A/N: This story is loosely based on Le Comte de Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas but with my own spin on it, if I may say.

This story will be quite different from what I'm used to write since, at least for now, what I've planned for its future is quite angsty maybe even a bit dark. We'll see how that goes.

Being set in France, the characters sometimes speak French. Consequently, every French words there might be will be translated at the end of every chapters.

A huge thank you to Manon and Fe for their thoughts on this story.

Now, I'll leave you to the reading.

Don't forget to review, I'll know then if this story's worth something.

Chapter 1

19th century in Marseille, France

Spring had burst out all over the place and it'd brought with it the bright and sunny days in the animated harbor city.

Regina smiled as strolled happily toward her father's boat, letting the wind play with her hair and the sun caress her skin, accompanied by her cousin Maria Margarida.

"Bonjour mon oncle," the younger brunette greeted as they arrived by the old man.

"Oh, here you are," Henry acknowledged, putting the heavy load of fishes he'd been carrying down.

He hugged both his daughter and niece in a loving embrace before parting.

"What with all the agitation?" Regina asked, looking around as more people started to gather in the Old Port.

"There's a merchant marine boat making a stopover here for the week," Henry answered.

"Sailors," Regina pondered aloud, a smile painted on her face. "Interesting."

She turned to look at her cousin and chuckled when the young girl started blushing furiously.

"Come on, let's go welcome them," she pushed, extending her hand to take Maria Margarida's before running towards the quay.

"You stay out of troubles, girls," Henry's voice was heard. "Especially you, Regina."

The eighteen-year-old girl stopped in her track and turned to face her father. She raised her free hand towards her heart, looking at the man with wide eyes as she faked being offended.

Maria Margarida let out a chuckle at that.

"Allez viens," the girl said, pulling the girl's arm who snickered loudly.

The boat could already be seen slowly approaching the harbor. The two cousins hopped slightly in excitement, happy to welcome the officers back home. Finally the ship moored and instantly, the crowd started cheering loudly.

Regina beamed, looking at the sailors who waved back at the population.

"They are really cute," she heard a small voice whisper next to her.

The brunette turned to look at her now-rosy-cheeked cousin and shrugged with a smirk.

"Maybe, we'll find you a husband," she teased though her smirk mellowed into a genuine grin.

"Oh please." Maria Margarita rolled her eyes. "What would an officer do with the orphan of a fisherman?" She asked, lowering her head, her shoulders plummeting.

"First of all, there's nothing wrong with being the daughter of a fisherman, I'll thank you very much," the older cousin started, fists on her hips. "Second." Regina sighed. "You're more than just that Maria Margarida. You have to stop thinking so little of yourself and start being…I don't know…A little more like me," she advised with a large smile and it had the expected result of making the young girl laugh joyously.

Regina chuckled, satisfied.

"We should go buy your flowers," Maria Margarida said after a while, "before the shop closes."

"You're right. Let's go," the young woman agreed with a nod.

Regina turned around and a muffled noise escaped her mouth as she bumped into someone.

"Oh, Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle."

The brunette parted before she looked up at the man who had spoken. A small smile grazed her lips as redness reached her cheeks.

"No harm done, sailor;" she replied, noticing his uniform.

The blonde man smiled, his blue eyes shining with the brightness of the sun.

"I'm David Dantès," he introduced himself taking off his cap and bowing, his eyes still locked on hers.

"Regina Herrera," the brunette said and the man took her hand in his, kissing its top gently –almost in a caress and her heart missed a beat.

The young girl took her hand back softly as she heard her cousin clearing her throat nervously.

"And this is my cousin," she told grabbing the girl's arm and pulling her in front of her, "Maria Margarida."

The officer kissed Maria Margarida's hand the same way he kissed Regina's and straightened back up.

"I hope the sea hasn't been too grueling," Regina beamed, still unable to look away from him.

"It hasn't. Quite the opposite, in fact but it's good to be back home."

"Home?!" she repeated with a furrow of her brows. "You're from Marseille?" she asked, surprised.

"I was born here, indeed," the man answered, smiling, "but I was raised a little bit everywhere. My father was a sailor before I and it's been long since I've set foot into this harbor," he admitted, looking around with contentment.

"I see," Regina said, nodding. "Well, welcome back and if by any means you need a guide, you can always find us."

"How will I do that?" The blonde man asked with a small grin.

"If you really want to find us, I'm sure that you'll manage," the girl answered, smirking. Then, she let out a chuckle before walking past him. "Have a nice day, sailor," she shouted before disappearing into the crowd.

David looked at her until her long dark hair were no more than just a black spot. A small and light laugh escaped his lips and he shook his head, turning back to head towards the hotel that had been booked for him and his comrades.

Regina Herrera. That wasn't a name nor a face he was ever going to forget.

...

It was a time for partying at Le Belle-Vue hotel as David Dantès had just been promised the title and role of Captain of Le Pharaon.

He smiled as his pint of wine clinked with the others'.

"Congratulations Dantès!" the men cheered loudly.

He nodded in response, drinking the wine straight out of his glass before smiling at his friends. He looked around, watching all the men talking loudly, some dancing a bit too ungraciously with the provincial girls, alcohol flotting in the air and in their lungs.

The bonde man sighed, standing up and he excused himself to his comrades before going outside to take a bit of fresh air, away from the hot and sweaty ambiance.

He noticed her right away, ambling alone in the dark streets. He frowned immediately before trotting towards her. "A little late for a young lady to be wandering around in the city by herself."

She jumped a little, startled by the voice but she relaxed a bit when she recognized the handsome sailor from earlier that day.

"Well," she said, tilting her head to look at him, "I'm no lady," she whispered as if she was telling a secret.

The blonde man chuckled and she grinned at the sight.

"I see that you're enjoying your first night in Marseille," she pointed out, eyeing the pint as she sat on a wooden crate.

"Yes," the man nodded, flushing a little, ashamed to be caught with alcohol by her. "I've just been promoted captain."

"Oh," Regina let out. "Congratulations," she exclaimed and he was touched by the sincerity in her eyes. "I shall call you Captain now, then," she informed, with a polite nod to which he answered with a chuckle.

"Well, it hasn't been made official yet but David will be fine in both cases."

"David it is then," Regina acquiesced with a grin, "but in no way does that mean that I'm allowing you to call me Regina. It's still Mademoiselle Herrera for you," she clarified faking being serious and the young man nodded with a light laugh.

"Very well, Mademoiselle."

Regina smiled, satisfied and turned her head back to look at the animation in the city.

The lights were dancing in the dark depicting a beautiful show. The brasseries were full and people were smiling and laughing, waltzing to a silent music or just casually ambling in the old town. It was beautiful and vivid. A perfect show.

"You haven't told me." The brunette looked at David, lifting a brow. "What you are doing out at such a late hour."

"I was at the cemetery."

"I…I'm sorry," the sailor quickly apologized, and that made her smile gently.

"I went to bring flowers to my mother. I prefer to do it at night. The candles make the place quite lovely."

"I understand," David said, thoughtful. "I'm sorry for your loss," he added with a small smile that was everything but pitiful which she appreciated. It even touched her a little because it seemed more genuine than all the forms of sympathy she'd received and was still receiving, even after years went by, for her mother's death. They never liked the woman but who could blame them? Sh certainly couldn't.

"Thank you," she replied finally, shaking her head lightly to clear her thoughts.

"Why isn't your cousin accompanying you?"

Regina's brows furrowed. "Would you have preferred her company rather than mine?"

"Oh no. Of course not."

"Does that mean that you don't find my cousin to your liking?" She asked unable to hide the amusement on her face.

The man sighed, smiling. "Is there a right answer?" He asked with a chuckle, and the brunette just shrugged. "You like toying with me, don't you?"

"Maybe," she admitted, "you are an easy prey," she said, hopping off the crate. "I have to go back to my father or he'll stay up all night waiting for me."

"Alright. Bonne nuit Re –Mademoiselle Herrera," he corrected himself in time and the brunette bit her lower lip as she smiled before giving him a nod of approval.

"Goodnight David. I promise to give Maria Margarida your regards," she added with that playful smirk still on her face before turning around, padding away.

…

When she got home, she still had a silly grin painted on her face.

"Enfin, you're here." The brunette smiled at her father who, as she'd predicted, was waiting for her. "You took your time, didn't you?!"

"I walked in on a friend on the way home," she said, kissing his cheek.

"A friend?" The old man asked, raising a curious brow.

"Mmh." The young girl shrugged.

"Can I dare ask who this friend is?"

"You can but I won't answer," Regina answered, laughing. "I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Papa."

"Bonne nuit, ma chérie," Henry said, shaking his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

The brunette opened the room she was sharing with Maria Margarida only to find the girl already sound asleep on the bed. She grinned before taking off her shoes and dress and putting on her white night gown. She got on the bed and lied on her back next to her cousin.

Regina closed her eyes, images of a tall blonde man already invading her mind. He was so handsome and so kind. He was also funny and of great company at that.

She'd met a lot of sailors over the years. She'd also flirted with a lot of them despite her young age but none had managed to catch her attention quite like this one. She'd only met him but there was something, something interesting about him. Something different.

The young girl let out a heavy sigh. Hopefully, they'd meet again, she thought sliding on her side before slowly falling asleep, hoping for a night full of dreams.

Translation:

Bonjour, mon oncle: Good morning, uncle

Allez viens: Come on, let's go.

Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle: I'm sorry, miss

Mademoiselle Herrera: Miss Herrera

Bonne nuit Re -Mademoiselle Herrera: Good night Re – Miss Herrera

Enfin: Finally

Bonne nuit ma chérie: Goodnight, honey

A/N: I don't have a planning for this story.

I write whenever the inspiration comes and whenever time permits so bear with me, love.

As for my other stories, just check my bio.

I hope you liked this chapter.