For the Heart of a Young King

Summary: The four musketeers aid their beloved Louie to capture the heart of a certain young girl the king has fallen head over heels for.

Note: this is not a continuation/companion piece of Second Thoughts of Fairytale Ending. This is a stand alone fic. Enjoy!

The Encounter

Queen Ann licked her finger then proceeded to wipe Louis' cheek incessantly, ignoring her son's protests. "Now, dear, you can't make a public appearance with your face covered in mud and dirt," she said hurriedly.

Louis batted his mother's hands away from his face. "Mother, how am I to lead a country when every way I turn, you're there to make me look foolish!" Some of the guards kept their smiles wisely to themselves when the queen babied the king of France in front of them. He crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. His teenager demeanor began surfacing the longer he spoke with his mother.

"Oh nonsense," Queen Ann huffed. "If you would stop acting like a child, frolicking with the livestock and the horses in the stables, then I wouldn't have to fret over you. Honestly, I don't know where you get such ideas…" She spit in her handkerchief, ready to wipe his forehead, but the young man backed away in horror.

He turned on his heel and practically ran out of his mother's chambers. "I'm clean, I'm clean!" he shouted, jetting into the hallways. He rolled his eyes when he heard her call after him, asking him to fix his wig, and straighten his sleeves. Over the last few years, he started realizing the severity of his role. Lives depended on him; an entire country relied on him. However, he firmly believed that he shouldn't always have to ignore the inner boyish desires he had. Riding out into the field without supervision, being free to do as he wanted without being scolded was something he had recently yearned for. The queen's voiced echoed through the hall, so he pushed forward, taking even more earnest steps to get away from her. When he rounded a corner, he felt a sharp object jam into his ribs. "Ack!"

"Oh!" cried a feminine voice. "Oh, my! My Lord!"

Louis saw a metal tray crash onto the floor accompanied by the several glass cups and bowls that shattered on impact. He didn't lose his footing completely, but he was knocked back a few steps in surprise. His heart began to calm when he saw a servant girl kneeling on the floor, her head bowed low. "Forgive me!" she gasped. "For I did not see you, my Lord!"

Louis let out a few breaths, taking in the sight before him. Obviously, he and the girl had bumped into each other, and she was carrying a tea tray. 'Probably for mother,' he thought to himself. Then he realized that she was kneeling… "Oh goodness!" he said in shock. "Stand up, girl. There's broken glass everywhere!" He bent forward and lifted her up. On instinct, he brushed at her simple plain dress, hoping to rid the fabric of any lingering shards.

"Your highness is too kind," the girl said meekly. She still kept her head low, unable to look at him directly.

He tilted his head to get a better look at her, but her long brown hair kept her face hidden. "Am I that ugly?" he asked in mock disbelief.

She shook her head, but said nothing else.

"Hm… is it that you believe I possess the powers of the snake goddess, and when you look upon my charming smile, you'll turn to stone?" he joked. He grinned when he saw the corners of her lips turning up into a smile.

She giggled, bringing her hand up to her mouth to shield her laughter. And again, she shook her head.

"Well, it is a little odd to hold a conversation with oneself when there are, in fact, two people present to speak," he said, hoping that she felt comfortable enough to meet his gaze.

Finally, she lifted her head, and her hazel eyes met his.