Chapter 16

Thanks to FizzWizz2011 for their review. Thanks to the followers and the one who favourited my story.

New Chapter, read, enjoy and review.


Today I was in the street with Constance and her niece; Fleur. Well her husband's niece, the Queen and the King was being escorted in the streets of Paris. Our friends, the musketeers and D'Artagnan were her escort. People of France were rather please to see the royal couple. Thérèse, Fleur's friend ran to the carriage when he reached our part of the street. She got herself killed. The carriage rolled over her. I ran to her body after I passed through the red guards. The musketeers joined me near her body.

"She is dead." I said to the Captain.

"Was she armed?" The Captain asked me.

"Only with this." Porthos answered showing him the roll of paper Thérèse had in her hand.

"Let us through, I know her." Constance was yelling. The Captain nodded to the red guards to let her through.

"What's her name?" He asked us both.

"Thérèse Dubois." Constance answered.

"What was she doing?" D'Artagnan questioned her.

"I don't know." She replied. She took the paper in the hands of Porthos and turned around to ask Fleur to explain to her the meaning of this letter. But Fleur had disappeared. She was no longer there.

The letter Thérèse had written to the Queen was a plea for women education. The Captain was at the palace to report to the King. Constance was rather shaken by the event of the day. After Thérèse's death, she had to face her niece's disappearance. Porthos and D'Artagnan brought her back to her house and I went with them. I gave a glass of water to calm her nerves while she explained to them how she met Thérèse Dubois. She informed us that Countess de Larroque had taken an interest in the girl. She didn't only teach the girl how to read and write. She also taught her the Greek and Latin. Thérèse studied astronomy. Fleur went also to some of the lessons, they did it in secret. Now I don't know much about this Countess but I know by doing so she might have angered the wrong person, especially his Eminence. The Captain ordered the musketeers to pay a visit to the Countess after he informed the King. We thought that Fleur could be there. I went with the musketeers. Madame la Countess lived in a huge mansion. There were women everywhere in the study room. Athos was at the head of our little group.

"Does anyone know the whereabouts of miss Fleur Baudin?" He asked.

"If you have questions Monsieur, address them to me." The Countess informed Athos. She is a beautiful woman, blonde hair and blue eyes. And she walks with the stride of the pride woman.

"Countess de Larroque. I am here on behalf the King. My name…" Athos started.

"I know who you are." She said. "I've seen you at the court and thought how handsome you are." She bluntly informed him. "There's a melancholic aspect to your looks that I found intriguing but it's probably only mental vacancy." I couldn't stop myself from laughing. D'Artagnan stabbed my ribs with his elbow. He was as amused as me but he wanted me to keep it down.

"I hope not." Athos simply answered. "Forgive our intrusion."

"I will not forgive it." She argued "This is a place of scholarship where women enjoy each other's company without the crude attention of men. What do you want?"

"We're…looking for Fleur Baudin." Athos said rather surprised by her attitude. "She has run away from her family and they are anxious."

"Anxious to marry her into a life of domestic slavery no doubt." She retorted. "She's not here, you can go now."

"Your broach what does it mean?" Porthos asked her.

"It is a wren." She answered. "A bird that cannot be caged. A symbol of hope and freedom."

"A symbol of your own dreams and ambitions, I would imagine?" Aramis added.

"We have a romantic among us." She smiled. "Observe, ladies, the remarkable phenomenon, a man o wisdom and perception."

"If by romantic you mean a man who gladly acknowledges the superiority of the female sex, I accept the description." Aramis bowed his head.

"Aramis do not bother." I told him. "I think that those women are immune to your charms, dear friend."

"A woman with men clothes." She remarked dryly.

"Happy to wear them." I answered cheerfully.

"We are not here to discuss your beliefs. We are looking for Fleur Baudin." Athos interrupted us.

"And I already told you, she's not here." She repeated.

"Then you won't mind if we search your house?" Athos asked her.

"On the contrary, I mind very much." She replied.

"I could insist." Athos warned her.

"Or you could take my word." She said back. I couldn't help myself but noticed how close they were and I didn't like it. They were flirting with each other. I didn't like it. Was I jealous? No, just no. I don't do jealous. I'm just over protective of my friends that's it. So I'm just over protective of Athos. "Am I right? Is sadness forming the beauty of your features? Answer me honestly and I'll let you search my house."

"We all have our deep secrets and emotions, Countess." He didn't completely answer her question but it was an answer nonetheless. "Allow me to keep mine to myself."

"A barely adequate answer but I'm feeling indulgent. Follow me." She accepted his answer anyway. Athos followed her and with a hand gesture asked us to stay.

"Well, if that wasn't flirting I don't know what is." D'Artagnan remarked.

"Shut up. It's not like you know something anyway." I grumbled.

"She's right, she can't stand him." Porthos agreed.

"One day we'll sit down and I'll explain women to you." Aramis teased Porthos. "And our dear Emma is just jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I'm protective of him. I don't want him to get hurt." I replied pouting.

"If you say so." D'Artagnan chuckled.

We stood there waiting for him and the Countess to come back. I walked around her study and I took a look at all of her books. There were books on religion and astronomy and Greek and Latin. There were several novels and books of poetry. Athos came back later telling us that Fleur wasn't here. Later we learned that the Countess invited him for dinner. I felt ill at ease when I heard that. I was becoming annoyed at this Countess and I disliked her once I heard that she invited Athos. I was annoyed at Athos too, for accepting her offer. Alright, I was jealous as Aramis put it. But I have no reason to be, it wasn't like I was in love with Athos. I actually don't know what love feels like. I never been in love before and I've never been loved. I was annoyed and ill at ease. I was angry and jealous so I've decided to keep the company of Constance this evening. She was still worried and frantic because of Fleur's disappearance. I made dinner for Constance and she ate a little when the musketeers arrived later that evening with Fleur. She was hidden by The Countess and the latter was arrested by the Cardinal's orders. My thoughts went immediately to Athos because I knew that he didn't trust people easily and now he just discovered that Ninon deceived him just like his wife did in the past. In the morning I went with Athos, Porthos and Aramis as we bring Ninon Laroque to her trial in a monastery. The Cardinal didn't want a public trial. She was charged with witchcraft. It was a ridiculous motive, if you want my opinion.

"The accusation is a fine way to stop the tongue of outspoken woman." Aramis replied to Porthos.

"She had the girls. She lied. She brought this fate on herself" Athos declared bitterly.

"You are being too hard on her." Aramis defended Ninon. "She was protecting the girl not deceiving you." Athos just walked away. I followed him.

"Aramis is right." I called. Porthos passed by and went directly to the court. "She was protecting those girls. She was being loyal like you are being loyal to the musketeers and D'Artagnan."

"Emma, we could have helped her if she has told us the truth." He stopped walking and turned to look at me. I could see in his eyes that he was conflicted, he was hurt and angry. But it lasted just a second because Athos is really good at hiding his emotions.

"Maybe she was scared of what you will do." I continued. "You are a musketeer; she knows where your loyalty lies, with the King."

"Emma, she lied. That is all that matters." Athos argued.

"Why do you trust me, then?" I asked. I needed to know, I mean I am a criminal just like his wife was. A thief and he trusted me.

"What do you mean?"

"I could be there in this court being judged for what I did. You know I was a thief when we met." I remembered him.

"You never lied about this." Athos answered. "You always assumed what you did and you proved to us where your loyalty lies, with the King." He finished using my words.

"That's where you are wrong." I replied and he looked at me confused. "My loyalty doesn't lie with the King. My loyalty lies with you…and the musketeers." I added flustered, embarrassed by my silly answer. I didn't know why I have the need to justify myself. "We should go. The trial is about to begin."