The Last Ruby Rose

Chapter 9, 1969 : Portrait

A dream weaver. A dream weaver was a very powerful witch with the power to control the dreams of her victims. She is capable of making someone hallucinate and can have a very huge influence on the physical health of a human's body. The purpose of most dream weavers is to drive their victim insane until they are in full control over their mind and body. Dream weavers are rare and count to the high society of witches, as the three sisters of fate are also dream weavers, being specialized to see the fate of all humans.

The highest of all dream weavers was known as 'The Spiders Queen', because she used spiders to know what was happening all around her territory. She is one of the seven sisters who were ensuring the balance between mankind and the power of all witches. The Spiders Queen is the youngest of all sisters, but was powerful nonetheless. One of her most notable habits is to feed her spiders with honey, but more is not known about the young witch as she disappeared without a trace nearly 100 years ago.

"So you are a dream weaver?"Alcina asked Melisande who was pinning up the Countesses' hair. After the "incident" last night Alcina had looked forward to the morning. She had a few questions. "Yes, my lady.", she answered with a pleased smile on her lips. "You can call me Alcina when we are alone.", the lady said and looked through the mirror at her personal maiden. "Tell me, darling, why are you torturing me with those dreams?" Melisande laughed and bent a bit forward and whispered directly into Alcinas ear: "Do not think I did not notice how you look at me." This answer made Alicna giggle. "Am I that obvious?" Melisande took the big black hat of her Countess and placed it on her head. "Your eyes are always telling the truth Alcina." To hear her name out of her mouth gave Alcina goosebumps. "Oh really? - Give me my lipstick, please - And what am I for you, dearest?" The young woman stepped from her little stool and went to the bathroom to fetch the special lipstick. When she came back she answered: "You are special to me. I actually do not know why, but you feel special to me." Her honesty was a surprise to Alcina. "You look so incredibly innocent and yet...", she did not need to finish her sentence, she was just looking Melisande directly in the eyes. "I was never innocent. Do not let my looks fool you."

When the lady was finished putting her makeup on she turned around to face Melisande. "I know how inappropriate this question is, but... how old are you?" Melisande giggled lightly. "A lady never says her age, but for you I can make an exception if you tell me yours.", she brushed with her hand through her hair which lost its golden colour, becoming as silver as her eyes. "I am 299 years old." Alcinas jaw dropped. "Really?! I could have bet you're not a day older than 100. How can you look so young? I am jealous!", in her excitement Alcina took one of the silver strains of hair, looking closely at it. "No need to be jealous, Alcina. You look gorgeous. How old are you?" Alcina sighted. "I count 161 years... I cannot believe that you are older than me." The housekeeper smiled innocently and opened the door for Alcina and when Melisande left the room after her Countess, her hair turned blonde again.

It was a comfortable silence in the dining room. Alcina was reading the morning paper, while nipping on her tea and her daughters were eating their meat. Bela however noticed the special smile on her mothers lips. She seemed so peaceful, so... happy? Daniela looked up at her mother, who was not reading anymore, but was watching Melisande cleaning the fireplace in the hall. The youngest giggled lightly. "Melisande? Can you come here please?" she asked and Melisande stepped closer to Daniela who gestured her to bend down so she could whisper in her ear.

Alcina watched them closely and could not hide her surprised expression, when Melisande started laughing at whatever Daniela said to her. The youngest sister was grinning from ear to ear. "What are you guys up to?", the Countess asked, placing her cup on the table. "Nothing, mother, nothing.", Daniela laughed, gesturing wildly with her hands. Melisande placed her hand on Danielas shoulder before going back to work. Cassandra looked skeptical and Bela tried to understand the situation. "I see...", Alcina watched her daughter eat for a while before turning back to the paper.

Two hours later Bela was rushing into the kitchens looking for Melisande. She scared all maidens in the room successfully. "What can I do for you, mistress Bela?" she asked while showing a new maiden where she could find everything. "Mother is asking for you. She is in her studio, painting." Melisande cleaned her hands with a towel. "Help the others.",she said looking at the new maiden, then following Bela out of the kitchens. "Give me your hand. I bring you there.", Bela offered. "I can keep up with you." She answered and when Bela blinked Melisande was gone, suddenly standing at the top of the stairs, smiling down at her. "Come on." "What are you?", she asked while turning into the swarm of flies. Melisande just laughed lightly.

"Mother, I bring you Melisande." "She may enter." Melisande entered the studio of the Countess, being greeted by many paintings, covered with withe linen. Alcina was sitting in front of a blank canvas. Her hat was laying on a dark green couch nearby as well as her leather gloves. "Come here to me.", she said with a lovely voice and opened her arms to embrace her. She cupped Melisande's cheeks and looked closely at her face, taking in every detail she could. "What is it you called me for?", Melisande asked quietly. The Countess let her go and reached out for a black dress. "I want you to be my model."

Minutes later Melisande was dressed in an Elizabethan dress with a rectangular neckline which was decorated with golden thread embroidery. It had puffed sleeves which were decorated with vertical strives of gold. The front part also had golden embroidery. The dress itself was made of heavy damask. It felt smooth on her skin. "Beautiful...", Alcina said and opened a box decorated with silver flowers. It was a jewelry box. She took out several pearl necklaces and a necklace with a big black gemstone. "Let me adorn you." Alcina said, placing the necklaces around her neck. She even put a golden ring on her finger, which made Melisande smile. When the lady was finished she looked at her. "Open your hair for me, darling." Melisande did that. "Why do you want to paint me? Bela would be a very beautiful model too." Alcina got closer to her, brushing through her hair, looking closely at her facial features. "I want to preserve your beauty.", she admitted and led her to a chair where Melisande sat down. She grabbed a book holded it infront of her chest. "Then draw me, Alcina."

It took Alcina nearly the whole day to finish the portrait, but Melisande was not moving at all. Alcina smiled when she drew her lovely lips and her silver eyes. So innocent and yet she was the one making her scream in pleasure. "Will you tell me your real name?", Alcina asked while mixing black and white together to create a shining grey. Melisande looked to the ground and then back at Alcina. "Not yet.",she answered with a sweet voice. "You don't like it?" "I do, but... let's say it is a bit... known..." The lady lowered her brush, looking closely at the young woman, a little smirk on her face. "I see.", she said, turning to the old gramophone, making it play soft tones of classic music.

It was a very cozy and calming atmosphere, making them both feel comfortable. It was as if all troubles of the world were just blown away by the soft music and the light sounds of a brush sliding over the canvas. The chandelier made the room glow in a golden light, underlining the pleasant atmosphere and you could tell by the way they looked into each other's eyes that there was a bit of love in the air as well.

"I am done. Come here, sweetheart, have a look." Melisande rose from her seating, gathered her skirts and walked towards Alcina, a slight smile on her lips. She was speechless for a moment. "I am not that beautiful.", she said. Alcina let out a light laugh. "Right. You are even more beautiful and my drawing skills are not nearly good enough to catch it all." They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds when a knock on the door interrupted the scene.

"Yes?", Alcina said and the door went open. It was Daniela. "Mother, Melisande. Cassandra, Bela and I want to play hide and seek, but we need a few more players. Would you like to join us?" Alcina smiled and stood up. "I never turn down a good game. What about you, dear?" Melisande nodded and together they left the room and with the sound of the shutting door the music ended and the room was filled with silence and the only painting that was not covered with linen. Melisande's portrait.