The seductive and elegant woman known as the Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is an efficient combatant[4] who serves as a high-ranking Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.[10] She has a complex relationship with the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury,[11] which, across the years, has been marked by erotism and deceit.[12][13][14][15][16] In fact, the Contessa uses a fabricated identity and has spent her entire life as a deeply undercover agent for the cryptic organization known as Leviathan.[1] Recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D.,[1] she gained the respect of her peers due to her dedication and competence.[10] She was instrumental in many operations related to the benefit global peacekeeping, such as securing the Infinity Formula for Fury,[7] assisting in dismantling Delta,[17] reforming S.H.I.E.L.D. under Fury's vision,[18] and ending Hydra Supreme Baron Strucker.[15] Following Fury's apparent demise,[19] the Contessa stepped in as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.[20] until his return.[21] After years of lies, the Contessa's true allegiances emerged. To revive Leviathan after decades of dormancy,[1] she infiltrated the High Council of Hydra as Madame Hydra. She brought up the resurrection of Leviathan's army,[8] but Fury sabotaged their chambers.[22] Following Leviathan's downfall and the decay of the only cause the Contessa has ever believed in,[23] she realized it did not fulfill her inner wishes, still being attached to Fury in a toxic and ardent romance.[24] After years under the radar, the Contessa founded O.X.E., an influential and secret organization of espionage. After her apparent demise, she was replaced by Life Model Decoy by the Outer Circle and became involved with Bucky Barnes' anti-terrorist group of Thunderbolts.[25] The real Contessa, on the other hand, adopted the mantle of Citizen V to lead the original Thunderbolts under Doctor Doom's rule.[2]