Chapter 2

"That is how I met her. Although her husband was an imperial bastard, she was his opposite. She was kind to me, treated me as an equal, and I loved her for that. We promised to say nothing of the other girl's murder. Not that they would believe us if we told them anyway. For although she was his wife, women didn't have much power back then and hardly got a word in at all. But she gave me her word that although he would surely do it again, she would not allow me to fall as his puppet. I remember the day she risked to start up another rebuke with Estefan when he threatened to lay a hand on me. She told him that I belonged to her just as he said the day I was given to her, and that he wasn't allowed to touch me unless she allowed it too. And of course, she never had…Never."

"So as that tragic night grew further and further away, our relationship grew, and I began to notice that although she never uttered my exact words, Noin and Estefan were always as unhappy as they seemed that night he brought me home. And what she did to fill that missing part in her heart was sudden, but understandable. Unfaithful, but burning to be satiated…"

"It all started a few days after that night, when everything seemed to go back to normal. The Casanova's had their annual plantation gala the night she met him. He was a foreigner no less, for he had no relation or history to any plantation in the area of Louisiana. But although nobody knew anything about him… That wasn't about to stop her. It didn't seem that way at first, for the fact that Estefan and any other plantation and slave owners were exactly alike; ruthless, merciless. Was still etched in her mind. Sometimes I even thought it my fault. Why? Because when she looked at me, really looked at me, I could see the pain emerging in those deep amethyst eyes…always…" "But anyways… My point being, although at first she had no interest in him, he was vice versa. Even if she denied her interest in him, she was just as intrigued with him, as he… was intrigued with her…"

~~~

The cheery sound of other people's laughter surrounded both Estefan and Lucretzia as they entered the gala's entrance located at the mansion's west wing. He smiled and nodded respectfully to the many familiar acquaintances. Lucretzia, Noin, was forced to do the same. She could recognize them to, even if their faces were covered by their elegant facemasks. "Good evening Lord and Lady Casanova…" One would begin, then proceeding to bolden Estefan's pride with, "My Estefan, you've outdone yourself with this one…" Noin allowed an old acquaintance to grasp her hand and kiss it, then to lead her in a lazy circle allowing him to have full view of  'Estefan's little whore'. Lucretzia wasn't stupid, she knew that all plantation oxen were exactly the same, especially since her husband was the richest and first to spread, or begin the little manly ordeals about women, if not about herself.

She forced a smile once again, detesting the fact that lying was what she had to do this night of fun. Estefan excused her from their presence, and watched her walk away before, "Yes, she's quite a little enigma… But her qualities satisfy me…Thank you." The Baron raised an eyebrow, "Is that so…Well, I didn't think you were the kind to allow such fashions to be put forth in your presence, Estefan." Estefan gave a weak smile; obviously his pride had shrunk at this man's snobbish comment. And for that, later that night, there would be hell to pay. No one would make a fool out of a Casanova…NO one.

Noin walked away as instructed replacing her mask and just wondered around the large rotunda style ballroom. Although she lived in this plantation mansion, as they called it, she had yet to notice its rare beauty, its intricate decor and elegant manner. Her infatuation was so deep that she didn't take part in noticing that she had wondered out into one of the Mansion's vast and luscious gardens. She walked amongst the large rosaries and maze of flowers before getting back onto the stone path and following to view what ever else was left to see. Her mind wondered as she continued to stare at the magnificent statues of historical people, not to mention of nymphs and whatnot. One particular statue caught her eye that she didn't take notice of where she was going. Not seeing the mass of royal blue, she ramned into the strong framework of a man, knocking off her mask. Backing away flustered; she glared at his back, for he didn't seem to notice her at all.

Feeling un-respected she cleared her throat, "Excuse me sir, but I must ask you to stand aside if you don't mind. Especially if you are to linger about in one's walk way…" She spoke harshly; staring at the man's masked face with her unmasked one as he finally took notice of a woman's angry presence. They stared in heavy silence until his suave movement to remove his mask caught her off guard, causing her to gasp sharply. 

Her mouth went slack as it had done many times before, as the striking beauty of this stranger's face caught her even more by surprise. He was a man of tall, well-built stature. His tassels of platinum cascading down his back in a smooth way of silk tide back with a matching royal blue ribbon. But what caught her eye in nothing but a simple glance were those Arctic blue eyes hooded by long, pale eyelashes and long bangs that would have probably been ridiculously long on any other man… unlike this one. He took her small hand into his large, gloved one and slowly brought it to his lips. "My deepest apologies madam…" He said in a deep, husky tone, before placing a soft kiss to the smooth skin above her knuckles.

She pulled back her hand, berating her sudden frenzy, dominant emotion created by the sight of this complete stranger of a man. "Yes well, you should be…" She said, walking past him implying of no interest to be in his company any moment longer, and walked hastily down the stone walkway before coming to a sudden halt as the man appeared in her mist. "Such beautiful, intriguing women must have a given name to match, yes?" Her eyebrow curved in an articulate conduct, "Do I know you sir? Are you acquainted with my HUSBAND?"

The man's bold, facial features fell into an expression of blunt embarrassment, displacement. "Husband?" He asked politely, a smile working as if to apologize, "I shall trouble you now more…Good night." He turned, and stepped away, his black leather boots clicking in a rhythmic way on the smooth stones below his feet. She watched him feeling as if her mentality had created a monster that killed her real self, and quickly called to him, "Sir…" He turned, enough to look over his shoulder with those piercing blue eyes she knew had already carved into her intellect. "It is I who've been rude…" She began, taking a few steps nearer to his quiescent form. She gracefully stuck out her hand, and smiled apologetically. "My name is Lucretzia Casanova, wife of Estefan Casanova..." He smiled slightly, and once again took her hand, "Milliardo Peacecraft…" She nodded and led the way, showing him around the gardens and memorials around the property, before reaching a pure creek at the end of her courtesy tour.

"This creek is the oldest memorial here in this estate, perhaps you may remember it always…" She said, admiring its crystal-like effect created as it danced with the moon. He looked away from there dance and over towards her, "I shall, thank you, for rare beauty is unforgettable when its rarity is witnessed…" Lucretzia turned to him, smiling slightly, "Thank you, I agree very much so Baron Peacecraft." She responded unable to look into those eyes that crippled her at a merest glanced. He remained still, shunning the fact that it seemed to make her a bit uncomfortable when he stared at her so freely, knowing that she was a wife. "Do tell me, Lady Casanova, how does Lord Casanova keep track of those idiot slaves, and still be able to keep such perfect records?" She looked at him, a cold glare accenting her eyes, "It's none of my business what he does with them…" She trailed off, no longer finding it necessary to be the prey of a stranger. Turning away she reached the stone steps no more than a few feet away and climbed the short distance up.  "I loathe the idea of slavery and any other bastard who adores it with a devilish heart…" 

She entered through the noble doors of the estate and straightened her conduct to a more acceptable manner, and remained hollow the rest of the evening as planned, however, the livid look hidden behind Estefan's persuasive smile, hunted her down as well as revealed to her that concealed emotion up close. "You will enjoy this social gathering whether you akin to it or not. There's a face you must be acquainted with tonight and I won't have you in debt of his respect, do you understand?" Lucretzia bored herself into his eyes before allowing him to drag her out hand in hand, and act as if they were merely being what they were. She kept her eyes away from his leading, although the sound of this unacquainted man's name was enough to make her heart rise to her throat. "Baron Milliardo Peacecraft, I'd like you to meet my wife, Lucretzia Noin Casanova."

His acting was exceedingly credible as he took her petite hand for the unknown third time and kiss it politely, "Charmed, I'm sure…" She felt his fingers slip under her palm placing a small rough textured article into it before releasing her hand. He returned to his magnificent 6 foot stance and smiled, "Do forgive me, but I must bid a good night." Estefan nodded, agreeing to accompany him to his coach. The slip of paper indefinite to him whatsoever. She watched them go with baffled eyes, before looking down into her palm and unfolding the small paper that he had left obviously in her possession. It read:

196 Devil's Bayou

Across from Marron's Music Shoppe

Ask for Pargan, and advise

him of your name…

~~~

"She showed me this note the very same night after Estefan had fallen fast asleep. It had occurred to me that she was very engrossed with it completely, although she had not considered following its primary instructions…"

Lucretzia's long night dress glided smoothly over the hardwood floors of the hallway, and lifted into the air as the wind played with the thin, silk of its material as it blew through the vast transom of her window. Her shoed feet softly echoed, as they padded crucially down the hall forgotten as they were carried of by the howling of the present wind, and her no longer moving form. She reached her destination and exposed a brass key from the little pocket of her opaque robes, making it certain that the halls were empty as she turned the key and its acceptor, entering the room. 

Hilde heard the door dispatch from its closed stance and looked up to see her very best friend. With a smile on her face, she gestured to the bed, "Hello Noin, what is it?" Her question was suitable, for that look of slight confusion hinted agitation. She smiled at the tenderness radiating from her innocent being, and sat beside her. "Hilde, I've met someone… Someone completely enigmatic and…extraordinarily astounding." Hilde took note of her amazement toward this stranger and smiled, "If this man is so angelic like, why is it you frown?" She asked, placing a hand to her cheek. Noin looked up to her as she lifted the scrap of paper up to her face. Hilde took and unfolded their creases, her large cobalt eyes moving along the elegance of its text. Noin met her eyes, Hilde's hinting amusement. Noin huffed and deprived it sharply from her hand, before rising to fidget slightly. Hilde laughed softly, "Noin there's no question, he obviously seems to see something in you... Why not follow this man's indications?" Noin turned to her aghast, "Hilde, I'm hardly on familiar terms with this man!" She explained crucially, "He could be a murderer, a sexual predator. A bloody pimp for all we know! I couldn't possibly be so dim-witted as to follow in this little game he plays!" 

Hilde rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Noin, have you ever thought that you could be blowing an affable invitation completely out of proportion?" Silence followed. Hilde's eyebrows lifted in question, as Noin's arms fell to her sides, "Yes, I suppose you've proved a point…" She said this in defeat, taking a seat beside the door. Hilde kneeled in front of her, "Just give it a shot, perhaps he means no harm…" Smiling, Noin kissed her forehead with warmth and understanding, "Thank you." Hilde nodded and watched her leave, climbing back into her bed as the lock clicked in response of the turning key. Closing her eyes, she wished Noin the best, wondering if this man would be more than ever expected. A light against the obscurity of Noin's bitter world.

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Not too much of changes yet, but keep yourself updated on these little authors notes, I'll make sure to let you know what has changed.

PF