Disclaimer: I do not own RoV.
AN: The following chapter happens in 'alternate' universe, while the 'real' Andre is in it. The alternate world did not follow the 'real' RoV timeline.
Chapter 4
Andre sat at the big mahoganny desk in 'his' study. He was examining papers of his estates, achievements and military certificates. It looked like he was a captain of the guards regiment in Paris, so he occopied the position of the Oscar he knew did. It did not make sense to him. How could the world he knew suddenly change? Was this some kind of a joke? Was the world he knew was just a dream?
Andre supported his head with both hands. How he had wished to be a noble! To finally be able to court Oscar officially. To ask to the General for his daughter's hand in dignity. And now, not just he was noble, he also had Oscar as his wife. Some lucky bastard he was!
Yet, all of this seemed wrong. So terribily wrong.
The door opened and Oscar came in. The sight of her had always took his breath away and now, seeing her in a dress add a tinge of blush on his cheek.
"How are you feeling today?" Oscar said with broad smile. She was wearing a royal blue dress today.
"I..." Andre stopped. "I am good, very good."
"It's alright, Belfort. One by one. I suppose there's a massive weariness on your shoulder right now. It's normal, I think." Oscar sat in the armless chair at the opposite of the desk, facing him. "How much do you remember, Andre?"
Andre looked at the beauty before him. He's still getting used to see Oscar in dresses. Is it possible for her to change her way of life in a flip of a hand?
"I remember you..." Andre said timidly, "the way your blond hair waved in the air and touched your cheek, they way your hands held the wine glass and played with its edge, the way your face reddened whenever something tipped you off. I remember you playing the piano. I remember you sat on your horse, your back straight, sword in hand, giving orders with firm and resolute voice while your blue eyes shine. I remember you. Yet, I do not know you."
Oscar looked at him in disbelief, mouth was slightly opened. And she blushed. "I didn't know I was being watched."
Andre laughed. "You never knew, Oscar. You never knew."
"What do you not know about me, then?"
Andre struggled with words. "How did you decide to marry me? Why did you leave the military? And Rose?" Now it's his turn to blush.
Oscar sighed. "I know it may seemed hard to believe, Belfort. Are you sure you want to know now? I mean, it'll probably too much for you. The doctor said-"
"No, I... I really want to know."
"I will tell you after dinner, alright? Maybe upon a nice fire and a bottle of good wine?"
Andre smiled. Now that was the routine he's familiar with. He nodded.
oOo
Andre had sent a footman to inform his regiment that he will resume his duty starting tomorrow. He did not really want to but he felt like he needed an answer and he needed to see if there's also change in the barrack. How will Alain react when he saw him? What about Lasalle, Francois, Armand... those who rebelled against Oscar because she was a noble and a female, were they against him too?
He knew he was doomed. He did not know how to command an army. He had only recently gotten involved in military life, before he was just accompanying Oscar in ceremonial duties. He was good in martial art, he knew. But being a commander required other skills. Those which he was sure he did not possess.
Just this morning he had to get used to a valet helping him dressing up and servant bringing breakfast to his room. Suddenly his life now felt too noisy. He was comfortable to be alone in his room, took care of his own needs without having people around to cater him.
Andre walked toward the big window in his study. Through the window Andre saw Oscar with Rose. Their blond hair waving in the air. Oscar was taking Rose to a small flower bush beneath the window.
His heart suddenly swelled with warm feelings. He saw Oscar talking with Rose, pointing the flowers and a butterfly. She caressed the child's head and held her and snuffed her chubby cheeks. Oscar and Rose. His wife and daughter. Everything he wanted but never dared to dream. Yet they were here. And they were his family.
A tear, unconciously fell on his cheek.
oOo
Later after dinner, as promised, Oscar ordered a servant to light the fireplace and bring in a bottle of wine and two glasses to the small room beside the library. Andre felt odd, because usually he was the one who did the task.
But Oscar was relaxed. She was wearing a simple muslin nightgown with green nightcape. She took of her shoes and lied on the couch.
She noticed Andre was still standing near the door and she tilted her head. "What are you doing there, Andre?"
Andre snapped out of his thoughts. It felt eons ago since Oscar was this comfortable around him. He felt like travelled back when they were younger, when everything was still simple between them.
"You seemed very happy, Oscar," Andre finally said as he sat on the armed chair, facing the fireplace.
"Yes, Rose had with her a cricket she found earlier on the terrace and innocently put it on Madame Cargill's breasts," Oscar laughed recalling the scene, "my goodness! I should not laugh! But she was so frightened, she screamed and jumped on her heels and when the cricket jump to her cheek I thought she was about to faint!"
Oscar laughed harder. "I should have chidded Rose. And I did. Even though I know she did not scare her governess in purpose. Poor Madame Cargill..."
Andre smiled. "The child sounds like you when you were little."
"No!" Oscar laughed again. For Andre it sounded like ringing bell. "I was a good kid, Belfort. Don't start."
Oscar sat up and walked toward the small table beside Andre's chair, bare-footed. She pour the wine into both glasses then handing one to Andre. "Drink, Andre. You seem very tense."
"Your feet will get cold," he instead said.
Oscar pretended not to listen. But she laid on the couch again. She supported her head on one arm of the couch and her feet rested on the other arm. "It's been long since I feel this calm," she said, quietly sipping her wine.
"Yes? And why is that so?"
Oscar did not answer. "You have asked why and how did we get married, Andre..."
It was probably the wine, or the flickering of the fireplace, or the fact that Oscar was wearing a dress and laid on the couch so close from him, or the way she smiled at him... but suddenly, Andre felt helpless to resist the urge. He stood up from his seat and walked toward the blond enchantress.
Oscar looked surprised but did not back down.
Then she felt his lips on hers.
Somewhere in the back of his head he knew he did something wrong. That this Oscar was not his to take. The situation was still hazy, he was not supposed to act so recklessly. But damned if she did not felt so good in his arms.
She was surprise but she did not pull away. If only briefly, she had responded to his kisses. But then, like a lightening bolt, she suddenly snapped, "Wait! Andre, stop!"
Andre let her go immediately. God! What was happening to him! Is his resolution as a man was so weak? He had promised not to touch her again!
"I'm sorry..." he stammered. "Really... Oscar I..."
Oscar sat up and nervously tried to fix her dress. "No, no... I'm sorry," Oscar interrupted. "You are not yourself, Andre. You lost your memories! You do not understand... I... We... we are not what we look we are." She seemed to struggle to find words. "There's something you should know Andre." She bit her lower lip, suddenly looked weary. "Rose is not your biological child."
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AN: Ha! I'm back. This chapter is short but I think it's necessary to build the tension. Until later. I will be updating soon!
