Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 5: Erzy's Arrival

Peter suddenly woke up. He heard loud voices coming from downstairs. He pulled his bedroom curtains open. Christmas Day was sunny and clear. There wasn't a single cloud in the bright blue sky. Peter could hardly believe they experienced such a heavy snowstorm the previous day. The large amount of fluffy, virgin snow covering the grounds was the only evidence that it had actually happened.

Peter peered down into the front courtyard from his second story bedroom window. He saw his father standing there, dressed to a T in a dark suit, giving orders to various servants in his loud booming voice.

"Make sure all the guest rooms are properly aired out," Count Rakoczy yelled at a frightened maid. "It's been ages since we've opened the windows in there."

"Yes, Master," the maid curtsied and scurried away.

"And you," the Count pointed at a manservant. "Go to the back and shovel the paths around the gardens. My daughter loves to go for afternoon walks.  I don't want her slipping and falling."

"Of course, Master," the man bowed and retreated.

"I sure hope someone has already wrung the geese's necks," the Count shouted at nobody in particular. "Cook needs plenty of time to make Christmas dinner!"

A young man tried to tip-top behind the Count, but didn't have any luck.  The Count spotted him and immediately shouted:

"Oh... there you are, Doru. I hope you've brought up a variety of wines and liquors from the cellar." Count Rakoczy chuckled as he pinched the lad's cheek. "I plan to get completely plastered tonight."

"Of course, Master... right away," the boy had to turn around and head back to wherever he came from.

Peter smiled hearing his father talk.  The Count was obviously very excited about Erzy's upcoming visit. Peter closed the curtains back up and went to his bathroom.  He washed his face and torso, combed his dark hair and put on a clean white shirt. He donned his white breeches and shiny black boots. Finally, he put on his white infantry coat with the high black collar and gold buttons down the front. He tied the traditional gold sash around his waist and adjusted the black epaulets on his shoulders. His outfit was left over from his stint at an Austrian military training academy where he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant. Peter attended the academy for a couple of years and returned home as quickly as possible. He had no desire to have a permanent career in the military. His father had insisted that both he and Stellian become officers, even if they were non-combatant . It was a family tradition. While both boys obeyed their father, Stellian completed the entire five years and graduated with a rank of Major - a fact that he always threw into Peter's face.

Peter knew that Count Rakoczy liked to see his sons wearing their formal uniforms on Christmas, especially when they had visitors. In addition to their relatives from Bucharest, their father also invited their neighbors, the Andras family. Captain Georg Andras was Count Rakoczy's childhood friend. He was a career military man and married later in life. His children were in their twenties and early thirties. His wife, Marta, was in her early fifties. She was a corpulent and gregarious woman who always entertained everyone with her eccentric stories.  Peter smirked thinking about some of her raunchy jokes.

When he had finished dressing, Peter took a last look in the mirror and ran a hand through his raven hair. He then quickly descended the stairs and joined his father outside, in front of the manor.

"Peter, my boy. Good, you're here," his father beamed at him. "And you look quite impressive. You should wear your uniform more often."

"Where is Stellian?" Peter pretended to look around for his brother, even though he knew very well Stellian was still in his room.  He didn't like wearing the uniform and avoided giving his father false hopes, so he changed the subject.