CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

57.

1836 rolled around and we were happier than ever. Bastien, Timothy, and I had rented a small apartment, enough for our little family. The world wasn't changing, it was also the people, the culture, and fashion. I loved fashion.

The English fashion was quite different than the one in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The waist was getting tinier, the dresses longer. Timothy would continuously step on my dress by accident and he would feel bad for it.

Timothy was growing up and Bastien had taken him on his first riding tour. He enjoyed it a lot, but at first, he was afraid the horse might throw him off. He cried a little and got over it. I loved watching them interact. Some time had passed. There was a lot to catch up on.

Today was a rainy day in London. Bastien and Timothy were riding, much to my dismay. So many things could happen. The knock on the door tore me from my thoughts. I walked to the door and opened it.

I had expected Bastien and Timothy, but it was Monsieur Elias Palvion, the young gentleman at the ball.

"Oh hello, Madam. Great to see you again."
"I do not want to sound rude, but why are you here?"
"I figured I'd take a nice walk. Then I saw you in the window and had to knock."

"You thought you'd take a nice walk in the rain?", I asked.

He looked around.

"Yes. Anyways, may I come inside?"
"No, my husband isn't home."
"But I insist."
"Great you do, but I said no.", I said, wanting to close the door.

He had his foot in the doorway, making me unable to close.

"I won't accept a no."
"And I don't accept men who believe they deserve to come in after a woman said no."

"Madam. I said I'll come inside. Now move aside.", he said, pushing me in.
"Get out."
"Lovely apartment."
"Get out."
"Not so haste. I believe you owe me something after that ball. I know you know we had a special connection."

"You're crazy. I am soon to be married."
"To a married man."
"And? So what? What is that any of your concern? I told you to get out."

"If you say that one more time—"
"Then what? Are you threatening my wife?", Bastien asked, having his gun located at Monsieur Palvions temple.

"Of course not, your majesty."
"Perfect. Now get out. If you ever decide to return, my fully loaded gun will lose one of its precious bullets. Got it?", he asked.

He nodded and fled the house. Timothy had run to me and made sure I was fine.

"Mama, are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you. You both were protecting me."
"I'm sorry that it didn't come earlier."
"You were early. Thank you.", I said, hugging him.

He held me tightly in his embrace, keeping me close to his chest. He was saving me at all times. Funny, I could not save him from his problem.