As the party in Venice was still going on late in the night, Raphael and Amy were eating at a terrace, still celebrating their freedom together. They were free from that curse of vampirism and they were free to go wherever they wished!

Suddenly some fast paced music began to play, Raphael got up and began to dance flamenco. Though it wasn't this kind of music, it fitted to the style of dance. He turned toward Amy and offered his hand to her.

-Come on, Amy! Dance with me!

-Euh… non.

Amy blushed while chuckling. Raphael insisted while leaning his head in a pleading way.

-Come on!

-Non... hum… Father… I think you drank too much…

-Non… Well, maybe… just a little bit…

Raphael was indeed slightly drunk. Amy had never seen him before in such a state, though he wasn't very drunk, just enough to be in a pleasant mood and chuckle at insignificant things. As he danced to celebrate his freedom, some people gathered around Raphael to see this gracious man dance. Raphael stopped insisting for Amy to dance with him and smiled at his audience while Amy kept chuckling, making herself discreet on her chair. She knew her foster father enjoyed the attention on him but she really didn't want any on her. But it was fun to see her father dance, he seemed so free! And he danced so well! People encouraged him to continue with words and compliments and Raphael had even more fun as they kept staring at him.

-Danza! Danza! Bravo! Bellissimo!

Raphael gave a charming smile at all the ladies gazing at him and invited some of them to dance with him. Some tried to accompany him but most were not accustomed to this kind of dance, so Raphael changed his dance to accommodate them, he now danced the galliard and some people blushed as he and his partner made some volta steps: volta was a more closer dance (the ancestor of waltz), both being now very close to each other while holding and turning, it was considered offensive by some people.

Raphael seemed to have a lot of fun dancing with the ladies, making them twirl around and dance without rest. When one lady was too tired, Raphael quickly changed to another, never letting his public tire of him. Amy was now gazing at him tenderly.

Father… you are incredible… Just to think you almost died just some times ago… You really don't look now like you reached the most total despair then… You're so handsome when you smile… When you dance… You really seem to have forgotten all the pain you have been through… Resilience has always been one of your strength…

Her father had always been like that, he was gravely wounded one day but was acting like he never been hurt the next day. He had become desperate the night he turned to a vampire, but the next day he was already acting like he had everything under control… Lately, as he had been purified and became prisoner, he reached the bottom, facing execution for his crimes and worrying for his daughter that he would leave alone and now all seemed forgotten… He had been through so much… but he always got up… Amy had to admire his resistance she would have given up long ago… She did give up already… even if their lives was now good, she still remained pessimist and down. She wondered if it will ever heal one day? Will she be happy one day? This pessimistic nature always followed her since she was small and had witnessed her parents died. Raphael had tried to change her sad nature and he often succeeded in making her smile and even laugh but she never really heartily laughed and her heart always remained sad deep inside…

Remembering all their previous problems, instead of feeling joyous, Amy began to cry. Some tears silently rolled down her checks and she quickly wiped them but Raphael suddenly noticed her sadness and stopped dancing. He quickly came to her side and asked her what was wrong while politely dismissing all his admirers away.

-What is it, Amy? Why are you crying?

-… It's nothing… I just thought about all our problems… the problems we had… I'm relieved… That's all… sniff!

-Yes… It's over Amy… You don't have to cry… It's completely over… Behind us forever!

-But… are you sure? I don't feel like anything can be beautiful or funny again… Well, I tried to but…

Raphael looked at her with sadness. Since he knew her, Amy has been sad. He always tried to cheer her up and those last years, he felt he had begun to succeed in making her see the good sides of life but this… curse came and destroyed everything… He felt guilty again yet he knew he had to reassure his daughter, not wallow in guilt. Those two things were tied together: if Amy felt good, he would not feel guilty. He gave her a comforting hug and continued talking.

-You tried to reassure me in my worries yet you had so much worries and troubles yourself… Don't worry, ma chérie… You have been traumatized too, but all will be fine now…

-Papa… I like when you hold me in your arms like when I was little…

She outlined a smile.

-… Like when I'm old too, since you never stopped caring for me like this… I like it, papa… I feel so much more secure with you…

Raphael held his tongue but he wanted to ask her: So I'm more of a joy than a trouble for you? Because he really felt like he was responsible for her late troubles but he told himself that Amy appreciated him and she saw him far more as a protector and comforting friend than as trouble. He was important to her; he should stop thinking that he was bad for her…

-We will go to Asia now… I'll show you the beautiful garden I once saw… and there must be many more things to see! I'll show you everything that is beautiful in life! You'll forget your sadness! We will be able to begin a new life! …But you seem tired, Amy… You are not used anymore to stay up this late at night… Let us go to an inn for tonight… There is probably one with some room left…

Raphael took Amy by the hand and they walked in search of an inn. Raphael regretted not having reserved a room sooner since most of the inns were full with the travellers coming to see the celebrations but they finally found an inn with one room and two beds left.

-Well… It may not be the best inn I have known, but it shall do, said Raphael as he gazed at the bedroom with some disappointment.

The blankets had holes in it, the wall had holes in it and the window was broken. Such a low-class inn… For himself, it didn't really matter now, he mostly was disappointed for Amy. She should never have to live poorly again! She lived poorly until she found him, then they lived poorly until they reached Toulouse then they lived poorly when they left Toulouse, searching for a place to go and lastly, she lived poorly while searching for him… She deserved better. He gazed at Amy; she didn't seem to mind the room. In fact, she seemed really tired, so she really didn't care as long as she had somewhere to sleep safely. And with her father in the same room, she would be safe, no matter the look of the place. As Raphael was dusting the sheets to take out any dirt or anything else, he told Amy:

-You know, Amy… After we have been in Asia and maybe visited some other countries, we could go to the New World… Start our lives completely anew… and maybe even found a city… We could name it: Sorel city…

-You would found a city with only both of us?

-Not only us, we would be the founders but we will need some inhabitants. But I think we could do great things…

-I'm not sure I want to go to the New World…

-Why not?

-I don't want to live in the woods…

-That is why we will create a city.

-Why create a new one when there is already so many existing around the world?

-So, this project does not enthusiasm you?

-Non. Désolée. I hope I don't disappoint you too much…

-… Non. Not at all… I'll just bother you with it again in some years… Maybe you'll change your mind until then. But you're right, there is the whole world to see! It's just that to found a new city would have been quite exciting! …Except, I would not swim to the New World…

-Hein? What are you talking about, father?

-Oh, a man I knew pretended he swam to the New World. Two times!

-What New World? Not the one on the other side of the Atlantic?

-Yes.

Amy's eyes widened.

-Was he a god? Did you meet him in the Land of the gods? You did meet some strange people there like this man, Zasalamel… except you met him before but he knew this world… He was there… So, Zasalamel was from the same ancient tribe as Marienbard and the others? Did they know him?

-Non. They were descendants from this tribe and much knowledge had been lost… Zasalamel was too ancient for them… I think.

-Do you think they are alright now?

-I hope…

Raphael made a pause, thinking of all the people he attacked and made his minions… Feeling bad, he changed the subject again.

-I did meet some godlike people… like indeed Zasalamel, Olcadan, the olwlike humanoid… and of course, Nightmare… More demonlike…

As Amy went in bed after her father had carefully prepared it, Raphael shook his head.

-When I think I was going at some reunions with some aristocrats and astrologists, just trying to see some curtains move, hoping it was a ghost… I saw so much more now!

Raphael began to prepare his own bed.

-But the man who claimed he crossed the Atlantic seemed human. I met him in Calais. I think he was a crazy man. But a tough looking crazy man. He was sympathetic though. He also had adopted a child.

-That is why you like him?

-Maybe.

Raphael went in bed too.

-Well now, it is time to go to sleep, Amy. It is already very late and you are very tired… So bonne nuit, ma chérie.

-Bonne nuit papa.

As Amy was now sleeping in her bed, feeling safe since she was in the same room as her father, Raphael was looking at her. He thought that she still looked so cute when she slept, like the first time he saw her sleeping at the inn near Rouen… He thought: History does repeat itself… We are here with no place to live, almost no money… At least, this time, even with all the crimes I did, I'm not a wanted criminal anymore… Well, not here…

Gazing at the ceiling with many spiderwebs on it, Raphael continued to think.

Now might be a good time to come back to give Amy some place to live like she deserves… She doesn't like to travel… She needs some peace and quiet… No more worries … She should have a home again… and some stability in her life…

Raphael thought that maybe he should try to get back his family domain and title. He felt it was still rightfully his. He had let go of it for many years but now he regretted it. With it, he would not have to worry anymore about money, how they will live… But he would have to take it from his brother…

Hum… Assuming mother died of turberculosis or from anything else that she was sick with, Claude may have some difficulties to take care of the land's affairs… unless he has changed… which I doubt. It might be a good time to come back and try to wrestle the title and land from him… unless his wife is very wise… From what Amy told me, she didn't seem but didn't seem stupid either… She just didn't speak. But I would have to live like an aristocrat again… Make alliance and visits… So annoying… all the bickering… do I really want that? Is it worth the trouble? Maybe I should keep on living using my medicine… It may be less lucrative but it would be more peaceful… and who says I wouldn't be accused as soon as I come back in France? Even if I know who to address, it doen't mean it would work… I do not know if my past acquaintances would greet me well or chase me away… or even betray me… I could make new acquaintances, I knew of some who were interested by me or that I know could easily have been but would they still be? I don't have much to offer now…

He suddenly thought about something else: But I have Monsieur Dampierre… He is a con artist, he may be able to help me in my fight to get back my inheritance… We would just have to discuss what he would get in return… Yes… Good idea… I shall talk to him about it when we meet next time… But I do hope my crimes won't be too unforgiveable… I did kill the Verneuil family some months ago… about a year ago… but even if Claude may have doubts about who is responsible, there are no proofs… A vampire did this… not me… anyway, saying a vampire did this would be a stupid accusation even if it did look like it… But nothing at all points to me now that I am human again, so I think for this crime, I may be left alone… even if they often burned a lot of people who were not even witches, werewolves or vampires… I shall have to be careful…

And Monsieur de Savoie? Did the authorities forget it? I would also have the Savoie family to confront… and convince the authorities to take out the murder charges put on me… But that could still be done… Now that this crime was far away, the people's minds would be calmer… Apart from the Savoie family, of course…

He then thought about his first crime, how all of this began…

Raphael and Monsieur de Savoie were in the latter's private salon. Raphael was sitting in front of the table with Monsieur de Savoie by his side. Raphael was leafing though the pages of the book Monsieur de Savoie just bought, one of Montaigne's volumes of the 'Essays'. Raphael already had this book at home and they were discussing about it together.

-… I read this passage to Claude… Now where is it… He loved it and now uses it for anything… Ah, there it is! 'He spent his life in idleness, would we say; I have done nothing today – What, haven't you lived? It's not only the fundamental, but the more illustrious of your occupations…' So Claude is always doing some illustrious occupation now and nothing else. Hahaha! Montaigne is right about it except Claude uses it excessively… Oh! And this passage citing the jeu de paume… Not that the passage is so interesting, it's about how to properly address someone, but mostly it made me think about something: Are your sons interested for some games of it? We could organize something…

It has been a while since Raphael played and he was missing the excitement of a good match. He even began to ask Claude to play with him since he had no one to play against and was getting desperate. But Claude was not a big challenge. Monsieur de Savoie's two sons were better but they were busy since a while.

While Raphael was talking, he suddenly got violently hit on the head. Monsieur de Savoie had suddenly taken a chandelier and smashed it on Raphael's head, brutally sending the younger man's face slamming into the book. Raphael turned in surprise, holding his hurting head.

-Ouch! What happened? What…?

But Raphael then noticed the crazy expression monsieur de Savoie now had as he was now unsheathing his rapier while screaming in rage. Not understanding what was going on but having to act fast, Raphael got up and kicked his chair into the man's legs then backed away as the man fell down. He then asked again what was the meaning of this but Monsieur de Savoie got up and screamed again as he launched himself at Raphael who quickly unsheathed his rapier to parry the berserk attack on him while still trying to calm down monsieur de Savoie. At first, he tried to parry only but the savage attacks he received cornered him and forced him to defend himself more offensively or the man would really kill him, so he struck at his host too, reacting as his survival reflex told him and struck him hard. Monsieur de Savoie fell down and lost consciousness as he hit his head on the corner of his desk. After he calmed down a bit from this unexpected and crazy attack, Raphael wondered if he could save the unconcious man with his medicine, he kneeled beside the wounded man who then began to wake up.

-Unghh… What… happened?… asked the wounded man as Raphael was trying to give him some first aid care.

-I think you are the one who should tell me… answered Raphael while he was still examining the wounds. Both the rapier wound and the desk wound seemed serious… Raphael had slashed the man's chest, creating a somehow deeper gash that he would have wished and the head was bleeding a lot. Suddenly Monsieur de Savoie began to make some strange noises again and grunted in anger like an animal while Raphael stared at him, not understanding what was going on or what was taking him… But he quickly ignored monsieur de Savoie's strange grunting and continued to look at his wounds while saying soothing words to try to calm the crazy man. He had to act fast to save his life. But Monsieur de Savoir suddenly grabbed his hand and bit him. Raphael screamed in pain and took his hand out while his host fell down unconscious.

Raphael wondered what to do as he held his bleeding hand. He really didn't know. After his examination of the wounds, he had judged that the poor man was mortally wounded… It was then that Raphael fully realized his action and the consequences it would bring on him, on his family… In a growing state of panic, he asked the unconscious man.

-What…? Why did you do that? What happened?

He could do nothing more for the dying man so now he wondered about his own situation. What should he do? How can he get out of this situation? Should he hide the corpse? Where? They'll find him sooner or later… and poorly hidden, it would betray his intention of hiding it and probably tell the murderer was not a known enemy like some Huguenot… It will point to him… If some Huguenot or thief came, he would have killed Monsieur de Savoie and not lose any time to hide him… Since he could not get out of the place with the body to hide him somewhere better… he had to pretend it was a quick murder… Raphael had trouble thinking, with his panic he could not think right…

-Oh Mon Dieu… Oh Mon Dieu…

He then decided the best thing to do was to leave the man alone in his salon. Sometimes later, someone will find him but they may not tell it was him who killed Monsieur de Savoie. Raphael decided he would say he left before anything happened… Monsieur de Savoie, like any noble, had enemies… It could be them… or some random Huguenots… Raphael was trying to keep his calm while thinking, he had to review everything: Very well, how has he been killed? By my rapier, everyone has a rapier so it doesn't point to me… Have I left anything here that would betray me? Well, Montaigne's book is open so I should put it back in its shelf or it will look like he was still speaking to me, if his children knew he just bought this book and wanted to talk to me about it… Yet he could read it alone… Damn! I am so panicked, I don't know what to do!

He did anyway put the book back on the shelf carefully not touching it with his bloodied hand before he glanced back again at the room.

-I think if I leave now, I may be left alone… I'll have to go and prepare my version for the police interrogation…

But his inner voice was telling him that he would never get out of this, they will find the one responsible for this… But for now, he calmed himself and decided to leave the mansion casually, like if nothing happened. So he replaced his jacket's short sleeve so that it hid the wound Monsieur de Savoie did to his arm and went to the door. Before he went out, he turned toward the now dead man and muttered:

-I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Monsieur… I did not want to… You made me do it…

He then opened the door to leave and closed it behind him. He walked in the galleries, trying to look normal even if he was feeling dizzy from the troubling events. As he was almost now reaching the outside door, he got interrupted by a young lady, Marguerite, monsieur de Savoie's daughter. He tried to smile casually at her as she approached him and hid his wounded hand with his other.

Marguerite De Savoie always had some views on Raphael. The idea of a wedding even crossed their parents' mind once and Raphael had to use all his persuading skills to convince his father that there was some better alliance waiting for him elsewhere since they already had her father's support, because he didn't want to marry her. Not that she was ugly; she was very beautiful, but extremely boring and somehow stupid. Marguerite thought of herself as a quite spiritual and intellectual woman even if she wasn't very intelligent in Raphael's opinion. She only agreed to everything any intellectual or spirited person would say, never making her own opinion or thinking if it was right and logical. Raphael sometimes privately made fun of her by saying something which he knew she would agree on while he knew the statement was completely stupid. To amuse himself at her expenses was funny, to look at her beauty was enjoyable but to have her as a wife would be unbearable. He wanted his wife to be intelligent. Maybe Claude could have been a good suitable match for her, the little brother was finding her quite beautiful, blushing and stuttering each time he saw her, yet Raphael knew monsieur de Savoie wanted an heir to marry his daughter… Since Claude was not and Raphael was, Monsieur de Savoie wanted the older brother for his son-in-law. The noble was extremely helpful for the family but Raphael really dreaded a wedding with his daughter… But he never quite told monsieur de Savoie the answer was no to a wedding between him and his daughter… As long as he needed this man, he let him some hopes… and spent times with the daughter each visit as she stared at him with an enthralled gaze while he tried to ignore her feelings while being gallant and polite. But he did enjoy her gaze on him… Ladies gazing admiringly at him always pleased him, even if he always hid his satisfaction.

-Ah, Marguerite, I am glad to be able to see you before I leave! I do not have much time, I must go prepare for the evening, father and I must go to Paris… Your father also had to receive some visit so he asked me to leave… We are all really busy tonight.

Raphael wondered if he was saying too much. He did a mistake inventing some visit for the father… probably… maybe… He felt the sweat forming on his forehead as he became more nervous. He should not, she doesn't already know… All he had to think now was getting away and he told himself, he doesn't know about the crime either, so he should act like it. Marguerite gave him a loving gaze. She really saw him as her future husband.

-I am glad to see you then before you leave, Raphael… You are so busy… But you do everything with such perfection…

Yes… like killing your father… thought Raphael who tried hard to keep a casual expression while he answered:

-Well, I hope you are fine. I must go now…

-What happened to your nose?

Raphael blushed in embarrassment.

-What, my nose?

-It's all red like if you knocked yourself on it.

Raphael could not say that it was her father who sent his face slamming in his book, so he had to find some lie. He also replaced his misplaced sleeve before Marguerite saw the cut he had received while explaining.

-Oh yes, I did knock myself on the door when I arrived here… There was some sudden gust and the door slammed on my face… It is kind of embarrassing…

Marguerite chuckled.

-Oh, poor you… You should be more careful next time… Hihihi!

-Yes… I should be more careful… said Raphael who gave a forced laugh.

-I shall accompany you to the stables… I'll hold the door for you…

-That is very kind, Marguerite… I can hold the door but your presence is really enjoyable… answered Raphael while he thought: It will leave more time before you find out about your father…

He gallantly offered his arm to her and they walked to the stable together. Raphael then turned toward Marguerite.

-I'm sorry…

Damn! I am denouncing myself! Don't say such words!

He then added:

-… for leaving you…

-You do not have to be sorry, you shall be back soon, right?

-Yes, in three days, I shall be back from Paris and before I come home, I shall visit you…

-I shall wait…

Raphael smiled and thought: Just wait in your room… don't go in your father's salon…

He turned away and went in the stable where he got his horse and left the place. A little farther he broke down again.

-Oh Mon Dieu! Oh non! What am I gonna do? I can't believe this happened! I can't believe it!

For a moment, he even thought leaving the kingdom right away. Then, he tried to calm down again.

-Okay, I did a crime… a murder… but… it can be arranged… But I can't get out of this alone… I need help… I need father's help. With his support, I could be able to adress some people… maybe… Damn… father will be angry… yet I cannot hide it from him… He has to understand my reasons before somebody else tells him about it. I do not want everybody on my back at the same time… And for the family honour, father will have to help me…

Raphael really hoped his father would be able to help him out of this difficult position… He came back to the manor in a distressed mood. All through the ride home, his worries only worsened. He jumped from his horse and didn't even speak to the stale boy as he left the horse in the middle of the road. He quickly ran to the manor and quickly opened the door before he ran to the second floor to his father private study. He nervously knocked at the door.

-Hum… Father? May I speak to you…? In fact, I need to speak to you! I must!

-What do you want? Answered his father from the other side of the door.

-I need to speak to you! It's urgent!

-Well, then, open the door. Said the father on a somewhat annoyed tone.

Raphael quickly turned the doorknob and entered. Sitting at his desk, François, Raphael's father, stared at his son with a annoyed but also surprised expression. He had never seen Raphael so disturbed and distressed before. Raphael was very pale and looked almost like if he was about to cry. Something was wrong, very wrong to leave his normally very composed son in such a state. Still sitting at his desk, he worriedly prepared to listen.

-What is it, Raphael?

He suddenly noticed Raphael's sleeve as the blood had stained more of it, making it apparent.

-You're wounded… You fought?

-… Yes… I fought… I didn't want to…

Raphael seemed quite destabilized and worried.

-Calm yourself, my son. With whom did you fight exactly?

-Hum… Euh… I was at monsieur de Savoie's manor…

Raphael was getting dizzy again as he began to speak while his father suddenly turned pale and got a worried look on his face. He feared to hear the rest.

-And how is he? Suddenly asked Raphael's mother as she entered followed by all of Raphael's siblings: Claude, Victoire, Gabrielle and Charlotte. They were coming to talk about the trip they would do to Paris for the Queen's birthday. Raphael got troubled: Great. Like I need them… They didn't hear the father speaking about the fight. As he entered, Claude noticed:

-Where did you get those wounds? You fought? The back of your head is bloodied and your sleeve too…

Raphael got very embarrassed: The back of his head? He didn't notice this… He hoped Marguerite haven't noticed it either… But he was also embarrassed at his mother and siblings' presence: he could not tell them all what happened. He had wished to speak alone with his father.

-Father, may I speak to you alone?

But his father was getting tired of his hesitations and ordered him to speak. He never had much patience.

-Stop turning around and speak! Now! With whom did you fight? Monsieur de Savoie? His sons? Some servant? Some brigands at the manor? Huguenots? Who?

-Oh! Would you have committed some blunder with his daughter?... You insulted her? Or seduced her? Hurt her honour in some way? asked Claude pretending to be offended but visibly finding very enjoyable the state his brother was in.

Raphael didn't even stare at his brother for his annoying comment, he was too panicked.

-Well? Asked François once more, really annoyed at his son hesitation, which made Claude smile even more.

-Speak, my son, suddenly said his mother with her haughty voice. Somehow, suddenly, it reassured Raphael to know his mother was there. For he didn't know what reason, he counted on her to take his defence, so he began to speak, telling what happened. Though he would have wished his siblings were not there…

-I… fought with Monsieur de Savoie…

His father now really made an annoyed and horrified expression. He eyed Raphael angrily while his son continued to speak.

-… I think I killed him.

All his family froze in surprise and horror. His sisters Gabrielle and Charlotte leaned on the wall as the emotion was too much. Raphael continued, even more disturbed as everybody now gazed at him with horror.

-Well, not really, maybe not, but he was really wounded, I fear he won't survive…

His father turned even paler than Raphael already was. Claude who had walked beside his father was the first to speak, mostly to scream.

-WHAT? You killed monsieur de Savoie? How could you? You're crazy or what?

And he began to pace nervously around the room.

Victoire added in an incredulous and cold voice:

-How could you? You have doomed us all…

It was the first time his siblings saw him this embarrassed and lost as he tried to explain his actions.

-It wasn't… I didn't…

-Silence! shouted his father now really furious. How can you even think of finding excuses for what you did?

-But I…

It was also the first time he didn't know what to reply to his father.

-Shut up! Shouted his enraged father as he walked toward Raphael to slap him in the face. You don't even deserve to speak!

Raphael thought he had to explain even if his father didn't want him to speak. So he began to defend himself explaining as fast as he could. Exasperated, his father went to his desk again to draw his pistol from the drawer and aimed at Raphael.

-I said: Enough!

All of the count's children stopped moving and stared in surprise. Raphael stopped speaking for a moment, staring at the gun pointing at him with surprise, fear and sadness, Claude stopped pacing back and forth and opened his mouth in surprise, also surprised at his father's behaviour, their sisters all stared in surprise for a moment too, Gabrielle putting her hand over her mouth in worry and fear

Raphael's father continued as all of Raphael's siblings returned to their offended gaze toward their older brother.

-How can you do such a thing? How can you dishonour the family's name like this? Don't you realize what you did? You destroyed our position!

Raphael stared speechless in front of his father, looking at the gun pointing at him and at his father's furious expression. He then tried to turn to his mother, who was standing behind him, for support. He turned back and looked at his mother while beginning to explain again.

-Mother, please, I swear it was not my fault! Please, help me… Tell father to stop aiming at me! I didn't start the fight with monsieur de Savoie, he attacked me! I swear!

But his mother stare made him understand she didn't believe him either. She kept staring coldly at him, as if he was a stranger and she didn't care about him at all. Raphael flinched, feeling very desperate and turned back toward his father again. He heard Claude muttering 'Murderer… Crazy murderer' while he felt completely alone and abandoned.

-The Savoie family will soon find out the murder if they haven't already… They will easily know who did it since Raphael was with him… If we get them the killer before they accuse our family then everything may arrange itself… Well, at least, it won't destroy everything… muttered François.

-Father…

-Don't call me like that! coldly replied his father. You are not my son anymore, you are not my heir, you have nothing to do here anymore! I do not know you!

In front of all this aggressiveness toward him, Raphael felt dizzy again. And sad, very sad. He knew his father and him didn't like each other too much but he never thought his father and the rest of his family would abandon him like that! His eyes were getting teary but he tried not to show it. He tried to still keep his composure even though he was now feeling very desperate in his situation. And abandoned. This situation was too much for him to handle alone. But who could he turn to now? He wished he could get away from it all…

The count de Sorel then motioned to his wife.

-Madame, You know what to do. Get out of the room with our daughters. There are some things you should not see.

Maria nodded and the three girls followed her outside, not one of them saying anything to Raphael, to take his defence or to give him some hope. They all left staring coldly and haughtily at him, worrying about their own position.

-Yes, the sight of this traitor is painful and hard to stand… contemptuously said Claude as his mother and sisters were leaving.

Raphael was now alone with his father and brother. Claude stood behind his father. His first surprise passed, as the father insulted and disowned Raphael, Claude began to smirk as he realized he was now the heir. He mostly didn't say anything while his father reprimanded Raphael but sometimes permitted himself to put some wisecrack or insult.

As his father continued talking, Raphael felt even more dizzier; this had to be a dream! A nightmare! It could not be real! His father's reprimands and brother's insults seemed very distant as he stared at them with a lost gaze.

The opening of the front door suddenly brought him back to his senses; some guards were coming here to arrest him! He had to do something! His father was still pointing his pistol at him, Raphael could not move but as the guards entered the room, Raphael noticed his father put down his guard for a second while he spoke to the guards.

-Take this worthless, wretched fool out of my sight! I can't stand to look at him anymore!

Raphael used this moment to push the guard trying to grab him while kicking another coming too close. Then some guards unsheathed their rapier as Raphael did the same. The count seemed a little taken aback by his son's sudden resistance and didn't know what to do at first while Claude quickly backed away from the fight. Raphael wildly slashed at the guards trying to keep them away from him. As he slashed at one guard he suddenly heard a detonation and felt a sudden pain in the back of his left shoulder. He stopped his offensive for a second and turned toward his father with dismay. The projectile was from his father's pistol! His father tried to shoot at his heart! He really tried to kill him! And seeing his father's angry expression, he didn't seem to regret having tried to shoot his son; he mostly seemed to regret having missed his shoot! Raphael realized he had to get out as fast as he could before his father would shoot at him again! He went outside the room, slashing wildly at the guards trying to stop him and kill him. Outside the room, he had to fight his way against some other guards until he finally reached the front door where he ran outside as fast as he could trying to reach the nearby forest. And then this other gunshot… probably his father trying to kill him again…

Now lying on his bed, Raphael thought this drama was behind him and most must have forgotten… He then turned his head on his right and gazed tenderly at Amy sleeping quietly in her bed as he remembered she was the one who helped him then… He owed her so much… If she had not been there… What would he have done? He had to take back his inheritance for her!

This night Raphael suddenly woke up as Amy seemed to be whimpering in her dream. She seemed to have a really bad nightmare and he rose from his bed to sit beside her and gently woke her.

-Amy… Amy… What is it? You are just having a nightmare… Wake up Amy…

Amy woke up with teary eyes. As soon as she saw her father, she went into his arms, curling up against him.

-Oh, papa! Snif!

-What is it Amy? You had a nightmare… What was it? Sometime telling it will free you from the bad feeling…

-I don't think it will! I'm scared! Something bad will happen! I saw big giant clouds coming over here and I knew it was bad!

As she spoke, Amy seemed completely distressed.

-Amy, calm down… It's only a dream… Everything will be fine now…

-Non! Something is coming!

Raphael was kind of impressed by Amy certainty and panic; she looked some prophet of doom… It's almost as she didn't scream for them to repent… She was scaring him… He hugged her even more. Raphael told himself, she must still be in the fright of her nightmare… Amy curled up even more in her father arms and started to cry.

-Papa… I'm scared…

-Amy… We are fine… Everything is fine… We can still hear people celebrating… Well, mostly remaining drunkards, I think… but no matter, we are fine…

Amy suddenly gazed at him with such a desperate look like she would lose him forever before she hugged him again. After a while, she had calmed down.

-You are probably right, father… It was a nightmare…

-Of course, it was a nightmare…

But Amy kept looking at him with such sadness in her eyes that Raphael felt uncomfortable.

-Amy… Everything is fine… What is it? You still seem so sad…

Indeed Amy was very sad.

-What… what can I do to help you? What do you need? asked Raphael, feeling very worried about her.

Amy kept staring at him. She gazed sadly at her father for a while before she said:

-I only need you, papa.

-But… what more? What could make you happy?

Amy's eyes got teary.

-… I don't know… Maybe it will pass…

-… You know… Maybe you need friends… Maybe you need to speak with girls your age…

-I wouldn't know what to say…

-But… hum… maybe… You know the young priestess Talim had your age… She looked kind…

-Yes, but she seemed so full of responsibilities… I don't think we could do together the things girls of our age do… She must have ceremonies and things to attend to…

-Maybe… but she seemed kind. If we go there, you could try to bond together… Maybe she would like to relax with you…

-She'll be too busy for me… Anyway I don't know what to say to her… I'll thank her for saving us but aside from this, I don't know…

-Maybe you will find out then…

-What is the use? We won't stay there forever…

Amy was right thought Raphael, unless they decided to stop somewhere, it may be futile to try to have friends… knowing she will leave them soon… It reinforced his determination to find a stable place for Amy. After they met the wise masters.

-I… don't know what I want papa… I don't know what I have… and this dream…

-It's a dream… and time will help you know what you want… For now, don't worry about it…

Raphael wondered if he was that way when he was young; he didn't remember being that unsecure or pessimist… Yet Amy had a cursed life…

-Do you want to play a game to forget this bad feeling? Charade? Cards? Maybe they got some downstairs…

And after they played some little games, Amy went back to bed. But Raphael stayed awake for a while: Somehow he had the feeling this dream Amy told him about was more than just a dream… He really had to find those wise masters… But after a while, he calmed himself and convinced himself that it may be just a dream indeed… Traumatism, they both were traumatized by this Soul Edge curse, and he went back in his bed.