Chapter 6 Chapter Six

In the morning, Genevieve and I walked to Bastide's house. Mrs. Bastide came out of the kitchen and waved a ladle to greet us enthusiastically. Gabriela looked back at us because she was also helping in the kitchen. A delicious aroma wafts from it.Ivan and Margaux flew up to Genevieve and told her what they had found in the shoe, I was so glad she could tell them what she had found, I noticed how happy she was when she presented her presents.She walked up to the nativity and cried out with delight as she peered into the cradle. "Here he is!" she yelled. "Of course," Ivan retorted, "what do you expect? It's Christmas morning."

Champier came in with a handful of firewood, his face beaming with joy. "It's a big day when people from the Castle sit down at our table." "Genevieve can't wait," I told him. "how about you?" "I'm looking forward to it too." "Then, we will not let you down." We didn't, it was a happy party.The table, decorated with ethereal evergreen leaves by Gabriela, was packed because Jacques joined the party with his mother, a sickly being, and it was touching to see how tenderly Jacques treated her.And Mrs. Busted, her son, four grandchildren, plus Genevieve and myself made one big party, and the excitement of the children kept the fun going.

Mrs. Bastedt sits at the head of the table, her son sits opposite her, I am on Mrs. Bastedt's right hand side, and Genevieve is at her son's end. is clearly visible. The kids chatted non-stop, and I was happy to see Genevieve listening carefully and joining in occasionally.Ivan doesn't make her shy, and I'm sure that's what she needs, because she's much happier than I've seen her in the past.Around her neck is that pendant, and I don't think she ever wants to take it off, even wears it to sleep. Mrs. Bastedt cuts up the turkey, which is stuffed with chestnuts and served with straw mushroom soup. It tastes wonderful, but the best moment is when a big cake is brought in amidst the children's cries of joy. .

"Who will get it? Who will get it?" Ivan yelled repeatedly, "Who will be the king today?" "Perhaps the queen," Margo reminded him. "It will be the king, what good is the queen?" "If a queen has a crown, she can rule..." "Quiet, children," snapped Mrs. Busted. "Does Miss Lawson know about this old custom?" Champier smiled at me across the table. "Look at this cake," he said. "Of course she saw it." Ivan shouted. "It's about as big as it gets," Gabriela emphasized. "Then," said Champier, "there is a crown inside... a small crown, and now the cake has to be cut into ten pieces... one serving for each person, and each piece of cake must be finished... eat carefully."

"You might eat the crown," Ivan screamed. "Be careful," continued Champier, "someone at this table will find the crown on the cake." "And when it's found?" "Today's king." Ivan shouted. "Or after today." Margaux joined. "Are they going to wear crowns?" I asked. "It's too small," Gabriella told me, "but..." "Better than that, the one who finds the crown is the king of the day, or what Margaux said, after," explained Champier, "that means he or she rules the house, he," he smiled at Margaux, " Or what she said was the law."

"All day!" Margaux exclaimed. "If I get it," Ivan said, "you can't figure out what I'm going to do." "What is it?" Margo demanded. But he's too happy to tell, and everyone can't wait to cut the cake. There was a tense silence as Mrs. Busted stuck the knife in, the cake was cut, and Gabriel got up to get the plates and distribute them.I look at Genevieve, glad to see that she can be a part of this simple pleasure.We ate, and there was no sound—just the ticking of the clock and the crackling of the firewood. Suddenly, there was a cry, and Champier took the little golden crown.

"Champier got it! Champier got it!" the children sang. "When you speak to me, call me Your Majesty," corrected Champier with ironic solemnity. "I order the coronation to take place without delay!" Gabriel came out of the room and brought back cushions, a metal crown decorated with shiny tinsel, and the children wriggled happily in the seats, and Genevieve watched with wide eyes. "Who will Your Majesty order to crown you?" asked Gabriela. Champier looked at us all with feigned dignity, and then his eyes fell on me.I glanced at Genevieve, and he took the cue immediately.

"Miss Guinevere Terratel, come forward," he said. Genevieve jumped up, her cheeks pink and her eyes sparkling. "You have to put the crown on his head," Ivan told her. So Genevieve walked solemnly to the cushion that Gabriel was holding, took the crown, and placed it on Champier's head. "Now kneel down and kiss his hand," Ivan ordered, "and swear to serve the king." I saw that while Genevieve was kneeling on the cushion Gabriela used for the crown, and Champier was sitting upside down in the chair with the crown on his head, his expression was one of complete triumph, and he really put the crown on his head. His character is well played.

Ivan broke the solemn procedure by asking what was His Majesty's first order.Champier thought for a moment, then he looked at Genevieve and me and said, "Let's break up the formality, where everyone calls each other by Christian names." I saw Gabriela looking at me worriedly, so I smiled and said, "I'm Dylas, and I hope you all can say it." They all repeat the stress of the last syllable, and children laugh from time to time as I correct them one by one. "Is this a common English name?" Jake asked. "No way, it's clearly mine and for a reason. My father's name is Daniel and my mother's is Alice, and before I was born he wanted a daughter and she wanted a son; he wanted my mother and she will take his. And then I was born...they merged their names and created Daras."

This delighted the kids, who started a game of linking names to see whose name was the funniest. Soon we adopted Christian names, which wonderfully broke all conventions. Champier sat upside down, crowned, like a benevolent king, and now and then I thought I could see a hint of arrogance, which reminded me of a count. He caught me watching him, and he smiled. He said to me, "It's very kind of you, Delas, to join us in our game." For some ridiculous reason, I was relieved to find him calling this a game. It was only when the Bastedt maid came in to close the shutters that I remembered how time flies.It was such a merry afternoon when we played games, gesticulated, and quizzed at Champier's behest; we danced, laced with joy by Amon Bastide's violin.

There's only one holiday as good as Christmas, Margaux revealed to me when she taught me to dance the "Suti Richardès", it was the grape harvest...but she didn't think it was as good as today because it had no presents, The tree and the king of the day. "The grape harvest belongs to the grown-ups." Ivan added wisely, "Christmas belongs to us." I'm happy to see Genevieve put her heart and soul into the game, I can see she wants that afternoon to last, but I know it's time for us to go back.Now our disappearance must be discovered, and I don't know what the reaction will be. I told Madame Bastide that we were sorry we had to go, and she motioned to Champier. "Does my subordinate want to talk to me?" he said, his warm brown eyes blinking first at me, then at Genevieve. "We've got to go," I explained. "We'll sneak out... quietly. Then they won't notice we're gone." "Impossible! They'll all be alone, and I don't know if I should use my royal privileges...." "We're leaving now, I hate taking Genevieve, it's so nice of her to be here!" "I will accompany you back to the castle." "Oh, there's no need for that..." "No, need...it's getting dark! I insist, you know I can..." There was a hint of longing in his eyes, "Only today is true, but I must try to use power every moment I can." We walked back to the chateau in silence, and when we reached the drawbridge, Champier stopped and said, "Here, you're home safe." He took my hand in one hand and Genevieve in the other, and he kissed both hands, still holding them.Then to my surprise, he pulled me towards him, kissed me on the cheek, and immediately did the same to Genevieve. We were surprised, both, but he smiled. "A king can do no wrong," he reminded us, "tomorrow I will be an ordinary Champier Bastide, but today I am king of my little castle." I smiled and held Genevieve's arm and said, "Thank you, then, and good day." He bowed, and we walked across the drawbridge into the castle. Rano was waiting for us, a little uneasy. "Mr. Earl came to the classroom. He asked where you went, so I had to tell him." "Of course." I said, my heart beating fast. "You know, you didn't have lunch here." "There's no need to keep anything secret," I replied. "He wants to see you when you come back." "The two of us?" said Genevieve, and I think she's changed a lot from the excited girl at the Busted house game. "No, only Miss Lawson. He'll be in the library until six o'clock, and you'll be in time, miss." "I'll see him right away," I said, and I came out to leave Rano with Genevieve. He was reading there, and when I went in he was listless and almost reluctantly put the book aside. "You want to see me?" I asked. "Sit down, Miss Lawson." "I must thank you for the little portrait, it is very lovely." He nodded, "I think you'll appreciate it, you know her, of course." "Yes, the similarities can be seen, I think you are being too generous." "Is one being too generous?" "It's so kind of you to put presents in your shoes." "You're making my job boring to me," he smiled, looking down at his hands. "Did you have a nice visit?" "We're at the Bastille Mansion, and I thought it would be great to have Genevieve with young people," I said defiantly. "I believe you are right." "She enjoys those games...the festivities of Christmas...all the simple joys of it. I hope you won't disagree." He raised his arms and made an open hand gesture that could mean anything. "Genevieve should dine with us tonight," he said. "I'm sure she'll enjoy it." "I don't think we can compete with the kindness and fraternity you enjoyed earlier today, but you must join us . . . if you will, Miss Lawson." "Thank you." He tilted his head a little to signal the end of the session, I stood up and he followed me to the door and opened it for me. "Genevieve loved your gift," I told him. "I hope you can see her face when she unwraps it." He smiled and I was very happy, expecting a reprimand instead of an invitation. This is a wonderful Christmas.
This was my first chance to wear that new dress, and when I put it on, I felt thrilled—a strange anticipation, as if I would be a completely different person in the clothes he chose for me woman. Of course, he didn't choose the dress, he just ordered the Paris fashion house to send a dress that would suit the woman in the black velvet.But that color is the most suitable for me to wear, is that a coincidence?Or did he suggest it?My eyes seemed to be a bright green, and my hair was the color of a shiny chestnut.I believe that when I wear that dress, I will be charming. Excited, I began to descend the stairs, and as I walked I came face to face with Miss Tara Monell.She looked glamorous in lavender chiffon with a green silk bow, and her beautiful hair was done up in curls and held high by a pearl clip, some shiny curls falling down her slender neck.She looked at me a little confused, as if trying to remember seeing me there before.I imagined how different I would be in this gown than in my battered riding suit. "I'm Daras Lawson," I said, "and I restore pictures." "Are you joining us too?" I found a grim surprise in her voice, which was harsh. "Invited by the Earl." I replied equally sternly. "Is that right?" "Indeed it is." Her eyes fixed on every detail of the dress, appraising its value, which seemed to surprise her as much as the count's invitation.She turned and walked forward in front of me.The gesture seemed to imply that, even if the Count was so different, inviting those who worked for him to be with his friends, she did not wish to know me. The guests were assembled in a smaller room off the ballroom, and the Count, already too lost in conversation with Miss Tera Monell, did not notice my entry, but Philip came towards me.I imagined that he knew I might feel a little uneasy and had been waiting for me.This is another example of his kindness. "Let me tell you how elegant you look." "Thank you, but I wanted to ask if Miss Tyra Monell, who you have here, is a member of the picture-collecting family you mentioned." "What... oh... yes, her father is here too, but I hope you don't mention it to my cousin." "Of course not. In any case I would think it very inappropriate to leave the castle and go to her house." "Yes, I will remember it." Genevieve came towards us, very somber in a pink silk dress - barely a trace of the girl who had been crowned king of the day a few moments before. At this point, dinner was announced, and we entered the ballroom, where the glistening tables were lit by spaced candelabra. I sat and talked with an old gentleman who was interested in painting, and I guess I was put there for him, turkey with chestnuts and truffles, but I didn't like it as much as I did at Bastete--maybe It was because I was so conscious of Miss Tara Monell sitting beside the Earl, that he seemed to revel in her lively conversation. What a fool I was to think that I could be attractive in a nice dress, and what's more, I imagined that he, who knew many attractive women, would think of me when he was with this person, and then I heard him mention My name—"Miss Lawson can answer that question." I looked up and met his eyes, and I didn't know if he didn't like me or was just trying to make fun of me. I fantasized that he disapproved of me taking his daughter to Christmas dinner with his workers, and he knew I knew it, and he wanted me to wonder what form he would take to disapprove. Miss Tara Monell looked at me too, and I think her eyes were ice blue and cold and shrewd.She was annoyed that I had her attention for the second time tonight. "Yes, Miss Lawson," went on the Earl, "we saw the picture last night, and were greatly admired for the success of your work on my ancestor, who passed many years under the clouds, and now she has reappeared. , and her emeralds. Those emeralds..." "There's been a renewed interest in them, as always," Phillips said. "And Miss Lawson, you started this new recovery." He looked at me with a sarcastic expression. "And you don't want that?" I asked. "Who knows? There was an explosion of interest in one, which may have led to their discovery. Last night when inspecting the drawing, a treasure hunt was suggested, and the calls grew, so a treasure hunt is about to begin. Of course, you must To join us." Miss Tyra Monell put a hand on his arm. "I'm afraid to roam this place alone." It was answered that he very much doubted she would be allowed to do so, and then there was laughter, joined by the Earl. Then he looked at me again, that smile still in his eyes, "A sarcastic treasure hunt, you'll hear the whole thing later, we're going to start soon because we don't know how long it's going to last, Gettier Been working on clues all morning." After about an hour the treasure hunt begins, the clues are written on several pieces of paper and hidden around the castle, everyone gives the first clue, they have to solve the secret message to find out where to find the second one.If they're in the right place, they'll find a stack of papers, take out one of them, and write the next clue on it.Obviously, whoever solves the last clue first will be the winner. There was a lot of gossiping and yelling of fear as they read the clues, and several guests left in pairs.I couldn't see the Count, Philippe or Genevieve, I felt like I was in a room full of strangers, no one came to me, maybe they were wondering why a woman who just came to the castle to work for the Count, would Invited to a party.I assumed that if I lived in France, I would definitely be home for Christmas.Does the fact that I am here mark me as a nowhere man? I saw a young man and a woman slip out holding hands, and it occurred to me that the game was less about solving clues than about creating opportunities for flirting. I turned my attention to the clue and read: "Go take the oath of allegiance and drink if you're thirsty." It seemed easy after a few seconds of thinking, the oath of allegiance was to go to the square, and there was a well in the courtyard. I made my way down the corridor to the courtyard and being quite sure there was a clue lying under a large rock in the fence around the well, I took out one and hurried back to the old castle.I look at the next clue and it takes me to the top of the tower.The castle was specially illuminated for this scene, and candles on the wall shone in groups of three like branches. The game turned me on when I found three clues.I found myself playing it with great determination.Even as a game, treasure hunting has something charming about it, especially when it takes place in an old castle.It's only a game though, but there have been other, more serious searches here, and how seriously they must have looked for emeralds! The sixth clue leads me to the dungeon, which I've only been to once with Genevieve.There are lights on the stairs, so I don't think I'm being misled by imagination, I'm supposed to find clues somewhere down there. I grab the rope and climb down the stairs, I'm in the dungeon.No, it couldn't be here—there was no light here, and Gettier wouldn't lay down clues in this eerie place. I was about to climb up the ladder when I heard a voice directly above. "But, Loser... my dear." I backed up into the darkness, but there was no need to, because they weren't going down the stairs. I heard the Earl's voice, with a passion I'd never heard before, "I'm content with you here...forever." "Have you thought about what it would be like for me...to live under the same roof?" I shouldn't be standing there, but I can't decide what to do, and climbing up the stairs, facing them, will embarrass us both, and maybe they'll walk away and never know I'm eavesdropping on them.The woman was Miss Tyra Monell, and she was talking to the Earl as if he were her lover. "My dear Claude, you will be happier that way." "If it was you...not Philip." "You won't be happy, you'll never feel safe." "Do you imagine that I think you're going to murder me?" "You don't understand. Rumors will come again. You can't imagine how unpleasant it is. It will ruin everything like a gangrene. I swore I would never marry again." "So you put me and Philip through this farce." "That's better for you, now we have to go back, but not together..." "Loselle...wait a minute." There was a short silence, I imagined them hugging, and then I heard footsteps fading away, and I felt very alone in the dark. I went up the stairs again, thinking no more of the clues, and I knew that the Earl and Miss Tara Monell were lovers—or were in love—and that he would not marry her.A man suspected of murdering his first wife would be suspected of being watched if he remarried.It would be a complicated situation, and only a strong-willed woman who loved him with all her heart could handle it.I don't think Miss Tyra Monell was of that type, and maybe he knew it, too, for he was very clever, and I imagined his head always directed his mind.So, if I'm right, he devised a scheme to get her to marry Philip and keep her in the house.It's evil, but that's who he is.This, I told myself, was a typical man, kings for years looking for pleasing husbands for their mistresses because they couldn't—or wouldn't—marry them themselves. I feel disgusted, I wish I had never been to this old castle, if I could escape...accept Philip's offer to escape to Miss Terra Monell's house...if I should escape like that.How strange!He suggested sending me to her house, and I toyed with the idea, knowing very well that I would not leave the castle unless I had to. What does the outrageous love affair of an indulgent French count have to do with you?I asked myself, there is no connection at all. To prove it, I looked at this thread in a new light.It leads me not to the dungeon, but to the mech collection where the secret dungeon is located.I wish I didn't have to go down the stairs, of course Gettier wasn't going to put clues down there.I found what I was looking for under the window stool, and the writing on the paper told me to take all the clues I found to the banquet hall, which would bring me to the end of the treasure hunt. When I got there, I found Gettier sitting there drinking a glass of wine. When he saw me, he got up and yelled, "Don't tell me you found all the clues, Miss Lawson." I said I thought I was and showed them to him. "Then," he said, "you were the first to arrive." "Perhaps," thinking of the Earl and Miss Tyra Monell, "the others were not very attentive." "Then now, all you have to do is go to that little room to get the treasure." I went in, opened his designated drawer and pulled out a cardboard box about two inches square. "That's it," he said. "There will be a ceremony." He picked up a brass bell and began to ring it. This is the signal that the treasure hunt is over and everyone returns to the lobby. It took a while for everyone to assemble, and I noticed some people were blushing and a little angry.But the Count arrived looking as indifferent as ever, and he came in alone, and I noticed that Miss Tera Mornell was with Philip. The Count smiled when he knew I was the winner, and I fancied he was making fun of me. "Of course," said Philip with a friendly smile, "Miss Lawson has an unfair advantage. She's an expert on old houses." "Here is the treasure," said the count, opening the case, and taking out a brooch--a green stone set in a thin gold bar. "Looks like an emerald," one woman exclaimed. "All the treasure hunts in this castle are for emeralds, didn't I tell you?" said the count.He took it out of the box and said, "Please allow me, Miss Lawson." Then he pinned it to my dress. "Thank you..." I murmured. "Thank you for your technology. I don't think anyone else has found more than three clues to Gatil." Someone said: "If we knew the prize was an emerald, we would try harder to find it. Why didn't you warn us, Loser?" A few people came to admire the pin, and Clauditella Monell was one of them, and I could feel her anger as her white fingers touched the pin quickly. "It's really an emerald!" she muttered, and as she turned away she added: "Miss Lawson is a clever woman, and I know that very well." "Oh no," I replied quickly, "it's just because I played the game." She turned, and for a moment our eyes met, and then she smiled, and stood close to the count. The musicians appeared and took their places on stage.I watched Philip and Miss Tara Monell lead the dance, and the others follow, but no one came to me.I suddenly felt so lonely, and there was nothing I wanted to do more than slip away, so I made a quick move and started walking towards the room. I remove the pin, look at it, and then I pull out the miniature, thinking about the moment I opened it and saw who gave it to me.I was happier then than when he pinned the emerald to my dress.When my eyes rested on the hands with the stamped signet ring, I believed they had caressed Miss Tera Monell while planning her marriage to Philip, because he was not Willing to remarry. Undoubtedly, he sees himself as the king of his personal world, who commands and others obey.Whatever nefarious plans he has in store for those he considers his subjects, they are expected to obey. How can I make excuses for this kind of man? What a merry Christmas it was until I overheard that conversation. I took off my clothes thoughtfully, lay on the bed listening to the music floating in the distance, dancing below, no one would miss me.What a fool I was, to have lost myself in daydreams and deluded myself into believing that I was of some importance to the Count.Tell me how unreasonable that is tonight, I don't belong here.I didn't know there were men like Count Terratel in the world, but I started.I learned a lot tonight. Now I must be rational, sensible, and I try not to think of the count, his mistress, and other images in my mind: Champier with the crown, the king of the day. I thought of his self-satisfied look, the joy he took in temporary power. All men, I think, are kings of their own castles. Thinking about this I went to sleep, but in my dream I was restless and aware of a huge shadow looming over me, I knew it was a hopeless future, I closed my eyes and refused to look at it.