Summary: Bastien tells his girlfriend that he is joining the Royal Guard, and gets his heart broken.
Author’s note: This was written for Round 64 of #ChoicesCreates: Before Canon
Bastien drove towards Juliette’s house. He had exciting news to share, and was taking her out to dinner to celebrate. Before long, he arrived, parked his car, and walked up to the front door.
He rang the bell, and Juliette’s father answered the door. “Hello, Bastien. Come on in.”
“Hello, Mr. Villiers.” Bastien stepped inside, and looked around for Juliette. A moment later, she appeared and walked over to his side.
“Bye, Dad,” she said as she took Bastien’s hand and they walked out. Once the door was closed, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. When she broke the kiss, she looked into his eyes. “Bonjour, mon tigre.”
“Bonjour, ma belle.” He slipped his hand into hers, and they walked to his car. He held the door open for her, then stepped around to the other side and got into the driver’s seat.
“You look beautiful tonight.” He put the keys in the ignition and started the car.
“And you look hot in that black suit.” She reached out and put her hand on his thigh.
Bastien tried to focus on driving, but he couldn’t help being a bit distracted by her touch. Fortunately, it was only a short drive to Chez Cordonia.
Once they were seated, Bastien ordered a bottle of champagne. They looked over their menus as they waited for it to arrive.
Before long, the waiter returned and set down the champagne, then opened it and poured some into their glasses. He turned to Juliette. “Are you ready to order, Mademoiselle?”
“I’ll have the chicken confit.”
The waiter looked to Bastien. “And for you, Monsieur?”
“I’ll have the beef bourguignon.”
Once the waiter had gone, Bastien picked up his glass of champagne and smiled at Juliette. “I got some good news today.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What is it?”
“I’ve been accepted into the Royal Guard’s training program.”
Juliette stared at him. “What?”
“I’m going to be working for King Constantine.”
“But that’s dangerous! You could get killed!”
“Not if I can help it.” Bastien knew the risks. His great-grandfather had been killed protecting the king during an assassination attempt. But he had always wanted to be a royal guard, like so many members of his family before him. He had looked up to his grandfather, who had also worked for the king.
“But it could happen. You should look for a safer job.”
“You sound just like my mother.” Bastien’s father had considered carrying on the family tradition and joining the Royal Guard, but he was already in a relationship with Bastien’s mother, who had talked him out of it because she was concerned about his safety. She had tried to discourage Bastien’s interest in the Royal Guard, but it hadn’t worked.
“Well, your mother’s right!”
Bastien took a deep breath, trying not to let Juliette’s words get to him. “I disagree.”
When the food arrived, they ate their meals in silence. Finally Bastien spoke up. “Look, I know you’re worried. But this means a lot to me. It’s what I’ve always wanted. Can you at least try to accept that?”
Juliette frowned. “You won’t have time for me any more.”
“That’s not true. I know I’ll be busy, but I’ll make as much time for you as I can. Wouldn’t you like to come see me at the palace?”
“Like I’d fit in with royalty. Would they even let me in?”
“Why wouldn’t they, if you were my guest?”
“Because I’m a commoner. And they’d see me as a distraction. They’ll want you to focus on your duties all the time.”
“A guard can still have a personal life. Some of them are married and have families.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not your family.”
“Maybe not now, technically, but…” Bastien trailed off, not sure he should finish the thought. He hoped to marry Juliette one day, but it wasn’t the right time to bring that up. “Forget it. I don’t want to argue about this.”
They finished their dinner, and Bastien paid the bill. They walked to the car, not speaking. During the ride home, Juliette finally broke the silence. “I can’t change your mind about this, can I?”
“No, you can’t,” he told her.
“Then it’s over between us.”
Bastien felt as though his heart had been shattered into a million pieces. “Come on, you don’t mean that. I love you!”
“I love you too. But I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”
“Juliette, please, don’t do this!”
“I’m sorry.” She turned toward the window, away from him.
When they reached her house, she opened the car door and got out, then turned around to look at him. “Goodbye, Bastien.” She then turned away and hurried into her house.
Bastien felt the tears falling down his face. He and Juliette had been together for nearly two years. Although he had dated other girls briefly, she was the only one that he had ever loved. He had hoped that they would spend their lives together.
Never again, he told himself. The hell with love. It just got you hurt. He would dedicate his life to his work, and be the best royal guard he could possibly be.