Chapter Four

My stomach grumbled, and I went to the tent. Digging through the basket we used to hold food, I pulled out a roll and apple. Noticing Nicholas, I pulled out another apple and threw it at him. He caught it at the last second.

“You…live here?” he asked, sitting down.

“Is that a problem?” I said sarcastically. “We could go to my wonderful castle in the countryside, I’m sure that will suit your needs just fine.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” He said, his voice touching a trace of anger. “I meant that doesn’t it get cold out here? It’s not exactly good living conditions.”

“We’ve been here awhile and we’ve been just fine, merci.”

Nicholas rolled the apple back and forth between his hands. He said. “We could go someplace better. My master-the Duke has a small mansion on the river. He never goes there anymore. I’m sure he’ll let us stay there.”

The thought of stay any place where the Duke has been made me cringed. “No.”

“Come on,” Nicholas said. “We could plan better there and it’s more comfortable than here.’ He smiled, mischievously. “Besides, haven’t you ever wanted to live in a castle, even for a few days?”

I just met this boy and already he was bothering me. “I’m sure it will cost us.”

“No,” he said. “It will cost nothing. Just think about it. A balcony with a beautiful view. Servants waiting on your every whim. Just like you were real royalty.”

“And they have to listen to us?” Angelo said eagerly.

“Yes, every word we say is their will.”

“That’s called slavery,” I said coldly.

"Don't you ever wish you could-"

"Wish?" I snapped back in Nicholas's face. "What good is wishing anyway? Magic doesn't exsist. It can't make anything come true."

Nicholas stared at me, his eyes a mixture of surprise and pity. Pity? I didn't need pity. I was ready to give him my best tongue lashing when Angelo’s hand touched my arm. “I’ve always wanted to live in a castle.”

I stared at Angelo’s black eyes that matched mine. I sighed. “Fine.”

Why do I always feel the need to make Angelo happy?

Nicholas smiled. “Parfait! We’ll go tonight.”

“Tonight? But the sun has already set?”

“Are you afraid of the dark, Angel?”

I scowled. “Of course not!”

“Then let’s go,” Nicholas said, pocketing the apple.

Nicholas animatedly talked to Angelo as I wrapped our few belongings in a bundle. I picked up a chain and held mother’s ring in my hand for a moment.

Would this all be worth it?

“Ready?” Nicholas asked, jerking me out of my thoughts.

I nodded and slipped the chain around my neck and picked up the bundle. Nicholas reached for it and I jerked away, leading the way to the edge of the roof where a ladder waited.

Climbing down, I reached up and helped Angelo down the rest of the way. Nicholas landed lightly a few moments later.

“Nous?” I said coolly. “Shall we?”

I couldn’t read his expression as he led the way through the quiet streets of Paris towards the river. The river was lined with expensive castles of nobility. It had merely been a dream to many of the peasants that begged on the streets.

I gawked amazed at the “small” mansion. The tall stone structure towered overhead, its tower acting as a beacon. The wide stone steps lead to large huge doors that looked too heavy to open. Faint flickers of candle light shone through the tall pained windows.

Angelo sucked in air next to me as we stood rooted in the large pathway. Nicholas walked ahead, gesturing to the doors. “Shall we?”

I snapped my mouth shut and strode behind him. He took the steps two at a time, obviously eager. I went slowly, waiting for Angelo and also uncertain.

Nicholas pushed the heavy doors open and stepped into the warm hall. A man waited inside. He was short, and young. His blonde hair was cut short and his ears stuck out oddly on the side of his head.

The man grinned. “Nicholas!”

“Boswell!” Nicholas cried. They gripped arms, in a warm friendly gesture.

“What brings you here friend?”

Nicholas replied. “I am on a job by the Duke. He has sent me to help this girl.”

Boswell noticed us standing in the doorway and smiled graciously at us. “Come in, I won’t bite.”

“Well, at least not hard.” Nicholas laughed.

Boswell clasped my hand, bowing slightly. “I am Boswell. I’m head of this house when the Duke is away. Anything you need manqué, I’m your man.”

“I am Luciana,” I said. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Where did you find this one, Nicholas? The royal palace?” Boswell turned to Angelo. “Hello good sir, what is your name?”

“Angelo.” My brother said quietly, from behind me.

“Well, Angelo. Anything you need, you just ask me. Alright?”

Angelo nodded, smiling shyly.

“My friend,” Boswell asked, turning to Nicholas. “What in the world is the job? I mean…” he trailed off, glancing at Angelo.

Nicholas said. “We are getting the Duke’s stolen jewel back from the Baroness.”

Boswell’s face turned grave. “Pardon me but…what do they have to do with it?”

“According to the Duke,” I said. “I am the perfect person for the job.” I didn’t care how hateful my words sounded.

Nicholas explained. “This is the Angel.”

Boswell’s eyebrows shot up. “The Angel?!”

“Perhaps,” Nicholas said. “I should explain this later. They are tired. Their rooms?”

“Oui, oui.” Boswell said, composing himself. “Yes, yes. Follow me please.”

He took the bundle from my hand and started for the grand stairs at the other end of the hall. A hallway equally the same was at the top of the second floor landing. Only this hallway was lined with closed doors on either side. Boswell opened the third door. “For Angelo.”

Angelo stepped in, looking around with wide eyes. “I-I get this all to myself?!”

“Of course. Is there anything you need?”

Dazed and mesmerized, Angelo shook his head.

Boswell left the door open and went to the next room. Dramatically, he opened it slowly. My mouth fell open (again) in amazement.

“This is for me?”

The room was a royal blue color. A large and soft looking bed beckoned from the wall to my left. Exactly opposite, drapes were pushed back to reveal tall glass doors, allowing the moonlight to stream in. A vanity mirror was polished till it almost shone and a silver hairbrush sat on the table. A large, but empty wardrobe was made out of deep, dark wood almost exotic.

Boswell laughed heartily. I liked his laughed because it was contagious. “Yes, it’s all for you. But we shall need to get some clothing to fill the wardrobe…Is there anything I can get you, manqué?”

I nodded. “My name is Luciana; I’d prefer to be called that.”

“Of course, Luciana,” Boswell said, putting my ratty-looking bundle on the vanity table. “Good night.”

I stepped in and Boswell disappeared. I walked slowly in a circle, looking at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling. I wondered how they got it up there.

Looking back at the glass doors, I stepped closer and realized they led to a balcony. Slowly, I turned the handles and pulled the doors open. I was hit with a cool, refreshing wind. My hair stirred and so did my clothes. The drapes blew in the wind briefly before settling again.

Shedding my cloak, I laid it on a chair before returning to the balcony. I watched the landscape of the city as I toyed silently with a strand of my hair. I could see the Notre Dame from here.

“I told you I’d get you a balcony.” Nicholas said from the doorway of my room.

“I never doubted you.” I said.

Changing the subject, he said. “Angelo is already asleep.”

I chuckled and shook my head. It was silent for a moment, an awkward silence. “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep also.” I said, breaking it.

“Alright, goodnight.” Nicholas said, looking back once before heading down the hallway.

I whispered quietly after him. “Bonne nuit.” Goodnight.

 

Reviews

[Kelley]

well we know who has the jewel now and the play will start in the morning I'm sure.

I found another mistake.......

""No, I didn't mean it like that." He said, his voice touching a trace of anger. "I meant that doesn't it cold out here?"

I think you meant........

""No, I didn't mean it like that." He said, his voice touching a trace of anger. "I meant that doesn't it get cold out here?"

I hope I don't upset you by this?
Anyway its getting better each page.

Kelley

[karmic]

like i said in the other review great detail. And i just loved the ending. Are you going to write a part two?