Wai~! Watched 20 episodes of Gankutsuou so far! Can’t wait to see the end! I hope he doesn’t die…
Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon, Gankutsuou, Count of Monte Cristo…
Chapter 19 – The Dinner
The strange congregation of guests arrived at the country house, feeling perplexed. After all, this man had just entered Parisian society, he was unmarried – a fact, which many ladies intended to capitalize on, and he possessed a fortune of immense girth. Indeed, all were slightly wary when they entered number 28, Auteuil.
The Villeforts, Morcerfs, and Danglars made polite conversation. Wallace had brought Todd with him, and with the addition of Andrea Cavalcanti, made ten persons in total. Albert had come with his parents, but Sabrina Danglars and Janine de Villefort had declined the invitation.
Maybe girls just didn’t like going out…
The servants had laid out a feast of oriental splendor. Rare fruits and fishes covered the tables, interposed with fine wines. The guests sat down around the table and swiftly helped themselves to the delicacies presented, amidst gasps of wonder. Monte Cristo himself tasted few of the dishes, but encouraged the others to indulge heartily.
“What a lovely house.” Wallace smiled. “I remember seeing it advertised perhaps two or three years ago, and I came here with my mother to look upon it.”
“Yes, but it was falling apart even then,” Todd interrupted. “Count? How long ago did you buy this house?”
“Only a week, my dear journalist.”
“Extraordinary! It has been completely transformed!”
Andrea said little, but helped him to another glass of wine. His stomach was still unaccustomed to rich food and he had no desire to be ill.
"It is odd though, how this house seems to possess a gloomy air.” Wallace continued, thinking. “I would have purchased it if it had seemed more pleasant.”
“Indeed, I can agree with you there,” The Count replied. “There was one room in particular, that seemed to recollect images of horror… and I wonder why on earth I purchased this house in the first place.”
Ash blinked.
So did several of the other guests. “You did not know which house you purchased?” Morcerf asked, surprised.
“Oh no, I cannot say I did. You see, I sent my steward, Silver, and I believe the notary must have bribed him.”
“Well now, the house of a judge cannot be gloomy.” Todd laughed.
“Whatever do you mean?” Villefort asked.
“Was not this house one belonging to your father in law, the marquis de saint-Meran?”
“Why yes, I believe it was.” Danglars cut in, stupidly.
Gold faced him with a glare, and he swiftly shut up. Even if they had once been good friends, now was not the time.
“Well, I suppose we should all take a look at this haunted room, to see if it really exists.” Ash said.
Yellow nodded. “It would indeed be interesting.”
“We cannot possibly all enter at once,” The Count said, thinking. “That would defeat the purpose. I propose pairs. Monsieur Villefort, would you be so kind as to escort Madame Danglars?”
Daisy looked startled, as did Gold, and the count smiled as he beheld their trembling visages. Excellent…
It was time….
They entered the room draped with red velvet, the Count following behind them. Both shivered as memories began to assault them.
Cavalcanti watched, unsurprised, as Madame Danglars nearly fainted.
“Yes, it has a horrible aura, does it not? One can imagine a murderer, on a dark night, stealthily making his way through the house, and an upraised knife…”
“Count, you frighten the ladies.” Gold managed to get out, although he himself looked pale and shaky.
“My apologies. However, perhaps it is not so frightening. One can imagine that lovely bed the site of childbirth, one of the fascinating miracles of life, and the father, kindly tending the mother… and to give her rest, carrying the baby out by that small staircase to give her rest…”
Instead of being calmed by this touching scene, Daisy fainted dead away, collapsing onto the floor in a boneless heap.
“Yes, that would be rather… rather…” Villefort did not know what to say. He was on the verge of fainting himself.
The Count hastily reached inside his jacket, revealing a small phial of red liquid. He summoned the servants, who hastily carried Madame Danglars – Daisy – out to another room.
“Is she all right?” Violet inquired, but only partially out of concern for her friend.
“She will be.” The Count said, as he dropped four drops of potion into the fainted woman’s mouth. She groaned as she came to.
“What a frightful dream…”
Villefort – Gold –hastily made shushing motions. No, this was not a dream. This was a nightmare!
Other pairs filtered into the room, exclaiming at the worn hangings, and commenting on the presence of sin that stained the area, before Todd noticed the staircase and announced that he was going to see where it led.
Gold shuddered as Todd popped open the staircase, and the other guests followed into the garden. He did not want to go, but…
He had to keep his nerves bout him! This was just a horrible coincidence want to go, but…
He had to keep his nerves about him! This was just a horrible coincidence right?
The ladies had stayed behind to watch over Daisy.
Delia sighed. She felt melancholy herself, although it truly had nothing to do with the house…
She was worried about her son…
This Count of Monte Cristo – he seemed – well, she as sure he had a hidden agenda. She was also sure that her son was in danger.
She had to protect him!
Was it possible that the Count was Lance? Oh, she deserved whatever punishment he dealt out then. She ought to have been faithful to him…
Ash wandered around, admiring the foliage. Todd snapped pictures; this might be interesting to tell the society columns. Wallace felt rather bored…
Morcerf was no admirer of nature or artificial beauty, and was smoking quietly.
Villefort was halfway across the yard when he realized he was standing in the exact same spot where that bandit had attempted to kill him years earlier. Stricken, he fell over, rooted to the spot.
The servants were once again summoned and Villefort woke up moments later to see his concerned wife Violet busy putting a cloth dipped in water on his forehead.
Gold beat down his mounting panic, forced a smile to his face, and said that he must have overeaten and the cold chill had set upon him with ferocity. However, inwardly, he began to brood…
Exactly what was this ‘Count’ planning? He had to speak to Madame Danglars. Fast. And soon…
End Chapter
Completed 3/8/05
Lance: He suspects me now
Phantomness: *nods*
Ash: Okay, okay, so we get to see Lord Wilmore again! Hehehe…
Kairo: *sweatdrop*
Pika-chan: This is not fluff!