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Morenza is the femslash ship between Justine Moritz and Elizabeth Lavenza from the Frankenstein fandom.
Canon[]
Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus[]
Justine was a family friend of the Frankensteins, a family that Elizabeth was a part of either by blood or through adoption (depending on version). All seemed well for the Frankenstein family, until one day the youngest son, William had been suddenly killed by strangling when nobody was with him. A trinket belonging to William was then found in Justine's hands and she became the prime suspect of William's murder. This had especially been a shock for Elizabeth, who had always been close to Justine and never thought of her to be capable of murder. When Elizabeth reunites with Victor, she hopes that Victor could help prove that Justine is innocent. She confesses to Victor that she relies on Justine for her own innocence, believing that if she was capable of murder, anyone would be. She also tells him that they will not only lose a son, but a friend whom Elizabeth sincerely loves. Elizabeth is sure that she will never feel joy again should Justine be condemned, but she is also sure that Justine will not be condemned. Victor agrees that Justine is innocent, relieving poor Elizabeth, everyone else believes that Justine is guilty, making her feel even more alone.
For they were the closest to witnesses, nobody had seen how William was murdered, the Frankensteins were obligated to attend Justine's trial. But there was a market-woman who had seen Justine around the child, seemingly confirming suspicions, Justine having fallen ill after hearing of William's murder. One of the servants of the Moritz household found the picture of Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein on Justine's person, which Elizabeth confirmed was the same picture that William carried with him before he was murdered. During Justine's defense, she mentions that she had been given permission by Elizabeth to visit the house of an aunt about a league from Geneva and only came back when William's corpse was found.
Elizabeth then asked for permission to speak in Justine's defense. She acknowledges that defending the suspected murderer of a family member might be considered indecent, but she was appalled by the cowardice of Justine's so-called friends and assures the court that she knows the real Justine. She reveals that she used to live in Justine's house for several years, telling the court how Justine nursed Caroline Frankenstein until her illness claimed her life. She continues by telling the court how Justine didn't back down of tending to her own mother's "tedious" illness and how she was beloved by the entire Frankenstein family. She even says that Justine looked after William like her mother would and that she wouldn't have any motive to kill him, regardless of the evidence produced against her.
The crowd went quiet during Elizabeth's speech, but then once again turned against Justine with renewed violence. Victor notes how Justine cried when Elizabeth spoke for her. The results seemed very bleak, but Elizabeth nonetheless demanded to hear them. With extreme guilt, Victor tells Elizabeth that Justine had confessed the murder, information which Elizabeth greeted with disbelief. The Frankensteins then heard that Justine had demanded to talk to Elizabeth, to which Alphonse Frankenstein tells her that he wishes that she wouldn't go. He then admits that he left it for her to decide, to which Elizabeth replies that she will come to Justine immediately, but urging Victor to come with her, as she refuses to go alone.
So Victor and Elizabeth vistited Justine in her chamber, her hands manacled so she would be of no harm to them. Justine was sitting with her head in her knees, but then rose when she heard Elizabeth enter, then cried by Elizabeth's feet, who also cried for her. Elizabeth then scolds Justine, telling her what she already told Victor; if Justine could murder someone, Elizabeth believed that anyone could. Justine is heartbroken, believing that Elizabeth also believes that Justine is wicked and joined her enemies. Elizabeth tells her that she is not like her enemies, she always believed Justine to be innocent until Justine herself confessed. Justine explained that she lied in her confession, as her confessor would not leave her alone until she herself believed that she was a murderer. She tells Elizabeth that she was cornered by those believing that she was doomed, so she confessed a lie at her most evil hour and made herself truly miserable. Justine believed that at least Elizabeth and Caroline would know of her innocence, maybe allowing for her to reunite with both of them in heaven, the thought was her only consolation. Elizabeth apologizes to Justine for ever distrusting her and promises that she will prove her innocent, if it means melting the stony hearts of her enemies. But Justine confesses that she no longer fears Death, she is sure that she will go to heaven if at least Elizabeth believes her unjustly condemned.
While the two women were consoling each other, Victor was sitting in the corner of the room, trying to hide his own anguish. Justine finally addresses Victor and asks him if he also believes her to be innocent. Victor was too wrapped up in his own self-pity to answer, but Elizabeth tells her that Victor is more convinced of Justine's innocence than she herself is. Justine thanks the both of them for believing her, feeling that she can die in peace with half the misfortune. While Victor was thinking about the implications of that statement, Elizabeth tells Justine that she'd rather die with her than live in misery for the rest of her life. Justine embraced Elizabeth as good as she could and sincerely wishes for this to be the last misfortune to ever reach her.
Justine died the next day, leaving Elizabeth even more heartbroken as her words did nothing to prevent Justine's death. Even Victor tried to evade that fate for her, but neglected to mention that William's murder was his fault. Victor's Creature later confesses to William's murder to Victor and only Victor, having framed Justine and used those very same hands to take Elizabeth's life later.
Fanon[]
Morenza is the most popular ship in the Frankenstein fandom that doesn't involve either Victor or his Creature, being the fourth most popular ship overall. It is notably far more popular than the canon Lavenzastein.
Many believe that Elizabeth would've been happier with Justine than with Victor. Not only because Victor's interference with nature led to both of their deaths, but also because they believe that Justine treated Elizabeth much fairer than Victor did. It also is a fairly convenient way to pair Elizabeth off to free Victor to be with someone else. Some stories flat out explore how the story would've played out had Victor confessed in Justine's place.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Elizabeth/Justine tag on AO3
- Elizabeth & Justine tag on AO3
[]
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| Frankenstein Ships • Frankenstein Characters | |||
| SHIPS | het | Lavenzastein | |
| slash | Clervalstein • Jekyllstein • Victorian • Waltonstein | ||
| femslash | Morenza | ||
| CHARACTERS | male | Victor Frankenstein | |