The Afterlife | Resident Evil Village FanFiction

Chapter 12: Breaking Point

Chapter 12: Breaking Point

      After her ladyship personally introduces Tiana as her plaything, things around the botanist change. Either want it or not, Tiana finds herself being showered with an unbelievable amount of attention all suddenly. As if she becomes a famous celebrity of sorts. 

      There’s a saying ‘Word travels fast’ but for Tiana’s case, she’d say ‘Gossip travels faster’. It only takes a day. Just 1 day after her 1st night duty for the botanist’s story to spread out like a wildfire, be known to every individual in the village. From all staffs and maids of the castle Dimitrescu to the other lords and locals outside of the castle walls—Tiana involuntarily ends up being the main character to the story of a weird girl, or fata ciudata as the villagers called in their native Romanian tongue.

      According to fata ciudata’s story, there’s a girl who comes from the outside world and unknowingly walks into the menacing vampires’ castle. Despite learning of all the evil things that happen inside that castle later, the girl still chooses to reside there and even willing to be savored by the vampire mistress—In the villagers’ point of view, what this fata ciudata does is nothing other than granting herself a death warrant.

            ‘How did I get myself to this point again?’ Though an answer to that question is obvious, the botanist can’t help but ask herself from time to time.

      Shaking her head to clear the idea away, Tiana beacons her mind back to riding a horse to lady Beneviento’s manor. She has been going back and forth between castle Dimitrescu and house Beneviento to studying plants with Donna for a month now. Sometimes, Bela, Cassandra, or Daniela would accompany her if their schedules are available or if the weather is nice and warm enough. But for today, Tiana makes her way to Donna’s place alone. Oh, with a reliable, mutated-free stallion of house Dimitrescu, of course.

      As for Tiana’s daily life nowadays—When the morning comes, she wakes up, does her morning routine, has breakfast with Alcina and the Dimitrescu daughters then leaves for greeneries researching. After almost burning the daylight away, the botanist travels back to the vampire’s lair, has dinner, takes a bath, gets changed, and fulfills her duty as her ladyship’s plaything.

      It’s bad for her physique since Tiana uses her body not even all day long, but all night long too. This is all due to the botanist’s growing affection toward Alcina that makes the botanist unable to get herself out of this loop. Also, with all the care and attention her ladyship shows, while the two are spending time together, it makes Tiana believes that Alcina might feel the same way. Only that her ladyship doesn’t take notice of her feeling, or she may think it’s not the right time to profess her affection to Tiana yet. Or maybe Alcina just forgets how to call this feeling after her century-longed lifespan.

            ‘There’re too many maybe and uncertainties in the scenario’ Tiana thinks, letting out a long sigh while tying her horse to the tree by Donna’s house. She then starts working with the lady in black with a smile, pretending nothing is bothering her.

      Even with everything, the botanist still has hope. She hopes that at some point, Alcina will admit that she, too, feels something for the botanist. Who knows? Maybe when that day comes, Alcina might openly concede her love, asks Tiana to be a proper girlfriend, and more. The botanist even considers settling down in this village if it means she can be together with Alcina. Sure, it also signifies that Tiana’s endless-traveling lifestyle as a cultural anthropologist will be stretch thin. More likely, it won’t be possible anymore. Nevertheless, the botanist is firmly convinced that she can live with that.

      ‘I already had my share as I’ve been roaming around for 15 years, give or take—It’s time to settled down’ the botanist chuckles at her line of thought as it’s similar to what her mama used to nag her when mama’s still around.

Before Tiana’s parents passed away, the two worried for their sole daughter a great deal. They worry that Tiana would pour all her time and attention to pursue her passion in botany as well as satisfy her hunger for knowledge while forgets to leave some available for life and relationship. A handful of break-ups in the botanist’s love life helps to confirm the fact. However. If things between herself and Alcina work out well, Tiana positives it’d be different this time. She finds the one she wants to be with and feels at home whenever Alcina and the three daughters are around. I don’t mind making a few adjustments only if she’d have me, the botanist cogitates. It’s getting somewhat closer to the term of ‘toxic relationship’ and Tiana knows that. She may fall for Alcina head over heels, but it doesn’t mean she’d be completely blinded.

      ‘I will have a proper talk with Alcina and ask to be her girlfriend soon’ Tiana is determined. But soon later mumbling, “If only it’s that easy”

      Realistically, Tiana means to talk it through whenever she gets a chance, but when Alcina touches her—Let’s say that s*x always complicates things up. And the best s*x at that. While thinking, Tiana reaches for the patched-up wound on her neck and caresses it slightly. Her ladyship is considered and gracious to Tiana to tend the botanist’s wounds herself. Underneath these layers of gauzes sat still the canines mark, leaves by Alcina, as a souvenir from their night activity. The mistress loves the taste of Tiana’s blood and would leave her canines mark at the same spot every time she drinks. Fortunately for the botanist, Alcina aware of the limit. As a result, her ladyship doesn’t suck the red fluid out of Tiana frequently. Only once or twice a week, and consumes just a small amount that narrowly quenches her thirst.

      “I beg your pardon, what did you say?” A tender tone of Donna reminds the botanist that she’s not alone at the moment.

      “It’s noting, Donna” Tiana responds with a self-pity smile, “I’m only talking to myself”

      “Is that so?”

      The lady in black catches on that something is bothering her research partner. Only the blind or those who lack consider will not notice it when Tiana shows it out rather plainly. Her best guess is that it must be something including her elder sister, Alcina, for sure. Does the two fight, Donna quizzes herself, yet soon concludes that isn’t the case because Tiana is still alive. Donna knows her sister dislikes exasperating things and bothersome people. Such as the youngest brother of theirs, Karl, for instance. Thus, if they did fight, Donna just knows that Alcina won’t hesitate to turn this petite human into wine. Something as that happens more than Donna can count, after all.

            ‘Wait a minute—It’s already been a month, wasn’t it?’ Tilting her head to the side, Donna asks inwardly.

      A rough scenario comes to Donna’s mind once she recalls Alcina never kept any of her playthings this long before. Tiana helps you without you realizing, aren’t you sister, the lady in black thinks. She finally understands why Alcina gives out a different aura at the last monthly meeting between the lords. Though the vampire lady still has her fearsome atmosphere around like usual, she looks less lost—Alcina’s golden orbs gain theirs sparks back just like before Mother Miranda passed away.

      Alas. Even Donna wants to help both her sister and Tiana, she thinks she shouldn’t meddle with whatever is going on between them too much. The lady in black prefers to let the two work it out on their own while she’ll observe from the sideline. If things did get out of hand, then she’d give them a little nudge later with the help of house Dimitrescu’s girls, Salvatore, and maybe Karl as well. If she can convince him to come around, that is.

            “Anyway. Let’s take a lunch break. I don’t think my sister would appreciate it if you’d collapse during our experimentation”

            “Heh. Sure—Let me finish noting this down for a brief”

Then Donna and Tiana go for their lunch, eating out by the front terrace of the house and take in the breathtaking landscape while they’re at it. Angie grows much closer to Tiana after the incident in the greenhouse, yet at the same time, she still enjoys pulling a prank on the botanist now and then—Just like she is putting salt in Tiana’s drinks now.

      “Pfff!” Inevitably, Tiana spills her drinks out with a funny face.

      “That wasn’t a ladylike, miss Englebrecht” Angie teases the poor botanist while drinks her beverage with the utmost ladylike posture.

      “Angie” Donna glares at her daughter-doll with a side-eye as a warning. Which Angie replies with an innocent grin.

Well. Since it’s just a harmless prank, so Tiana doesn’t mind. She just laughs it off and gets back to work. As the experimentation goes on, Tiana comes across some interesting aquatic plants that she wishes to cultivate further on.

      “I don’t know” Donna ponders the idea as it’d mean the two will need help from Salvatore for this. “You haven’t met my elder brother, Salvatore, yet. Understandably, you may not know—Sal has an…unique condition that he is insecure about. Thus, he loathes the idea of meeting a stranger”

      “Alcina once mentioned this too” the botanist reminisces of the talk in the stable, “Though, she didn’t clearly say what his condition is”

      “It’s a delicate matter to him, after all. He…*Sigh* I guess you can say that his body doesn’t adapt well to the Cadou. It consumed him, changing him to be…far from human appearance”

Then the lady in black tells Tiana of Salvatore’s condition. Not entirely as Donna puts Salvatore’s privacy in mind, but enough for the botanist to understand how the Cadou affects the fish-like lord.

      “Oh” Tiana’s expression fills with commiserative and says, “It must have been hard”

      “It still is, actually”

      “Is there any way I can help him?” Tiana looks to Donna directly and speaks, “I don’t know if I can be of any help, but I’d like to try—Maybe brewing up something from herbs as a countermeasure to the mutate cell?”

Donna is taken aback. She does think Tiana is nothing near ordinary human, especially her mindset. But to hear her offering a sincere help like this, the lady in black has to admit she’s impressed and surprised by Tiana once again.

      “I’m sure Sal will appreciate that. Though, after years of trying many methods and treatments, I’m not sure if Sal is still at it”

      “Well. He might already give up. But if I were in his shoe and if someone comes to me with a possibility, I say I’d like to try” Smiling coyly, the botanist presses on, “Who knows? Maybe all he needs is a different aspect before he’d succeed”

      “Heh. Had anyone ever told you that your determination is admirable?” Donna queries with a snicker.

      “One or two” the botanist replies with a grin.

      “Very well. I’ll call Sal and inform him of our discussion. If he agrees to this, you’ll automatically be permitted to enter his reservoir”

      “Yes! –”

      “However,” Donna bursts out the botanist’s bubble before she’d float too far by continues, “You’ll need to talk with Alcina about this too”

      “Huh?”

      “Think, Tiana. Coming to my manor, located this close to the castle Dimitrescu is one thing. However, if you’re going to traveling south, further down to Salvatore’s reservoir, don’t you think you’ll need to tell Alcina beforehand?” the lady in black sends Tiana a teasing glare which the botanist gets it instantly that Donna means to tease her status as Alcina’s plaything again. So, Tiana slips a chuckle at it.

      “Besides, if my sister agrees to let you go, she can also help persuade brother Sal to open up for you too. Wouldn’t that make everything easier for us all?”

      “Heh. You got a point there” Tiana replies. “Sure. I’ll talk to her—Wish me luck”

      “You don’t need luck with Alcina, Tia. I’m sure only you and yourself are enough to get Alcina on her knees”

      “You’re giving me too many credits” the botanist giggles, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, though”

What Donna says earlier ignites something in Tiana—That’s right. Being herself is enough since it takes the botanist this far and gets Alcina to give Tiana attention too. As a result, once the botanist arrives back at castle Dimitrescu, she instantly goes where Alcina is. According to the current time, her ladyship should still be in her office. After knocking and getting permission, Tiana goes inside and experiences yet another déjà vu.

      “Oh? What do I owe you for this unexpected visit?” the mistress of the house addresses Tiana with a smirk.

Alcina’s sitting there behind her desk with her reading glasses on, going through the last pile of papers of the day. As usual. It’s irrational that my heart skips every single time without fail at this scene, Tiana thinks while gives it a self-pity whimper at her line of thought. She can’t be swayed by Alcina’s irresistible charm. At least, not now. Not before she’d speak what she intends to first.

      “You owe me nothing, Alcina” the botanist replies to the previous question the presses on, “May I have a bit of your time?”

      “Certainly” Putting her work down, Alcina gesture the botanist to have a seat. “What’s it, little prey?”

      “I, umm, I wonder if it’d be alright of me to meet with your younger brother, lord Moreau?”

Such an unusual request, the vampire lady thinks, raising her eyebrow questioningly. What would her plaything seek Salvatore for? Though, she doesn’t have to suspect that for long when Tiana carries on.

      “I came across fascinating aquatic plants today while at Donna’s and I want to carry on cultivating them. Which Donna said I’ll have to ask for lord Moreau’s help with that one”

      “I see” her ladyship smiles ruefully for a quick brief, thinking. ‘I thought she seeks me because she wants to see me—Then again, maybe it’s because she isn’t clinging onto me all the time, that’s why I haven’t got bored of her yet’

     “And since both you and Donna mentioned lord Moreau’s condition which makes him avoid the others, so, umm, I’m hoping that maybe you could help me with this?”

      “Hm, you’re right. I could help you” A wicked grin appears on Alcina’s expression before the botanist can even celebrate. Then her ladyship says, “Though this’s not about whether I could or couldn’t—I’m afraid it’s about whether I would or wouldn’t help you, little prey”

Ah. That tone and that smile—The botanist realizes in an instant that she is, indeed, in trouble. Tiana knows her ladyship is up to no good just by that look alone. ‘Welp. Since it comes to this, I guess I should state all my requests and deal with the whole consequence in just one time’ sways her head weakly, Tiana presses on with her plan.

      “You know how I feel about you as well as know that I’d do everything you may name—But before we’d talk about the…reward to get you helping me with lord Moreau, may I make another request? Therefore, we could discuss the suitable compensation for both of my wishes at once”

      “You made it sound so cruel, Tiana. As if I’m a corrupted countess who pays her subordinates no mind while fancying over personal-gain only” Alcina’s remark gets the botanist cackles up.

      “Truthfully, if you’re a corrupted countess when you work this hard and care this much, I’m afraid all the upright and honorable leaders have no longer existed”

      “You’re going soft on me. *Giggles* Alright, let’s hear it—What’s the other request you’re talking about?”

Biting her lips, Tiana strangely loses her confidence when she is about to say it out. Her mind is occupying by the thought, what if I anger Alcina and destroy everything between us? –No. wondering and freaking out inside one’s head will solve nothing. The botanist already prolongs this matter for a month, so it’d be wise to take it out in the open and finally deal with it. Tiana believes she owes herself that much if she truly wants a life together with her ladyship. Thus, she speaks up.

      “Alcina, I…I want to discuss this with you for so long, but I’m always afraid that I may do something wrong, rushing things way too suddenly and ruin everything with my own hands” The botanist’s tone is shaking as she imagines the worst when saying those out.

‘Ah. Was this how my exes felt when they asked me for more work and attention in those previous relationships? Because if it’s the case, it must have been awful’, Tiana’s lineament turns grim. She can only summarize things as what goes around, comes back around. She did deserve this as in her early twenties to early thirties, Tiana broke her exes’ hearts because she doesn’t know when she should stop and settling down. 

      “…” Alcina lifts her eyebrow at Tiana’s sudden change of expression. Though she waits quietly for the botanist to go on.

      “I’m aware that I said I like you often that it might sound as I’m not taking it seriously. But to be completely honest, I want to use another L-word since the day we met” the botanist meets Alcina’s eyes with her owns, carrying on, “Yet I’m also afraid that you may not believe me if I go for that word too quickly. That’s why I restrained myself and gave us time. I tried showing and proving to you how much I care, how sincerely I am about this in hope that one day you’ll give me a chance”

      “Tiana” Alcina extends her hand across the desk, uses her fine digit to caresses Tiana’s cheek, whispering, “Hey there—Why you sound so grim and serious, little prey?”

Though, Alcina’s question is left unanswered because Tiana needs to finish speaking it out. She doesn’t trust herself she’d be able to do it again if she let go of her chance here and now. Thus, she pulls herself together and goes on.

            “Please remember one thing, Alcina. No matter what happens from now on, please remember that my feeling toward you is real and it’ll forever be that way” Tiana pauses as she sucks in a shuddering breath before continues, “I love you, lady Alcina. I love you and I wish I wouldn’t be just a mare plaything to you anymore—I wish that I can be someone you love too”

      The vampire lady frozen in place at Tiana’s exclaim, all muscles tense up. What? Love? –Does the feeling I can’t describe whenever I’m with Tiana…is also love, Alcina queries in her head. Is it possible for a vicious vampire like herself to love and be loved again? The only form of love Alcina had known thus far is family love. Just like the way she feels with the girls. However, the way she feels toward Tiana is more adulterous and profound. There’s also another complicated relationship near the word ‘love’ that the vampire lady has over Mother Miranda back in the days, but it’s nothing like this either.

            “Little prey, I,” Alcina hesitates as she’s unsure how to react to this.

      The tall lady doesn’t want to tie her life to another’s and ends up lost as it happened to her before with Mother Miranda’s passing. Especially with a human with this short lifespan. She’s just getting better. Sadly, Alcina doesn’t realize the reason she gets back on track is all due to Tiana’s lively character. Although, she realizes she can’t deal with another loss. As a result, Alcina answers.

            “I, umm, thank you for you to feel that way about me, but…I don’t think it’d be possible”

            “W-what!? Why?”

            “It’s just impossible.” Alcina leans back against the backrest to get some distance between them. She gazes into the botanist’s eyes while says, “How can it be possible between us? I’m a monster. A blood-devouring vampire. How can anyone want a life with me?”

            “But I already told you I don’t mind even the slightest!” Tiana bursts out yelling, jumping out of her seat, supporting herself on the desk to close the gap between her and Alcina, and says, “You only make do what life’s giving you and no one can blame you for that!”

            “Please. Spare me your pity and that weak excuse, Tiana. I’ve been living my whole life as a sinful soul, killing so many that I lost count and will continue taking life to survive in the future—"

            “Exactly! You only do what you must to survive. Just like what we, humans, raising, and killing livestock for food. Why you’re being so hard on yourself?” seeing Alcina looks down upon her need for blood to survive, Tiana half-consciously raises her voice.

            “Because that’s how I was regarded as for long before you’d come and I already accepted it as is” even Alcina tries to keep her calm, her tone is, undeniable, starting to fill with irritation. “What would you understand when you only stay with me for a month?”

            “Yes, I’m only here for a month. But time doesn’t matter since this much is enough for me to get to know you” the botanist argues, “You’ve been nothing but kind and considered thus long. You, too, care for your daughters deeply. You’ve been working nonstop, serving this village as a dedicated lord even when the villagers speak ill of you, disgrace you, and look at you with either fear or detest—There’s no way a sinful soul would care for anyone this much or do anything for anyone this much”

            “Hah. What if that’s only for a show? What if I behave a certain way to lure you in?” While saying, Alcina’s orbs glint in anger because the botanist’s stubbornness is getting on her nerve.

            “Alcina, there’s a saying that goes the eyes are the window of the soul—You can’t expect me to take you as anything evil when your gaze always looks lost”

            “Stop it” Alcina breathes it out with a growl.

            “No. I’ve been keeping this all to myself long enough and you will have to listen to me, either like it or not” Tiana pushes on, ignoring the warning sign from the vampire lady. “There’s only a handful reason of why people tend to lost their way in life. And it’s because one either lost who they hold most dear, or it’s because one is drowning themselves with guilts. Yours is the latter, right?”

            “Seem like I’ve been soft on you for far too long, miss Engelbrecht. So, I’m going to warn you. One. Last. Time” The vampire lady rises to her full high. Both voice and glare are so intimidating that it makes Tiana shiver. “Stop interpreting me as you please when you know nothing of my past”

            “Then tell me, Alcina” the botanist’s shoulder falls. She tries to cool the situation down by using a calm, hush tone when she says, “Help me understand and I promise I’ll be by your side to work through whatever it is. Why don’t you let me into your life, so I can shoulder it together with you? Why you’ve to be this closed u—”

            “THAT’S ENOUGH!” Alcina shouts, slamming her hands down on the desk. The impact and loud noise startles Tiana, makes the botanist shrinks and staggers back as the mistress goes on, “I don’t have to listen to your pointless whining, desperation for my attention or begging to be my girlfriend—I owe you nothing, Tiana”

            “Alcina, I—” Tiana can’t say sorry to the vampire lady like she intends as bubbles are forming up in her throat. And before she can push past the state to carry on, Alcina hits the botanist with yet another word.

            “Like it or not, I’m not going tying my life with someone and end up losing part of myself again. As such, a mare human can only be my plaything and nothing more.”

      --------------------

      To Be Continued >>