Getting to see Quasimodo again was one of the highlights of her release.
The first day they reunited, the young man could hardly contain his enthusiasm. He hugged her so tightly she almost couldn't breathe. But it was comforting, and a genuine smile showed up in Esmeralda's face.
- My dear friend – she said, pulling away so she could see his face – How have you been?
- You know, same as always – he answered lightly. - But how are you? Are you alright?
- I'm good. - she lied, though being back at Quasimodo's place with him made it less of a lie.
- Come! - he invited her in, walking towards the main table – Are you hungry? Thirsty?- he asked, eager to make her comfortable. He wasn't used to having any guests in his home.
Esmeralda laughed at his kind disposition.
- I'm fine, really, thank you. - she reassured him, and they both smiled with complicity.
So they sat down at the outside corridor, with their backs to the stone wall of the cathedral, that was warmed by the morning sun. The air was cool up there, but there was no wind so they closed their eyes and soaked in the sunlight. Esmeralda breathed in the silence and peace of the place. She felt like she could relax from the first time since she had left the Palace. And it was nice that Quasimodo wasn't bombarding her with questions like everyone else had done at the Court of Miracles. Maybe it was because he was used to the silence, and comfortable with it. Or maybe his deep sensitivity allowed him to understand that she might still be adjusting. Anyhow, it was really nice to be able to just… be there, with him.
- I could get used to this. - she confessed, still with her eyes closed and her head leaning into the wall behind.
- You know you can come here anytime you want. - he replied excited.
- At least once a day. - she pointed out, and though she meant it to sound promising, she wasn't able to prevent some bitterness to slip into her tone. She heard Quasimodo moving by her side, turning towards her. She opened her eyes, to find his face tainted with concern.
- I thought you would be happy about that. - he said carefully, though Esmeralda could hear the concealed hurt in his words.
- I am. - she assured him, placing her hand over his. - Of course I'm happy I'll get to see you everyday. I just wish it were under different circumstances... I don't like being told what to do. - she explained.
Quasimodo looked puzzled.
- Wasn't it a mutual agreement? - he asked, tilting his head.
Esmeralda narrowed her eyes, not sure what to say next. She didn't know what Frollo might have told him, and she didn't want to reveal any unnecessary details.
- What exactly did he tell you? - she inquired finally.
- He came here yesterday at dawn. I was very surprised to see him so soon, so I got worried. But he just said that you both had decided to change the terms of your agreement, and that from now on, you would be coming here once a day so I could see you were … - he hesitated.
- I was what?
- Trustworthy. - he answered looking down in embarrassment, before quickly adding – Not that I don't trust you!
- I know, it's okay. - she promptly reassured him. - You see, that's what I meant before. I don't want our moments together to be tainted by some kind of twisted test Frollo has placed over me.
- I see...- Quasimodo replied, thoughtful. - I'd just assumed you had offered to do that, the same way you offered to stay at the palace as proof of your honest intention.
- What!? - Esmeralda snapped, her eyes wide open. Quasimodo was startled and looked at her in confusion.
- What? - he asked, lost.
But Esmeralda was at a loss of words. How could have Frollo told him that she had offered to stay at the palace? But again, what did she expect? That way of twisting reality's narrative to his own benefice was his signature mark. This way, he wouldn't look like the plotting bastard he was, but instead, he would appear to be a merciful understanding man, willing to accept her offer in good faith. Her previous anger towards the judge was instantly doubled.
She opened her mouth to set the story straight, but something else stopped her. Her pride. In Frollo's version, she had been the one in control of her actions and destiny. She was the brave heroine that had voluntarily offered to trade herself for the safety of her people. And she had been part of the agreement to leave the palace, instead of the stupid one that still found herself secretly wishing she was still there. But most of all, in Frollo's version she wasn't the crazy person that would, and indeed had, developed feelings over her jailor.
She realized she liked that version better. She actually hoped things had gone that way, instead of what truly happened. So she closed her mouth, and smiled at Quasimodo, who was still waiting for an answer.
- Nothing. I misheard what you said. - she clarified. But she could see the man wasn't convinced by her sudden change of attitude. He frowned, and she could tell he was about to ask her further, so she quickly changed the subject. - But since we're here, why don't we make the most out of it? - she proposed, with an excited tone. It worked.
- What would you like to do? - Quasimodo asked, forgetting about the rest.
- I don't know… there are so many things you're good at! Maybe you could teach me some of it. Just not the climbing down the cathedral walls, please.
They both laughed, and just like that, Esmeralda started feeling a little more optimistic about her future.
A week had gone by, though Esmeralda felt as if it had been much longer.
She had adjusted quickly to her new routine. She would visit Quasimodo in the morning, after he was done playing the bells that called out everyone to prayer. She would stay at the cathedral with him for a couple hours, and leave well before lunch, in case Frollo showed up.
What she didn't knew was that Quasimodo had mentioned their habit to him, so Frollo was very careful as to not show up before it was well past noon.
She would then return to the Court of Miracles, where she ate with everyone and heard their stories from the morning. Life for the gypsies had improved greatly since Frollo had let them go. Of course, they had soldiers breathing down their necks on every corner, but at least they didn't have to escape running at the mere sound of horse hooves. The soldiers would watch them from a safe distance, ready to intervene the moment things seemed to be heating up, or getting too out of control.
So they pretty much ignored them and kept their performances going; dancing, playing music or puppeteering. The only completely forbidden activities were those related to magic arts, such as palm reading or divination. Frollo willing to tolerate their presence at his city was one thing, but him allowing such pagan customs to be displayed freely on its streets was a very different one.
However, she wasn't ready to go back into the streets yet. She was already walking the city as fast as she could with a lump on her throat, and jumping at the sound of coming horses or carriages, praying that she wouldn't run into Frollo. So she couldn't imagine herself dancing for coins again like she used to do before. She felt guilty about this, as if she were somehow living at the expense of her people's hard work, but Clopin had assured her over and over again that it was okay and that she should take all the time she needed. He was happy to provide for her, happy to have her home again.
So, in the evenings she would take Djali out for a walk outside, using the newfound tunnel that led to the city's edge, where the forest began. She would walk among the trees and try to clear her mind of any thoughts, past, present or future. But also, it was in those moments of solitude that she allowed herself to drop the act and feel as sad as she was actually feeling. As much as she hated herself for it.
But not everything was bad. Quasimodo had offered her reading lessons, and though he wasn't an excellent reader himself, he could understand written words and recite simple poems or texts. Which was fascinating to Esmeralda, who had always wished she could read as well. So she was focusing on that, and any time she started feeling down, she would resume practicing the alphabet, and it made her feel like she was exploring a new exciting world that was opening for her. It was the best part of her day.
One morning, Quasimodo surprised her with a gift. He had somehow acquired some parchments and a piece of charcoal, and he offered to teach her how to write the letters.
Esmeralda was excited as a little girl. She quickly got to it, frustrating over her lack of precision with her fingers. Quasimodo laughed sympathetically.
- Don't worry, it's hard the first time. You'll get there. - he encouraged her.
But Esmeralda was stubborn as they come.
- Just leave me to it! - she asked impatiently, while chewing on her lip for concentration.
So Quasimodo decided to give her some space, and sat down at the opposite side of the table, where he started carving a piece of wood for his collection. He got so focused into his task that he didn't realize the passing of time. And neither did she.
That was, of course, until they heard the door opening, just down the ladder.
- Esmeralda! - Quasimodo whispered, moving his arm in an alarming gesture to catch her attention.
She raised her gaze from the parchment, her brow a little sweaty from the persistent effort, and her eyes looking tired and disoriented.
- What is it? - she asked, in a regular voice, making Quasimodo shake his head and cover his lips with a finger.
- Fro-llo – he spelled without making a sound, signaling towards the ladder, where the wood creaking sounds announced the climbing visitor.
Esmeralda's stomach flipped upside down. She jumped from the chair, so abruptly that it fell down loudly.
- Damn it! - she cursed through her teeth, quickly scanning the room for a place to hide.
But it was too late. He was there and he had seen her.