CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

20.

I arrived at the palace and went inside. A guard stopped me.

"Where to, young lady?"
"The Crown Prince."
"The Crown Prince?"
"Yes."

"I fear that's not possible."
"Why not?"
"He's with his wife."

God, he was with his wife.

"Still, it's important.", I begged.

He nodded and walked away. I was all alone but I looked around. All these portraits of the family. Bastien at a young age, how adorable he was. Now he was a grown man and had become even more handsome.

"The Crown Prince is ready to see you.", the guard said, tearing me away from my thoughts.
"Alright. Where is he?"
"Follow me."

I followed him through the corridors of the palace. We stopped in front of a door, where I was told to wait. After a few minutes, I was allowed to enter.

"Your majesty."
"Mademoiselle Robillard. You asked to see me."
"Yes. But without spying eyes please."

He looked at them and they left.

"What is it? Missed me too much?"
"Always.", I said, stepping closer.

"Why are you here?"
"I cannot meet you at the house on Saturday."
" I heard you perform for my little cousin."
"Yes.", I said.

"Well, what are we supposed to do?", he asked getting closer.
"I don't know."

"What is happening? Why are you here?", Princess Maria asked, storming inside.

We separated.

"Mademoiselle Robillard asked to speak to me. It's important and none of your business.", he said.

It was almost like a switched out person. He was so cold towards her but to me, he was gentle, loving, and caring.

"Very well. Mademoiselle Robillard, I request a small talk after you finished the talk with my husband.", the Princess said leaving the room.

"Annelise, we can still see each other on Sunday."
"But that's only one day. I spend the entire week missing you, thinking about you. And on the weekends, I am just happy to be in your presence.", I explained.

"I know. I feel so too. I won't be there on Saturday to see you perform. I'd give anything to see you doing something you love."

Then there was a pause.

"I will think of something, don't worry. If Maria gives you a hard time, I will make sure that it never happens again.", he said, stroking my cheek.

"You're beautiful. I can't believe that you have to go now.", he whispered.
"I will send you letters."
"Perfect. Yes, what can I do for you?"

"Her Majesty, Princess Maria, has requested our guest's presence."

"Of course."

Then he looked me in the eyes and gave me a reassuring smile. I bowed and he left with a small smile on his face. The guard tapped my shoulder and asked me to follow him. I followed him through the corridors once again until I was let into a library.

The Princess sat with her back facing the door. She was staring at a book, while the fire in the fireplace was roaring.

"Your majesty.", I said, bowing.
"Oh. I didn't hear you coming in. Thank you."

The guard bowed and left the library, closing the door behind him.

"What was so urgent?"
"My siblings and I perform for his majesty's little cousin. I was sent by my father to find out a few details.", I lied.
"Oh. Of course. And what details have you found?"
"She's 9 years old and loves horseback riding.", I said.

"Well, that must be true then. But I will give you a little warning: stay away from my husband."
"I don't understand."
"How old are you?"
"17."

"So you think I will just step aside and let you have my husband. Well, you're wrong. I share his bed and his life for eternity. If you think, I will let you have him, you're wrong. I am the Princess and I will be Queen, alongside Bastien. And if you don't, I will let you little secret slide."

"Are you threatening me?"
"No. I'm just making a promise."
"If he loved you, then why is he not giving you baby?"
"How dare you? How dare you say something like that?"
"What upsets the King, upsets his people.", I said.

It was silent, the fire crackling the only noise in this room. You could hear a pin drop. I might have overstepped a line, but no one was going to threaten me.

"You may leave now. You will never come back to see the Crown Prince."
"You have no power over me.", I said, opening the door and running out.

I left the palace, got on my horse, and rode into the dark forest. I didn't know what time it was but I knew it was past bedtime. I was hurt and hungry. I wasn't going to tell him about it. I didn't want to be the cause of another breakdown of his. It was already hard enough to be him, I didn't have to add things to the fire.

My horse stopped. I sensed that something was right. Then a shot rang out and I fell off my horse, hitting my head on a root. My vision blurred in front of me. All I knew was that my horse has run away. I was in pain. My ankle hurt as well.

I only saw a silhouette coming towards me before I blacked out.