It's the night before the Ball. I was on standing Guard in the throne room as King Louis goes about  finishing up planning details. The Cardinal had been paying close attention to me lately, or atleast that's what it felt like. He was always crude to the Musketers, as we were to the Red Guard but his comments as of late have been more personal.

Athos and I left back to the Garrison, our positions being replaced by other musketeers. We rode towards home, side by side.

Before we reach the city however, he takes a right. He hastens his horse to a run.

"You coming?" He calls out to me.

I turn Shakespeare and we follow after him. When I catch up to him, I realize where we now are. The secrect spot he brought me to the day before the match.

He gets off his horse and I follow.

"Care for a little competition?" He asks.

I grab my musket "You're on."

We each place three bottles on the posts and on Go, we see who can hit all 3 first. He wins the first Two rounds but the Third was Mine.

"So maybe I need a bit more practice?"

"I didn't win easily, maybe it is I who should practice."

We take a seat in the grass, Athos across from me. The night breeze rocking us in the open field.

"So the Masquerade is tommorow." He brings up.

"I'd rather not think about that fact."

"Why, I thought you were excited? Not many Musketeers get personally invited by a Viscountess."

"I'm no telling you. You're gonna think is stupid."

"Try me." He dares.

I curl my lips.

"Fine. Not that it should be surprising, but I'm not well educated on how the Royals Dance. I've been to a few dances back in Lupiac but—"

He cuts my nervous babbling off and just stands. I peer up to him confused but he just holds out his hand. Intrigued I take it.

He keeps hold of my hand and stands beside me.

He begins to walk forward in practiced steps, i mimick him as best I can. After a minute we move in tandem.

"Very good. This is "The Almaine."

I accidently misstep and step on his foot.

"Sorry."

"It's alright. You're doing good. I'll show you a few other dances."

And he does. He runs me through a variety of Baroque, Allemande & Contredance's. Though he seemed more practiced than I, I was able to hold my own. I soon found myself laughing as he twirled me. Winded and a bit dizzy, I loose my footing a bit and crash into him. He catches me. Our voices are quieter than before.

"Where'd you learn to Dance like this?"

He seems uncomfortable with the question,

"Just spent too much time guarding the Kings court I suppose."

I let him keep his secrects. For now.

"Have you found anything out, about what happened?"

"It's been a busy few months, Daria. You'd have to be a bit more clear."

He was right, much has happened.

"About my potential Poisoning?"

We're still holding eachother, swaying lightly.

"What is it?" I ask.

He doesn't say anything for a moment.

"I deserve to know Athos." I point out.

"I agree, but you must understand what I was told was second hand."

"Of course."

He turns his body towards mine, for once look a bit uneasy.

"I spoke with the server who was handling your drink. No one else saw anyone put something in your drink, but the server who handled your drink did see a Man who was not apart of the staff. Someone very hard to miss, in a Red guard uniform."

"Does she know his name?" I asked though I could guess the answer myself.

"She had heard it yelled by someone outside the kitchen." He explains. He takes another moment, not looking at me as her says "She heard the name Freddy."

My blood chills.

"What?" I asked, praying my hearing was going and I didn't hear what I think I did.

He doesn't answer my question, he doesn't need to.

Freddy wouldn't do this, he couldn't. Or maybe he could. He was so changed, hardened by his time in Paris. I know he was upset, but angery enough to Murder me? There is something we're missing, but Athos says that's all he's been able to find out. I try to push it away for the time being and just take a moment to compose my thoughts.

"I haven't made any accusations, nor pursued any justice against him yet. While he was seen in the kitchen, that alone isn't proof of attempted murder but it's enough I have some people following him. That is all we can do at the moment."

"I understand, thank you for telling me."

"Of course, and I understand how upsetting this information is. But you know what makes it better?"

"What?"

He dips me. I laugh.

When he pulls me up, my hands on resting on his chest. As I lift my head back up, his stays where it is. Eyes burning into mine. I move closer to him, lips a mere meter away. Neither of us move however.

Then abruptly he pulls me back to my feet and releases me. He clears his throat. I dust myself off and pick up my sword, which I had previously set down.

We get onto our horses and head home.

The entire way home however, I found myself with newer awakened thoughts. Ones that could cause trouble. While I was always a fan of that, I knew he wasn't.