The Comte and the Peasant: Chapter Nine
I want to say a great big THANK YOU to all those who reviewed and emailed me about this fanfic. It's nice to know that people are actually reading it :). To Emchan: I actually haven't decided who's going to end up with whom in the story. I was originally going to make this a Tsukushi + Tsukasa fanfic, but I've changed my mind and it might turn out to be a completely different pairing. Hopefully, this'll make the story a bit more interesting to read ^_^.
If you have any preferences as to who Thadea/Tsukushi ends up with in the end, please feel free to email me at delphigirl.geo@yahoo.com with suggestions! Now, on with the story!
*whips out megaphone* HYD does not belong to me. I repeat, it does not belong to me.
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Thadea's hands shook as she slowly made her way up the stairs of the great house and towards the drawing room. She was carrying a large silver tray in her hands, and the teacups and silverware rattled involuntarily with each unsteady step. Thadea forced herself forward down the dimly lit hallway, fighting down the feeling of nausea that swept through her. Her stomach was tied into painful knots, and her heart raced, making her feel dizzy and light-headed.
"You can do this, you can do this," she silently chanted to herself as she paused in front of the polished double doors. Balancing the heavy tray on one hand, she grasped the cold metal handle and pushed down. The lock clicked, and the door opened, spilling sunlight into the dim, narrow hall. Voices immediately greeted her ears as she walked inside, keeping her head lowered and her eyes trained on the floor.
"Oh God," she silently prayed, "Please let them not notice me. Please let them be too wrapped up in their conversation to notice me." Her grip on the edges of the tray grew tighter as she walked towards a small table near the doorway. She would just set the tray down, and let one of the upstairs maids do the serving. It wouldn't be too difficult, she just needed to do it quickly and get out as soon as possible.
"Well speak of the devil," a deep voice rang out, causing Thadea to freeze in her steps. "I was wondering where you were!"
Thadea was sure her heart had stopped beating. She stood paralyzed, unable to respond to the voice that had addressed her.
"Hey! What's the matter with you? What are you doing just standing over there?" The voice grew annoyed, as she made no attempt to move towards the young lord and his guests. "Ruiz, what is the matter with your servants? They're all such simpletons!"
Thadea's temper flared at the direct insult. The nervousness and fear she had felt just moments before disappeared as anger rushed into her system. She wanted to slam the tray down on the table and march over and yell at the young man who had made that ignorant comment, but she managed to still her temper as she thought about the consequences that that action would bring. "Stay calm," she commanded herself as she set the tray down.
"Marie, you heard what Lord Mimeaux said. What is the matter with you today?"
The sound of Ruiz's calm voice made Thadea flinch. She couldn't disobey the young master, but at the same time, she knew what would happen if Lord Doumet were to see her.
"Bring the tea over here. I will not repeat myself," Ruiz stated.
Thadea sighed as she realized that she had no other choice. Sucking in a sharp breath, she picked up the tray again and marched straight to the group of young nobleman who watched her in confusion and annoyance.
"I'm sorry milord, I did not mean to insult you or your guests," Thadea said as she set the tray next to Aleron and picked up the teapot.
She heard Ruiz gasp and a deadly silence fell through the room. Forcing herself to look up, Thadea saw Ruiz gaping at her with wide, gray eyes.
"Oh my god…" she heard the other two young men exclaim simultaneously. Thadea recognized them as the two who had accompanied the young Lord Doumet on that fateful day at the meeting court. The awful event seemed like ages ago and Thadea had prayed that that would be the last time she would encounter the ill-tempered young nobleman. Too bad her prayers were not enough.
"What the hell is SHE doing here?!" Tiernan's deep voice shattered the silence around them. Everyone's gaze flew to him as he pushed himself off the armchair and stood glaring at Thadea. Serafina looked shocked by his outburst, unsure of what to make of all this commotion.
"Well Ruiz, aren't you going to answer me?!" Tiernan demanded, turning his gaze away from Thadea and focusing it on his childhood friend. His face was red and his eyes were hard as he stared accusingly at Ruiz.
"Ruiz, what is this all about?" Serafina asked softly, her bewildered eyes flying back and forth between Tiernan and Ruiz.
Ruiz ignored her, and straightened his thin shoulders. "She works here now," he said simply, refusing to be intimidated by Tiernan's livid demeanor.
"She what?!" Stefan and Aleron cried as they gaped at Ruiz in disbelief.
"My god Ruiz, you must be joking!" Stefan declared.
Ruiz made no attempt to reply and sat staring calmly at Tiernan. The young Lord Doumet fumed, and clenched his fists tightly at his sides. He looked like he was about to explode at any moment, but then suddenly, as if a switch had been turned off, the expression on his face went slack and he his eyes became a deadly calm.
Thadea, who had been watching the scene unfold in front of her, felt her body grow cold at Tiernan Doumet's transformation. Somehow, his new demeanor frightened her more than his usual temper tantrums and angry tirades.
"Was this your idea?" he asked, his voice low and deadly.
"No, I had nothing to do with it," Ruiz replied unfazed. "She came here on her own."
"Well then, if it wasn't your idea, then I'm sure you will have no trouble in removing her from your service."
"I beg your pardon? I do not understand what you mean."
"You know perfectly well what I mean. I want her fired. NOW." Tiernan emphasized the last word by turning to Thadea and reaching out a hand to grab her. "I will not permit her to work here anymore!"
Thadea gasped and stepped back instinctively in order to avoid Tiernan's strong grip. She couldn't allow herself to be dragged away by Tiernan Doumet, for she knew that he would most likely exile her or flog her for the insult she had done him.
As the young Lord Doumet advanced towards her, Thadea thought about turning and making a run for the door. Unfortunately, the other two young noblemen had risen from their seats and were now standing behind her, blocking her path.
Thadea glanced around the room in panic, trying desperately to find a way out. Suddenly, however, she found the image of Tiernan Doumet blocked by Ruiz's tall, lanky form. He placed himself between her and Tiernan, and stood unmoving as Tiernan came to a halt mere inches away.
"Who I employ is my business," Ruiz said sternly, his mouth tight and his body rigid. "You do not have my permission to take her away!" Glaring at Tiernan with hard, gray eyes, he said slowly, "If you have a problem with her being here, then I suggest you get out. I will not be insulted in my own house, do you understand?"
Tiernan's eyes widened at Ruiz's statement. He stood still for a moment, the shock apparent on his face, before he suddenly lunged at Ruiz with an angry cry.
"Tiernan, NO!" In a flash, Stefan and Aleran were at his side, holding him back from a very surprised Ruiz.
"You bastards!" Tiernan yelled as he struggled against the other two young men, "I'll fucking kill him! Let me go!"
As Stefan and Aleron tried to calm down their furious leader, Ruiz stood unmoving as he watched the scene in front of him. He had not expected Tiernan to actually attack him, and was slightly unsettled by this new turn of events.
Thadea clutched onto Ruiz's arm in terror as she watched the two young men attempt to restrain the enraged Lord Doumet. She glanced over quickly at Serafina, who was watching the scene in front of her with distress. Her beautiful, delicate face was completely white and her large brown eyes were wide with fear as she called to the boys to stop.
Thadea turned her gaze back to Ruiz, who stood with a blank stare on his pale face. She tugged gently on his arm, but he gave no response. Then suddenly, his eyes cleared and the glazed look disappeared from his features. He gently pulled his arm out of Thadea's grasp, and turned wordlessly towards the door. Thadea watched him as he disappeared into the hallway and was about to follow him, but stopped as she saw Serafina spring up from her seat and run after Ruiz.
Tiernan stopped struggling as he watched Ruiz exit the room. He stood still as he saw Serafina follow Ruiz into the hallway, and then slowly shifted his gaze onto Thadea who stood only a few feet away. Her back was turned to him, and she stood unmoving with her eyes trained on the door. Tiernan felt that same strange feeling sweep through him as he stared at her small, thin form and slowly pulled himself away from Stefan and Aleron.
The two young men glanced at each other as Tiernan made his way to where the Marcoux girl was standing. Stefan nodded to the side door that led into the library, and the two of them crept away silently, opening and closing the door carefully behind them.
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"Man, that was intense," Stefan let out a deep sigh as he leaned against the door. "I can't believe Tiernan almost punched Ruiz!"
"Well what did you expect after he said all those things?" Aleron replied. He seated himself in a nearby armchair and rubbed his temples with his slender fingers. "That's the first time I've seen Ruiz get angry. Normally, he wouldn't care less about firing a servant to pacify Tiernan…"
"But this isn't just any servant."
Aleron looked up, his eyes narrowing. "You don't think he could have feelings for that Marcoux girl do you?"
Stefan shrugged, "It's hard to say. Who can tell what Ruiz is thinking?"
"Well let's hope he thinks hard before he does anything we'll all regret."
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Tiernan cleared his throat nervously as he stood behind Thadea. It had been five minutes since Ruiz had left the room, and she was still standing there staring at the doorway. When Thadea made no response, he cleared his throat again, a little louder this time.
Thadea turned as she snapped out of her daze. She had been deep in thought about Ruiz and Serafina when she heard a noise behind her. Turning around, she found herself staring straight into the broad chest of Tiernan Doumet.
Letting out an involuntary gasp, she realized suddenly that there was no one else in the room. The prospect of being alone with Tiernan Doumet terrified her, and taking a step back, she turned quickly and bolted for the door.
A large hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back immediately. Spinning around, Thadea found herself in the strong arms of the future Comte de Champagne. His grip was like an iron vice as she struggled futilely to free herself from his grasp.
"LET GO OF ME!" she cried as she tried to kick him with her left foot.
"Would you calm down?!" he demanded as shook her gently and loosened his grip on her arms. Thadea wrenched herself free and backed away. She was breathing hard and her eyes flashed with anger.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Thadea cried, insulted by his callous treatment of her. "Don't you dare touch me again!" She rubbed her arm and winced in pain.
Tiernan glanced at her guiltily, but made no attempt to apologize. He looked away from her and casually strolled over to the window, apparently fascinated by something that was outside.
"You know, the least you could do is say 'I'm sorry'," Thadea said heatedly. "You are the most ill tempered person I've ever met."
"You're one to talk," he retorted, still refusing to look at her. "Just what kind of a woman are you anyway? Yelling at a man like that, it's absolutely scandalous."
Thadea frowned, unsure of how to respond. She briefly wondered why he should even care how she behaved. It certainly wasn't any of his business!
"Are you deaf or something? I asked you a question!"
"And what kind of a question was that? It's none of your damn business how I act!"
An awkward silence fell between them. Thadea stood staring at the back of Tiernan's dark curly head, unable to comprehend the conversation that had taken place. Just what was this guy thinking anyways? She couldn't understand him.
"Do you love Ruiz?" Tiernan asked suddenly, turning from the window and fixing his gaze on her. His dark eyes searched her face, looking for the answer to a question that she did not know.
Thadea stiffened in response to Ruiz's name. She stood silently and averted her eyes, refusing to meet Tiernan's gaze.
"Do you love him?" Tiernan repeated, his eyes never leaving her face as he took a step closer to her. Thadea moved back, and kept her head down, wishing silently that he would just leave her alone. The last thing she needed was for Tiernan Doumet to find out about her feelings for Ruiz.
"You know he's in love with Serafina don't you?" Tiernan said softly. He reached out and put a warm hand on her shoulder, his other hand reaching under her chin and lifting her face up to meet his.
"Come with me," he said as he leaned closer to her. Thadea could smell the cool, sweet scent of his cologne as he neared. "I'll pay you much more than what Ruiz will, I promise you that. There's really no reason why you should stay here if he doesn't love you. I can give you anything you desire…"
Thadea felt herself grow cold at Tiernan Doumet's smooth words. Her face paled with anger and outrage as she pushed him away and gave him a hard slap on the face. Tiernan reeled back in shock, and his hand flew to his reddened cheek. At a loss for words, he stood there gaping as Thadea shouted incoherently at him.
"You pervert! I would rather die than work for a violent, moronic barbarian like you! It may come as a surprise to you, but not everything in this world is about money. You can't buy me off like some brood mare!" Thadea took in several deep breaths and visibly struggled to regain some of her self-control.
"Look," she said softly, her eyes weary from all the stress, "just because I'm a servant doesn't mean that I deserve to be treated that way. I understand that you are a nobleman, and I'm only a lowly peasant, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like I'm not even human. I ought to have dignity and respect, just like any other person you encounter."
Tiernan opened his mouth to speak, but Thadea turned around quickly and ran out of the room before he could respond. She couldn't stand to be with him another minute, and rushed down the stairs and towards the kitchen.
As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she found Serafina Toureau, the only daughter of the Comte de Ghent, standing there waiting expectantly in the dimly lit hallway.
"M..mistress!" Thadea stuttered as she froze in her footsteps and gave an awkward curtsey, "I…I'm sorry, I did not see you standing there!"
"It is alright," Serafina replied, her voice light and silvery like a bell. "I was waiting to speak with you."
"With me?" Thadea asked incredulously, her hands unconsciously gripping the polished railing of the stairwell. "What does my lady wish to speak with me about?"
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Stefan and Aleron entered the room a few minutes after Thadea had left. They found Tiernan sitting on the couch, a hand covering his right cheek.
"Hey Tiernan, you okay?" Stefan inquired as he took a seat next to his friend. The young man was staring blankly ahead of him, his dark eyes glazed over with an unreadable expression.
"Come on, talk to us," Aleron chided. He put a hand on Tiernan's shoulder and shook him playfully, "So how'd it go with the Marcoux girl? You guys hit it off okay?"
At the mention of Thadea Marcoux, the glazed expression left Tiernan Doumet's face. He shook his shoulder away roughly and moved away from his two friends.
"Leave me alone," he said brusquely as he went to stand next to the window. "Just get the hell out."
Stefan and Aleron exchanged glances. Both had a good idea of what had just happened between Tiernan and the peasant girl, but neither dared to say anything about it.
"Come on, let's go man," Stefan said quietly as he gestured for Aleron to follow him out into the hallway. As he shut the door behind him, Stefan's mind was working fervently on a new plan to bring Tiernan and the Marcoux girl together.
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End of Chapter 9
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