On the morning of May 21st, Albert de Morcerf's luxurious home buzzed with preparations. He was hosting someone important today, the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo, and everything had to be perfect.
Albert lived in a stylish corner pavilion that was part of his family's massive estate. His parents, the Count and Countess of Morcerf, occupied the main mansion. A grand, imposing structure built in that heavy, imperial style that screamed old money. Albert's place, though? That was his own private kingdom.
The setup was genius, really. His mother had arranged it all. She couldn't bear to be completely separated from her only son, but she also understood that a young man his age needed freedom. So Albert got his own building with two windows facing the street, perfect for people-watching, and others overlooking the courtyard and garden. High walls surrounded the entire property, topped with decorative flower vases and broken only by an ornate iron gate for carriages.
