Chapter 44: The Occasion

The wedding was to take place in the outskirts of the city, a relatively quiet and peaceful spot. Esmeralda found it interesting that Phoebus had decided to settle down there. She'd always pictured him as someone who lived for excitement, given the fact that he was a war hero. But perhaps he didn't care for that sort of life anymore.

It was a beautiful evening, perfectly fit for a wedding, but poorly matched to Esmeralda's mood. She was doing everything she could to not feel depressed, but it wasn't working particularly well. She didn't know what she would do if Claude wasn't with her today. Everyone else at the wedding would be happy, so it was meaningful for Esmeralda to have someone who knew of her sorrow and saw her through it.

They arrived a few minutes late, which was obvious since so many people were already present. As soon as they showed up, some people started to stare. Esmeralda and Claude simultaneously cringed. The reasons for the looks were clear: Esmeralda, the only one of her people in the city, looked different from everyone in sight. And Claude was a recognizable figure to anyone who had lived in Paris long, even though he was dressed in plain civilian clothes. This was going to be an awkward evening.

"I should find Phoebus." Esmeralda decided. "I'll get right back to you."

"Alright." Claude accepted.

Esmeralda worked her way through the crowded area, looking for Phoebus. It wasn't long before she saw a blond, one-handed figure.

"Phoebus!" Esmeralda called.

The former soldier quickly noticed her and approached with a smile.

"Esmeralda!" He said gladly, quickly taking her in a hug.

Esmeralda smiled weakly. She found pain in the sound of Phoebus' always-pleasant voice.

"I'm glad you came!" He said after letting her go.

"Of course I came." Esmeralda said casually. "I'm very happy for you."

"Thanks a lot." Phoebus said appreciatively.

He looked happy to see Esmeralda until something caught his eye and he made an awkward look. Esmeralda saw what he saw. His gaze was stuck on Claude.

"Esmeralda..." Phoebus whispered. "What is he doing here?"

"You said I could bring a guest." Esmeralda reminded.

"Yes, but... Well, I assumed you would bring your friend, the bell ringer."

"I asked him, but he declined. So I came with Claude."

"Claude? You're on a first name basis now?"

Esmeralda blushed. It occurred to her that she'd never used Claude's first name in front of someone, and Phoebus was clearly judging her for it.

"...Yes." She answered. "He's been good to me... We're friends now."

Phoebus looked at her strangely, not speaking.

"...Okay." He said finally. "Well, I don't mind him being here as long as he's agreeable."

"I wouldn't bring him if he wasn't." Esmeralda assured.

"I know you wouldn't." Phoebus acknowledged. "I trust you."

Neither of them could think of anything else to add. Esmeralda wished that her relationship with Claude didn't need explaining, but she was grateful that this wasn't an issue in the end.

"The ceremony is soon." Phoebus informed. "I'll see you later, when the party starts."

"See you then." Esmeralda returned.

She went back to Claude, who quickly asked how the interaction had been.

"He's okay with you being here." Esmeralda reported. "He definitely didn't expect it, though."

"That is about as much as I hoped for." Claude said in acceptance. "How are you doing so far?"

"I'm fine." Esmeralda insisted.

There must have been a pained look on her face, because Claude looked at her doubtfully.

"You don't have to say that." He assured.

Esmeralda sighed, both in dread of the occasion and relief that she wasn't expected to feel alright.

"This is killing me." She admitted. "But I'll be fine... Really."

"Say the word, and we can leave." Claude promised.

Esmeralda nodded gratefully.

The ceremony was difficult to watch. Esmeralda felt helpless as she watched Phoebus speak his vows to another woman. All she could think about was being in the bride's place. She wished that Phoebus would look at her so sweetly and tell her he loved her. She wanted him, but she would never have him. He didn't love her. He loved Annette.

Claude barely turned his head to look at Esmeralda. He saw the longing and devastation in her face. It was a painful sight. No one as lovely as Esmeralda deserved to know the feeling of rejection. It would have made sense if she'd decided not to come to this event, but of course she'd chosen to be here for Phoebus. That was like her, the loyal friend that she was.

Wanting to comfort her, Claude extended his open hand. Esmeralda noticed and put her hand in his, holding onto him tightly.

Quasimodo got cleaned up and dressed in the tunic Elaine had given him. He was excited for what awaited him downstairs, albeit nervous. Soon Elaine would come to summon him, so he waited at the table.

It occurred to the bell ringer that Esmeralda might have noticed her wooden figure next to Frollo's, placed on the far end of the table. Quasimodo felt stupid for setting it up like that. He'd done it to illustrate how far he felt from Esmeralda, but now he was afraid that his behavior had increased the distance.

Soft footsteps came through the tower. Quasimodo recognized Elaine's pace and saw her approaching when he turned his head.

"Are you ready?" Elaine asked.

"Almost." Quasimodo replied, looking back at the table.

Elaine joined him and saw what he was looking at.

"I see what you did with those two." She acknowledged.

"I think Esmeralda saw it." Quasimodo said regretfully. "I'm stupid... I felt like she left me alone because she was friends with him. But now she might actually be leaving me alone because I made a big deal of it."

"You'll make up with her." Elaine assured.

"I know." Quasimodo agreed. "But this is going to be a pain to resolve..."

"I'm sure it will all work out." Elaine encouraged.

She found her own figure on the table and put it by Quasimodo's on the model cathedral.

"And no matter what, you won't be alone." She reminded.

Quasimodo smiled. He felt lucky to be friends with Elaine. She was too sweet to ever abandon him.

"Now, what do you say we go to dinner?" Elaine suggested.

"Let's go!" Quasimodo agreed.

He took Elaine's hand and they started down the stairs. Quasimodo suddenly noticed that Elaine's dress was a bright blue, the same color as his tunic.

"We match." He commented.

"Yes!" Elaine acknowledged. "I thought it would be fun."

Quasimodo was flattered that Elaine wanted to match colors with him. It was a gesture that made their companionship obvious, which told Quasimodo that Elaine was proud to be friends with him.

"I love it!" He said happily.

Elaine smiled widely.

They soon arrived downstairs, where a large group of people had gathered. They were all making loud conversation until Quasimodo and Elaine arrived, at which everyone froze and heads turned.

Quasimodo blushed. He worried that his appearance had made everyone uncomfortable, but the mood immediately changed.

"He's here!" Someone cheered.

"The bell ringer! Finally!"

"Quasimodo! It's so good to see you!"

Quasimodo was taken by surprise as people continued to passionately greet him. Contrary to his expectations, none of them seemed uncomfortable. These people were all happy to see him!

"Welcome, Quasimodo!" The archdeacon greeted.

Quasimodo noticed the priest and started to stutter.

"Um... Hello. Why- uh... Why is everyone so happy to see me?"

"Because you're the guest of honor!"

"I am?!"

Quasimodo looked at Elaine, but even she was surprised. She hadn't been involved in the planning of this occasion, she'd only been the messenger.

"Since you've started getting out of the tower," The archdeacon began. "I thought it would be nice to properly introduce you to everyone else who keeps this church running. All these years they've heard you ring the bells, but haven't seen you. They've all been wanting to meet you, and I thought you'd like to meet them. So, I planned a dinner party in order to make that happen."

Quasimodo smiled as widely as he possibly could. He never would have imagined that he'd be invited to an event where everyone was ecstatic to see him. But here it was.

Soon they all went to sit at a long table and eat dinner. Luckily, Quasimodo wasn't intimidated by it. He was well versed in table etiquette, which Frollo had taught him from a young age, so he managed the meal well. Some of the deacons were there and kindly acknowledged him, and he got into enjoyable conversations with some of the cleaners. At one point, the bell ringer wiped a tear from his eye.

"Are you alright?" Elaine asked.

"Oh, I'm more than alright!" Quasimodo assured. "I can't believe how happy I am!"

Elaine was curious. Between Quasimodo's reaction to this event and the archdeacon's comments on him getting out of the belltower, Elaine had to wonder just how lonely Quasimodo's life had been up until now. But she wouldn't question it at this moment. She only smiled, happy that the bell ringer was happy.