Let Me Love You (You Know I Can Make The Pain Go Away)

Chapter 1 - A Good Decision

Balalaika Lavrova

It was a name many people heard about, in the village settled in the high hills of Romania.

They didn't know much about the woman who carried that name, only that she'd come from far away and that she was under protection of Mother Miranda herself.

It was well known that the woman who served the Goddess as her maiden, on her way from Mother Miranda's mansion to the village, had no trouble murdering lycans that would dare to hiss at her, let alone attack.

It was the same near the Duke's carriage where many people came to buy or sell necessary items of greater or lesser value.

Even though the Duke could easily shoo away the ugly beasts, Balalaika found satisfaction in blowing their heads off with her revolver.

A gift from Mother Miranda, Laika once told the Duke.

"Will that be all, my friend?"

Duke cheerfully smiled at the young maiden and shifted a bit in his somewhat tight carriage. Laika nodded and put the duffle bag filled with groceries over her shoulder, whilst in her left hand she held her weapon.

"Yes, thank you Duke. I will see you tomorrow around the same time?"

She asked, to which the Duke softly laughed and shook his head.

"I'm not sure, something tells me you will be pretty busy tomorrow!"

Laika kept silent for a few moments, before slowly nodding and walking away from the carriage.

On her way to her Lady's mansion, she couldn't help but wonder just what the hell the fat man meant by saying she'll be busy tomorrow. With a small sigh, she pushed away the unnecessary thoughts and entered through the huge front doors of her Lady's mansion.

"Laika, you're back already!"

A short, brunette woman named Mary quickly made her way to the taller maiden and helped her with the duffle bag. Laika only nodded without necessarily looking at her, and the two made their way to the kitchen where a couple more women in aprons roamed around, cooking dinner for their Lady.

"Move, you will burn the damn steak."

Laika angrily said, making the other woman quickly get out of her way and stand aside with her head bowed down.

"I-I apologize."

"Don't apologize and stop looking at the floor. Look at what I'm doing so you don't make the same mistake again."

The woman nodded quickly and stepped a bit closer to carefully watch the skilled maiden add seasonings and lower the flames. After about 15 minutes dinner was ready to be served, and so naturally Laika took Mother Miranda's plate and carried it to the huge dining room where her Lady ate dinner every evening.

There were exceptions of course, when the Goddess had to work late and Laika would carry the dinner upstairs to her study.

"Mary, go get the wine."

The maiden said as she put the plate down and arranged the fork and knife. Mary, bless her pure soul, immediately went to do as she was asked and came back shortly with a fresh bottle of wine and a glass. Just then, the doors opened and Mother Miranda walked inside with a scowl on her face.

Laika quickly took the bottle from Mary, who stood frozen in spot from fear, and poured the red liquid in her Lady's glass.

"Get out, all of you! Laika, you stay. We need to talk."