CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

55.

January 1835

By now it was obvious that Bastien had lost any interest in us. Timothy would turn 2 years old in a week and he was thriving. He was a lively little boy, loved running around and he loved playing. I had met a young man, but he was just a friend. I loved Bastien and we were still engaged.

Timothy had continued asking about him but eventually stopped when he realized that he wasn't going to come. I was saddened to see that happening, but I couldn't do anything else besides telling him that his father would come back to him.

"Mama, will Papa be there when I turn 2?", he asked, holding two fingers up.
"I hope so. I do. But I will be here and Vincent will be there."
"I don't like Vincent."
"He's our friend."
"Not mine.", he said.

"I know you miss your father, so do I. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about him."
"I miss him so much.", he said, hugging me.
"I know. I know. Me too."

I ushered him away to go back and play with his newfound friend Alfie. Alfie was his first friend he made here. Life in the Kingdom of the Netherlands was quite different from France. No annoying people, no problem.

I still had a lot to plan. Delilah and Combeferre came to visit with Natalie and my father with the rest of my siblings. Jehan and Raphael were also coming down to visit.

"Mama, Alfie told me he was french."
"Really? Is he? Maybe you two can have a small conversation in French."
"No, I don't think so. Why can't I tell him that Papa is a prince?", he asked.

People were gossipers and rumors travel rather quickly. I was already called the french whore in some parts of Paris among the rich people. I did not need to move further away from here.

"It's just not possible. I am sorry."
"Does that mean that I am also a prince?", he asked.
"Yes, you're mine."

Yes, you are. You have royal blood in your veins and you would be the King of France after your father. But I could not tell him that, could I?

"Is aunt Delilah coming to see me?"
"Yes. And uncle Combeferre will also be here."
"And Natalie?", he asked.
"Yes.", I chuckled.

Raphael was now blessed with new children to spoil. He loved Timothy and Natalie and spoiled them whenever it was possible. Their birthdays were quite far away from each other.

I watched Timothy play with Alfie. His blonde, curly hair bounced around. The light through the window made it seem golden and his eyes were ocean blue. He looked so much like Bastien and he kept reminding me of him. No matter where he was, he was always close to my heart.

"Why are you crying, Mama? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no, you're just so beautiful and handsome. I can't believe that you're my son. I am just incredibly proud of you.", I said, wiping away the tears.

Alfie's mother, Vera, had told me she had to go. We said our goodbyes and were by ourselves again.

***

"Delilah.", Timothy yelled, running towards her.
"Bonjour birthday boy. Has your mother given you cake yet?"
"No."
"Well, we got to change that.", she said.

"Mademoiselle, it is my pleasure seeing you in good health.", Raphael said, taking my arm.
"Thank you, Raphael, but I have a question: do you know anything about Bastien?"

"His father has sent him on a secret mission. He refused to let his father see Timothy. When he noticed you were gone, he came to the Café, drinking, losing his mind. I thought I'd clean up around his corpse.", he said.
"What? Did he-?"
"No, if I weren't there then yes. He's terribly depressed. He feels terrible and is terrified. He fears that they plan to kill him."

"I did him wrong then. I thought all this time that he didn't care about us. My god, do you know what that means? Timothy is mad at him. He's disappointed that he hasn't come. How will I explain this to him?", I asked.

Raphael shrugged.

"Mama, Papa hasn't come.", he said, crying.
"Your father is sent on a secret mission. He can't come. I'm sure he's trying everything in his power and will think of you right now.", I said, while tears ran down my face.

I wiped them away and got the cake. I had to be strong for my son.

I took the cake and lit the candles. Two candles. I carried it to the table and Timothy blew it out.

"I wished for Papa to come home.", he said.

I went to the kitchen and began crying. Delilah saw me and rushed to my side. I cried into her shoulder. All those months I believed he had lost interest in us. In reality, he could not flee his royal duties.