Clara couldn't stand it.

  For the time they've been out walking in the gardens so far, neither of them had said a word. The tension was killing her. 

  "It's, umm... it's a lovely evening, isn't it, your grace." She finally blurted out, trying to start some sort of conversation. He grimaced at the title.

  "I guess it is, your highness." Enjolras replied stiffly. 

'This is awkward...' Clara thought. 

  They walked around the garden for a few more minutes in complete silence. 

  "I'm sorry." She said suddenly, turning to look at him. 

They both stopped walking and he looked at her with an unreadable expression. 

  "I bumped into you, get into all sorts of situations that you had to rescue me from. And right now, I just feel as if fate is playing jokes and tricks on me. I never expected to see you here in the palace, find out you're a lord, since you're a revolutionary and all, have you find out that I'm a princess and especially after I told you those opinions about my father." Clara vented out. 

   Enjolras remained silent as he studied her critically, his face neutral, even when he noticed she wore the colours of the French flag. Finally he spoke up, "Did you mean anything of what you said?" He asked, referring to her opinions. 

   "What?" Clara was confused.

  "What you told me, that day of the rally. Did you mean it? At all?" He looked at her with a calculating gaze.

   "Of course I did! Why wouldn't I?" Clara asked.

  "Oh I don't know, maybe because you're a princess and I'm a revolutionary." Enjolras shot back.

  "We may be on opposite sides of this coin, your grace,  but that doesn't mean I didn't mean it! I've seen how most of the people live here in Paris, and you know that. I meant every word I said." Clara said.

   Enjolras just breathed deeply and looked away, scowling.

 "I didn't tell anyone except AJ about the rally if that's what you're worried about. My parents would have a fit if they even knew I went out on multiple times." Clara said quietly.

    Enjolras looked back at her.

  "Look, if it makes you happy, I'll promise not to breathe a word about it! But know that I would never tell." Clara frowned slightly.

    "I'm sure you don't, your highness, but there is no harm in making sure. One word from you, and my friends and I will be executed!" Enjolras snapped, "And I would like to die fighting or on the barricades, not on a platform by an executioner." 

  "Well I assure you Lord Marcelin -" Clara started.

 "Enjolras." He cut her off sharply.

    "What?" Clara looked confused.

  "I hate being called by titles, and only my parents ever call me by my first name. Enjolras will do." He corrected her.

  "Fine! Then you will call Clara. I also hate titles." Clara snapped back.

  "Deal." Enjolras glared.

 "Well as I was saying, Enjolras, until you interrupted me, I assure you that I have no wish to tell anyone on you and the others about all this." Clara said.

  "Good. And I hope you keep your word." Enjolras said curtly, ignoring the comment about him interrupting her.

   "I'll have you know that I never get back on my word!" Clara's voice rose.

 "And I'm sure you don't, I was only saying." Enjolras scowled.

    "Look, I get it that you have to be cautious and careful, but maybe you shouldn't be so uptight about it!" Clara yelled.

  "I'm not the one yelling, am I?" Enjolras growled.

 Clara's eyes widened and she recoiled. "Wait, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell. I just... I can have a temper sometimes." She apologised.

  Enjolras sighed. "It's fine, I guess... I have a quick temper too." He said, "But I think it's time we went back inside before I'm suspected of kidnapping you." 

   Clara nodded and followed him as they made their way back inside.

  "I never asked to be a princess you know..." She said quietly.

  "Well I never asked to be a lord." Enjolras replied sharply.

 As soon as they set foot in the ballroom, Enjolras gave a stiff bow before we disappeared among the guests.

   "There you are! Where have you been?!" Kaylin and AJ came up to her.

  In the short amount of time they had known each other, Kaylin and Clara seemed to be fast friends. 

   "I was out in the garden." Clara said.

  "Alone?" AJ raised an eyebrow.

  "No..." Clara sighed, "I was with your brother." She said, looking at Kaylin.

  Both girls gasped.

   "Wait what? No way!" AJ placed a hand over her mouth in surprise.

  "You were talking with my brother?!" Kaylin's eyes were wide, "He never -" 

  "Takes no notice of women and talks to them. I know... Well, we weren't exactly talking. More like... blowing up at each other." Clara sighed again.

  "Okay, I can believe that. But what about?" Kaylin asked.

 "He just wanted to make sure that I didn't tell anyone about the rally, and we got into a little fight about it." Clara explained.

  "Why?" AJ questioned.

  "He was doubting my word when I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone and I got mad about that." Clara took a deep breath.

   "Well, that's... something." Kaylin was still pretty shocked at the fact that her brother was talking to a lady.

  "Enjoyed you dancing?" Clara asked, changing the subject.

  "Yes!" Kaylin grinned.

  AJ only blushed, nodding.

  "Come on, let's find the others." Kaylin said.  

 They found the others, minus Sébastien, laughing and drinking champagne.

    "Guys, guys guess what!" Kaylin started as she dragged Clara over to them.

   "What?" Joly asked.

  "Has the roof caught on fire?" Combeferre guessed.

 "The cake has been stolen?" Courfeyrac raised an eyebrow.

 "The wine is overflowing in the kitchens?" Grantaire joked.

 "No! Something even more outrageous!" AJ grinned.

    "There's a horse running loose in the halls?" Marius was confused.

   "Wrong!" Kaylin was hopping up and down, "Enjolras was having a 'conversation' with Clara in the gardens!" 

 "What?! No way!" Courfeyrac gasped.

"Is he ill?" Joly asked.

 "He must have lost his mind!" Combeferre looked shocked.

  "The world must be coming to an end!" Grantaire threw his hands up in the air, being carful not to spill his wine.

  "We were more likely having a little fight..." Clara said dryly.

  "She also has the same views as us!" Kaylin added.

  "Perhaps you should come attend one of our meetings..." Grantaire suggested.

  "Don't be absurd! Enjolras would never allow her to come. One, she's daughter of the king, two, Enjolras has made it clear that no women are allowed in. Only AJ and Kaylin are allowed because, well Kaylin's his sister and AJ is her friend." Combeferre said.

  "Well, Clara is our friend!" AJ and Kaylin said together.

  "Honestly, I don't want to intrude if I'm not welcome -" Clara started to protest about the idea.

  "Nonsense! We can deal with Enjolras, you should come! You'll like it." Kaylin pressed.

  "But... Enjolras, he hates me! He's never going to agree even if I wanted to go." Clara tried to come up with excuses. 

   "Oh, he'll agree if we press him enough! Here he comes now..." AJ gestured with her head at the said man walking towards them, a champagne in hand.

   "Enjolras! Dearest brother of mine!" Kaylin burst out, throwing her arms around her brother, being careful not to upset the glass in his hand.

   "Kaylin... what do you want?" Enjolras looked at her suspiciously.

   "Can't I greet my favourite brother?" Kaylin tried to look innocent.

  "I'm your only brother..." Enjolras deadpanned.

 "Well... true..." Kaylin looked thoughtful.

    "Enjolras! We were wondering something..." Grantaire interupted.

   "What is it?" Enjolras turned to look at him, completely ignoring Clara who stood beside AJ.

   "Can we invite Clara to our next meeting?" Grantaire cut straight to the point.

   "Absolutely not!" Enjolras scowled, "You know the rules... I'm not having her at a meeting!" 

  "Come on, Enjolras! Just this once, please! She has the same views as us, and she promised that she won't tell. Please can she come to the next meeting, just this once!" Kaylin pleaded with her brother.

  "Kaylin... stop." Enjolras diverted his eyes away from the puppy eyes his sister was giving him.

 "Please!" Kaylin pressed.

    "Enjolras..." Combeferre started, "It wouldn't hurt if she came to one meeting. We'd all like her there, but it's up to you." 

   "Yeah, and anyway, she's my best friend." AJ said.

  "And my new friend!" Kaylin added, "Please Enjolras!" 

    "Come on, man! One meeting wouldn't hurt." Grantaire said, taking a huge gulp of his wine.

   "Honestly, I don't want to intrude -" Clara tried to say.

  "Enjolras, man, let her come to one meeting, just one. So what if she's the princess? Just let her come." Courfeyrac said.

   "Chief, she's really nice! Bahorell said.

  "She'd be nice to have around, even if it's only for the one meeting." Bossuet added.

"I agree..." Joly nodded.

  "Please Enjolras!" Kaylin begged.

  Enjolras looked from one face to another, helpless. "You're all ganging up on me..." He groaned, frustrated, taking a sip of his champagne, "Fine, she can come to the next meeting, but only the one." He finally agreed, sighing.

   "Yay!" Kaylin sqeauled, clapping her hands.

   "This is going to be great!" AJ agreed, just as excited.

   "But! Really, I seriously don't want to go if -" Clara tried to protest.

  "To late!" Courfeyrac grinned, "He's allowed it and you're coming! AJ can bring you along." 

   "Just for this one time, one time," Enjolras said frowned, "I'm going to regret this..." He added, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

   "No you won't!" Kayline beamed gleefully.

   Clara looked helplessly from on face to another in despair. "I'm not getting out of this, am I?" She sighed in defeat.

   "Nope!" AJ said delightedly. 

  Clara smiled slowly. "Okay then, I'll go. But just this once! I could put you all in danger by going..." She whispered.

   "You won't..." Courfeyrac grinned slyly. All the boys shared a look, but dropped the subject. 

   "Your birthday presents are turning into a mountain on that table." AJ gestured to the huge table in the corner.

  Clara groaned. "That means a long night opening them all later tonight..." She sighed.

   "Don't worry to much! You've got me and Adélaïde to help." AJ laughed.

   Clara laughed along, "True."

  "If it's all right with you and my parents, I could stay and help?" Kaylin offered.

   "Would you? That would be great! Frédéric can escort you home afterwards." Clara smiled.

  "I'm sure that can be arranged..." A new voice spoke up.

  "Mother!" Kaylin was slightly startled and Enjolras suddenly looked stiff and tense. 

  "Of course you may stay, dear, I'm sure her highness will be able to arrange for one of her brothers to bring you home. But Marcelin comes back with us," Here Enjolras sighed with relief. "Stand up straight Marcelin! You too, Kaylin. We didn't get you both a dozen tutors each when you were young for nothing. But anyway, happy birthday, your highness, it's a pleasure seeing you." Countess Aurelia smiled, curtsying to the princess.

  "Thank you, your grace." Clara smiled, giving a friendly nod back.

  "Well, I must be off, Marcelin, come find us when you're ready to leave. I'm quite tired tonight so we're leaving early." Countess Aurelia took her leave. Enjolras winced at being called by his first name.

  "I'll see you all at the next meeting," Enjolras said to the others, "Happy birthday, your highness, I'll take my leave." And with that he quickly left.

 Clara sighed, "He hates me..." 

 "No, he's just... he's always been like this." Combeferre rolled his eyes, "Never takes any notice of girls, never talks to them, and when he does, it always send them running or crying. Don't worry, he doesn't hate you personally, it's because of your family background and because you're a, well... no offence, a girl."

  "None taken!" Clara laughed, "But, yeah, I can understand what you're getting at. He's... mysterious."

  ~*~

   "We're nearly done!" AJ announced.

 "Oh thank goodness!" Clara exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.

    All four of them, Clara, AJ, Kaylin and Adélaïde, were sitting comfortably in the couch in Clara's private living room, boxes, ribbons and presents surrounding them in mountains.

  "Ooh! This one is from me!" Adélaïde passed her sister a box.

  Clara carefully opened the box and brought out a bracelet with rubies set into gold.

   "Oh Adélaïde! I love it, thank you!" Clara reached over and gave her sister a hug.

   "You're welcome!" Adélaïde smiled.

  "This one is from the Lord Philippe of Lyon." AJ read the name on the card.

  "Oh he's a nightmare!" Kaylin groaned, "My parents considered him once as a suitor for me once, so we visited him and his family. It was terrible, even my parents didn't like him."

  "Well, he gave me an outrageously ridiculous necklace." Clara said, holding up a necklace that had huge priceless stones. "It's heavy." She added.

   "It'll break your neck if you wear that!" AJ commented.

  "Last one!" Kaylin cheered.

  "Phew! By the way, thank you again for your presents, I love them!" Clara smiled.

  "You're welcome!" Kaylin and AJ laughed.

    "All right," AJ picked up the last box, "This one is from... Oh... Wow, I didn't think he would have gotten you something." 

  Kaylin looked over her shoulder and read the name on the card. "Oh! Our parents probably forced him to get her something." She said with wide eyes.

  Clara took the box and slowly opened the box, for she knew, it could be a bomb to get rid of the royal family for good. 

   She gasped.

  "What is it?" AJ asked.

  "What did my stubborn brother get you?" Kaylin was just as curious.

  Clara lifted out a glass ball with a wooden base. The base was mahogany wood and inside the glass ball, there was a floating gold plate in the shape of the country of France. On top of that, tiny glass houses and the palace with a glass flag pole with the flag flying, set with sapphires, diamonds and rubies to give the flag it's colour.

  "No way!" Kaylin looked shocked.

  "That is so pretty!" Adélaïde gasped.

  "I didn't think Enjolras would ever get something so pretty for a girl's birthday, never mind the princess! He doesn't normally get anyone a gift." AJ studied the object, held carefully in her friend's hand.

   Clara was speechless. "It's beautiful, I love it..." 

  "I'm so barging into his room when I get back to ask him about it!" Kaylin grinned. 

   "Well, tell him I said thank you." Clara asked.

 "I will! But I'd better get going home, it's getting really late." Kaylin said, getting up to her feet.

   "Frédéric will take you home." Clara said, standing up and giving her a hug.

  "Okay, thanks! Bye, and happy birthday again!" Kaylin waved and left.

  "We're off to bed, it's tiring opening presents." AJ yawned, Adélaïde following.

  "Bonne nuit!" Clara called after them.

  "Bonne nuit!" They called back.

   Clara went into her bedroom and got ready for bed. She placed the glass ball on her bedside table, still admiring it. 

  'I'll have to thank him at the meeting...' Clara thought to herself, looking at the figurine one last time before drifting off to sleep.

~|---|~*~|---|~

    Here's chapter 6 for you all!!! Hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you all in the next one!!! 😊😊

   Claire xxx⚜