Even if the Barricade Should Fall

Chapter thirty-four

Hello! Thank you for all the reads and votes! I would like to tell you that
"Madame Houcheloup" is given a first name. I am unaware she had/couldn't find a first name for her, but despite what it is anyway, I most likely would've changed it as you will see it adds to the plot. Thank you ❤️

"Alright Enjy, watch where that hands' goin' Courf's right over there!" Grantaire sounded as he wad helping himself to another drink. Enjolras and I were by the drinks table, It was our fault really, where else would you expect Grantaire to be?

"Grantaire, how lovely of you to join us" Enjolras rolled his eyes.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world Enjy" Grantaire raises his glass.

"Shame" Enjolras muttered under his breath, eating a light hit on the arm from me.

"So Grantaire, are you here by yourself?" I changed the subject.

"Uh-uh" he shook his head with a cheeky grin growing in his face.

"Who's the lucky girl?" Enjolras spoke with a sarcastic smile.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me" Grantaire smiled.

"Try me" I challenged him.

"Alright, she's over there" Grantaire pointed through a sea of people. Enjolras and I let our gaze wander as we searched for Grantaire's mysterious date, until they stopped.

"Madame Houcheloup?!" I gasped in disbelief.

"You were right, I don't believe you" Enjolras looked in shock.

"Told you" Grantaire sighed as he looked to Madame Houcheloup.

"She looks so different" I tilted my head to the side.

Her hair was styled down with only some hair out of her face instead of her usual messy updo, her dress was a bottle green colour (no wonder Grantaire found her attractive) and grazed the floor as she walked. She looked beautiful.

"Alright, darling?" Grantaire asked as Madame Houcheloup approaches us.

"Oh Grantaire, get over yourself!" She giggled.

"You look absolutely stunning, dear" She squeezed one of my hands.

"The perfect pair" she beamed to Enjolras and I.

"And you look beautiful, Madame" I smiled to her.

"Oh please, dear, call me Veronica" Madame Houcheloup revealed her first name to me.

Tears began rushing to my eyes as the familiar name spun around in my head and I began feeling faint. Not long after I felt Enjolras take my hand in his, keeping them hidden behind my dress, it meant the world to me that remembered what that name meant to me.

"Uh, Madame, so how did he manage to win you over?" Enjolras changed the subject, still holding my hand safely in his.

"My prince-like charm and my fetching looks" Grantaire winked, causing Enjolras to scoff.

"He simply asked and I thought sod it" she shrugged.

"Oh, so it wasn't my dashing smile or enticing eyes after all! I take offence, Madame" Grantaire pretender to be hurt.

"Oh c'mon you! Let's dance" she took Grantaire by the hand.

"Gladly" he led her onto the dance floor.

We watched as the new 'kind-of-couple' waltzed around for a bit before Enjolras broke me from my gaze by turning me to face him.

"You know I'm here for you" He looked into my eyes.

"I know" I looked to the floor.

"Gen" he tried to get my attention again, although he already had it.

"I'm here" he raised my chin ever so slightly, until I met his eyes again. I pressed my lips to his as a response and thanked him with a kiss.

"Enjolras!" A voice summoned Enjolras.

We both looked around and our eyes settled on a waving Marius, who was surrounded by Eponine, the rest of the boys, and a beautiful blonde girl that was linked to his arm.

"You look Gorgeous, Gen" Feuilly spoke as we walked over to them.

"Thank you, Feuilly" I nodded.

"And you look very handsome, all of you do" I addressed the group.

"Where's Courf?" Joly spoke up.

"Probably with his girlfriend" I sighed.

"Oh I see" Combeferre raised an eyebrow.

"Who's the not-so-lucky lady then?" Bahorel piped up as he spotted Courfeyrac and Anita on the dance floor.

"She's gorgeous" Lesgle commented.

"Her name is Anita, she moved here from Spain and she was helping out her mother, our maid, around the house then took over as our full time maid. We've been friends for years making us all very close, but I guess Courf and her wanted more" I explained.

"I guess so" Combeferre raised his eyebrows.

"Well anyways boys, would you care to introduce me to your accomplices?" I looked around.

The boys either awkwardly cleared their throats or shoved their hands in their pockets as they all looked around for someone to save them.

"We'll go on then" I edged them on.

"Um, Gen..." Combeferre spoke up. Only then did I realise what was going on.

"Ohh I see..." I awkwardly spoke. The boys did not have accomplices.

"Well never mind" I smiled.

"Prouvaire, may I have this dance?" I smiled to him. His head snapped up to face me and a large grin appeared, it felt good to know I made that smile appear.

"Are you sure this is a good idea" Enjolras' tightened his hand around mines, giving Prouvaire death glares.

"Enjolras, grow up" I rolled my eyes.

I took Prouvaires' hand and lead him onto the dance floor, it had come to my attention that I'd never had a proper conversation with prouvaire, of course I've spoken to him at meetings, but never really bonded over anything.

"You look stunning tonight, Gen" Prouvaire spoke as we began waltzing.

"Thank you, Prouvaire. You're looking very handsome" I smiled.

"Thanks" he nervously chuckled. His smile lasted a while as we danced around the ballroom, enjoying each other's company, until I began to notice his smile falter.

"What's wrong?" I dared to ask.

"Oh, it's nothing" he shook his head.

"You know you can trust me" I have him a small smile.

"I know..." he looked away once more.

"Prouvaire" I said to successfully grab his attention.

"Are you sure? This may effect you..." he warned me.

"Tell me" I almost demanded. I began getting worried as my mind wandered, who knows what it could be with a death sentence on the horizon and the people you love nearing closer to it.

Prouvaire snapped me out of my daze when he cleared his throat and eventually spoke out.

"There's a reason we, the boys and I, came alone tonight"