamed of them however your scars don't make you less beautiful or attractive. They show you've been through Hell but you're still here." Lady Dimitrescu says, caressing my face as tears fall. Without warning, I hug her tightly and quietly cry as she plays with my hair. 

     After 10 minutes, I stop crying. "Would you like to sleep in my room?" Alcina asks. I nod. Lady Dimitrescu picks me up and carries me to her room. "My daughters are already in bed." She says as she sets me on the bed. Alcina then goes into a closet, coming out (haha) with a dark red nightgown. "Here, darling." Lady Dimitrescu says, turning away as she waits for me to change. 

     After changing, I tell her it's okay to look now. She faces me, looking me up and down. "You look lovely, dear. Ready for bed?" Lady Dimitrescu says. I nod. She proceeds to turn out the light. 

     Lady Dimitrescu and I huddle under the covers. She wraps her arms around me, holding me close in a firm grip. "Goodnight, Alcina." I say sleepily. "Goodnight, my rose." The Countess replied, drifting off to sleep.