Chapter 48: The Discussion
The high stone walls were impressive. Frollo grinned with approval at the structure. Here it was: His dream fulfilled.
"Minister Frollo," A butler greeted. "It is an honor to welcome you to the Palace of Justice!"
"It's about time." Frollo said with pride.
He'd long waited for the day when the title of Minister of Justice would be his. Frollo was pleased.
The butler introduced him to the rest of the staff and showed him around the palace. Frollo basked in the glory of it. This was excellent, and he deserved it.
"This is splendid." Frollo said at the end of the tour. "I think I shall be quite comfortable."
"I hope so, your honor." The butler said with a smile. "But I cannot help noticing, you're rather... Alone."
Frollo lost his grin.
"What do you mean by that?" He questioned.
"Well, I assumed you had a wife. And children, perhaps."
Frollo always dreaded this conversation. He often had to give an explanation for why he wasn't married. Having a family was the norm for someone of his age. And since he was a man of status, there was no believable reason that he shouldn't be able to find a wife. Therefore, people often questioned why Frollo was single. He hated that.
"I'm not interested in marriage." He insisted. "I'm only interested in serving God."
"You're not a priest." The butler reminded. "No one expects you to be celibate."
"Nevertheless, I am." Frollo said firmly.
The butler looked at him with confusion, but took the message coming from his tone.
"...I see. That is a noble choice, indeed."
Frollo yearned to get himself alone, so he started toward his bedroom.
"Fetch me a bottle of wine." He instructed.
"What kind?" The butler asked.
"Any wine will do." Frollo replied.
He wasn't particular right now. He just wanted to drink.
Later, that bottle lay empty on the floor, and Frollo lay drunk in bed. He found himself wishing that he wasn't in that bed alone. Although Frollo had long ago resigned himself to celibacy, he hadn't accounted for the fact that drinking too much impaired his ability to pretend that he didn't want a wife. He imagined that he wasn't alone, fantasizing about the touch of a woman, and about being loved.
But that was impossible. No one loved him. Love was meant for other people. Not for Claude Frollo.
Claude was amazed when he woke up to Esmeralda's head on his chest. He remembered falling asleep like this, but the fact that this kind of closeness was now a known experience to him was something he was still getting used to.
He cherished the feeling of her in his arms. They'd gone to bed in clothes after cleaning up the night before, but that didn't make the touch any less sweet. Claude caressed Esmeralda's back and ran his fingers through her hair. He soon felt her nuzzle his chest and squeeze her arms around him.
"Good morning." Claude whispered.
"Morning." Esmeralda returned.
It was late in the morning. They'd slept in easily after having such a long night. Even now, they didn't want to leave this bed.
Esmeralda moved up so that her face was near Claude's. They looked at each other with wonder, unsure of what this new day was bringing.
"Last night was amazing." Esmeralda praised.
"Indeed." Claude concurred.
Esmeralda looked at him with a strangely apologetic expression.
"I'm still making up my mind..." She clarified.
"I understand." Claude assured.
Esmeralda was thankful for Claude's respect. Although her feelings for him were undeniable, she was still unsure if a romance was possible. It would take some time to think through everything that made the decision hard. But there was one factor that could be addressed now, something Esmeralda had to know.
"I need to ask you something." Esmeralda informed. "Are you still... Opposed to having children?"
Claude was taken off guard by the question. He felt foolish for not realizing that this could come up. The idea of having children had never been on Claude's mind, but it should have occurred to him that Esmeralda might have feelings about the matter. Now that he started to think about it, his own feelings were complicated.
"I wouldn't say that." Claude replied. "I said it before because I was selfish. I didn't want to care for another person."
"But you've changed your mind?" Esmeralda asked.
Claude hesitated. He thought of the years he'd spent bringing up Quasimodo. That time had always seemed burdensome in the past, but Claude appreciated it now. He'd been privileged to raise such a kind hearted boy, one whom he was missing now as a result of his own wrongdoings.
"I'd be open to it." Claude answered. "But I must admit, I would be... Afraid... If we had a child."
Esmeralda was surprised. She'd expected Claude to be uninterested in having children, but not afraid.
"I've already been a father." Claude reminded. "And done a very poor job of it..."
Esmeralda frowned.
"But... You're different now." She argued. "You're better..."
"Maybe so." Claude admitted. "But I still wouldn't know where to begin with parenting. My parents didn't set a very good example for me..."
Esmeralda's heart hurt for Claude. He didn't deserve to doubt himself because of what his parents had done to him. It made Esmeralda angry toward those people who had hurt him.
"You're better than them." Esmeralda insisted. "I think you'd be a good father."
Claude barely smiled.
"I appreciate your confidence." He said gratefully. "I take it that having children is important to you?"
"It's something I've always wanted." Esmeralda confirmed. "But only if I met the right man."
It was a flattering implication. Esmeralda wouldn't have brought up this topic if she hadn't already felt that Claude was good enough for her. He was glad to know that.
"Your support would make a large difference." Claude admitted. "I would have trouble trusting myself, but I could handle raising a child if I did it with someone like you."
Esmeralda was amazed by how much Claude trusted her. He made her feel more important than she'd ever believed herself to be.
"Thank you." She told him.
They lay in silence for a moment, until Claude remembered the time of day.
"I should be going." He informed. "I need to speak to the captain."
"About the... Investigation?" Esmeralda asked.
Claude nodded.
"Have you found anything?" Esmeralda inquired.
"Not yet." Claude answered. "Do you want me to tell you if I do?"
"Yes." Esmeralda replied.
"Then I will." Claude promised.
Esmeralda was grateful for the way Claude always asked what she wanted. She was grateful for him, whatever the future of their relationship was. Regardless of her decision, she would not cease to want him in her life. People like him didn't come around often enough.
They shared a hug before he left, and Esmeralda kissed Claude's cheek. He appreciated it. The message was clear: That she valued him as a friend and always would. Claude could not imagine needing anything more.
