retrospective;;

“You should. We all should. Especially me,” Celine grinned. “There was a lot more security at home, not quite as much to do.” Really, there was nothing to do, and she had a fairly strict schedule, unlike now. “She raised you by herself?” Celine pursed her lips and didn’t push the subject, but couldn’t imagine what it was his mother had gone through raising triplets on her own. “I’m sorry, Berlioz. For whatever happened. You don’t have to tell me, of course, but I’m glad you all turned out so well. And that you’re here,” she nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. “You can talk to me, about anything. Really, I don’t judge. And I would probably tell you anything you could possibly think of…which I don’t really do with anyone.” Even the things she rarely spoke of, she felt comfortable telling him, which would probably be a weight off of her shoulders. “It’d be nice to have someone know me. Really know me, though, not just how everyone else sees me. I don’t know if that makes sense. It must, with you being famous back home,” she shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes glanced down at the maze and she smiled. “We’d figure it out really quickly, I bet. No, I don’t think they know….” her cheeks turned a light pink when she saw the couple kiss, as if she were seeing an intimate moment she hadn’t meant to. “They definitely don’t know. They’re cute, though. I wonder if they met here, or if they knew each other before.” 

“I hope I’m helping with you having a good time here. You’re not totally hating my company, are you?” Berlioz asked, giving her a small smile. “So you’re liking the independence, then?” That seemed like a good reason to enjoy being away from home. It probably helped dull the homesickness a little. When she apologized after hearing about how his mother had been single, he shook his head. “It’s alright. Everything turned out for the best, and my mom met someone she fell in love with and they’re more than happy together. Thomas is a better father-figure than I could have asked for.” He didn’t find his upbringing tragic at all, if he didn’t factor in the kidnapping and attempted murder. He had a mother who loved him and Thomas who felt more like a real father. “And you can tell me anything too. I like to believe I’m not a very judgmental person.” When he looked down at the maze with her, he caught the pair kissing. It felt like too intimate a moment for them to be snooping on, but he figured that it wasn’t such a bad thing. “I wonder too. Maybe they knew each other before and couldn’t be together where they’re from. I don’t know.” He looked over at her. “Have you ever been in love like that? Where you would sneak around, try not to get caught?”

“I’m sure they are missing your talent, and your friendship,” Celine nodded. She couldn’t imagine the group wasn’t close after touring across Europe, but she also didn’t want to make Berlioz homesick either. It wasn’t the best feeling, missing home, but at least she had Darcy. “Of course your sister sings. And your mother? What insane talent does she have? Let me guess- she can paint, play music, and sing, I bet,” she smiled softly. “I don’t tangled up with anyone usually, though artists are a dangerous choice.” She laughed and leaned back slightly, enjoying the slight breeze as it ran through her blonde hair. “I really do love it up here, I’m glad you chose to bring me.” And that she chose to trust him, though she didn’t say it. She had a habit of putting defenses up quickly for her own protection- not just emotionally. Her foot playfully kicked his over the side of the roof and she smirked to herself at the childishness of the gesture. “I haven’t been in the maze, no. It looks complicated,” she peered over the side and squinted her eyes to see better. “There is! Berlioz, they’re holding hands!” The couple also seemed to break their hands away whenever there was the possibility of others being around, only to quickly join hands again. “I think we found a secret romance. Who do you think they are?”

“I hope so. But I really do want to have a good time here, kind of make the most of it.” Berlioz didn’t want to harp too much on what was going on without him in Paris. Besides, he had good company here and it was like a retreat from the real world. “Yes, she’s quite good at all three. I think her teaching the three of us all of these things helped wrangle us when we were little and she was raising us by herself. She needed something for us to focus on.” It had been just them and their mother for so long until Thomas had come into the picture. Now he felt more okay with leaving his mother behind when he knew she would be taken care of. “I’m glad I chose you, too. I feel like I can really talk to you.” They hadn’t known each other for very long, but Celine felt so open and genuine. He didn’t want to waste that. “I bet we could do it together one day.” He figured with the two of them they could make it out pretty fast. When she pointed out the couple in the maze he smiled. “I have no idea, but they seem to like each other. Do you think they know we’re watching?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea, but I have a feeling you’d be able to get just about anyone to do what you want,” Celine rolled her eyes at him and smiled. “I’d be a bit more of a challenge.” But the more she talked with him, the more she started to really enjoy his company. He was smart and genuinely fun, and he didn’t think he was better than anyone else; it was different from back home. “I’m sure they’re having an awful time without you. Your entourage, or whatever jazz ensembles are called, you play piano for them? Do you sing?” Celine hadn’t even known the whole world was obsessed with jazz band, it had to be a new sound for everyone to love it so much. And of course, Paris was the center of it all, as it always had been. It only made her want to visit more. “Your brother is a painter! Creativity runs in your family. I don’t know if I would fancy an artist though, they’re usually brooding over their paintings, and I can’t dance to artwork,” she cracked a smile. “So you never brought anyone up here before this?” Celine was relieved to hear it, and she waited patiently for him to open the door before stepping onto the roof cautiously, as if it might break and fall through any moment. Her hand instinctively reached for his to catch herself, though truly, there was nothing dangerous about it at all. It was a wide, open space, with perfect lighting. “Come on,” she grinned and pulled him to the end of the palace that faced the forest, sitting down near the edge. “Look, you can see the maze from here! I wonder who’s trying to navigate through it now.” Sliding herself forward, she dangled her feet carefully over the side of the building so she could look.

“I like a challenge,” Berlioz quipped, giving her a wink. Girls weren’t usually a challenge for him, he found. But Celine seemed to be one who was worth putting some effort into. “You think so? I’m sure they’re getting on without me. I play piano for them and I’ll sing a bit of backup as well, but I’m not really a singer. My sister is the one with the voice.” While he wasn’t a bad singer, Marie was much better and had some real training. “Our mother really supported us in whatever we wanted to do, so our creativity is all thanks to her. And I don’t blame you about not getting tangled up with artists. Toulouse really does tend to brood,” he replied with a laugh. “I haven’t brought anyone else up here. Haven’t really met anyone I thought would like it as much.” But Celine seemed to be the type that would. She would appreciate the view, and they got along well enough that he wanted to talk more with her. He took her hand when she reached for his, joining her up on the roof as well. He let her pull him over to the side with the forest, joining her as she sat down, their legs dangling over the side. “Have you been in the maze, yet? I haven’t even tried it.” He looked over. “It does look like someone is in there.”

“I’ll just have to remember that should you try to persuade me of anything else,” Celine teased, narrowing her eyes at him playfully. Berlioz had to be the nicest person she’d met since arriving at the palace, and she was sure he had girls falling all over him already. A part of her didn’t like thinking about it, and definitely didn’t want to ask, considering how charming he was. “It can be,” she nodded, realizing slowly that maybe Berlioz didn’t realize she was a princess. It was part of her duties to understand her country, but he wouldn’t have known that. “Where is your group now? You must be adored by fans to be able to travel all over Europe. That’s amazing,” she smiled. “Did you enjoy it? Touring all the time, going from place to place? You’re a triplet- you mean you have a brother who’s just as handsome and charming? I’ll have to keep that in mind,” she teased, surprised at how flirtatious she was being. It was fun, though, and for once she didn’t have to worry because she wasn’t back home. “My brother is younger, his name is Darcy. He’s sort of shy, but you would like him. I think so, anyway,” she shrugged and smiled. “I meant to go looking for a way up to the roof, I’m almost mad you beat me to it! It must be beautiful- especially at night, I imagine.” She moved carefully up the stairs, staying close to Berlioz in case she should trip, not that she was normally clumsy. “We climb up all of these? It can’t be that easy- the door isn’t locked or anything?” Celine continued climbing, excited to get to the top but enjoying how easy it was to talk to Berlioz. When they reached the very top, she waited for Berlioz to tell her where to go next, since he knew the way. “Have you actually gone on the roof? It doesn’t set off any alarms or anything?” 

Berlioz chuckled. “What else do you think I might persuade you to do,” he asked, raising a brow at her teasingly. He had to admit that she was pretty, and he could imagine at least wanting to get her to kiss him, but she didn’t seem like the type to do that so quickly. Not that he knew her very well. Afterall, they hadn’t even known each other for a whole day yet. “They’re back in Paris trying to cope without me, I’m sure. And yes, I really enjoyed it. The whole world is obsessed with jazz at the moment, and the best jazz musicians come from Paris so we were in pretty high demand.” When she joked at his brother being just as charming and handsome, Berlioz laughed. “Sure, if you fancy artists more than musicians. But I think I got more of the handsome genes than Toulouse.” He was mostly joking, though he didn’t want her to think his brother was any better than him. “I’m sure I would like him. I’ll keep an eye out for him, see if he needs a friend.” If he was shy, then certainly he would need one. “It is just that easy. Someone must have not locked it,” he said, climbing up more of the stairs. “I went up there for a little while, but I figured it would be more enjoyable with some company.” They got to the top and he took the handkerchief out from where it was wedged between the door to keep it open. “Here we are,” he said, opening the door for her and letting her up onto the roof.

“You can take credit for some of that spirit, you’re very persuasive,” Celine laughed softly and shook her head. Berlioz reminded her that she was capable of more, especially when it came to getting along with other people. She loved socializing, she would fit in perfectly. “You don’t want to know, really. I don’t even want to know, but my father said it was important.” She could see why, but it wasn’t as if she would ever rule over Germany for any reason. She had older brothers for that sort of thing. “You toured with a jazz band?” Her eyes widened, trying to picture a famous Berlioz playing music in front of a crowd. She smiled at the thought- people cheering him and his group on as he gave the people in Berlin a chance to relax and have fun. “I’m not very familiar with jazz, you’ll have to show me! I have three brothers, and no sisters…one of my brothers is here, actually.” She was lucky to have Darcy there, considering so many families had been separated. “You must be brilliant to tour around the country. Have some faith in yourself,” she crinkled her nose at him playfully. “Or don’t, and I’ll just keep reminding you either way. Assuming we’ll see each other again. Celine almost stopped walking, surprised at his answer. “Really?” She smiled brightly, squeezing his arm and walking a little faster. “It sounds perfect! And dangerous, and something I wouldn’t be allowed to do back home,” she grinned. “How did you find it?” 

“I’m glad to hear that, then. Using my talent of persuasion for good.” Berlioz was glad that the two of them were getting along so well. When she mentioned that he wouldn’t want to know, he nodded, taking that as a sign not to ask more. “You’re probably right, actually. I guess it is important to know what is going on in your own country.” He had never really thought much about it, but perhaps he should have been more interested. He had always just been so consumed with his music. “Yes, I did. I actually just recently came off the tour. It was all through Europe, or at least most of it.” He wasn’t surprised she didn’t know much about jazz, especially since she had seemed to be a bit secluded. Or perhaps she was from a different time. “I’ll definitely play you a bit of jazz. You have three brothers and no sister? That’s a bit like my sister, though she only has two brothers and we’re all triplets. But at least you have one of your brothers here with you. If he older or younger?” He wondered if perhaps he would run into him at some point. He figured he would, and maybe they could be friends as well. “I suppose I have to have some talent, right? I guess you’ll see soon.” He smiled at how excited she was to go up to the roof, they were getting closer anyway. “Well, I didn’t really find it as much as I was looking for it. I figured it would be nice to see the view all the way up there.” He led her up some stairs. “This way.”

“I could do that,” Celine smiled. Surely, she could be as creative as other girls, maybe she really could fit in there if she tried. “It all sounds so freeing! Germany isn’t like that as much. My country isn’t as united as my parents would like,” she sighed and frowned slightly. She hated politics, but her father had always insisted that she listen in on the various important conversations, to keep herself educated on her own country. “I was born in Berlin, but we really live toward the edges of it…away from the city and a little more secluded. I used to love running through the forest and seeing how far I could get before running into something entirely new. I found a cave once, but that was probably my favorite spot. Not even my brothers knew about it,” she beamed proudly. “But of course, all of that changed eventually. Of course I want to hear you play! I’m sure you’re brilliant,” Celine nudged him playfully as they continued walking, her arm comfortably intertwined with his. “Really, you won’t judge?” She narrowed her eyes at him and smiled before finally agreeing. “Alright, you can watch, but you have to be completely honest. If it’s horrible, you have to tell me.” Not that she thought it would be. If Berlioz appreciated music, he would probably appreciate her dancing, but for whatever reason, it was important to her that he didn’t laugh or find her stupid. “Where are you taking me, by the way? Not that I mind the mystery. I did say I wanted an adventure.” 

“That’s the spirit!” Berlioz was glad that she would give it a chance, even if her going to Paris was in the more distant future. He knew she would love it. “Really? I’m afraid I don’t know much about German politics,” he replied, realizing that maybe she really was very smart. At least, smarter than him, he figured. He didn’t really know much about politics in general. “I went to Berlin—well, I toured there with a jazz band. But living somewhere more secluded, away from the city, sounds really nice.” He tried to imagine her as a child, running around and discovering things around her home. “You have brothers? How many?” He asked, wanting to know more about her family. “I don’t know about brilliant,” he replied, feeling his cheeks warm. He was complimented on his playing a lot, but coming from her felt special for some reason. “I’ll be completely honest, I swear. But I don’t think you’ll be horrible.” He couldn’t imagine it. When she asked where he was taking her, he couldn’t help the sly smile that appeared. “I suppose I can tell you. I found a way to get to the roof.”

“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, how official,” Celine teased. She never had any trouble giving a new author a chance, she had just rarely had time for reading other than her study books before. “I don’t know about that. Parisian girls are beautiful- not that I’m not…I’m just not…French. Everyone there is attractive and smart. There’s music and dancing there, right? And all sorts of painters and inventors?” That was most of what she knew of France in general, not wanting to delve into the politics of France. Besides, the time Berlioz lived in seemed different from what she knew. “You’ve been to Germany? It is beautiful, especially where I lived. I didn’t get to explore it as much as I’d like,” she nodded. “My parents worried about my safety as I got older, but when I was younger, I got to explore a lot.” Celine blushed slightly and took his arm- something she rarely did, but she was excited to go on whatever adventure they could find. “You play piano! I was always meant to learn, but never got around to it. You’ll have to show me sometime. Dancing makes me happy. But nothing organized, I don’t like routines. Or I do, but only when I make them myself,” she shrugged her shoulders and grinned. “My dance teacher didn’t like that very much. I could dance to you playing piano! Only if you don’t watch.”

“Very official,” Berlioz replied with a laugh. When she disagreed about fitting into Paris, he shook his head. “You’ll just have to show them that German girls are just as lovely, then. And yes, there’s music and dancing everywhere. Champagne flowing and people creating, it’s really a wonderful place.” Talking about Paris so much was starting to make him homesick. He had been away for such a long time, he wondered if it had moved on without him. “Where do you live? Maybe I’ve been there?” He didn’t know what kind of girl Celine was, and he didn’t know Germany well enough to guess what part she might be from. “Where were your favorite places to explore when you were younger?” He asked, glad that she was so willing to trust him. “I’ll show you anytime you like.” If she wanted to hear him play, he would make sure to let her hear a few of his favorite pieces to perform. “You’re a dancer, but you don’t want me to watch? That’s like asking me to play while plugging your ears. I won’t judge you.”

“That’s very well put. I think… if I remember correctly, that the first floor bedrooms are in the left wing, which means that everything else would be in the right, so at least we have that to go off of. That narrows it down a bit further.”

“Who knew I was so great with words,” he replied teasingly. “Okay, that should make it easier to find. Do you like to read? Because when we do find the library that might be something good to know.”

“I don’t know what that is. Sherlock Holmes? Is that a person?” Celine tilted her head to the side, hating to sound like she didn’t know what she was talking about, but she really had never heard the name. Maybe it just wasn’t a book her parents’ would have liked, so they kept it out of the library. “Sure, I’d say I’m pretty smart,” she shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “Paris! I always wanted to visit!” Celine melted at the thought, sighing softly before returning to reality. “I’m from Germany. Not nearly as romantic as Paris. And I didn’t get out very much.” She smiled at him quickly; most boys wanted to get to know her back home, but they were all superficial, wanting to get closer to her father. Berlioz sounded genuine, which caught her off-guard. “I want to get to know you too. Fun! That’s exactly what I need! There are so many things I haven’t done! I don’t even know where to start…what’s your favorite thing to do? What makes you happiest? I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“No, he’s a fictional character. We’ll have to see if the library has any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books.” Berlioz figured she might like them, anyway. They were entertaining, and even though he wasn’t much of a reader, even he liked them. He chuckled when she agreed that she was smart, not surprised when he said she wanted to visit Paris. “You’ll need to get a chance to visit someday. Paris is beautiful, and you’ll fit right in.” She was quite gorgeous, admittedly. Not that it took a lot to get him to admit to it. “I’m sure Germany can be romantic in its own way. I’ve been there before, and I had a great time.” Sure, he had mostly only gone while he was on tour, but he had made his own fun. He didn’t know Celine very well, but he was certain she couldn’t be too bored in Germany. “Well, if you’re up for an adventure just follow me,” he said, offering her his arm. “My favorite thing to do in general? I suppose that would be playing the piano. You don’t have to keep that a secret, by the way, though I do appreciate it. What about you? What makes you happiest?”

“That’s good. I have two older brothers, as well, so I think that we probably annoyed them at times as well, but I love them, and I know they love me. That is very important, yes. Oh, you’re right, I hadn’t even thought about that. Hmm… I believe it is on the first floor, though I’m not positive where.”

“I think that’s just how family is, isn’t it? You annoy each other, but then it’s all fine because you love each other. Well, we should probably head over to the library first and then we can sort all of his map business out. If it’s on the first floor then it shouldn’t be too hard to find.”

“Mystery novels? I don’t think I’ve read one of those. I studied mostly, back home. Where are you from?” Celine blushed when she realized she had just asked him a more personal question without even knowing his name. “I just know about the tunnels I’ve seen. Oh good! I’m not used to anything here yet. I think if you told me to go to my room right now, I’d get lost,” she smiled and took a few extra steps to catch up with him. “Do you think staying here will be a sort of adventure? I could use that.”

“You haven’t read any? No Sherlock Holmes? Nothing?” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “So you’re a smart girl, then? I’m from France, Paris specifically. Where are you from?” He didn’t mind her asking these questions, despite them not having properly introduced each other. Having been in the palace for not too long, he knew not to judge anyone just yet. “Then I won’t tell you to go to your room. Anyway, that would defeat the purpose of me wanting to get to know you.” He nodded. “Yeah, I do. As long as you’re up for having fun.”

“I’m the exact opposite of soft, thank you very much. It’s probably better that way, that you didn’t know him. Mothers are supposed to be the warmer ones, aren’t they?” Mary shrugged her shoulders; she would have chosen her mother over her father, and she didn’t even know the woman. “That’s good that she at least has someone. What the holy hell is chlorine?” Mary walked over to the pool and kicked off her sandal, dipping her foot in. “It’s not as cold as the ocean, at least. You people swim in this?”

“I had a feeling. And yes, I think that’s true. I would rather be raised by a single mother than a single father.” Especially not his birth father. He seemed like even if now he did have a family of his own, he wouldn’t be a good enough father for anyone. “I’ve heard that they’ve started using that to keep pools clean. It’s new during the time I’m from, I suppose.” He watched her try out the water. “It’s nice, isn’t it. Rich people have them mostly, especially if they’re far from the ocean. They’re actually quite nice, if you have friends and champagne.”

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming. I don’t know why I thought I’d be the only one. I didn’t expect you to answer that, but I’m sorry to hear about your family. Are your parents– is your mom safe, I mean?” Mary continued walking down the hall until she saw the sign for the pool, pulling the door open and walking in, holding it for Berlioz. “See what I mean about the smell? I don’t know what it is.”

“Don’t get all soft on me now, it’s alright. I never really knew my father, and from what I do know he sounds like a jerk.” He nodded. “I think my mother will be safe, she does have Thomas—her husband, and technically my step-father. He’s a good man.” He walked in when she held the door open, understanding what she meant by the odd smell. “Yeah, I see what you mean. I believe that’s the smell of chlorine.”

“Definitely under the stairs, I didn’t know they could be behind paintings! And sometimes they blend in with the wall, right? Or the floor, or– I could be completely wrong. And the library is a great idea!” Celine grinned at her new friend. “Want to start there? Except for one problem. I’m afraid I have no idea where that is.” 

“Yes, I think behind a painting is usually popular in mystery novels. And I think you’re right, too, about them blending into walls and floors. It seems plausible. And there’s no problem here, because I know exactly where the library is. Just follow along with me.” He motioned for her to follow him down the hall.