If there was one thing Cosette could say, is that there really wasn't much of woman equality. Sure, there was some women who were lucky to have education and be held in the highest regards. Cosette was educated by her father himself, apart from the sword fighting that was. However, women lived in a world ruled by men. Mademoiselle d'Artagnan knew it, as well as Constance and Comtesse Ninon de Larocque. It was that particular reason that kept Cosette where she was at. She thought of that as she and her fellow Musketeers escorted the King's Royal Party throughout the streets.
Cosette caught sight of Constance and two other women. One of them was one of Constance's cousin and the other was a friend, Therese. Honestly, Cosette wasn't paying attention to what Fleur's relation was to Constance. She just knew Fleur was a cousin of Constance's husband. Constance had explained the situation to Fleur about Cosette. Fleur, for the life of her, would not say anything to Cosette, mainly because Constance made Fleur promise not to say anything.
Something did truly scare Cosette, however, when she saw that girl who Fleur and Constance had been friends with was run over with the king's carriage. She was dead as soon as people came rushing towards her. Constance was trying to get in because she knew Therese. Porthos and Treville were with her while Aramis and Athos dealt with a burglary nearby. It was an odd coincidence that two tragic things were happening at the same time, like someone planned them.
"Let me through!" Constance shouted. She was trying to reach the poor young woman but red Guards were blocking her way. "I know her!"
Treville let the guard have Constance pass. She quickly rushed over to Therese, the poor girl who was killed underneath the royal carriage.
"Do you know what she was doing?" Cosette asked, her eyes never left.
"No," Constance answered. She unrolled a parchment that seemed to confuse her. Constance called out to Fleur to know what it meant, but when she turned, her cousin was gone.
Porthos joined Cosette in talking to Constance about Therese and they learned of Ninon through her. The duo joined Aramis and Athos to Ninon's house. It made Cosette feel strange to be in a Mansion that belonged to a rebellious woman who thought women deserved equality like any other man, as well as an education. Fleur and Therese took lessons together with the noblewoman, according to Constance.
Cosette saw that one of the women were hiding from Athos' view, but she could not put her finger on it. The other women, when they saw the Musketeers and Cosette, they looked at them in surprise.
"Does anyone here know the whereabouts of Mademoiselle Fleur Baudin?" Athos asked. None of the women answered, except for this tall blond woman that Cosette assumed was the Comtesse, Ninon de Larroque.
"If you have questions, Monsieur, address them to me." Said Ninon.
"Comtesse de Larroque. I am here on behalf of the King," said Athos. "My name is..."
"I know who you are," interrupted Ninon. "I've often seen you at court and thought how handsome you are."
Athos was at a loss for words. No woman since Anne had ever talked to him like that. Despite Athos' reaction, Ninon continued.
"There is a melancholy aspect to your looks that I find intriguing," said Ninon, "but it's probably only mental vacancy." Cosette surpassed her laughing with Porthos and Aramis also looking with amusement.
"I hope not. But forgive our intrusion," said Athos.
"I will not forgive it. This is a place of scholarship, where women can enjoy each other's company without the crude attentions of men." Ninon looked at Cosette, who felt comfortable as the woman over there was observing her. She then looked at Athos. "What is it that you want? Mm?"
"We are...looking for Fleur Baudin," Athos said uneasily. "She has run away from her family and they are anxious."
"Anxious to marry her into a life of domestic slavery, no doubt," said Ninon. "She's not here. You can go now."
She looked away.
"Your brooch," said Porthos. "What does it mean?"
"It is a wren," said Ninon. "A bird that cannot be caged. A symbol of hope and freedom.
Ninon looked pointedly at Cosette, however, the younger woman would ignore her. The less she looked at Ninon, the less the woman would deduce about her gender. And Aramis And Porthos were ones to see that Ninon was observing her. From her right, Aramis asked, "A symbol of your own dreams and ambitions, I would imagine?"
Ninon was no longer looking at Cosette and looked at Aramis, smiling.
"Ah. We have a romantic in our midst," said Ninon.
Cosette rolled her eyes as Ninon and the women chuckled.
"Observe, ladies - the remarkable phenomenon, a man of wisdom and perception," said Ninon. However, Cosette felt as if she was mocking her brothers.
"If by romantic you mean a man who gladly acknowledges the superiority of the female gender then...I accept the description," said Aramis.
"Your charm won't work here. We are quite immune," said Ninon. However, Cosette could see that the women from behind were so affected based on the fact they were giggling or smiling.
"We are not here to discuss your beliefs," Athos interrupted. "We are looking for Fleur Baudin."
"And I've already told you she's not here," said Ninon.
"Then you won't mind if we search your house?"
"On the contrary. I mind very much."
"I could insist."
"Or you could take my word. Am I right? Is there an inner sadness that informs the beauty of your features? Answer me honestly, and I shall allow you to search my house."
"We all have our deep secrets and hidden emotions, Comtesse," Athos responded. "Allow me to keep mine to myself."
"A barely adequate answer. But I am feeling indulgent." said Ninon. "Follow me."
Athos and Ninon left to search the whole mansion. Honestly, Cosette didn't understand how they would be able to search every room in the house. Actually, what bothered her was Ninon looking at her when she was talking to Athos. Cosette couldn't help but feel utter terror. Ninon could know who she was and blab to Athos. Cosette was not going to let that affect her.
"Well, if that wasn't flirting, I don't know what is," Cosette said. She wanted to say all this to distract herself from her thoughts.
"Rubbish," Porthos said. "She can't stand him."
"One day, we'll sit down and, err... I'll explain women to you," said Aramis.
Cosette rolled her eyes and tried keeping a straight face but with Aramis. It was never possible with him. Within twenty-five minutes, Athos and Ninon had returned, but Cosette could feel the tension that Athos was feeling after to the Comtesse. Something must have happened between her and Athos neither of them wanted to talk about.
Cosette heard some of the girls whispering behind her back. She could not help but think that they were gossiping about her. The thought of being discovered by other individuals other than her brothers. Constance knew since the day she first met. That woman, Agnes who revealed to her, knew based on the way Cosette acted differently than the other people. Treville knew the whole time. And Ninon and these women probably knew too. Athos, Aramis and Porthos would remain oblivious until the day she was an old woman. However, she could only imagine the horror if they found out now. There would be shock, hurt and betrayal, and a loss of trust. Now, when Athos returned, he looked as if he wanted to punch a wall. And Ninon looked awkward. However, Ninon looked at the way he talked to the girl in disguise. Cosette decided to ignore her.
A day at the Garrison was especially hard for her because she wanted to be there for Constance, who was pained to having no idea where Fleur could be. Cosette would not let her best friend suffer. Sure, approached Captain Treville, asking for a leave of duty for a couple of days. He asked why she wanted to. Cosette explained her reason fairly easily. It was to support Constance until her cousin came back home.
"Cosette, is everything okay?" Treville asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No, there is nothing wrong, sir," said Cosette, flashing a genuine smile. "I just want to be there for my best friend. Besides since all the Musketeers are busy, I could stay for the missing girl until she showed up.
"I want to be there for Constance until her cousin is returned for her. Besides, I'm starting to not breathe in this corset and have loosened it enough for you to see what I am."
Treville thought of that for a bit. It took a minute before he shook his head "yes."
"Alright Cos, I'll allow you temporarily leave of duty until Mademoiselle Baudin is found. But remember, you're doing it out of duty." Treville hinted that he was acting more than professional with her. Duty as in duty for a friend. Cosette understood and nodded. "Of course, sir," Cosette answered.
AIf there was one thing Cosette could say, is that there really wasn't much of woman equality. Sure, there was some women who were lucky to have education and be held in the highest regards. Cosette was educated by her father himself, apart from the sword fighting that was. However, women lived in a world ruled by men. Mademoiselle d'Artagnan knew it, as well as Constance and Comtesse Ninon de Larocque. It was that particular reason that kept Cosette where she was at. She thought of that as she and her fellow Musketeers escorted the King's Royal Party throughout the streets.
Cosette caught sight of Constance and two other women. One of them was one of Constance's cousin and the other was a friend, Therese. Honestly, Cosette wasn't paying attention to what Fleur's relation was to Constance. She just knew Fleur was a cousin of Constance's husband. Constance had explained the situation to Fleur about Cosette. Fleur, for the life of her, would not say anything to Cosette, mainly because Constance made Fleur promise not to say anything.
Something did truly scare Cosette, however, when she saw that girl who Fleur and Constance had been friends with was run over with the king's carriage. She was dead as soon as people came rushing towards her. Constance was trying to get in because she knew Therese. Porthos and Treville were with her while Aramis and Athos dealt with a burglary nearby. It was an odd coincidence that two tragic things were happening at the same time, like someone planned them.
"Let me through!" Constance shouted. She was trying to reach the poor young woman but red Guards were blocking her way. "I know her!"
Treville let the guard have Constance pass. She quickly rushed over to Therese, the poor girl who was killed underneath the royal carriage.
"Do you know what she was doing?" Cosette asked, her eyes never left.
"No," Constance answered. She unrolled a parchment that seemed to confuse her. Constance called out to Fleur to know what it meant, but when she turned, her cousin was gone.
Porthos joined Cosette in talking to Constance about Therese and they learned of Ninon through her. The duo joined Aramis and Athos to Ninon's house. It made Cosette feel strange to be in a Mansion that belonged to a rebellious woman who thought women deserved equality like any other man, as well as an education. Fleur and Therese took lessons together with the noblewoman, according to Constance.
Cosette saw that one of the women were hiding from Athos' view, but she could not put her finger on it. The other women, when they saw the Musketeers and Cosette, they looked at them in surprise.
"Does anyone here know the whereabouts of Mademoiselle Fleur Baudin?" Athos asked. None of the women answered, except for this tall blond woman that Cosette assumed was the Comtesse, Ninon de Larroque.
"If you have questions, Monsieur, address them to me. "Comtesse de Larroque. I am here on behalf of the King," said Athos. "My name is..."
"I know who you are," interrupted Ninon. "I've often seen you at court and thought how handsome you are."
Athos was at a loss for words. No woman since Anne had ever talked to him like that. Despite Athos' reaction, Ninon continued.
"There is a melancholy aspect to your looks that I find intriguing," said Ninon, "but it's probably only mental vacancy." Cosette surpassed her laughing with Porthos and Aramis also looking with amusement.
"I hope not. But forgive our intrusion," said Athos.
"I will not forgive it. This is a place of scholarship, where women can enjoy each other's company without the crude attentions of men." Ninon looked at Cosette, who felt comfortable as the woman over there was observing her. She then looked at Athos. "What is it that you want? Mm?"
"We are...looking for Fleur Baudin," Athos said uneasily. "She has run away from her family and they are anxious."
"Anxious to marry her into a life of domestic slavery, no doubt," said Ninon. "She's not here. You can go now."
She looked away.
"Your brooch," said Porthos. "What does it mean?"
"It is a wren," said Ninon. "A bird that cannot be caged. A symbol of hope and freedom.
Ninon looked pointedly at Cosette, however, the younger woman would ignore her. The less she looked at Ninon, the less the woman would deduce about her gender. And Aramis And Porthos were ones to see that Ninon was observing her. From her right, Aramis asked, "A symbol of your own dreams and ambitions, I would imagine?"
Ninon was no longer looking at Cosette and looked at Aramis, smiling.
"Ah. We have a romantic in our midst," said Ninon.
Cosette rolled her eyes as Ninon and the women chuckled.
"Observe, ladies - the remarkable phenomenon, a man of wisdom and perception," said Ninon. However, Cosette felt as if she was mocking her brothers.
"If by romantic you mean a man who gladly acknowledges the superiority of the female gender then...I accept the description," said Aramis.
"Your charm won't work here. We are quite immune," said Ninon. However, Cosette could see that the women from behind were so affected based on the fact they were giggling or smiling.
"We are not here to discuss your beliefs," Athos interrupted. "We are looking for Fleur Baudin."
"And I've already told you she's not here," said Ninon.
"Then you won't mind if we search your house?"
"On the contrary. I mind very much."
"I could insist."
"Or you could take my word. Am I right? Is there an inner sadness that informs the beauty of your features? Answer me honestly, and I shall allow you to search my house."
"We all have our deep secrets and hidden emotions, Comtesse," Athos responded. "Allow me to keep mine to myself."
"A barely adequate answer. But I am feeling indulgent." said Ninon. "Follow me."
Athos and Ninon left to search the whole mansion. Honestly, Cosette didn't understand how they would be able to search every room in the house. Actually, what bothered her was Ninon looking at her when she was talking to Athos. Cosette couldn't help but feel utter terror. Ninon could know who she was and blab to Athos. Cosette was not going to let that affect her.
"Well, if that wasn't flirting, I don't know what is," Cosette said. She wanted to say all this to distract herself from her thoughts.
"Rubbish," Porthos said. "She can't stand him."
"One day, we'll sit down and, err... I'll explain women to you," said Aramis.
Cosette rolled her eyes and tried keeping a straight face but with Aramis. It was never possible with him. Within twenty-five minutes, Athos and Ninon had returned, but Cosette could feel the tension that Athos was feeling after to the Comtesse. Something must have happened between her and Athos neither of them wanted to talk about.
Cosette heard some of the girls whispering behind her back. She could not help but think that they were gossiping about her. The thought of being discovered by other individuals other than her brothers. Constance knew since the day she first met. That woman, Agnes who revealed to her, knew based on the way Cosette acted differently than the other people. Treville knew the whole time. And Ninon and these women probably knew too. Athos, Aramis and Porthos would remain oblivious until the day she was an old woman. However, she could only imagine the horror if they found out now. There would be shock, hurt and betrayal, and a loss of trust. Now, when Athos returned, he looked as if he wanted to punch a wall. And Ninon looked awkward. However, Ninon looked at the way he talked to the girl in disguise. Cosette decided to ignore her.
A day at the Garrison was especially hard for her because she wanted to be there for Constance, who was pained to having no idea where Fleur could be. Cosette would not let her best friend suffer. Sure, approached Captain Treville, asking for a leave of duty for a couple of days. He asked why she wanted to. Cosette explained her reason fairly easily. It was to support Constance until her cousin came back home.
"Cosette, is everything okay?" Treville asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No, there is nothing wrong, sir," said Cosette, flashing a genuine smile. "I just want to be there for my best friend. Besides since all the Musketeers are busy, I could stay for the missing girl until she showed up.
"I want to be there for Constance until her cousin is returned for her. Besides, I'm starting to not breathe in this corset and have loosened it enough for you to see what I am."
Treville thought of that for a bit. It took a minute before he shook his head "yes."
"Alright Cos, I'll allow you temporarily leave of duty until Mademoiselle Baudin is found. But remember, you're doing it out of duty." Treville hinted that he was acting more than professional with her. Duty as in duty for a friend. Cosette understood and nodded. "Of course, sir," Cosette answered.