The French Apprentice: A Short Story

The French Apprentice

 The rain pattered on the marble stairs as Adelaide Fontaine daintily made her way towards the chateau of the DuPont family. It was one of many rainy Monday nights in the month of May, which month she had always detested. She hated rain. The dreary, gray clouds seemed to further darken Adelaide's already gloomy life. At her side linking elbows with her was her master, posing as her father, the notorious Christophe Mercier. 

"Now remember," hissed Christophe, "you are to present yourself to the family and become favourable to them. Do not forget to introduce yourself to that son of theirs. Seduce him, as only you know how; make him love you. Do whatever it takes, and I will work out of the rest."

"Yes, maitriser," she replied. It was one of many lessons he had branded into her: do what Christophe tells you to do and you shall come to no harm. And she intended to do just that. Failure was not an option. She knew Christophe was a once-famous magician who had been spurned by the DuPont family. Because of them, he had been revealed for what he was, an insane madman dabbling in the black arts; he was not the grand and kind marvelous man everyone had thought him to be. He was openly despised now by everyone in the city of Bordeaux, and he had not forgotten the source of that problematic hatred. After 13 years, he still sought revenge on the DuPonts. And he never let her forget it. The reason: she was the way by which he would obtain that revenge.

  Christophe told Adelaide that he had found her as a starving 3 year old wandering the streets of Bordeaux. Whether that was true or not, she accepted that she was under his care now. She never questioned him about it, if she did it would mean another night of pain and abuse. Another rule: never question Christophe. If she ever, did he used her in ways she would never tell. But such was life for her. They entered the chateau, announced as Adelaide and Christophe Blanc, to hide his notorious surname. He put his mask up to his face, as did Adelaide. There were various masks all around the room, each bobbing up and down as their owners danced and chatted. "Lucky for Christophe," thought Adelaide, "the DuPonts chose a masquerade theme for their gala."

"Lucky, my dear? I hardly think so." Christophe murmured to her softly as they weaved their way through the crowd. A quartet played in the background and a dance was forming in the middle of the ballroom floor. Adelaide winced. She hated it when he heard her thoughts. True, he was mad, but he still had power that no normal human possessed. They made their way towards the hosts of the party, the DuPonts, and Adelaide saw for the first time their son, Gabriel. She bent down in a low curtsey, displaying as much grace and beauty and poise as she could muster. He bowed back to her, keeping his eyes on her the entire time.

"May I present my only daughter, Adelaide, to your esteemed persons." said Christophe silkily. So that he would not be given away, he changed his voice considerably. The DuPonts, thankfully, did not recognize him. Gabriel held out his hand to Adelaide, wordlessly asking her to  join him in a conversation and a stroll through the gardens. He was enraptured by her beauty already. Christophe stifled a smirked. Adelaide was very accomplished in her trade. And it was all very well, as he depended on her solely for the success of his grand undertaking. She was to get close to the family, and gain their trust. The couple swept out of the grand hall, Gabriel not once taking his eyes off of Adelaide. Christophe turned to Marie and Sebastian DuPont and smiled.

"And I am Christophe Blanc, her father of course. Very pleased to make the acquaintance of your graces," he said, "and if I may say, your estate must be one of, if not the fairest and grandest, in all of Bordeaux." Flattery, he knew, was an instant way to gain the approval of persons such as these. The DuPonts turned to each other with a look of delight.