I come to fight. Or at least, to listen.

chapter 14

Chapter 14

~Pardon~

Inspector Gerard strode into the palace. He straightened his jacket and straightened his posture even further. He was about to see the king. The King Of France.

Two guards flanked each side. They had taken away his saber before he had even entered the palace. His boots clicked against the marble floors. Sweat beaded on his skin as he prepared what he was going to say to his highness.

Your Highness, I propose, if you see it fit, that every last man suspected to be in the rebellion be executed.

Your Highness, this Enjolras fellow has tried to tarnish your establishment. Death to him, I say!

Javert had been missing since the first night of the rebellion, and Gerard filled his place. He was ill suited to speak to the king about an issue such as this, but he wouldn't let anybody else know. Though he suspected it was no secret he couldn't fill Javert's shoes in any way.

The guards and Gerard turned right onto a corridor filled with portraits of former monarchs. Gerard wished he had time to appreciate them, but he was on a was stopped at some ornately decorated double-doors. Gold leaf curved over every surface.

The guards pushed open a door each, revealing an equally decorated, grand study desk. Behind the desk sat King Louis Philippe I. Gerard was awestruck. The King's face turned up to Gerard and the guards.

"Ah, Inspector Gerard, I presume," the king cooed.

Gerard fumbled to speak, his eyes wide as saucers, "Yes, your highness." He took an unstable bow.

"Please," said the king, gesturing an open palm to the red upholstered chair in front of the desk.

Gerard almost stumbled to the chair. He almost sank in the plush cushion, but he brought his posture to attention. His eyes fell on the newspaper on the desk reading: REBELS WANTED. Yes, this is what he came to talk about. He cleared his throat.

"Your highness, I-"

"Want the rebels captured, I know," interrupted his highness. He must've read the horrified look on Gerard's face, "look, capturing these men will rouse the crowd more." He shifted the newspaper over the desk to the meek inspector. "As I understand it, only three men survive. And one of those, this Enjolras fellow, is their leader. Honestly, I have a great deal of respect from here. From what I gather, he is a proficient young student at the Sorbonne studying to be a lawyer and inherit his father's firm. He rallied the people for, as much as I don't agree with it, a noble cause. I do not suspect he will rebel again after these events, but in the case he does, we will jail him. But for now, I am issuing a pardon."

Gerard was just more confused. He wanted justice, however he was not willing to argue with the king for it. Instead he bowed, said "yes, your highness," and the guards escorted him out.

...

Evelyn woke before either Joly or Enjolras was up. So she opened the door to the kitchen, surprising the chef. "Bonjour, monsieur!" she called, swiping an apple from the fruit tray and rushing out the door.

She arrived to her job on time and worked easy hours. Apparently business was slow on Fridays. So, she nestled herself on the floor in between two bookshelves "reviewing" books. Evelyn was practically being paid to read. She returned home at six.

...

Enjolras abandoned his endeavors at the writing desk to embark on another at the wingback chair. Joly had left a few hours ago to re-register at the Sorbonne, leaving him to his own devices.