Despite the confounding experience with Porthos, there was nothing like witnessing the expression on Governor Feron's face when we walked into the palace carrying sacks of grain. We had overheard him arguing with Treville, protesting that the refugees were to be released, demanding to know where the grain was since it was still missing. "You want grain?" Porthos demanded, bearing two sacks over his shoulders as I drifted behind him, adopting my controlled courtly demeanour, hiding all thoughts and emotions deep within. Dropping one to the ground, I heard the rip of hessian before grain spilled across the floor. "We've got plenty."
"Quite providential, wouldn't you say governor?" Questioning Feron as I naturally moved to stand beside Treville, I arched a challenging brow at him. "Almost like an act of God." Beside me, I could feel Treville smirking in satisfaction as he allowed a moment to enjoy Feron's disbelief before pressing further.
"Will you tell the king, Feron? Or shall I?"
"Perhaps we should go to the king, minister," I suggested whilst still looking daringly at Feron, who had lost all colour to his cheeks and looked quite delightfully pallid. "I would be more than happy to recount the details of our discovery." Without allowing Feron a moment to intervene, I slipped my arm through Treville's and together we left, going to the king where we knew to find him in the dauphin's rooms.
He was glad that the grain had been discovered, listening as I told him all I knew and how we had discovered the stolen goods by following the trail from the grain vendor to the wagon master. "Excellent work, Madeleine dear. Dependable as always," Louis praised with the little prince on his knee, sitting together at breakfast where the king was scooping the golden yolk of a boiled egg onto a spoon and feeding little Louis by hand. "Isn't that right, my boy? We can always depend on Lady Madeleine to do a good job and watch over us." Little Louis beamed at me, his curling hair still dishevelled from only just rising from bed. Sliding down from the king's lap, little Louis giggled and called my name, lifting his arms with the expectation that I would lift him. I would never refuse, and I dropped to one knee so that I could sweep him into my arms.
"Oh my dear prince, I have missed you!"
"Papa gave me a pony, Madeleine, a pony! I was riding in the gardens with papa," little Louis told me excitedly as I draped the boy across my knee to perch him there and began to fuss with his curls, attempting to tidy them as gently as possible with my fingers.
"Indeed? Well, I expect you will make as fine a horseman as his majesty one day very soon. You have an excellent teacher, your highness." Since we were amongst friends, I was permitted to be so informal in my behaviour, and little Louis was so charmingly irresistible that I could not help but want to pinch his cheeks and tickle his tummy whenever I could. Other than his mother, I was the most constant female presence in his life. Smiling upon him, I gestured to the breakfast table. "Go on, little highness. Growing boys must finish their breakfast." Doing as I asked, little Louis went back to the king and was promptly lifted back into his lap. I rose to my feet. "If I might suggest, your majesty. I think it would be prudent to deliver the grain to the people as swiftly as possible and spread the word that it was not the refugees who stole it."
"Agreed," Treville nodded, acknowledging that my suggestion was a reasonable one. "The sooner the city knows the refugees are not to blame and their bellies are full, they'll settle back into peace."
"Do as you will, I'm sure Beaufort would not deny the people grain. It can be given as a gesture of his good faith to the crown," Louis decided, and although I did not think that Beaufort would ever willingly be so magnanimous, when the king speaks, we all obey. Treville bowed and I curtseyed, bidding our goodbyes before setting out to make the arrangements as they were necessary. I handled the distribution of the grain, letting it be known that it was the king's gift to the people, and the gesture went a long way in soothing their ruffled spirits.
I even took several portions to the refugees themselves, as a gesture of apology and goodwill, wanting to ensure that they also had means to eat. Clairmont helped me bring the wagon to them, and after I had reassured the suspicious dwellers that these sacks were a gift from the king, they readily accepted them. I spent a little time there, getting to know the people and become acquainted with them.
The children approached me more readily than the adults, rushing towards me with bright laughter as they realised that I had come from the palace. The girls especially had many questions, asking me about the ladies and their dresses, their fine gowns and jewels and ribbons. I answered their flurry of questions, naturally lifting one of the smaller infants onto my hip to carry him as I walked.
Moving through the settlement, I happened to notice my brother ahead of us speaking to the woman he had brought to his office before, Sylvie. She was apparently a well respected leader within the settlement, taking care of everyone and keeping the peace under her watch. I had not expected to see my brother here, but most surprising of all was when Sylvie reached forwards to press her lips to his. I looked away politely, a rosy hue touching my cheek before I put the child down and ushered the others along, telling them to go and play. They went cheerily, waving goodbye as I turned to see Sylvie already walking towards me. She faltered for a moment when she recognised me, a momentary frown before her expression settled. "You're the one who brought the grain?" She questioned as we approached one another, halting once we were face to face.
"I thought it the least I could do, all things considered. I am only sorry the people here were so readily blamed." Speaking honestly, I could not help but wonder about her kissing my brother. They had only known one another a few days, but I suppose a woman might kiss who she willed if the fancy struck her. It was more surprising that Athos had let her. She seemed to guess my thoughts, touching her arm a little meekly.
"What? Do you disapprove of me kissing your brother?" Amused by her sharp quip, I found myself chuckling.
"On the contrary, I thought it quite the tender moment and I did not wish to interrupt." Looking over her shoulder to where Athos now stood with Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan, I could see that they were also looking towards us, possibly waiting for me. My brother was situated in a relaxed stance. Had he not wanted the kiss or had felt any revulsion or guilt for being kissed by another woman, it would have expressed itself in his manner. "I like you, Mademoiselle Sylvie," I decided all at once, looking to her with warm fondness. "I hope we shall see more of one another."
"Oh…well…you're always welcome here." I seemed to have surprised her, for Sylvie was at first at a loss for words, but eventually she returned my smile and we parted ways to attend to our own business. I walked towards the men, glancing only once towards Porthos before painting him out of my mind, as if he were not even there. They had turned to face the exit by the time I was moving towards them, and as I neared I realised it was because someone was speaking to them.
"I hear the people of Saint Antoine have you to thank for the return of their stolen grain." The voice was unfamiliar to me and I hesitated for a moment, noticing that the men were looking rather wary. "I'd like to shake your hand." Once I was nearer, I could see the gentleman himself. Long, dark hair framed his face which was comely enough, however there was something about him that set me ill at ease. He had stretched his hand towards Porthos, who took it to shake after a moment, but I noted how his eyes were focused on the horse the stranger was riding.
"Fine animal." There was something familiar about the creature.
"Andalusian?" It was only when Aramis noted the breed that I recalled the horse from Nortier's stable yard, the one Porthos had admired. It was the same horse, I was certain of it. Same noble features and proud neck, I would not mistake such a fine looking horse.
"Recently acquired, a bargain, practically stole it." He chuckled, but the sinister edge the air had taken concealed a terrible truth. Until now I had stayed out of sight, however when Athos asked if he and the gentlemen had met before, I slipped into view and moved towards him, silently coming to stand at his side with my hand touching against his. "No, I am a…concerned citizen." He stated, without giving us a name, however his sight suddenly fell upon me, and I had to maintain a calm composure not to flinch. "And believe me, I would never forget meeting such a lovely young woman as this. My lady," quite unexpectedly, the stranger's expression softened and he even dismounted his horse.
Athos naturally moved to block the way but I rested my hand against his shoulder, wordlessly telling him that it was alright. My brother glanced at me but inclined his head, willingly stepping aside as the stranger never took his eyes away from mine, leading his horse closer until he was close enough to take my hand with a bow. "It is an honour to meet such a beautiful lady," quite charming, but although perhaps well intended, I had spent many years being teased by Aramis and the others with such flamboyant displays, though I could not help but sense that this compliment was sincere.
"You are too kind, sir, but I make a rule to never trust a man who calls me beautiful upon our first meeting. It makes me believe he is either too liberal with his compliments or possesses a penchant for flattery. So, which are you to be?" Despite the flat refusal of his compliment, my tone was light and full of jest, and when he looked up from over my hand, I found myself to be smiling quite naturally.
"Neither my lady. I am simply a humble man with good taste." Arching an eyebrow, I considered this rather simple remark until suddenly, I burst with a laugh. After the last few days where I had been rolling from anger to confusion, to sorrow and emptiness, it felt good to be flattered by a stranger even as my brother and the others looked with stark surprise. Flexing my fingers as he still held them, I allowed myself to squeeze the stranger's hand in a friendly gesture, stepping towards him as my gaze turned towards the horse.
For all we knew it could be a coincidence, that he had bought his horse from Nortier and there was no reason why the two should be connected, but I held onto a reserve of healthy wariness all the same. At the very least, I allowed myself to admire the creature, releasing my grip upon the stranger to stroke the horse's face, hushing him softly as he whickered. "Judging by the horse you ride, then I must suppose it to be true. It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance sir, even if you will not tell us your name." He smiled at me, and the edge of cold sinisterness seemed to seep away, like sunlight breaking through a raincloud.
"Perhaps next time I will tell you, my lady." A small blush touched upon my cheeks upon his soft, lyrical tone. He took my hand to kiss it in farewell, eyes lingering upon mine for a moment longer before he mounted his horse and gathered up the rain. "I hope our paths will cross again." Stepping back to give the horse room to turn, I hummed thoughtfully, watching the stranger leave as my thoughts began to flutter through my head. I had never seen that man before in Paris, and definitely not at court, yet given the number of rings I had seen around his fingers and the value of the horse he rode, he had access to wealth. A merchant, perhaps?
"What was that?" Athos suddenly stood in front of me, blocking the view of the stranger's retreating form so I blinked, rousing myself from my thoughts.
"I beg your pardon?" He looked visibly agitated, looking at me questioningly before reminding me how a complete stranger had practically fallen off his horse to kiss my hand and I had giggled like a senseless maid. Fully aware that the others were listening and observing, I couldn't help but feel a little hurt by their judgement, and possessed a little glee when I tossed back my hair and straightened my shoulders. "Why, brother, I would have thought you to be able to recognise flirting when it was right in front of your eyes."
"He is dangerous, Madeleine. I do not want you to speak to him again, do not even let him approach you." I huffed in irritation.
"Not you as well…I am perfectly capable of handling my own affairs!" Glancing to each of them but avoiding Porthos most of all, a bitter bile rose to the back of my throat which I hastened to swallow down. "You cannot return after four years of absence and expect me to fall back into the shadows whilst you bask in glory. You cannot take what I have fought for since I had to manage by myself all this time without someone protecting my own back. At least you had each other." Pushing my brother aside, he staggered back a step as he stared at me like I were a stranger. "I have been alone, and I have grown accustomed to the solitude." Striding away, I quickly escorted myself away from that place, and them, angry that I felt so despondent, and cursing myself for my quick tongue.
This was not how I wanted to be, nor how I had imagined our reunion after such a long absence from one another. It seemed I was now at odds with all of them at all times. I did not recognise them, in some ways. We had each grown and changed, a mere distorted reflection of the people we used to be, and it terrified me to think that our alterations might also alter our companionship. Sometimes, a change was too great to be able to fall back together in the right place. Sometimes, there was no choice but to simply move on with one's life…even if it meant straying from the path of your loved ones.