The Three Musketeers

She was dressed in a princess gown, eagerly sitting close to the window, her gaze fixed outside at the man watering the plants. "Mirabel, Mirabel," called a younger girl as she swung open the door.

"Good morning, Moana!" Mirabel beamed as Moana dashed into her arms, planting a kiss on her hair, her bright smile radiating joy.

"Guess, guess," Moana giggled, her excitement palpable.

"I don't know; I can't think of anything. Wait—what if Dad is going to do something drastic?" Moana playfully tossed a pillow at her.

"Ouch! That hurts! I'm your elder, Moana."

"Dad is going out today, and you know how long that often takes," Moana said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"What are you thinking? He’ll surely leave someone to keep an eye on us."

"Who else if not Melissa? She's a soft one; we can handle her." Just then, Elsa entered, her gown sweeping elegantly across the floor.

Her lips curved into a warm smile, elevating her beauty in the gentle beams of light. Moana grinned back. "The group isn’t complete if a sister is left out, remember!" Mirabel nodded in agreement.

"Nobody will know. I have a plan, but he has to leave first."

"Bye, Dad!" The girls raised their palms at their father as he rode off in his chariot. Melissa stood nearby, gracefully bowing as they turned. "Your Highness, the weather isn’t looking so good."

"Hey, Melissa," Moana replied, her curiosity piqued. "Do you ever wonder why the moon doesn’t come out when it’s cloudy?" Melissa looked up, thoughtful. Mirabel and Elsa left for a moment, leaving Melissa staring at Moana.

"Melissa, I want us to go to the garden," Moana announced.

"My lady, why now?" Melissa asked, her concern evident.

"I want to connect with nature and share my thoughts with it."

"I meant that the weather isn’t favorable for your health," Melissa insisted.

"Then why do we have those?" She pointed at the wardrobe. "You know how I get when it rains. Remember how I lost my world on a cloudy day?"

"My lady, it isn’t what you think. I'm just looking out for you," Melissa replied.

"Then let’s head to the garden in the right outfit!"

"Your wish is my command!" Melissa exclaimed.

She opened the wardrobe, throwing a brown fur-like sweater onto the bed. Moana quickly donned it, and with a playful bow, they set off. They strolled until they reached Elsa’s suite, where Moana stamped her heels against the floor. Melissa cast her a dim look but smiled and continued.

The clock ticked, and time drew night near, but the sweetness of the day wouldn't let them think properly.

Elsa glanced around her suite, which was cluttered with dirty clothes, hastily strewn across the floor. She quickly spread the duvet over the mess, aligning the pillows perfectly. Choosing a casual gown and flats, she removed all her jewelry and prepared to leave.

Mirabel heard gentle knocks on her suite door and hurried from the tub to answer it. Elsa rushed in, shutting the door behind her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" Mirabel giggled. "Though I’m a bit nervous about this. What if we get caught?"

"Don’t you want to live a different life, even just for a few hours?"

"I’d love to help people without revealing who I am, make new friends, and experience the beauty of my land, but… I don’t want to upset him."

"Trust me, Mirabel. Nobody will tell him. I have the best plan for us!"

With a shared breath of excitement, they stepped out of the palace, their faces lighting up. Elsa's grin sparkled with anticipation as Mirabel giggled, racing alongside her. They dashed toward the town square, the bustling heart of the empire.

As dawn approached, dark clouds gathered overhead. Thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed ominously. "Mirabel, we’ll meet here when it’s time to leave!" Elsa called out.

"Uhm! Where are you going?" Mirabel asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Later!" Elsa replied before disappearing down the street.

Mirabel approached an elderly vendor, her anticipation high as she greeted her. "Good evening, ma’am!"

"Oh, you’re back!" The seller’s face lit up with joy. "I made some brownies for you!"

"You’re the best!" Mirabel exclaimed, munching on the treats. "But it’s going to rain; shouldn’t your goods be inside?"

"My dear, whether inside or out, my goods will face the rain!" The seller chuckled.

Mirabel nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities. "I’ll be back!"

She moved on toward a man on a nearby roof, clad in a helmet and shorts, with a hammer in hand. "Good evening, sir!" she called.

"Young lady, I’m busy here and it’s too late to finish a roof!" he replied without glancing down.

"But my mother sells the best fruits in Millwood! I’m worried the storm will ruin her goods." Her voice was filled with urgency.

"Unless I can get some help, there’s nothing I can do," he said, trying to drop his hammer.

"Is that an excuse I hear?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

"No, just a little incentive," he replied as his hammer clattered to the ground.

Mirabel quickly picked it up and held it out. "Take this!"

His jaw dropped as he caught a glimpse of the golden bracelet on her wrist. "If I can get that bracelet, I’ll promise not to let those goods flood!" he said, taking the hammer eagerly. She pressed her lips as she recalled the moment her late mother gave it to her. She took a deep breath.

With a smile, she removed the bracelet and tucked it into his palm, a sense of excitement rushing through her. "Do a great job!"

Just then, Elsa rushed up behind her. "The emperor might be back—I saw Robin! He came to mend his bow."

"We’ve got to go!" They sprinted down the narrow bush path, the sky darkening ominously as the first drops of rain began to fall. The thunder roared and they held each other tightly.

Mirabel froze, aware that the adventure they had anticipated was about to unfold. The storm was coming, and so were countless possibilities as a man whose head was covered with a hood trailed behind them.

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