M.
de Tréville, originally from Gascony, began his career in Paris with nothing but his wits and immense bravery. Thanks to his unwavering loyalty and courage, he climbed the difficult ranks of court favor to become a close friend and trusted confidant of King Louis XIII. This strong royal attachment led to Tréville being appointed captain of the King's Musketeers, an elite legion of devoted soldiers. Concurrently, Cardinal Richelieu established his own rival guard, leading to constant underlying friction between the two entities. Tréville expertly navigated court politics by allowing his rowdy, fiercely loyal musketeers to openly clash with the Cardinal's guards, knowing he could protect them from legal repercussions. As a result, Tréville’s hotel on the Rue du Vieux-Colombier became a bustling hub where provincial gentlemen, soldiers, and schemers gathered daily.
When d'Artagnan arrives at the estate to seek an audience, he is overwhelmed by the rowdy environment. In the courtyard, he witnesses soldiers engaging in real, dangerous swordplay on the steps just to determine their order of audience. Moving inside to the antechamber, the provincial youth is shocked to hear the musketeers boldly mocking Cardinal Richelieu's policies and personal life, though they quickly quiet down whenever the King's name is spoken. Fearing he might be viewed as an accomplice to treason, d'Artagnan remains silent and observes his surroundings, waiting for the valet to announce him to the captain.
In the center of the crowd, d'Artagnan notices two prominent musketeers who present a striking contrast. The first is Porthos, a large and boastful soldier wearing a magnificent, gold-embroidered shoulder belt over a faded doublet. Porthos proudly claims he bought the accessory with his own funds, though his companions tease him that it was a gift from a wealthy mistress. Porthos turns to his friend Aramis, a gentle, highly refined young man of twenty-two who speaks softly and is currently studying theology. Aramis provides an update regarding the Cardinal's spy, Rochefort, which prompts Porthos to loudly insult Richelieu.
The conversation shifts to rumors about the Queen and the Duke of Buckingham, prompting Porthos to reprimand Aramis for pushing boundaries and gossiping about royalty. Porthos references advice from their mutual friend, Athos, warning Aramis to stop trying to be both a soldier and a priest. Tensions rise rapidly as Aramis becomes insulted by Porthos's lecture, and the two friends stand on the verge of drawing swords against one another. Just as the confrontation reaches a critical peak, the valet opens the office door and announces that M. de Tréville is ready to receive d'Artagnan. The room falls silent, allowing the young Gascon to escape the volatile dispute and enter his highly anticipated meeting.