As musketeers, people are constantly asking for help. Coming to you with their problems and sometimes demanding an answer or solution. Some days, it's hard to decide what is right and what is your duty. We all have an urgent side of us to want to help everyone. We want to be the ones that they can look at and say "I know they'll help me". But there does come a time, or you have to realize that not everything is your responsibility.

It's not always your chore to step forward and take control. To reach out a helping hand, or promise to do whatever you can to assist.

Some people, have to learn that the hard way. Some, it takes longer than others. And some just never learn. But it is difficult to determine who needs to help and who to leave alone.

I never thought that I would reach a place that I would want to turn someone begging for help away. But it came. And despite the guilt gnawing at me. I wanted nothing more than to send this newcomer… Running. And yes, it was for my own selfish reasons as well as a lingering wish that was starting to fade quicker and quicker with each passing day.

~*~*~*Love's Destiny*~*~*~

"good morning, mother," Corinne greeted, as she twisted her long hair up into a ponytail.

Marie smiled over her shoulder. "Good morning."

Two years ago, Marie had decided to sell the farm and move to the city, claiming that the farm was getting too much for her to handle on her own.

Although Corinne hated the thought of giving up the farm, she was more than happy to have her mother nearby.

"So, do you have a busy day plan today?" Marie asked, setting up late down on the table. "Make sure you eat."

"No, just some training." She picked up a biscuit and smiled. "But then again, things always seem to happen."

Marie smiled as she took her place and folded her hands on her the table. "Do you enjoy being the captain?"

Corinne nodded. "I really do! It's… Like a dream come true for me. It's just…"

"It's not easy being around the King," Marie finished. She crossed her arms on the table and sent her daughter an enquiring stare. "Honey, what did happen?"

Corinne swallowed a sigh and slowly shook her head. "He just… didn't trust me." She stared down at the table, tracing the grain of the wood with her finger. "And I didn't even know that he… that I was…" She released a huff of air. "It's so complicated, Mama." Her dropped her face into her hands. "All I know is that somehow… I ruined everything."

~*~*~*Love's Destiny*~*~*~

"But Sire, we insist!" Havier Dupan called as he trailed after the king, the other members of the council following.

Louis rolled his eyes, not sure why he was smiling, and responded. "Insist? Why doesn't that ever work for me?"

"Your Majesty, this could be a step in the right direction! Just imagine the possibilities! The entertainment, the income, the defence-"

Louis' smile instantly vanished as he whipped around to face the group. "No. I refuse to use it as an instrument of war. My hot air balloon and its designs are staying locked away where they belong."

"But, Your Majesty-"

"That is final!"

"Alright… but about using it as entertainment!"

Louis threw his hands into the air. "Why do I bother?" He spun around and continued towards the throne room, blocking out the overlapping voices behind him. "One of these days there's not going to be a council. But I can guarantee they'll vote out that thought." He put on a little more speed, mentally smiling at the huffing of the older men trying to keep up. Hmm… I wonder what would happen if I started to run- But his thought was cut short as he rounded a corner and ran smack dab into someone, whom after slamming into him, went flailing backwards with a gasp. He didn't have time to see who it was before he jumped forward, his hand wrapping around her waist as he yanked her back forward and a second later, she slammed into his chest. Then he saw it… ice blue eyes framed by silky, white blond locks. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from embarrassment as she stared at him, apparently still in shock over what had occurred in a matter of seconds.

The hallway became deadly silent as she stared up at him. The sight of his deep brown eyes causing her heart to skip a beat. When did he get so tall? She couldn't help but wonder. Even in her heels, her head barely came to his chin. But somehow, he had caught her on her toes, which brought them face to face…

It wasn't til just then that she realized how close they were standing. How close they had been standing for several seconds now… How long it had been they'd beem that close.

She suddenly blinked and looked off to the side, catching a glimpse of the oh-too interested council standing behind him. "Uh…"

That seemed to snap him out of his trance and he instantly released her. "Are… are you alright?"

"Uh… yeah. Of course." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and nodded. "I'm fine." She bit her lip for a second. "I should… be going."

As she turned to hurry away, Louis called after her, "Wait. Weren't you going this way?" He asked, motioning over his shoulder.

She blinked a couple of times and her eyes widened. "Oh! I uh… was actually looking for you."

"You were?"

She nodded. "There's someone in the throne room waiting for you. And she seems rather distraught."

He frowned. "Who?"

She simply shrugged. "She wouldn't. But she's… a mess."

"What kind of a mess?"

"An emotional, makeup mess."

He released a deep groan. "Emotional women."

She shrugged again and led the way down the hall. "It's part of the job, Your Highness."

He gave a start, but said nothing. After four years, you'd think he'd be used to the formalities coming from her. But every time she called him 'Your Highness' or 'Your Majesty'… it felt wrong. And it cut deep inside his heart. Shaking off the feeling, walked into the throne room, and despite Corinne's warning, was completely unprepared for what met him.

"Oh! King Louis!" A voice shrieked, and the next thing he knew, someone's arms were wrapped around him. "Oh! I need help!"

"Gah…" He held his arms up by his head as he looked back at the council for help. "Can… I help you?"

"I hope so!" She sobbed for several seconds as the council pulled her away. "I… I need your help. I didn't know where else I could go!"

He nodded ever so slightly. "First, who are you?"

"Oh…" She straightened up, sucking in a deep breath in attempt to calm herself. "I am Princess June of Galathia."

"How can I help?" He was vaguely aware of Corinne walking over to look out a window, although she kept an eye on the Princess.

She took another breath. "I'm sure you've heard of the clan that's been calling themselves the Roaming Lions."

Louis looked back at the council confused, but they just mirrored his reaction. Even Treville seemed clueless.

June stared at them for a long moment before sighing. "Oh dear. I don't know how to-"

"King Mordeu was removed from his throne a little over a year ago for being a tyrant and stealing from his people," Corinne said suddenly, not turning from the window. "Angry, he formed a clan, which he named the Roaming Lions and attacked his own home, bringing it to ruin." She glanced over her shoulder. "Since then, he and his clan have been circling the outside borders of France, destroying small kingdoms and claiming the land. Those who go against him are destroyed. His army just keeps getting bigger, but it's mainly formed out of fear."

An eerie silence hung in the air as everyone stared at her in shock.

"How do you know this?" Treville asked slowly.

She shrugged. "I know what happens in and around France."

Louis shook his head. "Why wasn't I told of this?"

"Because, until they enter France, it's none of your concern."

The snap back caught Louis off guard and he quickly turned his attention back to June. "How can I help you?"

She wrung her hands together. "I… I received an letter from Mordeu. He… he said he was coming after my home next and… I know I don't have a large enough army to stand against him."

"Are you wanting me to send some of my soldiers?"

"Your Majesty!" Havier Dupan said quickly. "You cannot simply lend your soldiers. If other small kingdoms heard of that, they may become angry that did not do the same for them."

Louis frowned. Why don't I like the tone of his voice? "Then what are you suggesting?"

"The only right way to do this… is to form an alliance."

Corinne couldn't stop herself from spinning around to stare at them.

Louis drew himself up to his full height. "There has to be another way."

Dupan shook his head. "No, Sire. And if you go through with this alliance, it will open the door for you to help the other kingdoms."

"Why can't I-"

"I will explain later." Dupan waved his hands in the air then lowered his voice. "Your Majesty, she came asking for help. It's not often that another royal will lower themselves down to beg, which tells you that she's desperate. If you turn her away… Your own people will rebel against you. I don't see much of a choice here."

Louis quickly turned to Treville, silently begging for help, but the old man shrugged his shoulders.

"I wish I could say he was wrong but… if word does reach the city that you turned her away… the results are unpredictable. The choice is yours, Your Highness."

He didn't know why and he didn't know how his gaze slid over to where Corinne was still standing by the window. The look on her face was unreadable, but there was something in her eyes. Something that resembled the last lights of day disappearing below the horizon, leaving the world cold and dark. A slow sigh escaped her lips as she turned her back to him to stare out the window.

He rubbed his forehead, wishing more than anything that the pounding headache that had recently made itself at home there would go away. "Okay." As the word left his mouth, Corinne's shoulders dropped. Then she turned and walked from the room.

(Ei-yi-yi! SO much for once a week! SOOO sorry for the delay… again! I still haven't had time to read anything. I am trying desperately to get there. But currently, I am WAY behind on a job assignment! :-O

Thank you for all the Reviews! You guys are still the best! Makes this lackey Author very happy!

Laterz!)