Chapter 45: The Outburst

The party had started. Dancing had commenced, and now the newly married couple were making their rounds, talking to the guests. Esmeralda was struggling to cope, and Claude noticed.

"We can leave if you want." He offered.

"I should congratulate them first." Esmeralda said with dread.

Claude nodded in acceptance. Esmeralda was right, it was only polite to acknowledge the newlyweds before leaving. But it seemed that there would be some time before that happened, so Claude sought to help it pass.

"We could dance while you wait." He suggested.

Esmeralda managed a smirk despite her sorrow.

"You dance?" She teased.

"I do when I have a good partner." Claude replied playfully.

He offered his hand. Esmeralda took it gratefully.

This was the best distraction she could hope for right now. Esmeralda felt a little better when she danced with Claude, but she had interesting thoughts when she looked around. They were surrounded by couples who were dancing the same way. It was odd to be doing what they were doing, acting like a couple. Esmeralda wished that Phoebus would dance with her like this. Still, it was no shame to be dancing with Claude. Being close to him was comforting. Esmeralda had first discovered that after reuniting with Phoebus.

"I'm sorry things turned out this way." Claude said with compassion.

"Don't be..." Esmeralda replied sadly. "I was stupid for thinking it would be any different."

"I'd change this for you if I could." Claude said apologetically. "If he hadn't changed his mind, I would gladly pretend that this marriage between us had never happened. I'd do whatever was necessary for you to be with him."

"I know you would." Esmeralda assured.

She meant it. When Claude had apologized for his wrongdoings and said he would bring the former captain back if it would make her happy, Esmeralda had known that he was serious. She'd believed it even more with every passing moment. At this point it was more than clear that Claude cared about her happiness. He was a good friend, like the kind of friend Esmeralda was trying to be by coming to this wedding.

Esmeralda stopped to wonder about what would have happened in a different series of events.

"Claude-" Esmeralda started before cutting herself off. "...Never mind."

"What is it?" Claude questioned.

"I shouldn't ask." Esmeralda insisted. "It's a stupid, rude question."

"I've told you my darkest secrets." Claude reminded. "I don't think any question of yours can offend me."

Esmeralda took a breath before asking.

"If that did happen..." Esmeralda proposed hypothetically. "If he'd still wanted me... Would you have come to our wedding?"

Claude didn't hesitate.

"Absolutely." He replied.

Esmeralda realized that Claude never ceased to amaze her. She looked into his eyes, and he looked back at her. It was a quiet moment, but they were soon interrupted.

"Esmeralda!"

Esmeralda and Claude stopped and looked to the source of the voice. Phoebus was approaching with his new wife at his side. He was making a strange face, probably because he was taken aback by the sight of Esmeralda dancing with Claude. But he put on a more polite expression as he came closer.

"Annette," Phoebus said to his bride. "This is my friend, Esmeralda. And... Judge Claude Frollo."

"It's good to meet you, Esmeralda!" Annette said with a smile. "I've heard so much about you!"

Esmeralda forced a smile.

"It's good to meet you too." She said politely.

"And I didn't realize the Minister of Justice was coming to our wedding!" Annette remarked.

"Please, call me Claude." Claude insisted. "I... imagine you've heard things about me as well."

"I've heard that you're working construction to fix up houses. I think that's very noble!"

Esmeralda knew that Phoebus had told Annette about his experiences. So even if she was new to this city, she surely knew of Claude's past wrongdoings. But she wasn't bringing that up. Clearly, she wasn't the type to judge a man for his past. Esmeralda couldn't help thinking that Phoebus had picked a good woman. Better than her, perhaps...

"I've been wanting to thank you." Annette said to Esmeralda.

"Thank me?" Esmeralda questioned.

"Phoebus tells me you saved his life. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that!"

"Oh. Well... He was definitely worth it."

Esmeralda and Phoebus locked eyes for an awkward moment. Both of them looked apologetic, Esmeralda for the feelings she had and Phoebus for not returning them.

"I would love to do something to thank you." Annette offered. "Why don't you join us for dinner? Both of you! Phoebus, wouldn't you like that?"

The former soldier made an uncomfortable look, but then awkwardly smiled.

"Uh... Yes! Of course." He said with an apparent struggle. "You're both welcome to dinner with us."

Esmeralda and Claude were both hesitant, neither wanting to answer for the other. They looked at each other. Claude's expression told Esmeralda that he was willing to do whatever she wanted. What she wanted most was to get out of here, but that would be rude.

"We... Would love to." Esmeralda finally answered.

Dinner was good, but the same could not be said about the interaction. Annette was the only person at the table who didn't find this situation awkward. The other three made forced friendly conversation.

"This is... A nice place." Esmeralda commented, trying to act casual.

"I bought this house just a week ago." Phoebus reported. "But it already feels like home."

"I didn't think you would decide to live all the way out here." Esmeralda remarked.

"I'm really not much of a city boy." Phoebus explained. "I grew up on a farm."

Esmeralda was surprised. She'd never pictured Phoebus as someone who preferred a rural environment.

"So did I." Annette shared. "We really bonded over that."

Esmeralda forced a smile for what must have been the tenth time today.

"So..." She went on. "What are you up to now that you're out of the Army?"

"I'm a carpenter now." Phoebus replied. "It's a tough job with one hand, but I like it. I'm really just glad to be out of the war."

"I'm glad too." Annette commented. "As long as we're together, I couldn't wish for anything more."

Phoebus smiled at his wife.

"I couldn't agree more." He shared. "Some would say I missed out on a promising career, but I'm very happy with where I am now."

Claude stared ahead uncomfortably. Esmeralda quickly realized why. She remembered his words after Phoebus had saved the miller's family: "You threw away a promising career." Phoebus certainly remembered it too.

But that was in the past. Claude was ashamed of it now, and that was written all over his face. Why was Phoebus bringing it up?

"Being a carpenter isn't too bad." Phoebus continued. "I really can't complain. I'd rather be here than be some rich bastard drinking expensive wine. That's overrated."

Claude looked even more uncomfortable. Esmeralda had to hide her anger.

"Who says drinking expensive wine is all rich men do?" She asked rhetorically.

Phoebus looked at her with a strange confusion. He seemed shocked that she didn't automatically agree with him.

"I'm just saying it doesn't sound much fun to be rich." He explained. "I mean, what are wealthy people even interested in? Poetry?"

Claude was completely frozen. He looked as if he was trying to make everyone forget his presence. Esmeralda found it even harder to bite her tongue.

"Claude writes poetry." She shared.

Claude's face suddenly jerked in her direction.

"He's good at it." Esmeralda added.

Phoebus stared at her with a dumbfounded expression. Annette, however, was excited.

"How nice!" She commented. "I never imagined that the Minister of Justice was a poet!"

Claude hesitated to acknowledge the topic. It took a moment to bring himself to say something casual.

"It is a hobby." He shared. "Just something that keeps me busy."

"Well, I guess it's better than other things." Phoebus accepted. "I mean, some people spend their lives obsessing over art. Can you believe that? Where's the fun in paintings?"

Esmeralda was barely avoiding a scowl.

"We were talking about going to Italy to look at art." She informed.

Claude was silent and so was Phoebus. Annette was continually happy.

"Italy!" She exclaimed. "That sounds so exciting!"

"...I suppose that could be exciting." Phoebus admitted. "I mean, life is interesting when you go places. That's what I would do if I was rich. I wouldn't be reading books, or whatever it is that rich people do all day."

Esmeralda's fists clenched under the table. She stared at Phoebus coldly.

"...I like reading." She said eventually.

Phoebus gaped at her.

"You... Read?" He asked with a tone of bewilderment.

"Claude has been teaching me." Esmeralda responded firmly.

Phoebus hesitated, as if taking a moment to absorb the fact.

"I see..." He finally acknowledged.

An awkward silence came over the whole group. Annette seemed to finally realize that something was off, and tried to remedy the situation.

"Does anyone want... Dessert?" She asked. "I baked a cake."

Esmeralda tried to be polite.

"That would be very nice." She replied.

"Indeed." Claude agreed.

"Thank you, dear." Phoebus said his wife.

She kissed him briefly before getting up and leaving the room. As soon as Annette had left, Phoebus looked at Claude with hostility.

"What have you done to her?!" He demanded.

Claude and Esmeralda both looked at Phoebus in confusion.

"Excuse me?" Claude questioned.

"Poetry and Italy and books... Just what are you dragging her into?!"

"Phoebus, what are you talking about?!" Esmeralda snapped.

"This isn't like you, Esmeralda!" Phoebus insisted. "A little time with him, and now you're into all this rich bastard stuff? I don't believe it! You can't just let him change you!"

"I haven't changed!" Esmeralda retorted.

"Yes, you have! Why don't you see-"

"SHUT UP!"

In an instant, the room went quiet. Claude was the one who had yelled, and at the same time he had furiously stood up, a violent scowl forming on his face.

Esmeralda and Phoebus both stared in a silent shock. Claude, who had barely spoken in the last several minutes, was livid. He glared at Phoebus with burning eyes.

"I know you don't like me, Phoebus." Claude said firmly. "And you have every right not to. But you're not just insulting me right now! You're insulting her!"

He gestured to Esmeralda furiously.

"You are out of your MIND if you think I've changed her!" Claude thundered. "For starters, I would never want to. And if I did, it would be impossible! She doesn't change for anyone, she's much too strong to do that! I had no intention of teaching her to read, but she persuaded me to! She stood up to me because she wanted to learn! That is who she is. She is strong, and intelligent, and absolutely amazing... AND YOU MISSED OUT!"

Phoebus was reduced to a state of gawking paralysis. Esmeralda found herself unable to think. This was the most emotional state she'd seen Claude in since he'd told her what his father had done to him, and this outburst was all about her...

"Dessert is served!" Annette called on her way back.

Claude quickly sat down, resuming a neutral expression. Annette came into the room and passed out plates of cake, which the others thanked her for.

No one spoke, even after the dessert was finished. Eventually, Phoebus picked up the plates.

"I'm going to start cleaning dishes." He explained.

"I'm glad I married such a thoughtful man." Annette praised.

Esmeralda got up from her chair.

"I'll help you." She volunteered.

Phoebus looked at her apologetically.

"Thanks..." He replied.

A minute later, Esmeralda was furiously scrubbing dishes. Phoebus tried to talk to her.

"Esmeralda..." He attempted. "I didn't mean to insult you..."

"No." Esmeralda said harshly. "You meant to insult Claude."

"I just wanted to subtly make fun of him." Phoebus explained. "I didn't think any of that would apply to you..."

"Even if it didn't, I'd be furious."

"But-"

"He's my friend, and you just attacked him left and right!"

Phoebus sighed.

"It's just that... He's terrorized all of Paris! Do you expect me to let that go?"

"No, but I expect you not to bully him! He may not mean anything to you, but he means a lot to me!"

Esmeralda turned to Phoebus and practically slammed a few dishes into his arms.

"And don't get me started on everything you implied about me!" She spat.

Phoebus looked at her pitifully.

"I didn't think you were into-"

"Rich bastard stuff?"

"I'm sorry... I just thought-"

"You assumed. I never said I wasn't interested in those things, you just assumed I wasn't! And worse, you assumed that he changed me! Who do you take me for?! I have a mind of my own! I've wanted to read since I was a little girl!"

"It just didn't seem normal for-"

"For a gypsy?"

Phoebus stopped talking. The look on his face was pathetic. He looked as if he regretted all of his life's choices.

Esmeralda sighed.

"You don't know what my interests are." Esmeralda reminded. "You couldn't name one thing I like!"

"You like... Dancing." Phoebus attempted.

"No, I don't!"

"What?!"

Esmeralda shook her head frustratedly.

"Well, I like partner dances, like those that happen at weddings..."

She thought of how she had danced with Claude earlier, and how nice it had been.

"But that dance you saw me doing at the festival? I didn't like that!"

Esmeralda sighed in frustration.

"Years ago I liked dancing." She admitted. "Before I did it for money... But ever since it became my living, I've been sick of it! You wouldn't have seen me dancing on the street for coins if I had a better option. It was exhausting! And I got harassed by soldiers all the time! I don't miss that... I only did it because my brother and I were hungry!"

"Hold up..." Phoebus murmured. "You... have a brother?"

Esmeralda froze. A strong realization hit her, one that changed everything.

"You don't know me..." She said with a fresh understanding.

Phoebus didn't speak. He could only watch as Esmeralda experienced this discovery.

"Of course you don't..." She continued. "I only knew you for a few days before you left. We only had three conversations. Three conversations, and I thought I was in love with you..."

Esmeralda sighed.

"I'm an idiot." She said with frustration. "Thank you, Phoebus."

"For what?" Phoebus asked.

"For helping me realize how unalike we are."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Esmeralda couldn't believe her own ignorance. She hadn't properly gotten to know Phoebus before being cut off from him. If she had, she would have realized that they were too different to be a couple. It was clear now that they did not belong together. Amazingly, Esmeralda had more in common with the Minister of Justice than she had with the former soldier. She realized she connected more with Claude. Claude, who knew her well and enjoyed her, and who had so passionately stood up for her...

Laughter erupted. Esmeralda was back in the room where Claude and Annette waited, and Annette was laughing loudly while Claude merely chuckled.

"What's going on?" Esmeralda asked.

Phoebus caught up with her and looked at the room with the same curiosity.

"What's so funny?" He inquired.

"Oh, Phoebus!" Annette noticed. "You must hear this story! Claude was just telling me how Esmeralda convinced him to teach her to read."

Claude looked like he'd lost his sense of humor as soon as he saw Esmeralda and Phoebus. He looked at Esmeralda as if to ask if this was okay. She smiled.

"That's a good story." She commented.

Claude barely smiled. He was still unhappy at the sight of Phoebus, but tried to act casual.

"I had taught Quasimodo the alphabet." He began. "Esmeralda learned it from him, then came to me to demonstrate her knowledge. I was impressed, but to my unpleasant surprise, the words she used were completely different from the ones I'd taught Quasimodo with. When I questioned it, she said..."

"I didn't like your words." Esmeralda reminisced. "So he came up with new ones."

Annette laughed again. Claude looked at Esmeralda proudly. Phoebus looked at her with shame.

"Nice one..." The former soldier complimented.

Esmeralda didn't acknowledge him.

"We should be going." She announced.

"Yes, we should." Claude agreed.

"Thank you for coming, and for being at the wedding!" Annette said gratefully.

"It was a pleasure." Esmeralda said emotionlessly.

Phoebus saw her and Claude to the door, at which point he began apologizing.

"I'm... So sorry." He said awkwardly. "I was very rude to both of you."

"Don't worry about it." Esmeralda brushed off.

The apology was called for, but she wasn't in the mood to deal with this right now. Esmeralda wanted nothing more than to leave and be done with Phoebus for the day.

Claude didn't say anything. He didn't feel like it was his place.

They readily started away from the house and into the night. Esmeralda spoke as soon as she knew the door was shut and they were alone.

"I'll talk to him later." She assured, not wanting Claude to worry. "I'm not happy, but he knows he messed up. We'll work it out."

Claude sighed. He stopped, prompting Esmeralda to stop with him, and turned to face her.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "For making a scene..."

"Claude..." Esmeralda started.

"I'm very fond of you." He interrupted. "It was just so upsetting to hear him talk to you like that. I wanted to protect you, as foolish as that sounds. I hope-"

"Claude." Esmeralda cut off.

She looked into his eyes intensely and touched his cheek with one hand. Claude stared back at her, unmoving. To his amazement, Esmeralda put her other hand around the back of his head and leaned toward him.

She kissed him slowly. Claude hardly reacted at first, since he was so amazed by it. But as the reality hit him, he reciprocated, slowly moving his lips against hers.

He didn't want to get too interested, worrying that it would stop. But as Esmeralda's hand stroked his cheek, he saw that it wasn't over. Esmeralda was interested in this, so Claude allowed himself to get interested. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned further into her, deepening the kiss.

It was a slow and lingering kiss, and it was one of the best they had experienced.