Velvet IV

Apprehension took hold of Beatriz when she was seated in a darkened back room.
This illuminated by candles of all shapes and tones. Some were in the shape of hooded skeletons, others black as condensed gloom.

The air was thick with smoke, and redolent of spices and potions of all sorts. But something more than the immediate ambiance disturbed Beatriz; the eerie presence of an invisible force seemed almost palpable in this room.

-“I don’t even know why I’m here. I really don’t believe in this stuff - although don’t take any offense – to each his or her own.” Beatriz was respectful of the old, toothless witch doctor seated in front.

With a chuckle the brujo responded: - “You are not the first, nor the last woman to recourse to such aid. It has been a weapon of choice for women throughout centuries to acquire power and status through the male of their choice - when that was the only way to advance their lot in life.

It is woven into history you know.

You told me that you’re from Peru? Let me tell you a little story about the first progressive woman in what is Latin America. As you probably now, the very first University and bullfight plaza established in the Americas, was in Lima, Peru.

The Spaniard nobility immigrated en mass lured by the greed of more gold to take home.

The most scandalous romance of 18th century Lima was between the Viceroy and a famous theatre actress named Micaela Villegas. This become so, because he was the representative of the king of Spain – the highest authority in the land, and she was a Creole of indigenous decent.

As you know there was then and still even now terrible racial prejudice.
This did not deter the smitten Viceroy. One night he extended and invitation to Micaela to dine in his palace. Micaela agreed on one condition, that he sent the royal carriage to pick her up.

A little disturbed by the request since this would draw too much attention to them, the Viceroy acquiescenced nonetheless.

Eventually, the Viceroy fell in love so deeply that upon declaring his love and fervid devotion to Micaela, she responded that she would only accept his love if he were to deposit the moon at her feet.

And this he did.

-“How could he deposit the moon at her feet? And was she very beautiful?” Beatriz interrupted the Brujo.

-“How the Viceroy deposited the moon at her feet was by building “Paseo de Aguas” in her honor. The promenade of waters anchored by large arches, and when the moon is full, it is reflected in its entire splendor on that giant pool.

There are no pictures of her, although it is said that she exuded unparalleled charm and grace. She was quite eccentric and loved to bathe in fresh milk, and shock the elite.
She was impulsive, capricious, and occasionally taken to bouts of extreme generosity.

Micaela moved into the palace and would attend mass in the pompous royal carriage with a velvet interior, this pulled by four white horses of the noblest stock.

Also at the time it was considered improper for ladies to wear face paint, or to go out without a shawl covering half their face.
Micaela would wear plenty of make-up and omit the shawl to functions.

Of course this liaison made the exclusive Spanish society livid, and behind her back, she was nicknamed “La Perrichola,” which is the equivalent of a female dog.
The elite plotted to oust the Viceroy by spreading false rumors to the king of Spain.

-“I see, but why do you say that she was a progressive woman, by just sleeping with a prominent man?” Beatriz interrupted the brujo once again.

-“She was very clever and somewhat educated as she learned to read and write, which was uncommon for women of her social class at the time. She became a mediator of sorts for the common folk. They came to her to ask for aid, and through her urging schools, and hospitals were built.

She is quoted to have said, “Peruvians! Do no combat the ruling empire with arms, because I will have it subdued at my feet, through my charms.” You see what I mean now?

Another quote that she is famous for is: “I will not enter the palace as a maid like my sisters do; I will be the queen of the masses, even beyond the injustices of the empire.”

Her morbid desire to humiliate the elite identified her with the plebeian.
That is how she won the support of the Church which was mighty formidable at that time. For through her good deeds she came to be idolized by the subjugated masses, and she lured them to come to church just to see her. The Church was won to her side by her generosity, as well as a using her as a pawn to convert more Catholics.

-“I see, so what happened then? What happened to them?” Beatriz asks expectantly.

Well, they had one male child, which she demanded the Viceroy legitimize.
The plots against him eventually bore fruit, and he was replaced by someone else, and ordered to return back to Spain.

He left her a pension and properties, and heart brokenly parted ways. She was not allowed a visa of sorts to get aboard any ship, and besides the Viceroy who was a member of a noble family in Spain, knew that she would not be accepted into his world.

Her later years were spent as a novice of the Carmelitas in the monastery, and performing good deeds.

So as you can see my dear, one must do what one must do. What would you like to do now?” The brujo with piercing dark eyes inquired.

-“I don’t want much. I only want him to be aware in a subconscious level that he can only maintain an erection - solely with me!”



To be continued…