The Man in the Iron Mask Chapter XII - The wine of Melun

In which the youthful King, impatient for amusement and an encounter with La Vallière, is delayed by the ceremonious reception in Melun, much to the vexation of all involved, particularly D’Artagnan and Colbert. The narrative delicately unfolds the intricate interplay of courtly intrigue, military propriety, and personal motives that shape the king’s progress towards Vaux, ending with his unexpected, unheralded arrival at Fouquet’s estate.