Happy Feast of Fools!
The rest of the day went by quickly. The people of Paris, the commoners and wealthy ones, scattered back to their house when the sun disappeared behind the buildings. Kind people, whether paid or just volunteering, cleaned up the streets of glitter and confetti as well as other things.
I smiled as I snuck off real fast. Buying the last sweet pastry, I jogged back to Claude. He had just finished giving orders to the soldiers of where to be stationed at and where to watch for criminals. When he turned to me, he said, "Alright Lavender, let's…" He looked startled as I nibbled the end of my sweet, "…How did you get that?"
Giggling, I tore half off and offered it to him. "I bought it while you were barking commands, Claude. Here, take some. A little sugar is good for the soul!"
"And bad for the body…" He commented bitterly but took it anyway. I watched him eat it silently, his face sour as usual. His eyes, however, betrayed just how good he thought the treat was.
As we walked back to the Palace of Justice, I felt the overwhelming urge to do something…daring. Not like racing-on-a-horse daring…not put-down-my-hair daring…and not show-some-skin daring…something he wouldn't get mad at. But what though?
That's when I remembered what Frollo did during the Festival. He had grabbed my hand…in public! If he had the courage to do it when hundreds of people were near by, I certainly had the courage to do something when it was dim and lonely. Biting my lip, I suddenly entwined out arms together.
Claude jumped a little bit, looking over at me with rather huge eyes. Why did it surprise him so much? Perhaps it was because of the whole 'religion thing'. None-the-less, he smiled softly and held onto me.
The morning came fast. As soon as my head hit the pillow last night, it felt like I closed my eyes only for a minute before I heard the birds chirping. The birds outside and the offspring I saved from falling in the cage sang beautifully. Sitting up, I stretched and watched the bird chirp happily at me.
Getting out of bed, I glanced as the sun rising. The bells of Notre Dame rang, rang by their mysterious hidden bell ringer. That was the place I was to meet Clopin today. What was I going to say to him? I had spent all evening yesterday talking to Claude about…well, random things. I fell asleep a little earlier than I usually do but that was to be expected, what with all the recent stress and excitement.
Seeing that I had gotten up a little earlier than usual, I grabbed my brush before going to find a maid. No one was…well, no man was up at this time so roaming around in my nightgown was okay. I smirked at the thought of Claude seeing me like this.
Half an hour later, the maids had drawn a warm bath for me. Placing the brush next to me on a stool, I took off my clothes and sunk in, allowing the hot water to work the knots in my muscles.
It was so rare that I was able to just sit and relax. One would assume because it was difficult to get the water and all. Actually, that wasn't the reason, at least not the most pressing one. The main reason was because…well…I didn't have time. I'm either busy with the 'lady lessons' or with Clopin.
Slowly I let myself slide underwater. The water was just so…so calming. When I got back up, my hair was soaked. Lazily, I let one of the maids wash and brush it. My mind was too far away to focus on cleaning my hair.
"Claude…" I spoke out loud, trying to catch the Judge's attention. He was talking to three men who wore very fine and, what I could tell, expensive clothes. I had been waiting for nearly an hour for them to shut up and leave so I could talk to him…so far, it didn't happen.
It was nearly noon and I needed to leave! They all snapped towards me and I froze for a second, a little hesitate and scared. "Um…" I walked forward, thankful that I had put on 'proper' clothing. "Might I travel to Notre Dame for guidance?" The voice I used was small and quiet but it was not fake, like one would think. It was of slight fear of what was to come.
Claude grabbed my arm and pulled me close, looking like he wanted to hit me. "…Go! Take Phoebus with you!" Biting back a smile, I nodded and kissed his cheek before running off. I heard the other men chuckle lightly. What made me blush were the words 'pretty wench' and 'making love'. What the hell were they talking about?!
Phoebus was stalking me like a hawk stalks its prey! He had allowed me to ride my own horse Flower on the way to the church, but after we tied them up, he stared. I think he was just being very…very…very cautious after the whole market incident a few days ago.
Even though he had good reason to do so, it was annoying! How was I to talk to Clopin?! He gave me a good two or three yard distance but his gaze did not waver. Well…I should say it didn't waver until a certain black haired green eyed gypsy walked by.
Thinking it was mere coincidence that Esmeralda danced near by, I snuck off into the church. Looking at the pews, I saw no one with colorful piece of cloth as clothes. Only peasants and commoners, their fingers laced and their heads bowed. My violet eyes went to the statue of the Virgin Mary holding a child; under her were multiple lit candles. Seeing two of them were out, I hesitated.
Unable to resist, I grabbed one of the lit candles and placed the dancing wild flame onto the other two. "For mother…" I whispered softly while lighting the right one, "May her soul have peace. And for father…" Lighting the other one, I placed the candle down and smiled softly, "May his wisdom and bravery live on within me, for I will need it today."
"And why is that, Mademoiselle?" A voice came from behind me.
Spinning around, I nearly fell back onto my butt. "Clopin!" He wore subtle colors…well, more subtle than the yellow and orange clothes at least. The blue and purple King of Gypsies smiled.
"Good afternoon, Lavender. What is it you wished to speak of?" He bowed slightly, kissing the back of my hand. Despite my tries not to blush, I failed.
"Clopin…" I started slowly, making sure we were in a deserted area. "Clopin…yesterday…you said you loved me." He blushed. "And…well…"
"Don't you love me back, Lav?"
My heart starting to tear. "…Clopin, I love you as a friend, as a brother. I…I…I can't love you anything more of than that."
"Why not?!" He suddenly snarled, making me wince. When he saw that, he calmed down. "Why not, Lav?"
Looking up, I hesitated. Indeed…why not? Here was an attractive mysterious man a few years older than me who had power. Why did I not love him like he loved me? There had to be a reason; but what?
Phoebus listened in from the door, spying. We did not notice at the time, sadly. He stayed to listen no more, hearing the gypsies confession of love. Silently, he snuck out and rode back to the Palace.
Hesitating, I whispered, "…Because I think…I think I love Claude Frollo."
"Sir!" Phoebus shouted as he galloped into the Palace. Jumping off his horse, he sprinted to the man who had just stepped outside. "Sir! I have news about Lavender!"
"…Where is she?" Claude's worried tone replied.
"She's at the church, safe for now."
"For now?" Frollo repeated, slightly upset and angry. "Why didn't you bring her back?!"
"Because she was talking to a gypsy, a gypsy man. I didn't catch his name sir, but he's the puppet master that entertains the kids every day. I heard him say he loves her!" Phoebus explained.
Frollo's face was blank. Slowly, rage covered it. His pale face was now red and his limbs shook. "I'll go get her…I'll drag her back by the hair if I need to. Get two other soldiers and capture the gypsy man!"
Next chapter: Claude's anger and talk with Lavender. Will Clopin get caught? Review please
The next chapter will take a few days since school's starting up and I have to focus on a C and low B class.
