VIOLET EYES | LES MISÉRABLES

chapter two

Sonnet did not see Cosette over the course of the week, although she did not doubt that she would see her again. Like they said, they were sisters bound by fate.

She was now getting ready for an afternoon tea with Javert's colleagues, which meant two tedious hours of mindless discussion. Javert did not wish to go either, but they had already avoided two events in the past fortnight. A third would be a social disgrace for the Javert house.

Today Sonnet selected a green dress and a bonnet with a ribbon in the same shade of emerald. Sonnet adored dresses; the way that the material gracefully flowed around her made her feel like a princess. She liked large skirts with the softest of petticoats and tight bodices decorated with delicate embroidery.

"Sonnet, are you finished?" Javert called from downstairs.

"Just a moment, Papa!" Sonnet chirped, hesitating before untying the cloak she had chosen to wear. It was a warm day, she needn't be covered in so many layers.

She hurried down the stairs, smiling at Javert when she met him at the door. The pair left the house and climbed into the awaiting carriage, which would take them to the house of the officer holding the event.

When they arrived, they begrudgingly realised that they were the last to show. This meant their footsteps quickened and they briskly entered the home.

"Inspector, bonjour!" The host, Officer Maçon, greeted them with open arms as they entered. He rose from his seat, shaking Javert's hand. "And Mademoiselle Sonnet, you look as beautiful as ever!"

Sonnet smiled politely, curtseying as her greeting. "Merci, Monsieur Maçon."

"Call me Laurent, dear. How old are you now? It has been so long since I have seen you." Monsieur Maçon, or Laurent, rested a hand on her shoulder, guiding her to an empty seat near his seat on the table. Javert was at the other end, making eye contact with a nervous Sonnet as she sat.

"I am a few weeks shy of eighteen, Monsi- Laurent." Sonnet replied, nodding to the other officers that were seated at the table. Besides the few housemaids milling about, she was the only female present. That thought made her stomach churn.

"Ah yes, a lovely age. Soon you will be finding a husband, I presume." Laurent said, lifting his glass of champagne to his lips. "I'm sure Javert will be more than pleased to have you off his hands. But then we must feel sorry for the man you will be married to. Women are quite the hassle."

The comment struck Sonnet like a blow to the torso. She fiddled with her hands, unsure of how to reply. Silence fell, and Sonnet hoped that Javert would defend her. But alas, no words came from the Inspector's mouth.

Laurent chuckled, and tilted his head back to face the door to the kitchen. "Belle, we are ready to eat."

A girl in a black uniform with piles of curly blonde hair stumbled through the door almost immediately, an upset look etched onto her gentle face. That changed to a neutral expression in a second.

"Right away, Monsieur." She nodded, disappearing back through the door.

"Tell me Inspector, how is your side of Paris faring? Is it growing any worse?" Laurent asked, although he received hesitant looks from the other officers. The men glanced at Sonnet then Laurent, clearly uncomfortable with the topic being discussed in front of a lady.

"There have been rumours. Of revolution. But it is under control." Javert said stiffly, and Sonnet avoided looking at him.

Belle came back out with her hands grasping silver trays. She laid them on the table, leaning over Sonnet to do so. As this occurred, Sonnet looked down to see a slip of paper fall into her lap. She looked to Belle for an answer, but the girl had already disappeared.