Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 1

"Anna, I see a wrinkle on my forehead." The girl poked at her pale skin, trying to smooth out the crease.

"You are not but nineteen years of age! How can it be that you have a wrinkle?"

Elizabeth walked over to her tall, dark-haired companion. "I see it, in the glass. Right here." She pointed a finger to the center of her head.

Anna smiled, knowing that no wrinkle was there. But she did not object any further to her mistress; she did not want to distress the girl. Either way, she would enjoy what came shortly after.

"I see, Madame. What shall we do about it?"

Elizabeth pouted her lips, smoothing her auburn hair back into place. "We must do something. I cannot have one single blemish on my skin. I must be beautiful for when me dear husband Ferenc returns home."

"I agree." Anna's black eyes flashed, but her face showed no sign of emotion.

Aside from being Elizabeth's maid and companion, Anna felt a deeper affection for her than one normally would for someone of the same sex. People of that time would call it unnatural... satanic. That was of no importance to Anna; she was a witch, after all. What was godliness to her? Nothing. All the same, Anna had never revealed her feelings to Elizabeth. She despised Elizabeth's connection with her husband. But, she knew very well that Count Ferenc was hardly ever around. Elizabeth was turning to her for company and a confidant more and more with each passing day.

"What would you require of me to fix your... wrinkle?"

Elizabeth sat back down before her looking-glass, as she so often did. The young woman adored her own appearance. "I think it would be best to take a carriage down to the village, don't you? Perhaps we can visit the townspeople. I hear the blacksmith's niece has decided to come live with him, and she may be looking for some employment."

"Employment, Madame?"

"Yes." A soft, innocent smile danced across her lips. "We need a new chambermaid. The last one left quite suddenly, don't you remember?"

Anna nodded. "I remember." She walked up behind the young countess and began to stroke her hair. "I remember very well."

. . .

The horses were hitched up to the carriage. Only Elizabeth, Anna, and the coach driver went out from the castle. They needed no one else on their little outing; Anna knew it wouldn't take them long. They rumbled down the cobblestone streets towards the nearest town. Elizabeth kept the curtains of the carriage drawn, leaving her and Anna in a shade. She could not stand to have a single freckle on her face, let alone any grotesque colouring. She never went out into direct sunlight without a parasol and a veil.

The driver pulled the reigns on the horses, slowing the lavish carriage to a stop. He stood by the door, offering a hand to Anna and Elizabeth, but neither took it. Elizabeth didn't wish to soil her new gloves, and Anna simply hated the carriage driver. They stepped down onto the street. The stones were coated in mud and grime, along with a few other questionable substances. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose at the smell.

"Ah ah, Madame. You do not want to line your nose, do you?"

Elizabeth nodded, relaxing her face. "Quite right, Anna. But the smell is revolting. Pray, hand me your special purse of herbs. I need something to distract me from the odour."

Anna drew from her cloak a small silk pouch filled with lavender and rosemary. The herbs gave a nice fragrance, and offered healing properties for the common cold. She gave the pouch to Elizabeth, who tucked it into the corset of her gown.

"Thank you, Anna."

The two ladies began to make their way down the street. When Anna noticed that the coach driver was following them, she turned to glare at him with piercing eyes.

"Stay with the carriage, you ignorant fool. Do not follow us."

"But, Madame, is it safe -?"

"We are simply going for a walk to visit the blacksmith, I think I should be able to handle any situations that arise. Or do you doubt my capabilities?" Eyes flashing, she kept her steely gaze locked on the poor man.

"N-no M-Madame, of course not -"

"Then stay here, or you shall be reminded of my power." She tossed her raven hair aside and marched off after Elizabeth.

"Well handled, Anna. I admire your assertiveness."

"It was nothing, dear mistress. I only aim to please you, after all, and having that bumbling oaf with us would hinder your plans."

"I agree. Now, come. We must not dawdle. I have a task to accomplish this eve."

The character Anna is a lesbian and also happens to be a witch/Satanist, but I am NOT trying to imply that lgbtq+ people are satanic or anything like that. I'm just going off of my research (Anna Darvulia was said to be a real person and Elizabeth's lover) and what was appropriate for the time period. Also, chapters will be posted daily or every two days (depending on how much time I have) because it is fairly short.