Source(http://missoperaghost.deviantart.com/art/Male-Esmeralda-Reader-Purity-Amongst-Outcasts-1-2-537655289)

More Chapters FYI

(Esmeralda - Esmeraldo) (This story may contain sensitive material in it. Just for the warning.)

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The world was wild, full of wicked sin and vice everywhere you turned, there were always liars, cheaters, debauchees, murderers, all of them hell-bound sinners all the same everywhere you looked. There on this Earth purity was missing and the world remained full of unruly vile evil corruption. Purity was nowhere to be seen within this tainted world as the hand of sin left nothing untouched, but he was desperate enough to cling onto to what he called purity and claimed it as his own and his alone. You were his purity, you were untouched by the world's sinful infliction and literally godsend, or so that is what he believed. This man was known as Judge Claude Frollo and he believed he had been gifted by God and his angels for his good works a girl who was as pure as Heaven's eternal light. This girl, this young woman was you and you were the only daughter of the man called Claude Frollo. In your Father's eyes you were the actual embodiment of purity, but such purity must be kept under lock and key and bound from the imperfections of the sinful world that could corrupt you if you set foot in it's filth. Claude Frollo was steadfast to make sure you were untainted by any single misdeed, and there was only one way to do that. You remained at home with your Father for your entire life. On the most rarest occasions Frollo would let you walk with him to have a break from your inclosed four walls. It was the only special time you ever got a glimpse of the real world, but you knew such a world was forbidden to you like the cursed apple of Eden. It was tempting to the eye but would only lead to your ultimate destruction in the end if taken in by its deceptive appeal. Remaining the epitome of purity for your Father was all you ever taught in life, it was all you ever knew. When you were young you obeyed your Father and listened to his every whim with complete obedience, but now as you grow older and watch the world passing by you everyday outside your balcony.

You wonder if perhaps there is something you are missing out on?

You only ever wore modest dresses and the color white as it was the color of purity, and the only color your Father permitted you to wear. The only time your Father typically let you away from home was when you went to the cathedral for mass or prayer. You remained kneeled down in front of the empty church's cross that only had your Father there and the clergy who lived there. Your bright (e/c) eyes were closed and your hands were folded in prayer as you prayed quietly to yourself, but very secretly you prayed if God could give you a chance at living the life others live without taking in corruption and foiling the purity your Father held in the highest of regards. Father always told you wanting something more than what you already have was a sin of selfishness. You had no right to be praying to God for some kind of escape from your already perfect life.

Perfect... Everything was perfect, had to be perfect, expected to be perfect. You must be perfect or you wouldn't be pure, and Father told you would be condemned to hell if you lost your purity. Your Father struck fear in your heart of this fiery devouring pit called hell, and you promised your Father you would always stay pure, just so you never would have to die and go and burn for all eternity. Your Father was talking with the Archdeacon and was complaining about the gypsies that have been running amuck throughout Paris. You only heard of the horrible wicked tales from your Father about them. They were thieves, pickpockets who practiced evil customs like witchcraft and sorcery. Such things frightened you and you couldn't imagine why anyone would practice such a dark wicked sin. However, your ideals of the gypsies have all been contrived from your Father's views on them. You have only seen faint glimpses of the gypsies when you would pass through the streets shielded by your Father and his guards that always followed you when you were outside. They appeared from first impression very different from what your Father described them as being. They were colorful vibrant people that danced and sang beautiful enlightening music. They seemed to enjoy life in their own unique way, which made the temptation of one of the 7 deadly sins flood your senses... envy. You envied the way they arose to be so full of mirth and lively unlike your own lonesome life, or at least this is what you could tell by mere observation. You would watch the gypsies sometimes when you were on your balcony, though you had to be very careful because if your Father caught you watching them, he would certainly punish you in the very physical painful ways that he usually does, but you probably deserved such physical abuse. You had no place watching and longing for a life that inevitably would lead to damnation. Your Father was trying to save you, save your purity from being tainted and your life from being damned to hell. You were being outright selfish again, your Father did what he did because he cared and loved you. At least, that is what he led you to believe...

"We are going, (Y/n). Come." Frollo hissed and appeared to be seething in outrage as he stormed away from the Archdeacon. Frollo beside you and stared down at you with those fierce intense narrow eyes that didn't hold any patience. This was not the first time your Father and the Archdeacon were had odds with each other. Your Father condemned the gypsies, especially as of late since they were having some kind of festival called the Festival of Fools tomorrow. The Archdeacon had always showed compassion and forgiveness towards their kind, which confused you entirely. Your mind wanted to tell yourself that your Father was right as usual, that they deserved to be punished for their wicked crimes of sin. Although, your heart secretly sided with the Archdeacon and held a soft-spot and sympathies for the gypsies. They honestly did not seem as evil as Frollo has nailed inside your mind over and over again.

'Remember (Y/n) they are wolves in sheep clothing. Just like Father said... They are trying to deceive me with lies from the devil.' You scold yourself and pull yourself from your waging thoughts as you swiftly go to stand up from your knelt position on the floor. Frollo grabs onto your arm very tightly and starts storming out of the cathedral with you being pulled along by his tight grip. The Archdeacon watches you walk away with him and frowns sadly. Even he held the deepest sympathy for you. To be the daughter of the cold and calculating Judge Frollo, it was a struggle and strife you must deal with everyday. He prayed for you each and every day, as even he could see the hidden pain and longing to live life that was fleeting past you in a blur.

"God bless you, child. I know God will guide you in the right path... Just keep your head up." The Archdeacon said softly to himself as the doors of the cathedral slammed closed with you and Frollo disappearing from his sight. He sighed and shook his head as he glanced up and over at the colorful stain glass that had religious Catholic imagery of the Mother Mary and Jesus.

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You kept your head down and your pace quick as you walked along side your Father away from the cathedral. Paris was bustling with people that all seemed to spare wary glances in your direction. Most of them steered clear, none wanting to evoke the wrath of Judge Frollo. Everyone knew who he was and it was obvious he appeared to be piqued. The walk felt strenuous and long, neither one of you spoke a word to each other. It wasn't until you gasped in shock when a slender man dressed as a jester jumped seemingly out of nowhere in front of you. Frollo's eyes instantly flashed towards the jester that defiantly was a gypsy. You stared at him with wide (e/c) eyes as he had a cute smiling hand puppet on one hand that extended out a yellow carnation to you. Your eyes look back and forth between the man and the flower, you extend your hand out to take the flower from the puppet hesitantly. You couldn't help but smile when the jester's puppet starts speaking to you, "Would the pretty mademoiselle like a flower?" It spoke with a squeaky high joyful voice that was meant to be quite adorable. You nod your head with a smile and were about to take it but were taken back when Frollo slaps the flower away from your grasp.

"You don't need such a thing, (Y/n). Who knows where the filthy gypsy has gotten it, probably stolen." Frollo says and glares the gypsy who Frollo knew to be the king of them named Clopin. Nonetheless, the gypsy king smiles charmingly towards you even though the flower had been rejected by your Father.

"I can assure you this flower has been grown and picked by our own and not stolen. Now I ask if the mademoiselle would care for a flower?" Clopin asks again but this time in his normal voice as he goes to pick the flower back up. He tries to offer it to you but the look your Father was giving you was frightening. You gaze back and forth from your Father and then to you the seemingly kind gypsy man. You wanted to take the flower, but Frollo was obviously in disfavor of you taking such a thing. You reach out to take the flower again, your hand shaking ever so slightly as you fought the consequences of taking the flower in your mind. Before, you could accept it Frollo tightens the grip on your free arm and yanks you forwards.

"She does not want it," he answered for you with a glower and begins walking you away from the jester who still was holding the flower in his hand. Clopin's eyes darken but he still smiles.

"Aw, oh well.. Perhaps, another time then," Clopin says and keeps his eyes solely on you as you stare back at him with a sad frown while being pulled away. Clopin could see that you wanted the flower but he knew how your Father was. Clopin was very well aware of you and your troubling predicament. He could see the sheer want of being free from the tyranny that Frollo had over you. Clopin knew what you were to Frollo, and he was going to break just that. Clopin waved you a farewell and kept smiling kindly towards you. You wished you could break free from Frollo and go back and take the flower from the gypsy king, but you knew your place. What if he had lied and the flower truly was stolen? Still, the act seemed harmless and the animosity your Father had towards the gypsies overruled whatever you wanted.

You look sympathetically to Clopin and eventually turn back to look in front of you with a sad frown situated on your face. Frollo's pace was swifter as you went through the gypsy's main area where they were all usually at. Once you got back home, your Father scolded you for even being tempted on taking the flower from the gypsy. Thankfully, he didn't physically punish you this time but he did sent you off to your room. You closed the door behind you and felt warm tears running down your face the second you were alone by yourself. "I'm so sorry..." You murmur painfully and go over to lay on your bed with your face to your pillows as you silently cried to yourself. "I'm sorry God that I am being selfish again. I don't know why I want to succumb to sin. The gypsies just don't seem so bad like Father says they are. I'm so sorry. I should listen to Father," you sobbed as you prayed aloud. You were once again longing to be free, free from your Father and let to make your own choices. "I'm not fit to make my own choices. I don't know what I'm doing." You mutter and are torn in between what your Father has always told you and what you truly want. You lay there crying and begging God for answers by yourself but are left without a reply and soon you fall asleep.

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The next day, you sat solemnly on your balcony, staring out and down at the busy streets of Paris. Your eyes were situated on the gypsies you saw out on the streets entertaining people and as always appearing to be enjoying life, unlike yourself. You were humming a cheerful song to yourself that one of the gypsies you were watching were singing for tips to a small gathered crowd of people. They were clapping along with the rhythm of the music as the gypsy woman danced around them and sang. You smiled to yourself as you sat behind the stone railings and rested your elbows on top of them as you gazed down. Today was the Festival of Fools and you wanted very much to go down and watch the celebrations take place. Although, you doubted you would be able to because of your Father wanting you as far away from the gypsies as possible. "I wonder if Father let me out for once? I want to see the festival..." You murmured to yourself and contemplated on what to do. You never really been out by yourself before, maybe if you had guards with you your Father would be more acceptable to it. "There is nothing sinful about watching them is there? ... Oh heck with it, I'm going to go down. I'm so tired of being pent up here all the time." Standing up from your seat, you make a determined expression and head back into your room. Changing into your best white dress and doing your hair and putting make-up on. You then head out of your room and go through your house to the front door. There were two guards standing at post outside the door, probably there more so to keep you from leaving then keeping others from coming in. You bit your lip and ponder on what to do, the guards were never going to let you go by yourself. Looking over towards one of the open windows an idea arises inside your mind.

"I'm going to be in so much trouble," you whisper to yourself as you gravitate over towards the window and peer outside. There were no guards there and it would be the perfect escape route to the outside world. "I'll just be really quick. Father might not even know I'm gone." You attempt to reassure yourself as you bite the bottom of your lip and were about to crawl out. 'Forgive me for this...' You prayed in your mind and then swung your leg over the window to the outside and crawled through. Stepping out at the other end you glance over in the direction of the entrance of your house and start darting away in the opposite direction. You walked as quickly as possible and were soon lost within the crowds, you found yourself going in the direction where most of the gypsies hung around. Your (e/c) eyes were full of excitement and awe as you glanced around at the many gypsies who were all putting on thrilling side acts for the main event that most likely was taking place nearby.

'This is all just too exciting! How could this all be so bad? I don't understand.' You think to yourself as you walk through the streets until you see a large stage in the main square. The gypsies were gathering people to watch and a huge crowd was formed around the stage. It seemed whatever act that was going to be performed was starting very soon. You enter into the waiting crowd and begin pushing to get to the front, while accidentally bumping into almost everyone and saying sorry to each and every single one, especially the ones that glared you down. You surprisingly were able to make it to the front with some difficulty, but when you did you didn't regret it because you got an grand view of the entire stage. Music began to start playing after a minute of waiting, you felt excited as you awaited the performance to begin. You never got to experience things like this, it made you wonder just how terrible this could possibly be when it seemed so innocuous.

You kept smiling to yourself and soon your attention was taken as a person went upon the stage with a tambourine at hand. Your eyes widen as you take in the appearance of this man that had just made his way on the stage. He was absolutely breathtakingly attractive. He was tan and had pitch black hair and the brightest teal green eyes that were smiling along with his smirk on his face. He shirt was unbuttoned and had a long 'V' neck that revealed his amazingly toned chest that made your heart quicken in pace. He also had long light purple pants and a dark purple scarf around his waist. His whole appearance was completely that of a gypsy but unique and eye-catching. 'He's so... beautiful,' you thought to yourself in astonishment as he went along with the music and started dancing around the stage with expertise. People were clapping along with the rhythm of the music as he shook his tambourine and danced gracefully across the stage. You couldn't stop yourself from staring and even blushing. You had to stop this, it was a sin to look at this gorgeous gypsy man the way you were. Your Father would tell you this is another one of the 7 deadly sins... lust.

You bit the bottom of your lip and watched him dance in a sensuous way that was both graceful and moderately risque. The gypsy suddenly danced in front of the stage until he was right in front of you. He smirked down at you and took a long translucent purple scarf with intricate golden embroidery, and went to wrap it around your shoulders to pull you in towards him. You loudly gasp and blush furiously as he pulls you so close that you were face to face. "Come on up, beautiful," he whispered to you while he kept up that smirk on his lips. You didn't have much of a say though as he grasps onto your waist and pulls you up onto the stage. You were embarrassed and getting major stage freight as all eyes were now and you and the gypsy. This wasn't good, someone was bound to see you and tell your Father that you were here and not at home like you should be. Your thoughts were interrupted when the gypsy man grabbed your hand and suddenly twirled you towards him. You gasp again and stare up into his bright teal green eyes that looked down into your own (e/c) eyes deeply. "Ready to put on a show?" He whispered to you in a charming purely masculine voice. Your eyes were wide and before you could shake your head no, he twirled you across the stage and began leading you in a dance that was both sexy and exciting, if not embarrassing for someone like yourself who was supposed to be purity incarnate. It felt like a lifetime of both excitement and torture as you were forced to dance along with this gypsy man, whose eyes made you want to swoon every time they landed on you.

The crowd was clapping, cheering, and even wolf-whistling as the two of you danced nimbly throughout the stage. You had no idea what you were doing but the man seemed to keep you on your toes and not looking like a fool in front of everyone. It wasn't until the music finally came to an end, and the gypsy grabbed your hand and made a bow with you to the crowd. He turned his eyes to you that twinkled with happiness as he went to go lead you off the stage with himself. Once you were off and behind the stage with the gypsy. You blushed as he stared at you with a bright white shining grin, "You were great out there! But I can tell you never danced before," He said and then chuckled. You stared at him silently and were afraid to speak to the gypsy. Father would so not approve of this. You stay quiet and he notices this silence and tilts his head, "You're a quiet one. Did you have fun? Thanks for being my dance partner up there! The crowd really seemed to love it." The man kept speaking to you which was making it harder not to speak back. Wasn't it rude to ignore someone, especially straight to there face? You gulp and open your mouth to speak. He raises an eyebrow as you stand there with your mouth open but nothing comes out like you wanted it too. "Something wrong? You seem.. speechless." You close your mouth back open and shake your head. He notices you looking over your shoulder frantically like as if you were ready to run for it. You were shaking on the spot, and surprised when he waved his hand in front of your face. "Seriously, are you alright?"

"Y-yes," you finally breathed out in reply. You looked back at him from looking behind you and appeared blatantly on edge. It didn't take a genius to figure it out and the gypsy was figuring that out quickly.

"You look like you're about to faint on me but if you're sure." He said as he rested a single hand on his hip. "You know, you look really familiar. Have I seen you before? What's your name, beautiful?" He asked while sending you another charming smile. You stared at him and felt rude for ignoring him. You already ran from home, how much worse could it be to talk to a gypsy? You gulped hard and placed a hand on your arm that was in front of you.

"(Y-Y/n)..."

"(Y/n)? That's a really pretty name," he winked flitrtatiously before continuing, "My name's Esmeraldo. It's good to meet you, (Y/n). You still seem really familiar to me. Care to tell me your last name?"

"NO! I-I mean... It doesn't matter. I-I really shouldn't be talking to strangers. I should go." You try to end the conversation as you try to leave but before you could run away, Esmeraldo grabs your shoulder and stops you.

"What's the hurry? You can't make friends if you don't meet strangers. Didn't you know? After all, we know each other's names now. I'd say we're past strangers. I think we could be friends but you can't run away from me." He told you while turning you back around to face him. You looked timorously towards him holding your shoulder that he lets go after a few seconds.

"Y-you don't understand... I-I shouldn't be here."

Esmeraldo examines you and frowns lightly, "why not? Have a lover to get back too?" He teases which makes you quickly shake your head with a vivid blush.

"No sir, m-my father... He doesn't like people like you," you told him while adverting your eyes from him as you said this. He stares at you intently with a small frown on his features.

"People like me?" He questioned, "Let me guess? Because I'm a gypsy?" You merely nod at him and hope he understands even though it was rather cross. He continues to frown as he stares at you almost like he was scrutinizing everything about you. "Wait a moment, who is your father?"

You tense up and shake your head, "I have to go..."

"Wait!"

"I'm so sorry!" You say and suddenly turn around and begin running away from Esmeraldo as quickly as possible. Esmeraldo is left standing there with a perturbed expression. He was tempted to chase after you, and he was until someone interrupted him. Clopin stepped beside Esmeraldo as the both of them watched you run off.

"I knew she couldn't resist but to come out by herself one of these days," Clopin casually says as he watches you until you were missing in the crowds of people. Esmeraldo furrows his dark brows and turns to look at Clopin.

"You know her?"

"You don't? Why she's only one of the most prestigious and pure young women of all of Paris. Would (Y/n) Frollo ring a bell?" He said as he tapped the side of his head with his pointer finger. Esmeraldo's teal green eyes widen immediately after he said this. It all somehow became clear to him on who you were and why you ran away from him. You were Judge Claude Frollo's daughter! Clopin smirked at the recognition in his eyes that stared out where you ran away. "Now you know why she flees away from us. Dear mademoiselle Frollo should not be outside of her little cage. She is disobeying her father's orders, a rare sight to see from her. She usually always listens to her father. I knew one day she wouldn't be able to help herself. She grows anxious to see the world for what it is and not what her father feigns it to being. I'd advise if you do chase after her you know what you're getting yourself into, Esmeraldo. (Y/n) is said to be the embodiment of purity. Should you taint such innocence?"

"No one is completely pure from their actions." Esmeraldo replied back right away.

"Perhaps not, but that's not what Judge Frollo believes or his daughter. She is led to believe she is pure of all misdeeds and vice. Many go on to believe Frollo is right about her, or maybe they just believe him because they feel imposed on. Either way, you chase after her now and you could be interfering on her whole life and reputation. A gypsy is forbidden in (Y/n)'s presence."

Esmeraldo continues to frown and begins to shake his head, "Frollo blinds her from the world and the truth. No one deserves to be locked away and misled. Her life must be constantly sentineled. She needs someone..."

"True, if only you knew what the girl actually goes through on a daily basis. Have you seen the scars and bruises she bares?"

Esmeraldo's lips purse into a deeper glower as he looks down and feels a rush of anger and contrite for the sweet innocent girl. He didn't have to ask who or what brought upon those wounds on you, as he already had an idea. Esmeraldo says nothing but grunts as he brushes past Clopin and storms away. Clopin watched the other gypsy walk off, but where he went was not back to the festival, but instead the direction you had run off. Clopin shakes his head as he glances at his smiling hand puppet and talks to it, "Young love is so sweet is it not?"

"It's gross!" The puppet replies back indignantly.

"Hush, little one, you'll learn when you're older!" He scolded his own puppet that looked down dismally at the reprimand. "It'll be interesting just to see where this all goes." Clopin looks back off into the distance before retreating away to continue on with his own performances for the festival of fools.

♰----♰----♰

When you got back home, you were in tears for running away from the gypsy man that was only trying to be kind towards you. You so rudely ran away from him and told him you couldn't be around a person like him. It was even worse when you got home, you were quickly spotted by the guards but you didn't care. You fled past them inside your home and wept loudly as you ran to your room that was upstairs. You slammed your door closed behind you and plummeted down onto your bed with your arms covering your face as you continued to cry. "I'm sorry, God! I do not deserve forgiveness! I have done something terrible!"

"Yes, yes, you have," the voice of your father replied coarsely. "You have deliberately disobeyed me, (Y/n)." Claude Frollo stood at your doorway. You gasped and sat up so you could look behind you back at your father. He stood there with that look he always had when things were about to get ugly. He took strides over towards you and grabbed you by your hair and yanked you up off the bed. You wailed out, "no's!" as Frollo threw you down onto the ground as roughly as possible. You screamed and kept pleading for your father's forgiveness. Frollo's face remained that of a sociopath as he looked down on you. You trembled on the ground and soon screamed at the top of your lungs when Frollo took out a short leather whip that he had specially for your punishments only. He cracked the small whip and smacked it right into your back on the ground repeatedly. He kept doing it and each time made you quiver and cry out in pain. He whipped you a few times before pulling you back up by your hair and grabbed roughly onto your chin from behind you. "You are purity. You do not sin! Sin is of the devil! You are of Heaven's grace! Of God himself! You never leave this place without my permission! Every lash I lay on you is deserving for your trespasses. It must be washed away for you to remain pure! You must be forgiven or you will not remain pure! Do you want to know what hell is like, (Y/n)? Disobey me and you will burn in hell for the rest of eternity!" Frollo was holding your face so tightly, he was bound to leave bruises.

"I-I'm sorry, Father! Forgive me, Father! I've sinned and I want to be pure! I don't want to go to hell! Forgive me!"

He turned you around sharply so that you were looking up into his cold dark eyes. "Then what shall you do?"

"I-I'll listen to you! To y-your every word! I won't ever leave again! I-I promise! You're right, I'm wrong... My wickedness does not deserve your forgiveness but please try to forgive me!" You told him which seemed not to appease him quite yet. He stared at you hard before slapping you hard across the face. You blubbered out in heart-wrenching sobs that were painful to even bare. A red swollen slap mark remained across your cheek. He glowered and slapped you again and again until he slapped you so hard you fell to the floor on your side. He stared down at you pitilessly with narrow eyes.

"Let this be a lesson, my dear daughter. I except you to sit there and beg for forgiveness to the Lord. Let him take pity on you that I cannot. That is if He is willing to forgive your transgression against Him. Sit there and think about what you've done and don't ever try to run from me again, (Y/n). You might be able to run from me but you cannot run away from the eyes of God." Frollo said before slamming the door closed, leaving you there on the ground and clutching your stinging face.

You whimpered and kept saying, 'sorry' over and over again to God. You didn't deserve forgiveness! How could you be purity when it seemed like you messed up so much!? You were a shame to your own name! You cried and wished you never had left in the first place. If only, your heart would stop feeling defiant. Your mind was being logical with you but your heart wanted you to still run free from all of this that held you down. You wanted to be a free like a dove pure and proud as it takes to the open blue skies above. Still, you were trapped inside this place like a caged dove that had no room to fly or even stretch it's wings. You were expected to sit there and look pretty, to never mess up, to be perfection. You had to be perfect...

You remained on the ground until eventually migrating back to your bed where you cried into your pillow the whole rest of the day while saying more prayers of amnesty for your misdeeds.

♰----♰----♰

The next day, you had slashes on your back and bruises on various parts your body. You weren't extremely bruised in the face but it was noticeable enough to know you had been hit by something... or rather someone. You sat on your balcony and watched the gypsies from below. You would never make the mistake of leaving again. Your curiosity was seemingly insatiable but you were now too fearful of receiving another beating by your father. You've had worse beatings, perhaps your father was being easier on you than normal? You had your head lowered as you fumbled with your hands in your lap.

You were never expecting temptation to run away even be a problem anymore. That was until 'he' showed up. "(Y/n)!" You heard your name yelled out by a familiar Romanian accented voice. You tense up and gaze down below at Esmeraldo who was below and waving up at you with a charming grin. You immediately shift your eyes away from him and try to pretend he wasn't there and calling out your name. He was being so loud, if Frollo or his men heard him he would be in a lot of trouble trying to associate with you! "Hey, (Y/n)! Down here! You don't have to be afraid!" You called up to you. You breathed out a sorrowful sigh and were tempted to walk back into your room and away from the gypsy calling your name. He called out your name again and you knew it had to be done. Esmeraldo watched as you stood up and he thought you were going to reply back, but was left hanging as you went back into your room and ignored him.

You felt like crying again as your heart begged to see him, but you knew in your mind it was a terrible idea. Gypsies were bad people. You were good... but were you truly? You seemed to do so much wrong in your father's eyes. Were you really that pure as your father made you out to being? You sit there on your bed with slumped shoulders and a forlorn gaze on the floor as you thought about Esmeraldo. You sat there in solitude that was until you felt a weight shift on your bed next to you. Your eyes instantly look beside you and you gasp when you see Esmeraldo there crouched on your bedside next to you. With wide eyes, you gasp and were about to fall off the bed but he grabs your arms before you take the tumble. "Y-You! You must leave! Now!"

"Now just hold on a moment! Do you know how hard it was to climb up those vines up here? I think you owe me at least some of your time," Esmeraldo says almost teasingly. You stare at him with fearful eyes as you stood up and were staring at him still crouched on your bed. He stared back at you with those pale green eyes of his that send electricity shooting through your body in different places.

"You need to leave! You're a ...-"

"Gypsy, I know." He finished for you before sitting down onto your bedside normally. "And you're (Y/n) the daughter of the ever so cold and calculating Judge Frollo."

"H-how do you?"

"You are pretty well-esteemed in Paris for being the embodiment of purity. No offense, (Y/n) but I don't buy it." He told you as he shook his head, "I think you're as human as the rest of us. I don't think it's fair to put you at higher regard. For your own sanity sake. Nobody wants to be perfect, nobody can be. It's impossible."

"S-so you climbed up my window just to tell me I'm not perfect? That my whole life is just a big lie? I-is that it?"

His face softens and he shakes his head again, "No, I didn't mean it to sound that way at all. What I mean is that we're all human and we all make mistakes. Nobody is fully pure but God himself. Your Father excepts too much from you, but you know what? You don't have to listen to your father. You can be yourself for once, I can show you what it's like to live the life us 'impure' folks do. We're not perfect, but I believe we're forgiven is we ask for it." Esmeraldo extends a hand for you to take as he goes to stand up. "Imperfection isn't a flaw in character. It's a flaw in life itself. We all have transgressions we must bare, even you do. But pulling yourself away from a world that you are no different too is not fair. You have to live life or it'll just pass you by."

"B-but my sins will lead me to damnation! I don't want to go to hell!"

"You are forgiven. If God is truly a loving God he forgives us all if we're willing to be forgiven and believe. Your purity is deceit from your father, I'm afraid. This whole display of purity is to keep you from the world and the joys it can bring. Come with me and I'll show you what life can be like without striving for perfection. You just have to trust me on this." He kept his hand out to you for you to take. You look in between him and his hand and take in what he had said to you. You weren't purity incarnate? You were just simply imperfect like he was? It made so much more sense to you since you did so much wrong, but still the things your father had hammered down in your mind. He said you were special but Esmeraldo was making it sound like you weren't, but instead you were average like him. For some reason, that was comforting to know you weren't supposed to be a sinless being that made no faults. But a being that made mistakes and needed forgiveness time after time from a forgiving God that cared and loved his creation deeply, enough that even though you did make faults it could be forgotten no matter the transgression.

You found yourself reaching forward and grabbing onto Esmeraldo's hand. The thoughts of the painful torture from your father went in the back of your mind as Esmeraldo's hand interlocked with your own perfectly. He began pulling you towards the window, which you gasped as he gestured you to follow him down a bunch of vines that had been growing up the wall nearby your balcony. "I-I can't-"

"Yes, you can! If you can dance with me in front of everyone. You can climb down a few vines!" Esmeraldo encouraged you as he began climbing down with ease. You nervously lifted the front of your dress and took off your shoes so you could climb down more carefully. You wobbled a lot and were very slow unlike Esmeraldo, who obviously lied when he said he had a hard time getting up, since getting down looked so simple for him. You were just about to reach the ground but slipped and started falling. Esmeraldo was on the ground and he quickly sped forwards and caught you in his strong arms. You blushed furiously as he kept you held up, "Are you alright?"

"Y-yes..."

Putting you down on your feet, you adjusted to feel the cobblestone of the ground with your bare feet. Esmeraldo was already bare foot and he seemed rather comfortable that way. He took your hand and began yanking you onto the street through the crowds of people and back to the gypsies main area where they liked to perform the most. The Festival of Fools was not completely over it seemed as there were still performances and different entertainments everywhere you turned. The place was still as colorful as you saw it yesterday. "What are we going to do... uh Esmeraldo was it?"

"Sure is!" He nodded to his name before looking for the first thing you could do. "How about a puppet show?" He offered as he led you over to Clopin who was currently performing. You stood next to Esmeraldo with large curious (e/c) eyes as you saw the cute but silly colorful puppets talk back and forth in different goofy voices to one another. Clopin was putting on quite a show with his puppets that was wholly entertaining even for the older crowd to view. You giggled at parts and felt a sense of plain happiness as you watched the show beside Esmeraldo, who made an effort to show you want life was about, even if that meant disobeying your father. 'How can this be bad? It's so much fun!' You think to yourself as you watch the show until the gypsy king jumps up and does a bow to thank the crowd for watching.

You clap along side Esmeraldo and then turn to look back at him. He eyes around before giving you a wink and leading you in a certain direction through the busy crowds. You felt giddy as he held your hand and led you to what appeared to be some gypsy lady's purple booth that had yellow stars imprinted in it. She was sitting behind a round table with tarot cards. You felt unsettled seeing the cards and hid behind Esmeraldo as you whispered to him, "Father says this is witchcraft."

"I say who cares?" He grinned before placing his hand behind your back and leading you closer to the older black haired lady that looked wise for her years. You could tell she was of Romanian origin from her tan skin and special appearance that screamed gypsy. You sat down on a seat as Esmeraldo leaned over and whispered something in the old fortune teller's ear. She looked at him and nodded with bright wide brown eyes that smiled with warmth. "Welcome, welcome, you must be (Y/n) and of course, Esmeraldo here. He has brought you here for a significant reason as this is what the fates have decided. I want you mademoiselle (Y/n) to simply do one thing for me." She says in a very heavy Romanian accent. She took her cards and began to shuffle them before fanning them out in front of you so that you couldn't read them. "Pick three cards, sweetheart."

You brought a hand to your mouth as you felt uncertainty to be doing this. You didn't see the harm in picking three cards so you randomly chose whatever your gut feeling said to choose first. You kept the cards in your hands and watched as the fortune teller puts her spare cards in a deck on the side. Esmeraldo was leaning up against the booth and watching you with amusement in his teal eyes as you were going to have your fortune read, thanks to Esmeraldo asking for it to be done for you for free by Lady Sorina.

Lady Sorina takes your first tarot card and flips it over to reveal a jester on it. She grins as you look at the card in confusion to what it meant. "Ah, this is the fool card! It is an indicator of newness, as well as purity and the open-mindedness of a child! It is usually a positive card to get! You may have a new beginning somewhere in your life, yes? Perhaps, this is a beginning for something new for you right now! Very fascinating..." She trailed off as she went to take your second card.

"I think that sounds fitting doesn't it, (Y/n)?" Esmeraldo says as he gestures towards the fools card with a grin. You stare down at the card and nod your head and hoped it was true what the card said. You were opening yourself up to newness at this very moment. You never thought in a million years you would be having a tarot card reading done. Your father would say this was the devil's card game. You watch as Lady Sorina takes your next card and places it down to reveal the hierophant. Her brown eyes sparkle as she looks up at you.

"What's that one mean?" You ask curiously.

"The hierophant is much about doing 'the right' thing. I sense you are struggling with an issue and you don't know what 'the ring' thing is for you to do. Know that the answer is within you, (Y/n). Remember that the right thing is right for you. This card can also connect with your spirituality. Is there tension there I see? What is wrong or what is right? The question falls on you, my dear." She said cryptically before taking your last card from you.

You looked sadden by that card as you knew you were in an intense struggle between right and wrong with your father. Your spirituality was torn in between unknowing if you were truly forgiven or if you were truly condemned to hell for your impurity. You wanted to believe in what Esmeraldo said but you just couldn't be positive. You felt a hand on your shoulder from Esmeraldo in attempt to comfort you with a small smile. "Lady Sorina is right, you need to look deep inside yourself to know what is right from wrong. Know that you are forgiven for your imperfection just simply by asking forgiveness and believing in the greater good. You don't need to be perfect to live life. It's impossible for anyone, including your father." He said as Lady Sorina waited to place down the last card.

You took drew out a deep breath and tried to absorb what he told you when all you could hear was your father's penetrating voice telling you the opposite. You were so confused but even more confused when the fortune teller placed down your last card that had two lovers holding hands. Your eyes grow wide as you could make a quick assumption by what this meant. Your face flushes as Lady Sorina giggles airily. "Oh my child, this is the lover's card! This card usually points one person to another in a romantic relationship! It looks like you have love in your life and near down the road! I sense that the love is very near and dear to you right now as we speak. Open your eyes and your man might just be right beside you." She said in a way that made you feel like she was hinting at Esmeraldo who was ironically standing beside you. Esmeraldo chuckled and ran a single hand through his short wavy black hair as he looked down at you.

"Love, huh? I wonder who it might be," he inquired as he tapped his chin with his finger thoughtfully. You were still blushing and you wanted to know more. You looked at Lady Sorina desperately,

"There has to be more then, new beginnings, my wrong or right situation, and love!? It can't be true, I could believe the first two but the third one sounds far-fetched. I haven't even really met anyone until now. How could I have love in my life so soon and near?"

"Love is unpredictable. Even a clairvoyant like me couldn't tell you what love has in store for you. All I can tell you is that it is close to you and you must see it before it's too late, child. Love is precious, love is deep, love can be hiding in the most plainest of sight or it can be hidden like a mask at a masquerade ball. It's up to you to find it, child. I can only foretell that it is coming or perhaps already here." She explained to you.

"I-I don't understand just one more card, please! Or how about Esmeraldo pulls one from the deck?"

Esmeraldo looked surprised that you were pulling him into the mix. You grabbed the deck of cards and fanned them out in front of you for him to pick. Lady Sorina merely watched with some interest as the gypsy man decides to play along and pick a tarot card. He brings his finger back and forth as he brushed his finger across the deck before finally settling for one in the dead middle. He hands it over to Lady Sorina to read. She places down he card to show it's imagery that was of a scale that read the word justice underneath. She smirked at Esmeraldo who shrugged and looked as curious as you were too what it meant.

"Well, Esmeraldo, my dear, you have the card of justice! Justice deals with karma and the laws of cause and effect, stating that all even, and all people, are connected. It's important to remember that not everything you are dealing with, however, is a direct result of your own actions or karma. Sometimes, you will be called upon to deal with the results of the actions of someone you deeply care about, and this can sometimes be as difficult and demanding as it is when you're up against something that is completely of your own making. Don't blame yourself unnecessarily." She said before taking her cards back into her hands.

"Justice for myself or another, huh?" Esmeraldo leaned off of the booth and extended his hand out towards you. "Guess, we'll both have to figure out where they play in our lives then. What do you think?"

"I think it is unnerving how accurate she is, though I'm still leery on the lover card." You said honestly as you took Esmeraldo's hand shyly. He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"You never know. Like she said it could be closer than you think." He said as mystifyingly as Lady Sorina put it. You couldn't help but smile at him as he laughed and began taking you away from the fortune teller.

"Maybe..." You replied and shrugged while feeling warm inside as you thought of him when you thought about being lovers. You tried to wash it away from your mind but it was remaining like a permeant stain on your mind. Esmeraldo led you to his tent where you got to look at all his stuff in awe.

"This is your stuff?"

"Yup, all my show things go in here when I'm not performing. But we're not here to look at all my junk." He chuckled before taking out something from a large trunk. It appeared to be a (color) tube top and a long frilly skirt that was in the same color, it had a very gypsy vibe to it as it had gold bells attached to it on the sides that jingled when it moved.

"What's that for?" You ask completely oblivious to what he had planned. He smirks charmingly and hands you over the tube top and skirt. "U-uh..!?"

"It's for you, silly. You need to dress right for the occasion. I'm going to teach you how to dance like a gypsy," he told you with a sparkle of amusement in his teal green eyes. You looked stunned as you embarrassedly looked down at the not so modest tube top that would show your belly for sure. Your face was red as you shook your head.

"I-I can't-"

"Sure, you can! Don't worry, it'll only be me if it will make you feel better. I promise I don't judge. I think it'll look great on you!" He said before grabbing his tambourine and leaving the tent for you to change. You follow him out with your eyes and dread changing into something that was a far cry from what you were used too. You only ever swore the most unpretentious white dresses that looked nice on you without ever showing anything suggestive in any way. This tube top would not only show the very tops of your cleavage, but it would also show your bare stomach. You felt compelled to listen to Esmeraldo even though you weren't so sure about this one. Learning to dance was going to be embarrassing enough, let alone adding the discomforting outfit in tow. You eventually strip from your white dress you had on and change into the tube top and long flowing frilly skirt that had the bells attached. Every moment you made with your hips seemed to make the bells jingle just a bit. You were looking at a mirror in his tent and blushing at yourself.

Esmeraldo scares you as he strolls on in without asking if you were ready or not. You jump from being startled as he smirks over at you and scrutinizes you up and down. "(Y/n), you are looking beautiful! What were you so worried about?" He remarked as he whistled in your direction with a wink.

"I-I never wore anything like this before..."

"There's a first for everything! Now let me give you some 'personal' private lessons on dancing. You'll be an expert in no time with my help! So first off you need to seriously calm down!" He laughs at your furiously blushing face that looked humiliated. "Don't think about what others will think. It's only me here. I think you're beautiful. Now come here." He gestured for you to come over which you hesitantly obeyed. He was behind you as he placed his hand on each side of your bare waist. You could feel the warmness form his hands and the tingly sensations it produced.

"How can I dance if there is no music?"

"We make our own~." He says seductively into your ear in a low tone of voice. He began rocking your hips ever so slightly to get you to start moving. You were totally uncertain but you went with it as you tried to make up a song in your head. You swayed back and forth and his hands remained rested on your hips as you did. You bobbed your head a little as you couldn't help but let out a shy giggle as you started humming a song you heard a gypsy woman sing before. Esmeraldo chuckled and seemed to join in on your humming as if he knew the song you were humming. "You can sing too if that makes it any simpler."

"I don't know about that now." You say as you sway back and forth as he runs his hands softly up your waist from behind and grabs your hands. He sways you back and forth a little more swingy than before which makes you giggle some more.

"I bet you could sing well! Don't you ever like to sing a little?"

"M-maybe while alone..."

"We'll pretend I'm not here then.."

"I couldn't possibly do that. You're rather... unmistakable." You say which makes him suddenly twirl you around so that he had now you in a dancing position with him. He held both of your hands up and made you gasp as he yanked you forward and brought his arms around your waist. He began circling you around while he had his tambourine in hand. He shook the tambourine that began producing noise as he shook it. You would have said you would have gotten dizzy from now spinning around over and over with each other but the blurs of colors that passed you, and being only able to see his face in the mixture of colors was divine. The dance was what you would call risque, especially for your standards. You preferred actually dancing with him rather than alone. He kept the lead which made you roll with him so in sync.

He leaned his head in towards yours so that your faces were very close. You looked up into his eyes and he stared down into your own with that charming smirk of his that was always playful and flirtatious. He spun you around again which made your skirt flare out and twist around you as he brought you back. He kept humming that tango like song you had hummed. You felt absolutely memorized by Esmeraldo and couldn't believe this was really happening. You leaned into his magnetic touch and soon your eyes that were settled on his own drew closer as your lips were inches from brushing up against one another. You closed your eyes as he leaned in more and embraced you in your almost magical first kiss.

His lips pressed against your own just in the perfect fit. You couldn't believe you were kissing a gypsy that you merely only knew for almost a day and half. You didn't care though as he kissed you so fervidly, with such passionate. You never thought you would ever kiss someone in your life but there you were kissing a gypsy of all people. Perhaps, Lady Sorina was right, maybe your love was closer than you ever thought.

You and him kept your forehead pressed up against each other when you stopped kissing. You both reopened your eyes and looked each others shining orbs. You gulp and knew this was all too good to be true. Once you got back home your father would sure find out and punish you much worse than before. You hugged onto Esmeraldo as he embraced you back just as tightly. You stayed like this for several minutes until you pulled away with tears in your eyes. "(Y/n) why are you crying?"

"I-it's just... It's just I know this won't work out. My father hates gypsies! I shouldn't be gone! I'm a terrible daughter!"

"(Y/n)..." He chided as he stepped back and brought his arms back to his sides. "You're not terrible. You're old enough to stand up to your father's rules. You aren't a child, and who says he has the pick of what you want? If you want this life than just choose it. Leave your father... I don't want to see you hurt anymore. He only hurts you," he says as he grabs your arms and looks down at your bruises with concern. You looked down at the physical abuse that had been taken out on you and shake your head.

"I cannot. He'll have some way. He always does..."

"Only because you let him. Frollo might have control over much of Paris but he doesn't control you. You don't have to be this perfect personification of purity anymore, (Y/n). You know you never could be that. You're human like me, we make mistakes, remember? And locking you up in that room of yours is not fair. You have to know that's not fair for you, (Y/n). You have to know you deserve more than that! You are forgiven. You're not going to end up with this hell damnation that Frollo keeps bound over your head. You're free."

You took in what he said but shook your head, "I'm sorry, Esmeraldo. I loved my time with you, I truly did. Thank you for showing me gypsies are good people too. But I can't go against my father's will. He'll find me and hurt me for sure, if worse others. I have to go home, I have to stay home. Whether, I'm purity or not, my father thinks I am so I have to try. Goodbye..." You wanted to kiss him goodbye but you withdrawn away timorously. He shouts your name to stop but you run off on him again. He this time chases after you, which you run as fast as possible to go back home.

"(Y/n)!"

"Goodbye, Esmeraldo!" You waved him a goodbye over your shoulder as you ran into the crowd. Esmeraldo tried fighting through the crowds to get to you, but he was quickly losing sight of you. He tried sprinting after you, but the busy people kept pulling him back and he lost sight of you completely. He cursed to himself and swore he was going to free you one way or another. You deserved justice! And Esmeraldo was planning on giving you just that, even if that meant he had to take desperate measures.

Esmeraldo stormed back dejectedly to his tent and was pondering hard on what to do to free you from your cramped little cage that Claude Frollo kept you locked inside day after day

.