Pov : Bedside Sitting, Waiting for Daniela to take medicine for your wounds.
You sit on the edge of Daniela's large bed covered with a dark red silk mosquito net. The mattress is very soft, much more luxurious than any sleeping pad you have ever felt as a waiter. In this room, the temperature felt warmer, and the soothing scent of jasmine slowly began to remove the tension from the remnants of horror at House Beneviento.
Daniela approached with a small wooden box carved in her hand. He sits beside you, so close that you can feel the chill emanating from his lifeless but fascinating body.
Different Touches
"Give me your hand," he commanded quietly.
He took your finger that was injured by the demon. Very carefully—a move that would have been almost absurd for a bloodthirsty predator—he applied a dark green herbal ointment to your wound. The cold taste of the ointment instantly eliminates the sting.
"You know..." Daniela muttered without looking into your eyes, focusing on your fingers. "Your blood... It was the most honest taste I have ever tasted. There is no bitter fear in it. Only... courage."
He gently wraps your fingers in a clean linen cloth. When he finishes, he doesn't immediately let go of your hand. Instead, he grasped it, his thumb rubbing the back of your athletic hand.
Moments Under the Red Mosquito Net
Daniela looked up, staring at your handsome face under the dim candlelight. Her dark hair was unraveled a little messy, and for the first time, her yellow eyes didn't look hungry, but rather full of deep curiosity.
"Mom said you should sleep here," Daniela whispered, her voice now very low and hoarse. "But he didn't say we should go to bed right away, did he?"
He crawls a little closer, his knees touching your thighs. The flies were now just a subtle hum in the corner of the room, as if they were providing privacy for their mistress.
The atmosphere is getting more intimate:
Outside the window, a blizzard began to rage, making the atmosphere inside the room feel even more isolated from the outside world.
You slowly raised your other hand, ignoring the slight ache from the bandage, and touched Daniela's icy cheek. Your warm fingers from the rest of the bath contrast sharply with her porcelain-pale skin.
"You know..." You whispered, staring directly into his golden eyes that were now widened in surprise. "You look so much prettier when you're not trying to kill me."
The Princess's Fragile Reaction
Daniela froze silently. His hand that had been creeping over your shoulder stopped. Your touch on his cheek seemed to pierce his strongest defenses. All this time, she was only seen as a monster, a predator, or a bloodthirsty "princess". No one had ever dared to look at the other side of him, let alone praise him with such sincerity in such an intimate moment.
"You..." Daniela's voice broke out, no longer sounding cruel or mischievous, but fragile and confused. "You're really not afraid of me, are you?"
He slowly closes his eyes, leaning his head deeper into your warm palm. A soft sigh escaped her red lips. The flies in the corner of the room suddenly disappeared completely, as if they were also respecting the princess's moment of weakness (or humanity).
Night Under the Red Mosquito Net
Daniela slowly opened her eyes again. His gaze was now no longer hungry, but full of deep curiosity and... something that resembles softness. He doesn't attack you, he doesn't lick your blood anymore. Instead, he crawls closer and rests his head on your athletic shoulder.
"Stay like this for a while," Daniela whispered, her voice very low. "Only... Let me feel your warmth. It's been a very long time since I've felt it... since before I became like this."
You can feel his cold body begin to relax in your arms. Outside the window, the snowstorm was raging, but inside this room, the world felt quiet and peaceful.
The Atmosphere Is Getting Quieter:
You're in a very unique position; You embrace one of the deadliest monsters in the castle, and he seeks refuge in you.
Pov : *Cassandra and Bela peek behind the door*
The atmosphere in the room that was so warm and intimate suddenly felt a little different. Behind the cracks of the large wooden door that was not tightly closed, two pairs of eyes gleamed in the darkness of the hallway.
Bela and Cassandra stood there, peeking out with unpredictable expressions.
Bela narrowed his eyes, his sickle resting casually on his shoulder. "Look at that, Cassandra... Our little brother really made it a bolster pillow," Bela whispered in a cynical tone but there was a hint of jealousy in it. "I haven't seen Daniela so docile since... Well, since he still has a heartbeat."
Cassandra chuckled softly, the sound of a restrained and sharp laughter. "Sstt! Don't be noisy. If Mother knew we were spying, she would hang us in the torture chamber. But look at that young man... she dared to rub Daniela's head as if she were just a house cat."
Caught Snooping
Suddenly, one of Daniela's flies that was still awake flew towards the door, noticing the presence of an "intruder". Daniela moved her head slightly on your shoulder, but she still seemed too comfortable to fully wake up.
Those of you who have a sharp instinct because of your athletic body and alert senses, realize that there is movement behind the door. When you turn your head, you see the tip of Bela's black robe blown away by the wind of the passage.
Pov : Signaling, Sticking your index finger to your lips ("Sstt") towards the door, challenging the courage of Daniela's two sisters.
With a slow movement so as not to wake up Daniela who was leaning comfortably on your shoulder, you turned your head towards the gap in the door. You see the twinkle in Bela and Cassandra's eyes peeking out with great curiosity.
While still stroking Daniela's hair with your left hand, you raise the index finger of your right hand to your lips—giving a firm but calm "Sstt" gesture. Your handsome, confident gaze seems to challenge them: Don't be noisy, or you'll ruin this rare moment of your sister.
The Sister's Stunned Reaction
Defending wide-sided. He did not expect that a "servant" would dare to give a silent order to a daughter of Dimitrescu. However, seeing how peaceful Daniela is in your arms, she takes a deep breath and nudges Cassandra's shoulder.
"She's so presumptuous..." Cassandra whispered in a tone of restrained admiration. "But look at Daniela's face. He looked... Calm down. I don't want to be the one who awakens the monster inside him if this moment is broken."
Bela just snorted softly, then slowly pulled the door of the room until it was tightly closed with an almost inaudible clicking sound. They decided to leave, perhaps to report "your courage" to Lady Alcina or simply gossip in the lower hall.
The Silence That Is Restored
Now the room is quiet again, leaving only the roar of a snowstorm outside and Daniela's regular breathing in your neck. Daniela squirmed slightly, her cold hands gripping your white shirt tighter, as if afraid you'd leave while she was asleep.
"Don't... go..." Daniela's tail was very quiet, almost inaudible.
An overwhelming sense of fatigue after all the events at House Beneviento and the tension in the wine cellar begin to attack you. Your athletic body feels heavy, and the jasmine scent from Daniela's pillow begins to lull you into the realm of dreams.
Long Nights in the West Tower:
You are on the verge of sleep, hugging one of the most dangerous creatures in this world as if he is everything to you.