Everything was quiet. Too quiet.
"Why are we going?" Renee asked slowly.
"Because, there's a plot against the prince." Corinne answered "We've trained for this and we're ready."
"Treville will handle it." Renee continued to argue.
"It's our noble duty."
"You know..." Aramina said slowly "It would be dramatic. Returning from exile to save the day!"
"You're not helping, Aramina!" Renee snapped "Did you forget what the king said? We'll be arrested if we step one foot int the castle!"
"But it's a masquerade!" Viveca spoke "All we need are costumes we won't be recognized."
"Exactly." Corinne nodded "And we'll need weapons. Ones that blend in with our costumes." she glanced over at Renee "Renee?"
The dark girl stared at the floor, her jaw set in stubbornness.
"Come on," Corinne pushed "It's what we've been waiting for! This is our chance to prove that girls can be musketeers."
Renee slowly looked up and sighed "Fine! I'll make the weapons. But if we get arrested it's all your fault."
"I can live with that." Corinne smiled brightly.
Aramina skipped forward "Everyone does know how to dance, right?"
Corinne glanced down at the floor, her mind going to that brief dance lesson in the ballroom with Louis. But Aramina misinterpreted the look as a 'I don't know how'. Which was mainly true.
"I'll teach you!" then she sighed "This is wonderful! I always wanted to go to a royal ball! And save the prince."
Corinne laughed "Are we in?"
"I'm in." Viveca nodded.
"I'm in!" Aramina said excitedly.
Renee finally smiled and gave a definite nod "In."
All night long they worked and on into the next day. Dancing and sewing and measuring and crafting. It was enough to make someone's head spin. But they were bound and determined to make it.
Louis sighed as he looked out a window "Another ball."
"Your last." Philippe said smugly. When Louis eyed him curiously he quickly added "As Prince! Your next will be as king!"
"Philippe's right." Edward nodded "By time there's another ball, you and your bride will be running France."
Louis rolled his eyes "I suppose that's true. Doesn't make these things any easier thought." he ran a hand through his hair "Why must I find a bride at this ball?"
-"Because I want you married when you take the throne!" Edward snapped.
"Can't I marry someone I didn't meet at a ball?"
There was a deadly silence in the room. Edward and Philippe's eyes both shrunk to tiny slits.
"Forget that girl, Louis." Edward snapped "She's not for you."
"Why not?"
"Here's just a few things." Philippe answered "She's a maid. She's from the country, no less. She's stubborn. Bull-headed. Quick tempered. And has her own ideas of how things are supposed to be!"
Louis noticed that his father's eyebrows had raised and he looked vaguely amused.
"What is it father?"
"Nothing." Edward shook his head "She sounds like your mother, that is all." then he cleared his throat "But really, Louis. Marrying that girl would only result in chaos. Now go get ready for the ball. It starts in a few hours." then he marched off.
Philippe sent him a warning look then followed.
Louis sighed. How could he forget her? The thing that had attracted him to her was her spirit and blatant honesty.
He shook his head "Time for the ball."
Corinne turned around a few times in front of the mirror looking at the long pink she was now wearing. It looked like an average over-gorgeous ball gown. Complete with layer and sparkles. The mask up sitting on top of her head, giving a bit of a tiara look, making her look every bit like a princess.
As she stood there looking at her reflection, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be a real princess. Or a queen. But as that thought went through her head, an image of Louis went across her mind. Tall. Handsome. Sweet. Kind of awkward in an endearing sort of way but still soooooo cute.
That's when an alarming realization hit her. She had fallen helplessly, irrevocably and completely in love with him. And her burning desire to go to that ball wasn't just to prove that she and her friends could be musketeers, but to make sure nothing happened to Louis.
She took a deep breath and turned around "It's time. Let's do it!"
The others nodded, and looked down at their own ball gowns. Hidden beneath them, withing the pleats of shorter skirts were their weapons. Except for Renee's. Hers was around her neck.
Just then, their door opened and Marie stepped in "Corinne I..." then she froze when she saw them.
Corinne smiled nervously "Hi mom."
"Oh no." Marie breathed then she shook her head "No no no no no! You are not!"
"We have to!"
"You were forbidden!"
"I know. But we have to!" Corinne walked over to her mother "Please Mama. Louis' going to be killed tonight if we don't go."
"What makes you think you can stop it?" Marie asked.
"They won't be expecting us." Corinne glanced back at her friends "And even if we don't succeed. I don't want to be sitting the rest of my life wondering if there was something could have done."
There was a long moment of silence that followed before Marie sighed "Okay. Go. But be careful."
"We will." Corinne smiled then hugged the older woman "Thank you."
Marie shook her head then left the room.
"Hair time!" Viveca suddenly announced.
Corinne looked back at her "What?"
"I am doing your hair!" Viveca answered, grabbing her arm "Come sit."
"But my hair is fixed." Corinne argued.
"Buns are no style for a royal ball!" Viveca quickly yanked the bun out and brushed through the curls.
"Ow!" Corinne tried to move away from the fashionista, but the brunette was stubborn.
"Okay." Viveca said a few moments later "Do you own any jewelry?"
"What do you think?" Renee retorted as she clipped on some earrings.
"Oh." Viveca walked over to the chest, which was a replacement for the one Corinne had smashed, that was sitting at the foot of the blond's bed and opened it "Let's see... what's this?"
Corinne glanced over her shoulder then gasped and spun around "No!"
Viveca was holding a rectangular box "What's in here?"
"Nothing." Corinne said quickly "Please put it back."
But Viveca had already opened it "Oh wow! This is perfect!" then returned to her charge.
Corinne bit her lip. She could only hope that Louis didn't recognize the jewelry because there was no way she could tell her friends where it had come from. There would be no end to the banter and questions.
Twenty minutes later, Viveca had the sides of Corinne's hair pulled back and twisted into a small bun that was woven with ribbons and pearls. The hair pins from Louis were holding back her escapee blond strands and Viveca forced her to put on the bracelet.
"Oh, beautiful!" Viveca exclaimed when she was done "Now, let's go!"
Corinne stood up from the seat and glanced in the mirror "You killed my hair!"
"No. I fixed it." The brunette slid a double pearl headband onto her own head "You should wear it down more often."
"Prince Louis would have a heart attack." Aramina added, fluttering her eyelashes.
Corinne glared at her "Can we go? Please?"
"Yes, let's." Renee nodded "The sun has set and the ball has started."
Aramina jumped with excitement "I can't wait to save the prince!"
Louis was standing with his parents in the ballroom, semi-listening as the announcer introduced the people as they entered.
"Madame Agnes De'sonya." the man shouted.
Agnes came floating down the stairs in a dark purple dress that had a large Elizabethan collar sticking from the back.
Her hair was piled into a large curly bun on top of her head, dotted with clear gems, making it look like someone has dropped tiny stars on her head.
She had several strands of necklaces adorning her neck and almost every finger had a ring. She also wore many many bracelets. She had a mask covered in large white and purple feathers.
All in all, she did look beautiful... except for the self-satisfied smirk on her face which let everyone know that she thought she was better than the others.
"Doesn't Agnes look beautiful?" Edward said.
Annabelle and Louis looked at the girl then back at him "Eh."
"Your Majesties!" Agnes said as she joined them "It's so nice to see you!"
"Agnes." Edward nodded "Louis, why don't you dance with Agnes?" he glanced around "Where did he go?"
Annabelle shrugged, an impish grin on her face "How am I to know?"
Louis rolled his eyes from where he was ducked down behind the full skirt of Annabelle's dress.
"Oh, I'll find him!" Agnes said happily "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll be engaged by midnight!"
Louis started choking on a cough, so Annabelle quickly covered her mouth and cleared her throat.
"Are you alright, Dear?" Edward asked, looking at her strangely "That's a nasty cough you have."
"Oh yes." Annabelle laughed nervously, slowly backing towards the buffet tables "I'll just uh.. get some punch." once she reached the tables, Louis crawled under them and to the other side.
"Thank you, mom." He said as he straightened up.
Annabelle waved him off as she got herself a cup of punch "I don't like that girl anymore than you do." she was about to get a sip when she noticed her son staring at something "What? Please tell me Agnes ripped her dress." but when she turned around, she saw what her son was looking at.
Four girls were standing at the top of the stairs whispering about something.
She looked back at Louis "Which one is he staring at?"
The blond suddenly put a funny smile on her face and floated over to the announcer. Louis' gaze followed.
"Lady Bar-B-Que!" the man announced.
The girl curtsied, a plastered smile on her face.
Annabelle's eyebrows raised "Barbeque?"
"Duchess Ivana Partee!"
"I Wanna Party?" the queen's eyebrows rose a bit more.
"Abby Birthday!"
"Happy Birthday?"
"And Countess Hedda Lettuce."
Annabelle chuckled "Well that one doesn't need an interpretation."
"Who is that?" Louis asked.
"Um..." she thought a moment "Lady... Barbeque. I think."
"I'll be right back." Louis quickly walked around the buffet tables and across the floor.
"Yeah right."
"We're in." Corinne whispered to her friends "We've got crazy names, but we're in."
Helene walked past then "Girls. Eyes and ears open?"
They looked at her shocked then nodded.
"Good." the old maid walked away, continuing to serve the appetizers.
"How many people do you think recognize us?" Renee whispered.
"Well, Treville didn't." Corinne pointed out. They had accidentally passed the captain in the hall, but thankfully he thought they were just some of the party goers "Just be sure to keep your eyes open for the real sword." then she turned and looked around.
Louis was slowly making his way across the room. He was blocked back a couple girls who had been arguing since they'd entered the ballroom.
She watched him til she noticed that he was suddenly walking their way. She quickly turned around, watching as he came closer from the corner of her eye.
"May I have the honor?" Louis asked, hlding his hand out.
Corinne turned around, looked at him and smiled. Then she realized everyone was watching "Uh... sure." then she took his hand and followed him to the dance floor.
The other three looked at each other shocked then watched their friend start dancing with the prince.
"Hand on shoulder." She thought as she stepped into the starting pose "Other hand in his." She was having the worse time trying not to smile to brightly as they slowly started dancing.
"Your name is Lady Bar B'que?" Louis asked.
"Huh?" She looked up at him and smiled "Yes. Of course."
"I don't recall the name but you look familiar. Have we met?"
"Uh... No!" She shook her head "Your Highness."
"Are you certain?"
"Oh yeah." she chuckled "Believe me." then her gaze flicked to her right hand, which was in his. The bracelet seemed to be mocking her. Once again, she prayed he wouldn't see it.
"So... how many balls have you been to?" he asked.
"This is my first, actually."
"Oh really?" he smiled "You dance well."
"Thanks to some of my friends."
They lapsed into another round of silence before he looked down at her and smiled "So... where are you from?"
"Well... my family comes from... Italy." she answered, really hating this lie she was having to conjure up.
"Really?" His eyes lit up "I've never been to Italy. How is it?"
"Um... Italian." she flashed a smile.
"Do you have any other family out there?"
"Ye-ah. Our Cousins are out there too. The..." she looked around quickly and spotted Helene with the appetizers "Pepperonis!" she instantly regretted saying something so stupid!
He just smiled "Fascinating."
Their eyes met for a moment before she looked down at the floor, heat creeping into her cheeks.
"So..." he ventured "Are you enjoying your first ball?"
She looked back up at him and nodded "Surprisingly yes." she chuckled "But it's not something I'd want to do often."
"What?" His eyes started to sparkle with mischief "You don't enjoy dancing?" then he quickly spun her around.
She laughed and she forgot everything else.
Treville, the plot. Being banned. Even watching for the real sword.
"Look at them!" Aramina whispered "They are sooo cute!"
"I agree." Renee nodded "And I do believe she's smitten."
The three stood quietly watching as the couple danced. It was apparent that they were catching almost everyone's attention. But it was also easy to see why.
One was because it was prince dancing. But other than that, every time he sent her spinning, her light pink dress just seemed to billow around her. Her long blond hair caught the candle light, creating a bit of a halo.
But the thing that was the most attractive was the sparkle in both of their eyes and the smiles lighting their faces.
Every time they faced each other, their eyes were connected like a set of magnets. It was nearly impossible not to watch.
"Well," Edward said as he too observed "I believe our son has found an interest."
Annabelle smiled "You call that just an interest?"
Agnes huffed and her eyebrows lowered. Now what was she supposed to do? Obviously the Prince was smitten with the blond. But there was something familiar about her too.
"What was her name again?" Edward asked.
"Lady Bar B'que." Annabelle answered, a large grin on her face "I like her."
"As do I."
For the next two hours, Louis only danced with Corinne. He wouldn't let anyone else dance with her either. Several young men tried. All failed.
Finally the announcer shouted "The Annual sword dance!"
Corinne glanced around quickly, remembering she was supposed to be watching for the sword.
"I don't suppose..." Louis said with a smile.
Corinne laughed "Why not."
Another young man approached "May I?"
"Perhaps another time, my friend." Louis responded.
Philippe made his way over to Agnes "Care to dance?" he said in a fake voice to keep the king and queen from recognizing him.
Agnes huffed "Go away you beggar."
"Agnes." he hissed.
She looked at him behind the mask "Oh. It's you."
"It's almost time." he whispered "I just need to get close to him."
"Fine fine fine." she put her arm through his elbow "Just don't step on my feet. These are new shoes imported from Greece!"
Philippe just rolled his eyes and drug her to the dance floor.
The first part of the dance was going normal. No sign of the fake decoration anywhere.
"Are they planning on doing something after the ball?" Corinne wondered, then she saw it.
About a quarter of an inch above the blue cover was the shiny silver of a real sword. And he was so close "Uh... shall we get some punch?" she asked Louis, putting on her best smile.
Louis just laughed "But the dance isn't over yet."
"Plan B." Corinne glanced over at Aramina and slightly nodded towards the man with the sword.
Aramina nodded back then abandoned her dance partner and spun over to Philippe while Agnes was facing the other direction "May I cut in?" she asked in her most flattering tone.
When Agnes turned and saw her dance partner had been taken she huffed then stormed off.
Aramina grinned to herself then prepared for her next move. She stepped forward, stepping on the man's foot as hard as she possibly could.
"Ow!" Philippe cried, backing away.
"Sorry." Aramina shrugged "I'm not much of a dancer."
"Excuse me." Growled, then he walked away.
"What is he doing?" Aramina wondered.
Philippe motioned to Bertram who nodded and pointed at the announcer who then shouted "Begin the fireworks!"
Another man outside echoed the command to another. A few moments later, colors began to explode across the sky.
Philippe grinned as he made his way towards his cousin, paying no mind to the girl standing next to him. He pulled his sword out, ready to jab it into the back of the unsuspecting prince.
(Wow. Long chapter. Oh well, let the action begin! I was given an idea for the roof scene, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that it will work even better in Twisted Fate, so... (hope you don't mind, person who's name escapes me. ;)
On another subject, with a heavy heart I declare that Trials of Love has been... eliminated. :( So, the remaining contestants are 1. Twisted Fate 2. Finding Who I Am 3. Cinderella-Musketeer Sequel.
Don't forget to vote and let me know if you would like to read some spoilers.
Laterz!)
