His words melted her heart to the point where she felt obligated and she wanted to kiss back. She did want to kiss back the other times but fear had been holding her, restraining her. She wrapped her arms around his lower back carefully as not to hurt him anymore than what he already was before deepening the kiss. She backed away, a deep blush on her cheeks but her eyes dull, lacking the usual spirit they had in them. She was tired, worried still, fearful of something that might not even exist.
Frollo smiled. And still with his eyes closed, he breathed a sigh of relief. As if the whole universe were now in order and not a single problem existed to be solved.
Slowly opening his eyes, he stretched out his hand and said, "Can you at least stay closer to me?" When he takes a step toward the girl a paper falls out of his pants pocket. Flying to the girl's feet. Frollo sees and immediately tries to catch.
She gave him a slight smile and nodded. She knelt down to the paper and picked it up, not looking at it, seeing that he wanted it back. She handed it to him silently, placing it in his hand before taking his other hand, intertwining their fingers. She leaned against his chest and sighed. "I love you," she mumbled into his neck.
Frollo took the paper with gratitude that she had not looked. Feeling the girl's warm embrace and breath on his chest made him even more nervous. His knees began to shake and he feared he could not stand for long. And then she said the words. The words he had never said to her. And she had said so many times. He wanted to say so bad too, but he had a huge mixture of fear, shame and shyness preventing him. Then he took the decision.
"You always say that thing. It seems so easy! But despite what I feel, I've never ... never had the guts to talk too. I'm a coward." Frollo was extremely red and opening the paper with trembling hands he said: In my alcoholic stupidity I felt guilty for my inability to speak and I thought I could write it. But I ended up writing a lot of words minus these three. It's not very good... I think. I'm not a poet but, I tried." Looking expectantly Frollo waited for the girl's reply.
She looked down at the paper and felt him shake. She looked up at him and blushed a deep red at what he was admitting. "I can't read. You'll have to read it to me," she whispered. "I did pay attention but I'm not… Fluent, I suppose. I wouldn't know the word for it," she mumbled, embarrassed.
"I hate being so low beneath you, you know," she sighed. "Since we're admitting things. You somehow always make me feel lower than you. And I try to become equal but it never works. Every time I tried… It never works… And I'm so sorry."
Frollo did not quite understand the girl's words. But he liked it anyway. And he answered: "I like this new word. 'Sorry' I think I can try to use it once in a while." Smiling and too nervous to stand Frollo sits down carrying Esmeralda by the hand. So that she would sit on his side.
Without the courage to look at the girl he reads his little poem while holding her hand:
"I know and you know, since life wanted to./ That nothing in this world will take you away from me./ I know and you know that distance does not exist./ That all great love is only too great if it is sad./ Therefore, my dear, do not be afraid to suffer./ For all the ways lead me to you./ Just as the ocean is only beautiful with the moonlight./ Just as the song is only right if you sing./ Just as a cloud only happens if it rains./ Just as living without love is not living./ There is no you without me, I do not exist without you."
His knees went up and down quickly, with anxiety.
"Well, don't get used to it," she whispered and looked down, blushing a deeper red. "Because I'm not gonna say it anymore. Don't you dare think I will," she teased and kissed his cheek, resting her head on his shoulder.
She closed her eyes and just listened to his voice, to what he was saying and she loved it. She couldn't help the blush that seemed to get deeper as every sentence, every word, every syllable passed. She pulled her cloak close to her, pulling the hood over her head in an attempt to hide her blush. "I love it," she mumbled. "I do…"
Frollo replies: "Ah. Glad you liked it. I just needed four days to do it! It was very easy! Maybe I can be a poet now that I'm probably an unemployed." With a awkward laugh, Frollo tightens the girl's hand even more but keeps looking forward. Too embarrassed by the situation. All he wanted was a shirt. When looking at the girl he sees that she was trying to hide her face. With his hand he raises the girl's face to see her green eyes and approaches to kiss her again.
"But what is this? This is the house of God!" The old priest said as he entered the bell tower, seeing the minister of justice and the gypsy hand in hand together as a couple.
Esmeralda backed away and stood, pulling her cloak closer as she let go of Claude's hand, pulling the cloak over her head once again, more than embarrassed. She whispered a quick apology and settled back into the corner.
With his hand on his face the priest speaks: "Sincerely... Frollo. I didn't expect that. After the show you gave yesterday I thought you were trying to kill each other by now. But by the way, the two are getting along just fine. If you are well enough for this then you are well enough to go to your Palace. Captain phoebus is in the back door with your carriage. You need to face the real world now, Frollo. Clean up the dirt you've done. Regret. And ask for forgiveness."
With that the priest leaves the two alone.
Frollo looks at the girl and asks: "I do not know if I can do it alone." He stands up and gathers the little bit of courage he has, and offer his hand to the girl:"Are you coming with me?"
She looked up at him and took his hand, standing up. She looked over at Quasimodo and approached him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered to the hunchback who smiled and nodded in return.
Esmeralda then turned and left with Claude. They entered the carriage and she leaned against him, exhaustion taking over as she began to fall asleep despite the short ride to the Palace. She was exhausted. Even that was an understatement. "How are you gonna fix this?" She inquired I
"With money. With lots of money." He said placidly. "I'll pay for everything I've destroyed. Build bigger, nicer homes. If they kill me they will have their revenge but they will be homeless, if I live they will have money." Frollo finishes his sentence picking up a chest full of precious stones that was hidden under his bed. After thinking a little, he takes a handful of stones and saves the chest with the rest of the stones. "For everything there is a way." Putting in a bag he leaves the room and gives it to a soldier. And says: "Here it is. Tell captain phoebus that I will not behead him for treason if he can persuade everyone."
Returning to the room he turns to the girl and says: "Now if in the next few months I do not receive any letter from the king. It's because everything worked out. If I receive the king's letter it's because I got fired. But that's okay, I'm rich!" Frollo grinned genuinely thinking that this was the best part of him. His wealth.
Putting both hands on his waist with proud he finally forgot to cover his chest. Clearly displaying his athletic physique, the few silvery hairs on his chest and some thin old scars on his arms and chest.
She looked up at him, her eyes tired as he explained it all. She bit her lower lip at the mention of his wealth and the pride he took of it. "Is that all you care about?" She inquired softly. "Wealth? Money? You seem so proud of having this that…" she trailed off and dipped her head.
She became quiet, having said far too much already. That was all. And that was how she remained. She saw that his posture didn't change but she truly wasn't interested in it. He might be handsome, might have a well built body but if that's what all he thought was great about him, there was a problem.
Frollo was nervous. He was not sure which step to take now. Then he just kept talking: "Oh no... I do not care about that, actually I'm just rich because of that fact. The other judges spend their salary with clothes, jewelry, women, houses, farms, livestock, etc. I chose to live to serve God so basically I have no house... Not a good actually. I live and eat for free in the Palace. The only clothes I have are my uniforms. Without a family I did not have many expenses, when I realized I had put together a small fortune." He spoke as he walked in circles so as not to stare at the girl. As hard as he tried it was hard not to think how sensual and embarrassing it was to see her in his bed.
She merely nodded, just sitting on the bed. She slumped forward, beginning to fall asleep, her arms still stained with blood that made her sick every time she looked at it, the reminder that it was his blood.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Frollo is startled by the noise of some knocking on the door. Before he could answer Madame Ethienne opens the door. Behind her two young maids holding towels, clothes and hot water.
When the two young girls see the naked chest of the minister, they immediately turn their faces so as not to see, a bit ashamed they looked at Madame Ethienne.
Frollo quickly covered his chest with his arms, embarrassed by so many feminine glances over him.
The old lady says: Oh! Master Frollo! We did not know that the young lady was in your quarters. But that's better, girls you already know what to do. Master Frollo, come with me, your bath is ready. I took the liberty of using some herbs for your wounds.
Pulling the tall man by the arm she led him to the door, even though he was very reluctant: "You old witch! Stop it! You do not have to wash me, I'm an adult! An old adult!"
The two young women were holding their shy giggles as they passed them. Frollo turned to Esmeralda and said as he left the room dragged by the old lady: "Please. Wait for me. I beg you."
"Oh! You will be in the next room bathing! You are not going to war! C'mon C'mon!" Finally closing the door leaving Esmeralda with the two girls.
One of them, with red hair and agata eyes, said: "Is it true he's in love with you ?!I can not imagine the master kissing anyone! Does he have soft hands?"
The other maid was shocked and immediately replies: "How dare you ask that! Do you want to lose your job ?! Turning to the Esmeralda, the dark haired woman says, "Forgive me, madam. She's new here. And she likes, love stories more than she should."
Esmeralda watched the scene and laughed at Ethienne and Claude going back and forth, not being able to help it. She smirked and looked over at the first maid, her face turning a deep red at her questions, relieved that the other maid piped it. "It's alright," she whispered and smirked. "It's a rather strange love story to say the least…" She rubbed the back of her neck and looked at her arms, sighing. "What are your names?" She now inquired, looking at the first maid's red hair.
"Oh, it's so good to be in love!" Again the maid of dark hair interrupts the girl's daydream and responds to the gypsy. "Her name is Agatha and I am will serve you in your stay in the palace of justice. Please, if you need anything, just call us."
Agata then calms down and adds. "I brought you a dress for you to wear while we wash your 's mine but I almost do not use it because it's a bit old. I hope you do not mind, despite being old is celan and very sell very good! That lavender color, suits you! "
She finished smiling innocently as she showed the dress. Which was far more modest than the clothes the gypsy wore. With long sleeves and a much more demure neckline.
She looked at the dress and grimaced, shaking her head. She was comfortable in her own clothes and she didn't feel like changing. Then again… She sighed and nodded before carefully taking the dress. "Thank you," she whispered to her. "It's nice to meet both of you," she nodded once more.
She looked over the dress and looked at her own clothes, a deep blush forming. "Is there a room I could change into this or…?" She began, now refusing to look at either of them.
"What do you mean, my lady? We'll wash you. Let's help you get dressed and then straighten your hair. Would you like braids or something different?" Agnes asked humbly.
"Wait, wait, wait. You're gonna wash me? I can do that myself. I can't dress myself. I'm perfectly capable."
"We do not doubt that, madam. But we're here to serve you." Said Agnes.
Seeing that the gypsy was embarrassed Agata says: "Agnes! She is shy!" Turning to the gypsy, the red maid says: "Its fine! Why do not you start to bath and I wash your back for you at least? No one can do this part alone. And your hair is so beautiful and long! I would love to make a pretty braid on the side just to spruce it up, it would be a sin to hold your whole hair in a braid! What do you think? I'll open the folding screen for you to wash in privacy."
Meanwhile Frollo was muttering and reluctantly accepting the herb bath in the small wooden tub. The bath was already running out and the old lady was going to give privacy to the minister to dry. But before that, she speaks: "Master Frollo. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to say something. I'm amazingly happy that God has given you a light for your life. I feel that now I can die in peace knowing that someone will be by your side. But remember birds need freedom to fly and sing. Otherwise they will fade."
Frollo narrowed his eyes and said, "But what are you talking about, woman?"
With a sigh, the old lady throws a towel over Frollo's head. "Dry yourself and dress. I separated a thin cotton shirt. It will allow your wounds to dry without becoming muffled. Excuse me."
The old woman leaves the room and goes to the room where the gypsy Esmeralda is, leaving the angry and confused minister with a towel stroke that he got in his head.
Esmeralda looked over at the three maids now, feeling herself become smaller and shyer. She said nothing and pulled her cloak closer to her. "I… Are you positive this is necessary? I mean…" She began. "I mean, what's the point? I can wash myself and I can certainly…" She sighed. "Fine. I suppose." She cleared her throat "But I don't want to be of any trouble. I don't want to be a nuisance. If I can do something myself, I will."
"Oh! You're really a lovely girl! You don't give a trouble! This palace is empty! All the judges live in their homes master Frollo is the only one who lives here. In fact today will be the first time in many years that I will cook for more people. I hope you enjoy. But I came here to see if you've finished washing yourself but apparently you're still covered up in blood."