Thanks to all my reviewers!


"Lavender!" A voice snapped at me. Hmm…I seem to notice that my name is used in snapping a lot. "Lavender, girl, get over here!" Phoebus continued with a worried tone. It was the day before the Feast of Fools and I was running around the market, trying to find fabric so I could stitch up a quick scarf.

The Feast of Fools was something I adored, something I lived for. Even as a child the age of eight, I loved to stand in the crowd and watch the gypsies dance. My mother once said that I had her blood in me and when I heard the sound of a flute or drums, or even a tambourine, the desire to dance flared up. I had to agree with her, even now. Every year, I'd go with Claude. We'd sit there and sometimes hold hands, watching the 'peasants'. This year, however, I was set on dancing with the gypsies. If I talked to Clopin and convinced him enough, he might let me dance with Esmeralda! I doubt it but still.

Claude allowed me to roam the place for two hours with a few pieces of silver, saying he was business with…things. And of course, there was a catch; I had to obey the young soldier Phoebus. But hey…when did I obey any man of any rank?

As soon as my foot touched the ground off of his horse, beautiful horse might I add, I ran. Well, I limped-ran thanks to my knee. At times it bothered me, like when the seasons changed or when I walked too much. Claude and I would jest once in a while about the weather. "What's the weather looking like?" I'd ask.

"Pay attention to your knee; what do you think?" He'd smirk.

As I sprinted through the crowds, losing sight and sound of the 'Sun God', I smiled. My thoughts were far away from the matter of fabric. Slowing down, I stopped at a cart and looked over the colors. If I were to wear a violet dress tomorrow…I'd need a light color. Lavender, maybe? Eh…white, maybe.

Frollo had spent the last five years hiring teachers for me. Not for education; girls weren't allowed to know how to read. Luckily, father never believed in that. I knew how to read when I came to Frollo, even write a little. He disapproved of it but allowed it, just so long as I didn't go galloping around shouting to the Heavens that I was somewhat educated.

"It makes a woman very unattractive, Lavender." He'd scold me when he saw me put up any other book than the Bible. Since he was deeply religious, he'd make me attend church Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Every now and then he'd read a passage from the Bible before the fire.

No…these teachers were for manners and such. How to teach me how to be a lady, in other words. Oh I hated it. They taught me to walk straight, never run. They told me to keep my eyes down and not speak unless spoken to…Never worked. They taught me how to put up my hair or cover it, which I rarely did. They taught me, and this was probably the only useful thing I liked so far, how to pick out colors and sew. It was fun actually.

Holding a silk piece of purple and cloth blue piece, I gave a heavy sigh. Soon…soon I and Claude would marry. It was January 6th and our wedding date, he decided, would be on the 14th of February. He claimed it would be romantic…he was trying to make me feel better about marrying him.

In a way, I didn't mind. I liked the idea of marriage. Claude, for the past five years, has been…so complicated. He was kind yet he was cold at times. Cold to others, I mean. After all, I rarely behaved like a lady and he didn't get mad enough to punish me. I liked him but I wasn't sure I loved him. Did my heart belong to someone else then?

"I'd personally choose lavender and white, they look good on you." A voice spoke from behind.

Turning around, I nearly jumped a foot in the air. It was my old friend, the King of Gypsies himself. "Clopin! Oh…thank you, I think. I'm making a scarf so it has to be silk, I guess."

The masked man smiled, shrugging. It was obvious he had just gotten off from a puppet show. "Whatever you think; you are the lady after all. As you can see from my outfit, I fail to pick colors that will match." I giggled at his attempt to make me happy.

A few months ago I had ran to him near the Notre Dame church. How no one realized the ward of Judge Claude Frollo and a gypsy man met frequently shocked me. Or maybe they did realize it and stayed silent for me. Either way, I had cried to him, telling him I didn't want to marry Frollo. We had a stupid fight over clothing, of course, and that was when Claude told me the date of our marriage.
At first, Clopin was upset and pissed off. He claimed he would steal me away, that we'd hide in the Court of Miracles forever. The idea sounded sweet, romantic in a way. But I did not want to travel down the skull covered tunnel again. My stomach did flip flops when I thought of it and the smell that came with it.

Ever since then, although I was happy right now, he tried cheering me up when he first saw me. After all, you never know how a girl feels until you talk to her for a few minutes. We're very complex…so says men.

"I'd like to talk more but Phoebus will be here any second." I said, shooing him off. We said our good-byes and, although it was not appropriate to touch a man not related to you in public, I hugged him quickly.

As soon as he disappeared from my sight, I could have slapped myself; I forgot to ask him about the dancing part! Sighing, I shook my head and turned back to the material. What should I buy…?

A hand grabbed my shoulder and I jumped again, a yelp leaving my lips. Turning around, thinking it would be like déjà vu, I saw…a young soldier. He was panting from running so much, what with all that armor on.

"Oh…hello again dear Phoebus." I smiled slyly, watching him glare at me from behind those blond strands of hair.

"Foolish girl, no wonder Frollo sent me to watch after you." He stood up, clearing his throat.

I winked, "Piss poor job so far."

"Must you swear like a sailor?!" He laughed with a scorning tone.

Honestly looking ashamed, I paid for the fabric and shook my head, "No…I suppose not. Shall we leave?"


Claude walked in without knocking and I jumped, deciding to scowl at him. "A gentleman always knocks when entering a ladies room."

Suddenly, he strolled up to me, grabbing my arm. His voice was cold, his eyes narrowed, "I see no lady."

I winced, "W-What?"

"I know about you meeting with that damn gypsy!" He shouted, making me fall back. Pulling out a dagger, he raised it above his head. I screamed and screamed, feeling something shake me…


"Lavender…" It was Frollo who was shaking me awake. "Are you alright, dear?"

I stared at him, shaking uncontrollably. I flinched at his touch but nodded anyway.

I had stayed up half the night sewing. My finger was sore and I was sleepy but I was proud of my work. The scarf I made was of violet silk with stars and moods made of white cloth. It felt…good, especially when I rubbed it against my cheek.

Finally, it was time for the Feast of Fools. Placing on my very dark purple dress, I smiled. The sleeves were long but not choking me; it was a very low cut V; the end was raggedly cut but touched almost to my ankles.

When we got there, as always, he and I sat on top of a stage under a huge canopy. Phoebus the soldier was patrolling the place but…he seemed to be distracted by a young gypsy named Esmeralda. Smirking, I distracted Frollo so he wouldn't notice.

That lasted for only an hour or so. That's when Clopin got on stage and winked at me. I blushed, covering my face with the scarf I made. As the gypsy sang, Frollo noticed the piece of cloth at last. "Lavender…why are you wearing such a heathen thing?!" He snatched it from me with a glare.

I was just about to stick up for myself when a loud bang got our attention; Esmeralda was dancing. And wow; I thought she was pretty when she danced on the streets, with that dress…she looked beautiful. Apparently Phoebus agreed because he nodded when Frollo said something about a disgusting display.

Esmeralda's sparkling eyes turned on the judge and she ran over to him, her lips merely inches from him. He looked shocked at the sudden action and I couldn't help but wince, a little jealous. Luckily she threw herself off and Frollo was left clutching my scarf.

Looking up at Clopin, I smiled weakly. He made a motion to go towards the crowd before disappearing. I'd have to leave Frollo soon to find him…


Next chapter: Meeting Clopin; love confessions. Lavender's jealous of Esmeralda. Review please