Louis groaned and sat up. He pulled on his robe.
Michelle looked him and whispered, "Should I leave?"
"No," said Louis. "Wait behind the screen."
Michelle slid quickly out of the bed and behind a painted dressing screen.
When she was out of sight, Louis opened the door and let Andre in,
Behind the screen, Michelle picked up a jeweled hand mirror and began pinning her curls back up as she listened.
"You ordered me to keep you informed…" began Andre coolly.
"Yes, yes, go on."
"Athos, the former Musketeer, has just fought with several guards at the Musketeer Gate."
Michelle stopped at the mention of Athos.
"Did they kill him?" asked Louis.
"No. He cut an ear from one of the men, but no one else was hurt. Captain D'Artagnan allowed him to leave. Athos was upset about the death of his son, last night at the front."
"Crash!" From behind the screen, there was the sound of the mirror, shattering as it hit the floor.
Andre glanced at the screen.
"Who was Athos seeking?" asked Louis. "Did he try to enter the palace?"
"Yes. But Mademoiselle Celeste and D'Artagnan blocked his entrance."
Louis's eyes narrowed. "You may go." As soon as the door closed behind Andre, Louis moved to the screen.
Michelle staggered out, mindless of her bare feet stepping into the broken glass. She left behind two bloody foot prints.
Louis grabbed her. "My dear! The glass!" He pulled her to a couch and drew a blanket around her.
"Did you know…about Raoul!" she sobbed.
"I didn't want to upset you. It was tragic. I did everything I could for him. I ordered him positioned in a spot of complete safety, far from the fighting. But he charged the cannons." He held her as she began to weep. "I will order a Mass for his soul," he said softly. "It will guarantee his place in Heaven."
D'Artagnan had led Celeste to her room and left her there but two hours later when he came back, she was gone.
Aramis sighed and crossed himself when Celeste told him what had happened.
"Aramis, we must do something," said Celeste. "We cannot leave Louis on the throne."
Aramis sighed. He looked at her. "There is only one thing we can do."
"I know," said Celeste. "We'll call a meeting."