C'EST LA GUERRE | LES MISÉRABLES

VII.

The streets of Paris were rich with culture, there was no denying that. It brought with every sunrise a promise to be a home for the arts, for life, for the future. Even Alexandria had to marvel at the brick buildings and cobbled roads, enclosing her with welcoming arms. Paris was so beautiful, that it was easy to overlook the oppression affecting so many individuals.

The blonde strode to the dressmakers in a brisk fashion, her eyes watching the malnourished poor that littered the streets. She was late to work, having stayed up late scrawling ideas on parchment. Those lay in her basket, which she set by her feet when she bustled into work. The girls teased, but they had all been busy.

On her lunch, Marius was waiting outside. She swung her cloak over her shoulders and waved goodbye to the girls, who threw her a couple peculiar looks. She ignored them, and smiled as she looped her arm through Marius'.

"Marius, do you have anything to do during the day?" She teased as they walked through the winding streets. It was a path they had decided to take once a week, although this was only the first attempt.

"I do actually attend university, what are you suggesting?" Marius said. Alexandria snorted, but any amusement faded as they approached the alley. The impoverished people of Paris tended to linger here, in clusters of agony. Alexandria frowned, squeezing Marius' arm before they split off.

They began to hand out the coins and food they had been collecting for the past couple of days, grasping the hands of those who reached out to them in thanks. Alexandria spent five minutes talking to a young lady who looked more bone than human, pressing coins into her hand with a woeful attempt at remaining positive. The stories were never easy; if you lived on the streets it was far from a fairytale.

"Nora, we have to go." Marius stood behind her, hand resting on her shoulder. Alexandria sighed, but glanced up at him and nodded.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" Alexandria asked the girl, who still grasped her hands.

"Azelma." She said hesitantly, looking around at the people around in fear. Then she looked at Alexandria and mustered up a small smile. Regardless, her eyes twinkled with the first glimmer of possible hope.

"I'll come check up on you, Azelma. Stay safe, please." Alexandria squeezed her hands, before rising. She wrapped her arm around Marius' once more, and leant against him as they slowly walked from the alley. The basket was empty, and Alexandria's heart ached.

"I hate seeing all this poverty. It shouldn't be like this." Marius murmured as they began to walk. Alexandria glanced back at Azelma, but she was already making her way in the direction of the food market. That made her smile.

"Azelma reminded me of Madeline." Alexandria confessed. Marius looked at her in surprise.

"How old will Madeline be now?" He asked.

"Sixteen. I don't miss anything, except for her." Alexandria sighed at the thought. In a year and a half, she had almost forgotten what her baby sister looked like.

"That girl would be in Paris looking for you now if she had the chance." Marius said.

"I wish she were here. And had an opportunity beyond a marriage to an ailing Baron."

"I'd like to think I wasn't ailing." Marius teased. They stopped in front of Augustin's, and Alexandria smirked.

"If we ignore when you fell from your horse the first time she jumped, I'd say you weren't a complete hazard." She quirked her eyebrows. Marius laughed heartily, hands on hips.

"We would have made a fine pair though. Bring down the nobility from the inside."

"Sneak up behind the king and dethrone him ourselves." Alexandria rolled her eyes, but she enjoyed how light her tone was.