Musketeer's Daughter:Unanswered Riddle

Chapter 50: The Plot

Philippe bowed his head. "I shall escort you to the King. I know where he is at this very moment."

Marguerite straightened after clasping her hands at her waist. "Very well. Stay here, Ysabeau. This does not concern you."

But she could see the underlying terror in her mère's eyes. "I will do no such thing, ma mère. I shall go with you."

They stared at each other, a battle of wills. Finally, Marguerite exhaled a sharp breath through her nose. "Leave every dagger behind, I do not want the King to accuse either of us of taking his life again."

Four daggers later upon the table with an amazed Philippe, she smiled. "I am ready."

"I should know better not to trifle with you, ma dame." He squeezed her to him before he opened the door.

"Wait!" Marguerite leaned against the wall, fanning her face with her hand. Her face sparkled with perspiration, her lips white. After a few moments more, she pushed from the wall. "I am ready."

"Ma mère, are you positive you want to speak with the King?"

"I have never been more my entire life. Just because I am frightened does not mean I will back down. Come, Philippe, take me to see the King." She pushed passed them both, covered her face with her plumed fan, and marched with purpose down the corridor, her hands in tight fists.

They moved from the château to the gardens. The floating one to be exact. "This is the King's most favorite place to be." Philippe nodded toward the island. The waters stretched beyond, the pink heavens reflected like a never ending canvas of sky. Several Garde stood at the ingress, many whom nodded their salutation to their comrade, Philippe.

Ysabeau screwed her eyes and found the King. "He is not alone."

"He is careless. He woos his mistress."

"Andriénle," Marguerite whispered. She clutched Ysabeau's shoulder, her nails creating white marks in her skin. "What if she sees me?"

"Not only that, Marguerite, but Ysabeau is in quite the danger of discovery as well." Philippe held out his arm, his cassock concealing Ysabeau as he led them behind the massive fountain.

"Who is she, ma mère?"

"She is part of the L'escadron."

"Is it true?" Ysabeau shivered, and folded her arms over her chest. "The old queen desires me as well?" She thought hard. She knew the King, but the old queen?

"Remember how Andrién warned you to leave and you dressed into your musketeer ensemble?"

"Oh, oui, I do." Ysabeau turned to Philippe. "That was what Andrién came to do, to send us away? What did she desire of me?" She turned to him. He craned his neck and watched the unsuspecting couple.

They paused by the fountain before the garden, both Ysabeau and Marguerite hiding behind to keep the femme from taking notice.

"Take me back." Ysabeau turned to her mère. "Now. I cannot do this. Not here, not now. Not like this. I need to catch him while he is in his bed."

"What?" Ysabeau stared in disgust.

"I should have known the Queen would soon plant her eyes upon you, Ysabeau, and add you to her stable of whores. How thoughtless, careless of me." Without another word, Marguerite spun on her heel and headed for the château.

Back in the apartments, Ysabeau sat in silence. She stared at her mère and how beautiful she was. Why? Why did she damage her face? Philippe knocked upon the door as he said he would return with repast from the banquet. After eating their fill, he declared it was time.