Chapter 26. Reunion

The king paced the length of his chambers worriedly. Reports had come in that the palace was under siege, just as his nephew had said. Musketeers stood on both sides of the doors armed and ready to dispatch anyone or anything that even looked to be a threat. A special knock was used to deliver updates and even then the men from outside were not permitted through the doors. The king dared not to take risks with his security. He regretted his younger days when only a few men patrolled the castle. Perhaps his son would still be living if...

He shook his head. Now was not the time for regrets. He would protect his remaining family at all costs. He would not make the same mistake twice.

Footfall was heard outside. The musketeers tensed, the king halted in his pacing. Three rapid knocks. A slight pause. Five more knocks. The musketeers relaxed slightly. This was their signal. One opened the door just enough to retrieve the message. He looked rather confused by the scrap of paper in his hand. His partner made a similar face.

"What is it?" the king demanded impatiently.

"It appears that the prisoners have, um, escaped, Your Majesty."

"Impossible! How?"

The musketeer hesitated. "Report says it was, uh, the old housekeeper who ambushed the guards and broke the girls out."

"What? That cannot be-"

Another signal. Another message. The musketeers stared at it wide-eyed.

"What is it now?"

"Count Philippe is dead."

The king stumbled back. It was happening all over again. He fought to control his breathing. "H-Have you apprehended t-the one res-responsible?"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the men are too afraid to approach him." He read. "It says he has a severe facial deformity, giving him the appearance of having only half a face."

Something deep in the king's heart cried out at the description of the man. It couldn't be. "H-How old?"

"Report says around twenty years."

The king threw the doors open and bolted down the hall. He had to see for himself. Musketeers ran after him. He ordered them to stay back, he just had to see! He rounded a corner. The man and his companion walked the opposite direction.

"Louis." the king whispered. The man stopped. He turned and the king's heart leapt. "It really is you!" He rushed forward, throwing his arms around his long lost son.

Louis stiffened. "F-Father..."

"After all these years! I don't believe it!" He pulled back to look at his son. "All this time I thought you were... Well, that doesn't matter now. You're home."

"Home?" Louis sounded surprised. "No. I don't belong in this castle."

"Of course you do! You are my son! You-"

"I stayed away for a reason. I'd tell you to ask him, but that's currently impossible."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"It was Philippe who tried to kill me fifteen years ago." Louis said coldly. "And again merely a week ago. So, I stopped him."

The king nodded slowly, processing what he'd just heard. His son killed his nephew. His nephew had almost killed his son. Pieces gradually fell together. Philippe had always been secretive after Louis' supposed death. His interest always lied with the seedier exploits of the kingdom. And he was fairly certain that man that was always with him was wanted for previous murders in England. Louis' words made sense. "You should have come to me as soon as you could have. All this could have been avoided."

Louis looked at the girl beside him and smiled. "I wouldn't trade anything I went through if it meant losing Corinne." He took her hand in his. She kissed his scarred cheek.

The king watched his son and this young woman. It was quite obvious they adored one another. It reminded him of his Isabel. "I understand. Love is a powerful force. But it's time for you to come home, Louis, the both of you. My son and heir to the throne."

"I don't want the throne." Louis said. "I just want to live my life with my inventions and my Corinne."

The king's heart jerked painfully.

"However, Corinne wishes to join the ranks of the musketeers. I trained her myself and I daresay she could best any one of them, Treville included." Louis boasted.

Impressive, the king thought. If she was as good as Louis claimed, then she would make a fine musketeer. It was also a chance to keep his son at the castle. "Very well then. I will arrange for several tests within the next few days. I do not doubt your words, my son, but protocol must be followed here."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but," Corinne spoke up, "I don't want that anymore."

Louis turned to her. "But Corinne, your dream-"

"Is to be with you. I've had enough fighting to last a lifetime."

The king nodded, pleaded by her answer. Their devotion to each other warmed his heart. However, it saddened him as well. He could give all the orders he wanted, but none of that would keep Louis here with him. It was clear he had no desire to rule.

"There's nothing I can do to make you stay?" He asked. "Without you or Philippe, I have no heir."

Louis smiled. "Actually Father, I believe I have a solution to both of those problems."

...

Ahhhhh, the king still wants Louis after all this time! And he wanted Louis as king, so bad to where he would even willing to make Corinne a musketeer just to keep him there! Too bad Louis doesn't want to the throne and Corinne doesn't want to be a musketeer. I think almost losing Louis changed her mind. I wonder what trick Louis has up his sleeve this time? Find out next week in the final chapter!