Fan Fiction ❯ Dangerous Beauty ❯ The Count's Story ( Chapter 10 )

Count Makraim began massaging his temples. The two girls were sitting in front of him looking at him with infinite patience. Matsey let out a small sigh and turned her gaze around the room. Elise focused her midnight eyes on his emerald ones.

“Please, tell us what you have hidden away fro so long.”

Makraim gave a defeated sigh and began.

“My parents died when I was five. I remember walking into the manor gardens with my mother. She was like an angel. She taught me everything about compassion and loyalty. My father was home very little. I don't remember him much. King Bilmarath was a young prince of fourteen at the time. His father sent him to my manor. At the age of five I was to inherit everything including title Count. Prince Bilmarath began to teach me all I would need to know about court. He taught me to ride, fight, read, and how to speak at court. He was a brother to me. When I turned sixteen his father died and he took the throne. I did al I could for him. He took Queen Eri as a wife. Queen Eri was a woman of remarkable beauty. Her skin was soft and fair, her hair was flaming red and her eyes were a striking blue. They were happy together and I came to regard her as a sister. Erik had a younger sister. She was just as beautiful only her hair was black as the darkness. Her name was Tiaree. I fell in love with her. She was always by my side. King Bilmarath was happy and began to hope for our union in marriage. His wife Eri, however, kept a guarded eye on her sister. I had thought it was due to being a protective big sister. Little then did I know. I went to Erik to ask for Tiaree's hand in marriage since their parents had past and they had no other siblings. She kept asking if I was sure. I said I loved her with all my heart. She accepted with reluctance and sorrow in her eyes. I took little note of this at the time. I was so happy I went to Tiaree right away. I asked her to be mine and she accepted. We were to be married that fall. The wedding was beautiful. I was at peace with my bride beside me. Everyone was elated except Queen Eri. She cried bitterly. For two years we were happy. One night King Bilmarath called for me. He had a mission for me. I was to go to a land called Mira and tell the people to stay true to their kind and inform them of his coming to visit. I went to my manor first. Tiaree was waiting for me, knife in hand. I was shocked. I stood there dumbly pleading with her. I felt my heart tearing to pieces. Here I was a man of eighteen about to be killed by my treacherous wife. She looked at me with a gleam in her eyes. She told me she ended to marry into the court so she could seduce the king from under her sister. I was a pawn. I rose up against her and overtook her easily. With all my leftover strength I threw her over my horse. She began screaming she was with child. I froze in my tracks. She was to have a child, my child! Was this why she was acting so weird? Hormonal imbalance. I rode with her to the king's castle. I brought her up to Queen Eri and King Bilmarath. I told them everything that had happened and that my wife was with child. I left her in their care and went on my mission. When I got to Mira there was much to do. I stayed to help them for preparations to accept the king. Two months passed and King Bilmarath came. He stayed there for two more months helping to build up their land. later it was these very people who would start the Arots. I went back with the king to see my wife. When we got there we walked in to a horrible sight. Tiaree was laying on the floor next to Queen Eri. Eri was in a pool of blood. Tiaree looked up at us at our entering. She ran to King Bilmarath and grabbed him. She said they could be together now that her sister was gone. King Bilmarath threw her aside and ran to his wife. Queen Eri was breathing but only just. He called for help. I will always remember that day. I looked at Eri with horror and turned to Tiaree with fury, disgust, and abour all betrayal. She laughed at me and told me she had taken a potion to kill the child within her. I was repulsed by her. She was later arrested and sent to the darkest of dungeons for life. Queen Eri did live to bear a son. He was born about the same time you were. Maybe two years older. Since that day I no longer enjoy my gardens that hold her laughter or enjoy company of strangers that hold their harsh calculations. You see miss Elise, I am at least twenty years older than you, and a great fool. I am tired and need to walk to clear my head. Night ladies!”

Matsey and Elise watched his retreating form. Elsie wondered allowed “Matsey, what have I done? I made him recall these things. I am such a horrible person.

“My lady he did it of his own free will. You have no blame oin theis. If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?”

“Sixteen. And if you don't mind my asking the same of you?”

“Twenty-two” at the look on Elise's face, Matsey laughed “I know I only look eighteen. I have no idea why I don't seem to age. Must be something about my mother's family. Her great grandmother was an enchantress.”

“I see. You are quite beautiful for you station. I would have guessed you a countess.”

“I am well taken care of at the manor being as I was not born a servant. MY mother and father were nobles of low status. Which is why I am in the state I am in. My father was a night and therefore my mother was welcome in cousr. After their death however I was afraid to make a journey by myself. So I cam to Count Makraim with my story and he took me in. I am more of a ward than a servant. But I am happy to be charged with important things and matters such as being your personal servant.”

“You are nothing but a dear friend to me.” Elise embraced Matsey with the tenderness of a sister. After a few more hours of talk, the two retired for the night. Matsey slipped into sleep easily while Elise stayed awake, Makraim's story rolling in her head. She was still awake when Count Makraim returned. He sat by the fire with his hea in his hands.

“I'm sorry to cause you such pain. I didn't think before asking you.”Elise's voice startled him thought he never outwardly showed it.

“I needed to say it. Keeping it in only kills you from inside out.”

“Though you left out something didn't you? You are still in love with her despite everything.”

“This time you are wrong. I could never love her.” He looked into Elise's eyes. He loved getting lost in them. “I don't know how to love anymore. Get to sleep. Dawn comes early.”

Elise gave up and went to bed. This time sleep found her.