Chapter 14. Perfect

If there was ever a single word that could accurately describe his life, perfect would be the last word Louis would ever think to use. Yet as he approached the misty banks of the Seine, he found perfect to be exactly the right word. Well, his life wouldn't truly be perfect until Philippe was no longer breathing, but this was close enough. For the first time in a long time, everything in his life was working for his benefit. His flying machine was nearly complete. He simply needed a few more yards of fabric for the balloon. The country estate he'd purchased had been restored to his exact specifications and was finally finished. He was immensely pleased with the work that had been done on the manor. And of course, there was Corinne.

What had started out as training an unexpected candidate for the musketeers and a formidable new threat for Philippe had turned into so much more as he grew to know her. She was fierce and unafraid to challenge him whenever it struck her to do so. He never imagined she would come to be his friend. He never dreamed she would come to love him. Even after she's been witness to his temper and seen his face, she still loved him. Louis still had difficulty wrapping his head around all of this. His entire life people said he'd been cursed with a face not even a mother could love. It had taken twenty years of hardships, but he now knew those people were wrong. Corinne had showed him that and he would spend the rest of his life finding new ways to thank her. She was perfect.

"Louis, you are late." Hélène scolded.

"Yes, I apologize. Time slipped away from me and Mademoiselle D'Artagnan's lessons went much longer than expected." He said coolly, confident that the high collar of his cloak proved that he was indeed lying. Well, perhaps only partially lying. He and Mademoiselle D'Artagnan did have a lesson. She simply knew exactly how to get out actually fencing. Little vixen.

Hélène eyed him suspiciously.

"Honestly Hélène, you don't think I would be late on purpose?"

"I think you are in a fairly good mood for having come from a fencing lesson with Corinne."

Louis laughed it off, but damn she was smart. "Yes. I can see why you'd be suspicious. You should see her with a blade, Hélène. Her progress is enough to make any teacher smile."

"That's all?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I am just not used to seeing you smile," Hélène answered. "It's quite nice."

"Indeed it is."

...

Corinne awoke that morning to something tickling her nose. She opened her eyes and gasped. A single red rose lay on the pillow next to her. She sat up in bed, carefully brushing the petals with her finger. It was beautiful. A gift from Louis. She smiled. Would this become a common occurrence, to find a rose every morning upon her waking? Certainly she wouldn't protest if that were the case.

"Corinne," Renée looked over at her in surprise. "You're up early this mor- Is that a rose?"

"What? A rose?" Aramina bolted upright in bed, tearing the blanket from atop her head. Her eyes found the rose in Corinne's hand and she squealed causing everyone to jump. "Oh Corinne, whoever he is must really like you if he leaves you roses!"

Viveca groaned and pulled her pillow over her head. Corinne laughed. She was more than content to indulge Aramina's excited squeals and girlish fantasies, Viveca and Renée were not. Today was perfect.

"Am I the only one concerned that a man was able to break into our room during the night?" Renée asked.

Aramina nodded in response and Corinne laughed again. All day, her spirits were high. She smiled and hummed to herself as she worked around the palace, earning her a scolding from Madame de Bossé. Madame Hélène as well gave her several suspicious glances throughout the day. But she paid them no heed. She was too happy and too in love to care. While Louis may not have been an ideal man by society's standards, Corinne wouldn't dare change a single thing about him. Although, his temper could use a little work. She loved him, scars and all. And she couldn't wait for their lesson that night.

...

Someone is a little suspicious now that Corinne and Louis are together. I wonder what she suspects? Maybe she already knows? And Renée certainly asks the right questions. I'd be freaked out if a man snuck into my room while I was asleep. I hope you all paid close attention to this chapter, because while it may not seem very plotty, there's some subtle things that you could pick up on. ;) See you next week!