Chapter 4: Be our guest, or not
-It's not the same castle.
-I beg your pardon.
-I mean, it is a beautiful castle.
This wasn't their castle, their home. It's pretty, but nothing compared to the one she lived in. Why did he leave this castle? Something tragic happened? Maybe with his wife. His wife! She had forgotten! There is probably a wife, she is going to meet Countess Von Krolock! Is she pretty? Does she have a good voice? Is she better than Sarah? That is the only question that mattered.
-You are doing some thinking, Miss.
-Just admiring your halls, Your Excellency.
-You're finally here! The Duke of Devonshire is waiting your arrival for two hours!
Who's this woman? She looks so pissed.
-My husband, you know very well that I can choose my maids by myself.
She is his wife? Really? Sarah was expecting someone more… angelic. The woman is not ugly, she is just normal. Nothing like Sarah imagined.
-Astrid, be more polite. She's no maid, she is our guest. Let me introduce you Lady Sarah Chagal.
Sarah reverenced the Countess. She had never done such a thing before.
-Good try, but your posture is not right for a reverence. Are you certain that she is a Lady? With this dress?
-Pardon, Countess. I fell into the grass, it must have dirtied my dress.
-We can't just blame the grass.
Man, this woman was a bitch! How could he be married to her?
-Herbert, son, could you ask one of our maids to show Miss Sarah her room? And if you excuse me, I'm going to meet the Duke.
Once, Sarah was finally in her room, all she could think of was that she needed to sleep. And she did, for three hours. When she woke up, she was determined to dress up, and show up at the dinner more beautiful than ever. She wanted to make the Countess swallow her words. The room had a wardrobe with a few dresses, and Sarah decided to go with the pink one. This isn't Little Mermaid, but she is just feeling like Ariel. Unable to express her feelings to the man she loves. Well, not exactly. She doesn't know yet if she could love him as a human.
-Miss Sarah, the Count and Countess are waiting for you to dinner.
The maid simply said. So Sarah followed her until some cracking sound echoed the hall they were passing through.
-Oh no! Miss, just keep walking this way and you will find the dinner room. Excuse me, I have to be certain everything is alright with the Countess crystals.
And Sarah kept going, until she could hear a conversation. She saw the Count and the Countess arguing. She needed to hide. She shouldn't hear others conversations. But it didn't matter. She wasn't going to lose this opportunity.
-Why are we hosting this strange girl?
-I told you, she got hurt because of the silly ball game Herbert and I were having. Besides a pretty lady company would do great to our son.
-This girl? She's not worthy of our name. You know how worried I'm about Herbert. He doesn't pay attention to any woman! He is always rude towards the noble damsels I invite to our castle. He is almost twenty! He needs to get married and carry the family name! There is something really wrong with him. I should have been more rigid in his childhood. But even though, that girl is not the answer to our problems. She should leave. She doesn't know how to behave! I wouldn't like her around our son, even as a mistress…
Sarah wanted to punch this woman in the face right now.
-You can't say those things about the pure damsel! Besides, you shouldn't dare to say such horrible things about your own son! He's perfect! And the girl is not going anywhere.
Yes! That's my husband! Sort of…
-You shouldn't be so intrusive.
Herbert, he caught her!
-I'm sorry. But your mother…
-I know. She is not exactly a kind person. Could we arrive he dinner together? Then, I won't give you away
-Done. I'm really sorry about…
-I'm used to it.
So Herbert offered his arm to Sarah and made their entr'acte.
-Excuse us. I just found Sarah in the hall, we started talking and I lost track of time.
The Count gave her a smile. Maybe he was trying to tell her how pretty she is looking.
-As long as we can have dinner.
-Yes, mother.
Dinner went quiet, until Countess Von Krolock decided to inquire their visitor.
-What were you doing in our property, when that ball hit you, Miss Chagal?
-I was lost.
-And tell me, Sarah. Can I call you Sarah?
-Yes, Your Excellency.
-I never heard of the Chagals. Could you tell me from which part of nobility you are from?
-Forgive me, but I'm not from nobility. I'm just a peasant girl. My father owned an inn.
-Owned an inn?
-He doesn't own it anymore. He is dead.
She wasn't exactly lying.
-Well, I could easily see your origin from your manners. And I'm sorry for your loss.
-Thank you for the concern.
-Are you engaged, Miss Chagal?
-No, I'm not.
-It must not be easy for you to be a young woman without a husband or resources. And no father to protect you and take care of your education. You must be scared of your own fate.
-I beg your forgiveness, but I'm doing just fine on my own. I don't need my father repressive manners to feel protected, and I don't need the social status contracted by marriage. The most important thing for me is my freedom, and I already have it! You can be a Countess, but that doesn't give the right to judge everyone around! Your son and I included. I can clearly see that I'm not welcome here. Thank you for your hospitality! Good bye.
Sarah just stood up and ran through the hall as fast as possible. She was making a scene, but it didn't matter. She needed to get away. She needed… Someone grabbed her arm.
-You can't leave. Not because of her.
-She hates me.
-Please, forgive her. You didn't deserve to hear those words.
-That's the reason I'm leaving.
-I can't let a lady walk on her own during night time in the forest.
If only he knew the future.
-I'm not a noble lady. And I won't be a mistress to your son! My blood is not royal, but I have my honor. And Herbert doesn't feel anything for me.
-I know that.
-You do?
-Yes, I just wanted to give my wife a reason to justify you in our guest room.
-Why the concern?
-Because you seem to be lost and scared.
-I don't want to be a problem to you.
-You are not. It is a pleasure to help a person so sincere. I haven't met other person like you before.
-Thank you for the compliment.
-Would you like to talk, Miss Chagal?
-Just call me Sarah.
Answering the reviews
queenmedesa
Thank you so much for the reviews! Hope you are liking the time-traveling story.
I didn't express myself the way I intended. Of course the Count is always a gentleman, but the reason behind it changes. In chapter 3, his morals were behind his noble actions. But I think, that as a vampire, Count Von Krolock uses this gentleman side of his to manipulate people, like he does with Alfred in the finale of the First Act. Although I think he is gentle with Sarah because he kind cares about her and wants to make her feel confortable around him as much as possible.
About Little Mermaid, I'm really obsessed with this movie! I love it so much, and there is going to be more references to it.
As for Twilight. It really sucks as a vampire story. I don't see anything tragic in Edward, unlike Von Krolock, he doesn't suffer with the idea that he has to kill people to live on, because unlike the Count, he can fight his nature, so I can't see Twilight as a vampire story. Count Von Krolock and Sarah are my favorite couple and their interaction works ten million times better than the Edward and Bella relantionship.
Okay, the next chapter will only be released on the weekend, because a girl needs to study.
Now you were intruduced to Countess Von Bitch. I don't why, but unlike many Tanz fans, I didn't picture Herbert's mom as the first victim of Von Krolock on Die Unstillbare Gier. But she is also appearing in this fic, just wait!
Keep calm and review!