Count of Monte Cristo: Chapter 91
OH MY GOD THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO IS GOING TO KILL ME WITH SUSPENSE AND FEELS AND ALL I WANT IS MORE. All of the Count's plans are coming together ALL AT ONCE and it's so exciting and also MERCEDES.
So so so, Mercedes' son Albert has been bopping around Paris challenging people to duels because they are SLANDERING HIS FATHER'S NAME (by... telling a totally true story about how his father made his fortune by betraying one of his benefactors, who was then brutally murdered? I don't think it's slander if it's true, Albert).
Anyway! After a somewhat circuitous path, Albert eventually realizes that the author of all his family's misfortunes is the Count of Monte Cristo, and he rushes to the Opera to challenge the Count to a duel in front of the entirety of Paris, because that's just how Albert rolls I guess.
But then! But then! That night, Mercedes shows up at the Count's house, swathed in a veil for Maximum Dramatic Effect, and falls on her knees to beg the Count for her son's life. It is the MOST DRAMATIC SCENE EVER and I love it, it's perfect and beautiful and full of a million feels, and the Count's steely resolve crumbles in the face of his still-burning love for Mercedes and he promises not to kill her son.
Naturally, because he is the Count of Monte Cristo and the most dramatic person ever, he's convinced that the only other possible way for the duel to end is for Albert to kill him - right when all his plans were coming to fruition! Alas, alas!
But in the event Mercedes SAVES THE DAY AGAIN. She passed along to Albert the information that his father is not only a benefactor-betraying murderer BUT ALSO is personally responsible for the Count's misfortunes that have led the Count on this pathway of vengeance in the first place, and Albert forgives the Count everything and shakes hands with him rather than duel. EVERYONE WINS.
Except Albert's friends, who totally think he chickened out and clearly look down on him for it. UGH, WORST FRIENDS EVER. (Actually, this is unfair. Beauchamp is an amazing friend and realizes that Albert must have his reasons, even if Beauchamp doesn't quite understand. Chateau-Renaud, though, is just standing there with waves of judgment rolling off him.)
AND THEN ALBERT AND HIS MOTHER SEPARATELY DECIDE THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER LIVE WITH FERNAND OR TAKE ANY OF HIS DIRTY MONEY AND PACK TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. They're both intending to live in penury on the streets for the sake of honor! But then a messenger arrives from Monte Cristo, with a letter containing the small amount of money that he intended to give Mercedes upon their marriage all those years ago, and which will now be her dowry as she enters a nunnery and marries God.
I feel completely breathless just recounting this. AND I HAVE NOT EVEN COVERED EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK THIS WEEK. Caderouse was murdered! Haydee recounted Fernand's part in the death of her father and her own sale into slavery in front of an open court! (Fernand stormed out of the court in shame.)
And the drama is not over yet! The next chapter is called "Suicide." WHO CAN IT BE?
(My money is on Fernand, who has just lost his good name, his wife, and his son. But we'll see! Things have been looking way down for Villefort, too.)
So so so, Mercedes' son Albert has been bopping around Paris challenging people to duels because they are SLANDERING HIS FATHER'S NAME (by... telling a totally true story about how his father made his fortune by betraying one of his benefactors, who was then brutally murdered? I don't think it's slander if it's true, Albert).
Anyway! After a somewhat circuitous path, Albert eventually realizes that the author of all his family's misfortunes is the Count of Monte Cristo, and he rushes to the Opera to challenge the Count to a duel in front of the entirety of Paris, because that's just how Albert rolls I guess.
But then! But then! That night, Mercedes shows up at the Count's house, swathed in a veil for Maximum Dramatic Effect, and falls on her knees to beg the Count for her son's life. It is the MOST DRAMATIC SCENE EVER and I love it, it's perfect and beautiful and full of a million feels, and the Count's steely resolve crumbles in the face of his still-burning love for Mercedes and he promises not to kill her son.
Naturally, because he is the Count of Monte Cristo and the most dramatic person ever, he's convinced that the only other possible way for the duel to end is for Albert to kill him - right when all his plans were coming to fruition! Alas, alas!
But in the event Mercedes SAVES THE DAY AGAIN. She passed along to Albert the information that his father is not only a benefactor-betraying murderer BUT ALSO is personally responsible for the Count's misfortunes that have led the Count on this pathway of vengeance in the first place, and Albert forgives the Count everything and shakes hands with him rather than duel. EVERYONE WINS.
Except Albert's friends, who totally think he chickened out and clearly look down on him for it. UGH, WORST FRIENDS EVER. (Actually, this is unfair. Beauchamp is an amazing friend and realizes that Albert must have his reasons, even if Beauchamp doesn't quite understand. Chateau-Renaud, though, is just standing there with waves of judgment rolling off him.)
AND THEN ALBERT AND HIS MOTHER SEPARATELY DECIDE THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER LIVE WITH FERNAND OR TAKE ANY OF HIS DIRTY MONEY AND PACK TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. They're both intending to live in penury on the streets for the sake of honor! But then a messenger arrives from Monte Cristo, with a letter containing the small amount of money that he intended to give Mercedes upon their marriage all those years ago, and which will now be her dowry as she enters a nunnery and marries God.
I feel completely breathless just recounting this. AND I HAVE NOT EVEN COVERED EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK THIS WEEK. Caderouse was murdered! Haydee recounted Fernand's part in the death of her father and her own sale into slavery in front of an open court! (Fernand stormed out of the court in shame.)
And the drama is not over yet! The next chapter is called "Suicide." WHO CAN IT BE?
(My money is on Fernand, who has just lost his good name, his wife, and his son. But we'll see! Things have been looking way down for Villefort, too.)