The Unknown Past and Untold Future *Les Miserables Romance (Enjolras)*

Introduction

Introduction

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France. May 1815

He felt really bad. No. He felt nothing. It wasn’t right but it wasn’t wrong either, to him at least. The man rubbed at his temples as he packed his bags. Everything had to go, until there was no trace that he had existed in this house. Maybe it would make it easier for her to forget him. Don't push your luck; she'll never forgive you. The man shook his head and sighed heavily, shoving his documentations into his satchel. 

“Papa?" The chirpy voice snapped him out of his trance. "Where are we going?”  His little girl sat on her small case, watching him intently as he paced back and forth of their room, gathering various belongings. The man looked down at his daughter of only three years. She wouldn’t understand. She was too young, probably wouldn’t even remember. But he couldn’t lie to her. 

“Somewhere, mi palomita.” He went over to her and stroked her blonde curls. So much like her mothers. The thought made him stiffen and recoil his hand, retreating back to his packing. 

He loved her, with every inch of his soul, which was surprising because he was not the one for children. When her mother had told him that she was with child, he was distraught; he was a man of sociability, not cut out for settling down, he had plans to see the world. That’s why he came to France in the first place; it was somewhere to start before going to England. The mother of his child was just another woman he had lay with, it was not his choice that he got her pregnant. He did not want it.

Reluctantly, he stayed with this woman until the child was born, told by his friends that it would be a joke, planning to leave once he found that the child was healthy. But something else happened; it was like he was struck by lightning. He was bonded to his daughter. He watched her grow for two years, everything was fine, and he considered staying. But when his woman was pregnant again, he came crashing back to the world. This couldn’t be. This was not what he was cut out for. He didn’t want to spend his life looking after children! After a second daughter was born he was done. He was undecided of the choice for another year, but now he was sure. He was young still; he wanted to see the city and maybe return to his homeland. That’s where he was going, Paris. From there maybe back to Spain. 

“Where, Papa?” 

“Far away.” 

“How far?” She asked.  

“Very.” He replied a little too harshly, tying the knots of his bag in a swift motion. His daughter shrunk back, fiddling with the length of her skirt. Realizing what he did, the man sighed heavily and knelt by her side. 

“What about Mama and Mini?” His daughter asked timidly. The man took her small pale hand in his own, darker one. 

“They – well…” He hesitated. How could he say it? How could he tell her that this morning was the last time she was ever going to see her mother? “They cannot come.” Her blue eyes went wide. 

“But why?” 

“They need to stay here, they need to – well, take care our home while we are gone.” He smiled one of his charming smiles, hoping she would believe him. His daughter looked to the door where her sister’s nursery was. 

“Mini will miss me.” She said softly. She called her sister ‘mini’ for the younger was like an exact replica of her; golden curls and blue eyes, very different to their father’s black and green. “Can I say goodbye?” The man sighed and looked to the doorway longingly. He planned a carriage, one that was coming soon.