Athos was waiting by his front door as his friends reveled about him. He was gray haired now but still handsome. He was the intelligent one, with a hard crust that masked a sea of emotions and a large heart. He was holding in his hand a small gold ring.

His son, Raoul, came down the stairs. He was wearing his uniform for the French Army. He was nervous and studied himself in the mirror for a long moment. He looked at his father. "Do I look all right?"

Athos smiled at him. "None of the ladies will be able to take their eyes off you."

"I should have asked Celeste what to wear," muttered Raoul. "Still, I care only about Michelle's eyes on me. When should I ask her?"

Athos handed him the gold ring he had been holding. "Perhaps this will help."

Raoul stared at it. "Mother's ring. I can't take this."

"She died giving you to me. And I want to die knowing it is on the finger of the woman my son loves."

Raoul took it and gave his father a hug.

Athos smiled. "Now go. Bring back your fiancée."

"Are you ready yet?"

"Yes." Celeste came out of her apartment, still pinning her curls back.

Aramis looked at her.

She had changed quickly out of her uniform and into a blue and white dress.

"You look beautiful."

She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you. Will you change into your uniform for the garden party?"

"I suppose."

"It's too hot for your priestly robes," said Celeste.

Aramis offered her his arm and she took it.

"Let's go see King Brat."

"Celeste!"

The palace glowed golden in Parisian sunshine. Carriages full of guests where filling the gates.

King Louis the Fourteenth was the most self-absorbed man in Paris. He would have been handsome if it had not been for that fact.

That was the thought that passed through Celeste's head as the door swung open and her and Aramis entered the room where Louis was.

"Aramis!" exclaimed Louis. "I have been expecting you!"

Aramis bowed and Celeste curtsied.

"Mademoiselle Celeste." Louis nodded to her.

"Your majesty," said Celeste coolly.
Louis's eyes lingered on her.

"Your birthday celebration, your majesty?" asked Aramis. "I just heard…"

Louis looked at Aramis. "Next week. This is a mere garden party---and I wish to join it, so I will be brief. I am experiencing resistance from the Jesuits."

"Well…perhaps you should speak with them, your majesty," said Aramis slowly.

"I have demanded it—and common priests present themselves! Can you imagine the arrogance? Common Jesuit priests trying to act as my equals, and they refuse to reveal the names of anyone else in their order! No one can keep secrets like the Jesuits can and the identity of their leader is the darkest secret they hold. Even the Pope himself does not know who leads the Jesuit Order in France!"

"How can I serve you in this matter?" asked Aramis calmly.

"Perhaps you can find out who this secret leader of the Jesuits is. You are now a priest, but you were once a Musketeer, serving the throne of France, a throne ordained of God. Can you accept this mission and keep it private?"

Aramis looked down at Celeste on his arm and then back to Louis. "If I find out the identity of this Jesuit rebel, I will kill both him and the man who told me," he said slowly.

Louis smiled. "Once a Musketeer, always a Musketeer, eh?"

Aramis bowed slightly.

"Are you joining the garden party?" asked Louis.

"I am. Mademoiselle Celeste wishes it from me," said Aramis dryly.

Louis looked at her. He took her hand. "A wish from Mademoiselle Celeste cannot be denied. Not even by a priest." Then he bowed over it and kissed it.

"Especially this priest," said Aramis with a dry smile.

"You are too kind, sire," said Celeste sweetly as she withdrew her hand.

They bowed and curtsied and left the room.

Louis's advisors returned.

"Ah yes," he said. "The riots. We have food stocks on the wharves right now, no?"

The advisor named Pierre blinked. "That food has spoiled. That is why it was not shipped to the army."

"Exactly why it should be given away," said Louis. "Distribute it!"

Aramis reappeared dressed in his old uniform and his black hat with a black feather on his head.

Celeste smiled as she took his arm and he led her out into the gardens. "I saw D'Artagnan a few moments ago. He's decided to use the new recruits today."

"What fun he shall have."

Celeste tugged him forward. "Come. I wish it find him."

Suddenly Aramis stopped. "Are you armed?"

Celeste looked at him. "I am. Why?"

"I just… saw something," said Aramis.

"What?"

"A man, staring at us. He didn't look…" Aramis looked at her and smiled. "Never mind. Just keep your eyes open."