Louis was an intelligent child, a quick learner. As a six year old he rode just as good as some well-trained soldiers, with eight he learned how to fence, and at the age of ten he shot for the first time. He was able to speak France, Latin and Spanish fluently, he understood English and German as well. Louis knew a lot about religion, poetry and art. He could dance and he knew how to behave in Court.
But there were things he wasn't good at, too. Despite Anne's efforts, he never seemed to be interested in the poor Parisians. He cared for the nobility and for the palace, but never took a step into the dirty streets of the town. No one knows why he was how he was. Everyone around him tried to make sure he would be reasonable, compassionate and caring – but neither Anne nor Aramis nor Constance were able to fulfill this wish.

It was this day they feared. His 18th birthday, the day he would be the lonely ruler of France. Aramis stood by the eft side of the throne, his partly grey hair bound into a low ponytail. The blue of his uniform, as well as the golden crucifix around his neck, make him look as one of them, as a noble. But he never was and never would be. Aramis accepted the place as the First Minister in order to look after his son and Anne, to be near them and to help them whenever necessary. He never liked the intrigues, even though he became kind of good in it, too. He noticed that his charm as well as his ability in speaks helped in a position like this.

On the right side of the throne stood Anne, in one of her beautiful red dresses. She smiled, but her heart arched. She loved her son but she knew what he has become. A cruel, selfish boy who would soon rule France. She hoped to be able to talk to him, that he would hear what she had to say, but feared that it would not be like this. She watched him walk towards the throne, head held high. He smiled as the people bowed, but didn't bother them a look.

Aramis took the crown of the soft, red pillow in the hands of a servant, and placed it on the boys head. The crowd cheered – they didn't know what would happen.

The feast was long, loud and cheerful. No one suspected that the new king wouldn't be as great as hoped. No one but a few men and women, standing in a corner talking quietly. Constance turned around to make sure no one heard them, before placing a hand on Anne's shoulder. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. He will listen to us, we're his family." The king's mother nods slightly. "I hope he understands what family means just as much as we do."

The next morning…

"What do you think he wants to talk about?" Aramis asks concerned, as he met d'Artagnan in front of the door. The Captain shrugs, "Don't know. We'll see." He sighs before he opens the heavy doors, allowing Aramis to enter first. The other Ministers bow before they sit down. Aramis takes his usual place at the left side of the king, while the Captain of the Musketeers stands behind him. Usually, d'Artagnan is no part of such meetings, but this time the king wished that he would be there too. Soon, Anne entered too and sitting down on the opposite of Aramis. After a few long minutes, the king finally enters, causing everyone to stand up and bow until he sits down.

"Thank you for coming," he announces as if he had done this already a hundred times. "There are a few things that need to be discussed. There are some changes that are need to be made." The Frist Minister frowns, looking over to Anne with a look as if to ask Do you know what he means? She shakes her head, just as confused as the others.

"First of all, the Musketeers regiment will be distraught. We don't need to pay so much money for some 'special soldiers'. The men will go to the army, which will be there for the protection of the country, Paris and the palace as well. I think the finance Minister will welcome this." Dumont nods smiling.

"My Majesty," Aramis says shocked. "Do you think this is really a good idea? The Musketeers they saved France many times, they saved your fa-" "I'm sure of this. Thank you, Minister." The king shots him a strict look. "I know that you're really fond of the Musketeers, but I think regular soldiers will be just as good as them." Aramis sighs defeated. "If that's what you wish, my Majesty."

The First Minister notices the shuffle behind him and turns around just to see d'Artagnans shocked look. The grip on his sword is painfully tight, his knuckles already turning white. He presses his lips to a thin line, trying not to say something wrong to the new king. Was this the reason he was invited? To hear that the Musketeer will be common soldiers, that everything he ever was will be gone?

"Secondly, the castle of Versaille will be expanded. It will be the new palace, as the Louvre is getting a bit rusty – don't you think? I want Versaille to be the greatest most impressive palace in the world. The people shall see that France is the richest and most succesfull country. I want that they are jealous, that they wish to be French, too. That everything they dream of is to visit us – to visit me!"

Dumont just opens his mouth to say that there is not enough money for such a project, but the king silences him by raising his hand. "It's already decided. That's all for today." With that, Louis XIV leaves.

He waits until they're alone, before d'Artagnan slams his fist onto the table. "He can't do that! The musketeers are the best and loyalist men France has to offer. They not only saved his father, and the Queen many times but also always made sure he was safe! Without us he would have been killed as a child! He can't –" "Unfortunately he can, mon ami." Aramis lays a hand on his brothers shoulder, squeezing gently. "I will talk to him later this day. Maybe I can get him to change his mind. I'm sorry, d'Artagnan."

By now, Anne has recovered from the shock and stands beside the First Minister. "What have we done wrong? We always showed him how important love and humanity is. We made sure he would understand the worth of his folk, that he would be grateful for what he has. But instead he dishonors the Musketeers and wants to build the greatest palace of the world. He knows that we're don't have that much money, he knows that the people of France are starving!" Aramis wraps his arms around the woman, closing his eyes. "I don't know. But we will find a way. We will make sure that France will be fine and save, as we always did."

TBC.