CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

29.

Theater. Who doesn't love Theater? My family and I were invited by the Duke to see a play in honor of the King. I wore a silk pale pink dress, had an extraordinary hairdo. This wasn't me. And the worst part, the Kings box was on the opposite of ours. And you can guess who was there. Exactly, Bastien.

He held his head high, had his wife's hand in his and they were adored. Princess Maria was smiling widely. I hated that sight. But maybe it was better that way. If he didn't want to be saved, then I let him be. I cannot force him.

The play began and it was about a young couple, a couple that could not be together. They were from two different classes and they would never be together. All those memories of the last few months came back to me.

Bastien stared at me from his box. I excused myself and walked out. I needed some fresh air. I pushed through the mass of people that were waiting for the next performance. As I reached the outside, a heard a familiar voice behind me.

"The play isn't over yet.", he said
"I am excused if I'm not feeling well.", I said, not looking at him.

This felt weird. I loved this man.

"Well, good for you I am here. A woman should not be alone if she doesn't feel well."
"You know very well why I don't feel well."
"Annelise-"

"Listen to me, I stood there in the cold waiting for you. You had avoided me since. What have I done wrong?"
"It wasn't you. It was me. I was drinking that night and I must have drunk too much. I blacked out.", he explained.

"And you believe that I believe you?"

"I was drunk because my life isn't going right. I have messed up. I know. But I can't risk losing you. I might already have. But I wish for you to believe me. I was drunk and my friend found me. I must have been unconscious because I don't remember anything.", he said.

I believed him. How could I not?

"Drowning your problems in Alcohol is not going to make them better, is it?"
"For a moment it does. I haven't drunk anything in the last days since."

"Your father said he saw you leave."
"No, I haven't. I was in my bedroom. I was lying by the door. Combeferre broke open the window."

"Your father is a liar then."
"He for sure is."
"We should head back. Before anyone realizes we're missing."
"I agree. Are you still mad at me?"
"No, I never was.", I said, before heading back inside.

I rushed back to my seat.

"Where were you?"
"I felt unwell. I needed some fresh air."
"Glad you're back. You haven't missed much."
"Thank god. It's boring.", I whispered.

"I agree. It's just nothing for me. I prefer funnier plays."
"So do I."
"I will take you to my favorite one day. Maybe with our children."
"Yeah, maybe.", I said.

We sat beside each other, watching the actors do their thing. It was amazing and they deserved the best.

***

"I love romance. I loved this play.", Delilah said.
"I threw up in my mouth.", Martin said.
"Love. Who needs love, when you can have food instead.", Caroline said.

I chuckled. Caroline loved food. She could not get enough of it.

"Where were you doing the play?"
"I needed some fresh air. It was rather stuffy inside.", I explained.

I was too tired to talk, so I dragged myself upstairs and got changed. I took out all the pins from my hair and let my hair loose. My scalp hurt from the updo. It was slightly wavy now. It wouldn't matter because it would be gone by the second I woke up.

I took my diary and began to write down everything. I would write my history and I better start now. I wrapped my blanket tightly around me. I could only dream of an ideal life.