The Three Musketeers (IN EDITS)

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The days were getting colder as the winter months were fast approaching.

The trees were becoming bare as gardeners brushed up the remnants of the warm days. Maids were tasked with switching over the royal wardrobes as more wood and candles were brought into the Louvre to keep the place warm.

And the maids noticed changes too.

Thicker blankets were given to them to protect them from the cold. The broken window by Arianne's bed that let in cold drafts in the night was repaired as bigger candles and lanterns were gifted, allowing for the room to stay warmer than usual.

Even their uniform changed to suit the changing weather. Thicker wool skirts and blouses as well as vests all while comfier cloaks and hoods for those venturing outside.

The maids were happy but also questioned why. Some had been in the palace for years and had never seen these positive changes but it made them happy and harder workers. Nina reported their productivity and speed had increased and she was impressed.

As the maids revelled at their latest acquisition - thicker nightgowns - Arianne sat on her bed and smiled at them as she marked off another thing on her list.

Christophe was actually listening to her.

She had been his advisor for just over a month and one of the first things he had asked of her was a list of everything that would make the maids happier. For a few days, she overheard their late-night discussions, their break-time talks and their gossiping while working and she made note of every grievance they had.

One of the things she had noticed was they feared the winter months so Arianne gave the suggestions to the King on what would help them.

And he had listened.

Now, the maids were happy and working harder and Arianne was spending time with her best friend.

The more time she spent with the King, the more she felt herself falling in love with him all over again. Of course, she knew her feelings were very real as they had never gone anywhere, but she also didn't want her heart broken if he turned around and said he felt nothing for her. Her mind would race of what she would do, ultimately one outcome in which she would reveal to Christophe who she really was and he would be devastated by her betrayal and leave her.

She knew she had to control her feelings. She was not Arianne d'Artagnan to him - she was humble, Emilie Bellrose from Normandy and until she knew her safety was guaranteed, she would remain Emilie.

And Emilie would never be a King's mistress.

"Can you believe this?" A maid jumped onto Arianne's bed, causing her to slam her diary shut, something Violette noticed as she walked over. "I've been here almost two years and we've never had these things before. In fact, every time we bought them up, they were dismissed."

"It is strange..." Violette nodded, watching Arianne. "How come you're not happy?"

Arianne looked at her. "Of course I am. There's no longer a cold draft through the window, freezing me to sleep..." She gestured to the new window in front of her. "Nothing can beat that in my eyes."

The maid laughed, squealing as she jumped off the bed and joined the others as Violette smiled, watching Arianne with caution.

Something was going on.