Chapter 20: Accusations

                                    

                                          


                          
Donna's siblings slowly parted from their endearing hug once they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The three siblings looked up at the stairs to spot Ariel Eden, Rue Frostbite soon-to-be Dimitrescu and finally, Lex Miroslava.
                          
Donna's heart fluttered as soon as their eyes locked with one another. However, Alcina was the first to get up, taking quick steps towards her beloved and kneeling down to her level. Rue smiled and softly caressed her lovers' pale jaw. Donna smiled at the pair but then frowned when she saw the maid who blushed at Lex now trying to strike up a conversation with the woman. Before anyone could even blink, the Dollmaker was by Lex's side, holding her arm and resting her head on the woman's shoulder.
                          
Lex looked at the woman, blinking a few times before blushing profusely. ''H-Hello Donna.''
                          
''Hey Lex, you okay?'' Donna smiled, gazing at the woman lovingly, making sure that Ariel saw everything she did and heard everything she said.
                          
''I-I'm alright.'' Lex blushed, her composure slowly slipping from her. ''How are you?''
                          
''Better now.'' she cooed in a deep, yet feminine whispery tone. The white haired woman visibly shuttered in delight. The Dollmaker hummed before, out of the corner of her eye, she saw everyone staring at her. The two woman turned to everyone who stared at her.
                          
''Gay!'' the two youngest Dimitrescu daughters shouted, peeking their heads from around the corner and revealing themselves. Donna and Lex looked at each other before pulling away from each other with red faces.
                          
Rue turned to her two daughters, ''Daniela and Cassandra Dimitrescu, apologize.''
                          
The two daughters removed themselves from their hiding place and walked towards their family. Alcina quickly stood, adjusting her hat while Karl sipped his tea as Angie continued to poke his belly.
                          
''It was gay! Why should we have to apologize?'' Daniela gestured to her aunt and Lex. ''We saw gay.''
                          
''So we said gay!'' Cassandra finished the sentence. An angry pout formed on Rue's face but it came across more cute than angry. ''That ain't bullying!''
                          
''That's an astute observation!'' Daniela pointed out.
                          
''That's my girls!'' Karl shouted happily from the couch. Alcina's fiancée groaned, pressing her palm against her forehead.
                          
''Hey, what's for dinner anyway?'' Angie asked loudly, changing to subject; much to Donna and Lex's delight.
                          
***
                          
If Lex said dinner was silent, she'd be lying. The table was erupting with chatter and laughs. However, the Countess of the castle wasn't there. She had gone off to look for her eldest daughter who had not joined them for dinner. Every time Lex and Donna stole glances at each other, their cheeks would flare up and their eyes would dart back to their food.
                          
Lex felt a little strange sitting at such an elegant table with nobility. She had never sat at a table with so many people before. It was all a bit overwhelming. As silently as she could, she took a small bite of the food that had been served. It was the first bite she had taken since the dish had been presented to her, which was nearly fifteen minutes ago.
                          
''Do you not like it?'' a voice came from behind her. Lex turned to see a maid with dirty blonde hair and kind eyes. The white haired woman gave her a slightly embarrassed smile.
                          
''No, it's not that. I'm just-''
                          
''Not that hungry?'' Sofia quirked an eyebrow. The white haired woman nodded. ''Alright, just eat as much as you can. No one's forcing you to eat.'' the maid leaned towards her ear and whispered, ''But I'm sure Lady Beneviento will want you to eat. You look a little on the thin side.''