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I allowed myself to bow my head, almost in shame but not quite. Silence filled the church. Whispers of prays and hopes of love, luck, wealth and health echoed loudly. The flicker of the candles made shadows dance and taunt on the wall. The light from the stained glass windows seemed to grow dim, almost disappearing.

"…I understand." Clopin whispered softly. I couldn't bear to look at his face, to look into his eyes. Just the sound of his heart broken tone tore me up inside.

"I'm sorry…Can we still be friends?" Such a cruel question to ask…

"Yes…yes, of course. I need to go though, make sure Esmeralda is safe." Watching his feet move quickly, I figured he was trying to contain not only his rage but tears as well.

He sprinted out of the church, the door slamming shut with a loud 'bang'. I winced, unable to look up or stop myself from the physical pain. Walking over to the candles once more, I gave a heavy sigh. The two candles that I had lit for mother and father had been blown out by the rush of air from the opened doors.

Shaking my head, I quietly walked over to the door and slowly opened it, closing it with ease. I had to do that, I had to tell Clopin that I did not love him. I loved Claude Frollo. My fiancé…it sounded so weird.

It would be better not to lead Clopin, my friend, on anymore than I already accidently have. I wanted to be his friend, not his enemy or wife. Still...why did I feel so empty inside?

The sun suddenly disappeared behind clouds, as though hiding. I gasped softly, realizing this as a bad omen. I might not be with gypsies but Clopin had told me enough about my half-heritage to realize what was good signs and bad. Walking out of Sanctuary to see something good and bright disappear…it was bad.

The sound of horse's hooves slamming on the ground painfully echoed. Looking up, I wondered faintly where Phoebus was; only seeing Flower. Flower, my horse, was trying to get free of the rope and run. Why though? Animals had a sixth sort of sense…did she know what was about to happen?

Frollo came riding his horse, nearly crashing into me on the church steps. Jumping back, I frowned. Something about this wasn't right; the two soldiers and Phoebus proved it.

"Claude, what's wrong?" My voice seemed to shrink as did I when I saw his face. Twisted in his expression of rage was also curiosity and hurt. What was with him?

He scooted that horse of his closer to me, a growl leaving his throat. "What's wrong?! You're coming home with me right now! You will not leave the Palace at all! Never again until I have that gypsy hung!"

I gasped, shocked and wondering what gypsy he meant and why. If he meant Clopin, how would he have found out? The thought did not register in my mind for I felt a hand grab my arm roughly. I was painfully yanked from the ground and lifted on Frollo's horse, in front of him. Wincing as my knee was twisted in an unusual way for a moment, I looked at him.

We took off and I resisted the urge to let out a terrified scream. We were going fast, faster than I liked! I didn't mind it usually but I wasn't in control of the reins right now! I bounced on the horse, wincing as my knee throbbed in pain.

When we reached the insides of the Palace, he jumped off and nearly dragged me off. I stumbled and cried out, feeling my knee slam into the ground. If he cared, he did not show it for he just kept dragging me into the living room.

It was cold there; obviously no fire had been started for a while. The sun was still hiding, making the room even darker than normal. Falling in a seat, I tried to level my knee but…

"You foolish girl!" Claude shouted, his voice echoing in the huge room. "You little whore! You think I wouldn't know?! You think I would remain ignorant? You honestly think I wouldn't find out?! My soldiers are loyal to me and me alone even if I set them to watch over you!"

I must have had a horrified shocked expression on my face for he continued relentlessly. "I give you expensive clothing! I give you excellent food! I give you a beautiful roof over your head! I give you lessons on how to be the finest lady in Paris! I let you stay here for five years and this is how you repay me?! By going off and sleeping with some gypsy man like a common slut?!"

"…A…a common slut?" I whispered, faintly feeling the wetness of tears stream down my face. "…You think…you think I'd leave you? I'd become a…a whore when…when I have y-you right here?"

The man hesitated, taking a moment for the first time in a while to take this in and actually think. And now…he felt as though he made a mistake. Not only was the girl of his dreams crying, but she was injured once more because of him.

"P-Phoebus had every…every right to tell you what he h-heard." I continued while the sobs of depression broke up every few words. "B-but obvi-obvi-obviously…he did not see…he did not hear what I told that…that 'gypsy man'. I-I told him that I thi-thi-thin-thin…I love you."

Claude inhaled sharply, his eyes huge. It was plain to see just how much this had taken him by shock. I sat there in pain both emotionally and physically, 'crying my eyes out' I believe the idiom was.

Suddenly he fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around me. I clung to him as though he were life and survival itself. He kissed my neck, my cheek. He whispered so many apologies that I lost count. Now I just how to worry if Clopin would be alright.


Next chapter: Wedding plans; Clopin's depression/bitterness. Review please