Chapter 43
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"I know that Milady and you have a past together. You loved each other and you married. You even lived together." I started facing Athos as we both stood in my chambers. "She was your first love. And when she came back…I thought…" I paused and took a deep breath. "I thought I wasn't enough. I thought you will go back to her."
"Emma…"
"I know what you said." I cut him off. "You love me, I know that. And know that I love you with all my heart. But you can't deny that you still love her. I understand that. She was your first love after all." I stepped towards him. I snaked my arms around his neck. "But remember, you are mine. And mine only." I kissed him fully on the lips.
I tried to put everything I felt in that hot searing kiss. I tried to tell him the pain I felt, the love I have for him and how much I wanted him. I don't know if he felt it or not but he backed us both to the bed. I fell softly on the bed and leaned on me, using his arms to support him as he kept kissing me.
I'll spare you the tearing of the clothes, the rolling in the sheets naked. All I can say is that it was earth shattering, nerve wracking and breath taking. I have missed him so much and I was glad that I finally come to realize that I was being stupid. I made myself a promise then, no longer wasting time stupidly.
I woke up almost forgetting that Athos and I shared a bed the night before. Until I felt the warmth of someone lying next to me and the steady heart beat under my cheek. I moved my head slightly up to be able to get a look at his sleepy face but he was already awake.
"Good Morning!" I smiled up at him.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked smiling back.
"Yes. How long have you been awake?" I asked him this time.
"Not long." Athos answered as I rested my chin on his chest. "I have been thinking about what you said."
"Athos…"
"You are right, she's the first woman I have ever loved." Athos continued. "She hurt me, lied to me, murdered my brother and that made it all the more painful. To condemn her because I loved her still after everything she has done to me has destroyed me." I was sitting in bed now looking at him quietly. He never said that much on Milady, never shared all that information with me. "And I also hated her." He swept away my hair, his hand lingering on my left cheek. "Sometimes I wish I've met you before her."
I leaned in his touch. "It's not a problem." I assured him. "It doesn't matter if Milady was your first love. Because I have every intention to be your last." I leaned in and kissed him. His hand slid on my waist while he moved his right hand from my cheek to my neck as he pulled me into him.
He pulled away briefly. "And what am I to you?"
"Well, you're the first and will be the last man I will ever love." I promised.
He stared at me with this look that made weak at the knees. A look filled with passion, lust and loved. He rolled over me and kissed me so hard that I was sure that my lips were going to bruise.
"She's finally awake!" Aramis exclaimed as I stepped down the stairs. My hair was down my back and I wore usual uniform. My skirt rolled up in front and tucked in my belt.
"Were you waiting for me?" I asked smiling widely.
"We were starting to worry that you've fallen into a deep slumber." Aramis answered. "So deep that no one would be able to wake you."
"As you can see, I don't need help to wake up." I said spreading my arms before reaching for a goblet of water.
"What got you in such a good mood?" D'Aratgnan asked me.
"Don't I have the right to be in a good mood?" I asked back.
"You haven't been like this for a while." Porthos answered as I popped a grape in my mouth.
"Are you ready?" The Captain asked appearing behind me.
"Why?" I replied.
"Princess Louise. You are to escort from Mantua to Paris." The Captain retorted.
"I almost forgot about that."
"Where is Athos?" The Captain asked this time completely ignoring me. As on cue, Athos descended the stairs, putting on his hat. The other three musketeers looked directly at me while the Captain cleared his throat awkwardly. "Since you're all awake; you should be leaving soon. Princess Louise is waiting for you in Mantua." He said before leaving us alone.
Before any of them could ask questions or comment on Athos getting out of my chambers, I placed my hat on my head. "You've heard the Captain, Princess Louise is waiting. It's gonna be a long journey, gentlemen."
And it was indeed a long journey. Princess Louise is the King Louis' cousin and she is to be married to the King of Sweden. It's a marriage of convenience. Once Louise and the King of Sweden would be married, France will have the support of the kingdom. I wonder how it feels like to know that you'll meet your husband on the night of your wedding. It must be frightening and disturbing.
Hours of riding and no rest made for a long day. It was almost dawn when we reached the edge of the capital. Princess Louise whished for a quick stop. And we complied.
"Forgive me. It's been a long journey from Mantua and I long for some fresh air and exercise." She said as stepped down her coach.
"We'll be in Paris within the hour, Madame." D'Artagnan assured her.
She smiled at him. "I haven't seen the King since we were children."
"He's barely changed." Athos replied.
"Tell me, monsieur, do you know anything of Sweden?" She asked to Athos.
"It snows and is very cold." Aramis answered. Porthos and I exchanged an amused look.
She turned away from us and looked at the plains and the fields. She said something but I couldn't hear her.
A bird tweed and I looked sharply at the corn field around us. Something was moving in there. I squinted my eyes and tried seeing what it was. A bird flew suddenly away, a shot rang and the driver fell from the coach. Men appeared before us. I jumped off of my horse.
"Get in behind cover." Athos screamed.
"Get the princess back in the carriage, now! Inside! Inside!" D'Artagnan yelled at Francesco.
I took my pistol and shot the first masked man that I saw. I turned my pistol so I could hold the barrel in my hand and used it to hit my enemies. I unsheathed my sword, blocked a blow and kicked a man in his chest. I slashed another, punched one man and blocked another blow. Within a few seconds, it was over.
Porthos walked up to one of the bodies and turned it around. He searched his pockets and took his purse. He took one of his coins. "Spanish." He stated. "This ambush is no coincidence."
"It couldn't be one of those quiet escort mission, could it?" I grumbled.
Instead of bringing her to the archbishop, we brought her to the garrison. The Captain joined us at the end of the stairs. "What's wrong? Why have you brought her here?" He asked us as we gathered around him.
"We were ambushed on the road." D'Artagnan informed him.
"Apparently, the Spanish feel threatened by the marriage between France and Sweden." I continued.
"Spain was never going to stand idly by in the face of an alliance between our two kingdoms." The Captain stated as if he knew something could have happened.
"You mean the princess might still be in danger?" Francesco asked us.
"There's no need for alarm. We're in Paris now." Aramis assured him. "She'll be perfectly safe."
"As soon as she's rested, we'll take her to the archbishop, as planned." Athos added.
"Back there I failed. But for you, she would have been killed." Francesco continued.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. You did your best." D'Artagnan told him.
"It wasn't enough. If any harm should come to her…"
"Don't worry. You're both under our protection now."
"It's not much but it's all I have to offer." I said as I led Princess Louise to my chambers so she could change her clothes.
"It's enough for me." She replied smiling. "How long have you been a musketeer?"
"About a year, Madame."
"It is quite impressive for a woman to become a musketeer. What did you do to receive such an honor?"
"I saved the Queen's life and protected the King, France and its interest in more than one occasion." I retorted. "Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting outside."
I have never really liked churches or rather Cathedrals. Churches, small churches I hear, can be warm and intimate but Cathedrals are large, cold and sometimes seems empty. I really don't like them. And don't get me started on the cantic.
"Bless this forthcoming marriage with peace and happiness." The archbishop started. "And may the womb of your humble servant Louise be fruitful." I rolled my eyes at that. Why does she need him to bless her womb? Completely ridiculous. And yes, I know she has to provide an heir to the throne but what if the King of Sweden cannot provide an heir? Is it going to be her fault? The answer to that question is yes. Because as ridiculous as it seems to certain of you, it will always be the woman's fault. It's easier to accuse us. "In the name of God—Amen."
"Amen." Louise repeated before kissing his ring.
"Our hopes for the future strength and unity of France rest on the success of your union, my child."
"I pray my marriage will be happy." Louise told him.
"Happiness is a selfish desire."
"Now, he's just contradicting himself." I muttered before Athos glanced down at me with a disapproving look.
"You must pray to do your duty." It took everything in me to not roll my eyes or sigh loudly at his words.
Princess Louise got up before slipping, the archbishop caught her before receiving an arrow in his throat. Athos caught Louise and led her away from the archbishop. I took out my pistol and pointed it towards the balcony standing next to Porthos. I don't know what D'Artagnan saw up there but he took off in that direction.
D'Artagnan came back after a few minutes with a dark cloak in his hands. Whoever tried to kill the Princess Louise was gone. We let the priest and his assembly pray for the archbishop while we, musketeers, moved to the balcony.
Aramis looked down the crossbow aiming at the exact place where the Archbishop was standing a few minutes ago. "Good vantage point, well concealed, an all-round view and easy access to an escape road." Aramis stated. "The killer knew what he was doing. This was planned well in advance."
"Why a crossbow?" D'Aratgnan asked taking the weapon from Aramis.
"From this distance it's more accurate than a musket. And it's easier to conceal."
"Outstanding work, Muskteers!" I heard Rochefort yelled below us. "A man of God slain under your very noses."
"God, I hate him!" I mumbled following Porthos as we joined him downstairs.
"And you late the killer escape." Rochefort continued.
"Does that mean you would have done a better job than us?" I challenged him and he glared at me. He was about to reply but Athos was faster.
"If the princess hadn't slipped, she'd be dead now. She was the target." Athos said. "Someone is determined to stop this marriage."
"The princess cannot stay at the archbishop's as planned." Rochefort said. "She must be escorted to the Louvre for her own safety. Assuming you can manage such as simple task without losing her?"
I bit my tongue. Otherwise I would have told him that I could manage maiming him a little.
I stood next to Porthos as Athos washed the arrow that killed the archbishop. "Custom made, best quality steel, short bodkin, armor piercing." Athos enumerated. "A real assassin's weapon. Old fashioned but deadly. Who still makes weapons like this?"
"There are perhaps half a dozen armorers left in Paris with the necessary skills." The Captain answered.
"But only one who'd consider hiring them out to the Spanish." Porthos added. "A man with a serious grudge against king and country."
"Boucher." The Captain scoffed.
"A Huguenot and a survivor of the siege of la Rochelle."
"And a true artist. I've a mind to commission a piece myself." Athos said.
"That's an idea." I said crossing my arms over my chest. "And not bad. If he thinks that he will strike a deal with the Musketeers. It might get him out of hiding."
"We'll make contact." Athos said getting out of the room with Porthos.
"What is a red guard doing in the musketeer's garrison?" I asked the soldier that just stepped in.
"I have a message from the Comte to the Captain Tréville." He replied.
"May I see it?" I asked him.
"Haven't you heard, girl? It's for the Captain." The red guard answered me with a sneer.
"Emma! What is going on?" The Captain called from above us.
"Comte de Rochefort has sent you a message that only your eyes can see." I said without looking at him.
"What is that message?" The Captain asked the red guard.
The latter walked past me with a smirk on his face. A smirk that I've the mind to slap off of his face. I chose to follow him to the Captain's office.
"The Comte de Rochefort wants you to collect the gift for Princess Louise. Gift ordered by the Queen." The red guard announced standing in front of the Captain's desk.
"You have got to be kidding me." I exclaimed chuckling at the absurdity of the demand.
The Captain moved faster than the human could see. He grabbed the red guard by the shoulders and pushed him out of the room. "Get out! Out!" He yelled. "Let the Comte de Rochefort know it'll be my pleasure."
"Sir." The guard nodded losing all reasons to laugh at anyone in the garrison.
"I've never seen you lose your temper so quickly." I commented.
"I have every reason to do so. Rochefort treats me like his errand boy now." Tréville said as an answer as Athos walked up the stairs. "I'm to fetch the Queen's gift for Princess Louise."
"I could go for you." I suggested. "There's no reason you should let yourself humiliated like this by him."
"You think I should refuse the job?" The Captain asked.
"Deliver this gift directly to the Queen herself. Let her see your devotion and loyalty, even in the face of provocation." Athos replied to him.
"It's you that should have been the politician. I never had any talent for such games." He said to Athos before mounting his horse. "The regiment will need a new captain soon. I could recommend you. I'm finished here. It's time you all accepted that." And he left the garrison.
Porthos arrived with another man. He wore a dark cloak and was dressed all in black. "Monsieur Boucher. I am Athos and this is Emma." Athos introduced us to the man.
"I know who you are. I make it my business to know the finest swordsmen in France. And of course the only female musketeer." He answered. "So, what can I do for you?"
I know it's been so long but work got in the way. I have some free time right now, so I'll try to update soon. Just know that I will never give up on this story. I just can't wait for the Musketeers Series 3. Just let me know what you think about this story.
