"I've taken care of that small matter, Sire," Foquet replied as he watched Chalice help Louis into his blue overcoat.

"Have you?" inquired Louis as he gazed upon his reflection within the full-length mirror that stood before him.

"I have," he said. "He won't bother you any longer."

Dismissing Chalice, Louis turned around to face Foquet with a sardonic smile upon his lips. "I didn't think that you would ever have it in you, Foquet," he commented.

Foquet's blue eyes narrowed as he stared at Louis' reflection within the mirror. "I confess that I didn't think so either," he admitted, "until I found myself leaning over the locksmith's body."

Louis' face broke into a wide grin as he gazed back his old friend and confidante'. "I do so think that it would be wise to keep you around, after all!" he stated joyfully.

"Whatever does that mean?" Foquet wondered aloud, a frown marring his face.

"Nothing," said Louis as he sat down upon a chaise that Foquet had provided for him. "Have you any news? What has been occurring within the palace?"

"I've no news, whatsoever, Sire. The messenger that I sent to see how things are there has not yet returned."

"I see," Louis murmured as he gazed his newly trimmed nails. "And Molly?" Have you no word as to her well-being?"

"No, Sire," said Foquet. "None."

"Hmmmm," Louis murmured as he brought up a mental image of Molly. "Is it possible to send for her?"

Foquet's eyes widened with horror at Louis' suggestion. "It. . . I don't think that it is the appropriate time in bring her here, Sire," he commented lightly.

"Why not?" Louis argued, his disposition growing sour.

"She'll alert Philippe of your existence, Louis. I am sure of it."

Louis' eyes shined with anger as he stared back at the one man whose loyalty he had gained for the rest of his life. He understood Foquet's reasoning but he did not want to heed it. Now that he no longer wore the mask, he was eager to make Molly his. She was bred deep into his soul and he was not willing to let her go.

Not yet, anyway. Not until I've sampled each and every part of her, he thought ruthlessly.

What about Philippe? his libido countered. She belongs to him more than she does to you.

I don't give a damn about Philippe, he roared back at his libido. It's Molly that I am more interested in.

She's been with him. Does that not matter to you?

No.

Are you sure?

Yes.

You lie. It matters much and you know it!

So? What if it does? I was the one who pitted her against him in the first place.

You're willing to accept soiled goods, then?

She is not soiled. Philippe would never harm her.

She is soiled, nonetheless.

No, she's not. I've taken many a women before and most of them had had a man before coming to me.

Except for Christine, of course.

True. Raoul never did have a chance to lie with her. He died on the battlefield before that could ever have happened. It was why she took her life.

There was more to her having taken her life, Louis. You could have prevented her death. You could have let her be!

I couldn't. I was intrigued by her. From the moment that I lay eyes on her, I knew that she was to be my own.

Still, you could have prevented her death and that of Raoul's. If only you hadn't gone after her. They would still be alive.

If none of that had ever taken place, I would never have met Molly.

You ruined many a people's lives, Louis. To gain your happiness, you destroyed so many things. Philippe wanted you to learn humility and thus it is why he placed you behind the very mask that had once lain upon his own face. He did to you what you had done to him.

Enough! I don't want to hear this. Not now! Not ever!

You'll have to hear me sometimes, Louis. Somehow, some way, you'll have to atone for your sins.

Never! Do you hear me? Never!

Realizing that Foquet was still addressing him, Louis pulled himself out of his reverie. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'm sorry, but could you repeat what it was that you just said? I barely heard a word of it."

Foquet raised a fine brow at him in question but did not bother to comment upon the King's lack of attention. Instead, he calmly replied, "I said that perhaps it would be best if I went to see Molly at the palace. I can coax her out of its walls on a pretense of some sort and bring her here to you."

Louis stared back at him with awe. "Weren't you against such a thing, just moments ago?" he countered irritably.

Foquet felt his cheeks burn as they became a tad flushed. "I still am, but you are the King, after all, and I do not want you to behead me for such a trivial matter. I am but your servant and I must do all that you ask of me," he firmly replied.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Louis prodded as he adjusted the collar of his overcoat.

Foquet shrugged noncommittally and said, "My change of heart is not the issue here. Do you want to see Molly or not?"

"Of course, I want to see her," Louis breathed as he pushed himself to his feet. "I'm just curious as to why you've suddenly agreed to having her brought here."

Taking a deep breath, Foquet tried to control the sudden rush of anger. He'd forgotten that Louis could test a man's patience without even lifting a finger to do it. So what if I'm agreeing to do this, he thought. It's not that big of a deal!

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"It doesn't matter," Foquet commented as he crossed the long expanse of the room and made his way towards the door.

"I think that it does matter, Foquet. I am your 'King,' after all, and I demand that you tell me!"

Placing his hand upon the doorknob, Foquet did not bother to turn around and address him. Instead, he curtly replied, "I shall instruct Chalice on what it is that she has to do during my absence. I'd keep your hands off of her, if I were you. I'll bring Molly here so that you can further your plan against Philippe and the Musketeers. In the meantime, I'd find a way to fight the boredom."

With that said, he walked out the room. He stalked down the corridor with his lips firmly clamped together. His temper was swiftly rising as he thought about all that he had done for Louis. If only, he'd appreciate it all! he thought. If only, he were a much better King!

* * *

Strolling along the garden, Marie inhaled the crisp morning air. A thin cloak was wrapped loosely about her shoulders, preventing some of the morning's chill to permeate her skin. She absently chewed upon her lip, her amber eyes narrowed slightly. She was not in the best of moods and did not care to hide that fact from anyone.

She had waited for Louis to return to her several nights before, but he had not. She'd spent that night mulling over the reasons as to why he had not returned. The ones that she had come up with weren't to her liking. She could not help but think that another woman was occupying his bed. It was the only logical explanation that she could think of that would account for absence.

He hasn't shared your bed ever since your return, Marie. What makes that night any different from the others? her conscience prodded.

Because he kissed me!

So what? That doesn't mean anything.

Yes, it does!

How?

There was hunger within his kiss. I took that to mean that he wanted me.

Are you sure about that?

Yes.

How?

I can't explain it, but he did want me. For that brief moment, he wanted me!

She was so immersed within her thoughts that she did not see the man that was rapidly approaching her. She bumped into him, her small teeth leaving a slight impression upon her lower lip. Pulling back, she stared up at him with a startled expression upon her face.

"Who-who are you?" she stammered, her amber eyes wide with fear.

Releasing his hold upon her arms, he said, "Are you all right?"

"I-I'm fine," she returned. "Who are you? I've never seen you here before."

Frowning, Foquet assumed that she was putting on an act so that anyone within the vicinity would assume that they'd just met. Deciding to go along with her ploy, he nodded in her direction. He grasped her right hand within his left and bent down to place a kiss upon it. Straightening, he saw an appalled look upon her face.

"Who are you?" she demanded once more.

"There's no need to be afraid," he soothed. "I have brought you a message from Louis."

"Louis?" breathed Marie, lowering her guard as she gazed back at him.

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