Chapter Text
The carriage jerked slightly as it went, the uneven road carrying you closer to your destination. You nervously smooth down your outfit once again, taking a deep breathe in and out. In and out. Peering out the small window you see the awe inspiring silhouette rise above all else. Castle Dimitrescu.
You sighed now, it won't be long till you reach your new home. Closing your eyes you leaned back, using the rest of the ride to mentally prepare yourself. Too soon the carriage came to a stop, the door being held open by the driver. "We're here Miss."
"Thank you." You reply, taking the offered hand as you got out. As he moved to carry your small bag of luggage you waved him away. "It's not much I can handle it, thank you though." You notice to visible relief that brought to the man as he eyed the castle.
"Right. Well good day." He says, quickly getting back in his seat and urging the horse to go. You grip your luggage just a little tighter as you summoned your strength and headed to the door. Raising the brass knocker you knocked three times, the sound echoing ominously.
After a moment a maid opened the door, greeting you quickly and quietly. "If you'll follow me I'm to bring you to the Lady." You nodded, "Oh. Do set your stuff down, another maid will take it to your room." She then turned and began walking deeper into the castle. Quickly you followed suit, refusing to make your first impression a bad one.
The maid led you through many hallways and stairs, making you wonder just how truly massive the castle is. Arriving at what seemed to be your destination the maid knocked. "Enter." Glancing at you the maid nodded letting you enter and closed the door behind you.
The room was quite large and exquisitly furnished, the white and gold of the furniture playing nicely with the baroque scheme of the castle. You noticed the tall figure sitting at a desk, writing away. Lady Dimitrescu. She pens a few more lines before setting her pen aside and rising. Your eyes widened, she was beautiful. Sharply you feel a twinge in your chest, that made you want to draw near to her. Doing your best to smother it you silently curse yourself. What a way to act towards the lady. You do your best to school your face into a, hopefully, respectful face and ignore the now soft pull to her. She let her eyes roam over you, something a light in them. Though it quickly passed and her eyes steeled themselves.
"Come, sit." Lady Dimitrescu motions to a sitting area, taking the larger chair for herself. Promptly you take your seat, clasping your hands in your lap. "You are Y/N, I presume?"
"Yes my Lady."
She sat quietly for a moment studying you. "I'll admit when your uncle approached me about taking you in I was quite surprised. He assured me that you would be a worthy servant, well rather that you would be a worthy gardener."
"Yes my Lady. My family has been herbalist and florist for years, I've been growing and tending to plants for as long as I can remember." You reply confidently, plants you can do. Being a maid however, well you'd be fired or as rumor stated, killed before the day ended.
"Your uncle assured me as such. I do hope he wouldn't lie to me. It is uncommon for a woman to be working my gardens. Usually a man takes that position as I prefer to keep maids in house." Lady Dimitrescu raised a brow. "Are you sure you can live up to my expectations?"
"Fairly confident my Lady."
She smiled, amusement lighting her eyes. "Now I must admit I'm curious, I was not aware that the Duke had family in the area."
You smiled softly, "In truth he's not my uncle, well at least not by blood. He and my father grew up together, my Nan treated him as a son, so naturally he's been referred to as my uncle my whole life."
"And it's seems a very protective one at that. Asking me to take you in for your safety." Lady Dimitrescu's tone shifts as she firmly continues. "I do not know what exactly your circumstance is, and I do not need to know. All I need is a promise that you will follow the rules here I do not tolerate bullying and fighting, if there is a problem work it out yourself. If it comes to the attention of my daughters and I and is deemed important enough for us to step in......well it would be most unwise to let it get to that point. Am I understood?"
"Yes my Lady."
"Good. You will start in the morning, Caius will be giving you your tour and then leave you to your work. Bernadette will explain to you everything you need to know before then. You are dismissed."
"Yes my Lady." You reply swiftly rising and exiting the door, the maid from earlier perked up from her spot against the wall. Turning she began leading you down hallways again at a rapid pace.
"Forgive me I didn't introduce myself on the way to her study but I'm Bernadette. I've worked here for close to five years now."
"Y/N. I'm here to be the new gardener."
"Oh really? That's certainly something new. Anyway I should tell you the basics: Keep your head down and do your work. Avoid interacting with the ladies of the castle if you can. Meals are served at six, twelve, and six. Showers are down the second hall on the left," Bernadette motions to said hall. "There is a lounge area on the first hall to the right to visit among ourselves. Oh and never leave the servants quarters after curfew. Unless called upon by the ladies."
You nodded, repeating the words back to her. "Anything else I need to know?"
"Considering you're the new gardener? The Lady is partial to her roses. Other than that don't be late for dinner unless you like your food cold." She smiled, "Now I must be off, but get settled and hope you get decent roommates."
"Thank you." You called as Bernadette left you at your door. Twisting the knob, entering the room and noticing your luggage sitting on one of the three beds, furtherst on the left. Sighing to yourself, you started to unpack, clothing tucked away in the small wardrobe provided. You spread your favorite blanket over the bed before placing your few books and notebook on top of your nightstand. Glancing at the clock on the wall you noted you had a couple of hours left before dinner. Quietly you slipped into bed, content to get a little rest before then. With thoughts swirling of the ride here, the brief introductions, and the soft twinge you still feel from being in the Lady's presence, you drift off to sleep.
You woke with a stretch, eyes blinking wearily at the ceiling. Movement caught your eye, turning to the right you see two maids looking over at you. "Uh...hello?"
"Hello." One of them chirped, "You're the new gardener I take it?" You blinked surprised, but before you could answer the other one chimes in.
"Word travels quickly around the castle so if you want something to stay private don't talk about it unless you really trust them." She said, examining her nails. "The name is Rebecca by the way. That one is Odetta." Odetta smiled and nodded her head as she was introduced.
"Y/N." Sitting up on the bed you smiled, "But yes you are right, I am the new gardener." You got up and made your bed quickly, smoothing out any wrinkles. "Have I missed supper?"
"No, it starts in twenty minutes." Odetta answered. "We were just about to wake you and see if you wanted to head that way with us."
"I would, thank you." Together you three headed to the servants dining hall, chatting the way there or rather Odetta chatted while you and Rebecca occasionally adding your input. The meal passed the same way, plus quite a few curious glances in your direction but you paid them no mind.
As you three headed off to your room for the night, you couldn't help but wander back to your meeting with the Lady. The feeling tugged again in your chest, but you did your best to dismiss it again. She was beautiful but dangerous as your uncle had said, best to focus on work and staying alive. And this is what stays with you tonight; the pull and anxious thoughts about what the morning holds.