CHAPTER 14 - Eugene

- What do you want to talk about? - Andre was slightly irritated.

- What's going on, Andre? - Rosalie asked resentfully - Are you avoiding me? You don't have time for me at all!

- I have a lot of work to do, Rosalie - the man tried to disentangle from the situation.

- I see it - she pursed her lips gracefully, and seeing it, Andre couldn't help but smile. Even so, she was still very cute and appealing. - Your main activity is accompanying Mademoiselle Oscar. Is that part of your job too?

- Of course - Andre lied - I'm a servant here, Rosalie, just like you.

- Jerome says.. - she began a little hesitantly - that you are calling Mademoiselle by name. And she do the same. Is it true?

„Damn Jerome - thought Andre - Why does he have to meddle in someone else's business?".

- Yes, it's true, Rosalie. We became friends - he said, and the girl stared at him in astonishment - But you sound like you're jealous! - he added boldly.

- I am, maybe.. - she folded her hands over her chest.

She looked really beautiful in that blue dress and with flowers in her hair. Suddenly, this most common-sense part of Andre's mind told him not to burn the bridges. Because that girl in front of him may be one day the only hope of escaping from a feeling that should have never arisen.

- Shall we dance, Rosalie? - he sent her a smile and held out his hand. She gave her hand to him, her eyes sparkling with joy and hope.

While dancing with Rosalie, he kept looking around for Oscar. Of course, she was gone. He could have guessed at once that she would do that. She was not the type of woman who needed male help. And maybe that was what attracted him as much as her beauty. She was strong. And at the same time fragile, like a moment ago.. Maybe he should follow her anyway.. But did it really make sense?

„And what am I going to do? - he thought – Will I knock on her door asking for forgiveness? Will I be standing and staring at her windows? Nothing for me there.."

So he decided to stay a little longer, especially since he saw a familiar face in the crowd. As soon as he finished the next three dances, he went in that direction.

- Eugene! - he exclaimed happily, squeezing the hand of a tall, elegant man.

- Hello, my dear friend! - Baron de Valory replied.

- What are you doing here? - Andre asked with surprise in his voice - I thought you were on a mission!

- I got back two days ago. But I haven't had a moment to leave home yet. Marguerite wanted me to stay with her and the kids for a while - Eugene laughed.

- I'm not surprised at all - replied Andre - How are Anne and little Eugene?

- They're growing fast! - the proud father smiled - It's hard to believe that this little bandit, my son, has just turned one year! And Anne is a beautiful two-year-old girl.

- Marguerite must be happy you're finally here.

- Of course - said Eugene ironically - But you know what women are like. Constant complaining. She knows it's my job, but she's dissatisfied anyway - he laughed, but quickly added - But speaking of women.. Your partner from the last dances is very beautiful. Is this the one you told me about?

- Yes, it's her, Rosalie - Andre glanced discreetly at the girl standing nearby.

- You were not exaggerating at all, my dear friend! - Eugene slapped him hard on the back - When can I expect you to join me in the sufferings of a married man? - he laughed, but seeing that Andre's face was blurred, he stopped laughing and looked at him curiously.

- I really don't know, Eugene - the other replied, his eyes wandering behind.

- Does your hesitation have something to do with the blonde-haired lady soldier? - he asked innocently.

Andre stared at him, eyes wide in surprise.

- How... - he began, but his interlocutor interrupted him.

- Andre, how long do we know each other? Almost twenty years, right? I have seen a few of your love stories in the meantime. You even more of mine - he laughed again - You can trick others, but not me. I have been here for almost thirty minutes and I could see the way you look at her.

- It doesn't matter, Eugene - Andre replied bitterly.

- And here you are absolutely right, my dear friend! - he replied - It doesn't matter, because, you see, this is not a woman for you. And I hope you are fully aware of it.

Andre clenched his hands into fists, but he knew the other was right.

- I met her once in Versailles Palace, you know, that is why I recognised her easily now. She seemed cold and inaccessible. She is also very strict with her soldiers. Although I admit that hardly any woman can boast of such beauty. What a waste to see her in uniform, instead of a dress! - Eugene continued, and Andre snorted in return angrily – Don't tell me you did not think about it? - the man laughed again.

- No, I didn't - Andre replied slightly irritated.

- Andre, then you must have imagined her completely without any clothes! - Eugene was laughing with all his might.

Andre looked at him furiously and wanted to hit him. This friend of his was just unbearable today.

- Come on, let's take a walk - Eugene said suddenly, and put a hand on his shoulder.

They walked off towards one of the less crowded streets.

- Andre, what is going on? - asked the man after a while, with great concern - Don't tell me there is something between you two?

- There is nothing - the man replied voicelessly - We became friends, nothing more.

- Oh my good God! - Eugene exclaimed in relief - I thought you had done something stupid! Especially seeing her face when you went away with that poor girl.

- What are you talking about, Eugene? - Andre gripped his arm violently

- Andre.. - the man replied slowly, seeing his blurry eyes - You know who she is. And who her father is. But you act like you were born yesterday. What about your golden rules?

- You don't have to worry about me, Eugene - his friend replied - I remember every rule. But it doesn't mean it's easy for me. So please do not moralize me, because I'm well aware of my situation. I didn't even touch her.

- And I hope it stays that way, Andre - the man was saying now in a serious voice - No matter what you want or what she wants. You would get her into trouble, and also yourself. Think about it and be reasonable.

Andre nodded but didn't reply.

- What a fuss! - Eugene sighed, running his hand over his forehead - Everyone has always believed that of the two of us, you are the more mature. When did this story begin?

- I already told you. Nothing began. I had met her last November in Paris, now she came here. We became friends and that's all. She's leaving soon, so don't worry.

- I will stop worrying when she leaves, and you won't take those men's clothes off her sooner - Eugene laughed again.

- You're a bastard, Eugene! - Andre hissed, but smiled. This rascal friend of his knew him better than anyone else.

- Let's go have a drink, my friend! - Eugene slapped him on the back with all his might - We have to drown in wine this blonde disappointment of yours.

Andre came home in the middle of the night, completely drunk. „Good thing the horse knows the way" - he thought later. All because of Eugene, who took it as an honor to knock a crush called Oscar out of friend's head. However, the awareness of one's hopeless situation, drenched in alcohol, only deepened the melancholy. Additionally, realizing the inevitability of the parting was totally unbearable. Of course, Paris was not the end of the world and he could just come and see her, but he knew it was not a good idea. Better for both of them that this story would end now. When he was still strong enough.