Louis

It turns out that you have a lot more work when you're not a puppet. That's what I realize as I sit, reading over the documents I had received mere hours ago. It's tiring and mundane, but I don't mind it as much as I did years ago. It keeps me distracted, which is something I'm always grateful for.

I haven't had a good night's sleep in years, not since Corinne vanished from my life. I never realized exactly how tired I was until I saw the dark circles under my eyes. It's a hard reality to live in, but it's still very much my reality. I can only pray to God that someday it won't be like this, that someday maybe—just maybe—I can actually be happy.

There's a slight tapping on my door. Ecstatic for the excuse to take a break, I almost giddily yell, "Come in."

The door opens, and I'm greeted by the familiar face of Monsieur Tréville. I blink a few times to make sure that my lack of sleep hasn't made me hallucinate, but even so, he still stands there leaning on his cane.

I jump up to my feet, and walk toward him.

"Your Majes—oof!"

He's mid-bow when my arms wrap around him. "My God, Tréville. Don't bow for me. Never. You've known me since birth. You're like a father to me." I release him and press my lips together.

Tréville chuckles and makes his way toward on of the chairs in front of my desk. I hadn't realized how old he'd gotten, but it's evident by the groan of pain he makes as he sits. "It's been a very long time, Louis. What, five, six years?"

Slight smile spreads across my lips. "Seven."

He whistles. "I'm sorry I haven't visited. I… I heard what happened, and—"

"Don't apologize," I say, cutting him off. "It wasn't your fault."

"I know it isn't, but it still hurts me to know you suffered in my absence." He lets out a shaky breath and looks me intensely in the eye. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Is it true she came back?"

Despite knowing the question was coming, it still catches me off guard. It's still a topic that is spoken of very little in this castle. "Yes," I whisper meekly. "Yes, it's true."

I can sense he feels guilt from what happened on that day nearly ten years ago. He was the one who helped beat her, though he should know it wasn't his decision. He didn't agree with me when I told him what happened, he didn't think Corinne was capable of doing that to me. And he was right. I was so overwhelmed with anger that I hadn't realized how blind I was.

"She knew what the risk was of coming back. Why did she? If anything I thought she'd loathe you for the rest of her life and not ever want to see your face again."

I let out a laugh. "That's probably what she would've done, but… she came to me before she left, and we made amends. I told her to come back in eight years."

"The law," he whispers. "I had no idea that was still in effect."

"I know. I… I happened to read about it during my studies a few months before. God knows I needed it." I wipe my hand over my face. "Well, anyway, Corinne and I lived apart, but I never quit loving her. But after you left and Baudin took over… things got worse. Philippe came back, things happened, and before I knew it everything we had worked for—safety, prosperity—was ruined. I was just there for fun. They didn't need me. They could've killed me if they wanted."

Tréville sighs. "Louis, I-I'm so sorry. If I had known—"

"But you didn't. It doesn't matter, anyway. Things are okay now."

"Then where's Corinne?"

That question feels like Philippe's wip as it cracks down on my back. She… She left."

"What?"

"She doesn't feel the same about me anymore. She met someone else."

Tréville blinks in shock. "But I thought she came here for you."

I lean back in my chair. "She did. It just didn't work out the way we thought."

"So she's married then?"

I shake my head.

"Engaged?"

"No."

"Courting?"

"He's dead, Tréville. She was engaged, but now he's dead. We weren't on good terms to begin with. The main fact of it all is that she doesn't have any feelings for me, and she's gone."

"Louis," Tréville says, his voice soft, "maybe it's time to consider another option."

And all at once, I realize what he's here for. "The advisors talked you into this, didn't they? They want you to come down here and ask me to consider marriage? Well, I won't."

"Louis, you have to understand. You're 33 years old. You're past the age that most men have children. And not only that, but you're the King of France. You need heirs to carry on your line. Just consider. Please."

I don't want to. I honestly don't. But I know it's something I have to consider. I have to marry someone and give the monarchy an heir. This is how it's been for generations

"I will, Tréville. I promise."

He stands up and shakes my hand. "What a man you've become, Louis."

I so desperately wish I could agree with him.

I've been staring at the same piece of paper for an hour. I had been working steadily before Tréville arrived, but now I can't seem get through three sentences. After a while the words just blur together, and I can't tell them apart. I remove my spectacles and rub my eyes wearily. Sometimes I wish Philippe was back just to do the paperwork, but then I remember everything Philippe's done. He doesn't deserve this crown.

And neither do I if I'm perfectly honest.

I can't do this anymore. I sigh and stand up. I just need a break, and then I'll get back to work. I exit my office and walk slowly down the hallway, thankful for the cool breeze that blows through an open window. It's more comforting than I'd like to admit. It reminds me of the cool fingers of my mother when she touched my face.

I shake that thought away. There's no point in dwelling on the past. Though, it's hard not to. At this point that's all I can do. What do I have to look forward to in the future? I don't have a wife, family, or children. The one woman I ever loved left me. I'm not even sure why I have the will to live anymore. My life, it's… it's not worth anything to anyone. I'm just here because it's my birthright, because I am who I am. I didn't work for this. I don't deserve this. There are so many other people in this world that have suffered, and I stand here in luxury that surpasses any other.

I don't intend to end my life, but that doesn't mean someone else shouldn't. In fact, sometimes I wish they would. It would certainly make things easier. But the only good thing I can think of is the reason I haven't given it up in the first place: I'm the only person I can guarantee won't go insane with power.

Such dark thoughts for a man so young, I know, but that's the price of living as royalty. You get used to the death, the arguments, the sacrifice after a while, but you never know how much of yourself you give up until you see someone who has everything.

As much as I hate it, Tréville has a point. I have to get married. I have to produce an heir. At this point, I don't think the advisors care anymore who I marry. Preferably someone with money, power, and a noble family, but they're at their wit's end. If Corinne wanted me—and that's a big if—I think they'd agree to our marriage in an instant.

But that can't happen. I love Corinne more than I could ever explain, but I could never force her into anything. She deserves to live her life the way she wants, and I can't stop her. In fact, I want her to do it. I want her to live the life I never could have. But that just means I have to find another woman.

With a sigh I open the passageway that leads to the file room. Though I hadn't realized it, this was where Corinne and I saw each other again for the very first time. It gives me strange memories because we had spent time in here before that as well. I remember. We'd lie down and talk to each other the whole night, then wake up entangled and exhausted but never feeling more awake. Nothing beyond that ever happened besides that, but that's all the ever needed to happen. We loved each other, and people knew it, too. Sometimes love just doesn't work out.

To my surprise, the file of Andrew Baudin sits in the corner of the room. I hadn't realized it's been so long since I'd been in here. I honestly don't remember why I was in the room when I caught Corinne in here, anyway. I had avoided it after she was gone for so long. It was probably just God screwing with me.

I drag my fingers along the files that were kept in a cabinet for my later use. At least, that's what the advisors told me when they were originally pestering me about marriage. I wonder how many of these women are still available. It's been around 12 years, so I assume very few. Of course, if any of these women were single it'd be Anna.

I smile at the name. I haven't seen her since we were children. We had always joked that we'd marry, which was very likely considering how close our families were. I didn't know this until a few years ago, but my parents were about to sign off on our engagement right before they died. Apparently the engagement was forgotten afterwards, and that's why Anna and I lost touch. In a way I'm grateful for it, but it still hurts me. She was my only friend and more likely than not she's engaged to some rich crook that wants her for bearing children.

I laugh when I realize that's exactly why the advisers want her as well. She comes from a fairly large family, and naturally that's why they expect me to marry her.

I'd never want to be sold off like that. I'd never want to marry a girl just for that. When I was young I wouldn't question it, but now I know what real love feels like, and I know it can't be taken for granted. It's precious and everyone should be given the chance to obtain it.

But I've been given too many.

I need to marry. I can't wait for Corinne to miraculously start loving me again, which is very unlikely to happen. Of course, I can't blame her for that. I can't force her to marry me, and I should know better by now than to force her. I love her too much to do that to her.

For all I know she's fallen in love with another man and forgotten all about me. I'd be slightly upset, yes, but only because she didn't tell me. Though she doesn't return my feelings I'll always be there for her, and it would hurt me if she didn't tell me she was in love. Our relationship is more complicated that most should be, but it's still the most precious to me. It always will be.

"Your Majesty?" a small voice says.

I gasp and whip my body around. I suddenly notice the little girl that's been watching me for God knows how long. "What are you doing here?"

She blinks, not noticing how desperate I am for someone to take her away. I've never been very good with children, but that's most likely only because I was never exposed to them. Corinne, however, could appease the smallest child instantly. It seemed so strange when she somehow could make them all love her, but I knew it's not something that can easily be explained.

"My mommy's here. She asked Marlene to watch me, but she's boring." This must be Aramina's daughter, Juliet I think her name was. She's been here for business with Renée, and she must've brought this one along.

I let out a breath of relief. Thank God I don't have to find the missing mother. Just the maid. "You shouldn't run off. The palace can be dangerous. Lots of stairs and glass. Very valuable things."

The little girl snorts. "I'm eight, not four. I can take care of myself. I'm not dense."

I blink in surprise. No one besides Corinne and Renée has ever spoken to me in such a way. Must be the musketeer in her.

"So what are you doing?" she asks, walking over to me and grabbing a file from the floor.

"Oh, nothing. Boring grown up stuff."

"Really?"

I nod. "Yes, and I don't think you'd be very interesting in it, so I'd suggest going to find your mother or Madame Marlene before you get in trouble."

She narrows her eyes and stands with her hands on her hips—what happened to the sweet child Aramina always seems to describe? "Are you going to tell?"

A smile crosses my lips. "Maybe I will tell."

"Well, nobody likes a tattle-tale."

"But I'm the king. The king can't be a tattle-tale."

"Yes, he can. Anyone can be a tattle-tale. The ladies my mommy always gripes about tattle about each other. I heard that Aunt Corinne tattled on bad guys all the time."

My eyes widen when I hear her say "Aunt Corinne." I often forget how close they were when Corinne came back.

"Louis, did you know Aunt Corinne?"

My throat tightens. Did I know her? My God, the question hurts. "Y-Yes, I knew her." My mind completely ignores the fact she called me by my name. In a way, it feels better.

"Would you tell me about her?"

That catches me off guard. "Why?"

"I met her a long time ago, and… things happened, and mommy wouldn't tell me anything about her."

"I don't want to defy your mother."

"But you're the king. You can do whatever you want."

I laugh. "That is far from the truth. You see, your mother and your Aunts would never allow me to do whatever I wanted. The advisors wouldn't let me. My cousin wouldn't let me. It's not as easy as you may think. But to answer your question, your Aunt Corinne… she was a very special woman."

"Really?"

"Yes, very much so. When she was 17, she came to Paris to be a Musketeer."

The little girl blinks in surprise. "Like Aunt Renée?"

I smile. "Yes, exactly like Aunt Renée. Corinne was a very stubborn girl. She was told that girls couldn't be Musketeers over and over, but she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Did you tell her she couldn't be a Musketeer?"

I let out a chuckle. "Yes, yes I did. And that was a mistake, mind you. She and your mother and aunts saved my life when my cousin betrayed me."

She gasps. "What did your cousin do?"

I press my lips together. Philippe is still not a very easy subject for me to talk about. "He tried to kill me."

Her eyes widen. "Really? Why?"

"Because he wanted to be king."

"Couldn't he have just asked you to be king instead? I mean, it sounds like a boring job, anyway."

I laugh, shaking my head. "My cousin wasn't that smart. But anyway, your Aunt Corinne saved me, so I made her a Musketeer." She sits down onto the floor, and I follow. "We spent a lot of time together. We rode my hot air balloon, we would walk around the castle… I fell in love with her."

The little girl smiles. "Really? Did you marry her?"

I shake my head. "No. Things happened, and… we couldn't. She had to leave Paris, but she came back eight years later. That's when she saved us all. But she was sad so she had to leave."

"Why was she sad?"

"The man she loved died."

Her eyes widen. "WHAT? ARE YOU A GHOST?"

I chuckle despite the pain in my chest. "No. She doesn't love me anymore. She fell in love with another man."

She sets a hand on my shoulder. "Sorry, kingy. That's tough."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, it's time to find Marlene."

"NO! Please, Louis, please don't make me! Tell me more about Aunt Corinne and her adventures!"

I sigh. Aramina will have my head for this, but I do it anyway. I go on and describe all of Corinne's miraculous adventures. I don't realize how late it is until Juliet's eyes close and her breathing turns deeper.

Damn it. She's sleeping, but I can't leave her in here. With shaky hands, I hoist her up into my arms and exit the passageways. She had to have followed me in here to have found me. The passageways are too intricate for her to find this by herself.

Finally, I find the guest bedroom that Aramina always spends the night in when she visits. She stands outside the room, an irritated look on her face. Upon seeing her daughter she runs over to me.

"What happened? Is she okay? Oh, God. Tell me she's alright."

I laugh and set the little girl into her arms. "She's sleeping."

Aramina stares at me, flabbergasted. "You got her to sleep. You. Louis Bourbon." She opens the door and gently sets Juliet down onto the bed.

I roll my eyes. "Thanks for your faith in me."

Aramina closes the door and smacks me on the arm. "Shush. You're better with kids than you think, you know. I see how uncomfortable you are with children. You'd make a wonderful father."

I frown and move my gaze toward my feet. "Tréville came today."

"I know! I saw him in passing!"

"He and all the advisors want me to marry."

Aramina opens her mouth to speak but says nothing. She sets a hand on my arm and reassuringly squeezes. "Sweetie, I know this is hard for you, but you can't keep sulking back into the shadows. Corinne left almost a year ago. She made it very clear she didn't want you."

I roll my eyes. "Gee, thanks for that talk, Aramina. Very reassuring."

She sighs. "Louis, you need to look around. Keep your mind open. You won't ever find a girl like Corinne, but there might be someone out there for you. She might just be waiting for you to notice."

"If you mean yourself, Aramina, you're married. Shame on you."

She smacks me with her fan. "Oh, hush, you little—"

"It's not nice to curse, especially in front of royalty."

Aramina shakes her head, finally done with me. "Okay, Louis, just keep what I said in mind. It's late. I'm going to bed. Good night."

"Good night, Aramina."

I turn around, a scowl spread across my lips. None of this is turning out as I planned.

(A/N: Ahhh this is one of the my favorite Louis chapters! I feel like we can see a lot more into his character in this chapter, and that's always one of my favorite things! Also, Juliet. 'Nuff said. By the way, thank you to everyone who is reviewing! I really appreciate it!

Replies:

Despicable Margo: Hahaha honestly, if she weren't a virgin I feel like she'd get it on all the time. I think she'd fuck with men out of spite bc she hated Louis for a while there. Though, she wouldn't do James. Let's just say James was a prude. Lmao Haha the names will be cleared up soon, but for now I'll call him Matt. I mean, not sooooon but you know, soon. Also I don't even realize most of the mysteries until after I write them I'm just proof-reading and stumble across stuff like, "Holy shit who wrote that?" hahaha my boy Matt is not shy. Let's just leave it at that *Snorts*

TurquaTortle: The town is bad. V bad. Don't ask how bad. Just v bad. Also yes. That man is hot. I mean idk hot to me. Just… use your imagination bc he's too hot to fancast okay. Omg omg same those characters are my sons, but like irl I hate them so fucking much. You're "whipped for a ship"? Hahahaha. Excuuuse me? I should update more often? Need I remind you how much you update? Hm? Mmhm that's what I thought. ;P

Blueheart: Eh everyone needs help sometimes! Even the infamous Corinne. I mean, she got help from her friends, she got help from Madame Hélène. *Sings* She is only humaaaaaan. Haha thanks for reviewing!

Decembra1998: I know. Corinne is such an arrogant, stubborn snob sometimes it makes me laugh. Like chill for a sec, bro. Lmao

Lasting Violet: Lol We're all wackos sometimes. I think that dude might be the most sane person in this story honestly. Besides Aramina as you can see because Aramina is my darling. Oooh but things can never be as easy as buying a ticket, can it? Muahahaha.

PrincessGeekelle: We are actually in Southern England, near the English Channel, and I think snakes would be more common since at this time it's much much less populated, but idk lol I'm American af sooo but no Trump. Fuck Trump. Hahaha

Thanks for reviewing, everyone! It's so appreciated!

Weatherbug02)