The Three Musketeers (IN EDITS)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

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"I want details!" Louise demanded as Christophe looked up at his sister strolling into his study.

"About?"

"How you managed to sneak out of the palace undetected for so long?" Louise leaned on the desk, looking down at her brother as Christophe shook his head.

"I'm not giving you tips so you can endanger your life..."

The Princess pouted. "Why are you allowed to sneak out and I am not?"

"I don't sneak out anymore and I learnt my lesson..."

Louise crossed her arms. "More like Rochefort scolded you..."

The doors to the study opened as Ethan entered. "Rochefort didn't scold me. We'll talk about this later..." Christophe turned to his friends. "What did you find?"

"Find out about what?" Louise questioned as Christophe ignored her. Ethan and Joseph shook their heads.

"Nothing..." Ethan said. "You are right. The ropes of your airship were cut but everyone was accounted for. Only you and Emilie were there..."

"But we were inside the basket. Neither of us could've cut the rope..." Christophe remarked as Louise frowned.

"You think someone set that balloon free on purpose?" She concluded and Christophe sighed, confirming her suspicions. "Like the chandelier falling, someone cut the ropes."

"I didn't imagine it. I saw those ropes!" Christophe tossed his papers against the desk.

"And there were cuts but everyone is accounted for..." Ethan explained. "It could just be that the rope gave way and it looked like it had been cut."

The King looked at his men. "Am I just imagining this?"

Ethan sighed. "The chandelier ropes were cut but for the balloon ropes to be cut too..." He shook his head. "It's too much of a coincidence, considering there was no-one around, except for you and Emilie."

"And if you didn't cut them..." Louise questioned as Christophe raised his eyebrows.

"You think Emilie did?" He shook his head. "She can't have. I had eyes on her at all times..."

"But if you are adamant that someone cut the ropes, maybe we need to question her. I can get Joachim to help..." Ethan remarked as Christophe sighed.

"Fine..."

Ethan bowed and left the room as Louise turned to her brother. "You think you're going insane?"

"It's not a coincidence that the ropes were cut on the balloon!" He cried. "But no-one believes me..."

"Maybe this Emilie can help? She was with you..." Her voice trailed off. "Why are you spending so much time with a maid?"

Christophe frowned, looking at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"Do you plan on making her your mistress?" Louise crossed her arms as Christophe scoffed.

"No!" His reply was quick before shaking his head. "It's complicated. You won't understand..."

"It's not unusual for Kings to have mistresses but I just thought you would be one of those that didn't..." Louise said as Christophe looked at her. "I thought you would have more respect for the woman you marry."