Note: First things first. This story will not makes sense without knowing The Richelieu Pact. It is set between Chapters XLII and XLIV, between the finale in the audience hall of Versailles and the return to Paris. A hunting ball takes place, on which some unanswered questions and loose threads from the original story are clarified.
In this first chapter, I weave in some additions. Original text is contracted, it could be hard to read because I throw the reader into the middle of the action of the Pact. I apologise for that, but from chapter 2 onwards this is over.
Spoilers! Richelieu Pact is a fem-d'Artagnan Story. In this lost scene, d'Artagnan still doubts whether she is suitable and even wanted as a lieutenant. This story is very much about her feelings and thoughts, so it doesn't fit with the rest of the original and was cut out.

That's enough as a preface, enjoy reading!

At the Hunting Ball – A Lost Scene

In the audience hall, shortly after Jean d'Orfeuille's arrest.

Bertrand reached for his daughter's hand and squeezed it gently. Only now did d'Artagnan realise that it was truly over. »Forgive the trouble I have caused, Sire,« she murmured.

Louis' heart was softened entirely by the young woman's request. »Ah, forgiven and forgotten!« Satisfied with himself and as matters now stood, he looked benevolently at those present. »It is, of course, most unfortunate that no marriage is to contracted between those young people. The Mademoiselle seems very determined to Us. We are sure she will go her own way and find happiness elsewhere.«

»Thank you, Your Highness.« D'Artagnan dared not try to interpret the king's words in one way or the other and clung to her father.

»We must tell the Queen about this!« exclaimed Louis enthusiastically. »Oh, what an exciting incident, a fight and an arrest, right in the audience hall! Eminence, before Our very eyes!«

»Yes, Sire.« Richelieu sighed inaudibly. »Please allow me to withdraw.«

»Ah, already? As you wish, it has been a long day.« The king, however, did not seem ready to actually dissolve the meeting.

Instead, he raised an admonishing finger at his Prime Minister, as if he had to make it clear after the turmoil of the last few minutes that his word was law and that all attention in this audience hall was to be paid to him alone.

»Rest, Eminence. You will be present for the hunting ball tonight. We await you in the company of Our charming guests.«

Blatantly, his eyes were on d'Artagnan, who promptly changed from pale to flushed cheeks. The hunting ball! She has completely forgotten about it because of the latest events, and originally her participation was never planned.

His Majesty has now decided otherwise and, moreover, could not refrain from exclaiming, »But, heaven forbid, do not wear this shabby dress! It is filthy all over!«

Fortunately, Bertrand still held her hand and tightened his grip to keep d'Artagnan's temper in check. So her dress was too shabby for His Majesty? Mordieux, it was only because of his childish foolishness that she had to wear it at all!

She pressed her lips tightly together and looked down at the ground so as not to utter an inconsiderate word. Soon she would be standing before the King again as his Lieutenant of the Musketeers, as an officer of his personal guard, and Louis XIII would not have the slightest idea whom he had thoughtlessly insulted. On the contrary, he was convinced that he had done a great honour to a young damsel from the provinces, and had thus completely overwhelmed her, so that she could now at best tug timidly at her - oh, so shabby! - dress.

The cardinal's expression, on the other hand, seemed to speak of a certain weariness about this farce. »We will be present, Sire.«

Louis nodded with satisfaction. »Send for Tréville and Essarts! We saw them standing outside.«

When the double door was opened once more, the King waved to the gascon guests. »You may leave.«

D'Artagnan rose to her feet after her third and gradually skilful curtsey - and faced the cardinal once more. Richelieu no longer appeared amused at all.

»You accompany me.« And because the two captains had already approached within earshot, and Tréville in particular made a less than peaceful impression, he added, »You alone.«

In the cardinal's study, after everything has been discussed about the intrigue's conclusion.

»Courage and wits were useful qualities that suited both genders,« said Richelieu. »However, I did not mention stubbornness.«

D'Artagnan knew nothing to say in reply. The cardinal had already spared her father, as well as Tréville and Essarts, and even she herself before the king. She, in return, had helped to thwart this intrigue. Richelieu owed her nothing; on the contrary, for him the stubborn lieutenant of the musketeers was an uncertain element in the courtly game.

Whether the cardinal suspected what she was thinking or not, he leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together. He looked at her closely and seemed to be thinking about how to deal with her now. Perhaps this letter he had just written was nothing more than her conviction and saved her an embarrassing trial?

But he surprised d'Artagnan by asking, without any mockery in his voice, »You have another dress at your disposal?«

Like hell she would have admitted that she did not have an appropriate clothing for a hunting ball! »Yes, Your Eminence.«

»Excellent. Freshen up and be back at ten o'clock. His Majesty has demanded your presence.«

»I answer his call when he commands. But no more.«

»Good.« Richelieu looked pleased, he probably wanted to hear that from her; that she would appear there as a lieutenant in disguise, not as a mistress for one night.

D'Artagnan could hardly believe she had to use such words and it was more than unpleasant for her, almost incomprehensible. She tried not to let it show and stood all the more proudly in front of the desk in her best officer's pose.

The cardinal remained completely unimpressed, he held out the sealed letter to d'Artagnan.

»Take the promotion. Do with it what you will, but decide wisely. Go now!«

D'Artagnan finds herself outside the study, a new lieutenants promotion in hand, talking to Rochefort about the outcome of the story and unanswered questions.

D'Artagnan wrinkled her nose. »You're right, I should be worrying about something entirely different right now. About myself and my future, not about politics and intrigue.«

»Good girl.«

»Careful, stable boy! I still know how to use a sword!«

A very rare genuine smile flitted across Rochefort's face, there was something impish about it. »I accept the challenge. As soon as we get back to Paris, we'll talk about a rendezvous.«

Against her will, the corners of d'Artagnan's mouth twitched in amusement, although she was still in a very depressed mood because of the new lieutenants promotion given to her. She distracted Rochefort before he could see through her, and asked him, »Now that you are no longer accused of murder, may you officially attend the hunting ball or will you continue to be the vain peacock impressing fine ladies by buccaneer stories?«

»I have not been able to impress you very much, have I?«

»I am not a fine lady.«

»Ah, I forgot! No, I will stay in the background for a while longer. You are right that there are still some unanswered questions. I won't be able to resolve them tonight, but this evening is all yours.«

»All mine!« D'Artagnan snorted, trying not to think of the encounters she would face at the ball. When everyone could see her completely unmasked and she would truly have to act like a lady. Her friends, her captain, her comrades, the king, the whole court society! The embarrassment was preordained. »There is nothing to celebrate, Rochefort. You are lucky to be able to steal away.«

»Do I understand that you yourself would like to be stolen away by a buccaneer?«

D'Artagnan eyed him with a appraising look because of his cheekiness. He was probably making fun of her, and that's why she replied emphatically, »The distress would need to be great for that to happen. Very, very great.«

Rochefort laughed out. »We'll see. For now, I beg your pardon, I need to see my master and I have a report to falsify afterwards.«

»You were eavesdropping!«

»As I mentioned, I have been waiting here for quite a while.«

»A duel appointment, Rochefort! Most certainly!« d'Artagnan called after him, half incensed and half amused, as he slipped into the study.