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Come in and sit down next to the fire place

The entire trip Corlina's mind was in chaos, where was she going? What was in store for her? Would the next prison be worse than the last? All of this was replaced by confusion and more chaos when her chains were removed and she was cloaked and what not, she was thrust into more anxiety when she was pulled away by maids to a guest room and then a bathroom where she was stripped down, thrown in a tub, and scrubbed clean. Her old garment was thrown away and when she got out of the bath she was dried, dressed, and sprayed with perfume, her hair was combed then cut exactly like the queen's and except for her fair skin she was beginning to look just like the woman..well in a different wardrobe.

Finally the maids took her downstairs to the living room where Aramis was talking with Athos and Raoul and shoved her through the door. She froze, she was standing there in basic commoners clothing, but her hair was combed and cut, the rest of her was clean, and it was easy to see her true beauty now...and how much she looked exactly like the queen. She had fair skin, blonde hair that fell into soft curls, her lips were a perfect shade of pink and her eyes were a sharp shade of green yet they held a gentleness that the queen's had never possessed. Her hair and skin were of a pale complexion compared to Dionette, but even so, it could easily be reversed. Corlina had a grace, an elegance to her that Dionette did not possess, a quality called humility, possibly the only thing the could not be. "....." She looked at the men, waiting for permission to speak as they all silenced and looked at her, although she looked as if she might scare and run away at any moment she was so frail and skittish.

Raoul smirked at Aramis "Don't forget about my expertise acting" He said with a chuckle. He sighed and took a seat "...But what do we do once they find out that was all a bluff?" He asked and rubbed his temples a bit. He quickly looked up as Corlina came down the stairs, his eyes widening a bit as he stared at her. He quickly stood back up "Well, I must say it's a pleasure to meet you" He said as he approached her and took her hand, bowing as he kissed it and smiled at her "I do apologize for being a bit cold earlier, but I had to keep the act up"

Corlina looked at Athos a moment, still confused and what not when he spoke. She was about to say something, however Raoul beat her too it. He took up her hand and kissed it and then apologized to her. His words were, she couldn't believe it, kind, they were very kind. All of these men were kind to her. It was shocking and strange after years of being locked up and mistreated and yelled it these men had rescued her and were being so kind to her. She was searching for words to say to Raoul when the door opened and she looked over her shoulder at Andricus who spoke to her and kissed her hand as well. "Oh I...." her voice was so soft you could barely hear it, however it was cut off quickly when Aramis took her by the shoulders and pulled her back, sitting her down in a chair,

"This is the Princess Corlina...well I suppose now technically she would be a duchess since her sister is the queen, but who cared about titles anyways?" her beautiful green eyes nearly popped out of her head,"WHAT?!" She squeaked out, going more pale than before. "Oh...uh," Aramis smiled at her,"Thats right you didn't know. Well-"
"No!" She got up and looked at him,"If that is why you have saved me then I am afraid you are quite mistaken, I was raised in the country then imprisoned,I've never even seen the queen's face! I am not her sister."
Aramis glanced at Andricus then at Raoul, his plan falling apart, he looked back at her,"My dear, you never knew your parents because you were sent away at birth to avoid a civil war. However once your sister became queen she sent you to the Bastille for fear of the one woman who was a threat to her crown, however you know how horrible she is as a queen. her people are starving and dieing in the streets. We have rescued you because it was the right thing, but also because we wish to ask you a favor," She stared at him, horrified and frightened and he continued,"we wish to teach you to be a kind and gracious ruler and replace your sister...with you..."

Corlina collapsed on the seat she'd jumped up from, hit by the words like a ton of bricks,"You're saying...I...you want..my..." She stood up,"No! This is all too much I am not the queen's twin! There is no possible way and I couldn't help you if I were! I am nothing like her and I am certainly not a ruler. You-" Aramis sighed,"Do not decide now, think on it, in the mean time, I must go, I leave you in the capable hands of Andricus, Athos, and Raoul. You are safe with these people and will be no matter your decision." With that he bowed out and left his estate.

Corlina watched him leave, helpless as she searched for words, her mouth agape and her face pale. "I....." She looked at the other three and swallowed dryly, looking worried a moment. "He...is he a lunatic?" She asked hopeful. That was all she could think of.

Corlina sat there and looked at the picture a long time, taking in the marvelous woman in a wig and a gown that changed her body shape dramatically, pushing her breasts up and pulling her waist in. Corlina looked as if she'd never seen the queen before...to be honest, she hadn't, she hadn't even seen herself for years. "I...." She slammed the book shut and set it aside, standing up, her eyes meeting Andricus' a moment then to Raoul, then Athos, each only a moment before she closed her eyes,"Even if I do look like her, there is no way I can help you. No one will believe that I am the same woman. I'm sorry you've wasted your time." She said then hurried out side, she needed fresh air. She felt like she was suffocating.

She got outside and was greeted by a darkness, the same darkness that she was greeted with before, no comforting moon tonight, and the stars were the only light other than a few lanterns lit around the estate. She sighed and leaned against the house, this was all so...so much!

[EXIT]