Louis XIV

Also known as: Louis / Louis XIV. / his majesty / the great king / the king / the young prince · Family: French royal family · Role: king of France · First appears: Chapter 1

Louis XIV was born to Anne of Austria and Louis XIII., alongside his twin brother Philippe. In chapter 9, Aramis revealed that Philippe was the hidden legitimate heir and proposed replacing Louis on the throne while imprisoning him; “You are the son of King Louis XIII., brother of Louis XIV., natural and legitimate heir to the throne of France.” Louis thus became Philippe’s rival and enemy, while Anne of Austria faced both sons as opposing kings.

As king, Louis received Porthos onto the invitation list for Vaux, granted Percerin special authority, and relied on D’Artagnan, Colbert, Baisemeaux, and others in his service. At Vaux, he arrived without announcement, declared his love to Louise, and initially considered visiting Fouquet as a friend. After learning of the deficit in Fouquet’s accounts and discovering the letter presented by Colbert, Louis ordered Fouquet’s arrest; his anger extended to Louise, whom he loved and pursued.

Louis was then imprisoned in the Bastile by Aramis and Baisemeaux, locked in Philippe’s former cell, and reduced from king to an isolated prisoner who cried, “A prisoner!” Fouquet recognized his voice, freed him, and helped him return to power. Louis confronted Philippe, sent him to Ile Sainte-Marguerite, refused to pardon Aramis and Porthos, and later pursued Fouquet to Nantes before ordering his arrest and lifelong imprisonment, though he allowed aid for Madame Fouquet and eventually left Aramis free.

Louis’s relationship with D’Artagnan shifted between employer, friend, and patron: he accepted his resignation, restored his service, pardoned the men of Belle-Isle, and later made him marshal of France. He made Porthos a duke, raised Colbert to a foremost position, and continued his courtship of Louise before turning toward Athenais. He also treated Henrietta as his sister, seeking her help with Charles II, while recalling Guiche and banishing Chevalier de Lorraine.