June 30th, 1799

The private "wedding" they decided to have between themselves and God, happened after Francis had regained his muscle strength, and his leg had healed enough for him to walk around the city freely.

He was awarded with the Republican Cross and didn't care about it, passing the prize along to his savior, Gregory Nelson, through mail.

He was congratulated by the Directory for his service and a statue was made in his honor, to be displayed in the "Place de la Liberté", at the center of the capital. He didn't care about it either. Didn't even smile after seeing it.

He only felt genuinely happy for three things:

1. Laupin and his wife taking good care of him, and gifting him a new and fancier uniform to wear, once he was called back into action and his health actually allowed him to fight.

2. Jacques, Charlie, Séverin and Pierre travelling simultaneously to Lievre to check on him, give him a hug, and make sure he was indeed alright.

3. Laura merely existing, and loving him as he always wished to be loved.

And for these three genuine things he thanked God, before him and his lover stepped into the only cathedral that had survived the fire and gunpowder revolution: Saint John's.

They walked inside with slow steps, not moving very far away from each other, and sat down on one of the last row of pews, far away from the altar. It was a Sunday, and during mass the wine and bread were being consecrated, then shared amongst the believers. The couple listened to the priest speak, held hands in secret at the back of the church, and waited for their turn to stand up, walk towards the altar, and receive Christ in the Eucharist.

This was their marriage, officiated in front of God, against the world's will, and without anyone's knowledge but their own.

To Laura, her husband was dead and buried in the dark soil of the past.

To Francis, there was no other woman he'd ever be able to love, as much as he loved the Duchess.

The Father understood and therefore gave them his blessing; the two were, alas, together in peace, in love, and in faith. 

And this, no one could ever take away from them.

Not even if they tried.