"Your highness, mademoiselle AJ Richardson is here to see you." A royal livery announced.

  "Oh thank you! Please show her in." Clara closed the book she was reading as she looked up.

     A few minutes later, her best friend walked in.

  "AJ! Oh I'm so glad to see you! How are you? How was Lyon? It's been such a long time!" Clara squealed as she and AJ hugged each other.

  "I know! I'm great, how are you? Lyon was amazing! I have so much to tell you." AJ said as they both sat down on one of the sofas. 

 "I have so much to tell you too!" Clara grinned.

"I know that look..." AJ smirked, "what have you done now?" 

   Clara laughed. "That's exactly what Sébastien said. But anyway... I went out." 

 "Into the gardens? Isn't that normal? It's not a crime..." AJ looked confused.

 "No, not the garden." Clara shook her head.

    "You went out horseback riding in the woods?" AJ guessed again.

  "No, no... I went out into the city. And you can't tell anyone, please!" Clara whispered.

  "What?! Really? No way, how did you...?" AJ looked shocked.

 "The first time was three days ago. Sébastien and Frédéric took me to the barracks to inspect the army -" Clara began.

  "Your mother allowed you to go to the barracks? She hasn't allowed you to do that since you turned sixteen." AJ raised an eyebrow.

  "I know, but my brothers were very persuasive. But anyway, after lunch, I wanted to escape my mother and all the planning's for my upcoming ball. So I sneaked out of the palace and went into the city. AJ, it was... interesting. Exciting, yet... I feel guilty and terrible." The words came pouring out.

  "The people living in poverty and all that... yes, I know the feeling. Though I'm not high up in the community, my dad was a high ranking officer in the National Guard. So my mum and I have everything we need, a big house, enough food, everything. But whenever I go out into the city I feel guilty." AJ nodded, understanding.

   "I met a cute, adorable young boy. His name's Gavroche. We spent the afternoon together." Clara gushed.

  Recognition flood AJ's eyes at the name.

 "Awww! Yet met Gav!" AJ squealed.

    "You know him?" Clara was slightly surprised.

  "Yes! He's adorable! How did you meet him?" AJ asked.

 "There was a commotion near a bakery so I went to see what was going on. A policeman called Javert had Gavroche by the shirt because he stole some bread. I paid for the bread and told Javert to let him go."

  "Ah yes, Javert. He's like the Law in human form." AJ rolled her eyes at the mention of the policeman. "Did you actually ask him to let go of Gavroche?" 

   "Yes, I did. You should have seen his face! It was as if I asked him to rip the law into pieces and throw it into the river!" Clara laughed.

   "Oh! I can imagine that!" AJ joined in.

  "What's your gown for your birthday like?" AJ asked, changing the subject.

  "Well, it's blue. And well... I guess just what a gown looks like!" Clara giggled, "What's your gown like?" 

  "It's purple, one of my favourite colours! And I'm wearing a necklace I got from someone for my birthday a couple of years back." AJ smiled.

   "I know that look..." Clara grinned slyly, "this 'someone' is the one you've been crushing on isn't it?"

   AJ flushed a dark pink.

  "Maybe..." She drew out the 'e'. 

 "Ooh! Have you seen him lately?" Clara nudged her.

   "Briefly. We chatted for a while." AJ said.

 "That's nice..." Clara said with a knowing smile on her face.

    "Oh! By the way, your mother says I can stay here for a few weeks!" AJ said.

  "Really? Yay!" Clara squealed, "We can raid the kitchens at midnight like how we used to when we were younger!" 

   AJ laughed. "Oh I remember those times! Frédéric caught us one night and we had frosting all over our mouths!" 

  "Oh yes! I remember that one. He was annoyed we hadn't invited him to join us!" Clara grinned.

"Oh! Remember that time we dressed up as maids and served your mother and father in the parlour and they didn't notice?" AJ asked.

   "Of course I do! That was hilarious! Frédéric and Sébastien noticed though, and they could hardly control their laughter. Mother was nearly driven out of her mind!" Clara set off in another peal of laughter.

   "So, anything else happen while you were in the city?" AJ changed the subject.

 "Well..." Clara pursed her lips before nodding, "The first day I went out, I accidentally bumped into someone, I was about to apologise but he had already walked on. And then, I met him again the second time, yesterday. I had just finished handing out food to the less fortunate, when I caught sight of him. I followed him at a distance and I might have gotten into a spot of trouble, but he rescued and helped me." She added hurriedly as she caught sight of AJ's concerned look.

  "Clara! You have to be careful where you go! What happened?" AJ gasped.

 "A man thought I was like... you know, one of the girls who slept with men. He grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. The man who I followed came to my rescue and threatened to call the police if he didn't leave and that sent the other man scurrying for his life. I was so horrified and stunned, I didn't thank the man properly." Clara explained.

   "Oh Clara!" AJ chastised, "Really, you need to be careful!"

 "I will, promise. Anyway, next time I go out, you are coming with me!" Clara declared.

   AJ started to protest but gave up, nodding instead.

  A knock on the door sounded and Sébastien stuck his head in. "Hey Clara - Oh! Bonjour AJ! When did you arrive?" He asked, greeting AJ.

   "Oh, not too long ago. I arrived back in Paris from Lyon yesterday." AJ replied.

  "How was Lyon?" Sébastien leaned against the doorway.

  "Oh it was lovely!" AJ beamed.

   "What are you two doing?" He asked.

 "Oh, you know... chatting." Clara said.

   Sébastien rolled his eyes. "Oh course you are... girls and women... always gossiping..." He muttered under his breath, amused.

   The girls laughed.

 "Anyway, dinner's ready, then Frédéric and I are off for the afternoon." Sébastien said.

    "Where are you going?" Clara asked, rising to her feet.

 "Oh, dearest brother of ours if off meeting some Duchess mother wants him to consider marrying, and I'm off to meet with my friends." He answered.

  "Poor Frédéric..." Clara murmured to AJ who laughed. 

~|---|~*~|---|~ 

   Thank you once again for reading hope you all enjoyed the chapter, even though it's more of a filler chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one!

   Claire xxx ⚜