CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

63.

The ball. The extravaganza of the high society.

"Bonsoir Madame. You look rather lovely in this dress. Don't you think red is a bit daring?"
"Bonsoir Madame, I thank you for the compliment on my dress. It is indeed, but my soon-to-be husband's favorite color.", I said, shushing her down.

Timothy and Natalie ran around the ballroom. Natalie was now 2, turning 3 in November.

"Tim, please go back to your room. Here are a lot of adults."
"Of course Mama. Natalie, come on. We will play with your dolls.", he said, taking the little girl's hand.

They went upstairs.

"Hello, my love. Everything alright?", Bastien asked.
"Yes. They just went up the stairs. I wanted to make sure nothing happens."
"Can I have this dance?", he asked, dragging me to the middle of the room.

We danced. Those few minutes felt like bliss. Unfortunately, the dance had ended and various girls had gathered around Bastien. He looked helpless. I walked to the stairs to get everyone's attention. I clinked the glass and all eyes were on me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I, as the hostess, hope you all have an amazing time. Please, gentleman, take your lady of choice for the next dance.", I said.

The men were running around and I declined dance after dance. I would only dance with one man, and that was Bastien.

Then I saw an elderly woman, with a younger one in her company, approaching Bastien. I rushed to his side. I could tell he had calmed down when I stood by his side.

"Your majesty, may I introduce? My daughter, Eleanore. She's 14 and would be the perfect match for your son.", she said.

I began to laugh. But soon realized that she wasn't joking.

"Pardon me? Your daughter wants to marry our son?"
"Yes."
"Our son is not even 4 years old."
"It seems that his majesty has a liking for younger women. I assume his son follows in his footsteps. After all, he's the heir of the French throne."

"Madame, I do not under your request."
"Your son should marry my daughter."
"They are 11 years apart."
"Yes, so what? Your majesty and this, lovely woman, are 8 years apart."

"The answer is no. Our son does not take over the French throne."
"Exactly."
"Oh, is it because he's a bastard? From a whore perhaps?"
"Excuse me? I am not a whore. I am a woman and I can decide for myself. I do not need your opinion to tear me down.", I said.

She gasped.

"I know everything. I am the reporter for the newspaper.", she said.
"Well, if you know everything, how come you didn't foresee our answer, that is by the way still no?", I said.

Bastien just stared at me.

"I must ask you to leave."
"Soon all of Paris will know you as the french whore and witch."
"Great. Then so shall be it. I am not afraid. Not of you, not the King, and certainly not of France."

The elderly woman gasped, turned around, and left my eyesight. The younger woman looked rather shy.

"I must apologize. You are too kind for inviting us to this lovely ball. Your son is most precious and I wish you both the best for life. May you live the best and happiest life together.", she said.

"Thank you, Eleanore. You are so much nicer than your mother."
"I know. Because I was raised by my father. My mother had never cared for my well-being. She only wants to marry me off rich and she figured that you'd be the best bet."

"I hope you enjoy the ball. Perhaps you find a lovely gentleman around here. Let me introduce you to some lovely men. They'd be most happy to meet you.", I said, taking her arm and guiding her around.

I couldn't make her pay for what her mother was doing. She was innocent and it was probably her first ball. She was nervous, I could tell. I introduced her to a young man, Gavroche.

He was 16 now, his parents were the Thénardiers. He had a lovely sister called Eponine. I had given her money and the chance to flee from her family. It was better that way. She had met a man and moved far away, hopefully living a good life with her man of dreams.

"Gavroche, may I introduce: Eleanore."
"Bonsoir Mademoiselle. May I ask for the next dance?"

She hesitated but I gave her a small shoulder nudge. She nodded and the next dance was his.

"Misses Matchmaker, are we now?"
"I felt sorry for her."
"You are the best human being. And for me, you are the Queen of France. No matter what a newspaper says.", he said, kissing me.