It was a mere two hours later that Cosette finally woke up. Porthos spent the half of the night with her. So, he saw Cosette stir awake, but also groan in pain due to the bullet wound and recent surgery.
"She's awake," said Porthos. Cosette knew that from the minute she woke up that she was in trouble.
"welcome back from the Dead, d'Artagnan," said Aramis. Cosette expected him to be angrily talking to her. However, he was sounding more or less relaxed than she thought he was.
"Where's Athos?" Cosette asked in a raspy voice.
"He's alright, better than you are, by the looks of it," said Aramis. Cosette could tell he was done stitching. She could see that her corset which kept her female things from showing. Aramis put her shirt back down. "You're lucky, five more inches and Athos could have killed you."
"I'm sorry..." Cosette said. The two men looked at her. They knew she was referring to her secret.
"D'Artagnan, when were you going to tell us you were a girl?" Aramis asked. Cosette was dreading this day was coming. She could tell he was a little bit betrayed, and she couldn't look at those brown eyes, as it was just like looking at the eyes of a puppy.
"d'Artagnan, look at us," Porthos told Cosette but she still couldn't listen. But she couldn't look away from Aramis and Porthos anymore. They did save her life.
"Can you blame me?" Cosette asked. "My father disguised myself as a boy because he felt it was safer for me to travel with him. A...and you guys wouldn't have taken me seriously if I were a girl when I challenged Athos. I...I decided to keep it up just until my papa's death was avenged." She slowly got up but the bullet wound was painful. She winced, as Aramis pushed her back gently into the pillow, so Cosette didn't make another move and continued on. "Just a pathetic, fifteen year old girl who acted foolishly. I just never meant for it to go this far. "
Cosette also realized that she had revealed her real age of fifteen instead of eighteen. She wanted to cry. Aramis and Porthos looked at each other. It was if they discussed this before she woke up. Cosette's fear got even worse and she began wondering: Did Athos know?
"Does Athos know?" Cosette asked. No one answered. They looked at each other. She wanted to know if her friend knew. She slowly got up again.
"Aramis, Porthos, does Athos know?" Cosette repeated.
"No, we haven't told him," Aramis said. He went to ease her back down to the bed. He went to check his handiwork to see if it was undone. Cosette remembered that Aramis hated it when his needlework was undone. He covered her back up with the blanket.
"Yet," Cosette said, not bothering to hide the sadness in her voice. "I wouldn't blame me if you all must hate me for it."
"We don't hate you, kid," Porthos said.
"You don't?" she asked.
"But we will admit, we are a little upset you didn't tell us from the start," Aramis said. Instead of being in an angry tone, it was gentle. Aramis pushed the soaked hair from her forehead.
"I'm sorry," Cosette apologized, tears forming in her eyes. Porthos wiped them away.
"We forgive you, lass," said Porthos, "but do us the honor of telling us your name, Your real name. It's not 'Charles.' We know that for sure.""Why didn't you tell us you were a girl?" they asked again.
"It's Cosette," she answered. " I would add that my full name is actually Cosette de Batz Castelmore d'Artagnan"
"Cosette..." Porthos said slowly. He had to admit, that was a very beautiful name. "Wait, are your grandparents Charles and Josette de Monesquouio."
"Yes, but, Grandpere passed a few months ago. Grandmére now lives with my sisters and their husbands on their new farms
Aramis saw her yawn.
"Try and get some sleep, Cosette," said Aramis. He glared at porthos. "we can talk about bloodlines later. So try and get some rest.
"I'll try," Cosette admitted. Aramis pat her on the shoulder. Cosette sighed and let herself fall back asleep. Aramis looked at Cosette and smiled. Instead of her being a little brother, she was now a little secret.
After Cosette was feeling alright, , she wanted to take a walk. It would help ease her mind if she were alone. However, her brothers insisted someone go with her. However, her blunt response was, "Its a walk, Aramis. I'll be fine.''cosette said. She walked around the Garrison when suddenly, a pistol was pointed at her. "Don't say about word , Cosette or I'll look you where you stand." The young woman saw it was milady. So that was where she went. "Walk to the house, slowly."
Cosette did as she was told but she didn't back down.
"Or rather I could blow your brains out now and never think of you again," Milady admitted.
"I'm guessing you didn't bring me here just to shoot me," said Cosette.
"Well, the question is, can I trust you?"
" I saved your life."
"I'm impressed Cosette," said Milady. She looked down at Cosette's torso. "The shot grazed your ribs. A few inches to the right and Athos would have killed you."
"Well, It was an accident."
"Was it?"
"Yes."
"You saw the look on his face when he found out about us. He hated you. They all did. Your so-called friends. You saw how Athos and the others acted. What do you think he will do to you? Trust me d'Artagnan, you do not want to go down this road."
Cosette flinched. She wasn't going to let milady Manipulation her like this.
"Why didn't you tell me you were his wife?"
" Never came up. The Cardinal is my patron and protector. He could be yours too."
"I hate the Cardinal."
"That's childish talk. Cut your losses. D'Artagnan. There is no future for you in the Musketeers."
"I don't believe that," said Cosette. "The last time I was with you, you murdered a man and blamed me for it."
"I promise I haven't murdered anyone yet... today."
"Really? Then, tell me what really happened between you and Athos."
Milady thought for a second.
"Well, if you must know," said Milady. She and d'Artagnan sat on the bed.
"I was born poor. I was a thief and a pickpocket. But everything changed when I married Athos. I lied about my past to protect our happiness." (Just as you did, to protect yourself, says the small voice in Cosette's head) "But his brother... Thomas, was mad with desire for me. He tried to force me. I had no choice. I killed him. But I did it for love. Athos was blind to the truth. Because he discovered I was once a thief, he decided I must also be a murderer. This is what he did... to preserve his honour and status. You once said you would kill the man who did this to me."
Cosette was shocked. Great, now how we are they going to fit this in to the plan.
"You want me to kill Athos?" she asked
"You don't know him as I do. He will never forgive you."then she looked at her secret. "and besides, Cosette, your stories and mine are one and the same. Don't you know what Athos will do to you when he finds out?"
"say what you like, Anne. I will not murder my..." Cosette stopped. What was she going to call Athos. "I will not murder a member of my family."
Whatever Milady was going to say, she was interpreted by a knock at the door. Cosette knew it was her godfather, Captain Jean de Treville. He had been having her shadowed recently so, he would be contacted if something was happening to her.
"I've come to speak with my goddaughter, privately," said Treville. Milady thought for a moment before she let him in.
"Onkle Treville," Cosette began.
"Resign your commission, Cosette," said Treville. "Athos has made it clear he no longer can work with you."
"that's not fair," Cosette said. "I handled it fine!"
"No, you didn't Cosette," said Treville. "You got shot as a result. The business as A Musketeer is no place for a woman."
"I don't understand, you've always supported me when it counted."
"I'm sorry Cosette but I can't let you continue if you constantly put yourself in danger. I suggest you leave for your sisters'. When all is said in done, I want you to leave this life behind. And live a new one. With your sisters, and marry into a decent family."
He looked at Anne and then one last look at Cosette before walking out the door. If this was real, she would be infuriated. She looked murderously at Milady.
"Be in the town square at midday. You'll get what you want," Cosette answered.
And to Milady, this plan was working.
Cosette returned with in the hour when she saw Aramis and Porthos, who were both relieved to see her alright. However, Aramis could not react like normal if Milady or any of the Cardinal's spies or rest of the Musketeers were watching.
"Treville told us you were with, what was her name, Porthos," said Aramis. "Madame de la Chapelle? Or is it Milady de Winter?"
"Ah, I lose track." Porthos responded
"She was well, last time I saw her, no thanks to her loving husband."
Athos saw Cosette, the woman he nearly killed.
"I see you've risen from the grave."
Cosette glared.
"You failed to kill me, if that's what you're referring to."
"What are you doing here?"
"I am still a Musketeer, despite what Athos may wish," Cosette reminded them. Athos and Aramis and Porthos looked unsure at one another. However, everyone was watching.
" We'll settle this in private," said Treville as she ordered them to enter his office.
"So, you're not dead," said Athos
"And you're not drunk," she responded.
The friends said nothing, as they glared at one another, none of them acting friendly towards each other. Before suddenly, the group began laughing with each other. To make matters better, the four friends came in for a group hug. However, when Athos pressed against Cosette's side, she winced with a slight "oof", causing the others to step back.
"Careful. I'm a wounded man, remember?" Cosette's have hovered over her wound.
"Sorry about that. Is it bad?" Athos asked, him looking concerned at her.
"Bad enough. You were supposed to shoot me in the arm, Athos."
"A shot to the side is so much more authentic, d'Artagnan," Athos admitted.
" You're not claiming you aimed there deliberately?" said Aramis.
" Accuracy isn't easy after three bottles of wine.
"Hm. That part was genuine, at least." said Porthos.
"D'Artagnan, does Milady believe we've abandoned you?" Treville asked.
"Almost. There's just one tiny detail left I need to convince her." Cosette said.
"What's that?" asked Athos.
"Nothing too difficult, brother," she responded. " I just need you to play dead."
Athos raised an eyebrow as Cosette smiled.
"Well, don't take it personally, Athos," said Cosette. "I don't mean to really kill you. I mean to make it look like I'll kill you. Because that's the only bad thing that we've got to do."
"It's not that," Athos said "it's the fact that I could have killed you last night. And you're still injured."
"Yes, and I'll be fine, brother. Trust me."
"Alright," Athos said casually, "but first sign of trouble, d'Artagnan, you run. Your life is more important."
"Yes, but saving France is more. I'm not just doing this for our country. I'm doing it for the Queen. The quicker we get this over with, the quicker the Queen will see Justice to the man who tried to have her killed."
"Good luck," says Athos.