"Life is painful, it seems sometimes...", Jules nodded. "It sometimes gives us the best to enjoy... and others it takes away and makes us question if we did something wrong to deserve it.".
Leila leaned forward to put a hand on his leg as she nodded, "Indeed. But... I still have Juliet... and now Perla and Carlo... which helps keep me going with things.".
Jules smiles, "You're a strong-willed woman, Miss Russo.", and Leila smiles, "Please call me Leila.", and Jules exhaled, "Of course, Mis- Er, Leila.", liking the sound of her name on his tongue...It feels right.
Leila blushed a bit before realizing that she had her hand on his knee long enough, blushing even more as she cleared her throat, sitting back, and Jules's blush was hidden behind his sideburns and mustache, but he strangely was okay with Leila's forwardness, not blaming her as she's an Italian commoner, yet he has to follow the French society's rules.
Clearing his throat, "I hope you all don't mind eating in such a place as my chateau...I'm not very posh as some other people, thank goodness, but I still have to be proper and all. The chateau is safe for Carlo and my Ella and of course, Figaro to play as it's roomy, and my staff is very kind, they will be considerate of any allergies you may have.", Jules explained.
"Thank you... you're much too kind.", Jiminy said as Jules nodded. "Well, anything I can do to help for such weary travelers. Besides, it seems Ella's taking quite a shine to your cat and son.", he noticed Ella staring at Figaro once more.
Ella piped up, "I never had a cat or friend before.", and Carlo spoke, "Mama wants me be happy, and having a friend makes me happy, and Figaro can be your cat too...if we staying in town, Mama?".
Perla chuckled, "Yes, I believe we have found the next adventure in our journey of life, and we can stay, darling.", and both of the young children cheered, and Jules laughed warmly, overjoyed to see his daughter happy.
"That makes my heart glad. It has truly been a long time since I saw Ella smile so much...ever since my late wife died a year and a half ago...It was a sickness...It also took the Queen, god bless her soul, along with some others in the village...", Jules replied.
Leila gasped, "Oh, my! That must have been a horrible time...Did she go peacefully? Geppetto, Perla's father, he was caught in the rain while protecting Carlo. He got him home safely in time, so Carlo never got sick, but Geppetto, he got ill...He gratefully passed away in peace...He was in his 70s, god bless his soul...", while she rubbed Perla's back as she sniffled.
"Yes, Amelie passed away peacefully, thank god...She really fought, but it sapped the strength out of her for two months...", Jules sighed heavily. Ella hugged him, "Maman is singing with the angels, Papa.".
"Yes, she is...", Jules sighed as the carriage bumped when it hit a pothole in the road. "That always gets you...", he said under his breath in regard to the bump. "Anyway, we're not too far away from home so this ride won't be too long.".
Jiminy smiled, "Good, and I must say that you have gone for comfort, not luxury in this carriage.", and Jules chuckled, "Amelie convinced me of that when she was pregnant with Ella, and I went with her logic.".
"Smart man.", Juliet nodded with a smile, and Leila replied, "You are very fortunate to raise your daughter without social pressure for a long time like that...I barely had six months, three months of mourning time, and three months of raising my twins before I was pressured by the village to marry again...to that bastard...He acted so charming and considerate...I was blind...I wanted affection and such that I didn't notice his motives...Romeo pleaded with Juliet to keep it secret...he was protecting her and me...", with a deep sigh.
"He's gone now, Mama...", Juliet reminded her. "He can't hurt any of us anymore...". Leila nodded, "I know... the pain still hurts from the whole betrayal and fear that we all went through at his hands.".
Jules shook his head, "How dare he take advantage like that? That act of crime would bar him from the heavens and send him to hell. He is not worthy of deserving you, Leila, for you are a loving, kind, and compassionate woman. I may have not even known you of an hour, but the way you dote on your grandson, and the way you deeply care for your family, you are worthy, not him.".
Leila blushed hearing that, "W-Why, thank you...". Jules blushed too as he leaned back once more as things got a bit quiet. The wheels were obviously turning in heads as Juliet, Perla and Jiminy were all thinking the same thing: was Jules the one the compass pointed to? There was only one way to really find out but now wasn't the time; not while he or Ella was around. Not to mention they suspected that Leila didn't want to know for the time being.
Yeah, they'd prefer not to force it on Leila as they want her to have free will for the time being, and they knew they'd need to know Jules as they are all overprotective of her, not extremely so, but just enough to not want her to be hurt again emotionally and romantically.
And so, the friendship of two families began, with Carlo often asking to go see Ella every day, with Ella showing him the boundaries of the chateau's land, laughter filling the air as Figaro, along with a puppy named Bruno that Figaro somehow got along with, seeing that the puppy loved Ella as much as Figaro loved Carlo, and learning to ride Major, a horse, with the supervision of Jules and one of the women every now and then...
Jiminy eventually found a cottage and made a deal with the owner who is a village trader on the road, to rent the cottage, and the family moved in, near the outskirts of the village, able to make the trip shorter to the chateau.
They had settled in for at least a month when they heard new arrivals to town, gossip talking about a widowed woman with two young daughters...Leila adored Ella as she often found her, inviting her to come for pretend tea parties and such in playtime, and Jules, he gladly did some things a father would do with a son, with Carlo when Jiminy was busy at his new job which was an apprenticeship under a shopkeeper.
Yet while the children were distracted together, Leila found herself wanting to see Jules almost every day, and she was overjoyed to have a friend her age, but when she heard news about Jules meeting with the widowed woman, she was both happy yet worried, not wanting to see him betrayed the same way she was.
Leila still went and came, seeing her talking over tea with Jules, relieved to see Ella enjoying the company of her daughters, hearing that the woman's name is Eleanor Tremaine, and that her previous husband had died in a trading ship company overseas.
And then came the day the village gossiped that Duke D'Artaque is back in the social circles, looking for a suitable wife. Leila, having recognized Jules's noble title, she realized that he is having to face French society rules as well, just like back in Italy which is somehow not that different.
Upon a hour before lunch, in the cottage, a knock came upon the door, and Perla went to answer it, recognizing one of the staff from the chateau, hearing the explanation, and thanking him, Perla headed back deeper into the cottage, to the living room where the family was having relaxation time, like Jiminy reading a book, Juliet playing with Carlo on the floor, and Leila stitching up a scarf.
"Who was it, Perla?", Jiminy asked, and Perla replied, "It was Laurent from the Chateau, he got letters of invitation on orders of Jules, and Leila, you got invited to the social party.", with an excited smile.
"Really?", Leila asked as Perla nodded and handed her one of the invitations. "Of course.", Perla chuckled. "You've been getting along very well with the Duc; why else would you be left behind?".
"Not noble standing...", Leila quickly said. "Let's be honest... this whole get up is for the upper class, a lower-class commoner such as myself would draw so much ire and disgust. Jules might be more compassionate and down to earth, but I can't speak for the rest of them... especially these days since the nobility has returned to France from the horrors of the Revolution, the Reign of Terror and Napoleon's nepotism for his family and military marshals, and now they feel that they're almost once again invincible from the plights of the commoners.".
Juliet snorted, "Nonsense! Come on, look at the letter! Knowing Jules, he could give any woman of his age including you a sporting chance!", and Leila exhaled, opening it up, discovering a second letter within it.
'Leila,
I know you are more worthy than those rich women, for they hadn't experienced the reality of life as you have, and you are a strong woman. Please come as my friend...perhaps something more...You know society is pushing me, and especially now, since I don't just want a wife or a mother for Ella...I want a companion, a friend. It would make my night if you'll come, but if you don't want to, I completely understand...Just know that I'll treat you like an equal that you always deserve to be, and I will save a dance for you.
Jules.'
Leila's heart pounded as she read, and she exhaled deeply as she handed it around, "Does he want a familiar face, or just making sure he's doing what society says?".
Juliet replied, "I think both...He really would appreciate it if you'll come...Besides, who knows? It might be fun for you...Maybe romantic...How many other chances you could have to do this?...".
"But I don't have a suitable dress as the party's tonight, and the stores will be packed by now!", Juliet frowned with a sigh, and the others tried to think, and Perla was about to speak, trying to cheer her up when Carlo cheered, "Miss Evangeline!".
The others looked and saw the two compasses floating down from a secret storage dresser, and a bright light appeared between the compasses, and a moment later, on a mannequin stand is an emerald, green evening gown of silk, fitted to the waist and neck, with velvet buttons on the front, and laces at the back, and it's straight open at the neck and shoulders in a straight line, with a V waistline.
Perla gasped softly, "Wow...That's not too flashy nor too casual...It's just perfect for a social party...You'd look so beautiful, Leila!", and Juliet smiled, "We have to make the hair, figure out the accessories, and the shoes! Mama, are you in or out?".
Leila took a deep breath. "I suppose so now..." She gave a small smile as the girls chuckled and quickly went to work helping her. It took a bit of time but eventually Leila looked all ready to go.
"So... I guess I'll be your chauffeur for the evening.", Jiminy said as Leila nodded. "Yes, listen... if, if I decide that I want to leave early, would you be willing to just stick around wherever you drop me off?", she asked.
Jiminy nodded, "Sure thing, and besides, you know the grounds around the chateau better than those women.", and Leila chuckled softly, "That's true.".
"You look so pretty, Gramma!", Carlo complimented, and Leila smiled, hugging him gently, "Thank you, sweetie. You behave with your mothers, hmm?", and Carlo nodded with a smile.
With a rented carriage, Arnaldo, their mule is all ready, brushed and bathed, and Jiminy helped Leila in, and then he got on front, urging Arnaldo on, to the chateau.
It looked like the social party is taking place just beyond the chateau, in the back gardens and all, and Jiminy pulled up to the front doors, smiling at the head of the staff coming down and opening the door, "Oh, Miss Russo, you are simply enchanting!".
Leila blushed, smiling warmly, "Thank you, Pierre.", as Pierre helped her down, and she glanced at Jiminy who smiled at her, "Just have fun, Leila, and he's right, you're quite as pretty as a picture.".
"Thank you, Jiminy.", Leila smiled, and she took a deep breath as Pierre led her through the ground floor of the chateau, to the doors where she can hear muffled music, voices, and such, and Pierre smiled at her, "You ready?".
Leila gave a small nod, "I think so...", and Pierre advised, "Just relax. And you know, Master Jules truly had never smiled genuinely until he met you, in a long time, since the dreadful passing of Mistress Amelie. I am glad you came. He was quite a bit anxious.".
"He was? I wouldn't thought he'd be...", Leila lightly widened her eyes a bit, and Pierre smiled, "Master Jules may be a lot of things. And he will be so happy that you came. If you don't believe me, well, see for yourself.".
Leila nodded, and Pierre chuckled, "Wait a moment until I announce you, and then you come down, okay?", and Leila exhaled, "I'm ready.".
Leila waited for a few moments, just hoping that things would be alright. At least how she was dressed wouldn't exactly draw as much attention as if she just came in fairly normal clothes.
"May I announce Mademoiselle Leila Charlotte Sienna Russo.", Leila heard Pierre call for her as she took a deep breath. "You've got this...", she whispered to herself.
Jules was chatting with one of the few men who are brothers of the women his age that he invited from all over town, and he spun his head when he heard Pierre's announcement, and his heart pounded just a bit faster when he heard the name...She came...She actually came.
His eyes were on the doors that opened up, and his breath caught, his eyes widening in awe and pleased surprise as she walked down...She was so lovely before, and now...she's stunning...
Her well-cared dark ginger red hair is half up and half down, adorned with simple jewelry, with little makeup, wearing an emerald, green gown that brings out her eyes, with inch-flats.
Jules walked to her, smiling as she saw him, her smile radiant and beautiful, and she curtsied in French, "Duke D'Artaque.", and Jules bowed before her, "Mademoiselle Russo.", before speaking in Italian as he took her hand, kissing it, looking at her, "You look beautiful, Leila. I hoped you'd come...".
"Thank you, Jules...", Leila blushed as she glanced around. "Um... anyone here really know Italian?", with a bit of a nervous look.
"A few... others learned from other locations, in the case of those families that fled the revolutionaries and the guillotines; many nobles grew up all over Europe. Mainly they learned German since Austria tended to be a safe haven for a time.", Jules explained.
Leila smiled softly, nodding, "At least I'm fairly well at French, thanks to you and the town...", grateful for the past month she spent in the market and at the Chateau, before speaking back into French, "Could you introduce me, sir?", with a blush.
Jules smiled, "Of course. And don't worry, I'm saving our dance soon...", and Leila blushed even more before Jules offered his arm, and she took it, smiling as she began to be introduced, starting to enjoy the party, even recognizing a few faces from the market, and of course, Eleanor Tremaine.
Leila saw the staff from the Chateau, playing music and serving food and drinks before she saw two unusual servants, not recognizing them, and she whispered to Jules, "Why is that young boy here? I thought this is a adults' party.".
"Oh, you must be talking about Eleanor's slaves. The young boy is Naveen, and the man is his father, Ray. They were the last belongings of her former husband...", Jules replied softly, and Leila widened her eyes in horror, and Jules sighed, "I know...but I cannot remove them from Eleanor's charge as they were owned by her husband in his will to her, and as for Naveen, Eleanor didn't want him to be alone at her manor, bless her heart, so Ray brought him along, though I must admit a four year old boy is supposed to have fun...as he might make mistakes serving the party...".
"I have Jiminy waiting, how about I give the darling boy some time to play with our mule?", Leila suggested softly with a smile. Jules smiled warmly, "Oh, such a wonderful idea, Leila...Why don't you talk with Ray, to ask his permission to let Naveen go play? I will talk with Eleanor so she couldn't worry.".
Leila nodded as Jules walked away. Leila walked up to Ray, who she must admit, was quite the man from straight up appearances. Practically towering over everyone at the party by a few inches; maybe well over on the upper side of 6 feet and built quite well as despite the more hand me down French servant attire he wore. He looked like he could easily lift a sheep or a small calf with ease with his muscles. And looks, she honestly thought he was quite the handsome gentleman even if most of those in attendance, especially his owner, looked down upon him, thanks to his rich ebony skin color and mostly shaved head.