The Masquerade Ball was now a few days away and the entire palace was bustling about trying to make everything perfect for the big night of celebration. Plans were being made not only in the palace, but in other places as well. Buckingham and Milady had been scheming away to perfect their plans. The Musketeers were also busy trying to think of strategies that they would need to use if Buckingham were to show up. Of course, they were all hoping he wouldn't show up.

D'Artagnan and Arabella had been somewhat distant towards each other since that one day they almost kissed. Well, at least to D'Artagnan, Arabella was distancing herself from him. They both felt they had feelings for each other but never tried to prove it again. They had been acting as "friends" and nothing more, at least, not yet. D'Artagnan desperately wanted to change that.

D'Artagnan trudged down the stairs in the morning and saw Athos, Aramis and Porthos sitting at the table eating and drinking.

Pathos's face lit up when he saw him. "Ah! Good morning, boy!"

Aramis turned towards D'Artagnan. "Looking for something?" He smirked.

"Or someone?" Porthos smiled as he elbowed Aramis.

Athos gave them a quick smile then proceeded to drinking.

D'Artagnan glared. "I'm looking for Arabella. Is she here?" He asked.

Porthos cheerfully turned to Aramis and whispered "He asked about her. I won the bet."

Aramis groaned as Porthos took the bag of money from him. "Thank you, D'Artagnan! Because you asked that, I know can splurge on wine and other sorts of things."

"You're welcome?" D'Artagnan said as he rolled his eyes.

"Arabella is at the palace." Athos said.

"Oh, she is? Why?"

"The Queen was asking for her because she has a dress for her to wear at the Masquerade."

"The Queen seems to be very fond of her, doesn't she?" D'Artagnan asked.

Athos nodded.

"Or maybe the Queen just feels pity towards her because she lives with us." Porthos said.

D'Artagnan smiled and sat down. "When will she be back?"

"Never." Porthos said quietly.

D'Artagnan looked at him. "Don't say that, Porthos." He scolded.

"Yes, well. Calm down, D'Artagnan. She's not in any danger. She's with us, remember?"

"What a terrible thing to say." Aramis joined in.

"What do you mean; she's not in any danger? Buckingham is looking for her, I'm sure. She is in danger and she is also a danger to us all." Athos said.

"I really wish you wouldn't talk about her like that." D'Artagnan said.

Athos sighed. "D'Artagnan… Never mind. How about we all get out of the house and-"

"Buy some more wine?" Porthos asked.

"Precisely." Athos said as he got up.

"And if Arabella returns?" D'Artagnan asked as he got up.

"Planchet will be here." Aramis said.

"Alright, then."

Arabella gasped with surprise as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing the dress the Queen had chosen for her. It was one of the most beautiful dresses Arabella had ever laid eyes upon. The dress was midnight blue, with lace on the sleeves and neck line. Tiny, thin, but very noticeable, golden strings were intertwined in the fabrics and laced through the dress in an elegant pattern. The bodice of the dress was laced with the thin golden strings as well. The strings that held it together in the back were the same. The Queen even had custom made shoes for her that matched the dress perfectly. The shoes were flat slippers with a slight heel. They were midnight blue and laced with gold. The whole outfit made Arabella feel wonderful. She felt beautiful. She stared at herself and was at a loss for words.

The Queen happily joined her side in front of the mirror.

"Do you like it?" She asked.

Arabella nodded and looked at her. "I love it. It's very beautiful." She smiled.

"I'm pleased you think that. You look very lovely in it." The Queen said and walked to the other side of her.

"Thank you." Arabella said.

"You're welcome. Oh, just think of the attention you will be receiving when he sees you in this dress." The Queen smiled.

Arabella happily nodded, but stopped. "Queen Anne, who is this he you are referring to?" She asked, suddenly becoming embarrassed.

"Why, D'Artagnan, of course." The Queen giggled.

Arabella felt her face turn red and faced the Queen. "What makes you think he's interested in me?" She asked as she twirled her braided hair.

"I can just tell. When you first walked in here, I asked you how you were getting along with the Musketeers and you rarely spoke of Athos, Porthos and Aramis. All you thoughts were focused on D'Artagnan. He's a handsome young man. He's very brave, too. You've chosen wisely."

Arabella smiled and looked back at her reflection in the mirror.

The Queen smiled and placed an arm around Arabella's shoulders. "Oh, come now, Arabella. No need to be embarrassed. Here, I'll know what'll take your mind off of him, if that's even possible. Stay here." The Queen said as she walked away giggling.

Arabella sighed as she watched the Queen slowly open a drawer and mutter a few things to herself.

Even if Arabella could deny it, she certainly was thinking of D'Artagnan. She couldn't help but wonder what he will think of her when he saw her in this lovely dress. Will he think she is beautiful? Or will he not even pay attention to her? That's silly, she thought to herself. Even she knew D'Artagnan wouldn't be able to not pay attention to her. She would just have to wait and find out.

"Found it." The Queen said and walked back over to Arabella with something in her hand.

"I don't believe I've ever worn this before. It would look lovely on you so you may have it." She said and held up a golden barrette that had a detailed midnight blue flower.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't." Arabella said, mesmerized by the beautiful barrette.

"But I want to." The Queen said as she placed the barrette in Arabella's hand. "You'll take good care of it, I'm sure."

Arabella nodded and looked at herself in the mirror so she can put the barrette on.

"I most definitely will." She said. Once she had finished placing the barrette in her hair, she looked at the Queen and bowed.

"Thank you so much. Thank you for everything, your Majesty."

"Oh, it was my pleasure, Arabella. You're a very sweet girl." The Queen said.

Arabella smiled. "Thank you, again. I think I'll go and change back into my other dress."

"Oh, of course."

With the helped of the maids, Arabella had changed back into the dress she had arrived in. The dress for the masquerade would remain at the palace with the Queen until the night of the Ball. On that night, Arabella would arrive at the castle early so she may get ready and remain there until the night's celebration began.

Once Arabella was all ready to return back to the Musketeer's house, she met the Queen in the hall.

"All ready?" The Queen asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Good. While you were getting ready, I was reminded of something I needed to ask you." The Queen said as she walked down the hall, which led outside, with Arabella.

"Oh? What is it you wanted to ask me?" Arabella asked.

"I have spoken matters over with my husband and I know you may or may not be of a noble title but, I was wondering if you would ever consider becoming one of my ladies-in-waiting?" The Queen asked.

Arabella looked at her. "Really? I'm honored. I may have to think it over, though."

"Of course. You don't have to answer right away. You have all the time in the world to consider it. It was merely a suggestion if you'd like to." The Queen said, smiling.

"Thank you. I shall think about it." Arabella said as she walked outside.

The Queen nodded and said goodbye to Arabella. Once the two parted ways, Arabella hurried home.

When she was at the door of the house, she noticed something lying on the floor. It was something small and it was glimmering in the sunlight. She checked her surroundings and picked it up. It was an earring. It was gold and had small green gems all around it. Arabella's heart beat began to quicken when she realized who this belonged to.

"Milady." She whispered as she held the earring in her hand. She felt frightened. Milady's earring was left in front of the door of the Musketeer's home. She was here. Or worse, her and her brother had been here. What had they done?

Arabella quickly walked to the side of the house. Buttercup was happily standing there and nothing else had changed. Everything had been the same as it had always been. Arabella walked back to the front door and opened it. The house seemed empty. She slowly walked in and looked at the table.

" Miss Arabella!"

Arabella jumped in surprise and turned around. Planchet was standing at the door with a loaf of bread. "Did I scare you?" He asked with a worried look on his face.

Arabella nodded. "I was just surprised, that's all. Where have you been?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Buying more bread." Planchet said proudly and placed the loaf on the table.

"And Athos, Aramis, Porthos and D'artagnan are where?"

"I honestly don't know. When I was here earlier, they were gone."

"I see. Planchet?" Arabella asked.

Planchet, who was serving himself some bread, looked up. "Yes?"

"When you were here earlier, did anyone knock on the door or was anyone lingering outside?"

Planchet looked at bread and thought. "Hmm, as a matter of fact, there was someone. I didn't see the face, though."

Arabella walked up to him. "Who was it? What did they sound like?"

"Uhh, they had a black cloak on. But, it looked like the person was wearing a dress underneath and the voice was that of a woman."

Milady.

"A woman? What did she say?" Arabella asked.

"Oh! She said to make sure you receive this letter." Planchet said in realization and fumbled through his vest pocket. He pulled out a letter and quickly handed it to Arabella.

"Did she know I was staying here?" Arabella asked as she took the letter.

"She asked me if you were living here and… I told her yes." Planchet admitted.

"Oh, Planchet." Arabella said worriedly.

"I feel as if I have just done something horribly wrong…"

"No, don't worry yourself over it, please. Thank you, Planchet." Arabella said as she walked away.

"You're welcome." Planchet said.

Arabella turned towards him before walking up the stairs. "You didn't open this letter and read it, did you, Planchet?" She asked.

"Oh, no! I would never do that." Planchet said.

Arabella studied his face to see if he had any nervous reaction to her question.

"I swear." Planchet said and crossed his heart.

Satisfied with this, Arabella ran upstairs into the room she was staying in and closed the door behind her.

Milady had been here. Hopefully she hadn't been in the house the second time Planchet was gone. It was bad enough that she was outside and she and Buckingham now knew where Arabella was staying. She, herself, was in danger and now she had really put the Musketeers and Planchet in danger. Arabella placed the earring on a wooden table in the corner of the room and pulled a wooden stool over to herself. She set the letter on the table and sat down.

Whatever was written in that letter scared her. She hesitated before opening it. After a few minutes, she opened the letter and read it to herself.

Dearest Arabella,

I hope you know I am very disappointed in you. Milady and I have been very worried since you decided to disappear that day at the monastery. Thanks to some reliable sources, we now know where your precise location is. Did you honestly think the Musketeers would be a good bunch to be with? You need us, Arabella, not them. They are ignorant and foolish. They know nothing.

I have thought of new plans that Milady and I would like to carry out with your help, of course. If you decide not to help us, your new friends will perish. If you would like to help us and put aside their deaths for now, you shall have to meet us tonight in that barren field near the market place. We know where to find you. We are keeping a close watch on you, Arabella. Do not try to fail us again.

Do not let anyone follow you. They will be sorry if they do.

Buckingham

Arabella cupped her face in her hands and slouched over the table. She felt as if she were going to cry but knew she shouldn't since D'Artagnan and the Musketeers may be returning soon. She had failed everyone. D'Artagnan could never know what she was doing, he'd be heartbroken. He would really despise her. As much as she hated doing so, she would have to lie to him.

She had to meet her brother and Milady tonight. She wasn't going to let them hurt her friends. But how would she get out of the house without being caught and questioned? Athos goes to bed late or hardly even sleeps. She would have to find a way to sneak out without him seeing. Planchet would be asleep. Porthos and Aramis would probably be asleep and D'Artagnan would be asleep as well. This wasn't going to be easy but it was something she would have to do.

"Hello, sirs!" Planchet said as he greeted the Musketeers as they walked through the door.

Athos ignored Planchet and put his hat away. Porthos and Aramis ignored him as well, since they were arguing over petty things as they walked through the door.

"Hello, Planchet." D'Artagnan smiled. "Is Arabella back from the palace?"

"She's upstairs. She seems a bit troubled." Planchet said.

D'Artagnan looked above him where she would be and ran upstairs to her. When he was nearer to the room she was in, he slowly walked up to the door and knocked.

Arabella, who was still sulking over the problem at hand, quickly got up and opened the door. D'Artagnan's face was right in front of hers. His cheeks flushed when he realized how close they were. Arabella backed away and gave him a fake smile.

"You're back." She said.

"Yes, I am. Are you alright?" He asked as he opened the door wider.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be alright?" Arabella asked.

"Planchet told me that you were feeling troubled." D'Artagnan said.

Arabella nervously laughed. "Oh, Planchet is so silly." She said as she looked around the room and stared, wide eyed at the table. She had left the letter opened and she had to hide it before D'Artagnan saw it.

"Excuse me, please." Arabella said and ran over to the table and quickly shoved the letter down her corset. She turned around and saw D'Artagnan tracing the doorway with his finger. "You seem frightened about something."

"I'm fine, D'Artagnan. Really, I am." Arabella protested.

D'Artagnan gazed at her and slowly walked up to her.

"Are you?" He asked once he was a few feet away from her.

"Yes." Arabella said.

D'Artagnan sighed and took one step closer to her. "Is Buckingham bothering you?"

"No!" Arabella yelled. "I'm sorry… No, he isn't."

D'Artagnan gave her a weary look and placed a hand on the side of her face so her eyes can be fixed on his.

"You don't have to lie to me, Arabella. I know he may be trying to set you up. You don't have to be like him and Milady. I can protect you from him, no matter the cost."

Arabella's eyes were still staring into his. "D'Artagnan, why would you do that?" She asked almost in a whisper.

"Because I care about you." D'Artagnan replied.

Arabella said nothing and just stared at him. D'Artagnan thought this would be the perfect opportunity to kiss her. And that he did. The moment their lips touched, D'Artagnan knew that meeting her was no accident. It was fate. The feelings he felt for her were not just an infatuation. They were real. They were real for Arabella, as well. At first, Arabella was taken by surprise from his kiss but quickly returned it.

D'Artagnan wanted to stay like this forever and Arabella wanted to also, but returning his affection would only make him care for her more, which would be putting him more in danger.

Arabella broke the kiss and looked at him.

D'Artagnan smiled at her and held her hand in his hand. "Please promise me that you won't let Milady or Buckingham hurt you."

Arabella hesitated before answering him. "I promise."