Bethesda Von Eldritch

**Bethesda Von Eldritch** is a recurring supporting antagonist in the *Divine Comedy*.

She is the matriarch of the esteemed Von Eldritch family in the Envy Circle, the wife of Frederick Von Eldritch and the mother of Helsa and Seviathan Von Eldritch. Like her family, Bethesda believed in the importance of royal lineage and would support her husband into taking any measure to ensure that they're at the top.

## Appearance

Bethesda is a tall, slim, grey-skinned demon with bright green, pupil-less eyes and long, flowing white hair with dark spots underneath, akin to a cephalopod's tentacles. She has black eyelids with long eyelashes, black lips, bright green claws. One of Bethesda's most distinguishing characteristics is that the lower part of her legs appear to be fused together, giving her the appearance of having a fish-like tail rather than legs. Like the rest of her family, she has green, additional eyes and mouths throughout her body that open whenever she is enraged.

She primarily wears a long, black gown with a slit down the length, black evening gloves, and wears black fishnet stockings under her dress. The lower part and underside of her gown is decorated with black dots, giving it the appearance of tentacles.

## History

### Background

Not much is known of Bethesda's background but what is known is that she was part of a "large family" that lived in Envy and rose to prominence alongside her two sisters Druella and Irma. As she came of age, she would meet her future husband Frederick Von Eldritch in Fort Frolic and according to the latter he won Bethesda's heart by buying her the dresses she did not know she actually wanted.

Bethesda married Frederick, who was just as wealthy and inclined as other highly placed aristocratic families. Together, they lived a life of privilege and luxury at the Eldritch Estate, located in Olympus Heights. The couple had two children, a girl and boy named Helsa and Seviathan. In naming Seviathan, Bethesda wanted the blessing of Leviathan by naming her son after their lord in the hopes that they would gain his favor.

Bethesda was instrumental in raising Helsa to be the spoiled and entitled brat she known as today being highly devoted to shaping them as the perfect representatives of the family's image. She, like her husband, would also seek to have her children be betrothed to the heirs of a royal family so as to increase their hold and influence over a territory or region within the Nine Circles of Hell. In addition, while she would often be callous towards Helsa as she fell out of favor with her mother for botching the arranged proposal between Seviathan and Charlie. She also constantly doted on Seviathan which only served to create tension between the siblings as Helsa would always try to gain her mother's approval.

## Personality

Bethesda was a very proud woman who frequently displayed a haughty and disdainful attitude, looking down upon others as she believed strongly in the importance of blood purity and valued her family's wealth. She was prejudiced towards half-breeds, other non-royal-bloods, and so-called "blood traitors". She is described as a parent that more focused on her royal code almost as much as she did to her kids.

Bethesda also does not shy away from making it clear who her favorite child is which in this case would be her son as she would constantly dote on him and not giving Helsa the time of day like she used to in the beginning. This also makes Bethesda blind at times to the repercussions she leaves behind as a result of her actions. One prime example is Helsa herself who became the way she is because of Bethesda but only worsened to where it would complicated both her and Frederick's plans. This also resulted in Helsa botching any chance of Seviathan and Charlie getting married with Bethesda not acknowledging that this incident traces back to her. Said nature gets her and Frederick into many fights over what is best for their kids.

While she treated most people coldly, including most of her family members, she actually genuinely seemed to care for and love them but has a "messed up" way of expressing it according to Seviathan. She cares about her husband and children despite the rocky and strained relationship she has with the latter and displayed a fierce and protective temper on their behalf, as well as a ruthless determination to keep them safe. In addition, despite being rivals of the Morningstar family, Bethesda would always attend a girl's night out with Lilith and her sisters.