"All musketeers at attention!" Treville shouted and immediately all the musketeers lined up, standing as straight as possible. Except for the girls who was standing in their small group with either their hands on their hips or arms crossed.

It had been two weeks and it was time for the musketeers annual testing in which the king had to be present. It was also time for Chad to show if he was ready to join the rank of the blue tunicked men.

"First, we will bring up Chad." Treville announced "And his challenger will be Jaques."

Chad nodded and went to stand ready while the musketeer stretched his muscles, a smug look on his face.

Corinne ran over to Chad and said quietly "Jaques isn't nearly as big or good as he looks. Like everyone, he's got a weak spot." then she smiled "And they're not always physical."

Chad nodded "Alright."

Louis watched as the two approached each other, their swords drawn and ready.

"I'm still not sure he's got what it takes." over the past two weeks his mood had become increasingly more sour… and there were few who didn't notice.

Treville shook his head "Then I guess he'll have to go back to training then."

Louis' eyebrows rose as he watched the dual continue "Wait… if Chad gets in then his training is over."

Treville's eyebrows lurched "He will start training with the rest of the men."

"Well, Captain! Make the man a musketeer already!"

The older man just slapped his hand to his forehead "Yes… Sire."

The match ended with Chad holding Jaques's sword and a triumphant smile on his face.

"Chad! You've passed. You are now a musketeer!"

"Yes!" he cheered as the others applauded then he ran over to Corinne and hugged her "Thank you!"

Corinne laughed a little uncomfortably but smiled "No problem, Chad."

Treville walked over to them and handed the boy his tunic and hat as well as a sword "Welcome to the musketeers, Son."

"Thank you, Monsieur." Chad bowed then took the objects and straightened up happily.

Corinne cocked her head to the side and slight concerned feeling coming over her as she watched him stand there. She wasn't sure what it was… but something started bothering her.

She watched him closely as he competed in several more matches, each one he became the victor, and with each match his chin lifted a little bit and his shoulders drew further back.

Louis couldn't help but notice that Corinne couldn't seem to take her eyes off the new blond musketeer. She watched him intently… too intently. And it didn't help hiss mood at all.

After Chad's matches were done, Treville motioned him over to stand by him then lifted a hand in the air "Corinne D'artagnon! You're up!"

She grinned and ran to the middle of the are, swinging her sword around on her finger,

The men were all muttering under their breaths something along the lines of 'Don't choose me', until finally the biggest of the musketeers stepped forward, a cocky grin on his face "I'll give it a go." He stood a solid six foot eight and weighed nearly three hundred pounds off muscle.

Treville frowned "Corinne?"

Corinne bowed slightly "My pleasure."

The Musketeer twisted his head back and forth, the muscles in his neck popped, making sounds like tree branches snapping "Alright, Blondie. Let's go."

Corinne raised an eyebrow "I'm just waiting for you, Cain."

"And I thought you had a temper."

"One thing I learned, to channel my anger into energy." then her eyebrow lowered "But I can only channel so much of it." and with that the fight was on.

Cain swung hard blows at her, all of which she blocked easily.

From where he stood watching, Chad laughed slightly "She's good."

"No, she's really good." Louis responded.

Chad shrugged "She's great."

"Amazing." the young king said with a slight growl in his voice.

"Extraordinary." the musketeer responded the same way.

Treville's eyebrows lurched as he looked back and forth between the two. As the list grew, their glares intensified and their voices hardened.

"Exceptional."

"Outstanding."

"Awesome."

"Superb."

"Superior."

"Stupefying."

"Astonishing."

"Intimidating."

"Awe-inspiring."

"Fascinating."

"Marvelous."

"Wonderful."

"Sensational."

"First class."

"Best ever."

"First rate."

"Out of this world."

"Unreal."

"And is standing right in front of you." Corinne's voice suddenly cut into their argument.

The two boys both looked at her in shock before they both flushed red with embarrassment.

Corinne shook her head "Just in case you care. I won." then she dropped both swords on the ground in front of them and walked away.

"This is your fault." Louis whispered.

"No it's not. You started it." Chad retorted.

"I did not. You did!"

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"Did not.'

"STOP IT!" Corinne shouted from where she was now standing several yards away "I can hear you from here!"

Both young men crossed their arms and stared into training field with sour expressions on their face.

"Ugh!" Corinne rubbed her forehead "Unbelievable!"

"Ooh, another one!" Aramina said bubbly as she wrote quickly on a piece of paper.

"What's that?" Renee asked slowly.

"Oh, I was writing down all the words that they were saying for amazing. And Corinne just said another one! That brings it to twenty-four!"

Viveca laughed "Well, Aramina. You're story should be good. It's a love drama."

"It is not a love drama." Corinne responded "All it is is… I don't know what, but I'm going to lose it if it goes too much longer."

After all the trial runs were over, Chad glanced at the king then ran over to the girls "Hey, Corinne?"

"Mm-hm?"

"Do you think that we could continue training… even though I'm a musketeer now?"

Louis frowned as he stared at them.

Corinne shrugged "I don't see why not." then she smiled "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Great." Chad grinned brightly "See ya." then he jogged off, sending a triumphant smile at the king that no one else saw.

Louis' frown deepened as he turned his attention back to the blond girl. She looked over at him and raised an eyebrow then shrugged as if asking "What?"

He just shook his head, stood up and returned to the castle.

"I'm with you." Renee whispered to Viveca "Love Drama."

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

The next morning Chad walked past Louis and smiled while holding up a rose "What do you think?"

Louis raised an eyebrow "Enjoy the funeral. Sorry for your loss." and he continued walking.

Chad snorted "Its for Corinne."

Louis stopped abruptly and looked back at the young man "Oh. Then enjoy your funeral." and he went on his way.

Chad shook his head and followed the king "I don't know a girl who doesn't like roses."

"Then try the one who weeds the garden every weekend." Louis once again stopped and looked back at him with a smug smile "Oh wait. But then you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"It's the thought that counts."

"Yeah yeah, sure. How many thoughts have you taken for your burial plot?"

"Hey guys." Corinne said as she entered the hall where they stood "What's going on?"

"Oh nothing, just a friendly chat." Louis responded, but his face completely defied his words.

"Okaaay." Corinne said slowly.

"Oh, Corinne. I… got this for you." Chad held the rose out to her and smiled "I… hope you like it. It's a thank you gift."

Corinne smiled and took the flower "Thanks, Chad. That's really sweet." then she left them.

Chad flashed the king his winning smile "Burn."

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

Corinne stifled a yawn as she stepped into the apartment "Long day."

"Not over quite yet." Aramina said "Check the desk."

She did as instructed and saw a large bouquet of two dozen roses sitting there. With a raised eyebrow she walked over to them and picked up the card that was tied to a piece of ribbon. It simply said 'From King Louis'.

With a sigh she dropped the card then went and collapsed onto her bed "This is going to be a LONG week."

And she was right. Everyday, Louis or Chad would do something, and immediately the other would do something similar just more extravagant than the one before. It went from roses to candy to her horse to her apartment to dinner to… well everything.

Aramina was happily writing it all down and Corinne… was gritting her teeth til they hurt. Renee and Viveca just stood by and watched with amusement.

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

"Alright Chad," Treville said "You are in charge of guarding the king today. All the new musketeers do it at least once."

Chad smiled and bowed "My honor, Captain."

"Good." Treville rubbed his forehead "Just go into his office and… sit there. Make sure he just sits there… and neither one of you move or say anything." with that he turned and hurried away as if he was afraid to stick around.

Chad entered the office and took his position.

Louis glanced up at him, a slight smile coming over his face "Oh, Dailey. I wasn't aware you were my guard today."

"Treville told me to just stand here and make sure you sit there and for you not to move or say anything."

Louis chuckled somewhat evilly "I have a better idea." he stood from his desk and pulled out a sword from who-knows-where "I challenge you to a dual."

"What!?" Chad laughed in disbelief "You Majesty, I would have you beat in a matter of second."

"Don't be so sure, Dailey." Louis said with a smirk "We've both had the same teacher. Except I've got two years over you."

"She taught you how to fight?"

"Corinne has a habit of getting bored. So she taught me to sword fight." Louis held up the weapon "What do you say, Dailey? Or are you too scared to try?"

Chad's eyebrows lowered "Ready your sword, Sire. And prepare to lose."

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

"Corinne, are you okay?" Aramina asked as she and the blond strolled around the yard.

"Mm-hm." Corinne nodded "Just wondering how long this is going to last."

"I wish someone would do that for me." Aramina pouted "But Harvey isn't jealous enough… even though I tried really hard."

Corinne shook her head "I am up to my ears in gifts from those two outdoing each other. It'd be funny if it was anyone else. But me? You know how I am about this stuff."

"Just be yourself." Aramina answered "I know. But maybe..."

"Wait." Corinne suddenly silenced her friend and looked towards the castle.

"What is it?" the red head whispered.

"Listen."

Very slowly she heard what sounded like a clock ticking "What about it? It's just a clock."

"No. That's not a clock. That's swords." all of the sudden Corinne's eyes widened "They're not!" then she took off at a run for the castle.

"Who aren't what?" Aramina called after her "Oh well."

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

The fight in the castle had become more heated as the two men faced each other. Their swords met with more force then needed, their heated glares more intense then they should have been.

Chad turned out to be a worthy opponent, as did Louis, and neither one could seem to get the advantage over the other… simply due to the fact that they were fighting over the same thing.

"You will go down." Chad growled.

"Not til you do." Louis retorted.

Their swords continued to smash together, bright red sparks from the metals flew into the air, threatening the curtains, ceiling and the papers which were now scattered all across the room.

As their swords came together once again, a third golden sword suddenly appeared among the blades. In one move both of the men's swords were thrown into the air then almost instantly pinned to the wall, the third blade holding them there by their handles.

They looked over in shock at the girl who now stood in the room. Her icy eyes were dark with aggravation and they flashed with anger.

They looked over at their swords which were still dangling from her blade and slowly turned their attention back to her.

"What is with you two!?" she suddenly exclaimed "You're acting like a set of five year olds!"

They looked at each other then pointed accusing fingers "He started it!"

"Just like children." she growled, then she pointed towards the door "Chad, go. I'll deal with you in a minute."

"Corinne..."

"LEAVE!" her angry voice echoed around the small room and the musketeer instantly ducked his head and ran from the room. She slammed the door behind him and turned to face the young king "What is wrong with you?!"

He was taken aback "What do you mean?"

"Why on earth would you challenge Chad to a dual?"

"Who says I did the challenging?"

"Because he wouldn't have done it because it could have been considered an attack on the king and he could be thrown in the dungeon for treason!" she threw her hands into the air "Look, we've already got a confusing case going on here. The last thing I need is you and Chad acting like a couple of spoiled brats!"

"Oh, I'm acting like a spoiled brat?" Louis retorted "What about your new friend there, huh? Acting like he's mister big now that he wears a tunic."

"You're acting the same way mister Your-crown-is-getting-too-small-for-your-head. I do not need this right now, Louis! There is too much going on for me to constantly have to keep breaking you two apart!"

"Well maybe if you weren't too busy neglecting your duties you wouldn't have to!"

Her jaw dropped in disbelief and she quickly shook her head "Excuse me!? I have never neglected my duties whether it was on the farm or here in Paris!"

"Oh, really? Then how what about you spending all your time training Chad?"

"Those were my orders!"

"Your orders were that you were my bodyguard."

"And the Captain's orders were for me to train the new recruit! Orders you agreed to, Your Highness!" hr opened his mouth to respond but she cut him off "I am done talking about this." she yanked the door open and looked over her shoulder "And you might want to get busy. This room is a mess." with that she walked out and slammed the door behind her so hard that several papers flew across the room and the windows rattled.

Louis let out a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair "Oops."

~*~*~*Love's Fate*~*~*~

"Corinne!" Chad called as soon as he saw her leave the castle.

"Do not even talk to me right now, Dailey." she snapped as she stormed past him.

"Hey, wait." he ran in front of her in an attempt to stop her, but she simply pushed him out of the way and kept going "Please! Let me explain!"

She stopped and spun around to face him with her arms crossed "Explain what, Chad? You think I don't know what you and the king have been going on about this whole time? Do you think I've somehow missed it?"

He held his hands up in surrender "May I explain?"

"You have fifteen seconds so make it fast."

"Look. I'm sorry. But I couldn't help it. You are the most amazing person I've ever met in my life."

"Chad, I told you that there was not, could not and never would be anything between you and me. I thought I made that clear!" her eyes sparked angrily.

"I know and you did. I just had to try. You should understand that, Corinne. Going after something that everyone tells you you can't have until you find out one way or another."

"No, Chad. I don't." she growled "I told you that there was no chance for you and me and you didn't listen! Instead you go and start dueling with the king!"

"He was challenging my integrity!"

"Well your integrity has been compromised." she shook her head "It would have been better for you to walk away because now… you have no integrity." then she turned on her heel and left. When she reached the apartment, she slammed the door so hard it caused her friends to jump and stare at her.

"Ooh." Aramina whispered "That did not end well."

"What didn't?" Renee asked.

"Louis and Chad were sword fighting!" Corinne exclaimed "You should see his office! They completely trashed it!" she walked further into the room "Stupid stupid stupid boys!" then she snatched an apple off of her desk "This belong to anybody?"

"Not mine." Renee said.

"Didn't put it there." Viveca added.

"Don't even know where it came from." Aramina said, quickly scribbling in her book.

Corinne took an angry bite and continued her pacing "Can you believe those two! Such arrogant, bull headed men!"

Very slowly the three girls all turned and looked at her as she continued to rant. Each one getting a slightly confused look on their faces for as she continued to pour out her aggravataion and anger and very thick French accent began to come into her voice.

"And did they even think to ask me what I thought about this? No!" she shouted "Even thought I did tell Chad! But did he care one iota? Absolutely not!"

"Since when did she have a French accent?" Renee whispered.

"I guess it comes when she gets angry." Aramina replied.

Viveca eyes widened as she looked at the red head "You mean to tell me we've never seen her angry before?"

Then all three very slowly put more space between them and the fuming blond.

"I am so mad I could spit nails!" she growled.

"Please don't." Aramina whispered.

"Corinne, just calm down." Renee spoke up "Think about something else. Gotten any results on your list of felons?"

"Yes. And all of them are exactly where they're supposed to be." Corinne responded, the accent fading from her voice "In prison, under house arrest or out of the country. Or one guy died last week so… yeah."

"Then it must be something else." Viveca said as she turned back to her sewing.

"Yeah." Aramina nodded. She dipped her quill in ink and tapped her nose with the feather til she sneezed "What about Cain? He called you Blondie the other day."

"But why would Cain want revenge on Corinne?" Viveca asked "It seems the attacks would be aimed at all of us if he were angry at the girls for constantly making him look like an idiot."

"True."

"We'll just have to keep looking and watching." Renee said as she wrote some notes into her book "Just keep our eyes and ears open."

"We should ask Helene for advice next time we go down for training." Viveca piped up "She might have some ideas."

The room suddenly fell silent and the girls realized that Corinne hadn't said a word in the past five minutes, which was highly unusual when she was trying to calm down.

"Corinne?" Aramina said slowly, instantly noticing how pale the blond had become "Are you okay?"

Corinne just blinked and looked over at her as if she couldn't comprehend what had just been said.

"Corinne?" Viveca took a step towards her friend "What's wrong?"

Renee was now standing too, the concern evident on her face "Corinne."

Corinne sucked in a shaky breath and let it out slowly, then without warning she suddenly collapsed to the floor.

"Corinne!" the three cried in alarm as they instantly ran to her.

"Corinne, can you hear me?" Aramina cried anxiously.

"I can't believe it." Viveca said quietly "She passed out."

"No." Renee picked up the apple that Corinne had had in her hand and looked at the one place where she had taken a bite out of it "She was poisoned."

(Whoo. Really long chapter. Mainly a filler to show how jealous the two boys are :D SO what did you think? If you have any ideas for some more competition between the two, let me know! And I know. Major Snow White moment. But hey… it's classic :)

And to answer Bookfreak147: Yes, I'm planning on it. Just been more focused on Country Chaos, which is posted on FictionPress. But I am planning on coming back to it… eventually. What more I had written on it was... *drumroll* on my flashdrive that is now broken :( But, yes As soon as Country Chaos is over I will be getting back to it. AND same story goes for Ashes and Gold. I've been trying to rewrite that chapter I lost but it just isn't as good :( but I AM working on it.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for all the favs follows and review guyz!

Laterz!

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