Chapter 9: The Conference

"Do you think this will suffice?" Claude asked.

"Yes, I think so." Judge Belmont replied. "It's enough space for the ten of us, plus a few more if we need to bring anyone in."

A table was set up for the coming conference, in the hall of the fireplace of all locations. Claude thought it ironic to teach people not to abuse their power in the same room where he had decided to abuse his power in the worst possible way, but this room was traditionally used for meetings and was probably the best possible location.

Everything was planned now. Soon the most important judges in France would arrive to (reluctantly) learn the new court protocols. The conference would be hard work, but at least Claude didn't have to worry that he'd be too busy for anything else, even if he'd received a few strange looks at the courthouse over it.

People were bewildered by Claude's need to work less, but he'd made a good point to his professional acquaintances that the conference was happening soon and that planning too much would make it difficult to react to whatever did not go as planned. It was why the recent meetings had finally stopped being drawn out into the night. As for the conference itself, Claude had pointed out that none of the judges in attendance, himself included, would be in their right mind to discuss controversial matters without sufficient rest. Limiting the hours of discussion would likely cause the conference to continue for more total days, weeks even, but that was better than the alternative. Claude was completely sick of being an absent husband, so he was willing to have these stubborn judges around for longer if it meant he didn't have to live that way anymore. But his choice to keep this personal fact private was certainly causing confusion, especially with Judge Belmont.

"You don't mind the change of schedule, do you?" Claude asked. "I know it wasn't what you thought best at first."

"It wasn't." Belmont admitted. "But you did give good reasons for it. I'm only a little confused about your recent need to work less."

Claude nearly made a comment on the matter, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Esmeralda coming through the door to the room. The morning had been another uncomfortable one for her, but she seemed to finally feel better enough to get out of bed. She looked perfectly content and presentable now, no sign giving away that she'd been feeling unwell. Claude was immediately happy to see Esmeralda feeling better, and even happier when she approached to check on him.

"How's it going?" She asked. "Is everything ready?"

"Indeed." Claude replied. "Now we only need to wait for our visitors."

He looked back at Judge Belmont.

"The two of you haven't met." Claude acknowledged. "Esmeralda is my wife. Esmeralda, this is Judge Belmont."

Esmeralda was a little uneasy about meeting the judge. Claude had assured her before that the man fully stood with him, but Esmeralda had the (unfortunately necessary) habit of seeing authority figures as a potential threat. But Judge Belmont didn't look at her with any disrespect. He greeted Esmeralda with a polite nod.

"A pleasure to meet you, my lady." He said sincerely. "Will you join us for dinner when the others arrive?"

Esmeralda glanced at Claude confusedly.

"Dinner?" She asked.

Claude sighed.

"We thought that welcoming them with a meal might put them in a good mood." He explained. "But you are by no means required to be there."

"Still, it might be for the best if she was there." Belmont suggested. "If these men are in Paris for long, they'll discover that you now have a wife. And you wouldn't want them to think you're not happily married, or that your wife isn't brave enough to meet them."

"What?!" Claude snapped. "I'm not concerned about that! She doesn't need to be around a group of fools who don't like her!"

Esmeralda considered it. The idea of sharing a table with people who would automatically look at her with contempt was not the image of a pleasant evening. But Belmont made a good point, that not showing up would allow for negative assumptions to be made. Esmeralda certainly didn't want that, and attending such a gathering was far from the worst thing she could imagine. She'd dealt with people's unfortunate attitudes all her life, so she wasn't afraid of being judged.

"I can handle it." Esmeralda asserted.

"I know you can." Claude acknowledged. "But you needn't."

He glared at Belmont.

"And you needn't share your opinions on the matter!" Claude said sharply.

The other judge immediately looked regretful, but Esmeralda did not regret hearing his thoughts.

She waited until later that day to bring it up again, when she was alone with Claude.

"I'll come to dinner when the judges are here." Esmeralda announced.

Claude sighed.

"Esmeralda," he said pleadingly. "you don't need to do this just because my colleague wants you to."

"He wasn't wrong." Esmeralda argued. "These men will be coming with all sorts of negative attitudes. You don't need them making assumptions about your marriage on top of all that."

"They'll think whatever they want." Claude said with dread. "Why should I worry about impressions?"

"You don't want to give them a reason to be even more difficult." Esmeralda reminded. "Isn't that why you're inviting them to dinner at all, so they're appreciate your hospitality enough to be a little more agreeable?"

Claude struggled to argue against this, but he still didn't think it justified making Esmeralda uncomfortable.

"I just don't want you pressured to endure them." He explained.

"I'm not afraid of them." Esmeralda insisted. "Do you think I would be when I wasn't even afraid of you?"

Claude was proudly reminded of how fearless Esmeralda was. He remembered when she had publicly stood up to him at the Festival of Fools, a show of defiance that most people wouldn't have dared. Naturally, anyone who was willing to anger the Minister of Justice like that would not be afraid of less powerful men. Claude knew that, but he also knew that Esmeralda was offering to put herself in an unpleasant position.

"You have my complete confidence, dear." Claude assured. "I know you would handle this well. I just don't want you to do it out of obligation. You needn't subject yourself to people who hardly see you as a person."

"It's really not a problem." Esmeralda promised. "They won't purposely harass me in front of you. It won't be any worse than what I've dealt with my entire life."

Claude felt defeated. He'd forgotten that being looked at with contempt was a normal part of life for Esmeralda. She wasn't afraid of it because she was used to it. Claude was heartbroken by that reality, that there were so many people to judge someone whom he completely adored. He badly wanted to protect her from that.

"It isn't fair that you should live that kind of life." Claude mourned. "It makes me want to protect you."

Esmeralda looked at Claude sorrowfully. She sometimes forgot his guilt over the persecution, both for his part in causing it and his inability to fully stop it. It was natural for him to be so protective of her now.

"Claude, it will be okay." Esmeralda assured. "You'll protect me just by being there. Like I said, they won't harass me in front of you."

"But do you really want this?" Claude questioned.

"Yes." Esmeralda replied. "If it will help you out, I really don't mind being around some people who don't like me. Really I wish I could do some of this work for you, but if I can't then I want to at least make it easier."

Claude suddenly realized how badly Esmeralda wanted to make herself useful. Everything Claude was working on was for a good cause, a cause that was just as important to Esmeralda as it was to him. She was proud of him for what he was doing and sorry that she couldn't meaningfully help him. Perhaps supporting him in this small way was what she needed.

After considering that, Claude wasn't sure what had made him so nervous for her. Esmeralda was strong and he was there to defend her from anyone who might wish to be hostile. Dinner with a few unpleasant individuals was nothing she couldn't manage.

But introducing Esmeralda to those individuals would not be fun. They didn't even know of Claude's marriage yet, and they would surely be shocked to discover who his wife was. He told himself it didn't matter. Nothing would deter him from showing how proud he was to be married to Esmeralda.

"It'll be fine, Djali." Esmeralda assured. "Tonight won't be much fun, but it's for a good cause. You know I can't resist a good cause!"

She sat in the quiet of Claude's study, Djali contently sitting on her lap. It was the most peaceful place to be during the meeting that was happening on the other side of the palace. Claude was just beginning to introduce plenty of stubborn judges to his new ways. Esmeralda was certainly proud of him for it, but she was glad not to be near the scene. Dinner tonight would be awkward, but not nearly as upsetting as whatever was going on in this conference.

Djali seemed to look at Esmeralda with worry, noticing her emotions like he always did. But her assurance seemed to calm him, and he relaxed as she stroked his fur.

Clopin had stopped by an hour ago to bring Djali for a visit. Esmeralda still didn't quite have the energy to keep him for days at a time, but Clopin had come up with the idea of bringing the goat over in the afternoon since Esmeralda normally recovered from her regular afflictions by then. Clopin had then gone out to run some errands, so he would return to get Djali once he finished. This would probably be a regular thing from now on, and Esmeralda was pleased. Things seemed to be looking up. Not only did she finally have more time with Claude, but she would have more time with Djali as well.

"Thanks for being so patient with me." Esmeralda said sweetly to the goat. "We're going to spend more time together from now on. I'll have Clopin bring you here more."

As if on cue, the door swung open as a grinning Clopin marched into the room.

"Hello, Esmeralda!" He said with rhythm. "Having a good time with Djali?"

"Of course!" Esmeralda replied. "I'm glad you brought him."

Clopin came close and ruffled Djali's fur.

"I'll head home with him soon." Clopin promised. "After I take care of business! Where can I find that husband of yours?"

Esmeralda's eyes widened.

Claude probably would have mentioned if he had any kind of business with Clopin, so whatever Clopin intended to see him for was likely not planned. Esmeralda quickly started to wonder what this could be about.

"Why do you ask?" She questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Clopin asked. "I'm here to help with the conference!"

Esmeralda's jaw dropped.

This was definitely not part of Claude's plan. When discussing the conference, he had never said anything about involving Clopin, nor had Clopin suggested it.

"What are you talking about?" Esmeralda asked in disbelief. "Claude isn't expecting you at all!"

"It will be a pleasant surprise!" Clopin assured. "I was just thinking about him in that dreadful meeting and decided I ought to be there. We've worked together before, so why not now?"

It was a terrible idea. Esmeralda could only imagine the attitudes that Claude was dealing with. The last thing he needed on the first day of the conference was Clopin waltzing in uninvited and making a scene. Esmeralda had to stop that from happening.

She stood up, placing Djali on the floor.

"Clopin," Esmeralda said as softly as possible. "I'm glad you want to help. But Claude won't appreciate you just walking into the meeting when you haven't discussed it with him."

"Why not?" Clopin questioned. "He trusts me. We're practically friends now! I'm sure he'll just be glad to have an extra hand!"

As much as Esmeralda adored Clopin, she never ceased to be frustrated by how impulsive he was. It was his worst quality. He was also determined, which was normally a good thing, but not right now. Esmeralda could convince him to leave, but he would not let go of this idea of getting involved in Claude's work until the man himself said something about it.

"Tell me where he is!" Clopin insisted. "I'll just go and ask if I can join!"

"No, wait here." Esmeralda instructed. "I will tell Claude you're here, and I'll let you know if he wants to talk."

"I don't understand." Clopin argued. "Why can't I-"

"He's already stressed!" Esmeralda snapped. "The sight of someone he didn't invite will not help. Just wait here, okay?"

Clopin still didn't seem to understand, but reluctantly agreed.

Esmeralda quickly went off toward the meeting room. She partly feared that interrupting the meeting would be a mistake, but the alternative was more concerning. Claude deserved to know about Clopin's arrival as soon as possible so he could deal with it. It would be much better for him than having to suddenly realize what was going on at the end of the meeting.

Besides, there was no reason to be afraid. Esmeralda wouldn't make a big deal of this, she would just quietly pass on the news to Claude and leave.

"Those are the basics of the plans." Claude said proudly. "We shall discuss it all in more detail in the coming days. But for now, I'd like to invite you all to ask any questions you may have."

Claude was met with eight staring faces. The only one not staring was Judge Belmont, who instead seemed to be avoiding eye contact with everyone. This was unfortunately what Claude had expected. Besides himself and Belmont, the table was occupied by the judges Bonheur, Fontaine, Laval, Aubert, Durand, Verne, Chatelain, and Normand. Judge Laval was likely handling the new instructions better than most of them, but only because Claude had shown him the value of the principles months ago. Laval had made a fool of himself back then and was fortunate to still have his job, so his stare seemed to be more of a pleading gesture than the others. The rest of them were hard to read, although they looked to be hiding various degrees of disapproval, except for Judge Chatelain. Chatelain looked to be more curious than disapproving, but it seemed doubtful that anyone would join him in that attitude.

No one seemed interested in raising any questions, so Claude decided to prompt them more.

"If anyone has thoughts on these new protocols," he started. "I beg you to let me address them. You are all welcome to share your thoughts."

Claude spoke his words reluctantly. There were many thoughts that he certainly didn't want to hear, but this conference would go nowhere if he didn't find the opportunity to respond to whatever these men were thinking that kept them from committing to a positive change.

It was Laval who finally spoke up.

"I think we are all in a phase of... adjustment." He said unconfidently.

No one indicated any agreement, but that didn't surprise Claude. He was sure they were all going through much more than an "adjustment".

"Let every man speak for himself." Claude urged.

Judge Aubert, who seemed to be suppressing an angry look, was the next to speak.

"There is something that troubles me." He announced. "You ask us to be fair, to spare our assumptions and give every accused criminal the benefit of the doubt. But do you believe that everyone deserves this? Beggars on the streets? Foreigners? Gypsies?"

Claude looked at Aubert sharply. He immediately thought of harsh responses that would make him look like an unprofessional fool, but he didn't speak any of them. Instead, he was distracted by a knock on the large door to the hall. All eyes turned toward the door. Claude turned his gaze toward it nervously. He couldn't imagine what the person on the other side of the door wanted, but it was surely important if it warranted interrupting this meeting.

"Come in." Claude called to whoever had knocked.

To his surprise, it was Esmeralda who stepped into the room, looking rather uncomfortable with the setting. She stood close to the door in silence, so Claude realized he needed to come to her. He left the table and quickly walked up to her. The door was thankfully far enough from the table that they could talk quietly without being heard, so Claude started the conversation in a whisper.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Clopin is here." Esmeralda explained.

"Clopin? What does he want?"

"To join the meeting."

Claude gaped at the explanation.

Did Clopin really think he could just walk into the meeting uninvited? That was completely inappropriate! Claude wasn't opposed to working with Clopin again, but not without any discussion beforehand!

"What?!" Claude reacted. "Well, he can't! We never spoke about that!"

"I told him that." Esmeralda assured. "But he's not listening. What should I do?"

Claude sighed.

"Could you get him out of here before this meeting is over?" He requested. "Tell him this is a bad time, but I'll talk to him tomorrow."

Esmeralda nodded.

"I can do that." She promised.

Claude managed a smile, only because it brightened his mood a little to be reminded that Esmeralda was looking out for him. But just as Esmeralda smiled back, a frustrated tone called out.

"Minister Frollo!"

Claude and Esmeralda both looked to see Judge Aubert glancing at them with an arrogant expression.

"Could you ask your gypsy servant girl to get me a drink? She ought to make herself useful if she's going to barge in."

Esmeralda immediately gaped before furiously scowling. She wanted to yell, but Claude calmed her by taking her hand.

Claude wanted to yell just as badly, but he had a better idea. he eyed Aubert angrily.

"I'll let you know exactly what I think of that..." Claude said coldly.

He looked to Esmeralda, barely leaning toward her.

"Kiss me." Claude whispered.

He couldn't believe this was happening. This wasn't how Claude had wanted to introduce his wife, but it was the quickest way to shut down the man who dared to insult her. Perhaps that was a good thing. Claude liked the idea of letting them all see the love so they'd know what they were risking if they thought of saying anything rude.

He started to smirk. Esmeralda returned the look when she realized what he was thinking.

In a controlled yet eager manner, they both leaned into a kiss. It was nothing racy, just the calm kind of kiss that a couple could have in public without making others uncomfortable. Still, they drew it out for several seconds just to prompt a little more shock. Finally, they separated with a smile.

Claude bade his farewell at a volume loud enough for others to notice.

"I'll be seeing you soon, my love." He said in what sounded like a brag.

Esmeralda went away with a proud smile.

Claude returned to the table, where everyone looked utterly shocked. Even Judge Belmont was now gawking, clearly in disbelief that Claude would do something like this to silence disrespect. But Judge Aubert looked more surprised than anyone, and frightened as well.

"You were saying?" Claude said threateningly.

"I... I apologize..." Aubert managed.

But Claude knew there would have been no apology if he hadn't happened to be so protective of Esmeralda. It would be hard not to lose his temper during this conference.

At least now the relationship between himself and Esmeralda was clear. That would protect her.

Okay, I did NOT mean to take over a month with this! XD

I guess I should accept that this story is coming along more slowly than the last one. I'll still aim to update faster, but I hope you can excuse me if the updates aren't always speedy. Thanks for sticking around!