"Hold still."

I thought just a corset would be the death of me, but now I'm being pricked by a sewing needle. Constance is making some final alterations on the dress her and her father made me.

"I'm sorry Constance, I'm just nervous."

"Why? You have been in court before, at the Kings side." She stops for a moment and comes to stand in front of me. "Except you thrive on attention. So that could only mean..."

I bite my lips. My stomach felt fluttery.

"Oh you poor, poor girl. You're lovesick."

I stand up straight "I am no such thing and you made that up."

"I did, and you are. Our big bad musketeer is shaken up by a Viscount, who would'be seen it coming?" She taunts playfully.

"I know it sounds silly, but Frederick is the only boy I've ever kissed. The Viscount is a man, a gentleman. I on the other hand, am an orphaned basket case who is hated by most of her Comrades. No body respects me. Besides Charles."

"Also me, my father, Treville, Porthos, Aramis and Athos. I'd say we make up quite the list."

"You're right."

"I tend to be. Now, come over here." She helps me off the stool and to the mirror.

"Wow." Is the only word I can muster.

"You look amazing. You'll look even more beautiful with your hair done." She grabs my shoulders and sits me in the chair.

Constance was arrived ready. She wore a fine pale pink dress and had her hair intricately braided and styled. She began brushing through my hair. When I was on duty it was always pulled back but never anything so stylish as what Constance usually wore.

It feels odd to have someone brush your hair. The last person besides myself who ever did was my father.

"Are you alright?" Constance asks me. She can see my sullen face in the mirror.

"Oh, yes. I've just never had my Hair done before."

She rest a hand on my shoulder, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

"I lost my mother young too. It's a strange feeling growing up, not getting to do the things a Mother and daughter ought to growing up."

"Do you remember her much?"

She shakes her head "You?"

"I never met her. She passed during my birth."

Constance rest her chin on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"And you."

She places one more pin in my hair and backs up.

"Done." She grabs a few products from a box. "Alittle bit of powder and some rouge."

"Thank you again. For all of this." I motion to my hair and dress.

"Please. I grew up an only child, getting to make up another girl was a gift. I love sewing, but I rarely have the opportunity to make something for another."

She takes a seat on my bed.

"If you'd like, you could see up a while closer for my brother. The boy always has a hole in his pant from all his daily shenanigans."

"I can imagine. Your brother is quite the character."

"He's my brother Constance, there is no one who thinks him more stupid in all of France."

"But you love him?"

"He's all I have left. We have always been equals in our house, and even after my Father died he's treated me as such. He may be a wild card, but I know no gentler soul. Of course I love him."

She laughs "my father was much the same when I was growing up. His energy has lessened with age but he was never the still type."

We talk a while more before Constance has to leave to head back to the Castle. A bit later, Im standing at my desk repowdering my face and hear a knock at my door.

"Come in!" I shout.

I hear a whistle. I turn to see Aramis by the open door.

"Why waste your time on a Viscount, when you could have Paris's most eligible?"

"Did you need something Aramis?"

He pouts and sighs.

"Your little Viscount is waiting for you at the gate."

"Thank you Aramis." I move past him out the door, his eyes following me. He was never one for subtly.

When I'm outside, I'm met with even more Whistles. The men are also gearing up to go to the Palace.

"I see your finally wearing proper clothes for a Woman." One of the Musketeers, George, looks me up and down.

I step down the few steps of my Room and face him.

"Yes, thanks again for letting me borrow your dress."

The other men hoot and holler.

"If you can't compliment a girl nicely, then just." I use my finger to cover my lip.

Aramis and Porthos stand to the side talking.

"You look beautiful, Daria." Porthos compliments me.

"Thank you Porthos." I throw a glance back at George. "See?"

He waves me off and I head towards the gates. A small part of me wanted to see Athos's reaction but he'd left early that day and was already at the Palace.

Pierre stands outside of his carriage. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

He wear a dark green suit, his hair slicked back. Maybe it was because I hadn't seen him for weeks but he looked even more attractive than I remember.

He helps me into the carriage and we set off.

"So what exactly is this plan? Excuse me for saying so but it's not quite clear to me."

"The Cardinal takes residence in the Palace. He hates these Parties the King throws but the Louis insists he attend. So he spends much of the night Drinking and sulking in the corner. Since we know he won't be in his apartments, we will have the opportunity to sneak in and see if we can find any physical proof of any of his antics."

"Like what?"

"I'm not entirely sure, this is the first time I've done something like this. Letters may be our best bet, the King will want physical proof over word of mouth. But we have to be careful. I won't be able to go with you there, I'll be busy trying to distract the Cardinal. Here, I've drawn you a map."

He hands be a piece of folded up paper.

He continues "If you're caught, or we are found out, it could mean the Gallows for us both."

"I won't let that happen."

"How are you so confident?"

"If everything we think, is true. He will have killed a member of the Royal family, that alone is Treason. As a Musketeer, it's apart of my job. If he was behind my former fiancé trying to poison me, then it's personal. He may have been here long before me, but Paris is my home now. I will protect it, my friends and brother from anything that threatens it."

"So you have no fear going in?"

I look out the window, the building quickly passing by us.

"I'm Human, of course theirs a level of fear. I took an oath, made a promise."

"Have you told Athos?"

My head swings towards him "Why would I tell him? You asked me not to tell anyone." The words come out so defensively.

He smirks "You mentioned him, quite often in our letters. I thought maybe something had happened between you two."

I shake my head "Athos has become a friend surely, but nothing more." Though I didn't know why he needed to hear that.

"Good."

"Good, eh?"

"I'm not ashamed to admit I find you incredibly attractive. In more ways than just your beauty. Your ambition, and ability to capture the attention of any room you are in."

"A Viscount and a Musketeer?"

"Stranger matches have been seen. What do you think?"

I fidget with my fingers on my lap, a smile hinting on my lips.

"I don't despise the idea." Smooth Daria, real smooth.

He reaches over and grabs my hands.

"I have missed you. I know that might sound strange given are scare meetings, but you're quite a contrast to anyone I've met."

He leans in, and kisses me.