A New Novel, Part 167 That is My Own Business

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya and Natalya return to Wien and Sacré Coeur.  Aksinya can't abide another moment with her aunt--not after Ernst proposed to her, and she hasn't made a decision about it...


Saturday and Sunday went well. Ernst came on Sunday to escort Aksinya and Natalya to the Orthodox Ecclesia that was close to Sacré Coeur. The crucifix at Aksinya’s breast burned the entire time. Father Dobrushin watched her with an odd look in his eyes. Aksinya became ill at communion, but she didn’t lose her breakfast. Natalya helped her back to her seat and wouldn’t let Ernst near her the entire time.



When Aksinya and Natalya entered Sacré Coeur on Monday morning, every eye in the school followed her. At chapel, the girls and every sister watched her carefully. Aksinya ignored them all. She had to leave before communion, but the tea Natalya made for her between chapel and the first class settled her stomach.

The moment Aksinya and Natalya entered their German classroom, Anna Pfaff followed by the rest of the girls in the class surrounded her, “Countess, we heard that Herr von Taaffe has asked your hand in marriage, is it true?”

Behind them, Sister Margarethe’s face fell. She mumbled, “I didn’t know.”

Aksinya began to push her way past Fraulein Pfaff to her seat, but she suddenly thought better of that, “Where did you hear such a thing?”

“The rumor is all over the school. Please tell us. It is so exciting…”

Aksinya glared, and the girls took a step back.

Anna continued with a trembling stutter, “We are all so happy for you—that is if it is true.”

“I don’t like my personal business shared about, but I will tell you, it is true. At Graf von Taaffe’s New Year’s party, his son, Ernst, proposed to me.”

Anna put her hands together, “What is your answer to him?”

Aksinya growled, “That is definitely my own business. I have not made my decision.”

Natalya grimaced, “She is to give her answer to him next Monday.”

Aksinya turned Natalya an angry look, “Lady Natalya, please don’t share such personal information without my approval.”

Natalya cringed, and dropped her eyes.

Anna turned toward Natalya, “Then Lady Natalya, has the Countess shared her decision with you?”

Natalya shook her head.

Sister Margarethe moved a step toward the girls, and stated in a distraught tone, “It is past time to start class. Please find your seats—immediately.”

The girls slowly broke up and went reluctantly to their desks.

Aksinya stomped to her seat and flopped into it. She wouldn’t speak to Natalya or to Sister Margarethe the entire class.

When we left them, everyone is unhappy.  There is the expectation of happiness, but everyone's happiness relies on Aksinya.  It isn't just her answer--it is Aksinya herself.  Aksinya's answer to Ernst's proposal is like the middle of an endless line of dominos.  If her answer falls one way, so will the dominos.  If her answer falls the other way...  She doesn't have the option to not make a decision.  And look at what depends on her decision.  Ernst and his father's relationship.  Ernst's future in his father's business.  The Bockmann's future influence in Wien.  The freindship of the Bockmanns and the von Taaffes.  Natalya's relationship with Aksinya, and, as we shall see, with others.  However, these are all very simplistic concerns compared to the real ones that will shortly manifest themsleves, and these don't depend on Aksinya's decision about the proposal at all.
 
Ernst is a gentleman.  He takes Aksinya and Natalay to their Orthodox Church.  Note Father Dobrushin--I don't want to let you forget about him.  Notice that the balance of power between Aksinya, Natalya, and Ernst has changed slightly.  The crucifix burns Aksinya while she is in the Ecclesia--remember, this is an indicator of her spiritual problems.
 
The return to Sacré Coeur brings Aksinya unanticipated attention.  In the community of the wealthy and privilaged of Wien, this gossip about Aksinya is important and exciting.  It was likely the talk of the weekend.  Our little romantic, Anna Pfaff wants to know all about it.  She thinks this is a safe question.  Normally, this would be a great question for any woman, but Aksinya isn't any person.  This decision is difficult for her.  She isn't happy about it or the attention.   
 
Look at Sister Margarethe's reaction.  She is disappointed for more than one reason.  The first hint I give you is that she is unhappy because she didn't know.  She should have known before any of her students--doesn't she live with and act as a servant for Aksinya?
 
Aksinya's first reaction is to ignore Anna, but Aksinya isn't in the mood to ignore anything.  As Anna tells her, it is a rumor.  To her and the others, this is an innocent question.  Aksinya can just confirm or deny.  Aksinya has a different view.  Can't you imagine her response--a "glare."  It is so great a "glare," it makes the other girls step back.  Still, Anna is intimidated, but her curiousity is greater than her intimidation.  She tries to make nice.
 
We could have guessed Aksinya's answer--she is a private person, but she still tells them that Ernst proposed.  Anna's reaction is joy; Aksinya growls.  She drops a bomb:  "I have not made my decision.”
 
The interjection of Natalya amazes us.  This is new for Natalya.  Usually, Natalya only takes this role when Aksinya cannot.  The power has changed.  Natalya is undercutting Aksinya.  She likely thinks she is doing it for Aksinya's own good.  Natalya excites Aksinya's anger.  This may be the first time Aksinya has been mad at Natalya.  Anna bravely asks Natalya--this should show that even Anna detects the change in power.  In this moment, Natalya has taken some degree of control from Aksinya.  She even answers Anna's question with the shake of her head.

Then we see the other reason for Sister Margarethe's distress--she is worried about losing Aksinya.  The implication is that if Aksinya is married, she won't be in school and Sister Margarethe won't be able to take care of her.  Aksinya has lost her power and control.  The girls are not pushed away by Aksinya's growls or glares but by Sister Margarethe's admonision.

Aksinya realizes she has lost control--she won't speak to either of her most stalwart defenders.  The world is changing for Aksinya and the world suddenly depends on Aksinya.  Tomorrow, at the opera with Ernst.

A New Novel, Part 157 You Should Slap Him

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Aksinya and Ernst are having a wonderful and somewhat candid conversation about what he loves and she... 
Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”


“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.” Ernst pulled Aksinya closer to him, “Listen to me Aksinya. I want you to be mine.”

She trembled and tried to pull away, “What do you mean by that?”

“I want you to marry me.” He pulled her close again and put his lips on hers. Aksinya allowed him to kiss her. She sunk into his embrace. They stood there for what seemed like to Aksinya for a long time. Slowly he let her go, and she settled back with her feet solidly on the ground.

Natalya rushed from the other room. She grabbed Aksinya by the arm and tried to pull her away from Ernst, “Get back Ernst von Taaffe. I know impropriety when I see it. That was much too forward. Let her go.” She punched at the young man.

Ernst let go of Aksinya’s hands, and she fell back a step. She stared at Ernst with dawning realization, “You…you kissed me.”

“Mistress, you should have slapped him. Otherwise, he will be encouraged…”

Aksinya closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, “No, Natalya. I wish to speak with him further.”

“I will stand right here between you.”

“No,” Akisnya’s voice softened, “No, please, Lady Natalya. Just let me speak with him a moment more. I shall stand away from him, and he shall not touch me again.”

“Only if he promises...”

Ernst growled, “I will promise for now.”

Aksinya pleaded, “You see, Lady Natalya, he promised. Allow me to speak to him for a little longer after that you and I will retire for the evening.”

Natalya scowled at Ernst. She glanced at Aksinya from the sides of her eyes, “Very well, mistress. But he must stand on one side of the room and you on the other. I shall be watching.” She pointed at Ernst, “If you make a single move toward her, sir, I shall scream for her aunt and uncle and tell them everything.”

Ernst moved to the end of the enclosed balcony, “Lady Natalya, you need not fear. I will not attempt to molest your mistress again.”

Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya hastily moved to the other end of the balcony. They waited for Natalya to return to her seat.

Ernst declares his love...again.  He did before and Aksinya blew it off.  Now we know why.  She didn't believe him.  She thought it was all a joke.  She thought it was a lie...wait, Ernst was lying.  Aksinya is confused.  She doesn't know what to believe or what to trust.  Does Ernst really love her?  She thinks she is unlovable.  She thinks she is ugly and unwomanly.  Could Ernst really love a woman like her?
 
Ernst throws down another bet on the table: "I want you to be mine."  Aksinya doesn't know what he means.  She isn't stupid; she just can't process the information.  Ernst makes it clearer and ups the annie.  He should have been so straightforward to begin with.  He wants to marry her, and to seal his point, he kisses her.
 
We realize this is not the usual Ernst we have come to know and love.  This is very forthright for Ernst.  The last two times we saw him this straightforward were, when he approached Aksinya at the Advent party and when he pushed past Sister Margarethe at the door to the house.  We know he did both at the encouragement of Asmodeus.  We guess that Ernst really does want to marry Aksinya, but his action to kiss her catches us and Aksinya by surprise.
 
Aksinya like this kind of attention.  Didn't we go through this before.  The demon wanted to tempt Aksinya with real sex.  This is an intimacy that will surely tempt Aksinya.  I use some fun techniques to show you how the kiss affected her.
 
Natalya acts a proper chaperone, but her actions seem a little too intense.  She seems a little too ready to protect her mistress.  Didn't she prepare Aksinya like a bouquet for Ernst.  Didn't she pick the wonderful and beautiful dress to present Aksinya to Ernst tonight.  Ernst's action was obviously out of line for the times.  Natalya's very fervent response (as opposed to Aksinya's) shows just how far Ernst went over the line.  But surely there is more...Natalya knew what was going on--she more than Aksinya.  We will find out more about her reaction...soon, but for now, you might contemplate why Natalya's actions are what they are.
 
Aksinya is amazed more than surprised.  Nothing else that Ernst could have done would have made such an impression on her.  Natalya advises a slap--Aksinya wants to talk to him more.  Natalya's response is right on in some ways and a little too much in others.  As the chaperone, she should keep the two from untoward behaviour, but she shouldn't prevent all interaction.  Her purpose is to prevent certain things, but speaking and even limited appropriate touching is not some of them.  Still she is technically correct in what she requests.
 
Ernst and Aksinya have had a taste of the physical.  Ernst will control himself.  He doesn't like it.  Aksinya will control herself--she doesn't like it.  Aksinya promises to retire with Natalya after they speak.  Natalya threatens to scream for Aksinya's aunt and uncle.  Now, we know how far that might go.  Aksinya's aunt, uncle, and Ernst's father have gone to great lengths to get these two lovebirds together like this.  They wouldn't condone physical interaction, but they wouldn't want to do anything to prevent Ernst and Aksinya from speaking and wooing.
 
Ernst and Aksinya accomodate Natalya--they move to either end of the enclosed balcony.  Can you see them move--especially Aksinya's haste.  They wait for Natalya to sit.  Tomorrow, the rest of the conversation.