Chapitre 8
Estelle's View-
Despite it being July, the weather had finally cleared up. I was standing in the courtyard, playing croquet with Lottie and Agatha. I didn't care that Step-Mother was knocking my ball out of the way when I wasn't looking; my mind was set on the Count. My head rose when Father came out onto the patio, grabbing a bread roll.
"I have to go out and see a client; I will be back later this evening." I waved goodbye, but turned around when I felt Step-Mother's arm around me.
"Don't worry Hungarius; I'll take care of Estelle." My eyes narrowed at her sudden change in character. "It's your turn Estelle." I knocked my ball with my mallet, listening to the sound of the carriage pulling out and the gate closing. The ball hit the finishing post and the game was over. "Estelle?" I looked up.
"Yes?" It was Step-Mother; she walked over with a large smile on her face.
"Can you put the things away in the shed?" I sighed and started to pick up the metal arches and the heavy balls. I turned to the shed, putting them away in the right place. Suddenly I felt a heavy blow to the back of my head, making me fall forward. My eyes watered from the pain, I grabbed the back of my head.
"What the-" I turned around; Step-Mother was standing there with her croquet mallet. Her eyes burned with jealous fury and an unbridled rage. "Agatha? Why would you-"
"Didn't I tell you to never see him again?" I froze; I crawled on the floor of the garden shed. My summer dress being ripped and ruined by the dust and filth, I didn't take my eyes off her.
"How did you-" She raised the mallet again, bringing it down on my head again. I cried out in pain, feeling my blonde hair being stained with blood. I clutched my head, my eyes starting to dim.
"I will not let you become greater then me… little girl." She said cruelly. She swung the mallet again, hitting my ribs. There was a crunch and I fell to the floor, gasping.
'Please... I can't die like this.' I blacked out.
Mina's View-
I watched from the window above the kitchen sink. The game was going very well, Estelle won and was starting to pack away the metal loops. She walked into the garden shed, the plate I was washing shattered to the floor. Madame Agatha swung her croquet mallet and there was a cry of pain. I couldn't hear what she was saying to Mademoiselle Estelle but I did hear a second painful noise come from the garden shed. Dropping the sponge I grabbed the nearest video phone, which was the one in Master Hungarius' office. With a shaking hand I dialed the number for the Count's bodyguards.
'Please hurry.' I gritted my teeth, my heart pounding.
"This is Bertuccio, right-hand man to the Count of Monte Cristo." His dark face appeared on the video screen.
"H-Hello? This is Mina Braque; I am Mademoiselle Estelle Cutter's maid."
"What is it? The Count is very busy today." I clutched the phone.
"Mademoiselle Estelle's step-mother, Madame Agatha has found out about the two of them, she's hurting her severely right now. Please help us." He gasped.
"Hold on." He put the phone on hold, half a second later he was back on screen. "We're on our way." I put the phone down and ran outside; I pulled open the garden shed door. Mademoiselle Estelle lay bleeding on the floor, Madame Agatha stood over her. In her hand was a bloodied croquet mallet.
"What are you doing here servant girl?" She turned around and pushed me out of the shed, closing the door behind her. She grabbed my wrist, pushing me to the ground. Her eyes burned like angry fire. "You knew about this all along didn't you? Lottie told me everything, that you have been giving her secret letters all these months." She struck my face. I felt a bruise starting to form. Jacque came running out into the courtyard.
"His Excellency, the Count of Monte Cristo."
Count's View-
I stormed through the doors to the courtyard; Estelle was no where in sight. I felt my forehead burn with Gankutsuou's mark but luckily it was covered by stray locks of hair. My eyes darkened as I saw Agatha's face turn pink.
"H-How lovely to see you again Count! What a pleasant surprise-"
"Where is she?" I growled, gritting my teeth. Agatha frowned but then a fake smiled washed over her face. I was unable to mask my fury and rage.
"She's gone out shopping for the day, so sorry." I saw Mina get to her feet, a large bruise on her face.
"She's in there." She pointed to the garden shed. Baptistin and Bertuccio grabbed Agatha just as she started to stop me. I tore down the garden shed door, making it shatter. My eyes widened, I fell to my knees. Her hair was stained red with blood, her beautiful light green dress was torn and soiled with dirt, her eyes were shut and her breathing was shallow. I carefully took her in my arms, she whimpered in pain and her eyes opened.
"Count-" She smiled at me. She shakily brought her arms around my neck. "-I knew that you'd come." She hissed in pain and her eyes closed again. I took her out of the shed, Gankutsuou's mark subsided but I glared at Agatha.
"I see that you are no longer fit to be a proper parent to my Estelle. I have no choice but to take her to stay with me." I held her closer to my chest; her body trembled from the chill of the wind. "Miss Braque." She looked at me. "Are you alright?" She nodded, blushing a little. "Can you gather Estelle's things, all her clothes, and her violin. Bertuccio and Baptistin will help you take it to my carriage." I turned to the door to the courtyard.
"Now just hold on a minute Count!" I stopped and looked at Agatha, her face turned white.
"Madame, I am sick and tired of your deceit and cruelty towards this girl. I am positive that when I tell Hungarius about what you've been doing to her, then he'll support my decision. You'll hear from me within the week." She fell silent. I headed towards my carriage. Guilt dripped into my heart like a deadly poison.
'Estelle, my love-' I kissed her forehead. '-it's all my fault. I'm so sorry. My foolish pride blinded me; I didn't see what could happen.' I got in the carriage and closed the door, holding her carefully. 'When my vengeance is executed, I promise that you won't get hurt.'