"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."
Marcus Aurelius
CHAPTER XXI
"I have to agree." At the sound of the King's voice, everyone present stood up at once.
Louis waved his hand and smiled benevolently. "You may all be seated. I have a very sincere desire to be part of the fun…it has been ever so long since I have played any type of parlor game. Blame this beautiful creature."
The King beamed at Milady, prompting her to slant her green eyes up at him through her long, dark eyelashes. She moved a fraction closer, allowing her to nestle her compact body against his shoulder. "Yes, Milady is so captivating that I very selfishly kept her all to myself during the first part of our stay. But this afternoon, I want be entertained, and to enjoy the warmth of fellowship with my guests. Who would like the honor of setting up chairs for his King and the lovely Milady de Winter?"
Porthos stifled a groan and got up quickly, a smile pasted onto his face. "Allow me, Your Majesty." The Viscount jumped up to assist him, and the monarch and his mistress soon were comfortably ensconced in two very regal armchairs.
Louis looked around the circle and giggled. "Don't mind me…continue on as you were. I'd like to observe the players for a bit before I ask any questions."
"A wise decision, Sire," murmured Milady, her voice full of admiration. "You are always so thoughtful. It is easy to see why the people love you so."
Charlotte bit her tongue in order to resist the temptation to roll her eyes. How in the world was Athos ever married to this woman? It beggars all belief!
As if reading her thoughts, Athos leaned over and whispered,"I plead temporary insanity. It is the only explanation I can live with."
"I believe you should go next, Charlotte," said Aramis, giving her a mischievous smile. "Ten points to you if you get Athos to drink!" Although he was attempting to be discreet, he whispered so loudly that the entire room heard him.
"Hmmm…" Charlotte glanced at her husband, and murmured under her breath, "How much is it worth to you to have me deflect attention away from you right now?"
"That would be…priceless," he muttered, giving her his most irresistible smile, his blue eyes glowing with warmth at her kind gesture.
"I thought so," she replied in a low voice, then confidently turned to the rest of the group. "Never have I ever flirted with my medical attendant while under the influence of painkillers."
She sat back in her chair and smiled sweetly at Athos, who narrowed his eyes at her as he drank a gulp of his wine.
"Porthos, raise your glass," commanded the Comte de la Fère imperiously.
"What for?" demanded Porthos, bewildered. "I've never flirted with Charlotte!"
"No..but perhaps with Aramis?" inquired Athos, smirking. Some titters spread through the group.
The big man rolled his eyes. "That stopped being fun about four and a half years ago…Aramis never gets my double-entendres."
"I am not asking if it is fun for you," rejoined the elder man, a stern expression on his face. "I am asking if you have ever done such a thing."
Gritting his teeth, Porthos grudgingly raised his glass. "Guilty as charged," and took a swig, winking at the marksman. "But some advice, Aramis—next time, just play along...even if you don't understand the references."
Aramis studiously ignored his comrade, as he was busy singing "Frere Jacques" to himself.
Sighing, Porthos looked at Denise. "I suggest you go. We need a breath of fresh air here."
"Very well." She furrowed her brow in thought. "Hmm…never have I ever taken an animal with me to church."
"Are we speaking of animals in the true sense of the word?" asked Aramis brightly. "Or are we speaking of the human sort of animal? Rochefort isn't here, is he?" he asked, blinking as he tried to focus on the faces around the circle.
Denise giggled. "The animal sort." She then drank out of her glass, as did Prince Radziwill.
"Oh, we must have explanations!" exclaimed the King. "The idea is just so comical!"
The pretty seamstress' face flushed. "Well, my young daughter has a rabbit she is very fond of, and she smuggled it into church last Christmas Eve. It was quite the hit with the congregation."
Milady gave her a cold glance. "Country people are so easily amused."
The Prince, sensing Denise's discomfort, spoke up. "Well, my falcon goes everywhere with me. She is a fixture in my parish church."
"Let me ask you something," murmured the Viscount. "Are you married?"
"Not yet," replied the Prince defensively. "But it is just a matter of time."
"A word of advice, my friend," observed Andrés with a smile, reaching for Annette's hand. "You may want to leave the bird of prey behind when you are wooing your sweetheart. Porthos, your turn."
The musketeer tapped his glass thoughtfully, then brightened noticeably. "Never have I ever adopted a disguise as a portly matron in order to enchant-and subsequently arrest-a Spanish merchant selling goods on the black market."
Athos buried his face in his hands. "God, why me?" he muttered. Taking in a deep breath, he said in a distinct, clear voice, "No details will be forthcoming, so do not even deign to ask. But yes, it happened in Avignon." He took a swig of wine as general laughter erupted, then set down his glass, glowering at Porthos. "Just so you know, you are a dead man," he murmured. "Viscount, I think you should go next. We need to break this pattern of very thinly disguised personal attacks."
"I am happy to oblige," replied the Dutchman, offering a gracious smile. "Let me see…never have I ever eaten pickled herring…on a beach…after dark."
"I thought we were done with targeted attacks!" protested Prince Radziwill. "I told you a story in confidence, and you filed it away in your brain to use to your own personal advantage!"
The Viscount began to laugh hysterically. "How is a story about a family trip to the Baltic Sea when you were five a state secret? "
He received a glare in return. "See if I ever open my heart to you again." The Prince drank, then looked around the circle. "Who hasn't gone yet? Doña Enriquez, are you up to the task?"
"Certainly," she answered without hesitation, and immediately launched into her question. "Never have I ever kissed someone I didn't like."
Aramis promptly drank. "All in the line of duty-for France, of course," he noted with a grin. Porthos and all three falconers raised their goblets in unison. In the meantime, Milady's alluring green eyes flicked over to Athos' face for just an instant. She lifted her glass to her lips, then drank, conspicuously avoiding his gaze. He followed suit. "Your turn, Athos!" called out Aramis merrily.
He thought for a moment, then said slowly, "Never have I ever done something in haste that I have regretted for the rest of my life." Before anyone could react, he drank his entire glass in one go, then reached for the bottle closest to him. An awkward silence descended upon the group, and Tamara impulsively called out, "My turn! Never have I ever broken a piñata."
She saluted her brother and sister-in-law, then acknowledged Aramis, who had also raised his glass.
After they drank, the King spoke up. "I believe Milady is quite anxious to join in—aren't you, my dear? I sense your anticipation has been growing during the last several rounds."
"Once again, you can read me like a book," she answered him, blushing prettily on cue. "You do me a great honor, Your Majesty."
"It is nothing you haven't earned with your hard work over the past twenty four hours," he murmured, kissing her hand lingeringly. "You have been quite a saucy little diversion."
Porthos caught Athos' eye for just an instant, and he shook his head slightly.
Milady, meanwhile, pouted her full lips, arching an eyebrow at the King as she pondered her next move. "I have one. Never have I ever been in love with another man's wife. Ah, If only d'Artagnan were here." She put her hand over her heart and sighed tragically. "How I hope that missing little Gascon is found safe and sound."
She looked around the circle, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Why so shy, my brave men? I cannot help but think that there are quite a few of you that should be raising their glasses right about now. But perhaps that is the problem…maybe I need to make the question a little more—individual, shall we say. Athos, you look particularly wistful, but I may have a question that will strike a chord with you-or perhaps someone close to you." Pausing for a few moments, she stared at her ex-husband, her eyes cold with hate. "Never have I ever sentenced someone I loved to death. No, wait, let me be a bit more specific….Never have I ever sentenced someone I loved to die for a crime that he or she did not commit."
That turned from fun to dark very quickly...thank you for continuing to read along! Let me know what you thought if you have a moment..