Chapter 89: The Proposal
People were whispering on the streets. The current news was that Judge Claude Frollo was seen working on a construction project once again. That in itself was not entirely shocking after all the hours he'd spent doing such work to repair the damage of the fires, but new gossip was getting around, particularly about who he was doing it with. He was working on this strange new project with none other than Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame.
"Nothing to see here," Claude told people when he caught them whispering. "I'm just helping my son build his house."
The confusion that always followed that line was amusing, but Quasimodo never ceased to be happy when he heard it. After so many years of feeling like his mere existence was something shameful, the man who raised him now proudly called him his own.
They spent hours at a time building, working from morning to afternoon with a break for lunch with Esmeralda and Elaine. After a few days of labor, the foundation was laid. The two men proudly stood back to admire their work.
"I think this is coming along quite nicely." Claude noted.
"It really is." Quasimodo agreed. "I can't wait to see the finished product! Thank you so much for helping me build!"
"What kind of horrible father wouldn't?" Claude joked. "On another note, there is something I've been curious about."
"What is it?"
"Are you planning to marry Elaine?"
Quasimodo smiled.
"Yes." He confirmed. "Someday, for sure."
"Someday?" Claude questioned. "What do you mean by that?"
"I know I want to marry her." Quasimodo explained. "Elaine is great. I've gotten to know her so well, and we're definitely right for each other. I just need to get myself ready for it. First I need to build this house, and then I need to live in it. Once I've been running the place for a while, I'll ask Elaine to marry me. I just want to get used to living out here so I can make it a great home for both of us."
"A very wise idea." Claude approved, smiling. "I shall eagerly await the wedding."
"I thought you would be more concerned about that." Quasimodo confessed. "I mean, you were awfully concerned about me moving."
"I was." Claude admitted. "And I still am. But I know you've put a lot of thought into this, and you will have people to help you adjust. As for marriage, I can't say that I have many concerns. Elaine is a wonderful young woman who adores you. I could think of no one better to marry my son."
Under different circumstances, Claude could have been worried about the prospect of Quasimodo getting married. He could have worried that his boy would marry the wrong person or that he wouldn't know how to handle marriage at all. But knowing Quasimodo's relationship with Elaine, there was no need to worry. Those two had a beautifully bonded friendship that ultimately became a romance. They cared deeply for each other and would surely look out for one another at all times. They had the kind of love that was needed to make a marriage work. If their relationship wasn't a concern, the only other thing to worry about was whether they were prepared to share this house. Living his whole life in the belltower had certainly left Quasimodo with a need to adjust to this kind of life, but he would get used to it after a few months. After making that large adjustment, it should be relatively simple to adjust to living with Elaine. Claude was confident in it all working out.
Quasimodo was smiling dreamily, imagining the future.
"She really is wonderful." He agreed. "I'm so excited."
Claude was extremely glad to see Quasimodo so happy. His first twenty years had not been happy ones, but now he would finally live the life he deserved. Claude was grateful that he could help make that possible after preventing it for so long.
But despite his very pleasant mood, Claude found himself troubled by something. Quasimodo and Elaine would probably get married soon, and he was happy for them, but he was also reminded of the disgraceful memory that was his own marriage.
It still felt wrong to even call it that. Claude couldn't see Esmeralda as his wife even now that they were in love. It wasn't right, not when he'd married her against her desires. Not when she'd only agreed to it out of desperation to save those she cared about. Not when everything about that marriage was cruel and wrong.
"Father?" Quasimodo asked. "Are you alright?"
Claude realized how visible his brooding was.
"I am fine." He assured. "I just remembered something unfortunate."
"What's wrong?" Quasimodo questioned with a little worry.
"I'm sure you will look back happily at your wedding." Claude started. "But I don't, and I know Esmeralda never will... I'm not even comfortable calling us married when we wed under such awful circumstances. I'd love to feel like we are properly married, but I can't. Not when it happened that way."
Claude sighed deeply.
"It was wrong." He continued. "Esmeralda deserves better, but the only wedding she has to remember is one where she stood weeping next to a monster of a man whom she didn't love, and who didn't love her..."
He shook his head at himself furiously, regretting everything.
"I wish I hadn't put her through that." Claude said sadly. "I wish we'd ended up together under different circumstances. I wish I could say I gave her the kind of wedding she deserves. Instead, we are married only according to vows made under coercion. I wish I could do something to change that..."
Quasimodo didn't say anything at first, even the most basic words of sympathy failing him. It was hard to think of comforting words when the problem was something so hard to fix. Or was it?
"Maybe you could change that." Quasimodo suggested. "I mean, I know you can't change the past, but what if you could change something now?"
Claude questioned it. Was it possible to make that kind of a change, to make it so that marriage, the very word, referred to something other than horrible memories and wrongs committed? Claude pondered it heavily. Maybe it really was possible. Perhaps there was a way to make it so that coercion wasn't the only basis for being married. Perhaps, Claude thought, he could give Esmeralda exactly what she deserved.
Esmeralda stared out the window at the setting sun. She was alone in the room until she heard the door open gently, a pair of feet peacefully strolling up to her. Claude's arms circled around her waist and he kissed her cheek. She smiled.
"I could get used to this." Esmeralda whispered.
"And so you shall." Claude promised.
He moved to her side so they could see each other's faces, and Esmeralda noticed a piece of paper in Claude's hand.
"I have some exciting news." He told her, handing over the paper.
Esmeralda curiously took it and looked over it. She grinned with enthusiasm.
"We're going to Italy?!" She exclaimed.
"It's all arranged." Claude confirmed, smiling widely.
"I can't wait!" Esmeralda practically shouted. "You need to start teaching me Italian!"
"Oh, I plan to!" Claude assured. "And if you like, we could study the history of the country. There are such interesting stories about the Romans."
"That sounds fascinating!" Esmeralda approved.
She looked very happy for a moment, until she unexpectedly frowned with disappointment.
"Esmeralda?" Claude asked worriedly. "Have I said something wrong?"
"No." Esmeralda replied. "It's not you. I just... feel insignificant."
Claude's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Why?!"
"You can teach me all these things. I wish there was something I could teach you. I just feel a little stupid, not knowing the things you know."
It was still baffling to Claude that Esmeralda could think of herself this way. One of the things he loved about her was her intelligence. It wasn't her fault that no one had given her the privilege of an education.
"Do you realize you are one of the most intelligent people I have ever met?" Claude asked. "I'd be the stupid one if I thought less of you for not being given the opportunity to learn before now."
Esmeralda started to regain her smile. Claude put his arm around her.
"And darling," he said with a grin. "you have taught me many things. Things like how to play card games, and how to ask the important questions like, 'why is Sir Gawain such an idiot?'"
Esmeralda chuckled.
"How to laugh," Claude continued. "how to have fun, how to reconsider harmful thoughts, how to be happy..."
He kissed Esmeralda's temple.
"How to love." He finished.
Esmeralda looked at Claude with a sentimental smile, one that said he made her feel better about herself. While Claude wished he didn't need to do that, he planned to spend their coming time together working at it until she saw herself just as he saw her.
"I really do love you." Esmeralda told him. "And I can't believe how happy I am."
"I'm catching up on years of missed happiness, thanks to you." Claude shared.
Their eyes met in a sweet moment. But suddenly, Esmeralda lit up with excitement.
"I just thought of something!" She said eagerly. "There's something else I could teach you!"
Claude admired Esmeralda's sense of justice. It wasn't the view of justice that he was taught in law school, but that was a good thing. Too many people thought severe punishments should be handed out liberally, but Esmeralda was never out for someone's blood like that unless they did something unspeakably wrong. What she was suggesting right now was a less brutal and still more satisfying way of dealing with a despicable person. It wasn't surprising that she had the ingenuity to come up with this sort of retribution. What was surprising, however, was that she knew exactly where to find the right victims.
"How did you know they would be here?" Claude asked.
"I had to spy on them a lot in the past." Esmeralda explained. "It was a matter of safety, figuring out where soldiers liked to hang out so I could minimize my chances of being harassed by them."
From the bridge, Claude and Esmeralda watched as several soldiers laughed and threw rocks into the river below. Their chatter was annoying, full of complaints about the way this city had changed. Complaints such as "Frollo's gone soft" and "can't lay hands on anyone these days".
Claude became angry listening to them.
"The soldiers in this city will learn much better attitudes when I'm through with them." He promised.
"I believe it." Esmeralda told him. "But in the meantime, there are things you can do to punish them."
She handed him a weapon for the attack, a soft hunk of butter. Claude chuckled.
"How many times have you done this?" He asked.
"Too many." Esmeralda replied. "Not recently, though. Clopin and I did it a lot growing up, but not many times in the last sixteen years."
"I'll have you know this is the most childish thing I've ever done."
"Well, you didn't get to do things like this in your childhood, so you should experience it now."
Surprisingly, that logic was convincing. Claude had never really considered how many childhood experiences he must have missed as a result of the way he'd been raised. He probably would have done things like this as a boy if he hadn't been so afraid of being beaten at any moment, and if he'd ever had enough time away from his studies to find out what mischief other children got up to and get involved in it himself. Finally getting a taste of that felt like an accomplishment.
"I suppose I should." Claude agreed. "But this seems like a shameful waste of butter."
"That's why you only do it with butter too old to eat." Esmeralda explained. "And because that makes it more disgusting for whoever you throw it at."
She smirked. Claude returned the look. This was going to be fun.
Esmeralda took another hunk of butter and looked down at the soldiers, deciding which one to strike first.
"We can hit four of them if we're fast." She informed. "Then we run."
"Understood." Claude acknowledged, getting into position next to her.
One of those soldiers was particularly talkative, going on about how a woman had rejected him and walked off with some other man. He was more angry about it than he had any right to be, saying he didn't even think she was pretty now and that she missed the amazing opportunity he somehow thought he was. He called her names and continued to compliment himself, but not for long.
He was cut off by a lump of butter splattering over his head. Before the other soldiers could process what had just happened, more buttery projectiles hit them too. Four were thrown before two figures were noticed racing away from the bridge.
Esmeralda and Claude laughed hysterically while they ran and hid behind the first house in sight.
"That was fantastic!" Claude said between laughing gasps.
He couldn't believe just how amusing it had been to see those yapping idiots hit by butter. The splattering and the shock had been hilarious.
"I knew you would like it!" Esmeralda said cheerfully.
The moment was interrupted by racing footsteps and shouts.
"Where are they?!" Someone yelled. "Look around!"
Just as the yells came closer to them, Claude was surprised by Esmeralda jumping on top of him, pushing him down to the ground behind some barrels. He struggled at first, but Esmeralda hushed him, gesturing at him to stay still. Claude understood and didn't make a sound. Sure enough, the approaching footsteps moved right past them.
Claude smiled.
"You are an unbelievable joy." He whispered.
"So are you." Esmeralda returned, smiling back.
The position they were in was an obvious opportunity, so they simultaneously went for a kiss. Claude put his hands on Esmeralda's waist while she grabbed his head. Their lips moved together intensely.
Another rude interruption came when one of the barrels was moved.
"There you are!" A soldier shouted. "You're going to pay for-"
He stopped as he realized what (and who) he'd just come across. The kissing instantly stopped and Claude glared harshly at the soldier.
"Listen to me." The judge said sharply. "You saw nothing. Understood?"
"Uh... Yes, Sir!" The soldier mumbled, embarrassed.
He scrambled away in a rush. Claude and Esmeralda laughed again before resuming the passionate kiss.
Their lips were locked together as they stumbled into the bedroom. The door was shut when they leaned against it in the passion, clinging to each other with a very welcome aggression. With the mood being so obvious, it wasn't long before the idea of doing more was suggested.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Esmeralda asked.
"As much as you're interested in doing." Claude replied seductively. "I've been wanting you so badly."
"Likewise." Esmeralda said with eager eyes. "I've had a few daydreams about you, actually."
"Is that so?" Claude asked with a smirk. "And just what do these fantasies of yours involve?"
Esmeralda touched his chest, feeling his muscular shape and pushing her fingers into the fabric of his tunic, which she so wanted to take off.
"Getting my hands on you." She replied. "And making you feel really good."
Claude had gone most of his life thinking a woman would never talk to him like this, but he loved it. For someone to finally be attracted to him, to desire him, was an extremely enjoyable feeling.
"Please do." He begged, an enthusiastic grin crossing his face.
Despite the excitement she'd just been showing, Esmeralda hesitated, anxious.
"Are you alright?" Claude asked, worried.
"I just want to remind you..." Esmeralda started. "If... If something is wrong, just tell me. I don't want to force it if you're not feeling right."
Claude wished he'd handled his episodes of panic better to begin with so that Esmeralda wouldn't have to worry like this. He sighed.
"I will." He promised. "I know better now because trying to force it didn't help before, the panic just boiled over until I lost it and scared you. I won't do that to you again."
"I just don't want to make it worse if you start feeling that way." Esmeralda explained. "I want to make sure you're able to calm down."
"And I greatly appreciate that." Claude said sincerely.
He touched her cheek and kissed her again, with less passion but more tenderness. Esmeralda held his shoulders securely and kissed him back.
A minute later they were lying on the bed, the passion once again forming heavy and sensual kisses. Claude enjoyed the position he was in, with Esmeralda on top of him, putting her hands on him. He sighed gladly as she started to kiss his neck, and even more when she pulled the shirt off his body to expose more skin. She kissed down his chest and over his core, fingers tracing over his chiseled features.
Claude couldn't restrain the look of euphoria on his face. He loved being touched like this, both for the physical sensation and the feeling of being wanted. His scar was exposed and wasn't treated like it so much as got in the way. Having his body treated like an attractive one was extremely flattering.
"This is amazing..." Claude whispered happily.
"I bet I could make it even better." Esmeralda offered, smirking suggestively.
"Please, do whatever you like with me." Claude invited.
Esmeralda responded by undoing his pants, taking his hard shaft out. Claude savored the sensation as she touched him, but he was pleasantly shocked when it became even stronger. She was leaning down into him, taking him in her mouth. Claude cursed under his breath when he felt the wet heat around his cock. It was even more pleasant than when he'd experienced this the first time. This time Esmeralda sucked him excitedly, aggressively and sensually.
"I never thought you'd be so eager to do that." Claude admitted, the pleasant surprise written all over his face.
Esmeralda paused for a moment just to look at him with a grin.
"Things change when you're in love." She explained. "And I really like that look on your face."
Claude chuckled.
She kept sucking on him, the pleasure increasing. Claude watched with fascination. She looked so attractive doing that, so eager to feel him and please him. He hooked his fingers into her hair as her head moved up and down, hands grabbing his thighs.
"I want to touch you." Claude informed.
Esmeralda looked up at him with an inviting grin.
"Good." She responded. "I'd love that."
Claude sat up, pulling her onto his lap. He grabbed her waist and started to kiss her skin, going over her collar bone and onto her neck. She moaned, letting out a few whispers, begging him to continue. He did, helping her out of her shirt and corset, and cupping her breasts while he kept up the heavy kisses on her neck. He then moved his face down to her chest. She moaned more as he kissed her breasts and sucked her nipples.
Soon they stripped off the remainders of their clothes. Esmeralda was willingly pushed down against the bed, and Claude reached between her legs, dipping his fingers into her. She grinned at the sensation.
"A little wet, I see." Claude teased.
"You tend to have that effect on me." Esmeralda responded.
Claude chuckled. He pushed his fingers in and out, enjoying the look on her face as he did it. He then decided to add to her pleasure, leaning down and licking over her folds, pushing his tongue inside. She murmured his name, encouraging it, so he moved his tongue around quickly from her wet entrance to the sensitive area above it, starting to suck on her clit. He only stopped when she reached over to his shoulders, beckoning him to come up for a kiss. He climbed back up her body and kissed her, their tongues meeting.
Then came the unwanted thoughts. Claude froze.
"Stop." He said, cutting off the kiss.
Esmeralda looked at him worriedly.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
Claude struggled for a moment. The old fears started to rush through him, but he fought them. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
He could handle this. He could calm himself. Those fears of punishment could taunt him, but he wouldn't let them force him into a panic this time.
After a moment, he looked down at Esmeralda again, starting to smile.
"I'm fine." He assured.
"Really?" Esmeralda asked.
"I don't see it the way I used to." Claude explained. "It is much easier not to trust those fears than it used to be."
He kissed Esmeralda's cheek.
"Now if you don't mind," He said playfully. "I would very much like to make love to the woman I adore."
Esmeralda smiled. They started to kiss again, beginning softly and quickly becoming more energetic. Their bodies pressed together, yearning for even more sensation. They finally came together, Esmeralda automatically spreading her legs and Claude slowly going into her before speeding up as her legs wrapped around him.
Their lips stayed together through most of it, both of them enjoying it intensely. More than ever, Claude loved the feeling of being in this position with Esmeralda, being inside her. He wanted to finish like this, and the way she was clinging to him said that she wanted it too. But that wouldn't be advisable, not at this point anyway.
"Darling," Claude whispered. "as much as I would love to conceive a child with you, we really should talk about that first."
Esmeralda chuckled.
"Don't worry." She replied. "I'll let go when you say so."
"You'd better." Claude teased with a grin.
He kissed her again until it was over.
Claude loved it when Esmeralda lay with him like this, with her head on his chest. He loved to feel her skin against his and caress her back. Perhaps one of the best parts of sex with her was this peaceful moment that came after it. It was a delight that Claude was amazed to finally experience at this point in his life.
"I used to imagine what it would be like, having someone to love." He said quietly.
Esmeralda smiled. She lifted her head off him so she could see his face.
"Is it as good as you thought it would be?" She asked.
"Better." Claude replied, touching her cheek. "Much better."
Esmeralda blushed happily. She moved in to kiss him, which he gladly accepted. They kissed for a long moment before stopping to look into each other's eyes.
"I'm completely in love with you." Esmeralda said softly.
"And I am in love with you to an extent I never knew was possible." Claude returned.
He ran his fingers through her hair while he looked at her lovingly. She was easy to love. Claude wanted her always. Her and no one else.
Just as he he thought about that, an amazing new thought occurred to him.
"My love," Claude started. "would you mind meeting me in the hallway in ten minutes?"
Esmeralda looked at him confusedly.
"Why?" She asked.
"A surprise." Claude replied mischievously.
"Another one?" Esmeralda asked with a slight chuckle.
"A better one, I dare say." Claude responded, playfully grinning. "I just need you out of this room, briefly."
Eager to discover what this surprise was, Esmeralda did as Claude instructed and went out into the hallway after they both got dressed. She wondered what this surprise could be, and why Claude needed her to leave the room for it. But she trusted that it was as good as he promised, so she waited excitedly.
After some minutes, Claude came out into the hallway, one hand behind his back.
"Close your eyes." He instructed.
Esmeralda closed her eyes in anticipation. Soon she felt something being laid over her neck, guided by Claude's fingers.
"Open your eyes now." He told her.
Esmeralda instinctively looked down to see what Claude had just put on her. She soon gasped with joy at the sight.
Around her neck was a gold necklace, shining with an emerald centerpiece.
"This is beautiful!" Esmeralda remarked.
"It matches your eyes." Claude said with adoration.
"When did you get this?" Esmeralda asked.
She struggled to think of a moment when Claude might have obtained this. Until just recently, he probably wouldn't have planned to give her a gift like this, not without knowing that the two of them would actually end up together. And since they'd officially been together, Esmeralda had been aware of Claude's whereabouts at most times. If he wasn't with her, he was with Quasimodo. Plus, he'd presumably just had to look for this in his room, hence needing to ask her to step out. So when had he acquired the necklace?
"It was my grandmother's." Claude answered.
Esmeralda couldn't remember ever hearing about Claude's grandmother. She must have mattered to him if he had her necklace, so why had he not mentioned her before?
"You never mentioned a grandmother." Esmeralda observed.
"I don't have many memories of her." Claude explained. "She died when I was quite young. No older than five, probably. But what I do remember of her is lovely. She liked talking to me, and I remember her arguing with my parents that they were too hard on me."
He touched Esmeralda's neck, tracing over the gold.
"She gave this to me before she died." He continued. "And even after I swore off sentimentality, I kept it. I couldn't bring myself not to. I'm glad of that now."
Esmeralda smiled at Claude lovingly.
"She does sound lovely." She approved. "I'm honored that you want me to have this."
"I wouldn't want to give it to anyone else." Claude assured. "And this is exactly what my grandmother would want. She told me to give this to someone special and dear to me. She said it should be for..."
He trailed off, feeling the weight of what he was trying to say, hoping nothing was wrong with it.
"...For my wife." Claude finished.
Esmeralda was speechless. Claude's tone was one she hadn't expected. He wasn't calling her his wife, not quite. He wasn't referring to the fact that they were technically married, so what was he saying? Did this mean what Esmeralda suspected it meant?
Claude took his hands in hers, looking at her seriously. A blend of happiness and anxiety and melancholy was in his eyes.
"I know I have already married you." Claude stated. "But that wasn't valid as far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure you feel the same way. Marriage ought to be something we freely and happily agree on, but there has been no agreement of that sort. I never even properly asked you to marry me, I only demanded..."
Claude sighed in regret before continuing.
"That is why I'm asking now." He said boldly.
Esmeralda started to smile again, a beautiful feeling rushing through her. Claude smiled back when he saw it, joy arising in him.
"Will you marry me, Esmeralda?" He asked.
"Yes!" Esmeralda answered immediately. "Absolutely!"
She jumped into Claude's arms and he caught her with a joyful chuckle. They kissed deeply and more happily than ever and saw pure adoration in each other's eyes when they stopped.
"We can have a proper wedding." Claude said sweetly. "And invite friends."
"I can't wait!" Esmeralda said excitedly. "I want to wear purple. What do you think about that?"
"Excellent choice!" Claude approved. "So will I."
"Could you get more of that wine we had before you left?" Esmeralda asked. "It was great. Perfect for a wedding."
"That I can guarantee." Claude promised.
"All my friends will be invited our wedding." Esmeralda said cheerfully.
"Of course." Claude agreed.
Esmeralda looked at him with a suspicious smirk.
"Can Clopin sing at our wedding?" She joked.
"Now you're pushing it." Claude jested in return.
Esmeralda laughed and hugged him. Claude was overjoyed, both to know Esmeralda would marry him properly and to see her so happy about it. Nothing could be more wonderful.
"You know," Claude started with a playful tone. "I do have another bottle of that wine. Would you like a drink to celebrate?"
"Definitely." Esmeralda replied. "I'm so happy!"
"So am I." Claude said with a wide smile.
When Esmeralda finally let him go, he started down the torchlit corridor on his way to get that bottle of wine. Claude thought of the future with delight. First he would have to bring Esmeralda to Clopin and witness a very awkward situation, but once that was over he would be able to give her the kind of wedding she wanted. He would marry her the right way, knowing that they would have a happy life together. Everything would work out in the best possible way.
But just as Claude was in the middle of looking forward to things, he was cut off by a frightening sight.
Two guards lay on the floor in front of him, apparently having collapsed. Struck with fear, Claude quickly knelt by them and looked them over. Thankfully, their pulses were normal. They didn't appear to be seriously injured either, and yet they'd somehow lost consciousness. What had happened to them?
Before Claude could investigate any further, he was attacked.
Claude was gone long enough that Esmeralda started to wonder. Where was he? What was he doing? It shouldn't take this long to get a bottle of wine.
Esmeralda started to worry, so she decided to look for him. She started down the hallway, but didn't get far before a pair of hands latched onto her shoulders.
"There you are!"
Frightened, Esmeralda screamed, jumping away from the figure in shock. But when she whipped around to look at the person, all fear was instantly lost.
"CLOPIN?!" Esmeralda exclaimed in disbelief.
"Esmeralda!" Clopin said cheerfully, arms wide open.
Esmeralda immediately smiled and rushed to him.
"Oh, Clopin!" She cried, collapsing into his arms.
"Hello, my sweet sister!" Clopin said with joy. "Oh, how I've missed you!"
"I missed you too!" Esmeralda cried. "You have no idea how much I missed you!"
"Someone else has missed you too!" Clopin informed.
Esmeralda felt a brush of something soft against her leg. She looked down to see a happy goat greeting her.
"DJALI!" Esmeralda yelled happily.
She crouched down and started to pet Djali's fur.
"It's so good to see you, Djali!" Esmeralda cried, joyful tears streaming out of your eyes. "I'm so happy to see both of you! Clopin, what are you doing here?"
"We've been planning this for ages!" Clopin informed. "Did you think we wouldn't come back for you? Of course we did! Now, a decision needs to be made!"
Suddenly, Clopin took Esmeralda by the hand and dragged her down the hallway and around the corner.
"What shall we do with this sorry excuse for a judge?" Clopin asked proudly.
Esmeralda was horrified by the sight in front of her. Claude was on the floor, surrounded by five men who were ruthlessly beating him. He cried out in pain, sending Esmeralda into a panic.
"STOP THAT!" She yelled.
The assailants suddenly held back their fists when they heard her voice, turning to look at her confusedly. Clopin looked at her with the same confusion.
"Esmeralda?" He asked. "What are you-"
Esmeralda pushed past him and toward Claude, shoving each of his attackers away and helping him off the floor.
"Are you okay?!" She asked worriedly.
Claude touched his eye, which was freshly blackened from a fist. He groaned.
"I'm alright..." He replied. "Thank you."
When her concerns were eased, Esmeralda turned to look at Clopin, who was completely gaping at her.
"Clopin..." Esmeralda started awkwardly. "Let me explain..."
I wasn't going to keep that smut scene from you forever :)
I hope you enjoyed another long chapter! Since you'd probably like to know what to expect with the ending: I have not one, but TWO more chapters planned! I didn't mean to take this story past 90 chapters, but as plans unfolded I ended up looking at 91. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!