Wai~! Another chapter!

Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon or Gankutsuou.

Chapter 23 – Relations

Despicable woman.

Lance flicked invisible specks of her aura off his cloak, scowling. He decided to make a hasty retreat. Now.

Unfortunately, Ash met up with him just as he was leaving the garden.

“Count?”

“Yes, Viscount?”

“Um…” Ash hesitated. “I… I could not help overhearing your conversation with my mother. I know it was impolite, but-.”

Monte Cristo cut him off with a wave of his hand. “I do not plan on dueling you over your mother’s honor, my dear viscount.”

“No! Nothing of that sort! I…I wanted to apologize for her behavior.” Ash sighed. “Will you walk with me?”

It couldn’t hurt, and he could use some time to cool down. He gave a curt nod as he followed Ash. They found a small alcove tucked into the garden.

Ash finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry… I mean, I didn’t know….”

“Tis not your fault, Monsieur… Now tell me. Was there some other reason for calling me out?”

A slight blush tinted Ash’s cheeks. “We are friends, are we not?”

“Indeed we are.”

“Then…” Ash closed his eyes as he leaned forwards, touching Lance’s lips timidly with his own.

Delia nearly fainted. After scouring the garden to try and find her wayward son, she had found him engaged in what looked to be a very passionate kiss with the Count of Monte Cristo.

She looked ready to faint.

Luckily, or not so unluckily, she did not land atop a prickly rosebush but instead amidst some lilies. Very nice flowers, and they cushioned her fall…

Still…

Ash immediately began apologizing. “I-I’m sorry! That was forward of me! I didn’t mean- I mean, oh, I’m so sorry!”

He was doing an admirable imitation of a man in shock.

Ash waved his hand in front of the Count’s face for several moments before the golden eyes finally focused on him. * Oh dear… he’s out of it for sure. *

With a sigh, he steered the Count back to his carriage and sent him off.

What a mess!

Back in the carriage, Lance laughed. Well, well… things were getting interesting… Koga was escorting Lorelei home later…

Maybe she had found the right one for her… excellent! He was happy for her sake. True love was so hard to find these days…

False love waited at every turn.

Koga’s family had honor though, and he was brave…and if Lorelei married, he could give her thirty millions without a blink.

That would solve any potential financial problems… sigh…

But what was he to do about Ash? He had never intended for the boy to fall in love with him, damn it all!

That would… when his revenge was taken, his actions would break the viscount’s heart. Then again, Ash now hated his mother – no, hate was too strong. He looked upon her as a whore, which in some ways he supposed she was, although not as much as Daisy Danglars… as for his father…

Did Ash love Giovanni?

Who knew?

The kiss itself had been pleasant though, and he had no doubt it was the boy’s first. Very intriguing… he touched a hand to his lips in thought.

Perhaps…

Wasn’t Ash concerned about their age difference though? Ah well…

It was time to put another piece of his plan into action.

At the Danglars residence, Andrea Cavalcanti was having a long talk with Zackie.

“So you see, I intended to deposit these five millions I inherited straight off… would you mind if I let you handle the taxes and other monetary procedures?”

Zackie almost drooled at the prospect of more money. “Oh no, not at all, sir!” He hastily coughed into a handkerchief to hide that fact.

“Excellent.” Yellow smiled inwardly. He would marry Sabrina, and then… well, things would turn out from there.

His fingers twitched with invisible wire as he concentrated. Yes, money was a useful resource…

He could see through his mirror exactly what was happening at Danglars now. They were stepping up the pressure.

In two days, Danglars had gone from a multimillionaire to a pauper. Let that be a warning not to play the stock market too much…

Still…

Now Sabrina had to marry Yellow. This was their last chance… plus, the prince was stinking rich! This was perfect!

“What?”

“Yes, we’re breaking the contract. Sabrina is marrying Andrea Cavalcanti.” Zackie told Giovanni.

The General slammed a fist into the desk. “And why so suddenly? Is my fortune too small for you?”

“In this case, I’ll be blunt and say yes.”

Giovanni growled. “Very well!” With that, he stormed out of the office. “But beware, Danglars! I shall not forgive this!”

“Whatever you say, diRocketti.” Zackie taunted.

Giovanni did not reply as he left.

Fine! He hadn’t expected the marriage to go through anyways. Ash and Sabrina hadn’t liked each other much, but still…

Now what was he to do?

Who could he marry Ash off to?

He sighed, closing his eyes. No… he should concentrate on more important things… such as the presidential election coming up.

He was running for the president’s position.

Now was not a good time for him to stress…

“WHAT?!”

“You’re our last hope, Sabrina.” Zackie told his headstrong daughter. “You’re marrying Andrea Cavalcanti in a week.”

“I can’t believe you, father! Selling off your own daughter like a piece of property! How could you?”

“It’s necessary.” Zackie replied, before the shut the door on her.

Sabrina turned to Erika, who shook her head.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see then…”

End Chapter

Completed 3/24/05