Chapter 16: The Aftermath
A grimace crossed Frollo's face. His legs begged him not to walk, but he pushed forward, leaning on Esmeralda for support.
"I really think this is a bad idea." Esmeralda complained.
"It won't be for long." Frollo promised.
They made it to the hall where the fireplace resided. This wasn't Frollo's first choice of setting for an important meeting, but it worked because it was away from prying ears and close enough to walk to despite his pain.
He strained to stabilize himself when Esmeralda let go of him. It was agonizing, but he managed to stand still and put on a calm face.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Esmeralda asked.
"I don't want to do it." Frollo replied with dread. "But I won't go another day without addressing this situation."
This really wasn't what Frollo wanted. He wasn't prepared to get out of bed, get dressed, limp over to this room, and have the most unpleasant confrontation of his life. But it had to happen. He needed to deal with these circumstances before they grew out of control.
Esmeralda went to wait outside. Soon the anticipated visitor arrived.
"Good morning, Sir." The Captain greeted.
Frollo scowled.
"How far have the rumors spread?" He demanded.
"Word has traveled through the streets." The Captain replied.
"This is unacceptable." Frollo insisted. "I need you to do something about it."
"What would you have me do, Sir?"
"Send out a public notice. Tell them it wasn't me who fell from the attic."
"I'm afraid they wouldn't believe that. Quite a few people saw."
"Tell them they were mistaken! They will have to believe it if you insist!"
The Captain looked apprehensive.
"Sir, if I might share my opinion..."
"What is it?"
"It may be in your best interest to let this be."
Frollo would have slapped the man if his hands didn't hurt.
"How could that possibly be in my best interest?!" He asked furiously. "Captain, I don't think you understand the situation you've put me in. Those people saw the Minister of Justice half naked and battered in the middle of the street! And even worse, they saw... You know what!"
He didn't want to acknowledge the scar. Mentioning it would take away any possibility of acting like it wasn't known.
"I'm very sorry, Sir." The Captain apologized. "I understand how bad that was for you. But... I think it was different for the people of Paris."
The Captain handed a piece of paper to Frollo. The judge took it furiously and looked over it.
"A list," The Captain explained. "Of things people have been saying about the incident."
Frollo was taken aback by the quotes. One of them read:
I didn't think Minister Frollo would ever save someone like that. What heroism!
Another said:
He took such a beating to arrest the thieves! I'm impressed!
Then there was the worst of them:
I was beginning to think the Minister of Justice had lost his mind, but maybe he is making a change for the better!
Frollo stopped reading. He didn't know what to think of these words, or what to think of the man who had delivered them.
"They think you're a hero." The Captain went on. "I'll tell them it wasn't you if that is your wish, but I thought you might like to know how the people see this."
Frollo was unsure of himself. He would make his decision in private.
"I will consider it." He consented. "But there is one thing I am certain of."
"What is that?"
"I am going to have you transferred."
"Transferred? I only arrived here recently."
Frollo crossed his arms.
"I don't want to see any more of you." He insulted.
"Sir," The Captain said pleadingly. "You know I didn't do this to you on purpose."
"Which is why I'm only giving you a transfer and not a demotion."
The Captain looked defeated, which was exactly what Frollo had hoped for.
"Is that what you want, Sir?"
"Yes."
"...Alright."
The Captain left. As soon as he was out of the room, Frollo released the groan he'd been restraining the whole time and dropped to his knees. Esmeralda rushed back into the room to assist him. She helped him up and walked him back to the bedroom.
"Do you need anything before I go?" Esmeralda asked when her husband was back in bed.
"Something to throw at the wall." Frollo scoffed. "I'm growing utterly sick of living like this."
"Better get used to it." Esmeralda dismissed.
The belltower was more lively than usual. Esmeralda had discovered that Quasimodo possessed a deck of playing cards. He'd found them laying around years ago, but the cards had only been an item to collect, since he didn't know any card games or anyone to play with (Frollo had blatantly said he wasn't interested). Luckily, Esmeralda was an avid card player. She taught Quasimodo some games and they played for hours. It was great fun.
Eventually, Quasimodo inquired about Frollo's condition.
"He's healing well enough." Esmeralda shared. "Even if he is sick of everything."
"That makes sense." Quasimodo thought aloud.
"He did say something interesting yesterday." Esmeralda said ponderingly.
"Oh?"
"...He said he likes me."
Quasimodo looked like he'd seen a ghost. Fright froze him.
"What's wrong?" Esmeralda asked.
"...Well, whenever Frollo said he liked me, it was so I would stop questioning what he told me. I'm afraid he's doing that to you..."
Esmeralda appreciated her friend's concern, although this possibility had already crossed her mind. She was glad to be close to someone who had known Frollo for so long. She needed any help she could get to figure him out.
"I promise I won't let him." She assured.
"Of course." Quasimodo said with a slight smile. "You're very clever. Oh, would you do me a favor?"
The bell ringer picked up a wood carving and handed it to Esmeralda. She looked at it with impressed eyes. This carving portrayed Notre Dame. It was small, the most miniature model of the cathedral to possibly exist.
"Would you give it to Frollo?" Quasimodo requested. "I always make him a carving when he doesn't feel well."
"That's very sweet of you." Esmeralda complimented. "I'll pass it on to him. Could I ask you a favor too?"
"Yes. What do you want?"
"To borrow your cards."
Frollo weakly held the carving in his bandaged hands while he sat in bed. It was beautiful. One had to be impressed by the amount of detail in something so small. This must have taken a good deal of effort and care.
"It's quite nice." Frollo underplayed. "Put it with the others on my desk."
Esmeralda placed the carving among the others, which she hadn't realized were there before. The designs included a flower, a wine bottle, and a horse, all detailed and finely shaped. Esmeralda adored Quasimodo's work, but she was even more interested in the fact that Frollo kept it all on his desk.
"How long have you had these?" Esmeralda questioned.
"I received the first one around eight years ago." Frollo answered. "Since then it's been the lad's habit."
"And you like it." Esmeralda said with a smirk.
"Well, of course." Frollo said uncaringly. "I'm an art appreciator."
Esmeralda pulled up a chair in front of the bed and sat down.
"There's something else." She said mischievously.
She pulled the bedside table between herself and her husband. Quickly, the deck of cards came out of her pocket and she shuffled them on the table.
"What do you say to a little game?"
Frollo sighed.
"A game? I think not."
"Why? Are you that bad of a player?"
"I don't play games. Not with people like you, anyway."
"I thought you liked me."
Frollo was instantly reminded of what he'd told Esmeralda yesterday. What had he done?! What had ever possessed him to say that he LIKED her?
It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, he decided. He'd been out of his head due to his suffering, and therefore he'd said something impulsive when he'd woken up to see her kindly mending his clothes. It wasn't right. Yes, Frollo was coming to appreciate some things about Esmeralda, but she was still a pain in his neck. He remembered that now.
"I said that because I was miserable!" Frollo insisted.
"So you don't like me?" Esmeralda challenged.
"You are still a thorn in my side." Frollo insulted.
"How about this? If you can beat me at a game, I won't say anything snarky for the rest of the day."
It was a tempting offer. Perhaps a silly game was worth Frollo's time if it would keep Esmeralda from bothering him.
"You swear to that?"
"I swear. What game should we play?"
Frollo sighed. He hated to admit his cluelessness, but he would just have to get even with Esmeralda if she made fun of him.
"I must admit," He said unhappily. "I don't know any games."
"Really?" Esmeralda asked. "I figured Quasimodo wouldn't, but you haven't played before either?"
"I've always been too occupied." Frollo claimed.
"I can show you a game." Esmeralda said optimistically. "But what will I get if I win?"
"I don't gamble."
"It's not fair that I risk something and you don't. How about you give me some money to spend in town?"
"Fine. But don't be so certain you will win."
Esmeralda did win, much to Frollo's disapproval. He demanded a rematch, which Esmeralda also won.
"Let us play a different game." Frollo requested. "Clearly this one is flawed."
Esmeralda complied and taught him another game, which she also proceeded to win at twice.
Frollo again demanded a different game. Esmeralda continued to win with much satisfaction. She would have plenty of money to spend after this.
An hour passed before Frollo had focused in on the patterns of one game and found a way to win. He grinned as he played his last cards, beating Esmeralda.
"Finally!" He said triumphantly. "You are defeated, gypsy! You shall bother me no more today!"
Esmeralda smirked, but she didn't vocalize her thoughts on how humorous Frollo's change of attitude was, or about how much money she had won from him.
"Why are you smirking like that?" Frollo questioned.
"I can't tell you." Esmeralda responded. "I agreed not to say anything snarky."
She gathered all the cards into a deck and replaced the table. Frollo frowned as he thought about what must be going through his wife's head. He didn't know what was worse: Hearing her say annoying things, or having her keep all of her offensive thoughts secret. What a cruel witch of a woman.
"Why did you want to play with me?" Frollo asked coldly.
"For fun." Esmeralda said plainly.
Frollo wouldn't admit it, but despite all the frustration, it had been fun.
This one took a while, so thanks for your patience!
