The Forbidden Fruit

"Silence her," the Count ordered Darius. He just stood by my side, watching me as I sobbed.
Disregarding the Count's demand he faced my little sister who was lovingly clinging onto the Count, "enough of your foolishness Gwendolyn. You shall return back home to your family. If it is new clothes you want I will buy them for you. I will give you everything you want and you will not have to do anything in return. I am not sick as to fulfill my pleasures with young children. Such perverse behaviour."
I lifted my head up. He looked fearsome. I wondered if he was angry on my behalf, "enough of your bawling Elise. Gwendolyn just look around you. Do you not know all these girls began as you? When he is done with you, he shall cast you away like the peasant you are. In our eyes, peasants do not even desrve the title of human. They are merely instruments for us to use. He holds no love for you. Now know your place and get off him, you insolent child. There is nothing special about you. You can be easily replaced. How pathetic can a peasant be! Can you not hear your sister's cries?"
Gwendolyn looked at Darius, her eyes wide open. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. Not even mother.
"That is not going to hap-" the Count said, but was rudely interjected by Darius.
"I will compensate for your loss," he told him as he went to grab Gwendolyn off, since she was taking too long to do so herself, "if you wish for a young mistress, I can deliver one here. One far more beautiful than her."
"Are you aware of the time it took me to groom her," the Count retorted, "I will do no such thing. Return to me Amy. You belong to me and you shall only leave my side when I say so."
"You take a step forward and I will make sure you regret it," Darius threatened Gwendolyn.
The Count got up and walked towards Darius and Gwendolyn. There was bloodlust crackling in the air. I had never seen anything like this. Noblemen were men of honor, justice and integrity. Yes, like everyone else, they had their dark secrets behind closed doors, but eitherway they would never argue. They refrained from doing such things. They always found a way to resolve everything over a glass of ale. Yet here they stood, head to head, fighting over a mistress who was only twelve years old. The butler was standing by the door, taking everything in, interest in his eyes. For a men, he surely loved scandal. I didn't blame him though. It was unheard of, a nobleman freeing another nobleman's mistress.
"Now, now, now Darius. Amy here is a rare jewel," the Count smiled, "I have no intention to just hand her over to the likes of you. Never have I been disrespected like this. I shall not stand for this idiocy. Amy, go to my chambers and await for me there."
"I dare you to take as much as a step away from me," Darius glared at Gwendolyn.
"Leave this instant," Count D'Aubigne demanded. He was now angry, but was not as scary as Darius was. Gwendolyn was frozen to the spot. I may have been imagining it, but it seemed she was even holding her breath. It was evident that she feared Darius more than she did the Count. I would too if I had been in her position. Darius sure was asserting his dominance. He kept silent for a while and began to walk in my direction.
"As you wish," he said, "we shall leave immediately. Maybe we should take a little detour and visit your in-laws. I know the source of your riches. I wonder how they would react if they were to find out about this. Your wife may approve of your behavior, but I know too well that her parents would be far from amused."
The Count looked at Gwendolyn for a while. Darius had certainly hit the spot. There was a fierce look on his face, but it was clear there was nothing more he could say or do. I had never thought Darius had this side to him.
Though his anger had not been directed at me, my very core had been struck by fear. I could do nothing but respect the Count for being able to even try standing his ground.
"You are exhausting my patience," Darius snarled, "give me the contract and we will leave you be."
"I never signed a contract," Gwendolyn admitted and got slapped across the face by the Count.
I gasped at the sight.
"In that case, Elise take her to the carriage," he looked at the butler, "go tell my men we are leaving."
The Count looked angry, but said nothing as we got ready to leave.
"I will make you pay Rutherford," he said as he marched out of the room. Darius merely ignored his empty threat.
I did not talk to Gwendolyn as I led her out. I did not know what to say. Her cheek was red from the slap she had recieved. Personally, I believed she deserved a far much greater punishment, but that was just anger speaking.