At least 24 chapters, I promise! That’s how long Gankutsuou is! Ah, I love that anime! *Shimmery eyes* It seems so shonen-ai full!
Notes: As always, you know who the characters are, I hope…
Yellow = Cavalcanti, and I made him a boy
Chapter 16 – Andrea and Lorelei
“What? He is not at home?” Ash asked.
Silver sketched a bow. “His Excellency is at home, but is unwell. However, he bade me give you this invitation. He invites your family to join him at his new abode in Auteuil a week hence.”
Ash took the red letter, nodding. “Thank you.” That meant the Count was sick. Of course he could be sick, Ash’s brain prodded. Didn’t he tell you himself that he suffered from an illness?
It must be hard, for him to hide the suffering.
He would wait, then…
Meanwhile, in Auteuil, the servants hastily aired out and began repairs on the old house…
“Now, all except the room in the back with the red tapestries.” Claire ordered.
“Why that room in particular?” One random hired person of low rank asked.
“Not your business to know.”
Claire smiled. Ah yes… she would follow him down the path of destruction. Why not? It was not as if there were better things to do…
They were plotting revenge, both of them.
Why not strike together?
“Monsieur Andrea Cavalcanti…”
Yellow’s blonde hair glittered as he nodded to the Count. “That would be me.”
“I would like to extend you an invitation to dine at my house in Auteil this weekend. Would you?”
“Of course. “Yellow said smoothly, innocent blue eyes bright. “Here I have a letter of recommendation from a… ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ for you.”
“Ah, my friend Lord Wilmore. Thank you, that shall be all.” The Count slipped Yellow a packet of banknotes, smiling.
“From your father…”
“Thank you, Count.” With a smile, Yellow left.
Who knew? Lord Wilmore just so happened to be the gentleman who had saved him from the slave ship…
Yes…
Yellow shrugged.
Well, he could play a prince – or a marquis, if necessary. He had the airs, the looks, and the voice and musical talent…
Who cared he what the others thought? He did not mind being paid to play a role, and paid well, he decided, upon seeing the amount of money he had been given. Yes, all should be well…
Lance watched Yellow leave, a smile on his face. Oh, if only Yellow knew… but then again, who cared?
The boy – young man, had his own role to play. He would play it well. Wilmore knew him well enough.
Of course, everything was relative, but he was confident.
Standing up, Lance went to find Lorelei.
“Claire, please ask Lorelei if I can go inside.”
Lorelei’s apartments consisted of a small suite, furnished with four attendants, separated from the rest of the Count’s house.
Claire nodded and entered her apartments. Lorelei gave an assenting answer, as the silver tapestries were drawn back and Lance entered.
The princess reclined on a divan done in luxuriant pale green. Luxurious auburn locks fell to her shoulders, intricately wound and braided in silver threaded with pearls. A shimmering blue vest, closed by four diamond clasps, covered her bodice, while pure white silk swept almost to her dainty feet, enclosed in pearl-encrusted cerulean slippers. All of this heightened youth’s natural spring, as sleepy eyes of blue-black looked up.
“Why do you ask for my permission ere you enter?” Lorelei asked. “Are you no longer my Master, or I your slave?”
“Lorelei, you were never my slave to begin with, child.”
“Others might think otherwise. This position suits me well. None is expected of me, and you do not molest me.”
“Well, now we are in France, and consequently you are free. You may leave the house – a carriage awaits you, Claire shall take you, if you need…”
“Yes, I know…”
“Freedom would enable you to quit me.”
Lorelei’s eyes widened. “Quit you? Why on earth would I desire that?”
“Still, is it your desire to stay here, in seclusion? Should you find some young man on whom your favor falls, surely I would not be as selfish as to…”
“No.” she said firmly. “Young men are impolite. They do not think. They look upon women as dolls to display. I do not wish for someone among the aristocracy to find me. I would rather stay here.”
“The option is open should you desire it.”
“I know, and I thank you, my lord.”
“You are a Princess, and I only a count…”
“I have not been a princess since Yanina fell eleven years hence. I scarcely doubt anything shall change…”
“’Tis your choice, my child.”
Lorelei smiled. Child… she had been forced to grow up fast. Taken from her family at four, when her father was slaughtered, sold into slavery… nothing of the sexual sort, but even so, it was unpleasant….
Four years later, sold to the count… she had been with him for seven years already. She respected him…
She knew he respected her. He had never tried to force her to bed, never tried to purposely harm her, took her out to the opera or wherever else she desired, and doted on her, as if she were his real child.
It was a pity.
His life had been worse than hers; she had heard Claire talking. She wasn’t quite sure what was happening now, but he was plotting revenge.
So be it.
If he were walking into the depths of hell, she would follow.
Where else did she have to go?
She was in France now… France… M. Le Comte de Morcerf. Oh yes, he may have hidden under another name, but she knew.
Giovanni diRocketti…
She would know his face when she saw him.
She had her own revenge planned. Lance was giving her free rein; she would wait for her time to strike.
She could bide her time. She had been waiting for years already…
What were a few more weeks?
“Thinking, my heart?”
Lorelei smiled. “Yes.” No more words needed to be said, and soon, Lance bade her farewell and exited.
End Chapter
Completed 3/4/05
Lance: So I’m not with Lorelei
Phantomness: If there’s any romance, it’s one-sided on her part.
Ash; Phew…
Phantomness: I didn’t say it was championshipping yet!