CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

25.

A week since the lovely journey to the Netherlands. It was all in my head still. I was being helped with dressing up as I was supposed to meet Alexandre Tebun, the man who had taken me home after injuring my head.

I was tied in an awful corset, I almost couldn't breathe. Then a thick petticoat around my hips, to help the dress keep its form and to help with keeping a safe distance to Monsieur Tebun. At least, that's what I wanted. The final layer was a dress made out of the finest wool the dressmaker had.

The dress was checkered, with hues of green, gray, and navy blue. It was supposed to keep me warm. I felt like a fool. Why all this fancy clothing? I had enough to wear.

I put on my gloves and the pearl necklace from my mother. Carrie brought me the earrings from Bastien. These were beautiful pearl earrings, matching my necklace. He gifted those to me when we were ice skating.

"Annelise, Monsieur Tebun is here."
"I'll be with you shortly.", I said, as I took a last look into the mirror.

I walked out of my room and rushed down the stairs. There was the young gentleman. My grandmother had a judging expression on her face. She didn't like him.

"I have planned for us to meet the King, to give us his blessings himself."
"What?"
"Those are amazing news.", my father chimed in.

"A rather terrible idea, young man.", my grandmother said.
"Mother."
"No, Annelise doesn't need the king's blessing. She's a blessing herself. And if anyone gives a blessing, it would be me.", my grandmother said, taking my hand and dragging me away.

"I know you love him."
"No, I don't."
"Not this horse. The Prince."

I looked up. How could she know?

"I saw you both in the Netherlands. You know I visited my friend that day. A lovely couple you make."
"He's married though."
"So what? Child, that marriage is loveless. He loves you.", she said, taking my face in her hands.

"I know he doesn't want me to get married to him."
"Well, I wonder why. He looks like a horse. Now, grab your warmest coat and we will go to Paris to meet your dear prince.", she said.

I nodded and ran back up the stairs to grab my coat. I put it on and rushed back downstairs.

"Perfect, you decided. My carriage is waiting outside."
"Sorry young man, but my granddaughter and I have some business to attend to."
"Of course."

My grandmother dragged me out of the door and into the next carriage.

"So, how did you meet?"
"Well, it was the day I woke up too late for the dressmaker. I accidentally ran into him."

She laughed.

"Then at the ball, we danced together. That same evening we were talking. And I guess that's how it happened.", I explained.
"Oh, that sounds so lovely. I am glad you met him. Raphael knows where he is."
"Raphael? As in Raphael my uncle?"
"Exactly."

And now we were heading to my uncle, Raphael.