Four days passed... nothing happened. Nothing was destroyed. No threats had been made... nothing.
"I'm going to get this dress done right on time!" Viveca said happily "Talk about relief!" she glanced over to where Corinne was pacing back and forth "Isn't that good, Corinne?"
"Mm-hm." the blond mumbled.
With a sigh, she stepped away from the dress "Care to explain why you're pacing like a lion?"
"Why have they stopped?" Corinne asked "Why hasn't there been anymore sabotage?"
"Maybe they gave up?" Viveca suggested slowly "You know, most people would be relieved when there's a break in the riots."
"But it's not good. They're planning something." Corinne stopped her pacing for a moment "I don't like it."
"Are you sure they didn't just give up?" Viveca walked back over to the dress and started pinning some ruffles onto it.
"No. They wouldn't. Someone's got too much at stake." Corinne let out a deep breath "And they wouldn't just hand it up like that."
Viveca froze for a moment then slowly straightened up and turned to look at the blond "Why did you say 'Someone' like that?"
Corinne quirked an eyebrow "Like what?"
"You emphasized it." the brunette squinted at her then gasped "You know who the 'someone' is, don't you?"
That time, both of Corinne's eyebrows raised then she turned and walked from the room.
"She does!" Viveca ran from the room, swinging through the ballroom where Aramina and Renee were "She knows the 'someone'!"
"What?" the two echoed in confusion, then it suddenly registered "Oh!" and they ran after their friend.
The trio found Corinne in the kitchen, her elbows on the counter, her chin in her hands.
"You know?" Remee asked quickly "You know and you didn't tell us?"
"I didn't realize I knew until I said 'Someone'." Corinne answered, tapping the side of her nose thoughtfully "But now, I know for sure." she straightened up "And it all makes sense."
"Well who?" the three said in unison.
She looked around at her friends and let out a deep breath "I don't know if you'll believe me. Everyone else definitely won't."
~*~*~*How to Save a Wedding*~*~*~
"I can't believe the wedding's tomorrow!" Ro rubbed her forehead "It seems like just yesterday that I was sailing here from the island."
"I know." Antonio smiled "But... it's finally here."
Louis grinned and draped an arm over Anotnio's shoulders "Since after tomorrow, he's going to be a boung man..." he laughed as Corinne laid a punch into his arm "Ow!"
"Serves you right." she retorted with a smile.
He just shook his head "Antonio and I are going to do a little sailing. He's trying to make me see what it is he loves so much about the ocean."
Anonio smiled "Well, don't forget. You have to return the favor someday with the sky."
"Sailing the seas, sailing the skies." Ro chuckled "You two are definitely cousins."
"We'll see you two girls at dinner." Louis waved at them then he and Anotnio left the castle.
"Ei-yi-yi." Corinne shook her head "Is it bad that I'm glad they live in two separate kingdoms?"
Ro laughed "The feeling is mutual. Do you want to some with me to see Viveca for the final fitting?"
Corinne nodded "I'd better since I know all the escape routes from that girl's grasp."
~*~*~*How to Save a Wedding*~*~*~
"Peter, please just relax." Queen Danielle said calmly "I am confident that the wedding is in good hands."
Peter nodded ever so slightly "Yes, yes. But I still can't help but wonder who was trying to get rid of Ro and why. And what made them suddenly give up?"
"Perhaps the musketeers scared them." to Danielle's surprise, a chuckle escaped the king.
"I have no doubts of that." the man shook his head in amusement "They can be terrifying."
"Why, Peter. I believe you have warmed up to the girls."
"No. Just learned what they're made of." he turned to look at his wife, a small smile on his face "Don't tell Louis I said this but..." he chuckled again "He's made a wise choice of a queen."
Danielle's eyes widen "Are you serious? You actually agree with Corinne?"
"I do. She's everything Louis needs." the smile on his face grew "And quite frankly, she impressed me by the way she stands up for herself and her friends." he nodded as he turned to his desk "Yes, Louis has chosen well. I just hope he tells her soon. And I want to be there when he does."
~*~*~*How to Save a Wedding*~*~*~
"Wow!" Ro gasped an hour later as she and Corinne ran out into the garden "You weren't kidding!"
Corinne let out a huff of air "I told you. Grabby."
"I still can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow. It's so exciting and scary all at the same time." the princess leaned back against a tree "That sounds crazy, doesn't it?"
"No." Corinne shrugged "Any life changing event makes you feel that way. Becoming a musketeer even. But I've found the excitement generally weighs out the scary."
Ro nodded slowly and glanced around "Corinne? Do you... think that the trouble's over?"
A long moment of silence followed before the other girl answered "No, Ro. I don't."
"A smart young girl." a voice snarled behind them. The two whipped around to see Sterne with two men standing there "Never let down your guard."
Corinne pulled out her sword and looked at the men "Only three, this time Sterne? There were even seven in the kitchen for the kidnapping."
A slight sneer crossed the man's face, his eyes glistened maliciously "Here's a small tip, Blondie. You can't guard everyone at once."
Corinne's eyes widened and she spun around to face the ocean and instantly spotted the ship that was about a mile from the shore. She looked back at the Captain of the Guard behind her "You didn't."
"I may have." he retorted.
Corinne's eyes sparked with anger right before she sprinted down the hill towards the ocean, Ro following close behind.
~*~*~*How to Save a Wedding*~*~*~
"Alright, I admit it." Louis said "This is pretty cool."
"I cannot believe you've been alive twenty-years and have never sailed." Antonio shook his head in amusement "Uncanny."
"I never had the need." Louis shrugged.
"Well, since we're out here alone..." the prince turned to face his cousin "What are you planning to do about Corinne?"
Louis stared at him for a loooooong moment before he sighed "Since I know there's no use lying to you... again. I don't know." he leaned against the side of the ship "Talking with your father the other day made me realize exactly how much I care about her but..."
"But what?" Antonio leaned against the railing beside him.
"It's Corinne, for one thing!" the young king exclaimed "She's a totally different kind of girl. And then there's the Council members who downright object." he huffed "Trust me, I've been arguing with them for three years."
"Wait wait wait. You've been arguing with the council over something you weren't even sure about?!"
"Yep."
"Oh, cousin cousin cousin." Antonio shook her head "Why are you even arguing with them? Why not just go for it?"
"Because I have to have their permission, don't I?"
"Louis, I asked Ro to marry me three times before my father gave his blessing." he shrugged slightly "One time she doesn't know about because her elephant hid the note, but that's beside the point. I even gave up my position as Prince, and I'd do it again." he leaned forward to look at Louis face "Just ask yourself if she's worth that much."
"She is." Louis answered immediately "And I would give up France in a heartbeat, except then Philippe would become king because he is still the next living heir until... I have an heir." he raised an eyebrow and looked over at his cousin "And Corinne would kill me if I allowed the man she broke the law to save me from take the throne."
"Well, then just tell the council you don't care." Antonio grinned "And throw the whole Philippe bit out at them and I doubt they'll object."
"You'd be surprised." the young king murmured under his breath.
"Then ask her, and if she says yes get married here before you go back."
Louis' eyes widened and he stared at his cousin in astonishment "Would I even be able to pull that off?"
"No." a voice spoke behind them "Because you'll be dead before the wedding is even planned."
The two young men looked over their shoulders to see about fifteen men standing on the deck.
"This... is not good." Louis said slowly.
(Okay, I'm guessing two more chapters... maybe three.
Thanks for all the continued support on this story folkz! Laterz!)
