Chapitre 6

I looked over at the large vase of blue roses that stood on my desk, and the other four that lay scattered around the room; a rose for every time that we had seen each other, but he had not kissed me yet.

'He's so wonderful; he keeps his distance but is still so close to me.' I sighed and ran a fingertip over one of the petals. Luckily, Step-Mother and Lottie hadn't suspected anything; the gifts the Count had sent me had been told that they were from Drake. Scattered over my desk were endless pages of music, failed attempts of a gift for the Count. I wished to write him an aria, a piece of music that summed up everything that I felt for him and what he meant to me. I got up from my desk and walked over to my large balcony, watching the cold clouds that hung over Paris. A full set of seasons had passed by, and July 14th was approaching; Bastille's Day. There was to be a grand party at the Lee's house, music and dancing and then… fireworks. The days were overcast and there had been little rain, sitting back down at my desk I looked over a blank page of music bars. Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts fall to the Count; the elegant way that his hair wafted in the slightest breeze, the scent of roses and ancient dust that cloaked him, the way that he would almost kiss me. 'That's it!' I put my quill to paper and wrote, I poured out the music in my head on the page. Carefully writing the notes and occasionally playing a little on the violin to check the melody. I flinched as I felt my hands cramping up, looking over my shoulder I saw Mina come in with my afternoon tea.

"What are you doing Miss?" I smiled and looked at her.

"It's a gift for the Count." She looked a little surprised. I took a sip of my regular herbal tea, made to perfection by Mina.

"You're writing him an aria? Why?" I smiled and looked at one of the expensive bottles of perfume that he had given me, its green colour reflecting on the paper.

"I'm in love with him Mina. He means so much to me." I heard a squeal and I shot around, jumping from the noise.

"I'm so happy for you Miss!! I never thought you'd find someone." She walked over to me and looked at me.

"Can I give some advice my lady?" I smiled.

"Of course Mina, you're my best friend." She looked at me and sat down on one of the small chairs that stood in the corner.

"On Bastille's Day, maybe you should invite him over here to celebrate." I thought about it. It would be just perfect, I could give him his aria and I can tell him what I feel.

"It's a prefect idea Mina! The only problem is what to do about Agatha and Lottie." Mina thought about it, and then her little pixie-like face broke into a smile.

Bastille's Day-

5:42 pm

*Cough**Cough* I mimicked as I lay in bed, the white and blue sheets up to my nose. Lottie was by my bed, frowning as was Step-Mother. Father checked my temperature, but pretending to be concerned.

"Her temperature's really bad. I'm sorry my dear, but you'll have to stay home." I pretended to cough and forced out an answer.

"I really want to go out tonight Father; I hate being stuck in bed."

"Well you can't, because you're sick." Step-Mother said as she wrapped her fox-fur scarf tighter around her wide neck. She smirked and left with Lottie, closing the door behind them. I looked over at my Father, a wide smile on his face.

"I hope you have fun this evening my darling, just call me if anything happens, or if anything goes wrong." I embraced him, holding him tight to me.

"The two of you are a lot like how Elizabeth and I were, so young and hopelessly in love."

"Do you really think he feels that way about me?" I asked, Father smiled and kissed my cheek.

"I think that he has made it quite clear." I smiled and blushed. "Goodnight Estelle, we won't be back until late in the evening." I listened to the sound of the carriage pulling out and the gate being closed. Getting out of bed, Mina entered the room with a large black box.

"What's that?" She shrugged and handed it to me.

"Your father gave it to me and asked that I would give it to you when he left." I sat down on the bed and opened it, carefully pulling away at the paper that wrapped it. It was a dress, made of soft black material. With many ruffles and corset lacing.

"Oh Mina, its perfect." I said as she helped me into it, stitching it up properly and fluffing the ruffles. Applying make-up I made my eyes dark and my lips pink while Mina fixed my hair, putting a careful set of clips from which hung three long strands of glittering beads.

"The Count will be especially pleased to see you tonight. He should be here after sunset." I looked down at the pages of music that I had finally completed. Carefully I placed them in a black leather bag and tied it up. Holding it to my chest I sighed, the fruit of my labor in my hands. I put in my diamond studs and my diamond bracelet. At long last there was a knock at the door. I sprayed my wrists with perfume and descended the stairs.

Count's View-

I entered the Cutter's house; the maid with red hair took my cane and hat but I kept my cloak on. My eyes looked to the stairs and my breath caught in my throat. Estelle descended the stairs, her footsteps were dainty and careful and she was dressed in black.

'She's so beautiful.' I thought as she reached me and smiled.

"Good evening Count." I bowed and took her hand, brushing her skin against my lips.

'She smells so wonderful tonight, and the taste of her skin is just divine.' I thought happily.

"You're so cold." She said, goose bumps forming where my lips had touched her bare hand. She took my hand and led me to her room. The balcony door were open and a gentle breeze made the gossamer curtains tremble, a half-completed game of solitaire lay on her vanity and large vases of my blue roses were placed around her room. She stood out on the balcony, resting her elbows on the edge. On a small table was a bottle of champagne and two short, flat glasses.

"I'm glad that the weather has cleared up at last. I was worried that the fireworks may be cancelled." I handed her a glass of champagne, she took it and her pink lips broke into a smile. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her hair shone like satin.

"To France." She said, raising her glass. I smiled at her.

"To France." Our glasses chinked and we drank. She turned to the Eifel Tower, which shone with golden light. I smiled and pressed my chest to her revealed back; she gasped and laid her head back against me.

Estelle's View-

I gasped as I felt the Count press his firm chest against my back; I smiled and laid my head back. Taking another sip of champagne I placed my glass on the balcony.

"I have something to give to you Count."

"What is it?" I smiled and walked over to my desk, picking up the leather bound aria. Turning around I stopped when I saw the Count clutching his forehead.

"Are you alright?" I lightly touched his shoulder, his teeth were gritted and he looked as though he were in pain. He fell to his knees; I gasped and kneeled before him. "Count! Do I need to call a doctor?" He lowered his hands and got up.

"Do not worry about me my dear. I just haven't taken my medicine yet." He took out a small green box and took a tablet out of it, taking a sip of champagne. He smiled, trying to reassure me. But I wasn't buying it.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He clasped my hand, I looked up at him.

"I told you, you shouldn't concern yourself with me. Now, what did you want to give to me?" I handed him the leather bound aria, he put his glass down on my vanity and untied the ribbon. I took another sip, watching him look at the pieces of paper.

"'All I Need'? Where did you get this?" I looked at the floor.

"I-I wrote it." He looked at me, surprise all over his face.

"You wrote this?" He took the entire aria out of the leather packaging and looked at it.

"It's amazing, could you maybe play a little of it for me?" Smiling I took out my violin and started to play the melody of it. I played for him, for the Count. For the man I loved. After about a page, I stopped down put my violin.

"Why did you write this?" I put my violin away and turned around; the Count was so close to me. He brought his hand up and caressed my cheek; I rested my hand on his chest.

"I wanted to repay you for all you did for me, all you have given me." His hand lowered to my neck, he rubbed his thumb along my throat. I sighed at his soft touch, there was a crack and rumble and the fireworks started. Illuminating the room and casting our long shadows across my bed.

"Estelle, my snow princess…" He whispered in my ear, sending chills of pleasure down my spine. His hot breath danced on my lips; resting my other hand on his arm I felt his cloak envelop me. Closing my eyes, I felt his cold lips on mine. His hand caressed my neck and held me to his chest. My heart fluttered in my chest like a thousand butterflies, finally being released from their cage.

'Nothing could spoil this for me. Nothing…' I lost all my senses in his chilling kiss.

Lottie's View-

I opened the door to my house, leaving my cloak on the small table that was near the door. Strangely, there was a top hat and cane on the table; but my thoughts went back to Cornelia.

'Well I think that green is the new pink; besides, Cornelia has no fashion sense at all.' I thought angrily, storming up the stairs; a petty argument, but enough to put me off being around her, to make me leave the party early. I took off my pointy shoes and made my way silently to my room, there was a crack and rumble and the fireworks started. 'I'll watch them from my balcony.' I walked down the dark hallway, to see Estelle's bedroom door a little open. There were bright flashes of colour as the fireworks illuminated her bedroom. 'Stupid girl, she's probably still in bed.' Then I saw the shadows change in her room, curiosity getting the better of me I tiptoed towards her room.

"Estelle, my snow princess…" I tensed up; it was a man's voice. The door was ajar, I looked inside. My blood ran cold and my eyes widened when I saw my step-sister. In the Count's embrace, his arm around her and his lips on hers, her eyes were closed. Her arm wrapped around his neck, holding him close to her.

'That little-' I froze as I saw one of the Count's eyes open, looking straight at me. His yellow eye pierced my blue ones, but he did nothing. He pulled away from Estelle's lips and ran his lips down her thin neck, his blue hand contrasting with her white hair; he smirked. 'He knows I'm here.' I thought, frozen in shock. She let out a small whimper as he started to kiss her neck, I turned away. Unable to take anymore I went to my room and locked the door. My heart raced at what I had just seen, I clasped a hand over my mouth. 'Oh God, that little whore.' I felt sick; she had had hundreds of marriage proposals and I hadn't had any; despite my radiant beauty and fine figure. I just had to forget what I saw, forget everything.

Estelle's View-

I let out a whimper as I felt his lips on my neck, kissing me softly. I reached over and cupped his face, gingerly pressing my lips to his again. The sweet taste of champagne on his lips, I pulled away a little.

"I love you." I whispered, his eyes widened; I clasped one of his hands between mine, caressing it gently.

"You are willing to give your heart to me?" I smiled, he took my hand.

"Yes, I have never felt this way towards another. I love you with all my heart." He brought my hand up, looking at my bracelet.

"This small item is what brought us together." He said softly, running his thumb over the glittering gems which sparkled different colours in the light of the fireworks. He led me out to the balcony, taking my hand in his. The two of us looked out at the sparkling fireworks. He rested my body against his chest, the steady motion of his breathing against my body.

"My heart is yours Count, and it always will be." I said to him.

"As mine, it belongs to you." He whispered huskily in my ear, moving my face to the side. His hand caressed my neck gently.

"You promise?" Our lips almost met, I closed my eyes.

"I promise." He kissed me. Our breathing became as one, as my heart became sealed and signed to him; forever.