CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

88.

I had been coughing a lot lately. But it was a simple cold, nothing bad to worry about. Timothy was doing splendidly and he had no cough thankfully. I felt a bit weary more often, but I guess it came from taking care of my both children. They were thriving.

Eliza could lift her head by now and I wish Bastien was here to witness it. He always wanted a little girl to spoil, just like our favorite poet, Jean Prouvaire. He was so excited to meet this little wonder but never got the chance to.

Today was just a normal December morning. My father and I would do our annual walk in the forest, far away from Paris. I was just getting ready when I felt a little short of breath. I thought it was from exhaustion. The last couple of days had been rough.

"Mama, will Aunt Delilah take care of us while you're gone?", Timothy asked.
"Yes. She's coming with Natalie."
"Fantastic. Thank you.", he said, closing the door.

I opened the cupboard and looked inside. The red jacket was folded neatly and the rosette was still in place. A little blood had gotten on it, but he never seemed to notice.

I pulled it out and put it on. The jacket still smelled like him. I remember when he bought it. It was from a market in the Netherlands and he adored this piece of red fabric.

I took it off and put it back in its place. I put on my coat and rushed down the stairs. When I reached the last stairs, I needed a break. Again, shortness of breath. It was probably the corset. I coughed a little.

"Mama loves you both. You know that, right?"
"Of course Mama. So do we.", Timothy said, kissing my cheek.

Delilah was just arriving as I opened the door. I said my goodbyes and began the walk to my childhood home.

***

"Are you alright?"
"Yes, the fresh air is doing me well.", I said.

We had a beautiful view of Montmartre. It was extraordinary. The fresh air seemed to heal all my wounds of the past. Even if I knew that it didn't, it still felt very relieving to me.

"You look rather pale today."
"I'm sure it's not that bad."
"Yes but still. Something is not right with you."

I shrugged my shoulders. I was just enjoying the view and being with my father. I twirled around and began to laugh.

"See, this is my little Annelise."
"Do you miss the old Annelise?"
"To be honest, yes. But I miss the young girl that would dream of the sunrise. You know, the little girl that dreamed of being a princess. What would your little self say about you now?", he asked.

"She would be proud. Happy. Maybe even a little bit too excited. But I think, she would be proud.", I said, looking at him.

"We should go now. We don't want you to catch a cold.", my father said chuckling.
"Walk down, I'll run it down.", I laughed.

He chuckled and I ran past him. I felt a stabbing pain in my lungs which sent me to the ground falling. My father rushed to me. I tried to get up but the pain wouldn't leave me alone.

"Annelise."
"It's okay. I am okay. It's just— I was too fast going down the hill.", I said in between deep breathes.
"I'll send Combeferre for you. He can tell what's happening."
"It's nothing. It's really nothing."