Chapter Text
It had only been about an hour since Hector’s last traces of freedom had collapsed right before his own eyes. One hour since he’d thrown his entire life away - through a binding oath to a woman who simply called him pretty - like an idiot. The absolute worst part about it was that it had been done by his own hand. He bore at least fifty percent of the blame and now he was inwardly cursing himself with all of his might and every creative insult he could think of. Outwardly, he’d done nothing but hyperventilate and collapse on the floor in the hallway outside of the Council room.
Lenore had then told him she’d simply gifted him with what he’d always truly wanted: becoming her pet. The fucking audacity of this woman. Then, she’d happily dragged him through the winding corridors of the castle to her own personal bedchamber. She’d been droning on and on about her plans for him and even showed him, through her bedroom window, a small building that would eventually become his own personal cottage.
None of it mattered. All of it disgusted him deeply. He could be the richest man in the world, with access to every part of the castle and all of its fineries, and nothing would be able to make up for the betrayal he’d just experienced.
As soon as she let go of his hand, he collapsed onto her floor again. She didn’t seem to notice for a second or two. Hector couldn’t take any more of this. His mind was swimming solely with the knowledge that he would never have true freedom again, ever. From here on out in his life, nothing would ever be done according to his own freewill. That thought was slowly suffocating him.
“Your room will have all the books you could dream of, fresh meals brought to you each morning and night, and that big bed I mentioned - “ Lenore continued on, her voice sounding so happy she was practically singing, before she looked over to notice him on the floor again. She was clearly startled by the sight, and even almost jumped a little.
Suddenly, she resumed speaking: “Hector! Are you still distraught? Oh, poor thing! Let me help you up!”
As she reached down to grab his arm, Hector wretched away violently. He moved so forcefully that he ended up completely rolling over on the floor. He was fully aware of how stupid and pathetic he must have looked to her. He glanced up at Lenore, expecting her to giggle at him: her dumb little puppy. Carmilla had let him know a million times that he was just a stupid animal to her. He couldn’t believe he’d foolishly thought any other vampire would think differently. Let alone one of Carmilla’s own sisters.
As Hector looked up at Lenore, a seething hatred of her coursed through his inner being. He felt his face flush a deep red as the anger and blood rushed through his veins. He desperately didn’t want to make eye contact, but his curiosity regarding what she thought of him in that moment had overtaken him. Maybe he really was a base creature, he lamented to himself.
Lenore’s facial expression showed no joy or amusement. Instead she looked frustrated, sad, and also…confused? Hector couldn’t fathom what part of his reaction was confusing to her. She’d betrayed him on the deepest level. There was nothing complicated or confusing about it.
She let out a long sigh before asking: “Hector, what’s wrong? I know I made a show out of you in the Council room, and for that I’m truly sorry. But it’s for your own good. I did all of this to save you. Don’t you see? If I didn’t break you, my sisters wouldn’t believe that you were truly bound to us. They were likely to eventually kill you.”
Hector, still on the floor, looked up at her with fire in his heart. He mustered up every hateful feeling he could think of, staring daggers into her. If there was any part of her that did care for him, he wanted her to feel the same pain that he did. He wanted her to feel betrayed.
Just like he felt. And just like he’d felt throughout his whole life. Betrayed by his parents, and humanity in general. Betrayed by Dracula, and then Carmilla. And now by her.
“Get away from me!” he practically growled. Then, the next words came out in a rush of desperation. He hated the fact that he was barely suppressing tears. “You told me you wanted to run away with me! Said you liked me. You made me feel all these things for you, and then wrenched them away in a matter of seconds! I should have known you were a monster.”
Lenore reached out with her hand to grab his arm, only for it to be batted away instantly. Again, she seemed utterly surprised and melancholy. Hector’s rage seethed; he still didn’t know how she had the audacity to pretend to be so innocent. She had to be gaslighting him again.
“Hector, I - “
“NO!” he shouted, as angrily as he could. He’d never raised his voice to her before. But now he felt his back was against a wall and he had no other choice. He didn’t even care if Carmilla heard. He was contemplating taking any of her sadistic punishments over further degradation by this woman he’d foolishly thought was a kind savior.
Lenore sighed deeply, a frown spreading across her lips. Her shoulders slumped down too, as if resigned to a terrible fate. Hector thought he even saw her eyes start to glisten. He was completely flabbergasted that she was still trying to gain his sympathy. She really is a master manipulator, he thought to himself.
“Alright, Hector. I can see you’re still deeply upset. Here’s what I was going to say: This is obviously my private bedroom, and I figured we could stay here together while your quarters are finished up. I was planning to draw a bath for you, or perhaps for us, and then have dinner - “
She was once again cut off by Hector.
“Never. I don’t want to be anywhere near you if I don’t have to. And I’ll never be with you in that way again,” he said coldly, turning his back to her.
“Hector, please! Let me explain all of this to you again,” she commanded, although it had slightly more of a pleading tone than Hector had ever expected from her.
“There’s nothing to explain, Lenore. What just happened is very clear to me now. Just put me back in the dungeon like the animal I am to you,” he said dryly, resigned to his fate already.
He’d reached his limit and no longer had the energy to argue. He was starving and physically broken. For a short while previously, he’d had renewed energy when he was given a glimmer of hope that the woman he’d been falling for wanted to rescue him. But now that was all dashed to pieces.
Lenore huffed again. He wasn’t looking at her, but he was so familiar with her mannerisms by now that he could picture it perfectly in his mind. He knew exactly what that huff looked like. And he knew it was adorable. He unleashed another barrage of curses upon himself internally. Why in the fucking hell...why was he still falling for her charms?! Why was he so damn enchanted by this wolf in sheep’s clothing?
A wave of self loathing washed over him as he realized that deep down, he wished he could just collapse into her for comfort. Or undress her and release some of this stress through sex. It had been so intense…so pleasure inducing. His sexual experiences prior to her were extremely limited, but none of them had ever come close to the way he felt when he was with her. The rush was unexplainable, but he knew it was due to the intense spark of attraction they both felt, in addition to all those deep conversations when getting to know each other. The spark was real, his mind pleaded with him, it had to be. Surely she wouldn’t lie about that? After all, she seemed crushed at his rejection now.
Hector tried to reign himself in. This was the same woman who’d smiled sadistically while parading him in front of her sisters. She’d even told him he wasn’t a real person. Only a sociopath would say something like this, he reasoned with himself.
He knew he would hate himself even more for doing this, but he turned to look at her again. She looked unbearably sad and lost, standing there as if deciding what to do. She seemed so lovely and harmless, almost angelic. Hector remembered what she tasted like, and not just her mouth. He remembered how smooth her skin was. He recalled lifting up her dress and seeing her gorgeous, naked figure displayed for his eyes only.
If he didn’t stop this reminiscing soon, it would become visibly apparent where his mind was drifting. Still, it was unbearably difficult. If he just relented, he could taste this sweet, forbidden fruit once again. Perhaps even right now. It seemed like she was definitely still open to it, to him…
All his life, he’d never had the pleasure of being touched lovingly like she had touched him. Even in his previous sexual encounter, it was more just to see what all the fuss was about. It was only alright, nothing special. He’d decided he could manage without it. But after her…it would be a hell of a lot harder to go without. If she’d pushed the issue, he would have caved right then and there. But he thought she actually seemed to realize that it would only lead to further resentment.
After some deep contemplation, Lenore finally spoke. This time it was more authoritative in tone. Still nowhere near Carmilla, but definitely more firm than she’d been with him in the past.
“Hector. You’re clearly too upset to reason with, so here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to leave. For a few days. You can stay here, in my room. Do not leave it. Food and fresh clothes will be brought to you. Please, feel free to read my books and please take a bath. You’ll enjoy the running water. I’ll be back later, when you can have a logical conversation,” she announced, seeming physically exhausted.
Her face was stoic. He couldn’t read her emotions at all. But he had an inkling from her overall demeanor that she was still shaken and sad. His mind swam with mixed emotions: Anger at her audacity, confusion, fear for his future, longing for a glimmer of hope. If there was even a slight chance that she could redeem herself in his eyes…No. That thought must be purged from his mind, he told himself.
“Nothing to say?” she asked impatiently. “Well, you’re welcome for saving you from the dungeon and bringing you into a life of luxury. I hope you’ll hear me out in a few days. We’ll have to have this conversation before you can get to forging. And Carmilla will not be happy if you can’t forge.”
With that, she turned and left. Hector was slightly surprised that she didn’t even grab any clothes or anything to prepare for a few nights away. But who was he kidding? She was a literal Queen. She had everything and everyone at her beck and call, and he had nothing but the clothes on his back.
Recalling her thinly veiled threat to involve Carmilla in their dispute, he grimaced and his heart burned with anger yet again. As far as he was concerned, Lenore was a monster. They all were. What the hell was he thinking trusting yet another vampire? What was wrong with him and why was he so damn stupid? he asked himself.
And yet, he fully recognized that cutting Lenore off would be a hell of a struggle. Not just because he had to interact with her. But because she’d worked her way so far into his thoughts that he wasn’t sure he would have the strength to rip her out of them. She was far too nice to him, even now. Nicer than anyone had ever been to him, even if it was fake. Cringing at that last thought, he steeled himself, trying to rise to the challenge.
Hector thought about going to the door and poking his head out, but he was afraid of the ring. Maybe it wouldn’t do anything, but Lenore said not to leave, and he didn’t want to tempt it to induce blinding pain. Not in his current state; he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Really, he needed a bath more than anything. He was grimy and greasy; he didn’t know why on Earth Lenore had fucked him in this state. Especially if he was just an animal to her. A bath would have felt very nice, and it would help soothe his aching muscles. But Hector was dead tired. More tired than he’d ever been in his entire life. He had no energy left to draw a bath.
Instead, he slowly plodded over to Lenore’s bed, examining the silk sheets. They looked so soft and appealing. It would almost be a shame that he was going to mess them up with his disgusting, dirty body. He laughed internally. This was the only type of revenge he was capable of now. Reduced to petty, passive aggressive gestures that in the grand scheme of things would likely mean nothing to her. She could have a new set of sheets with the snap of her fingers. She probably wouldn’t even think he’d done it out of spite. She probably expected this type of naivety from an unrefined and uncultured human man.
As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out. His sleep was so deep that he couldn’t recall having the luxury of any dreams. The next thing he knew, he was awake again. He had no sense of time or who he even was for a few seconds. Then, it all came flooding back to him. He lay there in a depressed state for what seemed like hours. The guards that were apparently posted right outside his door brought in breakfast and later lunch, but he didn’t even touch them. Nothing mattered any more, and he was used to fasting by now.
The guards must have reported his lack of eating to Lenore because, come dinner time, one came in and actually spoke to him. Bringing the food on a tray to Hector, who was still in bed, he spoke gruffly. This guard was seemingly irritated that he had to even bother talking to a human.
“Eat this food, now. Your Queen demands it,” he bellowed.
Hector didn’t say anything. He just kept laying there, staring at the ceiling. This only angered the guard more. He grabbed Hector’s arm and suddenly yanked him upright into a sitting position. It wasn’t forceful enough to hurt him, but enough to startle him. Indeed, that worked. Hector instinctively reached for the food to dig in.
The guard chuckled. “You’re not too stupid, after all,” he said.
Hector ignored this and kept chewing. He was going slowly - eating too quickly after fasting could make a person sick. He took tiny sips of water to let his body acclimate. Slowly, he glanced up to make eye contact with the guard, but he wasn’t sure if it worked with the large helmet blocking most of his face. It was unsettling, to say the least, to have a vampire watch you eat. Except for Lenore, he thought suddenly, but then kicked himself for it.
“I can hear your pulse quickening,” the guard laughed. “You’re in no danger. Everyone in this castle has been instructed not to harm you. But right now it is my job to make sure you eat.”
Hector grunted and just kept chewing. He didn’t desire to be associated with any more vampires. Even if they were nice to him.
“You should be glad your mistress is Queen Lenore and not one of her sisters. She can actually be very kind, when she wants to be,” the guard mused.
“She paying you to say that?” Hector asked with a disgusted snort.
“No. But you would do well to remember, human. Now eat the rest of your food, imbecile.”
There it was - what he really thought of him. Hector would have liked to have thrown the food in the guard’s face, but he decided to play it safe for now. He just wanted to get this over with so he could be left alone again.
When that eventually happened, he laid back down for a while, only for the dull ache of utter boredom to kick in. He did everything he could think of - took a bath, ate food when meals came, slept, even tried to read some books. Somehow nothing was helping. His mind still raced and anxiety set in, even while reading, which he usually loved. Although he was now a slave, he wanted nothing more than to forge right now. It had always been his go to comfort and coping mechanism.
But he knew he couldn’t do that - not until his conversation with Lenore. He still deeply hated her, but somehow he also missed her presence. He missed the comfort of an actual interaction with another person after two mind numbing days alone in her room. He missed her kind sounding voice and her soft touch on his arm. He missed her conversation and the fact that she giggled when he said something even slightly funny. Those were all things he never even knew he wanted. Until now.
He kicked himself for that, as he sat there staring at the wall. This woman had completely ruined him. Not just by enslaving him, but by showing him everything he’d ever deeply desired and then revealing it was all simply a lie and a cruel joke.
He needed to stay strong. Clearly, he couldn’t trust himself to not think with his dick. He hated the fact that he’d somehow ended up being that guy - the one who makes decisions based on sex. Even now, the thought of her got him excited and produced some hardening down there. He hated his stupid dick, unable to stop thinking about how much trouble it had gotten him into. How much more stupid could he have been? he continued berating himself.
He must not let his delusions overtake him again.