The two of them were lying on the large bed. A soft breeze coming through the window was making the curtains swing. The twilight rays covered the two tangled bodies. The mirror was reflecting that idealized image.
Some delicate and long fingers caressed the smooth skin of Alexandra’s back of the neck. She had her face nestled in the countess’ pale neck. Cordelia was feeling her lover’s breath against her sensitive skin. They were in silence, lost in thought, just hearing their own breathing. After some minutes, the question that had been going round and round in her mind came out of her mouth…
“I’ve heard rumours and…,” there was a short pause. “…you’re getting married, right?”
Her voice sounded distressed and accusing. Cordelia noticed it and interrupted her caress, dropping her arm on the springy mattress. With the other hand, she rubbed her eyes.
“You know I have to,” she said, emphasizing the last two words. With an indifferent tone she continued, “We will marry on 20 September”.
Alexandra sighed tremulously while she separated her body from the young countess. She sat on the bed. Cordelia seemed impassive, even though deep down inside she hated the absence of the warm body a while ago was tangled in hers.
“God is punishing me…” murmured to Alexandra to herself. Even so, the young countess could hear her words. “Why, Cordelia? You said you loved me!” she said, confronting her.
“Because it’s true” argued the countess, sat on the bed.
“Oh, really!? And that’s why you’re going to marry a man!” Alexandra reproached angrily.
“And what do you want me to do?” shouted Cordelia irritated, fixing her eyes on the window. “I have to marry out of obligation, you know? To keep my lineage whatever it takes. But how would a plebeian like you know anything about this?”
“Oh, so now I’m a plebeian, aren’t I? The maid and vassal of the countess…” she said, feeling hurt.
“I didn’t mean that…”
“Of course you did!” screamed Alexandra, smoothing out the white sheets, covering her naked body. Tears were running down her bright red cheeks. “After all, this is what I am: a servant of the countess, a stupid servant who believed her lady’s words and fell hopelessly in love with her…” Cordelia opened her mouth to say something “Don’t interrupt me! A stupid servant who believed than inside these four walls we were just Alexandra and Cordelia”. Her words sounded quivering and a sob didn’t let her finish.
“Alexandra, I…”
“No! You’ll get married, you’ll forget me, you’ll have beautiful children, and God” she crossed herself “will forgive you! And you know what will happen to me? I will stay here alone, I won’t stop loving you and I’ll end up in hell!” she yelled and burst into tears. “You won’t be by my side anymore” she groaned and covered her face with the sheet.
“Alexandra…” the countess came closer, with a tender smile, and surrounded the maid with her arms and brought her closer to her chest. “Look at me” she ordered.
She saw pain reflected in those watery brown eyes the brief moment their contact lasted, since Alexandra lowered her eyelids as soon as her eyes met Cordelia’s. The countess wiped the maid’s tears with her hand and stroked her cheeks slowly.
“Alexandra, look at me”, she insisted again. “Nothing, do you hear me? Nothing, will make me leave you. Not even a husband. A husband I’ll never love. And do you know why?”
“Why?” asked, her voice still trembling. She knew what the answer was, but she needed to hear it.
“Because my heart is only yours.”
Alexandra sobbed and took shelter in the countess’ arms, without releasing the sheet that covered her body. Cordelia felt the tears trickling down her neck, closed her eyes and embraced the woman tightly.
“We will protect ourselves against the demons.” Alexandra raised her head and looked at her lover’s eyes. “Because neither of us will have God’s forgiveness...”
Alexandra, smiling, joined her lips to Cordelia’s and the two girls got lost in their kiss.
