Chapter 2
Heading to Normandy
The next morning, Oscar and André set off for Normandy in a carriage. They were being driven by Don Bertino, a coachman who had just started working with the Jarjayes family a week ago and was quite absent-minded.
Despite everything that had happened around those dates, André felt happy to spend a few days alone with his best friend, just like in the old days. In recent years, they hadn't had the opportunity to go on vacation together.
Since Oscar took care of Rosalie, she was included in all their plans. Although they had some moments alone during Oscar's free time at work or in the mansion, they hadn't gone on vacation together for several years.
André never minded Rosalie's presence; on the contrary, she inspired tenderness in him. She had suffered a lot and needed all the affection and understanding they could give her. Besides, Rosalie brought out the noblest side of Oscar, and he knew that her presence brightened the days of the woman he loved.
Another reason why Marion's grandson never felt uncomfortable with Rosalie's presence was that the dynamic he had with Oscar was very different from the one Oscar had with Rosalie.
With André, Oscar allowed herself to be herself; with him, she could show her anger when she was angry, her fatigue when she was tired, and even her sadness, even though she tried to appear unshaken in front of everyone else.
With him, she felt free to have an equal conversation, enjoy a beautiful landscape, or just be by his side in silence. It was different with Rosalie; she was young, innocent, and sensitive, and because of that, Oscar brought out her sweeter side as she wanted to alleviate, to some extent, all that Rosalie had suffered.
However, it had been a long time since Rosalie left the Jarjayes mansion to go first with the Polignacs and then to the neighborhoods of Paris. There they were again, just Oscar and André, going on vacation to Normandy, just like in the old days.
A few hours had passed since they set off, and as the carriage moved forward, André reflected on the recent events in his life. He felt a bit strange due to the new visual perspective he had, seeing with only his right eye. However, while he felt disoriented, he also knew he had to adapt and move forward.
And as he thought about it, gazing out of his small window, Oscar interrupted his thoughts.
- First, I separated you from your study group to look for the Black Knight... and now, I'm separating you again to accompany me to Normandy. - the heiress of the Jarjayes family said, as if feeling guilty for making him set aside an activity he enjoyed. Surprised by her words, André turned his gaze to her.
Her comment brought to his memory that during the time they were looking for the Black Knight, Oscar had subtly questioned his sympathy for anti-monarchist causes. André even mentioned that he felt entitled to know more about the "New Era" because he was not a noble, drawing an invisible line between them for the first time.
At that time, Oscar was affected by his words because she never made social differences between them apparent. The only one who reminded André that he was a servant – and thus a commoner – was his nanny, mainly when he called her "Oscar" instead of "Lady Oscar." Still, neither of them paid much attention to those remarks; on the contrary, André laughed at his grandmother, and Oscar always said that it didn't bother her.
Clearly, each of them had their own role and obligations, but at the Jarjayes mansion, he was never treated differently because of his social class. On the contrary, André had grown up as Oscar's companion on equal terms, and even though it was clear that both came from different families, Oscar considered them equals and had always felt that way.
However, although at that moment Oscar felt André was being unfair – and even outrageous – for pointing out their differences, it was not Marion's grandson's intention to make her angry with his words. He had simply told the truth: he had grown up in a noble household but was, in fact, a commoner. Still, it would never have crossed his mind to leave Oscar to fend for herself if things started to get complicated for the aristocracy.
- Oscar... I didn't lie when I told you that those meetings were like a study group for me, but I was also attending them for you, to see how this situation could affect you and your family. - he said.
André spoke those words with such determination that Oscar fell silent, not knowing what to say. She had really come to believe that he had not considered how the "New Era" proposals were against the interests of the aristocrats, and thus, the interests of his family.
Nevertheless, once again, she confirmed that André was her most loyal friend, and their friendship remained strong despite the passage of time, because certainly – since they were both young – they had mainly had each other.
And while he thought about that, Oscar observed him with an illuminated, tender, and perhaps even dazzled look... Was it out of love?... André could never decipher it in those moments, because it wasn't the first time the heiress of Jarjayes looked at him that way.
He would have been sure that she loved him if it wasn't for the existence of Fersen... Fersen... whom, at that moment, Oscar didn't even remember.
Days prior to everything that happened with the Black Knight, she had decided to forget that youthful illusion and felt relieved knowing that Fersen never knew about her feelings for him. Still, during those days, Oscar didn't think about him, for since André lost the sight in one of his eyes - following his encounter with France's most famous bandit - all her thoughts were focused on her childhood friend; she needed to be certain that he would be okay, and also sure that he would regain the joy that characterized him.
- How long have we been traveling? - Oscar asked André, smiling sweetly.
- Not much... Probably about two hours, maybe a little longer. - he replied after taking a few moments to calculate the time that had passed since they left.
Oscar then reclined in her seat, rested her head on André's legs, and closed her eyes, much to the tender yet surprised look from her best friend, as she hadn't reclined like that in a long time. In the past, she used to rest that way during long carriage rides, but had stopped, perhaps because her recent travels had been with Rosalie.
André smiled, gazing at his childhood friend's peaceful and relaxed face, thinking that, after all, neither of them had changed so much.
Both had their own universe, a universe that belonged only to the two of them, and neither the nanny, nor the general, nor Oscar's mother, nor Gerodelle - nor even Rosalie - knew what happened when they were entirely alone.
Over the years they had shared together since childhood, they had built a relationship of absolute trust. They could even share their deepest concerns and their most intimate feelings, such as when André spoke about the loneliness he felt when his parents died or when Oscar confided the great confusion she felt when her father scolded her harshly for trying to play the same games as her sisters.
Moreover, they never felt uncomfortable with proximity or physical contact. It felt entirely natural for both to be close to each other because they had always been very close since they were children. However, that didn't happen with other people, with whom they preferred to keep a careful distance.
André and Oscar were very similar, much more than people thought, even if he seemed more sociable, both were equally reserved.
However, there was something that set them apart, and it was that André was much more in tune with his feelings and was completely aware of the great love he felt for the friend he had seen grow into a woman, while Oscar had never stopped to reflect on what she felt for André; she simply went with that infinite peace she felt with the person with whom she could be herself and the happiness that peace brought her in her hectic days as the Commander of the Royal Guard.
At that moment, resting on him, the daughter of Regnier de Jarjayes had succumbed to that feeling as he delicately caressed her hair, completely aware that the beautiful woman resting on him was the woman he loved, and for whom he would give even his own life.
A few minutes later, the slight movement of the carriage began to lull them to sleep, and they both fell into a deep slumber.
...
A couple of hours later, Oscar opened her eyes. She was still resting on André's lap and upon waking up, she could feel her friend's hand on her hair, but he was still asleep.
- André... André... Wake up... - she said in a soft whisper.
- Oscar?... What time is it?... Where are we? - asked Marion's grandson, still a bit sleepy.
- I have no idea... - she replied, sitting up. - I just woke up. - she said.
After hearing her, André turned to the small window that separated him from the coachman and opened it to address him.
- Don Bertino... Where are we? - he asked.
- In Dreux, young man. - Don Bertino responded promptly. - By the way, I'll need to stop in a few minutes for the horses to rest and drink water.
- Alright. Meanwhile, the lady and I will look for a place to eat. - André told him, then closed the window.
- The lady? - Oscar asked, surprised by his unusual formality.
- Soon you'll realize that Don Bertino is somewhat absent-minded. - he replied. - I'm sure he doesn't even remember which family he's working for, which is why I must remind him all the time that I'm with the lady of the family. - he added. And she smiled at him.
A few meters ahead, near a small restaurant, the carriage stopped, and both got off it.
- Gentlemen, I'll come back for you in an hour at this spot. Does that work for you? - asked Don Bertino.
- Alright, thank you very much. - André replied, and Don Bertino left.
Then André addressed Oscar again.
- I don't think we've ever made a stop in this village before. It seems Don Bertino brought us through a different route.
- That's right. - she mentioned, curiously observing the street where the coachman had left them. - Maybe we shouldn't have fallen asleep. - Oscar concluded, feeling some hostility in the air, and André nodded.
The locals had started looking at them with suspicion, so much so that they began to feel increasingly uncomfortable. While walking towards the restaurant, Marion's grandson spoke to his travel companion.
- Oscar, don't you think the townspeople are looking at us in a very strange way? - he asked, trying to keep his voice down.
- Yes, I feel the same. - she replied, and they kept whispering.
- It's your fault... - André joked, trying to lighten the mood of the moment. - People aren't used to seeing someone of your presence.
- What do you want me to do? Dress up as a woman? - she snapped.
- Dress up?' - André inquired. - But that's what you are. - he laughed, and she immediately elbowed him. - Ow! That hurt, Oscar! - he complained, clutching his stomach as though in pain.
- Stop it, André! Don't joke right now! - she told him. - Besides, do you think I'm the only one attracting attention? Did you not see how those women looked at you as they passed by us? It's as if they've never seen a man before...
- What are you talking about? - he innocently replied. - I didn't notice anything strange.
- Please... Of course, you noticed. - Oscar asserted, and André smiled at her complaints.
After a few minutes, and already inside the restaurant, both were welcomed by the owner, who gave them a warm smile.
- Finally, a friendly face. - André murmured to Oscar.
- Good morning, gentlemen! - greeted Don Antoine. - What would you like to order?... On the board, you'll see all our specialties... By the way, my name is Antoine, and I am the owner of this restaurant. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
- Good day, Don Antoine. - Oscar replied to the welcome.
- Pleased to meet you. - André added with his characteristic kindness. - My name is André, and she... I mean, he... is Oscar. - he told him.
- Nice to meet you, gentlemen. - the kind man replied, and after looking at the board for a few seconds, Oscar addressed him again.
- Don Antoine, I'd like to order the Aligot. - she said.
- And I'd like the Quenelle. - André added.
- Excellent choices. I'll bring your orders right away. - Don Antoine replied.
- Could you also bring us two glasses of wine? - André asked.
- Of course. I'll do that immediately. - the owner said. - By the way, excuse me if you felt uncomfortable because of the locals' stares. Whenever well-dressed new people come to the town, there's a belief that they are aristocrats. - Don Antoine mentioned.
And after saying this, he laughed heartily.
- But I know they're not! It's well known that this is a place where many intellectuals like you stop, and I make it a point to serve them as best as I can. - the owner added.
Oscar and André exchanged alarmed glances. They immediately realized that this wasn't the best place for them and knew that any misstep or wrong word could put them in danger.
- Yes, yes... I noticed that when we arrived. - André replied, smiling and trying to disguise his uneasiness. - But what an absurdity... Us? Nobles? - Marion's grandson mentioned, feigning an incredulous smile. - Ridiculous!
- Absolutely! It's absurd! No aristocrat would think of visiting these parts. Please, make yourselves at home; I'll bring your orders shortly. - said Don Antoine.
With that, the owner left, and Oscar and André started a low conversation.
- Oscar, we need to be careful. - Marion's grandson warned. - These people keep eyeing us suspiciously.
- Yes, but there's no turning back now. - she replied. - If we left now, they'd become even more suspicious. Let's just eat quickly and leave.
André murmured something to his companion, contemplating how to proceed in the situation.
- Oscar, it might be better not to continue our journey in the same carriage. It's too ostentatious, and being seen in it could be dangerous. - André mentioned. - Let's take a common one when we leave.
- No, André. - Oscar responded, convinced. - We still have a few hours of travel left, and anything could happen in an unknown carriage. - she said.
- Maybe you're right. - André replied. - At least, we came in a carriage without the Jarjayes family crest painted on the doors. Don Bertino has saved us by choosing the carriage that doesn't have the Jarjayes crest on it yet. - he assured her.
- Yes. But he's also put us in danger by bringing us to this town. - Oscar murmured. She then noticed the owner of the place returning with their orders. - Quiet, Don Antoine is coming back. - she whispered to André.
- Here you go, gentlemen. - the kind man said, placing the dishes and wine glasses on the table. - Bon appétit! - he added excitedly.
And after Don Antoine left, they both ate quickly and almost without talking. Although there were about fifteen minutes left before their coachman returned for them, they were doing their best to leave the restaurant and the unfriendly town as soon as possible. They'd already paid in advance to avoid any delay.
- I have an idea, Oscar. - André suddenly said and immediately stood up. - Wait for me here. - he added.
- Hey! Don't leave me alone! - she exclaimed, surprised by his intention to go alone.
- I won't be long. - André reassured her.
And he left the restaurant hastily.
- Damn it! He left! - Oscar muttered angrily, unable to believe he'd left her alone. - Where does he think he's going? - she wondered, pretending to read a local newspaper she found on the table to avoid the gazes of the people making her feel uncomfortable. However, just five minutes later, André returned with a package in his hands.
- What do you have there? - Oscar asked, intrigued.
- I'll tell you what it is later. For now, let's go! - André responded, bidding a polite farewell to the restaurant owner, and both of them left.
A few seconds later, Marion's grandson addressed their coachman, who was already waiting at the entrance.
- Don Bertino, let's go quickly. - André ordered as they boarded the carriage. - And under no circumstances should you mention that the daughter of Count Jarjayes is with us. - he cautioned.
- The Count's daughter? - Don Bertino asked, confused, as if he had no idea whom he was transporting.
André looked resigned. The man was new, and the little information he had about the family he was working for was quite alarming.
- Just head to Normandy. - André asked with infinite patience. - And if anyone asks you anything, tell them to talk to me.
- Alright, young man. Whatever you say. - the old coachman replied. And the three of them set off toward their destination.
- At a gallop, Don Bertino. We need to reach the next town as soon as possible. - André instructed from inside the carriage through the internal window that connected them.
Don Bertino obeyed, and the carriage started bouncing due to the high speed. However, that was the least of their concerns as both knew from previous experiences that staying in that place was extremely dangerous.
After a few seconds, André closed the interior window connecting him to the coachman again. Meanwhile, Oscar wondered about the contents of the mysterious package her companion brought.
- Can you tell me what you have there? - the heiress of the Jarjayes asked, unable to bear the curiosity, and André decided to show her the contents: it was a simple dark brown dress with pleats and white flowers on the sleeves. Seeing it, Oscar looked at her travel companion with incredulity.
- A dress? - she asked, laughing mockingly. - Why did you buy that? Do you plan to wear it?
- No, silly. It's for you. - he said.
- For me? - she responded, laughing at his naivety in even thinking she could wear it. - You must be joking.
- I'm not joking, Oscar. - André replied firmly. - You attract too much attention as a man, and your clothes are too fine. If someone else sees us, they'll immediately suspect you're an aristocrat.
- Alright... Alright... - she told him, understanding his point. - I'll put this on to avoid suspicion, but only until we reach the Villa of Normandy.
And saying that, she took the dress and looked at it curiously, trying to figure out how to put it on.
- I'll have to change here. - she said, thinking aloud. - André, close your eyes, and don't you dare open them. If you open them, you're a dead man. - she warned.
- Hey! - he exclaimed immediately, pretending to be annoyed. - I have no interest in seeing you. - he said as he closed his eyes. - That scarecrow-like body doesn't attract me. - he added.
Hearing this, she kicked him.
- Ouch! Oscar! You're cruel! - André exclaimed, feigning the pain.
The carriage was moving rapidly, and the roads were rough, so every so often, both of them jumped from their seats. Due to this, the heiress of the Jarjayes did all kinds of acrobatics to get dressed.
- Oscar! You hit me again! - André complained.
- Forgive me. - she responded, apologizing sincerely. - This time it was not on purpose. What's happening is my head and arm are stuck in the dress, and I can't move. I need you to help me untangle! - she said as she struggled to put on the garment.
- But how? I can't see anything! - André replied.
- It doesn't matter. Just find my hand and pull it from inside the sleeve. - she replied.
Then, feeling around, André managed to reach Oscar's hand to fit the sleeve, helping her put her head through the neckline. But her odyssey wasn't over yet.
- André, this dress has buttons at the back. You'll have to fasten them. - Oscar instructed.
- Me?! - André responded, astounded.
- Of course, you! You don't expect me to ask Don Bertino to do it. Come on, just do it! But don't open your eyes. - Oscar insisted.
- Okay, okay. - André replied, resigned, and began trying to fit the buttons through the buttonholes of the dress. However, with all the movement, it was impossible: every time he was about to button one, the carriage would bounce, and he couldn't do it.
- This coach is moving too much. - André commented.
- Stop complaining. This was your idea. - Oscar scolded.
- There! It's done! - he finally said, enthusiastic to finally finish his laborious task. - Oscar... Can I open my eyes now? - he asked, and she checked if the dress was on correctly before answering.
- Yes, you can open them now. - she replied.
Then, André opened his eyes and was amazed at how Oscar looked in that dress. She looked so beautiful that he was speechless, even breathless. Although it was a simple dress, the brown color made her lush blond hair stand out more, which she had pulled to one side.
- You're a very beautiful woman, Oscar. - André said, looking at her tenderly, overwhelmed by her beauty.
She looked at him in surprise. She would have expected him to joke or mock her, but never to compliment her. The last time she saw herself in a dress, he had also told her that she looked very beautiful, but at that moment, Oscar thought he had said that just to please his nanny.
For his part, after unsettling his closest friend, André thought it hadn't been appropriate to say that so abruptly and averted his gaze from her, looking out the window. However, he wasn't sorry for saying what he said because his words were true, and he said them with the conviction of someone affirming the most absolute and irrefutable truths.
And at that moment, Oscar's eyes filled with tears without him realizing it. His words had moved her, but he didn't notice it. Seeing through the window of his carriage, he got lost in a new landscape; they had arrived at their destination, and although the sun was still shining, it was already late, and the breeze was getting stronger.
- We've finally arrived at Normandy. - André said, relieved. - It's forty-five minutes from here to the villa. We'll rest soon. - he commented, opening the interior window to address the coachman. - Don Bertino, please, from here on, let's go at a normal pace. - André ordered.
- Alright, young man. As you say. - replied Don Bertino, and he slowed down the carriage.
- Are you tired? - Oscar asked sweetly.
- Yes, a little. - he replied, closing the interior window connecting them to the coachman. - Must be from the worry of not being able to leave that town faster. - he said.
- But you seemed calm. - Oscar mentioned.
- I tried to keep it that way, but the truth is, I was nervous in that place. - André confessed, and at that moment, Oscar looked at him curiously. André was the person with the most emotional control she knew, even in the most tense moments, and that was one of the qualities she admired most about him.
Then, after observing him for a few seconds, Oscar gently took her companion's arm and made him lie down in the carriage seat, resting his head on her lap so that he could rest, just as she had done only a few hours before. They had fallen back into their old dynamic when it was just the two of them, without the royal guards, without Rosalie: without anyone.
- André, try to sleep. I'll stay awake until we reach the villa. - she said, and then, almost with the tips of her fingers, she brushed the hair from his face and looked at the almost imperceptible scar that remained on her friend's eyelid. Without taking her eyes off him, she smiled at him tenderly.
He smiled back while looking at her face, almost unable to hide the great love he felt for her. But after a few seconds, he closed his eyes to try to sleep following the advice of the woman he loved. Wrapped in infinite happiness, he continued the journey with her toward the villa of Normandy.
...
End of the chapter