Chapitre 17

I went down to breakfast the next morning, opening the door to see the Count was still in his room. Haydee glanced at me then went back to her meal; I took my seat at the table and looked down at the food before me.

"Good morning Estelle." She said softly, I smiled a little.

"Good morning Haydee." I said, pushing away my plate of food. I didn't feel hungry at all, instead taking a cup of black coffee.

"Did you sleep well?" Haydee asked, looking at me. I scrunched my face up, thinking of lying alone in my bed... my desires only half fulfilled.

"Not really. The Count was acting odd last night." I said, sipping my coffee. Haydee put down her glass, looking at me oddly.

"But why would his Excellency be in your room in the middle of the-" Her eyes widened and her face turned scarlet. Mine did as well. "H-He was... and you were-" She suddenly got up and ran out the room, I saw tears in her beautiful eyes.

'Why is she so upset? He is my partner after all, it's normal for us to want to have sex.' I though, trying to drink the rest of my coffee but an odd lump in my throat stopped me. I heard a door open, Baptistin stuck his head in.

"Excuse me Mademoiselle, the Count just asked me to remind you that Albert and his friends shall be coming over in a few days." He said, I nodded and put down my cup.

"Baptistin? May I ask you a question?" I asked. He smiled and nodded.

"Go ahead." I gulped.

"Have you heard of a person called Gankutsuou?" I asked, he froze. A few seconds of silence hung in the air, not the reaction I was expecting. "Baptistin?"

"Sorry, never heard of that name in my life." He said, before slipping out the door.

'Odd...' I thought, unsatisfied with his answer. Finishing my coffee in silence before heading back to my room to think about what to say and do when Albert and his friends came over.

I sealed the clasp of my diamond and emerald necklace, a sign of good faith for him. Snapping the buckle of my white leather boots, I heard the door creak open. Though I didn't look up I knew who it was instantly, I lowered my dress back down to my feet and stood up. The Count entered my room; I turned away and picked up my earrings.

"Have Albert and his friends arrived yet?" I asked, placing the diamonds in my earlobe. He said nothing; I moved to the other ear, his hand caught mine.

"Let me." He carefully slipped the earring in but stayed close behind me.

"Thank you Excellency..." I said, closing my eyes half-way. His hand slid over my jaw, his other hand held my hip. Icy breath flowed over my neck as he caressed my face and throat ever so slowly. I caressed the side of his face gently, his arms locked around my shoulders and his face lay in my neck. "Count... is something wrong?" I asked softly, resting my hands on his arms. He crushed me against him, gripping my shoulders tightly.

"I don't know my dear. I... wish to apologize about the other night." He said, I gulped and closed my eyes.

"There's no need to apologize, maybe we should wait anyway... I'm still unsure myself." I said, his lips brushed against my ear and he smiled.

"You are so good to me Estelle; I know that you were upset. I swear that I'll make it up to you some time..." He purred, trailing his lips down my neck. "That scent... of your beautiful neck-" He nipped at my sensitive spot, making me writhe in pleasure. "It's like a drug to me." I slowly turned around and looked up at him, his eyes burning into me. "I am still amazing at how such a sweet and innocent dove can have such power over a beast such as me. Perhaps we could find out just how much power you have?" He smirked. I cupped his pointed chin between my fingers, his hands on my petite shoulders. He nipped at my thumb playfully; I smiled at him under my long eyelashes.

"Maybe later... we're expecting our friend the viscount any minute now, are we not?" I said, he smirked. I stood on my tip toes and kissed him briefly, heading to the door. "Excellency?" I asked, he nodded. "Try to restrain yourself when 'entertaining' our guests. Your sense of humour is a little different from theirs."

"I shall try my dear." He said, entwining my arm with his. "But I can't make any promises." He muttered, I understood. The Count of Monte Cristo could only be the Count of Monte Cristo... nothing more or less.

I smiled at them; their eyes were the size of tea cups as they gazed around the Count's home and stared at the artificial sky. I tried not to laugh when I saw Albert's choice of clothes, but somehow he did fit in.

"Welcome! I'm glad that you could come." I said, reaching out to Albert. He extended his hand to kiss mine; instead I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. I could feel the heat radiating from his face as I kissed his cheek; I released him and turned to Franz.

"Don't worry about Albert Estelle; he becomes temporarily mute when being kissed by attractive women." Franz chuckled; I kissed his cheek and smiled.

"With any luck, when the Count gets here then I think he'll get back to his senses." I said. Looking over my shoulder I saw that just now, the two of them talking.

"What a spectacular home you share! I think you are by far one of the luckiest young ladies in Parisian society." Beauchamp exclaimed, I looked over at Maximilien; Beauchamp had his eyes glued to his camera as he took thousands of photos.

"Lovely to see you all again, I'm pleased that you could make it." I said, curtsying before them. Maximilien kissed my hand.

"It's a pleasure to be here Miss Cutter." Maximilien said. I blinked as I heard the shutter of Beauchamp's camera and flashing lights, he smiled at me.

"Great to see you too Miss Cutter, do you mind if I just get one photo of you for my article?" He asked, I looked over at the Count and nodded. Beauchamp grinned as he took what he needed and the four of us walked over to Albert and the Count.

We moved to the grand boat that was set up for their tour of the Count of Monte Cristo's mansion, Baptistin steered it while I sat at my lover's feet. Our four young guests unable to take their eyes off their surroundings, unable to tell whether this was a dream. I heard the plucking of a string, a harp string.

"Haydee." I muttered, turning to where she sat daintily.

"It's... that girl from the opera." Albert said.

"She's beautiful..." Franz mused.

"You're not gonna try and tell us that she's artificial too, are you?" Beauchamp said.

"Don't be rude! She's-"

"She is a doll named Haydee." The Count said, making us all turn to him. "A poor puppet who still lives, even after her soul has been stolen away. Haydee obeys my every whim and should I wish it, would not hesitate to take her own life." He said, curling his fist. He glanced down at me, reassuring me with his eyes.

"She means a lot to us both; she is very good to me as a friend and is good company to keep. Her music is lovely; if you're kind to her... maybe she'll let you listen." I said, smiling. Albert and the others looked captivated by her radiance.

"Don't be so surprised. This is the Count of Monte Cristo we're talking about. He renounced his soul ages ago. Am I wrong?" Beauchamp said bluntly, the Count merely tipped his hat. *THUMP*

'Le corps de mon ami est comme un navire vide, classé avec la fureur et la soif les plus pures. Écrasant la vie hors de ces assez idiots pour le traiter en ami. (My friend's body is like an empty vessel, filled with purest rage and thirst. Crushing the life out of those foolish enough to befriend him.)" The terrible voice spat in my head, I clutched my brow and clenched my eyes shut. Running a hand though my hair and rubbing my temple-

"Mademoiselle?" I looked up, blonde hair, Franz. "Are you alright? You've become so very pale." I nodded and raked back my hair.

"Yes, thank you Franz." He helped me out of the boat and we walked up to Haydee.

Her eyes sparkled as she saw the Count, smiling at us all.

"Welcome to our home. I am Haydee." The boys nodded at her.

"Who is that?" Beauchamp asked.

"His is Ali. Like Haydee, he is a noble doll that I own." Albert still looked a little unsure. "Haydee, the Viscount seems perplexed as to what you are to me." The Count said. I glanced at a familiar figure in the distance, her red hair wafting in the sea breeze. She looked... odd. Mina was staring out into the sea with such a strange expression upon her face.

"Excuse me for a few moments." I nodded at our guests and hitched up my skirt as I walked over to her on the grass. Her arms were filled with long stems of Haydee's beautiful flowers to put around the house at her request. "Mina!" I cried, she looked at me and smiled a little.

"Good morning Miss, is everything going well?" She said, I took her hand.

"Come and meet our new friends! I think you'll like them-" I stopped; she was looking at the floor.

"I'm sorry Miss Cutter, I have to clean and get these flowers prepared then displayed around the manor. I've got too much to do." She said, looking at our merry party by the shore.

"Mina..."

"You may live a lavished lifestyle Estelle, but even though we're friends I am still a servant of this house. I must do what my superior has ordered me to." Her eyes glanced at the Count. "Which is to remember my place in society." My hand slipped from hers and she bowed at me. "Good day Estelle." She said, before turning around and walking back to the manor. I stared after her, her shoulders were hunched and she looked like she was crying.

'Mina, perhaps... we should think of our places. Except for you... you've always been my best and dearest friend. Come to your senses.' I thought.

"Mademoiselle!" I turned around, Albert was waving at me. They were already seated in the boat to continue their tour. I walked back down to the boat.

"Be careful." A soft voice said, I looked at Haydee. Music was flowing from her harp.

"I'm sorry?"

"Danger lurks around these golden halls, future encounters may take a turn for the worst." She whispered, I turned back to the boat and the Count took my hand.

"Watch your step my dear." He purred, raising my hand to his lips. I grinned and took my seat, just as Baptistin started to move the boat again.

"The people of Paris are corrupt!" Maximilien said coldly, we all gasped. After a heated discussion about marriage of the upper classes, he had finally snapped.

"Maximilien, you're going too far! I demand you take that back." Albert cried.

"I can't do that."

"Paris has more than its fair share of honest, upright people! Take back what you said!" His finger was pointed accusingly at Maximilien.

"I can't do that." Maximilien didn't budge. My eyes widened at the rush of gleaming blade, fury in Albert's eyes.

"Take it back!"

"I can't."

"Albert, please!" I cried.

"Stop it Albert!" Franz said, trying to persuade his best friend. I got up and grabbed the Count's arm, he looked at me.

"If you are expecting me to do something my dear, I'm afraid that I'm going to disappoint you." He said, I opened my mouth to speak but he placed a gloved finger on my lips. "Their anger is fuelled by the flames of youthful foolishness but I will stop them." He turned to Albert, blocking his blade with his jewelled cane. "This won't do!" Albert looked at him in surprise. "It is unseemly for one party to draw his sword while the other does not." The Count said.

"Count..."

"It appears to me that each of you is steadfast in your opinion. As we are at the sea, perhaps we pirates should act the part... and have a duel?" My face crumbled and I closed my eyes.

'Un... believable.'

We all stood upon the shore, watching at Albert and Franz took up their blades.

"The time is high tide, the place is the ship's bow and the weapons are bare blades! Come on gentlemen!" Baptistin shouted. I wrung my hands tightly, watching as the two of them took their positions.

"It's hard to believe that there are still people in this day and age who'd fight a duel over love." Beauchamp said, raising his camera.

"Is this any time to be joking? Those swords are real!" Franz shouted.

"And the water down there is teeming with sharks that are thirsting for human blood!" Baptistin said eagerly. I turned to the Count, gripping his cloak.

"You have the authority to stop this! Why won't you say something?" I growled at him, he looked on at Albert.

"Count, what are you trying to do?" Franz cried.

"Sea voyages are accompanied by their own entertainment. I expect that Monsieur Albert is thirsting for stimulation of this sort." The Count said, I walked over to Franz and looked at his painful face.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, he gave a half smile and we all looked to the youths who were about to commence their battle. Bertuccio blew a horn and they flew at each other, my heart pounded in my chest. We watched silently as they duelled, Albert glared at him, his sword to Maximilien's back.

"Take back what you said!"

"You poor, sad people..." Maximilien said, before leaping over Albert and taking control. "The purer the heart, the keener the blade. You aren't capable of defeating me." Maximilien said, trying to talk Albert into surrendering.

"Shut up!" I gasped as I heard ripping clothes, blood dripping down Albert's arm. They fought on and on, exchanging blows and neither of them were ready to give up. I wrapped my arms around the Count, trying to use my powers of female persuasion.

"Please... Excellency. Do something!" I whimpered, not wanting to see my new friends acting in such a terrible way. He didn't falter for a second; I struck him hard in the chest. "Make them stop! This fight is pointless and selfish." I cried, he blinked and wrapped his hands over my shoulders and spun me around.

"Observe." He muttered, Albert's sword was gone. The duel was surely over, Maximilien held his sword ready.

"You have lost, Monsieur." Maximilien said, looking at us observers before walking towards us. The Count tensed up for a second, I looked at Albert... his angry and upset face wasn't a good sign.

"Hey! Hold it!" He ran at Maximilien, my eyes widened as he flipped Albert over his shoulders and he went slipping off the side. I screamed in surprise and Franz turned white.

"Albert!" We ran over to the edge and looked down, I felt my eyes water. Franz took a step to rescue his best friend.

"Don't! There are sharks down there!" Maximilien held him back.

"This is a nightmare..." Franz muttered painfully.

"Indeed it is." I gasped and watched as the Count glided just in front of us, I clutched my hand to my lips. "This is a dream. All is but a waking dream." He said mysteriously, Baptistin ran after his cape and hat as I watched my beloved dive in after Albert.

"Count!" I cried, my heart in my throat. I felt Bertuccio's hand on my shoulder and he looked at me with sympathy.

"You and I both know that he will save Viscount de Morcerf. They will be fine, don't worry Miss Cutter." I wiped my eyes and watched curiously as the sharks seemed to flee and we all moved to inside the manor, I ran to the bar and fixed myself a large and strong drink. Offering one to Franz who gladly accepted, Maximilien was sitting down on one of the couches with his head in his hands. I bit down on my lips and poured him some water, giving one glass to Baptistin and the other to Maximilien. I walked back over to Franz, taking his hand to comfort him but he moved away.

"Albert will be alright Franz... he's with the Count and they'll be ok." I said.

"What do you mean he's ok?" Franz snapped. "The Count plays with people's lives and toys with their emotions and their desires. As though this were all some great game of chess to him and we're his pieces to control!" He shouted, I frowned at him but a part of me knew he was right. I put down my glass and stared out into the sea, hoping with all my heart that the man I loved was safe and that he had rescued Albert.

"If he is as terrible as you say... would he have saved my life?" I asked Franz, he gasped and looked at me.

"What are you talking about Estelle?" Beauchamp pulled out a pen and notepad but Maximilien made him put it away.

"I did tell you that my step mother was jealous of how popular and beloved I had become among Parisian society. That same love cost me dearly; she almost beat me to death." I said. Then smiling a little, Franz's mouth was slack. "Dear Mina called the Count and he rescued me and brought me to live here, where I would be safe from the bad people in this world."

"Now that your step mother is bedridden, have you thought about going back home?" Beauchamp asked. My eyes darted to the door as it opened.

"I haven't given it much thought..." I said. Bertuccio stepped inside and bowed.

"His Excellency has just informed me that Monsieur Albert is safe and will be back in the mansion in a few minutes, I will call some cabs to escort you home." He said before leaving the room. We all gave a sigh of relief and went to look at the setting sun; the artificial sky looked even more beautiful in the dark. I stood next to Franz and looked at him.

"Once again... I'm sorry for what happened tonight." I whispered, Franz smiled a little.

"You really don't need to apologize for everything he does." Franz said. I sighed and looked out to the sea, the golden stars and constellations glittered above us.

Our guests left and I turned to look at the Count, he smiled at me.

"I will be retiring to my room now, goodnight Excellency." I said, he kissed my hand and looked at me under his long eyelashes. I tried to take my hand away but he held it tight, my heart raced.

"Are you... angry with me my dear?" He asked, I shook my head.

"No. I'm not angry with you." He released my hand and I moved to the door to my chambers, pausing for a few seconds. "I'm just disappointed." I slept alone that evening.