The King of Spain

4 - 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑅𝐸𝐴𝑆𝑂𝑁

As soon as the gathering was over, Athos made all of them swear to keep this new knowledge to themselves before assigning them their daily tasks and letting them have their breakfast. The Captain ate with them in silence before excusing himself to finally make his way to the palace to inform Treville. Porthos insisted he come but Athos declined the offer telling him to just stay with Aramis along with D'Artagnan and Constance.

They sat at the usual table outside where they all talked quite normally for once. They reminisced old memories and adventures that included Aramis which his son enjoyed quite well. It's the first time since his death that they were able to talk freely about him as if he just took a walk outside. The boy hasn't even stayed for 24-hours yet the difference was already evident. Constance couldn't help but laugh along with them as she rested her chin on her palms, her eyes constantly glancing at the boy eating his porridge which Porthos began to notice.

"Leave the boy be, Constance," Porthos groaned which earned a chuckle from Aramis himself, "Stare too much and D'Artagnan might start feeling jealous."

The Gascon rolled his eyes before slowly shaking his head, "I'm not that petty."

"It's fine, don't worry." Aramis shrugged before pushing the finished bowl of porridge aside, "Being stared at by such a beautiful woman should be considered a compliment."

His reply made Porthos and Constance erupt into a fit of laughter as D'Artagnan stared at the boy with his mouth wide open. The young musketeer slowly shook his head before playfully shoving him aside, "You really are Aramis' son, aren't you?"

Porthos smiled widely before leaning over to ruffle the boy's locks, "I just hope he doesn't cause too much problem that involves women like he does. Please, tell me you're not that much like him."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm considered quite the romantic." Aramis smirked with a raised eyebrow, "I was mostly raised by women so I fully accept the superiority of the female sex."

That line and that same idea of women truly reminded them of their brother. Constance couldn't help but notice it too. She knew of how much a flirt the musketeer was but she also knew how much respect he had for them. To know that his son had inherited the same belief only made her heart long for him more. He didn't even get the chance to be a father to him yet he turned out exactly as Aramis would've wanted.

"You're only 15, how can you be a romantic?" D'Artagnan teasingly asked before tilting his head to the side

Aramis shrugged, "Father was 15 when he had me."

"Oh, let's not go there, yeah?" Porthos cautioned as he glanced at the couple who had a grin on their faces, "Don't follow him through that path. Everything you have in common with him is enough, no need to make a baby too."

The big musketeer's warning caused all three of them to once again burst into laughter. Porthos himself slowly began laughing as he saw the joy in all of them. Maybe having this kid really is a blessing, even death can't stop their brother from making them happy.

"Did they teach you how to fight back in Spain?" Constance suddenly asked which caused the boy's eyes to widen

"I was mostly confined to the house so all I ever did was hunt. I've always had quite the aim with a pistol and I can also use a bow and arrow quite well." He answered with a small nod, "I saw my mother fight once, she's actually a great fighter but when I brought it up to her she avoided it. Cristóbal, one of the soldiers at home taught me how to fight a bit."

They all hummed in amusement upon knowing that the boy had probably gotten his father's marksmanship as well. Porthos suddenly stood up from his seat and grabbed an empty bottle on the floor before walking further away from them and placing it near the shooting range. D'Artagnan then placed the pistol on top of the table before giving the boy a small nod. Constance was quite worried that they were letting a teenage boy use a pistol but figured that it's quite normal for them.