Frollo met Gaspard Lefebvre at the audience hall, a solemn room with dark walls and tall narrow glass windows. The emissary was waiting for him by the fireplace, warming up his hands while a servant poured him a cup of red wine.
- Forgive my tardiness, Mr Lefebvre. - the judge said formally when he entered the room.- If I had knew you were coming I would have given you a proper welcome. - he added, with a subtle remark.
Gaspard Lefebvre was a cunning man. He was used to the usual hidden intentions behind every apparently polite conversation that he had when acting as an emissary. He was an artist in the diplomacy field, and knew how to get what he wanted without giving away his strategies to do so. He had never met Frollo before, but had heard of him and knew he was an intelligent man himself. So this promised to be an interesting weekend, he thought to himself.
- Of course, minister. As I said, it didn't occur to me that I may not find you here, given that I was informed of your medical condition. - he pointed out, striking back.
- I had a personal matter that couldn't wait. - Frollo explained calmly.
- It's good to see you're well enough to at least take care of such things. Let's drink to that. - Gaspard said, rising his cup in a respectful gesture.
Frollo took the cup that the servant was offering him, but he didn't drink. He preferred to stay sharp and sober until he knew what was truly going on.
- So… - he said carefully, after the emissary had had the opportunity to taste his expensive wine. - To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Mr Lefebvre.
Gaspard evaluated Frollo's expression, noticing the subtle wrinkles on his forehead, and also the judge's effort to appeared calmed. He took pleasure in taking his time to respond, knowing the uncertainty would only make it harder for Frollo to keep his composure.
- Well, you see… Your Majesty is very fond of you, as I'm sure you're aware. - he began, rejoicing in the elaborated language. - So he was naturally very concerned when certain rumors arose in court during the course of the last few weeks.
Frollo stiffened visibly, cursing at himself for his lack of self control when he saw Gaspard noticing. The emissary smiled, and condescendingly reassured him:
- Oh, you mustn't worry, Your Honor. The King is a wise, pious man, who knows better than to engage in such distasteful courtesan gossiping.
- Of course.- Frollo nodded, tense.
- However… - the emissary continued, making a long pause. - Your Majesty's concerns deepened when the Bishop himself visited the royal palace two weeks ago. It appears that he had received a disturbing missive from Notre Dame's archdeacon, in which the second confessed his preoccupation for Judge Claude Frollo's erratic behavior.
Gaspard said those words casually, as if he was commenting on some other man's situation and not his own.
Frollo's teeth gritted, but he forced himself to inhale slowly and answer, in the most disengaged tone possible:
- I seem to recall that was an honest misunderstanding. The archdeacon himself assured me that he would immediately correct the mistake.
- That's precisely what happened. - Gaspard affirmed. - The Bishop showed the King a second letter in which the archdeacon clarified that the situation had been properly resolved and apologized for any misinterpretations that could have arisen.
Frollo raised his eyebrow, suspecting that wasn't the end of the story. Indeed, the emissary cleared his throat, and after another sip of wine he continued.
- But the Bishop was still worried about that first alarming letter, you see. He didn't find the archdeacon's posterior explanations, which included words such as "evil spell", convincing enough. So he came to present the King his concerns.
- I'm certain Your Majesty reassured him of my so long proved trustworthiness. - Frollo affirmed firmly, though he felt nauseous inside.
- Indeed, minister. - Lefebvre conceded.- Nevertheless, after considering it carefully, the King found it suitable to send an emissary, your humble servant – he said taking a hand to his heart and bowing slightly – to confirm everything was in order. It was just when I was about to start my journey, that we got word that you were feeling unwell and had designated your Captain of the Guard to act on your behalf. So Your Majesty urged me to come to Paris and learn first hand what was going on.
- I see. - Frollo replied in a low tone. Though Lefebvre had phrased it all as a display of caring concern, he knew better than to believe he had honest intentions. So he figured the sooner he got rid of the emissary, the better. - Well, as you can obviously see, I'm feeling much better. It was a bad set of circumstances that got me ill, but I had a proper rest and I'm now ready to resume my duties as Minister of Justice. However, if you have any concern left unaddressed, allow me to escort you to Notre Dame, where you'll be able to hear from the archdeacon yourself.
- I don't think that will be necessary. It's evident that it was all an unfortunate misunderstanding, and that you're in perfectly good shape to resume your activities.
- Wonderful.- said Frollo, with a small sigh of relief.
- However… - Gaspard added, again making a long pause, taking another sip of wine. Frollo fought the sudden urge to strangle the man with his bare hands, and instead gave him a cold, inquiring smile. - Given the long journey I just made to get here, I presume I can count on your hospitality for the weekend, before heading back to the royal court?
Frollo was clearly uncomfortable, but he was also against the wall.
- Of course.- he granted. - Any member of the king's court is always welcomed at my humble home. - he stated, with a slight head bow.
- I really appreciate your generosity, Your Honor. - Gaspard nodded back, before casually adding with an innocent smile- I'll very much enjoy the opportunity to learn more about you.
- I don't like what they do with their hair.- confessed Esmeralda, pointing towards the white horse mane, that was squeezed into tight square topknots to show the horse's elegant neck.
- It's easier like that – Pat explained by her side, observing the horses over the stable fence- so it doesn't get dirty or messy.
- I understand but it's so… unnatural. I prefer this. - she replied, walking towards Snowball, Frollo's huge black horse, that was eating peacefully inside his box.
The beast had learned to trust her presence, and he usually allowed her to come near. She rubbed his muzzle affectionately, and then she combed his long, shiny black hair with her fingers. She knew Pat spent almost an hour every day brushing it so it didn't get tangled. When her fingers clasped at the hair roots, she suddenly recalled doing the same thing with his owner earlier that day. The image sent a tingling to her lips, and a heated feeling to her belly. She placed her forehead on the horse's warm neck, closing her eyes and trying to soothe the unexpected rush of adrenaline in her veins.
- He must really trust you to let you do that.- an unfamiliar voice pointed out.
Esmeralda turned around, startled, to find an unknown man staring at her from the wooden panel.
He was tall, though not as tall as Frollo. He was wearing garment clothes, with a thick belt and a golden buckle. His buttons were also made of gold. His black hair matched the black goatee, and made a heavy contrast with his light blue eyes, sharp and calculating.
- You must be the King's emissary. - Esmeralda guessed, with a small reverence.
The man laughed at her curtsy:
- Oh, I'm not nobility or in any position deserving of such an honor, my lady. - he clarified, before adding with a crooked smile: - Yet.
Esmeralda returned his smile, uncomfortably.
- But I am indeed the King's emissary. - he said, taking a hand to his heart. - Gaspard Lefebvre, at your service.
- Esmeralda – she introduced herself with a brief waving of her hand. She didn't know what the man knew about her, or what Frollo had told him, so she decided to be discreet and reveal no further information.
The man's obligated courtesy prevented him from asking any further either, though she could tell he was very curious about her. She recognized the familiar look in his eyes, as he took a full view of her figure. She felt scrutinized and she didn't like it at all.
- Pleasure to meet you, Esmeralda. - the emissary said, slowly pronouncing her name, as in savoring each syllable.
- You too. - she said briefly. - But I should be on my way now. - she informed, and walked towards the door.
She had expected the man to remove himself from the entrance, but Lefebvre only moved aside slightly, leaving a small space for her to pass.
She gave him an inquiring look, that he answered with another crooked smile, keeping his position. So she waked past him, trying to press her body against the wood post and not touching the man. But when she thought she was on the clear, he suddenly took her hand and planted a soft kiss on her knuckles, keeping his eyes fixated upon hers. She felt a disgusting shiver down her spine, and had to fight hard the urge to pull away violently and leave running. There was something about that man that unsettled her deeply.
He finally let go of her hand, and with a brief cold smile, Esmeralda turned her back on him and rushed to the palace. But she could hear Gaspard's last words to her:
- I hope I'll be seeing you again soon!
When she entered her chambers, she was decided to take a full bath, to wash of the nasty feeling her encounter with the emissary had left behind in her.
But, to her surprise, Frollo was waiting for her inside.
- Oh! Hello! - she said, baffled.
- I thought you were gone. - Frollo declared, gesturing around the empty room, and she could hear the anxiety in his voice.
- No, of course not! I told you I'd be here. I was just at the stables. - she explained quickly.
- Alright. - he responded, relaxing a little, and taking off his chaperon to put it on her table. He seemed worried.
- Are you okay? - she asked carefully.
- Hmm… not really. - he confessed, grabbing the bridge of his nose and rubbing it.
- It's that man, isn't it? The emissary. - she guessed.
- Have you seen him? - Frollo asked, suddenly looking at her alarmed.
- I just ran into him at the courtyard. Don't worry, we barely spoke. He just knows my name. - she reassured him.
- Did he tell you anything? - Frollo inquired restless.
- No… - she answered, recalling the unsettling feeling the man had given her. - But you shouldn't trust him.
- I know that much. - Frollo admitted, grumpily.
- Why is he here? - she asked the judge, slowly walking towards him to try to offer her support.
- I'm not sure. He said he's here to assess the situation after the fire episodes… on behalf of the King, who's allegedly worried about my mental wellbeing.
- I see… - said Esmeralda carefully, knowing that it was a very delicate subject for them to discuss.
- But I'm afraid that's not all he's up to. - Frollo confessed. - He said he would stay for the weekend, so I'll have to be extra careful the next couple of days. I'm sure he will be on the watch for any kind of misstep on my side.
- I think so too – Esmeralda agreed. - So I guess you have a lot on your mind right now. - she suggested, offering him an out from the question she had left hanging in the air that morning.
- Some things are crystal clear. - Frollo replied, shaking his head and giving her a meaningful look. - But I'd appreciate if we can wait until the emissary is gone to have that conversation.
- Of course.- Esmeralda conceded. - I'll make myself invisible and leave you to it. Good luck.
- Actually...- Frollo said, hesitating. - I was wondering if you would join us tonight at the dining room. I think your presence there will help me to keep my composure if he tries to put pressure on me.
- Oh – she exclaimed, surprised. - What happened to the lack of manners and all that whole inappropriateness for formal dinners? - she asked, with a hint of resentment.
- Well… I'm sure you can withstand the using of shoes for one night, can't you?
She frowned at him, even if she was almost sure that he was just teasing her. But he noticed her change of mood, and quickly affirmed:
- I would be very honored to see you tonight, if you decide to join us.
- Fine. - she yielded. - I'll start getting ready now, given the effort I will probably have to put into it. - she announced sarcastically.
Frollo chuckled briefly, and with a gentle nod, he left the room, suddenly feeling much better.
When Claude Frollo saw Esmeralda descending the stairs into the main hall, where he and Gaspard Lefebvre were waiting for her, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
She was wearing a breathtaking red dress, one of the few he had had tailored for her when she first stayed at the palace, but that she never got to wear, and so he had never seen. It resembled so much the one she had been wearing when they first met at the festival. She was also wearing the gold ornaments and ruby necklace she wore that day, except for the tiara. This time, her hair was pulled from her face, and her raven curls formed a cascade down her shoulders and back. She looked stunning, and Frollo felt his mouth go dry.
Luckily for him, the King's emissary didn't notice his fascination, for he was bewitched himself with the gypsy's beauty. He took a step forward to get to the end of the stairs at the same time she did and promptly offered her his arm.
- What a lovely attire you have chosen for the night, my lady. - he complimented her, tilting his head to get a better look at her body.
She smiled politely, though Frollo noticed her lips tightening tensely. She had no remedy but to take the arm she was offered, and as soon as she placed her hand on Gaspard's forearm, his other hand clasped hers like a bear claw.
- You should sit by my side at the dinner table – the emissary stated – so we don't separate our matching outfits – he said with a wink, pointing to his also red and golden clothes. - Our Minister's attire is of course much more formal and classic, for he is surely above any modern ostentation. - he concluded, intending it to sound as a compliment while subtly but clearly remarking the age difference between himself and the judge.
Frollo got the hidden meaning and rolled his eyes at Lefebvre's back, though he couldn't help but feel a pinch of insecurity when he saw the younger man walking with Esmeralda by his side.
They entered the dining room and Frollo and Lefebvre sat across each other, each one on one of the presiding ends of the long table. Esmeralda headed to sit in the middle, though Gaspard moved her chair clearly to his end when he helped her sit down.
Frollo wasn't sure of the extent in which he did all of this to spite him, or if he was genuinely interested in Esmeralda, though given the lustful looks he was dedicating her, he feared both motivations were strong.
- So – Gaspard said, with his eyes fixed on her – I didn't catch a last name when we met earlier.
Frollo swallowed heavily; the interrogating had begun sooner than expected. But Esmeralda seemed relaxed as she answered.
- Oh, I'm so sorry! I was just so startled to see you there… I would have never expected such an elegant man to be around the stables, you see? - she pointed out, throwing him a flirtatious smile.
Frollo felt he had just been slapped, but the shock gave way to the understanding. She was deflecting Lefebvre's attention, and it was working.
- Well, I wanted to make sure the King's horses were treated properly. Each one is probably worth more than the rest of your stable horses together.
Esmeralda gasped with fake admiration, and from his end of the table, Frollo could see the emissary's chest swelling with pride.
- But what was such a delicate lady as yourself doing down there, is what I'm wondering. - Gaspard inquired with a gentle head bow in her direction.
- I wanted to make sure personally that everything was well disposed for your animals, of course. - she responded softly.
- You're such an attentive hostess. - Gaspard flattered her, and she covered her lips with her fingertips as she blushed.
- Actually, Esmeralda is just a temporary guest at the Palace, such as yourself. - Frollo interrupted their cloying exchange.
Esmeralda threw him a killing look, but he pretended not to see it. At that moment the servants came in carrying the food trails, and they started filling up their plates. Frollo seized the opportunity and changed the subject.
- So, tell us, Mr Lefebvre, how's life at the King's court?
- Well, you surely remember from the time you spent there years ago – he said, remarking the last words- There's always something going on, some event or social gathering, some important visitor… Life at the royal palace is not for the faint-hearted. I'm sure you prefer your tranquility and quiet here. - he said to the judge, with an innocent smile.
Esmeralda watched Frollo's fists clenching and she quickly intervened.
- How fascinating! - she said in a high voice. - Please, tell us more about those elegant gatherings. - she begged, briefly touching his hand.
The man's attention was fully back to her, as he started to describe the dances and dinner parties that took place at the King's palace.
- I bet you're very requested among courtesan maidens. The emissary of the King himself… how is it you haven't married? - Esmeralda asked, faking surprise.
- Well, as you can see I'm a very busy man. - Gaspard explained proudly. - I don't have time for romance or courting. Though… - he slowed down, lowering his voice and staring at her deeply. - that of course could change if I found the right woman.
She chuckled naively and looked down to her plate.
Frollo hadn't touched his food. He was unable to eat. As he observed the two people in front of him interacting, he felt he was going to be sick any moment.
- Have you asked our honorable host that same question? - Lefebvre inquired maliciously. - From what I've heard, it's certainly a novelty for him to enjoy the female company at his palace like this.
- I'm sure the King informed you that I took a vow of chastity with the church when I accepted my position. - Frollo replied coldly.
It was the first time Esmeralda had heard about this, and she couldn't hide her surprise, as recent events came back to her memory.
- Certainly honorable – Gaspard conceded with a head inclination. - I myself don't think I could be able to refrain from admiring such wondrous beauty as the one found in female creatures. But I guess the mortal instincts get easier to tame with… experience. - he added, though it was evident that the word he was going for was "age".
- It's not hard once you realize the value of purity of mind in performing a useful service to the crown. - Frollo stroke back.
- I, for one, find well traveled men fascinating.- Esmeralda intervened. - Their open-mindedness is such an attractive quality. - she pointed out.
Frollo felt the sting hiding in her words, and he looked at her surprised and hurt. But her eyes were fixed on the emissary's face, as he kept the conversation going.
- To be honest, it's really nice to be back in Paris. I haven't set foot in this city for so long. Maybe tomorrow we could all take a tour and you can show me how it has changed over the years?
- That would be ...- Esmeralda started, but Frollo interrupted her.
- Our elegant companion wouldn't dare to bring it up, but she's here resting from a recent injury she suffered on an accident. As her acting physician, I do not recommend that she goes on any tour while still on the healing process.
- Oh, forgive me, of course not. - Lefebvre quickly responded, grabbing Esmeralda's hand over the table. - I wouldn't dream of suggesting anything that puts a risk to your wellbeing.
She smiled tensely, and nodded at him, before throwing Frollo a dark side glance.
- Would it be unrecommended for her to have some wine to accompany this delicious dinner? - he asked Frollo, pointing towards her glass of water.
Frollo knew Esmeralda didn't like the taste of wine, so he was surprised to hear her say:
- I'm sure it would be just fine.
Gaspard smiled gladly, and gestured a servant to pour her a cup. She took a sip of it and smiled at the emissary.
The rest of the dinner consisted on Lefebvre bragging about his courtesan life and Esmeralda flattering his already swollen ego, while Frollo managed to sneak it subtle but meaningful remarks, that were answered by equally sly ones from the emissary.
When they finally finished eating and got up from the table, Frollo felt as if the room was spinning around his head. There were so many mixed emotions, and he couldn't tell which ones were real and which ones were a result of his paranoia. He just wanted to be alone to think clearly.
The three of them walked to the main hall, with Esmeralda hanging again from Gaspard's arm, only this time she was clinging more to him due to her slightly inebriated state, which the emissary seemed to found so pleasing.
Lefebvre's chambers were in the main floor, so he walked her to the stairs and took her hand to plant a kiss on it.
- This has been a lovely evening, my lady.
- Indeed. - she answered with a warm smile.
- We must thank our generous host for it. - Gaspard said, bowing towards Frollo.
- It's the least I can do. - Frollo answered politely, though his teeth were gritted.- I hope you find your chamber comfortable.
- I most certainly will. - Lefebvre nodded. - We should go now, get a good night of sleep for our tour of the city tomorrow.
- So be it. - Frollo made a gentle head bow and headed to the stairs.
As Lefebvre kissed her hand again and left down the hallway, Esmeralda rushed to follow the judge up the stairs, but he was climbing incredibly fast and showed no intention of waiting for her. She struggled to keep up with his quick pace, but her foot protested, and her dizzy state forced her to slow down and grab the railing. When she finally arrived to the top floor, it was just in time to see Frollo's robes disappear behind his door, which he shut close loudly.
She stood there, unsure what to do. She felt confused and angry, and after a few seconds, she also headed for her chamber, cursing internally at that incomprehensible man.