The first thing Esme noticed when she began to resurface was the feeling of her body jostling around and the soft fabric of silk beneath her body.
When she remembered where she should be, she shuddered. Who was carrying her? Was it Phoebus?
Esme felt fear ripple up her spine at this thought.
Then, the voice sounded. This voice was deep, powerful, and very confident. It could no way belong to Phoebus.
"Everything will be okay. You are safe now." Did this person know she was awake? Or was he just talking to her like she could somehow hear him?
Esme had not a clue what was going on, and so badly wanted to believe the voice when it said she was going to be safe.
But who was this person? And where were they going?
After several minutes of silence, suddenly they were inside a building. Esme opened her eyes just enough so that she could see through them. The inside of this building was enchanting. It was larger than any room in Paris. It was embellished with all of the finest details she had ever seen. Everything was meticulously crafted.
"Master, you have returned. Shall I-" She heard a gasp. "Master…what…"
"Eloise, call a doctor please. This girl has suffered from great injuries and I need to know that she will be alright."
"Yes sir. Right away." And Esme heard Eloise scurry away.
Esme's heart was pounding very fast in her chest. Suddenly, all the clues were coming together. The enormous size of the building, the details, master, the deep voice…
She was in the Palace of Justice, and it was Claude Frollo the Judge of Paris that had brought her here!
Wait, Claude Frollo? As in Judge Claude Frollo? She thought he absolutely despised gypsies! What was he doing trying to take care of her?
Before she could come up with an answer they began to climb the stairs and into another room.
Frollo placed her down on probably the most comfortable ting she had ever rested on. This bed was like a heavenly cloud.
She heard him sigh and brush a lock of hair out of her face.
Should she still remain sleeping? Or should she acknowledge his presence?
She decided to let him know that she was awake.
Esme's eyes fluttered open to find the face of the Judge gazing protectively down over her.
When he saw her eyes he felt his heartbeat automatically pick up.
Esme opened her mouth to try and speak, but no words came out. This was the man who she had teased at the festival for calling her dancing a "disgusting display". This was the man who was so intent on eliminating all gypsies from Paris. She should be panicking right now. What if he wanted to harm her just as Phoebus had done? After all, there were various rumors spreading around that he pretty much fancied her. But she could not muster up any sort of worry or panic. This was the man who had saved her.
"Esme…." He breathed. He knelt down next to her so that they were eye level. "I found you in that cottage…and I knew I had to do something. I could not just leave you there to die."
Esme kept quiet for a moment. She looked deep into his grey blue eyes to try and find anything that would signal that he was lying. But she found none. She only saw concern.
"Thank you then." She whispered.
He nodded his head in silence.
"Did you call for me Judge Claude?" A voice coming from the doorway asked.
"Yes, thank you so much for coming so late in the evening. I found Esme in a cottage all alone with blood coming out of her head and several bruises. I want to have her checked to make sure nothing is seriously wrong."
"Ah, well let me take a look." The doctor walked up to Esme and stood in front of her. "Miss, can I ask you to stand up please?"
Esme nodded and noticed when she did so that her head hurt. Along with the rest of her body.
"Judge Claude, judging by the bruises on her body I am going to have to do a thorough exam of her body, so I think it would be appropriate if you waited outside the door."
For a moment, Claude's eyes went wide as he said this, but then solemnly nodded. He gave Esme one last once over before leaving the two of them alone.
When outside the door, he tried to block out the images that were coming to his mind when he heard Esme's clothes drop to the floor. He held onto the doorframe as he began breathing heavier than before.
But he had to maintain his cool. He could not let her see how badly he desired her. It would only give her painful flashbacks of what that monster Phoebus did to her. And he not only wanted her like that, he also was in utter love with the girl. She was his reason in life. She was the thing that got him out of bed in the morning. Ever since the festival, she was the only one on his mind. And now, ironically, he was the one who had found her. Claude was beginning to convince himself that God had planned this.
But he knew he had no right to think that. After all, how could he ever expect her to feel the same way about him as he felt about her? She had mocked him at the festival in front of everyone to see. That told him she did not particularly like him. And after all of his attempts to imprison all of her people, the gypsies, there was no way she could ever love him.
Claude felt a stab of pain hit him straight in the heart. If she never learned to love him, then there was simply no point to his life anymore. For he only wanted to live if he could have her by his side.
Claude had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he had not noticed the door open once again.
"You can see her now. I should let you know the girl had bruises all over her body and should be handled with great care. She told me everything that had happened to her so I expect she is severely traumatized. Just be gentle. She may not feel like talking or anything at first, but I assure you in time, she will."
"Thank you so much. Your help has been very much appreciated. But what of the blood from her head?"
"Yes, well, thankfully that was only a minor injury. It was merely a little cut on her head. I cleaned it all up and made sure the bleeding stopped. You have nothing to worry about."
"And you are sure she is going to be okay?"
"I am positive. Just take good care of her."
"I will. Thank you very, very much."
And the doctor then proceeded to the stairs where he departed.
Claude opened the door to the bedchamber and stepped inside.
Esme did not look at him as he carefully approached her. She sat on the chair the doctor had placed her on, fully clothed now, keeping her gaze on the ground.
"Good evening." He said quietly.
Still, Esme remained silent.
"I…I wanted to say that I am sorry for what happened to you. He has been locked away in prison and shall be executed tomorrow." He whispered.
Esme raised her head to briefly glance at his face. It was paler than she remembered.
He sat down on the chair opposite to her and looked at her for a moment.
Her eyes were stained red at the edges from crying so profusely.
A stab of pain hit him again at her haggard look of despair. He wanted to take her into his arms, stroke her raven hair and tell her over and over again that everything would be okay.
"Thank you." She whispered so softly that it was almost inaudible.
An ache in his legs flared up slightly as she spoke to him.
"Esme, I want you to know I have never, nor will I ever have the intentions of hurting you that way. To hurt you, even in the slightest way, would haunt me forever, never giving me a moments peace." He looked down at the floor as a tear ran down his pallid cheek. That bastard Phoebus deserved to be tortured for what he did to her. He would see to it that he was given the most unpleasant torture before he was hung.
"Thank you." She said again. Esme knew he spoke the truth. It was obvious in his eyes. Speaking of which, was that a tear she saw running from one of them? Se felt bad, even though it was not her fault.
Silently, without him hearing, she stood up, walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his body. She did not know why she did this. It just seemed like the apposite thing to do. And oddly enough, despite her original views of this man, she found herself enjoying it. She liked the warmth that radiated off his body sending heat throughout her.
Claude was taken aback. She was hugging him. Her scent entered his nose and he automatically leaned into her.
He then stood up so he could fully participate in the embracement. He just had to remember to be gentle with her.
The feeling of his velvety robes against her body made her feel safe. She felt that he was her protector, her savior. The one she could trust without having a single doubt. The feeling was amazing.
Esme suddenly felt that these feelings for him were coursing through her with incredible speed. Her heart began pounding furiously as he hugged her to him.
"Claude," She addressed him by his first name for the first time, "I…" But instead of finishing her sentence she kissed him.
His lips were confused at first, but soon after gave up all resistance. He pushed himself to her to make the kiss longer and deeper.
Gently now. He reminded himself.
Esme pulled away and smiled at the bewildered expression placed upon Claude's face.
"Claude, I…I like you a lot." Although she felt the use of the word "like" was a little too mellow. She needed something like, "Passion,", or "desire', or "love".
That was when it hit her. Esme loved him. And he loved her. Whoa. She suddenly felt slightly light headed at this conclusion she had come to. She LOVED him. It was as if inside of her was the burning of one thousand suns all scorching away bad memory that plagued her mind.
All the pieces were coming together: how he had looked at her for the first time… How it had seemed destined for him to find her. So destined, that he was willing to burn down Paris for her. His love ran that deep.
She smiled at him when a broad smile stretched across his face. He did not even think to question her about it. He just accepted it as soon as she had said it to him.
Esme brought their lips back together, becoming more physical. He put his arms around her waist, his hand trailing down her back.
She ran her fingers through his silky hair.
He let out a half suppressed moan in response to her touch all over his body.
After a while, they pulled away.
"Wow." Claude breathed looking into Esme's eyes. "Do you really…really like me this way?" He asked trying not to make it sound like an accusation.
"I really do. I mean, you saved me. You saved my life. I…" She trailed of blushing.
"I feel as if you are the one who is saving me now. Hearing you say that to me is like removing the heaviest weight in the world from my shoulders. I am no longer in danger of being crushed… I cannot even explain… Thank you so much." He closed his eyes and sighed sadly.
It was silent for a few moments.
"Would you… I mean…"
"What is it Esme?" He asked opening his eyes to look at her.
"Could I…try something…new with you?" She was not sure why all of a sudden she felt an impulse to become physical with him, but she decided that she simply did not care.
At first, Claude was taken off guard by her question.
"New as in…"
"Well, I cannot really explain it with words…"
"Oh…" He replied becoming both nervous and excited for whatever it was she wanted to show him.
"Can I show you?" She asked reading the fear and nerves on his countenance.
"Um…sure…go ahead."
Still seeing how nervous he was, she added, "I think you will like it. Just follow my lead."
Esme then kissed Claude again, a bit deeper than before.
Then, when she felt that she had him anticipating for a good amount of time, she very slowly and carefully slid her tongue into his mouth.
When she did this, Claude felt his face heat up with blush. And then, he felt guilty because he really did not know what to do next.
Esme pulled away when she sensed how nervous he still was.
"Claude, do not be nervous. Just do as I do."
He nodded, mustering up some courage together.
She slid her tongue back into his mouth and began massaging his.
Carefully at first, he put his tongue in her mouth and copied-or tried to-what she had done to him.
"Claude Frollo," She said addressing him with his full Christian name, "Your eyes say that you have no experience and yet you have such an impact on me."
"And they were not lying my sweet Esmeralda." He replied mimicking her name format.
She giggled.
Again the silence claimed the room.
"Could you…could you…do that…again?" He asked sheepishly.
"Of course."
Esme went and sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
At first it was just the normal passionate kiss. Esme knew by building suspense it made his anticipation levels increase profoundly…
While Esme was busy kissing him in all the right places, Claude was imagining things that he thought for sure would never become a reality. Here he was, kissing the girl that stalked his dreams. The girl that made him truly happy. Her she was kissing him because she wanted to. Not because she was being forced to. This was her decision on her own free will. He thought he might burst with happiness.
And Esme really did hold affection for him. She felt whole around him.
Claude was a fast learner. He was already good at teasing her sensitive spots. He made her want more and more of him.
He was busy kissing her when he realized he was no longer just kissing her lips. He was moving for her neck and throat.
Esme felt more in need of him for some reason and pushed him to the ground. She hungrily and intensely kissed him. She began introducing physical love to him that until that moment had been completely foreign to him. She nibbled at his lower lip and pressed herself into the flat plains of his body.
He felt himself losing control. She was making him delirious with want. He yearned for her. His hands began moving toward her chest, but he stopped himself remembering that they were not even married.
Esme was kissing his ear as a moan escaped him.
"Esme," He said in a strained voice, "I…can't…" He said in response to her pulling up his robe so that the only thing covering his lower half were his hosiery.
"You can't what…?" She asked between kisses.
"I can't…do this…right now…" He groaned.
Esme stopped and looked at him.
"What? Why…not?" She inquired giving him a look of disbelief. "I thought this was something you wanted?"
"I…" He was breathing quite heavily. "I do…believe me I do. I…I am just not married to you…"
"Oh… Well, I suppose I should have expected that…" She trailed off her mouth pulling into a small pout.
"Esme, my darling, do not fret. That factor can easily be fixed…if you would like…" He replied quietly. His voice leaked desire. It was not possessive at all. He just wanted her to know how wretchedly in love with her he was. He wanted so badly for her to return the feelings of love for him on the same level that he did. And it almost seemed like she did…
"I…do not…know…" She replied, burying her face in his robes. Did she want to be married to Claude? She knew she definitely wanted to physically love him in every way possible.
Bust she new he was a pious man. He would never abide to her wants of sex without being united in Holy Matrimony.
Then, out of the complete blue he asked, "Do you want me?" He was so blunt!
"Yes." She answered curtly. "Yes I do dear Judge. Do you want me?" She asked returning the question.
"Yes." (And the evidence of that was certainly all there). He paused. "But I do not want to be married for THAT reason alone. I want the building blocks of our marriage to be formed of thick concrete blocks of love for each other."
To her, he sounded so casual talking about a marriage with her. But really he was trying to restrain his yearn for the marriage to become a reality.
Esme just looked at him. Yes, she loved him, and she new that he loved her. It was obvious every time he looked towards her. It was obvious in every word he spoke. She knew he was ready to be married.
But was she ready? After all, she was only seventeen.
But now that she thought of it, when she looked at him her heart rate increased and she could feel her face light up with joy. She knew she was never going to want anyone else. Ever.
"Claude I love you." It was the first time she had ever spoken these words aloud.
He looked at her with pure adoration. "I love you Esme."
"Then let us get married." She said with confidence that was not one bit doubtful.
Claude's eyebrows rose.
"You mean it? You really want to get married to me?"
"I really want to." She put her hands on the side of his face. "I really want to. I, love, you."
He leaned in so their foreheads were touching.
"To know that you will be mine forever…"
"I never want you to look at another girl besides me." She interjected playfully.
He smiled down at her. "Esme, you are the only girl that has ever touched my heart the way you have. You are the only one I have ever loved. You are my only.
"I will never love anyone else except for you my love."
"Alright then. That is the only thing I need to hear." He quickly got up off the ground and reached into his pocket, revealing a small velvet box that Esme did not see.
"Let me do this properly." He knelt down on one knee and opened the box to divulge a large diamond and emerald ring.
"Esmeralda ? I love you, and will always love you every single day of our lives together. Will you please make me the happiest man on this planet and agree to be my wife?" His eyes burned to hers with an intensity that made her blush.
"Of course!" She bent down and threw her arms around him.
He slipped the ring on her third finger and smiled. Esme had gone from raped, in love with Frollo, and engaged to him all in a matter of hours. But not one bit did she feel like things were too rushed. Things were finally turning around for her.
"My fiancé." He said looking at the ring and her face. "My sweet, sweet fiancé." He caressed her cheek with his fingers.
For a moment they just gazed at each other. The green of her eyes sparkled like no other stars in the universe. His blue-grey eyes burned with passion.
"I-I should probably alert the servants and the church to have everything ready." He said at last. "The wedding should take place in a week."
Esme's face fell. "We have to wait that long?" She asked, saddened by the idea.
"Your impatience flatters me. My dear, I would marry you right NOW if I could. But preparations must be made."
"Oh, I understand." She nodded glumly.
Claude bent down to kiss her one last time before standing fully erect.
"Let us go." He took her hand in his and departed out the door.
A/N: This chapter was really awesome to write I think. Hooray! Esme is finally going to marry Frollo! And Phoebus will definitely not be there to spoil their special day. Please leave reviews!
