Hey,

The end is not far away and it seams that we have more readers than ever. I'm so happy about that. Todays chapter is after the whole action calm and a little bit sad. I'm curious what you will say. For the locations and outfits just visit my Tumblr account or also Pinterest. Your free to choose.

Chapter 21: Mourning

Anne awoke in her bed in Chateau Fontainebleau and opened her eyes. Turning her head, she looked out of the window at a cloudy sky with not a single ray of sunshine. Very fitting, she thought. She flipped back the covers and got out of bed, wrapping her bathrobe around her shoulders. She didn't really feel like breakfast, but she realized that she should try to eat at least a little. It was already rather late in the morning and she should get ready for the funeral service. After putting on a little makeup, she walked over to her wardrobe for the outfit Constance had organized for today; a black skirt with white ornaments, a black turtleneck body with long sleeves, puffed at the shoulders and a casual black suede jacket, with black earrings, a matching necklace and black ankle boots as the finishing touches.

Just as Anne walked into the sitting room, a servant entered. "Madame, your assistant requested to bring you some breakfast," he said, placing a pot of coffee and a small bowl with fruits and pastries on a small table, before he retreated silently. Anne took out her cellphone and sent a text message to Constance, thanking her for always being so considerate.

Message sent, she sat down at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee. A few sips immediately made her feel better, so she decided to try the pastries as well. She opened the newspaper and started to skim through it, although she didn't really read anything, just looking for a diversion.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Constance was glad that her and Anne's outfits had arrived in time. It had all been very short notice, so she had had to improvise. After a rather short night, she was still in bed. As nice as the night had been, this day would not be as pleasant for all concerned. Constance was thinking most of all of D'Artagnan. Today was the funeral of his colleague and he was one of the pallbearers. Constance sighed. She did not like attending such occasions and did so this time only for Anne and D'Artagnan's sake. She knew that it had to be especially difficult for Anne, since her friend always worried.

Constance was slipping into a black dress with a silver flower print, when her cellphone lighted up with a text message from Anne, thanking her for breakfast. She was relieved to know that her friend had managed to eat something. Sitting on the bed, she put on black overknee boots. A hat would hide the fact that she was having something of a bad hair day. After putting on earrings and a string of pearls, she put a few essentials into a black clutch and checked her watch. Half an hour before the funeral service would start. She grabbed a jacket and left her apartment.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

At Louis' insistence, the funeral service was held at the chateau. Constance entered the Trinity Chapel and saw that it was already filling up. All employees as well as friends and relatives of the deceased had been invited.

D'Artagnan and friends had not arrived yet, Constance only recognized some of the security guards from the last briefing with Treville. Since she could not see Anne yet, either, she decided to wait. Anne had wanted to accompany Louis to offer their condolence to the family.

A small group of people was standing at the entrance to the chapel; a woman with two little girls and an older boy beside her. Two tall men were standing behind them. Constance assumed them to be Jonsen's family. Anne and Louis were just approaching them. Louis shook hands first with the woman and then with the two men behind her, then he patted the boy on the shoulder. Not exactly appropriate for the situation in Constance's opinion, but she refrained from saying anything. Anne was more considerate. She shook hands with the woman and the son, then she knelt down and hugged the two little girls, disregarding the two men behind the family.

Constance looked away from this personal moment and noticed that D'Artagnan, Aramis, Athos and Porthos had arrived and were waiting in line behind Anne and Louis. Aramis couldn't seem to keep his eyes off Anne.

Anne let go of the little girls and stood up again, taking the woman's hands once more, before she came over to Constance.

"Hello, Constance, it's good to see you here. You didn't have to come."

Constance gently stroked her friend's arm. "On a day like this nobody should be alone."

Anne nodded. "Yes, you're right. I just spoke with the family. I had no idea that the man had three children. The youngest is only four years old, I don't think she understands what is happening."

"Probably not, but it's important that she gets to say goodbye to her father. Do you know who the two men standing behind the family are?"

Anne looked in their direction angrily. "I think they're his brother and brother-in-law, but I don't know who is who. There's something fishy about them. It seems all they can do not to laugh out loud."

Constance gently nudged Anne towards the pews. "I can see you don't like them. Come, let's find a seat, the service is about to start."

A few moments later the small chapel grew silent. Constance sat behind Anne, who was in the front pew with Louis, Treville and the family. D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis stood beside the coffin. At the altar, the priest began to speak.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

After the service, the funeral party slowly dispersed. Constance waited for Anne, who once more offered her help to the family. Aramis came over to her. "She seems to be mourning deeply. Did she know Jonsen?"

"No, not really. She just blames herself, because she thinks it's somehow her fault that a family now has to live without a father. Maybe someone should explain to her that Louis's security guards chose this profession for themselves and that their families know what they can expect," she said, looking at Aramis. He nodded. "I'll do my best." He left and now D'Artagnan came to her side. "Do you have any plans for the evening?" he whispered into her ear, still with his eyes on the mourners.

"I don't think today is the right time for a date," Constance replied. "No, you're right, I just don't want to be alone tonight." Constance took a deep breath. She hadn't even thought about that.

"Of course, just come by. Anne wanted to have an early night anyway." Surreptitiously, D'Artagnan reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks. The guys and I will go out for drinks as a wake for Jonsen, but after that I'll come." He went back to the others and together with Treville they left the chateau.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The five men sat in their favourite bar in Fontainebleau. The "Cave de la Truffiere" was rather small and homely, situated in a cellar vault. They often came here after their shifts. Each of them had ordered a shot and a beer chaser to toast Jonsen. Athos was the first to raise his glass. "To Jonsen!" The others followed suit. "To Jonsen!" The clinking of the glasses echoed through the room as they all knocked back their drinks.

"No easy day today….but a good speech, Captain," Athos said, and the others grunted affirmatively.

"Jonsen was a good man. Always loyal and reliable, and very meticulous about his job. And now this." Treville took a sip of his beer.

They sat there reminiscing for another hour. Just as they were about to leave, a man entered the bar. The others didn't really notice him. Athos and Aramis were walking ahead, followed by Treville. Porthos and D'Artagnan were still at the table. D'Artagnan was putting on his jacket, when the tall man came directly at him and landed a punch in his face. With his arms caught in his sleeves, D'Artagnan couldn't react fast enough and went down with a bleeding nose. Immediately Porthos placed himself protectively in front of his friend, clenching his fists.

Treville had been caught unawares, but Athos and Aramis quickly came up behind the man, boxing him in between the three of them. Treville was the first to recognize the man. "Moreau, what was that all about?"

The man just snorted loudly and tried to attack D'Artagnan again. Porthos easily pushed him back. "Hey, not so fast. Why did you attack us?" Like the others, Porthos wanted answers.

D'Artagnan, hand on his bleeding nose, came to his feet and answered instead. "He's pissed, because he lost his job."

Now Treville knew what was going on. "Moreau, you attacked a guest of the king. If D'Artagnan hadn't fired you, I would have done so myself."

Athos, Porthos and Aramis didn't know what had happened, but they stood squarely behind their captain and D'Artagnan. Porthos loomed over Moreau even more menacingly. "I think we're leaving now." The five men carefully walked past the attacker.

"We'll meet again, D'Artagnan!" Moreau called after them.

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