CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

14.

I followed him silently to his office.

"What were you thinking? Running away from the party that I had arranged for you? Have you lost your mind?", he scolded.
"I had my reasons. Please don't question them."
"I hope they were good reasons.", he said, walking past me.
"Tomorrow I will go to Paris. All by myself."
"What?"
"I will stay with grandmother and Rafael.", I said dryly.

"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Today has been a horrible day and I just want to forget it, somewhere else.", I said.
"Very well. When do you plan on departing?"
"Tomorrow morning. After breakfast."
"Well, that's fine. Good night."

I looked at the portrait of my mother. She was looking beautiful, she was smiling from one ear to the other. What would she think of my behavior now?

I walked back to my room and began packing for Paris. Only the most necessary things though. I wasn't staying there forever. I wanted to experience life, I wanted to work and read and travel to places outside of France.

I wanted to forget all the heartbreak I suffered. And I wanted to forget him. His face, his eyes, and his voice. I was now going to become my own person. No one would push me around anymore and no one would force me to anything I didn't want to.

"I heard you're leaving for Paris."
"Yes. I just need to get out of here for some time."
"Are you sure I shouldn't accompany you?"
"No, thank you. I need to deal with things and it's best if I was all by myself."
"Are you coming downstairs for dinner?"
"I'm not hungry. Thank you."

Madame nodded and left. I was gonna miss this house and my life here. But sometimes, it's better to let go and go on adventures. Who knew what was waiting for me in Paris? I might find my love there.

I got ready for bed and laid down. I was excited and also scared. But I wasn't alone. I had my grandmother and my uncle on my side. What could go wrong?

***

I was getting ready for Paris. I couldn't hold in my excitement. I took down all my bags and while they were loaded onto the carriage, I ate some breakfast before departing.

"When will you be back?"
"I don't know. As long as it takes."
"You write me at least once a week.", Papa said.

I nodded and gave him a hug. Delilah was long gone before I came down to breakfast.

"I will miss you."
"I will miss you too."

I got into the carriage and when it took off, I began to doubt my choices. But I had to grow up and adults made their own decisions, right?

I painted my future ahead of me. I would become a waitress at my grandmother's Café and would learn how to deal with money. Maybe I will find the man I want to marry there. In about 3 months I would travel home as an adult. I would be independent and learn the basics to become a good wife.

***

I stepped out of the carriage. I walked into the Café. I felt the stares of the many men on my back and I felt uncomfortable.

"Remember me?", I asked the young man behind the counter, my uncle Raphael.
"Oh my god, what are you doing here?"
"I was wondering if you were hiring. I need a place to work so I can afford a place to live for the next few months.", I explained.

"You're hired. And you're living here. There's no way that I'd let you go by yourself. Especially by all the looks, you are receiving so far."
"Thank you. I am very grateful for that."
"Are you doing alright? You didn't seem to feel so well last night."
"Yeah, it was a very terrible night that I would love to forget."

"I see. Well, if you want to talk about it, I am here. Now, greet your grandmother. She will be delighted to see you."
"I will. I assume she's upstairs."
"Yes."

I walked behind the counter and stepped up the stairs. The stairs were narrow and the hall was long. I looked to my left and there was my grandmother.

"This is a private part of the Café. Oh my, Annelise, it's you. I am so glad to see you. Where is the rest?"
"I am here all by myself. I will work for you. Raphael already hired me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
"Well, then let me show you to your room. You'll start tomorrow. Raphael will help you."

She closed the door on her way out and I took a deep breath. This was it. I was now an adult. I was going to work. The room was small but contained everything I needed.
The bed with the blue covers was thick and comfortable.

The table beside it was beneath the window, which was good for writing letters in the daylight. The dusty bookshelf contained tons of books, including those of my childhood.

I began to unpack and lose the too-tight corset. Walking was already hard enough, the corset, that cut of all your air supplies, didn't make it any better. I loosened up my hair, letting it fall into its natural state.

I was going to start tomorrow. I was excited and nervous. Who knew what tomorrow would have in store for me?