Synopsis: It's been a few years since the events of that battle that changed your life forever, and the wedding that tied your fate to the Dimitrescus for the rest of eternity. While it has been all that you hoped for and more, deep down there was the faintest glimmer of yearning to raise a child of your own. After all, your daughters were already grown (and technically older than you!) when you had stumbled into their life (but no less loved, to be clear).
A funny thing fate is, however, that a child just so happens to stumble into Castle Dimitrescu, just as you had all those years ago.
A continuation of 'For All Eternity', and expansion of the 'With You, I'm Home' universe.
Read it on AO3 here!
Chapter One: An Intruder at Game Night
It is early in the evening in the halls of Castle Dimitrescu. The candelabras that could be found throughout the castle flickered gently, lighting up the halls. Meanwhile, the crackling hearths warmed all the inhabitants of those inside. A gentle melody heavy with nostalgia filtered through the doors of the main hall from an old-fashioned gramophone, long forgotten by the people that turned it on hours before.
Outside, the soft chirps of the crickets could be heard from the fields, the hoots of owls sitting up on the branches of trees, the breeze as it trickled past the windowsills. And slowly but surely, the sun was peacefully setting, making way for the night. Everything was calm and as it should be.
Of course, there was a reason people tell you to enjoy the peace while it lasted because it never did.
This is because just past the slightly intimidating busts of the Hall of Four, through the beautifully ornate halls of the lower level, right outside the Lady of the House's own bedroom sat a quaint little sitting room. And this room... well, it was something else entirely.
On the couch of the sitting room, two lovers nestled close in proximity, relishing in the comfort that one another provided. Anyone could see that they were well attuned to one another, as though spending time together was simply second nature to them. Looking closer, on their left hands sat matching pairs of white gold rings, a symbol of their eternal love for each other and of memories of a wedding day a few years past. One was significantly taller than the other, and people would come to learn that this was the Lady of the House. Her partner by her side was smaller, yet still tall compared to regular humans. What was unmistakable however was the way they emanated the same kind of otherworldly etherealness.
Across from them sat two girls on a couch identical to their own while a third sat on a chaise next to it. The two with brown and blonde hair respectively, while the third with fiery red. Each girl was similar in stature, and their matching outfits made them look close in appearance. But despite the similarities in outward appearances, by no means were these girls the same. Each had their own defining personalities, almost as different as night and day, although alike in some ways like all siblings are. They too had an otherworldly feel to them just like their parents did.
Perhaps it was the glowing golden eyes, intimidating to any that met their gaze and a trait that was shared throughout the family. But one thing was for sure, these people were not human.
They were supernatural.
But aside from that, something else made this room stand out. For one thing, it was significantly warmer than the rest of the castle for some reason. But you'd be a fool to not understand why, because the moment you step foot past the threshold of the door you'll see that throughout the air fluttered little red butterflies. These were no normal butterflies however, no, these ones were lit up in *flames*, as though the ceiling was littered with little fiery balls of light. They seemed to center around one person in particular, you.
Scattered among the butterflies were a couple of flies as well, although these weren't like any flies you've ever seen, it was almost like an entirely new breed of them, larger than any you might ever see around. They chased after the butterflies in a game of tag, as far as tag for insects go, in search of the warmth they provided.
Oh, and the serenity that persisted throughout the rest of the castle? That was seemingly exempt here, replaced by the chaos that was the Dimitrescu family.
"Oh for Mother's sake, *DANIELA!! IF I LAND ON ONE MORE OF YOUR PROPERTIES THIS SICKLE ISN'T STAYING IN ITS SHEATH," Cassandra shrieked.
"I have no clue what you're talking about, sister," Daniela retorted calmly, yet still snickering into her sleeve. "But seriously, pay up," Daniela says with a smirk, holding out her hand for the colourful money Cassandra owed.
It was game night, an event that happens on Sunday evenings every so often, for what better way is there to bond than to play some inconsequential games?
It also serves as a peaceful way to end busy weeks, a moment of reprieve surrounded by the ones you love most.
"NO WAY, YOU LITERALLY ALREADY HAVE ALL OF MY MONEY WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED."
Well, usually.
The two girls had been going around in circles, with Cassandra seemingly stuck in an endless cycle of landing on Daniela's properties over and over again, her money disappearing right before her eyes. Meanwhile, her sister only continued to grow her empire around the board as her stacks of cash increased in size.
Cassandra growled, her golden eyes flashing angrily before turning to you, demeanour shifting almost instantaneously. It made your eyes glitter with amusement at her duality.
"Mama~" Cassandra whines, pouting like a kicked puppy.
"I'm sorry Cassie, that's just how the game goes," you tell her sympathetically. You had already been out for a while now, having given up the last of your life savings and properties to Daniela a couple of turns back.
"Girls, just make your moves already. Cassandra, pay up darling," Alcina huffed, tapping her foot impatiently. Although Daniela had the lead, Alcina was right behind her. Which in all honestly shouldn't have been surprising considering she had her own LITERAL village to run and not just a mere imaginary one.
Stacks of cash were clasped in between her hands, much of it coming from your own pockets, although you didn't have the heart to be upset. Just looking at her quelled any turbulent feelings that might have arose, because she was just too cute. It was comedic really, the way the tiny bills fit within your tall wife's large hands.
Nothing amused you more than the competitiveness of your wife on something as insignificant as a game of Monopoly of all things, which is why you couldn't help the fact that your lips twitched up into a little grin.
This doesn't escape her keen eye, however, and she pouts her lips like a small child which makes you giggle softly into the palm of your hand. The Titaness of your wife, who had claws longer than your entire torso, pouting?? You were sure you'd only be met with disbelief if you had told anyone else about this.
"Yeah come on, it's only a game anyway," Bela states with a shrug, leaning back and crossing her legs over each other in the chair nonchalantly. Immediately three pairs of eyes automatically whip towards her offended, and she noticeably shrinks a bit in her seat, which makes you chuckle softly.
"...Or not. Y'know, definitely not just a game. Nope."
With a groan, Cassandra begrudgingly counts out her money before giving it one last longing look. After paying the atrociously high rent, she was left with a mere 20 and a couple of dollar bills. She slams the cash down into her sister's hand before sending her a ruthless glare. This only makes Daniela amused, however, and she sticks her tongue out at Cassandra.
In retaliation, she shoots out her foot in an attempt to kick her sister but Daniela transforms into a swarm of flies faster than you can blink, and your legs that were intertwined with Daniela's is met with the kick instead.
With a yelp you grab onto your shin, pain blooming in the area that was hit.
"Cassandra Dimitrescu!" Alcina scolds, sending her daughter a disapproving look. Meanwhile, Daniela just cackles from her spot and Bela just watches the entire interaction from behind her monopoly cards.
"Sorry, mama, I was going for Dani," Cassandra says sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck at her accident, but you only smile kindly.
"Hey, no harm done. But no more kicking people on game night, yeah?" you say, ruffling her hair gently. She leans up into your affectionate touch with a grin, nodding.
Pulling your hand away, you subtly throw your legs over Alcina's lap just in case. Your daughters usually listened to you well, but you'd prefer to not get kicked again, one was more than enough for one day (and besides, that girl was strong, all of your daughters were. If you didn't have your healing abilities that surely would've bruised).
Alcina only gives you a knowing look, placing her hands over your legs and running them up and down soothingly. You smile at her in response before settling into your new position and watch as Bela moves her piece across the board.
You see her freeze before letting out an exaggerated groan. Looking down, you see that she landed on Boardwalk, the most dreaded property of them all. What made it worse was that Alcina had levelled it up completely making the rent a horrific total of $1500. Although a risky investment in the beginning, clearly it paid off. It was one of the factors that made you lose so quickly after all.
Disappointedly Bela looks at what little money she had left before looking over at her property cards, and with a heavy sigh hands them over to Alcina who only smirks in response.
"Why thank you, my daughter. You are too kind." Bela only shoots her mother an incredulous look before crossing her arms and slumping back into the couch.
"Oh, it was my pleasure, Mother," Bela says, her words dripping with sarcasm which makes you laugh quietly into the palm of your hand much to her dismay.
"I'm sorry, dear. But for a person who said it was "just a game", you seem awfully disappointed."
She turns a colourful shade of red before huffing, mumbling "Yeah, whatever."
You only chuckle and flick your finger, sending a butterfly (that was not on fire, of course) over to land on her nose in an attempt to cheer her up. Her nose scrunches up at first, but she sends you a smile in thanks and you return the action.
"YES!" Cassandra exclaims in her excitement while Daniela only rolls her eyes.
By some miracle of a chance, Daniela happened to land on the last of Cassandra's expensive properties and has to now pay what Cassandra had owed previously and then some.
Bela's eyes gleamed as she grabbed the money from her sister's hand, she was still in the game— for now at least.
She rolls the dice, and with bated breath moves her piece along the board, which was understandable considering the board was like a field of mines, Daniela and Alcina's expensive properties overwhelming hers entirely. Landing on anything but her own would severely diminish the money she just got back.
Finally, she finishes moving her piece and lets out a relieved puff of air. Passing GO, she got an extra $200 and landed on her own property to top it all off.
She rolls the dice, and with bated breath moves her piece along the board, which was understandable considering the board was like a field of mines, Daniela and Alcina's expensive properties overwhelming hers entirely. Landing on anything but her own would severely diminish the money she just got back.
Finally, she finishes moving her piece and lets out a relieved puff of air. Passing GO, she got an extra $200 and landed on her own property to top it all off.
"Oh, thank God," she says, relieved, "I think this calls for a drink!"
"Absolutely not. You had enough at dinner already," Alcina says disapprovingly.
"Aw, Mother~ Just one glass, promise!"
"I think your Mother is right, Cassie. Remember last time you had too much to drink?" you say, and she cringes.
"If I recall correctly, you said 'Mother, look at me!! I'm a bat!!'" Alcina says, pitching her voice up to do a hilarious impression of her middle child, making everyone laugh at the memory.
A couple of months back, when you and Alcina had gone on a village trip together, your three daughters had gone a bit ham in the wine cellar and had a *bit* too much to drink, Cassandra even more than the other two. When you had gotten back, in her excitement Cassandra launched herself off of the second floor over the bannister and *forgot to swarm,* exclaiming "I'M A BAT!" Alcina had to practically leap to catch her before she belly-flopped onto the hard floor, while Cassandra only giggled.
Of course, they all woke up with horrible hangovers the next day.
"Alright, fine," she relents, "But I am thirsty. I'll go get some juice or something." Standing up, she moves towards the door before Alcina holds out her hand, effectively stopping her.
"If I smell alcohol on you I'm taking your sickles, young lady."
With a sigh, she says "Yes, Mother," before dissipating into a swarm of flies and making her way out.
The game continues as you wait for Cassandra to return, Alcina leaning forward to make her move. You just sit back, watching your family play with an affectionate eye. A blanket of tranquillity seemed to fall over the room as everyone just focused on the game, the gentle flapping of wings sounding like a nearby stream, adding to the atmosphere.
But then all of a sudden, a noise shatters the quiet that had settled. A shrill, unfamiliar giggle that pierces through the air.
