Disclaimer: I only own my OC and her animal companion.

Chapter 3

As the words spilled from Sapphira's mouth everyone was captivated by her sweet voice. It seemed to compliment her angelic physique even more. When her song concluded there was a moment of silence before the deafening sound of applause and cheering was all that could be heard within the public square along with chanting " The Angel" and the young gypsy girl's felt so bashful by their appritiation that her cheeks turned a dark shade of pink as she curtsied. She left the stage to join her sister and their two animal companions, hers being a small Capuchin monkey named Moshi, at the bottom of the steps waiting to greet her. After receiving a loving hug from her sister and congratulations from all of their friends they disappeared behind the caravans that were parked nearby to await their next task in the festival.

It was now Clopin's turn to take the stage. He dawned his grey cloak to reveal he was wearing a fool's costume and a hat with little bells on it. He riled up the crowd laughter by frolicking about then made some rude and silly gestures.

"Citizen, fellow gypsies the time has come, the moment is here...for us...to choose our King!" he said as he pulled a makeshift sceptre from his belt.

The crowd cheered with excitement.

"The King of the Fools! So don't forget, it's the ugliest face that wins the crown, alright so men, women come on up, come on up" and as he spoke a line started to form on stage of both men and women wanting to take part in the contest.

"If your face is gruesome, grotesque or just plain grizzly, bring it up" he continued as he frolicked about on stage again whilst the crowd clapped as more contestance lined up.

"If your face is revolting, repulsive, lets have a look at it" as he spoke he let down a tarp that was painted with a King's image except the face was cut out.

"If your face is like the ass end of a donkey..." he joked making the crowd laugh.

"Lets have a laugh! Men, women, the ugliest face. Will it be this one?" he pointed at the first contestance stepped up..

An elderly woman with a face riddled with spots and a few missing teeth stuck her head through the hole in the tarp and laughed as she showed off her face to the crowd.

One by one men and woman stepped up to show off their faces to the crowd in hopes of winning the honour as being crowned King of Fools. Even though it was a good laugh at seeing all the contestance gruesome features on display nobody really seemed to be ugly enough. That is until Clopin turned around and noticed movement behind a wheel of a wagon that was left abandoned nearby. The figure that was hiding moved his face to the left slightly to show a distorted eye which surprised Clopin.

"Good God" he said as he made his way to the other side of the stage to get a better look at the figure.

"You man! Come here!" he called out which got the attention of a few pedestrians standing nearby but didn't seem to entice the figure to come closer.

"Now don't you wannabe famous aye?! Of course you do! Bring him up ! Bring him up!" the figure made an attempt to flee but was soon dragged towards the stage by a few pedestrians. Whilst they brought the man on stage Clopin got the crowds attention with a high pitched whistle.

"Citizens the contest is over!" he said as the figure was dragged behind the tarp. The crowd to 'ohh' and 'ahh' with anticipation as the figure disappeared behind the tarp.

"Here is your King! You Fools!" and seconds later the figures face was pushed through the opening to reveal the disfigured face of Quasimodo.

The sight of the hunchback's face shocked everyone.

"It's the bell ringer!" exclaimed one man in the crowd.

"It's Quasimodo!" said a second man's voice.

"It's The Hunchback!" said the first man's voice.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" said the woman in the red dress.

Quasimodo was confused by it all and didn't move an inch as the crowd gawped and laughed at him.

"Yeah make him the King!" said the woman with laugher.

The crowd clapped and cheered as Clopin pulled the cord that brought the tarp back up to where it was to reveal Quasimodo, hunchback and all. The cheers soon died down enough for Clopin to speak, addressing Quasimodo.

"Well Quasimodo. You're always up in your bell tower. We knew he was ugly but we didn't know he was this ugly" he went back and forth addressing Quasimodo and the crowd before directing his full attention on Quasimodo pointing his hand at his face.

Quasimodo made an attempt at biting Clopin's fingers in retliation but the Gypsy King moved his hand away just in time.

"Whoa old friend you win the contest, you understand? We want you to be the King of the Fools!" exclaimed Clopin with enthusiasm.

Quasimodo did not respond to Clopin and just stood the little stool staring at him.

"So what do you say...what's the matter can't-can't you speak?" he asked

"He's deaf, the bells have made him deaf!" exclaimed the woman in red

"Deaf and Dumb!" said a male voice in the crowd.

"Then he should be King of France!" joked Clopin which sent the crowd into laughter as he pointed towards the King sitting in his Royal box watching the festivities nearby.

The crowd began to clap their hands repeatedly whilst chanting "The Crown" and as the crowd grew louder Quasimodo thought he would try to make a quick get away since he was still confused as to what was going on and wanted to leave. He didn't get very far when he was stopped by a group of dwarfed men.

"Esmeralda! Sapphira! The Crown!" exclaimed Clopin as he clapped his hands with the rest of the crowd. The two dancing girls reappeared at the bottom of the steps before making their way back on stage. In Esmeralda's hand was the Crown of the King of Fools which she was tasked to bestow upon the winner and as for Sapphira, well her purpose is yet to be revealed.

The girls turned to look upon the winner of the contest and were met by the sight of the deformed bell ringer. His appearance shocked Esmeralda so much she had to take a step back which in turn caused Sapphira to step back since she was right behind her., She too found Quasimodo's appearance rather shocking but seeing how afriad he was of her sister's reaction made her feel pity forhim.

"Oh come on Esmeralda, there isn't a man in Paris who wouldn't accept a death sentence if it was delivered by yours and Sapphira's hand. Go on" said Clopin in a teasing manner then offered the older gypsy girl a little encouragment tocarry on with her task but her fear stopped her from doing so.

Suddenly a soft voice spoke from behind her.

"Allow me, sister" it was Sapphira who spokeas she came from behind her sister, taking the make shift crown from her hands and approached Quasimodo slowly.

As she took one step forward Quasimodo took a step back, this carried on for a couple of steps before Sapphira got close enough to Quasimodo to be able to lift the crown above his head. Her actions surprised himas he jerked his head upwards to see the crown being held above his head. The young woman stopped for a moment to show she meant him no harm before lowering the crown onto his head. As Sapphira pulled her hands away her left one gently brushed against Quasimodo's cheek which. He placed his hand where he had felt her brief touch and he tried to speak but the words wouldn't come. His innocents make Sapphira's pity for him turn to compassion and as a gesture she got down to his level, tookhis face in her hands and gently placed a soft kiss on his forhead.

Her actions surprised all who had witnessed this. Quasimodo was in disbelief as he watch the beautiful gypsy girl kissed him like no other woman would ever think of doing. The crowd, Clopin and Esmeralda were too in disbelief at what Sapphira was doing, some even felt admiration for the young woman for they knew only an angel would dare grant a wretch like Quasimodo something so sweet as a kiss.

Well here is Chapter 3. I hope you all enjoyed it and if you have please leave a Comment and Follow the story.

See you in the next chapter : )