The Three Musketeers (IN EDITS)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

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Someone was clearing their throat and Arianne frowned.

Her eyes flickered open, her head was pounding and the sun was pouring through the window.

She did not remember much of the previous night but turning her head to the right, Arianne's eyes went wide at the King fast asleep next to her.

"Oh my!" Arianne screamed, scrambling off the bed as Christophe woke up too.

It was morning, they were in the same clothes from the previous night, and empty chalices and wine bottles were around the room Arianne stared at the King before they both turned to see Ethan standing at the foot of the bed, judging them.

"What time is it?" Christophe asked as Ethan walked to the window, pulling the curtains open.

The city was awake.

"Past sunrise."

Arianne screamed. "I can't believe I slept here the entire night!"

"You could've left at any moment." Christophe pointed out.

"You got me drunk!" Arianne was panicking. "This is bad. I was asleep in the King's bed chambers! What is everyone going to think? What is everyone going to say?" She paced, panicking.

"Why was she here? Anyone could've walked in!" Ethan looked at the King who didn't know how to respond.

"I need to go! Nina is probably losing her mind!" Arianne headed for the door but Ethan stopped her.

"The entire palace is awake! If you walk out those doors, everyone will see you!" Ethan warned as Arianne pulled her hand away from his hold.

"What do you want me to do? Jump out of the window?"

Christophe walked to the fireplace, pulling a candelabra that hung from the wall. The wall moved, opening a passageway and Arianne stared in shock. "Go. It will take you to the cellars and then straight to the servant's quarters."

"But of course, the King has a moving wall..." She said as Ethan led her to the passage. She stopped and faced Christophe. "We never speak of this!"

He said nothing as Ethan glared at the King. "We will discuss it when I get back!" They shuffled out as Christophe closed the wall, before scrambling to get ready.

***

Arianne ran the passageway, Ethan close behind. "I'm not going to say anything but...

Arianne frowned. "How is that not saying anything?"

"Look," Ethan exhaled, small light from vents in the walls lighting up their path as they kept their voices low. "Anyone could've walked in and you are both very lucky that no servant came in."

"I do not need to hear whatever it is you think..." She shook her head, continuing along. "There is nothing going on between the King and I."

"But...you were in his bed this morning! If someone saw you, they wouldn't believe you!" Ethan replied.

Arianne turned, facing him as Ethan stopped suddenly. "I do not listen to gossip. I know the truth and the King knows the truth and that is all that matters."

"I am an unfortunate conspirator in this, therefore I deserve the truth too..." He gestured for her to keep walking and Arianne continued.

She touched the walls as she walked when the vents were covered by tapestries or paintings as she sighed. "Fine...I was having a bad day and I just wandered into the King's bedroom. I wasn't thinking and was ready to leave but after he told me he was having a bad day too, I stayed and we both just ended up drinking wine, talking and falling asleep..." They reached a dead end and Ethan reached up and pressed a large wooden panel to the right that opened the wall.