The next few days were pretty calm. Since Mother Miranda was dead, no one had to be afraid of her. The villagers soon had back their normal everyday life and it nearly seemed like they did not even remember that evil witch. But they needed a superior, so one who told them what was wrong and what was not. As one of the seven, Melisande (or Arachne) took Miranda's place as head of the village and its lords. She helped the people with her magic to solve everyday problems which quickly led to them praying to her.

It was a quiet, peaceful morning in Castle Dimitrescu. The summer sun was shining through the high windows into the bedroom of Alcina and Melisande. The lady of the castle was laying on her side on the bed, smiling dreamingly while looking at Melisade, who was breastfeeding little Saiya. The baby made cute little noises while drinking and looked with big blue eyes up to her mother. Melisande herself smiled warmly, but Alcina could not help to notice the worried shimmer in her eyes that was present at every moment of the day.

Alcina kisses Melisande's bare shoulder, which made Melisande chuckle a little. "What is on your mind, my love?", the Countess asked with a low, still sleepy voice. Melisande brushed over her daughter's hair and started to dress her in her little jumper. "Nothing important. I just did not sleep so well.", she answered and gave Saiya to Alcina, who took the baby extra gently. With her big hands she carefully tickled the little girl, making her laugh in a high baby voice. "Who is mommy's little angel? Yes you are.", the Lady said, her voice full of love for the girl.

Melisande watched the scene with a smile and tears in her eyes. There were no tears of joy or happiness, but of sadness. She tried to hide her inner feelings and the pain she was experiencing every day since the birth of her daughter. Alcina did not know, but Melisande knew her story was coming to a close.
She rose from the bed and went to the window with slow and elegant steps. Her gaze wandered over the green hills, the trees, the village. Her new home. All of those lands she was looking at were her and Alcinas properties and they took care of them all. Everything was so peaceful since she killed Miranda that she had nearly forgotten how sick she was. Yes, she knew that the day she would die would break Alcinas heart and it broke hers to know she would cause so much pain. This was the reason why she never told Alicna of her pain. She wanted to enjoy her last week's, days… Who knows how long she would live.

She looked down at a field filled with little flowers of all kinds and colours, shining like little colorful dots on the green grass. Beautiful. It was at this moment, when she had a wonderful idea. She turned around, her sadness vanished. "Alcina, dear, it's such great weather, why don't we arrange a picnic for us and our daughter's. Maybe Donna and Karl want to join us too." The Countess looked surprised by her sudden offer. Since the ball Melisande had avoided any kind events. She even refused to go hunting with her three older daughters. She had told her that she was simply too afraid to leave her little Saiya behind for too long even when Alcina was always near.

“What a wonderful idea, sweetness”, the lady answered with a light smile and stood, still carrying Saiya in her giant arms.
A knock at the door made them turn their heads, but they already knew who it was, thanks to the loud giggling outside their room. “Come on in, daughters.”, Melisande said, stepping forward to stand next to Alcina. With loud laughter the girls ran inside, holding each other's hands. They started to dance in circles around their mothers, which made Melisande chuckle and Alcina raising her eyebrow with a skeptical expression. “Calm down!”, she demanded with a confused voice. “Oh, mother!”Cassandra began, smiling brightly. “It’s such a nice day!”Daniela continued with shining eyes, ”We wanted to ask you, if we can leave the castle to play outside!”Bela closed their thoughts. The lady still looked a bit stiff, because her daughters behaved so inappropriately. “What a coincidence…We just had the idea of a picnic in the gardens”,she explained with a slow voice, inspecting each of her daughters, who burst into cheers of joy.

Melisande watched how Alicna triet to calm them down, but it was an impossible task. They were full of joy and volunteered to invite Heisenberg and Donna over. And with that they rushed out of the room, their giggling resounding through the whole castle.
Melisande watched them leave with a calm smile before she turned to her wardrobe to pick a dress.

About two hours later Melisane was dressed in a lavender gown with tiny white flowers with long puffy sleeves. She wore withe shoes and a pearl necklace with a bright shining amethyst. Her curls felt in waves over her back. She looked truly beautiful as she stepped down the grand staircase with Saiya in her arms, Alcina being right next to her.
The Countess herself wore a light white dress with lacing at the sleeves. Instead of her normal hat she wore a cream coloured sun hat with white flowers.
The three daughters had dressed in a red (Cassandra), a light blue (Bela) and in a bright yellow (Daniela). They looked beautiful although it was a bit unusual to see them in those bright and friendly colours.

“They look astonishing”, Melisande said to Alcina as they made their way to the gardens and watched them carry the big basket filled with all kinds of sweets and refreshments. “They do, but you far outshine them”, Alcina said and smiled down at her love. “You flatter me.” “I am just telling the truth.” With that Alcina placed a kiss on Melisande’s forehead.

The sun was warm and comforting, the blanket soft and the sweets just so delicious. It was wonderful, like a dream, Melisande thought as she watched Bela, Cassandra and Daniela dance with Donna over the green grass with bare feet and a big smile on their faces. They had taken each other by the hand and turned in circles, surrounded by thousands of tiny flowers of all kinds. Donna had even taken down her veil and her hair was falling down to her shoulders. A pretty girl.
Alcina was laying in the sun next to her, peacefully sleeping with a light smile on her red lips. Karl was playing with Saiya in a little pool he had built for the baby, so she could cool down herself. Saiya was laughing loudly, while splashing Karl with water over and over again. She laughed lightly at the sight.

It was all so peaceful, so incredibly wonderful. A warm hand closed around hers and she turned to look in Alcinas honey eyes. No words where needed when their gazes met.
“Then she said te amo
Then she put her hand around me waist
I told her no
She cried te amo
I told her I'm not gonna run away
But let me go
My soul is awry
Without asking why
I said te amo
Wish somebody'd tell me what she said?
Don't it mean I love you?
Think it means I love you
Don't it mean I love you?
Think it means I love you”

Alcina started to sing with an angelic voice and soon Melisande joined in. They sang together and pressed her foreheads together when they sang the last verses:
“ Te amo, te amo
   Don’t it mean I love you?”

They laughed and Melisande noticed that Alcina held something in her hand. She sat up straight. “What is that?”, she asked and watched Alcinas smile turn more loving. “Oh it’s just for a question.”, she explained. Melisandes felt butterflies in her stomach. “A question?”
Alcinas hand caressed her cheek as she said: ”You see, I have created so many beautiful things of art and they all carry my name, but one is not and the thought that my most beautiful piece of art, that is most dear to my heart, is not carrying my name is killing me.”, she paused for a second, looking deep into Melisande’s eyes, “So, will you marry me?”

She revealed a silver ring with a bright amethyst and smiled confidently. Tears shimmered in Melisande’s eyes as she nodded and said: “Yes...Yes I will.” Alcina took her right hand and placed the silver ring on her ring finger. Melisande looked at it in slight disbelief. This surely must be a dream. This was too good to be true. The couple shared a loving kiss. Applause could be heard. Karl had been the first to notice the proposal. He came over, Saiya in his arms. “Told you she would say yes.”, he said to Alcina, who smiled brightly. “Thanks Karl. The ring is truly beautiful.” Melisande looked up in surprise. “You made this?”, she showed her hand. “Of course. Thought the silver would suit your eyes better than gold.” Melisande stood and hugged Karl. “Thank you, so, so much.”

Soon the others also noticed the ring and hugged the women. Cassandra tried to hide her tears, but failed eventually. Bela was the most calm, just wishing her mothers the best and Daniela screamed out of excitement. Donna was a bit shy, but also wished the two the very best.

The day went on as the most happy day Melisande remembered. She also had seen Arane in the forest nearby and had held up her hand for her to see and she could see the approval of her spirit, which meant a lot to her.
She watched the three daughters play with their little sister, Alcina sitting nearby. Karl and Donna were also seated. It was a happy sight.

It was only then, when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach and breast. She flinched only for a second, before she continued smiling. She looked at her daughters, her fiancé, Karl and Donna and she decided that Saiya was the most happy to have such a family.

Quietly she rose from the blanket and made her way up the hills to the castle. No one noticed that she left. Melisande looked back at their smiling faces and when she turned around a single tear felt down her cheek…