Okay, so I've been having this story stuck in my head for a while now and thought that I should post it. Hopefully this story is up to your standards.

Enjoy !

My Sanctuary

Chapter 1

The lights of Paris were as bright as ever during the night, as usual, the rich show off their wealth with expensive clothes, trinkets, and beautifully crafted carriages. Paris will be a tad different, for you see, three certain fools will make a deal with a devil.

September 7, 5048 Night Before

A girl about fifteen years old walks the streets of Paris, passing by the wealthy and the expensive shops. She seems of someone who isn't of nobility, but looks are deceiving. This particular girl seems plain even if her black Fedora hat is tilted so her face won't be seen. Casually walking with a violin on her back and hands in her jean pockets. People stare after her as she is not appropriately 'clothed' as a noble. Tonight is the last day that she will have freedom from politics and such. Tomorrow night is when she will start to raise hell against those who have wronged her.

~September 8, 5048~

"Excuse me, waiter," a young girl called with a monotone voice, in one of the most expensive restaurants in Paris, "would you mind giving that couple next to the window the most expensive wine in this party please? Just go to the back and say that the," she motioned her finger for the waiter to come closer and whispered, "Lady in White requests it," in his ear.

"Yes of course Mademoiselle, but there are only 5 bottles left and reserved for the groom and the bride. What if I get into trouble and if the couple asks who it's from?" The waiter seemed nervous, as he could not see her face through the black hat. Not to mention he was new and young.

"If they wish to know then I would gladly introduce myself to them and don't worry about the new couple, surely they would not mind just one bottle disappearing." The girl said lazily as she was playing with her wine, swishing it around in the glass.

The waiter bowed and left to retrieve the wine. As the finest wine was going to be fetched, the mysterious girl dipped her hat lower to hide her face as two little boys ran past her seat. The girl smirked and as she sipped her drink and allowed the scene to play before her. As she turned around to watch the other people in the opposite direction, the girl's eyes couldn't help but admire the strangers having the time of their lives in the party that was going marvelous.

"Mercedes, please try to relax. You mustn't worry about Albert. He's being looked after by the maids as we speak." A tanned skinned man was talking to his wife. The man was well dressed as well as the woman sitting across from him. One would say that they're rich, but they are what one would say "graciously" rewarded from the heavens.

"I know Fernand, but it's just that we always go out to a party with him and it feels weird without him."

"Oh Mercedes, he's a ten year old boy, surely he knows right from wrong by now." His head shook, "you must learn to calm your nerves and live a little. Albert is going to turn eleven soon. You shouldn't baby him."

"Excuse me Madame and Monsieur," the waiter came by and began to pour a drink for Mercedes, "I don't mean to interrupt but a person has requested you to have this wine. It is a gift to you." The waiter then began pour for the General and took it graciously as the waiter left their table. As he was about to take a sip, two children ran into the man's chair and caused him to spill the wine over himself.

"Oh, my!" Mercedes gasped.

"It's just a stain; I'll go and see if it'll wash off." He chuckled and stood up walking towards the restroom.

Mercedes was left alone at her table as she sighed in boredom.

"Excuse me Madame, but I couldn't help notice that you seem a bit jaded." Mercedes heard a female talk in a monotone voice behind her seat and turned around. She had a dark tan, wearing a white buttoned shirt and slacks with a black fedora hat tipped forward concealing her face along with small white boots with a small heel. Along her shoulders were long black wavy hair that reached just along her lower back and stomach. Her tanned hands at her side in a lazy manner.

"May I ask who you are?" Mercedes didn't feel well around this girl, her voice wavered as she asked. She could feel many emotions rolling off from this girl at once. Anger, hatred, sadness, happiness, and revenge. Something in her gut told her to turn away but the way she talked to her seemed innocent.

"Oh, please forgive me for my rudeness. I am Jacqueline; it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Jacqueline bowed allowing her hair to come from her back onto her shoulder and came back up.

"Yes, my name is Mercedes Morcef," her voice didn't shake this time, she sipped a bit of the wine to get rid of her nerves, Jacqueline's emotions seemed to be calming down rapidly.

"I do hope that the wine is to your liking?"

"You were the one who sent this?" Mercedes seemed surprised. From the attire she felt as though if she were not one who had the money since most women wear some kind of dress to this kind of party. But the air that she gave was one that demanded respect and to give in return. She went out of her musings as Jacqueline interrupted her thoughts.

"May I sit with you? It seems as though my 'date' stood me up tonight for the bar and I'd hate to spend it alone." Mercedes nodded her head and gestured to the seat next to her. "I do not see the man who was with you. Don't tell me that he ran off on you."

"Oh dear heavens no! He's my husband and merely went to the bathroom. You see he had an incident with the wine." Mercedes smiled.

"I see, then it is a good thing that I came by. It may take a while to get rid of most of the stain that the wine caused."

"Oh, may I ask what this wine is called? This is simply delicious. I've never tasted anything like it."

"It is called Chateau Cheval Blanc. One of the finest wines in Paris. By the way, you never told me why you seemed so melancholy. You shouldn't be sad, I'm sure that whatever it is, you will end up just fine. Maybe if you talked about your problems to me I could help you, woman to woman" The teenage girl offered with a lighter tone.

As Mercedes was about to question why she would help a complete stranger, Fernand came, "My, my Mercedes, I didn't know that you would've made a new friend so soon." Jacqueline turned her head slightly to the right and saw the General. Her aura flickered quickly as to say 'back off' but both of them didn't notice the change of the atmosphere. It was too sudden to tell the difference. Jacqueline stood up and put a hand out to shake his.

"I believe that you are Mercedes husband, correct? If so then you should know to never leave a lady waiting." She smirked but left as soon as it was there.

"Oh, my. I feel ashamed." He feigned embarrassment, "I am Fernand Morcef." He shook her hand and sat in his original chair in confusion as she did not curtsey or let him kiss her hand.

"Jacqueline." She took her chair with a cheery smile.

"May I ask what you are doing here in Paris? I can tell that you don't know the groom or the bride. I know all of the nobility and I have never seen you near any of them."

"I am new in Paris and here to open a business...that and a drunk man dragged me in here so I thought to myself 'why not indulge a bit.' He was my 'date' by the way. " Jacqueline turned to Mercedes.

"Really?" Mercedes seemed surprised at the business part and ignored the supposed date.

"Yes, and I've heard that in Paris females aren't exactly allowed to own a business here?"

"Yes, it's true unfortunately." Ferdinand responded in a fake caring tone, "it mostly has to do with the fact that many of them believe that a woman's job is to be a housewife." I saw Mercedes' face get a little bit more depressed.

"Well then I guess I have no choice," I said in a defeated tone for dramatic effect and saw the general smirk, he thought I was going to back out. Surely he is mistaken, "and by 'them' I believe that you are talking about men correct? Since I am not like any other woman I believe that I shall break this cycle. I am not your average woman, Monsieur Morcef." Jacqueline and Fernand were having a suffocating aura and a contest on who could be the most intimidating. "I must take over the family business, even if I am just a woman. I will not be one of those who are 'seen but not heard'. I will be heard and I will make a racket but I will not be seen. Some may call me crazy, but I think of it as a game." The teenager poured another glass of wine into a new glass. "I am –not to be bragging or anything- known as a child protégé. I had all of my education finished at the age of nine and am currently 15 years old." She drank the wine in one full gulp. "That is how my business will prosper, with hard work and dedication."

"Oh my, I did not know that an entrepreneur could be so young." Mercedes commented.

"Trust me Madame, I wouldn't have wanted to do this if it weren't for a certain promise I need to keep and I intend to."

"I have a question Jacqueline," Mercedes seemed nervous, "Why is it that you put your hat in that manor? I am sure that you are beautiful." this time she looked at me with concern in her eyes.

"I am flattered by your comment Madame and as I've said before, I don't not wish to be seen only heard." Mercedes nodded in understanding and seemed to admire her for someone so young to have such confidence.

They both began talking about many things and appeared to have bonded rather quickly. A reporter/photographer was taking pictures of all the guests and seemed to have his eyes captured of the scene that Fernand and Mercedes de Morcef was talking to a stranger and hitting it off rather nicely. Of course being the reporter/photographer that he is couldn't help but snap a picture or two and make this a new scoop since they seemed like the kind of people to talk only to the highest of nobility.

"Your son sounds rather well mannered; I'd like to meet him one day." There was a slight awkward silence, "I have a question Madame and Monsieur; do you happen to know an area where I may reside in Paris? I have been in a hotel recently and would like to actually live here since I plan to make this city the headquarters."

"Well there are three mansions actually, although the one over the bridge is a lot more expensive. The cheaper one is actually next to the Forest of Boulogne, and I must say that it is a very beautiful view. " Mercedes was bubbling with excitement at hearing that her new friend would move close by.

"I'll check it out as soon as possible, thank you for that piece of information." In the background, Ferdinand was boiling with rage. Even he could not understand why he wanted to keep the girl away from Mercedes but kept his mouth shut. For some reason it felt as if his past was out to haunt him again and this girl was connected to it. He hasn't seen Mercedes this happy since Albert was born and that's saying something. "If you'll excuse me, I must go, but not before I get a piece of cake from the bride and groom. It is almost midnight and I do not wish to be tired when I wake up to discuss my business plans with my employees and my second in charge." Jacqueline got up and bowed to them both. "And Mercedes," she gave her a black card that had white numbers on it; "if you ever need anything don't hesitate to call. You as well general." Jacqueline left with a normal walk, some would expect her to be graceful, but she strides just like a regular person.

"What a sweet girl." Mercedes smiled.

That was not the case with Fernand. He loathed that she would be the first woman to own her own business but knew that he had to get on Jacqueline's good side. He had a feeling that you are either against her or with her.

Let the games begin.

I know that in my other story Daisy also has a violin but they both have it for entirely different reasons that you shall soon find out.

This is my first story on Gankutsuou and I wish to have some reviews on your views on this story. I've never tried writing this type of story with so many twists and OMG moments. I remember the first time I saw this show and thought DAMN the count is a very complicated character. So I thought to myself, instead of the regular girl who used to be close to the Count or just a regular noble why not try an original character with their own dark past? I also recommend these authors: Kyuketsuki - Aikouka, RoseLoveHeartBeating, and Black Lace Lamb on more Gankutsuou fanfics. :D

P.S. Throughout the story I will try to make my character as original as possible, so if I accidentally make Jacqueline Mary-Sue, please tell me and I will change it.