Chapitre 10

Estelle's View-

I looked over by my bed, a girl a lot younger then me stood by my bed. I gasped, she was so beautiful. Long dark green hair fell over her shoulders, white skin like mine and beautiful light blue eyes. She was cloaked in bright colours; her origin was surely from Eastern Space.

"Hello, my name is Haydee." She said quietly. I sat up; my ribs had healed significantly over the past few days. I smiled and nodded.

"I'm Estelle Cutter, nice to meet you." She smiled.

"My Master has spoken of you a lot. He's very fond of you, you know." I smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of things does he say about me?" I asked. She sat down on the small chair that sat next to me. She brushed a little lock of stray hair out of her beautiful face.

"Many things, especially that you have sworn your heart to him. Is it true?" I looked at her, she looked sad.

"It's true; I love him with all my heart. He means the world to me." She looked at me, a little distressed. Walking over to me, she clasped my hands.

"Just be careful, he is a very determined man. He will-"

"Haydee." The two of us turned around, the Count was standing there. She quickly got up and left the room, hurrying down the hall. He entered the room, closing the door behind him. In his hand was a newspaper. "How are you feeling?" He sat down on the chair where Haydee sat, crossing his legs and looking at me. I got up and wrapped my dressing gown around my body, sitting down on the bed.

"I'm feeling fine." He passed me the newspaper. I opened it, my eyes widened.

'WOMAN BRUTALLY ATTACKED IN ALLEYWAY'

Face Scarred Beyond Recognition, Dental Records Confirm Identity as Madame Agatha Cutter

I froze. Staring at the newspaper, I felt the Count sit down next to me on the bed. He touched my shoulder, I looked at him. His eyes were filled with worry.

"Are you alright?" I nodded and passed him back the newspaper. I leant my head against his shoulder; he wrapped his arm around me.

"I hope that catch whoever did this to her." His arm tensed and his face grew hard.

"What do you mean?" He said quietly.

"I mean that despite her cruelty, no one should be treated like that."

"Hmmm." He got up; his eyes were shadowed over by his long hair. I sat there, watching as he stood in the doorway. "I have a lot of work to do today; I'll see you at the table for dinner." He left me there in the dark.

A week passes; a week in the Count's golden mansion. Often he was locked in his study, working hard. Haydee and I sat by the massive underground lake, his home took some time getting used to but I was still getting lost trying to find the right rooms. She plucked a string on her harp and we started to play together as we often did. Our music sounding wonderful when we played together, our heads rose when we saw the Count walking towards us. He bent over and kissed the top of my head, I smiled at his affection.

"Haydee, may I have a moment with Estelle please?" Haydee nodded and walked off. The Count took Haydee's spot, sitting opposite me. "The music that the two of you make is heavenly." I smiled. "I have a little surprise for you." My eyes widened. Knowing the Count, it could be anything. A familiar face with short red hair looked through the door.

"Mina!" I ran up to her, hearing the Count chuckle behind me. She embraced me warmly, like long lost family members.

"When Madame Cutter found out I was involved in your relationship with the Count, she fired me. Luckily, the Count has hired me as your personal maid." I looked over at him, his eyes were closed and a warm smile was across his lips.

"Thank you so much, this means a lot to me." He bent down and I stood up, our lips touching each others. He held my waist and I rested my hands on his chest. I stepped back down but he didn't release me from the embrace.

"Would you like to attend the Opera this evening; I want it to be your debut to the public as my companion." I blushed and looked at the ground.

"I-I don't know if I'm ready." I felt him cup my chin and force me to look at him. His face was warm and comforting, raising my spirits a little.

"You don't have to be afraid, I'll be beside you."

That Evening-

I gasped as Mina tightened the strings of my corset; it was one of my black dresses. It revealed my shoulders and cleavage and had large straps; the skirt flared out to the floor and trailed a little behind. Mina finished lacing me up, I attached my diamond bracelet to my wrist.

"Good Evening your Excellency." I turned around, the Count and Baptistin entered the room. In Baptistin's arms was a large black box, the Count smiled and wrapped his arms around my small waist.

"You may be excused Miss Braque." Mina nodded and left, the Count reached over to the large black box. I watched him as he slowly undid the little gold clasp. "Think of this as a little gift from me, to the woman I love." I smiled and blushed, flattered by his charming words. My breath caught in my throat as I looked inside the box. A necklace worthy of royalty; entirely made of diamonds and white gold with a few large emeralds. The Count ran a fingertip over one of the emeralds, carefully taking it out of the box. I said nothing, words escaping me entirely. Carefully holding my hair back he stepped behind me and sealed the clasp.

"Count… I don't know what to say." He wrapped an arm around my waist and brought my wrist to his lips.

"Then say nothing." He kissed my inner wrist, his grip tightening on my waist. I closed my eyes as I felt his lips brush against my ear, my heart quickening. I looked at my reflection in the floor-length mirror. The necklace twinkled like stars around my throat, making my eyes shine. It was only then that I noticed that the Count had no reflection; it appeared that I stood alone.

'H-How can that be?' Closing my eyes I whimpered as I felt his lips on my shoulder, his hand gently caressed the side of my neck. Shivers of pleasure raced up my spine as the tip of his tongue trailed along my shoulder. "C-Count." I breathed quietly; I placed my hand over his. Holding his hand to my waist, his lips ran over the diamond necklace. His other hand gently trailed the edge of my dress, lightly touching my partially exposed breasts, setting my face ablaze. He carefully buried his nose in the soft hair behind my ear; I trembled as I heard him inhale deeply. His hands rested on my shoulders, he looked at my reflection in the mirror; smiling at the sight of my pink tinted cheeks, my shaky breathing.

"You're just so adorable Estelle." He whispered, kissing my cheek. He grabbed my long black cloak with fur trim and placed it around my shoulders. I sealed the small clasp and the two of us headed out the door. I sat next to him in the carriage, fear and nerves clutching my heart. I started to wring my fingers together in my gloves, fidgeting with my nails. He noticed this. Entwining his fingers with mine he kissed the top of my hand, his eyes locked with mine. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." I gave a wary smile, feeling the carriage stop. He ran his thumb across the back of my hand. "Ready?" He asked, I gulped down the lump that rested in my throat.

"Yes." I squeaked out, he smiled and helped me out of the carriage.