It is 8:30 am and Voltaire is in his room staring in the mirror at his reflection. He gently runs his fingers through his short light brown hair that goes down to his shoulders. He smiles and he starts talking to himself in a cheerful tone.

Voltaire: I should try something new today. I should just stick with my natural hair today. No need for the wig.

Voltaire gently picks up his hairbrush and he starts gently brushing his hair. He suddenly hears a gentle knock on his door along with a calm and happy voice.

Frederick: Mon ami (my friend) are you ready to join me for breakfast? You said you wanted to talk to me.
Voltaire: I'm almost ready. Just doing my hair.
Frederick: I understand that it takes a while to sort out your hair. Like some people who wear wigs take a while to sort it out and put powder on.
Voltaire: I don't put powder on my wig it makes me sneeze.
Frederick: That is understandable.

Voltaire gently grabs a black hair tie and he starts tying up his hair into a short ponytail. He stares at his reflection and he starts blushing a little bit. He gently puts the brush down and he smiles. He walks over to the door and gently opens it Frederick smiles at him and Frederick notices that Voltaire has tied up his hair.

Voltaire: Do you like it?
Frederick: Yes Voltaire it suits you.

Voltaire starts blushing a lot but he tries to hide it. Frederick gently puts his hand on Voltaire's shoulder and he starts speaking in a cheerful tone.

Frederick: I haven't seen your natural hair that often. I have only seen it when your sleeping or when you forget to put on your wig. But I haven't seen you tie it up before.
Voltaire: I don't always forget to put on my wig. I sometimes prefer to not wear my wig.
Frederick: Either way it suits you mon ami. (my friend)

Frederick suddenly notices a loose strand of hair in front of Voltaire's eye. He gently moves the strand of hair out of the way and he puts it behind Voltaire's ear.

Frederick: Come Voltaire we need to talk.
Voltaire: Yes Frederick.

Voltaire gently closes the door behind him and he and Frederick start walking down the hallway together. Voltaire notices that Frederick seems to be quite pleased. Voltaire starts talking in a cheerful tone.

Voltaire: You appear to be happier today Frederick.
Frederick: Yes mon ami. (my friend)

Frederick suddenly notices Prince Frederick walking down the hallway and he awkwardly averts his gaze. Prince Frederick coldly glares at Frederick as he walks past. Voltaire notices this and he gently puts his hand on Frederick's shoulder. He starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Voltaire: Frederick...Has he still not forgiven you?

Frederick suddenly stops and he stares out the window. Voltaire walks up to Frederick and he puts his hand on his shoulder. Frederick starts talking in a quiet and sad voice.

Frederick: He won't speak to me at all. He doesn't even come to meals with me anymore even though I tell him that I want to talk.
Voltaire: Frederick...
Frederick: He just ignores me...
Voltaire: Frederick it's alright.
Frederick: No it's not Voltaire...I'm sorry for hiding my sadness.
Voltaire: Frederick you just didn't want to make me worried.
Frederick: But what I did is wrong I hid my feelings from my only friend. I shouldn't bottle up my feelings.
Voltaire: Frederick I understand...But remember that you can talk to me about it. I'm your friend and I care about you. Now let's go have some breakfast you need to eat.
Frederick: Yes, I guess I should have something to eat.

Frederick and Voltaire start walking down the hallway together again. Voltaire looks at Frederick who is awkwardly staring at the ground. He also notices that tears are forming in Frederick's eyes. Voltaire starts talking in a soft and soothing voice.

Voltaire: Frederick...It's alright I'm sure he will forgive you eventually...
Frederick: What if he doesn't...What will I do then...
Voltaire: Frederick...The Prince is also possibly hurting because of his actions. He's possibly hiding his guilt of hurting you.
Frederick: I just don't want me and Fred to be torn apart by this. It's almost time to go to war and I don't want my relationship with Fred to be broken.
Voltaire: Frederick I understand. But please don't give up you can fix this situation.

Frederick and Voltaire carefully walk down the stairs. Voltaire notices the tears streaming down Frederick's face. Voltaire gently wipes away the tears. Frederick suddenly stops halfway down the stairs and Voltaire stops beside him. Voltaire starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Voltaire: Frederick what's wrong?
Frederick: Voltaire it's nothing...
Voltaire: If you need to let your feelings out you can...
Frederick: No I'm fine.

Frederick starts walking down the stairs again and Voltaire follows after him.

Frederick: I feel like I'm losing my relationship with Fred...I wanted him to be happy. I wanted him to know that I truly care about him even though he isn't my son.
Voltaire: Frederick you still can do that.
Frederick: How Voltaire. How can I show him that I care about him!?
Voltaire: Well you can ask for his forgiveness first.
Frederick: I have tried that so many times already. He ignores my request.
Voltaire: Frederick you can't give up. You have to keep trying.
Frederick: Voltaire there is sometimes a point where you can't keep trying. I feel like that point is near.
Voltaire: Frederick...

A few minutes later Frederick and Voltaire enter the dining hall. Frederick walks over to the seat and the head of the table and he sits down. Voltaire walks over to the seat on Frederick's left and sits down. Voltaire starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Voltaire: Frederick I'm concerned about you...You're going into a state of extreme sadness and it's concerning me.
Frederick: Voltaire I'm fine...
Voltaire: No your not fine Frederick!
Frederick: Voltaire I don't want to argue right now.
Voltaire: I'm not trying to cause an argument I'm stating the truth. I'm concerned about you. Frederick, you are my friend and I have the right to be concerned.

Frederick looks down at the table and averts his gaze away from Voltaire. Voltaire quietly sighs he tries to put his hand on Frederick's shoulder. Frederick suddenly tries to gently push Voltaire's hand away with his hand. But Voltaire gently grabs Frederick's hand and Frederick awkwardly looks at Voltaire.

Voltaire: Please I don't want you to ignore me. You're my only friend Frederick and you mean a lot to me. Seeing you hurt like this concerns me.
Frederick: Voltaire...
Voltaire: Frederick I don't want you to ignore me...I'm here if you need me...
Frederick: Voltaire I'm fine...
Voltaire: Frederick stop lying to yourself and me! You are not fine I can tell that you are extremely upset and need someone to comfort you! You need to talk to someone and most importantly take care of yourself!

Frederick gently lets go of Voltaire's hand. He then gets out of his seat and starts walking out of the room. Voltaire hastily gets out of his seat and quickly walks over to Frederick and gently grabs Frederick's hand. Causing Frederick to stop in his tracks.

Frederick: Mon ami? (My friend)
Voltaire: Frederick...Please I want you to eat something. I'm concerned that you aren't looking after yourself in this state. You need to look after yourself. Your health is important to me I care about you.

Frederick tries to let go but Voltaire doesn't let him. Voltaire starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Voltaire: Please Frederick...
Frederick: Voltaire I need time to myself!

Voltaire gently lets go of Frederick's hand and Frederick leaves the room leaving Voltaire alone. Voltaire walks back over to his seat and sits down. Some tears start streaming down Voltaire's face.

Voltaire: Frederick...why must you punish yourself in such a way that it also hurts me...

Prince Henry suddenly walks past. But he suddenly walks back into the doorway and stares at Voltaire in slight confusion.

Prince Henry: Voltaire are you alright?
Voltaire: No I'm not alright.
Prince Henry: What happened?
Voltaire: I don't want to talk about it!
Prince Henry: Do you want to be left alone?
Voltaire: Yes, please Your Highness...

Prince Henry walks off leaving Voltaire alone once again.

A few hours later it is now 1:00 pm.

Voltaire is writing some poetry. His eyes suddenly start swelling up with tears. The tears start streaming down his face and start falling onto the paper causing some of the ink to smudge. Voltaire immediately stops writing when he notices this and he gently puts his quill down. He gets up from his seat and walks over to his bed and sits down.

Voltaire: I...I hope Frederick isn't angry at me. I know that he needs space but he isn't taking care of himself.

Voltaire starts trying to wipe away his tears but more tears keep coming.

Voltaire: I love and care about him...He's also my only friend.

There is suddenly a gentle knock on the door along with a soft and quiet voice.

Frederick: Mon ami? (My friend)
Voltaire: Yes what is it, Frederick?

Frederick notices the sadness in Voltaire's voice.

Frederick: Can I come in...
Voltaire: Fine.

Frederick gently opens the door and he notices that Voltaire is crying. Frederick enters the room gently closing the door behind him.

Frederick: Are you angry at me?
Voltaire: No...I thought you were angry at me...
Frederick: I'm sorry about what I did I know that you wanted to talk to me...
Voltaire: Frederick I'm still worried about you...
Frederick: I know.

Frederick walks over to Voltaire's bed and he sits down next to Voltaire. He gently puts his arm around Voltaire.

Frederick: I didn't mean to get upset at you...
Voltaire: Frederick...
Frederick: Yes?
Voltaire: I know that you needed time alone...
Frederick: Yes but me getting upset at you was wrong. You have done nothing wrong.
Voltaire: Frederick I forgive you for what you did...
Frederick: Thank you, Voltaire.

Frederick gently wipes away Voltaire's tears. He then starts speaking in a calm tone.

Frederick: What did you want to talk to me about this morning?
Voltaire: I just have some concerns about going to the battle with you...
Frederick: What are you concerned about?
Voltaire: I'm concerned about being around the British.
Frederick: Why are you concerned about that?
Voltaire: Well, I have heard that some of the British soldiers kill French civilians...I'm concerned that they might try to harm me.
Frederick: You can stay near the Prussian camp if you're concerned about that. I'm sure that they won't threaten you if you are near the Prussian camp.
Voltaire: I'm also concerned about what if the French attack the camp I don't know what to do.
Frederick: Just stay safe and try to find cover. But I doubt that the French will attack the camp, Voltaire.
Voltaire: What about the food and water situation?
Frederick: We will bring food and water with us. But we will also have to possibly hunt for food and find freshwater sources.

Voltaire awkwardly stares at Frederick.

Voltaire: I don't think I could kill an animal...Some animals to me are just beautiful and innocent creatures that are trying to live their lives.
Frederick: I understand...
Voltaire: I don't think I would be able to kill an animal unless it's trying to threaten me...And possibly kill me.
Frederick: That is understandable Voltaire...
Voltaire: Like I know that I can use a gun but that doesn't mean I can kill...
Frederick: I know Voltaire...
Voltaire: I'm still nervous that I might accidentally kill someone...
Frederick: You won't Voltaire.
Voltaire: How will I not accidentally kill someone. Knowing me if I get scared enough I might get my gun out and I might accidentally shoot someone out of fear...I don't want to do that.
Frederick: I know that those kinds of situations might be stressful and scary for you Voltaire. But if you are in that kind of situation you just have to try to stay calm.
Voltaire: I understand...

There is suddenly a soft knock on the door along with a calm voice.

Felix: Voltaire I have a message for you.
Voltaire: Please just slip it under the door...

The letter slips under the door and Frederick starts speaking in a calm tone.

Frederick: Who is sending you letters?
Voltaire: My sister Catherine...
Frederick: You don't sound too pleased talking about her...Did something happen between you and her?
Voltaire: It just involves something from my past and I thought she would just forget about it...

Voltaire gets up from his bed and walks over to the door and gently picks up the letter. He strolls back over to the bed and sits back down next to Frederick and starts unfolding the letter and starts reading it.

June 20th 1815

My dearest brother Arouet

You ran away without telling me Arouet!
You didn't send me any letters for months! You didn't even come to say goodbye to me as if you no longer care about me!

I'm still upset that you changed your name Arouet...Do you even care about your family anymore Arouet? Our father named you Arouet because that was his choice and you decided to change it! I feel like you are disrespecting our father by doing that!

Your idea of planning to go to the battle with the Prussian King to me is madness. You are just a poet Arouet...Not a soldier...You can also barely defend yourself...Just don't get yourself killed, please. I still care about you even though it feels like you don't care about me anymore.

Your dearest sister Catherine.

Voltaire gently folds the letter back up again and he quietly sighs out of slight frustration. Frederick gently places his hand on Voltaire's shoulder and he starts talking in a calm tone.

Frederick: Your actual name is Arouet...Why did you change it?

Voltaire awkwardly gazes at the folded letter in his hands. He starts talking in a calm tone which is hiding some of his frustration over the letter.

Voltaire: My former name Arouet means something bad in French...It also just wasn't a good name to use for when I started writing poetry...
Frederick: I'm guessing you don't want to be called by that name anymore?
Voltaire: No...I prefer the name I use now. I understand when some people accidentally use my former name. But I still don't want to be called by my former name.
Frederick: I understand mon ami. (my friend)
Voltaire: Merci mon ami. (Thank You, my friend)
Frederick: Are you going to send a reply to your sister?
Voltaire: I'm not sure...I'm a bit hurt due to what she said...
Frederick: I understand...
Voltaire: I wasn't expecting her to be so hurtful...
Frederick: Do you want to be alone for a while?
Voltaire: Yes...
Frederick: I will leave you then.

Frederick gets up off the bed and gently opens the door and leaves the room closing the door behind him. Voltaire looks at the folded letter in his hands and he sighs out of frustration. He starts talking in a quiet and miserable tone.

Voltaire: Why did she decide to be so hurtful to me...I'm her dearest brother. Why would she write such hurtful things?

Voltaire starts to crumple up the letter out of frustration.

Voltaire: Why would she think that I don't care about our family!? I do care about them and I miss them dearly...

Voltaire throws the crumpled up letter across the room and he quietly sighs.

Voltaire: How do I reply to that hurtful letter. How am I meant to respond without getting angry at her?

Voltaire slowly lies down on his bed and stares at the ceiling.

Voltaire: Did she think that being so hurtful would bring me back home?

Voltaire gets into bed and he tries to go to sleep.

Voltaire: I feel like I shouldn't respond to that! She doesn't deserve my love anymore if she's going to be so hurtful.

Voltaire goes to sleep entering his fantasies. Voltaire opens his eyes and he notices that he is on one of the main streets of Paris. He notices that he is surrounded by numerous three-story buildings. The sky is a mixture of red, orange and yellow. Voltaire starts strolling down the street until he eventually gets to a familiar dark wooden door with the number 365 in gold on it.

He walks up to the door and he gently knocks on it.

Voltaire: Catherine?

The door suddenly opens and a woman with long dark brown curly hair, chocolate brown eyes who is wearing a light pink dress stares at him with shock.

Catherine: Arouet...What the hell happened to you!? You look like you have been in a fight.
Voltaire: Sorry for coming home late...Also, my name is no longer Arouet...
Catherine: Just come inside.

Voltaire walks inside and he gently closes the door behind him.

Voltaire: I'm going to head upstairs...
Catherine: Are you not going to tell me what happened? You are badly hurt Arouet...
Voltaire: Stop calling me that...Can you please accept my wishes that I no longer want to be called Arouet.
Catherine: It's hard for me to accept that you changed your name.
Voltaire: I understand...

Voltaire suddenly feels a thickness inside his throat, along with a metallic taste inside his mouth. He suddenly starts coughing up some blood.

Catherine: Stop getting into fights Arouet you will hurt yourself. You can't defend yourself that well...
Voltaire: I don't start the fights, Catherine! People just hate me for some reason they want me dead!
Catherine: Just go upstairs and I will bandage you up and clean your injuries.

Voltaire walks down a short hallway and he starts walking up a creaky wooden staircase. He gets to the top of the staircase and walks over to a dark wooden door. Gently opening the door to a cream coloured room that smells of recently bought roses that are in a blue vase sitting on the nearby dresser. Voltaire enters the room gently closing the door behind him and walks over to the dark wooden dresser.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror he notices that his face is covered in cuts and some dark bruises. He wipes the blood that's on his lips onto his long-sleeved blouse. Catherine suddenly opens the door and she stares at him and she starts speaking in a concerned and slightly frustrated tone.

Catherine: You're going to have to change your clothes and possibly throw them out.
Voltaire: Why do I need to throw them out?
Catherine: First of all your blouse is ripped at the back probably from the fight. Second of all, it seems you have been fighting on the streets again by the looks of how dirty your clothes are.
Voltaire: Catherine I don't start the fights!
Catherine: Just change your clothes and fix your hair.
Voltaire: I will fix my hair later.
Catherine: Fine I will leave you to get changed...

Catherine gently closes the door. Voltaire strips himself of his white, dirty and sweaty blouse and many bruises are covering his chest from the fight. He drops it onto the wooden floor and walks over to his bed and starts untying his jet black boots. He then starts stripping himself of jet black pants revealing many bruises on his legs.

He carefully gets up and walks over to his dresser and opens up the top draw on the left. Gently grabbing a clean white blouse Voltaire puts it on and starts buttoning it up. Gently closing the draw he then opens the right draw and grabs a pair of dark smoky grey pants. He starts putting on his pants and then he walks over to his wooden coat hanger. Then he gently grabs his light grey overcoat and puts it on leaving the buttons undone. He walks over to his bed and sits down.

Voltaire: Catherine?

Catherine suddenly opens the door and she is holding a wooden bowl full of water that has a white cloth in it. She smiles at Voltaire and she starts speaking in a pleasant tone.

Catherine: Well at least you got changed and you no longer look like you have been in a fight. Except for the cuts and bruises on your face along with your scruffy hair.

Voltaire quietly sighs and he starts speaking in a slightly irritated tone.

Voltaire: I will fix my hair later Catherine...

Catherine walks into the room and gently closes the door behind her. She then walks over to the bed and sits down next to Voltaire.

Catherine: Now just hold still I need to clean the cuts on your face.
Voltaire: Alright.

Catherine starts gently cleaning Voltaire's face with the cloth.

Catherine: Are you going to tell me who hurt you?
Voltaire: Just a group of random thugs...
Catherine: I'm sure they weren't just a random group of thugs Arouet...
Voltaire: They were sent by Rohan Chabot...He has been taunting me for months.
Catherine: Why has he been taunting you?
Voltaire: The same reason why you are still upset at me...
Catherine: Because of your name change...
Voltaire: Yes...
Catherine: Please be careful when you decide to go on a walk...
Voltaire: You always tell me to get out more because I stay inside too much according to you.
Catherine: That's true...

Voltaire suddenly feels the thickness of his blood rising in his throat once again.

Voltaire: Catherine give me the cloth.
Catherine: Why?
Voltaire: Just give me it.
Catherine: Alright...

Catherine gives Voltaire the cloth. Voltaire puts the cloth up to his mouth and he starts coughing into the cloth. Catherine starts speaking in a concerned tone.

Catherine: Jesus Christ Arouet...

Voltaire takes the cloth away from his mouth and he notices that it's covered in a small amount of blood. He carefully puts the cloth back into the bowl and he starts catching his breath back.

Catherine: Are you alright?
Voltaire: I guess my body is just not pleased with me getting into that fight...
Catherine: I guess you should rest for a while so your condition doesn't worsen...
Voltaire: I guess I should...Maybe my body will stop acting up if I rest...

Voltaire takes off his coat and puts it at the end of his bed. He carefully gets up and pulls up the covers and gets into bed tucking himself in. Catherine gets up and smiles cheerfully at him and she starts speaking in a soft tone.

Catherine: Get some rest Arouet...I will give you dinner later.
Voltaire: Thank you, Catherine.

Catherine walks over to the door and she gently opens it. Then she walks out of the room gently closing the door behind her. Voltaire slowly wakes up and carefully sits up in his bed. He carefully gets out his pocket watch and he opens it. He listens to the quiet ticking noise and he notices that it's 3:00 pm. Voltaire gets out of bed and walks over to his desk and sits down.

Voltaire: I don't feel like writing to her even after that nice dream...She was hurtful to me. I should just continue writing my poetry instead.

Voltaire stares at the piece of poetry and he notices the tear stains have dried but the letters are still smudged. Voltaire sighs and he starts talking in a slightly frustrated tone.

Voltaire: I'm going to have to restart this part again...

Voltaire pushes the piece of poetry aside and he grabs a blank piece of paper from the pile. He then grabs his quill and dips it into the ink and starts rewriting the piece of poetry.

To be Continued...