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Excerpt of Under the Moonlight
Category: Writing and Poetry
Note: This is a memory of Elizabeth Bathory's before she turns into a vampire.
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"No, no, no. It doesn't go there. Do that again and I will smother you with honey and tie you to a tree," Elizabeth shouted.
A wide-eyed young man held a giant mirror, trying not to drop it and to move it where the Countess wanted all at the same time.
Elizabeth huffed and pouted. "I give up. Put it somewhere no one will break it. Seven years bad luck on you if it does."
"Yes, Mistress," he replied.
Countess Bathory expected her husband's return that evening. It had been two years since his last visit home. She needed to make sure that she looked her best. She went to her bedroom and stared at her nude reflection for several hours, examining every inch of her flesh. She had to make sure that nothing about her had changed. No wrinkles. No grey hairs. Not a patch of dry skin. No blemishes. Everything had to be perfect. She had to look like a woman that had not given birth to three children.
She had her servants prepare her bath, she chose rose and myrrh oils. She wanted to make certain that her charms were at their highest for her husband. She wanted no interruptions from anyone this evening. She had grown bored with the routine-like schedule her life had become. She was looking forward to hearing her husband's tales of far off countries and their strange customs.
During her bath, she fantasized about the gifts he would bring for her. She thought about crimson rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and diamonds she would drape over herself.
"How jealous my friends will be once they see me sparkle and shimmer with new jewels," she mused as she stepped out of the bathtub.
She extended her arms and waited for her ladies in waiting to dry her body off with a warm towel. Just as they were drying her legs, there was a knock on her door.
"Yes?" she replied.
A young man shyly stepped into her room, looking down at the floor he spoke.
"Mistress, forgive the interruption," he began. "I know you didn't want to be bothered while you were preparing yourself, but your husband Count Nádasdy has arrived and wishes to see you."
"Tell my husband that I will be ready as soon as possible and that I am glad that he is home so early," she said.
"Yes, Mistress. Right away," he replied and left her bedroom.
Elizabeth went to her vanity and grabbed some henna. She giggled as she stained her nipples to make them look darker. She wanted to make sure her husband noticed how much trouble she went through to get ready for his arrival.
"Hannah bring me my gold dress, the one with the white sash," she said.
"Yes, Mistress." Hannah bowed and went to the armoire.
Elizabeth clapped her hands with excitement. The gold dress she chose had a deep plunging neckline that was sure to make her husband ravish her in bed. She had her hair combed and styled into a chignon to make sure her long neck and high cheekbones stood out. She powdered her face and rouged her lips. Once she was dressed and satisfied with her appearance, she calmly made her way to the dining room where her husband Count Nádasdy patiently waited.
He sat at the head of the dining table. At first glance, he didn't seem like the type of man that led an army everyday of his life. He was far too handsome and fair. Rumors of his bloodlust spread far and wide, and it wasn't until you got a closer look that you could see the ever consuming fire he held in his eyes. Elizabeth gave the Count a bright smile as she entered the room. She tried to conceal her disappointment in his appearance. He hadn't bathed or at least made an attempt at making his exterior more appealing. His blond hair had grown longer. It was greasy and sticking to his neck and forehead. She could see dirt underneath his fingernails. She tried not to gag in disgust as she watched him grab a turkey leg and take a huge bite.
"My dear husband," she gushed. "How are you? How were your travels?"
"As expected," he replied as he looked at Elizabeth with hungry eyes. He took a gulp of wine from his golden goblet and slammed it down on the table. He had a pained expression on his face, as though something weren't agreeing with him.
"Are you alright, husband? Would you like to chew on some ginger root? I'm sure it will make you feel better."
"Be silent, woman," he roared.
Elizabeth frowned and did as the Count commanded.
He took a deep breath. "I cannot get a damned word in if you keep asking questions," he replied.
"I apologize, husband. Forgive my excitement. It has been lonely and dull without you here," she whispered.
"I've brought something for you," he said.
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile when she heard those words. This was her favorite part whenever he returned home. He always had a trinket for her.
Ferencz snapped his fingers, and a young man stepped out of the shadows. He ran to where Elizabeth sat and presented her with a small gold jewelry box. She clapped her hands excitedly when she saw that the lid had an intricately designed wolf on it. The eyes were made out of onyx. The fangs were diamonds.
"I had it specially made for you in Vienna. I remembered how much you liked wolves," he mumbled and then took a sip of wine.
"Thank you," she breathed. "It's stunning."
"Open it."
"There's more?"
"There always is," he said.
Elizabeth gasped when she opened the box and found a pair of tear-shaped ruby earrings inside. They were the size of her pinky nail.
"Oh darling," she whispered.
Filled with glee, she sat up and ran to him.
"Help me put them on," she said. She leaned toward him, exposing her long swan-like neck. She heard him whimper as he put the earrings on her earlobes. She tried to ignore the powerful smell emanating from Count Nádasdy. It was a mix of sweat, urine, and food.
"Thank you," she said as she returned to her place at the opposite end of the table.
They spent the rest of the evening eating silently. Elizabeth noticed that he picked at his food and made it look as though he had eaten, but in reality he had barely touched his plate. Instead he indulged himself in wine.
"Husband?" she whispered.
"Yes?" he asked barely looking up from his plate.
"Why don't we retire to our bedchambers for the evening? I can have the servants draw up a bath for you, if you like?" she suggested.
"Does my smell bother you so much?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I would rather sleep in the stable than lie down beside you," she replied.
For a moment, there was a deafening silence. She was certain that he would stand and beat her to the ground. But to her surprise he roared with laughter at her response.
"I was wondering when you were going to say something," the Count said.
Elizabeth gave him a nervous giggle. She had never known him to have a sense of humor. "Joseph," Count Nádasdy said as he snapped his fingers.
"Yes, Master," a dark haired man replied as he stepped forward.
"Prepare a bath for me. My darling wife cannot tolerate the smell of me," he said and then laughed once more.
"As you wish, Master." The young man bowed and left the dining room.
"Go up to your room, Elizabeth. I have another surprise for you." Ferencz gave her a playful wink and walked out of the room.
She didn't like the way she was teasing her in front of the servants. She remained quiet and waited until everyone was gone. She took a deep breath as she threw the remainder of her meal into the fireplace. She watched the turkey bones, potatoes, and china plate turn black. She gathered her composure and went upstairs to her bedroom. She wondered what other surprises Ferencz would have for her that night.
"He's not the only one that has a few tricks up their sleeve," she muttered as she closed the door behind her.
"Claudia, help me change into the burgundy dress," she said.
"Yes, Mistress." The young maid rushed to help the Countess disrobe and get into her new gown.
"Tighten the laces on my corset," Elizabeth commanded.
"Mistress, Johanna and I tightened it until you nearly passed out. Are you certain you want it tighter?" Claudia gave her a worried glance.
"I appreciate your concern, but do as I say," Elizabeth said.
"Very well," Claudia shook her head and grabbed hold of the laces on the Countess' corset. "Ready?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath and wrapped her tiny hands around the bedpost. She gave her lady in waiting a sharp nod and braced herself. She gasped and then bit her bottom lip to keep from shouting out in pain when Claudia pulled on the laces.
"Are you alright?" the young girl asked.
"Again," Elizabeth whimpered as tears fell from her black eyes.
"Mistress…" Claudia tried to protest.
"I said again," she cried.
"As you wish."
Countess Bathory gathered all of her strength and stared up at the delicately painted ceiling she commissioned especially for her room. There were cherubic angels floating above the clouds with seemingly weightless wings. They seemed to swirl and float in and out of her vision as she struggled to breathe. She let a tiny moan escape her lips as she felt one of her ribs move. When Claudia was finished helping her into her gown, her vision blurred. She could barely breathe. She could only hope that Ferencz was almost finished bathing.
Isabelle Rose © 2008
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3:05 PM
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