(Disclaimer: I do not own A Monster In Paris; just Madeleine.)
(Authors Note: Hello dear readers/fellow writers, I'm delighted to be presenting another (long) chapter for all of you to enjoy and I hope my story has brought smiles to your faces at some point or another :) Regardless, I'll be sure to post again soon, but until then stay safe and stay awesome!)
"Speaking"
"Singing"
Chapter 10
During the next three weeks, Madeleine and Francœur grew rather close to where they were practically attached at the hip during their off time. He'd practice and perform on stage with Lucille, but when he wasn't, he'd visit Madeleine and read with her or listen to her play the violin. Sometimes they'd play music together, and other times they'd actually sing together and perform for Lucille and Carlotta.
Since meeting Francœur, Madeleine had slowly started to blossom into the rose she was before her unfortunate accident. She even decided to take a chance and sing on stage for tonight's first performance, which was not only a huge step towards her mental recovery, but a relief for both her Aunt and her cousin.
Lucille and Carlotta had obviously been devastated to learn of her fate when she was injured, but they were also disheartened to hear that she had refused to set foot on stage again because of how people might see her. For nearly two years she sang in the shadows, afraid to step out into the light, but now she was ready to step out of the darkness and let her voice be heard once more.
At the moment, she was inside her dressing room, applying the last of her makeup. A smile lined the young woman's face as she looked herself over in the mirror, feeling more beautiful than she had in nearly two years. Her lips were lightly colored to enhance their natural tone and beauty while her cheeks were slightly dusted with rogue. Her strawberry blonde hair was now styled in an elegant updo and topped with a single red rose tucked behind her left ear. Attire wise, she wore a silver and gold lace masquerade mask, a pair of gold bracelets and earrings, and a full length evening gown that was red in color and embroidered with silver and gold lace and matching beads lining the torso and train. Unlike Lucille's signature white beaded gown, hers was sleeveless and had a V-neck design, which exposed the scars along her left arm, collar, and side of her neck.
Despite her scars, Madeleine looked and felt beautiful. And it was all thanks to her family and Francœur: they gave her the confidence she needed to break free of the chains that held her back from doing the things she loved. Without them, she wouldn't have had the courage to offer to perform tonight.
*knock, knock, knock*
"It's just me," Carlotta's voice sounded from the other side of the door, to which Madeleine smiled as she applied some rose oil behind her ears.
"Come in."
Upon entering, a bright smile lined the older woman's face at seeing her niece all dolled up. "Oh my stars.. Maddie, you look so beautiful!"
"You really think so?"
"Of course I do. And I know a certain someone will agree with me once he sees you," she winked, causing her to blush.
She knew she was referring to Francœur, for he had been by her side throughout this whole transition from singing behind closed doors, to now preparing to step onto the stage once more. He was very patient and never gave her a reason to doubt her skills, but rather, he helped her to further hone and perfect them. Yes, Lucille and Carlotta were a great help as well, but Francœur understood the adversities she faced as he too understood the hardships of trying to blend into society. He was one of the few people outside of her family to have seen her scars, and not once did he give her a reason to hide them away. Of course, she still did while among the public. But when it was just the two of them together, she allowed him to see her for who she was, and he in turn, did the same.
Glancing up at her Aunt, Madeleine asked, "Is he out front?"
"Indeed he is," Carlotta curtly nodded with a smile. "Now, you best be making your way onstage because you're on in two minutes."
At that, she stood up from her vanity before heading out the door with her Aunt venturing back to the front of the cabaret to announce her performance. As requested, Lucille and Francœur were sitting at the best table alongside Raoul, Emile, Maud, and Charles, who were all invited to attend the occasion.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to present you all with a beautiful new talent. Please give a warm welcome to our newest singer, Madeleine, The Rose of Poitiers."
There was applause from the audience as the curtain was drawn to reveal a stunning young woman in a red dress. At the sight of Madeleine, Francœur gasped at how radiant and beautiful she looked. Of course, she was always beautiful to him. As he gazed upon her from where he was seated, her sapphire eyes suddenly met his yellow-red ones, to which she gave him a warm smile before facing out towards the audience. With a confident sigh, she began to sing as the band began to play:
"No, nothing at all
No, I regret nothing
Not the good things people have done for me
Nor the bad, it's all the same to me
No, nothing at all
No, I regret nothing
It's paid for, wiped away, forgotten..
I don't care about the past..
With all my memories I lit up the fire
My troubles, my pleasures
I don't need them anymore
Broomed away my love stories
And their troubles
Broomed away for good
I'll start again from zero
No, nothing at all
No, I regret nothing
Not the good things people have done for me
Nor the bad, it's all the same to me
No, nothing at all
No, I regret nothing
Because my life, my joys..
Today they begin with you"
Upon finishing her song, the entire cabaret erupted in applause, to which Madeleine gave a bow as the curtains closed.
(Another Authors Note. The song Madeleine sang is titled: Non, je ne regrette rien (No, I Don't Regret Anything), and was written and performed by Édith Piaf. I chose this song for her to sing because of its powerful message and relation to my character. Also, I opted to translate it from French to English to make it easier for most of you reading my story. If I translated incorrectly, I apologize (French is obviously not my first language). I'm also aware that this story is supposed to be based in the early 1900's and her song came out in 1956, but this is fan fiction, not history :) Thanks again for reading my story and remember to keep being awesome!)
