CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

07.

"She doesn't wake up. But we have to leave now."
"Very well. My mother is here anyway. Give her a message for Annelise. She should come later."
"Of course."

I woke up to the birds chirping. The sun shone through my window and the sun felt warm on my skin. I got up from my bed and walked downstairs. Much to my dismay, the house was empty. Then I realized. I totally forgot about our trip to Paris for the dressmaker for the Crown Prince's 22nd birthday.

I ran back upstairs and finished getting ready. I ran down the stairs.

"Annelise, you must hurry. They already left for Paris."
"Oh my, thank you, grandmother. I'll hurry."

I ran out of the house to a carriage I assume was for me. The carriage immediately took off as I closed the door.

My black hair was untied and my dress was not properly tied up either. I prayed that my father would only get angry but I was sure that he would get really furious about my lateness.

***

We arrived in Paris at the small Cafe. I opened the door and ran inside when I bumped into a man. He sent me flying to the ground.

When I looked up, I saw a beautiful man, about 6 feet tall. His eyes were shining like the ocean in the sun and his messy curls were golden.

He pulled me up to my feet.

"I'm so sorry. I should've watched where I was going.", I said.
"Don't worry. It's fine. Are you hurt?"
"No, thank you."
"You have beautiful hair."
"Thank you.", I said.

He smiled.

"What's your name?"
"Annelise."
"A very pretty name for a pretty young woman."
"Thank you."
"I need to go. I hope to see you again.", he said, leaving me standing.

"I totally forgot to ask: what's your name?"
"Bastien.", he turned around.

He then left me standing in the busy streets of Paris.

"Oh, Annelise. You're here. Oh my, you're so beautiful."
"Thank you. And I must apologize for being late: I overslept."
"That's the least of our worries right now. We need to get you to the shop. Everyone's there already. You perform for the King and his son in two weeks.", she said.

We ran to the dressmaker as fast as Madame could. We reached the small shop and entered. Father was there - and he didn't look very pleased.

"Annelise, you are late."
"I know and I'm sorry."

When he used my full name, then I knew he was angry. The woman, who stood behind the corner, looked me up and down and handed me a dress. It was a cream-colored dress, with a pastel blue sash.
It was a knee-length dress.

She guided me to one of the changing rooms. I dressed up in a beautiful dress. I looked myself in the mirror and walked out of the changing room.

"It fits perfectly and matches her pale skin tone.", the woman said.
"She looks beautiful.", Delilah said.

She was dressed back into her normal clothes.

"I think this will do fine.", Papa said.

The woman started to jot down my measurements on a piece of paper.

"Anything you want changed?", she asked my father.
"No. It's perfect the way it is."

She wrote that down too.

"You're done. You can go change again.", she said.

I walked back inside the changing room and got dressed up in my clothes. My corset was loose and I was hoping that Delilah could fix it later.

"The costumes will be ready in the next few days. I will have them delivered to you."
"We will be in Paris at the time. At the King's residence."
"King? Are you performing for the crown prince's 22nd birthday?", she asked.
"Yes. My Children are."
"Good luck."
"Thank you.", Papa said.

We followed him out of the store back to the Café.
When we reached it, all of my siblings left, but I had to stay.

"Annelise, I think I gave clear instructions last night. Haven't I?"
"Yes Papa, you have. I overslept and I am sorry."
"How long did you stay awake?"
"Not long, I didn't even read."
"We will stay in Paris for the next two weeks. We move into the King's residence in the next couple of days. I hope you packed up a bit."
"I haven't."

"Madame Louisa, would you be so kind and go home with Annelise so she can pack up her things to join us?"
"Of course."

Madame Louisa and I quickly sat in the next carriage home.

"Annelise, you aren't dressed properly either."
"I can't tie up a corset by myself."
"You have to learn it then.", she said.
"And what about your hair?"
"I forgot to put it in a bun.", I said.
"I can tell. You still have a lot to learn."

***

I pulled out my bag from under my bed and packed up my most prized possessions and some clothes. I also put the necklace of my mother in it. I wanted to wear it to the ball.

I hugged my grandmother one last time before I returned to the carriage, that went back to Paris. The next time I would return home, would be right after the ball.

Madame Louisa tied up my corset and put my hair in a bun.

"Thank you."
"Don't worry. You are a pretty child. But today this is what gets you a husband."
"Why not knowledge? Intelligence?"
"Because men need women who function.", she said.

She only meant well and wanted to prepare me for the rest of my life.

And I was very thankful for that.