I pulled the hood up on my cloak and allowed the stable boy to help me into the saddle. I was going to the palace on the word of the Queen. I looked across at Athos where he was sitting on the back of Hades. He smiled at me as the others all mounted their horses as well to include Captain Treville.
We rode through the streets of Paris heading toward the Louvre Palace. The palace was Illuminated with torches in the winter gloom; there was the sound of laughter coming from what seemed to be most of the court watching people ice skate on the pond that was in front of the palace.
Grooms came out and held the reins of the horses. Athos came over to me and lifted me down, a maid hurried over to me
"Mistress Estelle, the Queen is in her rooms, she asked me to bring you to her" I nodded and smiled
"I'll accompany you" Aramis said stepping forward, I couldn't help the rise of my eye brows
"There is a lot of red guard about" Porthos said looking around him "and we know they have a thing for you Estelle"
"Aramis go with Estelle" Captain Treville agreed "Athos you are with me to see the King; Porthos, D'artaganan just walk around and observe" They both nodded and walked away. Athos touched my fingers he bent his head and kissed me
"Be safe" he murmured
"You too" I smiled, Aramis put his hand in the small of my back and we walked toward the palace, I was surprised at the amount of red guards that were there. "It's a little dangerous you coming in there with me isn't it?" I asked glancing at Aramis
"I had to Estelle... I have to see her" he kept his eyes moving around taking everything in "And you do need a guard with you"
"I'm not going to disagree with you" My heart caught in my chest as the Cardinal appeared at the top of the stairs we were about to climb.
He watched as Aramis and I walked toward him. Aramis's hand rested on the hilt of his sword as if he was getting ready to pull it out
"Why does a Meer maid require a Musketeer, to escort her?" Cardinal Richelieu asked
"Because even in the palace there are hidden dangers" Aramis made sure he was between the two of us "and her Majesty would hate for anything to happen to Estelle, and so would her Musketeer"
"From what I have seen that could be any of you" he narrowed his eyes at me
"Lets go to the Queen" Aramis said not taking his eyes from the Cardinal. He put his hand in the small of my back guiding me up the last of the stairs; leaving Cardinal Richelieu to watch after us. "You can breathe now Estelle" He chuckled as we rounded the corner and walked the long gallery toward the Queens apartments.
I stopped walking and braced my hands on the closest window ledge and tried to control my trembling.
"That man scares me" I turned my head and looked at Aramis. He smiled at me and put his arms around me and hugged me in a brotherly way before moving back. He held my arms and turned me to face him.
"I would say there is nothing to be afraid of; but I cannot, but be assured that we will do everything to make sure that you are safe" He took a deep breath
"Estelle?" the sound of the Queens voice had both Aramis and I looking around
"Your Majesty" I dipped into a deep curtsy as Aramis bowed. Constance was stood just behind her a warm smile spread across her face
"Aramis" the Queen flushed
"It is rather chilly your Majesty could we possible warm ourselves?" Aramis asked
"What? Oh yes of course" she lead the way in to her apartment,
"Are you well Estelle?" the Queen asked
"I am" I smiled and nodded. Aramis walked over to the window and looked down to where most of the court was still watching the people skating.
"Estelle?" I looked up and walked over to him "Is that the woman you were speaking of?" he pointed down to where the King and Milady were walking leaving everyone else behind
"What is it" The Queen asked joining us at the window. She inhaled sharply as the King kissed Milady, thinking they were hidden from view.
I felt my eyes get wide and I took a side glance at the Queen who had her eyes closed and her breathing was quick and sharp
"Your Majesty please come by the fire" Constance said put her arm around the queen and moving her away from the window. Aramis joined her on the other side
"I'm sorry" he said in a low voice
"It is not the first time the King has taken a mistress" She sat heavily on the chair "But he is normally more discreet"
"Let me fetch you a brandy" Constance got up "Estelle do not allow anyone in" I couldn't take my eyes from Milady outside "Estelle"
"Go" I waved her away she hurried out and closed the door behind her shutting out the ladies in waiting.
"Anne" Aramis dropped to his knees at her feet and she stroked his head as he laid it in her lap.
I heard the intake of breath from the Queen and I caught her reflection looking across at me. I took a deep breath and turned away from the window.
"I know about what happened" I smiled at her "I do not blame you falling in love with a man like Aramis" she looked down at the top of Aramis's head " I will not say anything because I love Aramis like he was my brother"
"Thank you Estelle" She nodded "Aramis, please look at me" he looked up "We have to be beyond discreet" He nodded at her and moved to his knees and held her face in his hand and kissed her as Athos kissed me.
I turned away from them and went back to the window in time to see the King walking in to the palace with Milady on his arm.
"You must go" I heard the Queen say "It doesn't look right that you are in here with me"
"Captain Treville told him to escort me" I said watching the rest of the court file back inside
"Then you must leave with him so it remains that Aramis is your guard" She was holding his hands "But then I'd like to see you here again"
"I understand" I nodded as Constance walked back in with a Brandy
"Constance you will go with them, you need to see your D'artaganan" Constance looked a little taken aback "I would like to be alone for a while"
"Of course your Majesty" Aramis kissed the Queen once more before the three of us walked out together.
"I'm not liking this" Constance said through gritted teeth as we walked back down the long gallery
"I don't think any of us are" Aramis sighed "I am sorry for putting you both in this situation" He looked between the two of us
A door in front of us opened and the King and Milady walked through. I stalled in my steps as she faced me,
"Estelle" the sound of Athos's voice called down the Gallery causing Milady to turn around.