CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

15.

Enjolras POV

I could hate myself for what I did. I played with Annelise's feelings and now she probably hated me. I made her sad. I saw how heartbroken she was when she said her goodbyes to the guests. I watched her run off to her room. And I didn't go after her. I was a coward who just hurt the most wonderful girl I've ever met.

I realized how much she didn't care that I was the prince. She saw past that. I could have a proper conversation with her, without caring about the etiquette. That night on the balcony in the palace made me actually fall for her. And now last night, my feelings took over. I kissed her because I was already in love with her.

I had to apologize. Even if she never wanted to see me again, I knew I did the right. I got ready for the day and stepped into the carriage that was currently available. It took some time to get there. But all the time was going to be worth it.

***

I knocked on the beautiful house. The balcony was in my view and gave me flashbacks from last night. The door was opened and greeted by the sad face of her father.

"Your majesty, I didn't expect you here."
"I came to see your daughter, Annelise."
"She's not here. But I can take a message for her."
"Where is she?", I asked.

Weird. Why would she leave? Did I hurt her so badly? So bad that she felt the urge to leave France?

"In Paris. With her grandmother."
"Do you have an address?"
"Of course. It's the famous Café Musain."

Café Musain. That's where she is. Why didn't I look there first? I thanked her father and made my way back to Paris. I had to find her and tell her how sorry I was.

***

I jumped out of the carriage and into the Café. I saw my dear friend Courfeyrac at the counter. He worked at the Café for years. He was the one who had always prepared and poured my coffee. 

"My dear friend. I need your help. You know about that girl I told you. I need to find her and talk to her grandmother."
"What? I think you got the wrong address, my friend."
"No. I don't. Her father gave it to me. Her grandmother works here."
"I don't look like a grandmother, or do I?", he asked sarcastically.

He didn't understand. I mean his hair kinda did remind me of a grandmother but that was not the point.

"Look. If you tell me her name, maybe I know her."
"Annelise."
"Oh, that's funny because my niece is called Annelise. Wait, hold up a second: are you talking about my niece?", Courfeyrac gasped.

"Wait, you're related to the Robillard family?"
"Yes, their mother was my sister. Enjolras what the baguette is going on?", he asked, replacing his curse word with bread.
"Can you take me to her?"
"Yeah, I can. But not at the moment. It's busy here. But she's upstairs. Left then down the corridor."

I thanked my friend and followed his directions. I knocked on the door. My heart began beating really fast. It felt like it was beating out of my chest.

Then she opens the door. Her hair was loose and she looked even more beautiful than last night.

"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to apologize."
"What for? The kiss? Don't worry. I already forgot.", she said.

It broke my heart.

"That's not what I wanted to say. I apologize for playing with your feelings like that. I just- I just really, really like you. It is the first time I feel something like I feel for you.", I explained.

And it was true. It was my first time feeling love. And it happened to be her.

"I'm not going to say that it's okay. But I will forgive you. But now you need to go. I have to forget you. I really liked you. Well, liked you. I fell in love."

"Love?"
"Yes, but you're married. And it's never going to happen. Now please, leave me alone."

I turned around to leave. But I couldn't make myself leave. I turned around, grabbed her face, and kissed her. She didn't fight back and that's when I knew. I loved her.

[[END OF ACT 1]]