CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

44.

Enjolras POV

I arrived in England. The fresh, crisp air of London filled my lungs. I felt alive and excited to see my Annelise. The house of my grandmother wasn't far away, a small walk. I could still run if I wanted to. I walked and thought about what I was going to say to Annelise.

I reached the house and looked up. In the window, the long locks of my beloved were seen. She was here and awake. I knocked on the door, probably as fast as my heart was beating.

"Bastien, it is so good to see you.", my grandmother said, hugging me.
"Is Annelise here?"
"Yes. She's a wonderful woman. You chose a kind one."
"The most beautiful. You forgot that one."

"Of course. You must be hungry. Join us for breakfast.", she said.

I nodded and went into the garden. I would stay here for a few days and return with Annelise.

I could hear them coming down the stairs. My grandmother told her to sit in the garden and wait. And there she was, even more, beautiful than I had remembered her.

"How are you doing?"

She turned around and broke out in tears. She embraced me in a tight hug and sobbed into my shoulder. Her reaction had triggered some tears myself.

"You're alive.", she breathed.
"Yes. I am."
"What about Raphael, Combeferre?"
"They survived as well. Raphael has some mobility issues, but he will heal in time."

"Oh no, what happened?"
"A bullet was lodged in his left hipbone. Combeferre took it out. He tore a muscle by accident."

"How can a doctor tear a muscle by accident?", she asked.
"Does it really matter? You are here and alive."
"I think I'd be the person who'd weep at your grave."
"There's no need to weep. Sit, enjoy your breakfast."

"How was the fighting?", my grandmother asked.
"I lost dear friends. Sat in house arrest for three months. I had no chance of communicating. I would've come earlier. But I wasn't allowed."

She cuddled in my shoulder. It felt weird, something that I hadn't felt for a long time. It was the missing piece. I put a protective hand around her.

"How did you two meet?"
"It was my 22nd birthday ball. Many people wanted to perform. My best friend had suggested her family. That's when I saw her: then we danced. That's when I knew."

"I really wanted to attend your ball. Your father forbids me from seeing you."
"He did what?"
"Yes. He forbid me to see you. I wanted to say something at your wedding, but was locked out."
"You could've stopped the wedding."
"And I would've. Annelise would be such a better match for you anyway.", my grandmother said.

She wasn't wrong. I was going to confront my father about this. He couldn't do this.

"He wanted that alliance then."
"He needed that alliance. Without the alliance, France wouldn't be so strong. They would've not withstood that Revolution. We've read all about it."

"We all wanted to know what happened."
"Especially you shouldn't have read it."
"Why? I am allowed to know what's happening."

"I hope you both are now full. Maybe you both should take a stroll."
"Perfect idea."

We got up and strolled through the huge garden.

"Delilah is worried. Raphael is worried."
"I cannot come home. Not now at least."
"Why?"
"He would never understand."
"Your father?"
"Yes.", she said.

"I understand. But I will still be coming to visit you."
"I am happy when you come to visit me again."
"I will stay until Friday.", I said.

"Friday. That's amazing. I'm glad. You have to tell me everything."