A woman opened the door to her daughter's room, pushing her brown hair out of her face. 

"Kate? Kate, it's time to get up!" When her daughter said nothing in reply, she frowned with her green eyes opening up the curtains. 

"Katherine Beaudoux, get up at this instance! You have to get all your chores done before you leave." Francesca Beaudoux said, walking over and shaking her shoulder.

Kate groaned, rolling over her light brown hair and getting tangled around her neck as she groaned as her hazel eyes fluttered open. "Go away." She mumbled as she squeezed her eyes shut due to the light pouring into her room. 

Francesca shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot. "Katherine, get up now because if you don't, your hair is going to strangle you." She pointed out, wondering why the girl never slept with her hair in a braid.

Kate rolled over and faced her mother with a groan, moving her hair away from her neck. "Can't I get five more minutes? Is that too much to ask?" She asked in a whiny voice, pulling the covers over her head for a brief moment before pulling them down. 

Francesca walked over and opened the windows, letting the warm sun and the gentle cool breeze flow through the window throughout the room. "It is past sunrise. You can see the sun an inch away from the horizon. You can't sleep in like this, not as a musketeer, and always finish up your chores late." She reminded her daughter, crossing her arms. 

Kate sat straight up in her bed at what her mother had said. "Musketeer? Oh, Mother, today is the day! How could I forget!" She exclaimed, getting out of bed hastily. Her feet hit the hardwood floor as she rushed over to the bowl of water on a table. She scooped up some water in her hands and splashed it on her face. It was cold, but it woke her up. 

Francesca gave an amused smile, walking towards the door resting her hands on her stomach. "Now that you're up, I will get breakfast on the table for you when you come down." With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her. 

Kate hastily put on her clothes, half fasting everything from her corset, which was tied very closely to her dress, which was on inside out.

She sat down on her bed and pulled on her stockings, tying a ribbon around the top and pulling on her boots, tying them as well.

She opened her door rushing down the stairs, holding the front of her dress up so she didn't trip over it. 

"Sorry, it took so long." She told her mother to walk over to a chair and pull it out. Getting ready to sit down, she jumped at the spark tone of her mother's voice.

"Katherine! Don't you dare sit down!" Francesco exclaimed, walking over to her, looking her up and down. "How fast did you get ready? You make so much extra work for me." She fussed over her daughter, beginning to fix everything she had messed up.

Kate groaned, trying to push her mother's hand away. "Mother, it isn't that big of a deal. I will be getting dirty and will have to change before I go to the palace. It takes up extra time doing it right when I won't be wearing this the whole day. I am more than comfortable, and do you think as a musketeer I will be wearing a corset? Yeah, it may protect me from being stabbed, but it would restrict my movements, especially getting on and off a horse." She told her not to like having to be taken care of.

Francesca frowned, she took off her corset and pulled off her dress, putting it on her the right way then began to tie her daughter's corset, only lacing it so it gave her daughter support and not anything more. 

"What if nobles stop by? Do you want to be seen like this? You are a mess, Katherine. I don't know how you will manage without my help." She complained, shaking her head, disappointed in her daughter.

Kate dramatically gasped for breath, holding her stomach. "I can't breathe. I like to breathe." She said just as dramatically. "I would love to breathe for once since if you stop breathing, you die, and I don't want to die, so can you loosen it up? Please loosen it up. It's way too tight."

Francesca rolled her eyes. "Don't be so overdramatic. I have been doing this ever since I was young, and I am still alive and breathing. Besides, it isn't as tight as they do in the Yvesseauan court, this is loose and just tight enough to keep things up. You can still move around with ease." She explained, looking very unimpressed. 

Kate reached over to the table and barely grabbed a piece of honeyed roll. "If you say so. I was excited, in a rush, wanting to get everything done before lunch!" She said, taking a bite out of the bread. 

Francesca finished with her corset before turning her skirt inside out and setting it on the floor. "Kate, I highly doubt you will get it done before lunch. You still had your corset tied so loose that it does nothing for you. Now step into the skirt." She demanded, pointing to the skirt that was on the floor.

Kate did what her mother said and stepped inside the skirt and stuffed the rest of the roll in her mouth before crossing her arms. "I can't help but prefer to be comfortable instead of looking nice. I will take comfort over anything any day." She commented with her mouth full, only placing her hand over her mouth to not spit food.

Francesca rolled her eyes, tying her skirt tightly, then grabbing her apron and putting it on. "Do you think the French court will accept a messy girl like you or one who talks with her mouth full?" She asked, walking over to the sink and washing out a bowl. 

"I am not that messy. I have a method to my madness, Mother. It is just how I do things. It works for me, and I know where everything is!" Kate, matter-of-factly said, she placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, lifting her head high.

Francesca pursed her lips, glancing back at her daughter. "Let's save this for another day. I am in no mood to argue with you." She commented, scooping out some clean water and pouring it into the bowl. "I have a few things for you that you will take after your chores are done." She began to scrub the bowl, which she had used to let the bread rise.

Kate plopped down in the chair. Resting her elbow on the table, she placed her cheek in her palm, picking up her wooden spoon with the other hand. "Why after? You don't think I will lose them, do you? Mother, what kind of person do you think I am? I wouldn't lose anything you gave me." She sat beginning to eat her breakfast.

Francesca put her hands up in front of her. "I won't even go there. First, I have some money for you that your father and I have been saving up even before you were born. Your brothers also got their money when they left for the palace. Second, I have a letter written by your father for Alfred Falkland to read since he is still away." She pointed to the envelope sticking out of her apron pocket.

Kate almost choked on her grits at what her mother had said. "Alfred Falkland? Father's friend? The captain of the musketeers? That Alfred Falkland?" She asked in bright-eyed wonder. 

Francesca confirmed with a nod. "Yes, that Falkland. We only know one. For the love of everything, don't mess this up. Keep things simple and straight to the point. Don't ramble nor bring up embarrassing stories about you like you do when you're nervous." 

Kate crossed her fingers over her heart, determined to bring honor to her family and not embarrass them nor her. "I promise I won't mother, cross my heart. I have been practicing every day with Eloise. I'll make you, Father, and my brothers so proud of me!" She exclaimed happily.

"And Katherine," Francesca said, gaining her daughter's attention. "Just remember, this isn't set in stone. Most wouldn't take lightly to a woman joining the musketeers. It isn't what we do. Just remember it will not be easy, nor will everyone be thrilled with the idea. Don't be discouraged if you don't get in. Everything happens for a reason." 

Kate sighed gently. "I know, Mother. I have been quite made fun of for my dreams, and even though Roderick and Gallo were there to defend me, I know it comes with the territory. I will do whatever it takes to prove I have every right to be a musketeer as they do." She scooped some grits into her mouth.

Francesca rapidly clapped her hands. "Now hurry and finish your breakfast. Chores won't get done. I will be going to Monsieur Chatelain's house to deliver fresh milk, then to Madame Baptiste's house to deliver some fresh eggs, and finally, the D'Aguesseau's for fresh milk and eggs. So when I come back everything will be done better." She said, grabbing the wooden box filled with twelve bottles of white milk.

Kate bowed her head at her mother's words. "Yes, Mother, everything will be done." She watched her mother go as she finished up her breakfast as fast as she could. 

She first washed the dishes, then the laundry before walking out and hanging it up. She took a close pin from the top of her apron and clipped it onto the last dress she had to hang up. 

"Now, by the time I am done with the barn, they should be dry in this warm, breezy weather." With that, she walked to the barn after putting away the basket.

She stopped in her tracks and groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Wait! I forgot the wheelbarrow again!" She exclaimed, pivoting around before she stepped in her tracks by a voice.

The voice said behind her, in a slightly French, slightly Irish accent. "Typical Kate, always forgetting the wheelbarrow." Eloise Faucheux stood there with the wheelbarrow handles in her hands, her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as she blew her red curls from her face. A smirk was displayed on her lips as she set down the wheelbarrow and crossed her arms over her chest 

Kate walked over with her hands behind her back, smiling brightly. "Thanks, Eloise, I have no idea what I would do without my best friend and my mother, but do not tell her that." 
Eloise looked at her and shook her head with an amused smile. "That isn't completely true. Most things you don't forget, just some things in addition to you being messy." 

Kate laughed, shaking her head. "Thanks for that. It makes me feel good that everyone thinks I am a messy person." She said, grabbing the shovel and setting it against the wall before she walked over, opening her mare, Honey's stall. 

She grabbed her halter from the nail where it hung on the door. She pulled it gently over Honey's head, walked her out, then crossed and tied her.

Eloise turned around and sighed. "Kate? Do you want me to muck or brush?" She asked, waving the bucket of grooming tools around she had gotten before her friend had come. 

Kate thought about it for a moment, grabbing the shovel and walking to her horse's stall. "I'll muck first, and you brush, then I'll brush, while you muck, then we will rotate or I take care of Honey and you Cedar?" Kate sighed, scooping a bunch of dirty straw and manure, pointing then dumped it in the wheelbarrow.

Eloise set down the bucket and pulled out a curly comb. "That sounds good to me. These two girls only got each other until you go to the French Court, and then it will be just Honey." She commented as she started to use the curry comb on Honey.

Kate slowly looked up at her friend, no longer having a bright-eyed look but a somber one. "Are you going to miss me when I become a musketeer?" She asked as she dumped another pile of dirty straw and manure into the wheelbarrow. 

Eloise looked up from brushing Honey, a faint smile graced her lips. "Miss you? Oh, of course, I will! You're my only friend around here - that talks to me anyway. If I could be right beside you as a musketeer, I would be in a heartbeat, but alas, I can't." 

Kate gently smiled, but then it happened. "I know. Your mother is very strict about that. It is sad, I think you would make a great musketeer. You have some great moves." She tried to boost her friends' confidence.

Eloise was happy her friend was trying to boost her confidence. "Thanks, Kate, I needed that," She flashed her a smile, going back to brushing Honey.

Kate then stopped mucking for a moment and wiped her forehead with her sleeve, smiling and getting hair from her face. "After we're done mucking and brushing, do you want to help me practice? I feel like a little extra practice before I leave would do well." She sighed, getting back to her mucking.

Eloise reached over and placed her hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'd thought you'd never ask." She withdrew her and pulled out a small one-foot sword from one of her pockets. "I brought this just in case. And because my brother will probably try to use it for heaven knows what." 

"That is a smart place to hide it. What did you think of that? Isn't it hard to move with it there, or aren't you worried it will fall out?" Kate asked as she lugged another pile of manure into the wheelbarrow.

Eloise put the sword away, then set down the comb and grabbed out the body brush. "Good girl, Honey, time for a rub down." She rubbed the horse's flank, then looked up at Kate. "I was in a rush and just put it there. No, it's not hard, and my pockets are really deep, so it won't fall out even if I hang upside down." 

Kate nodded, her head scooping up the last bit of manure and dumping it into the wheelbarrow. "Off-topic for a moment, Mother is scared of me dying or getting hurt being a musketeer. Her two sons and husband are one, and she constantly worries about them. Even if she doesn't say it, she shows it."

"Any parent would be afraid of losing their child. At least she respects your decision and is constantly praying for you, your brothers, and your father. It is less dangerous to be a musketeer than a sailor or - I can't think of anything at the moment." Eloise spoke from her heart.

Kate took a deep breath, blowing some hair from her face. "You do have a point, and I shouldn't dwell on those things. It will just bring me down." She commented, untying the bale of hay and then spreading it out on the floor. 

Eloise put the brush down in the bucket and grabbed a hairbrush, brushing Honey's manes gently. "Focus on showing them up and that you deserve to be a musketeer not because of your gender but because you have the skills." 

Kate groaned and tipped her head down as a thought crept into her head. "What if I fail!" She exclaimed as she walked over to the hay bales and grabbed one, lugging it over to the stall. "I'll look like a fool in front of everyone and be the whole city's laughing stock." 

Eloise pulled up a stool and sat down, picking up Honey's hoof and gently picking out the dirt and rocks. "Everyone has failed at one point. You just need to remember to get back on that horse no matter how many times you fall off. Keep on persevering no matter what the cost or what happens. Dedication Kate, dedication." 

Kate grabbed the pitchfork and stabbed it in the straw, pulling out some of the straw and spreading it on the floor. "You're the only one who can talk sense into me about these things."

Eloise laughed softly, shaking her head, moving to the second hoof. "Oh, I am, aren't I." She asked, focusing on being gentle with Honey's hooves.

Kate stabbed the pitchfork into the bale of straw again and pulled out some. "Will your brother, father, and mother help my mother?"

Eloise reluctantly nodded her head, pursing her lips. "Of course they will, once Father gets better. Mother is taking care of him, you couldn't have forgotten about my father being ill have you?" She asked, pointing the hoof pick at her friend.

Kate laughed nervously, feeling so bad that she had forgotten. "Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Sorry, I had a lot on my mind, and the other day I forgot - I forgot what I forgot. Maybe my mother is right, I should clean up my act if I am going to be a musketeer." She sighed as she just picked up the rest of the bale and spread it in the stall before looking back. 

"Hello John, stop lurking and help us, please." She told her best friend's brother who was peeking from around the door.

John Faucheux stepped out from behind the door, his red curls bounding as he walked closer. "I was hoping you wouldn't have seen me. Mother sent me over after she found out I didn't come with Eloise but stayed behind to play."

Eloise perked up, pausing before moving onto the third hoof. "John, why must you always try to get out of your chores? I am sure you cleaned up the house, right?" She asked in a motherly tone. 

John nodded, pulling over a bale of hay to Cedar's stall. "Yes, I cleaned the house or at least in the corners and under the beds." He admitted as if it was no big deal. 

Eloise groaned softly, shaking her head and pausing to clean out the hoof. "Oh my, you are going to be in big trouble with your mother once she asks. Just because she is constantly in her father's room doesn't mean you can slack on your chores. She needs all the help she can get since I am helping Francesca." She spoke in dismay.

John groaned, walking over to the small shed and grabbing out the halter and the cross tie ropes. "I know, I know, I know. You sound like Mother." He said, watching his sister finish up the fourth and last hoof.

Kate smiled at the thought, then she brushed her hands on her skirt as she exited the stall, wiping her hands on her skirt. "There we go, all done and ready for Honey." She cooed to the freshly brushed horse, pressing a kiss into her muzzle.

Eloise stood up and patted Honey's flank with a smile. "Good girl. She is all done and ready to be put away." She said, moving the bucket over and untying the horse and leading her into the stall. She closed the latch and rubbed her velvety soft muzzle.

Kate smiled, leaning up against a very sleepy Cedar's stall. "She is a good girl and my most loyal companion - ah, Pierre!" She exclaimed as her mutt rushed up and pawed at her, almost knocking her over, making her grab the stall. 

Pierre whimpered, stepping back and laying down with his head on his paws. 

Kate crouched down and rubbed his brown head. "Oh, Pierre, it is okay. I am sorry. I was merely startled and didn't expect you to suddenly jump up on me. You are a good boy, aren't you?" She cooed, rubbing behind his ear, which made him thumb his back leg. 

John crouched down and rubbed Pierre's back. "Are you taking him and Marie with you?" He asked, glancing up at Kate but back down at the dog who had rolled over on his back, belly in the air. 

Kate paused for a moment, leaning on the pitchfork. "I haven't even thought of that. I would say no since the castle won't allow animals inside, and I don't blame them for why." She mused going back to spreading the hay. 

John rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I didn't think of that. Well, you can always drop by and visit with them unless you wind up sneaking them in or you know our mother decides to move to Paris to be close to you." He suggested picking a piece of straw on top of the new bale of hay as he put it in his mouth and chewed on it. 

Eloise looked up at her brother and cringed, ignoring the last part ye had said. "Ew, John, don't stick a straw in your mouth. You don't know where it had been before it was gathered up into a bale."

John groaned and spit out the piece of straw onto the ground. "Happy?" He sarcastically said, grabbing the wheelbarrow full of manure and wheeling it out so he could dump it in the pigpen. 

Francesca walked in with a smile wiping her hands on her apron. "You have a visitor, Kate. He caught up with me on my way back from the D'Aguesseau's. He has come to wish you the best in your endeavor." She said, stepping out of the doorway.

A young man stepped into the room, his wavy brown hair peeked out from his musketeer hat, his green eyes sparkled. "There is my favorite little sister," Roderick said, opening his arms for her to hug him. 

Kate squealed, running over to him, not before she slipped and fell on the ground with a gasp. "Oh Roderick!" She quickly stood back up and lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I am so happy to see you. I have missed you and haven't seen you since your birthday." 

Roderick laughed, hugging her back just as tightly. "The Yvesseauan court has been keeping me busy. I wanted to drop by on my rounds to wish you all the best on becoming a musketeer. You will always have my full support and will defend you." He smiled, pulling away.

Kate stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. "Thank you. I am going to need all the prayers I can get. I am glad you will defend me, but I think I can handle it myself." She declared placing her hand on her hips. 

"It won't be that easy, Kate. Most everyone believes a girl shouldn't be a musketeer except for Gallo, father, and I. Just the other day, I brought up the mere idea of a girl being a musketeer, and they laughed and mocked it." Roderick frowned, watching her mood dampen and make him feel bad.

Kate sighed sadly with a frown. "I expect that. I won't let that bring me down because that is just their opinion. Why should I let it hurt me when I know how good I am?" She proudly declared with a smug smile.

Roderick looked out the door and turned back to his sister. "I must get going. Praying for you, Kate, just be yourself. That is all that matters." He hugged her tightly.

Kate hugged him back quickly before watching him leave. "I will. Thanks, Roderick! You are one of my suggested supporters." She called him before turning back to Cedar. "Alright girl, let's get clean up then only a few more and I can leave!" 

Eloise nodded her head, grabbed the pitchfork, and walked into the stall. "Then stop standing there and come on." She looked out the door. "COME ON, JOHN!" She yelled to her brother, who seemed to be taking forever.

John groaned, picking up his pace and walking back. He shortly waved at Roderick and the other musketeers. "I am coming." He called running the wheelbarrow into the barn and up to his sister. "Here. I was trying to get it all out so you would have enough room for this stall. Kate, why don't you guys get a bigger wheelbarrow? You can't use it because of my short stature. It's at an odd height for me."

Kate picked up the comb and paused, looking over at the boy. "We can't afford a new wheelbarrow, and next time father comes around, he said he will modify it to be bigger. I don't know when that would be, but he promised." She replied with a heavy sigh.

John sighed, walking over and grabbing a bucket that was for water. "I can maybe modify it? I do know a little bit about woodwork. I watched the craftsman do it all the time." He offered, walking towards the door. 

Kate smiled softly. She was glad he had offered . "If that is how you choose to spend your free time, then by all means. It would make our lives easier." She called beginning to brush Cedar, who seemed to be dozing off.

John was beaming as he jumped up and down. "Thanks, Kate. I couldn't be happier, plus it will make work so much better. Let me go get my plans and some extra wood." He darted out of the barn running as fast as he could. 

Eloise turned to her best friend and clapped her hands. "Enough talk, let's get to work. We don't have much left to do, and besides, you need to clean up a bit and leave before lunch." She said, shoveling some muck into the wheelbarrow.

Kate nodded, knowing that talking was making things go a little slower. "All right." She said without hesitation as she focused on brushing Cedar. 

Soon, she was going to become a musketeer and make her mark in history!

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A/N: 
Welcome to the beginning of a brand new book inspired by musketeer movies, especially Barbie and the Three Musketeers. I am proud of this book because I have changed the characters. I have changed a bit, but I just love everything I have planned out.

Chapter Talk: 
We meet Kate, one of our protagonists, but will have some more major parts than the others. You also met Eloise, whose name was previously Vivian, but I changed that John, whose previous name was Markham, Francesca, whose name was previously Lorraine and Roderick, whose name was Rodney I felt like they needed a good change to fit in with the 1600s era, in a fictional country inspired by France, so very clearly by the names.

Thanks for reading!