The Palace of Justice was nothing more than a dark castle like structure filled with fear and pain. Rosa stared at the black stones of the massive structure in distaste through her little window of her carriage. Standing out front waiting for them was the new Minister of Justice, Judge Francis Diable. He was a middle aged man with a head on firey red hair and was thickly built. His dark eyes were like ice as he watched them climb out of the carriage.
"Welcome Madmozel Frollo! Hope your trip was pleasant." Judge Diable called when a guard helped her out.
"Merci… My Trip was lovely Monsieur Diable. But please call me Rosa…." She said bowing her head politely like she had always been taught.
"Of course… Rosa… Now come along and we will talk about your st-"
"That is a splendid idea because I was hoping to find residence someplace else." Rosa said turning her eyes back on the black stone. She then looked down at her and started to pull at the ends of her dark puffy sleeves. Judge Diable stared at her in slight shock but quickly hid it before clearing his throat.
"Non Madmozel… Your father wished for you to be protected during your stay and despite all better judgment he has paid a hefty some and convinced me to house you here so you can be surrounded by guards at all times… But I am going to tell you that you will have to stay out of trouble on you own because my guards have their own jobs… But here you shall stay none the less."
Rosa felt a deep despair at the thought of staying in such a place. The truth is that she wanted to be free but her family was determined to keep her on a short rope. Even if they made her stay in a place like this.
"… Very well Monsieur Diable." Rosa whispered and he nodded his head in satisfaction at her willingness to comply.
…..
After getting settled and they had had dinner, Rosa rested in her temporary bed for hours wide awake. This place made her uneasy and she hated the restless feeling that nagged at her to run far away from this place and her life. Rosa rolled over and stared at the window to see that a faint line of blue was coloring the horizon and she groaned at the approaching dawn then sat up kicking the heavy blanket from her body. Throwing a dark gray shawl over her pale blue night gown, she made her way to the heavy wooden door and peeked out into the cold corridor. Seeing no one she then made her way through the hall scanning touching and picking up anything that caught her interest before putting it back and continuing on her way. She glanced into every room and out every window.
But by the time she was finished doing this it was still very early and still somewhat dark outside. She had made her was to the lower levels and found behind the final door a stone stair way that led below the Palace. Looking behind her she made her way down the stairs led only by her curiosity. To her horror she stood at the bottom of the stairs and gazed upon the prison. Cells lined the wall and inside she found mostly half-starved dirty bloodied Romani…
She jumped out of her skin when a figure shifted and awoke in the cell closest to her. She stared at him and he at her with fear for a moment then his eyes looked pleading.
"… Please Madmozel… Water…" His voice was raspy and dry but she understood. Rosa then felt a hand clasp around her arm before she could do anything and she was spun around to come face to face with Judge Diable.
"Madmozel Frollo… What are you doing down here?" His tone was laced with suspicion and his eyes narrowed.
"I… I was just looking around… I couldn't sleep and…"She fell silent and looked down at her feet. He felt his grip on her arm loosen slightly.
"Curiosity is a dangerous thing Miss Rosa… We wouldn't want anything to happen to you." He said and stepped aside for her to pass him and return to her room. She looked over her shoulder at the cells again before running back up the stairs.
Once a year we throw a party here in town
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down
Ev'ry man's a king and ev'ry king's a clown
Once again it's Topsy Turvy Day
Clopin sat on top of his caravan inside the Court of Miracles, juggling a few brightly colored balls as he practiced the song he sang every year on the sixth of January.
The court of Miracles was still located in the catacombs but had moved since it had been found by Claude Frollo and a large group of his soldiers the first time around. Now the were hidden once again in the confusing maze of tunnels.
Hail to the king!
Oh, what a king!
Girls, give a kiss!
We've never had a king like this!
He threw the balls in the air and did a hand stand. The bells on his outfit jingled in the prosses.
And it's the day we do the things that we deplore
On the other three hundred and sixty-four
Once a year we love to drop in
Where the beer is…. never
He trailed off and fell on his back with a loud 'oomf'. He stared at the stone ceiling of the court of miracles with a deep frown. He couldn't quiet focus because of a bit of unsettling gossip that had reached his ears… A Frollo has in fact arrived at the Palace of Justice and he felt a dark cloud dampening his jovial mood. His puppet popped into his line of vision and he heaved a sigh.
'What is wrong Clopin?' He spoke for his puppet in a high pitched voice.
"A member of the Frollo family has taken residence at the Palace of Justice… I am not happy at the thought of another one of them…" He growled to the puppet.
'Well the Festival is four days away Clopin so hurry and be happy!'
"Yes yes you silly boy… I know." He shoved the puppet away and thought for a moment. He listened to his people practice and laugh and chastise their children. The words of the mysterious girl echoed in his mind: 'Everyone deserves a chance.'
She had said to him. He scoffed and rolled over onto his side. If she had met Claude Frollo she would change her mind faster than he could change his outfits. He wondered if this new Frollo was as bitter faced and ugly as Claude… A cruel smile spread across his face as a just as cruel idea came to him. He then sang loud and clear in a joyful manner.
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools!