CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

45.

February 1833

I stepped out of the train. I had missed Paris. Bastien was at my side. He could not stop staring.

"I'll take your bags. Are you sure you don't want home?"
"Yes. Very sure.", I said, getting into the carriage.

My father would never understand. He will disown me, throw me out on the streets. Which is why I came to the Café. Raphael would support me.

"Do not worry. I told Delilah."
"Why did you do it?"
"Somebody had to know you were carrying a child.", he said, not looking at me anymore.

"She's a blabbermouth. She cannot shut up. Especially if it's about a baby."
"She promised me. Besides, Combeferre knows as well and he keeps a close eye on her. No matter what happens. I am always here for you both.", he said.

"I just want them to love him as much as we do."
"And they will. Don't worry. My grandmother loves him."

He got out of the carriage and helped me out. I walked inside the Café. I had taken notice of the bullet holes.

"Bonjour. Oh my god, Annelise. I'm so glad you're — is that a baby?"
"Yes."
"Whose it is?"
"Mine."

He looked at me, then to Bastien, and finally back to me.

"Oh my god.", he said, sitting down.
"I just want him to be loved."

After a few moments of silence, he decided to speak.

"Can I hold him?"

I nodded and handed him the baby. The baby cooed in his arms. My little prince. He had the eyes of his father.

"Your family should meet him."
"Well, how do I tell my family that I've been with child for the last 9 months, without being married to a man?"
"Your father loves you."
"Yes, and we will despise me once he sees me again."

"He was worried about you. I make you a suggestion now: we go over to the house tonight and if things really don't work out, you'll stay here."
"I'm ready to let all my titles down and marry you.", Bastien said.

We both looked at him. He couldn't be serious. That would've saved us from all the drama all along.

"Now that my father has been angered, it would be much easier."
"Alright. I will go over tonight. But I don't want to be alone."
"Of course not.", Raphael said.

I retired to a spare room to rest. Bastien took care of the baby in the meanwhile. I was afraid. Nervous. My stomach had knots in it.

***

We arrived at the family house. Raphael had given them notice and they would open the door any second. Without my siblings of course.

We were waiting. I was getting more and more uncomfortable. I wanted to flee. Then the door opened. My grandmother opened the door and let us in. She was happy to see us and immediately embraced my baby in her arms.

Now, my father was coming down the stairs.

"Raphael, your majesty. Annelise, you do not need to hide."
"Father, I am so glad to see you."

He approached me but as he saw the baby he stopped.

"A baby!", he yelled.
"Yes. My baby."
"Is this why you left? To give birth to a bastard?"
"He is not a bastard. Do not ever use that term regarding my son.", I said, talking really calmly.

Even I was surprised. My father left the room and I broke out in silent tears. Why couldn't he accept it?

***

I was walking in the garden. Grandmother had taken him to show him some love.

"Annelise."
"Father. Do not worry, I will leave soon. I just felt unwell."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was scared of your reaction."

Then he realized.

"My God, I was so stupid. You were afraid that I wasn't going to approve of him?"
"Yes."
"Who's the father?"
"The Crown Prince."
"What?"

"You heard right. The Crown Prince and I have a relationship. We are courting since 1829. And no one knew. He stopped the wedding because he didn't want me to marry another man."

"What's his name? The name of your son."
"Timothy."
"Can I hold him?"
"Yes."
"Can I hug you first?"

I nodded and he embraced me in his arms. Things were working out, at least now they were.