The Female Musketeer

Chapter 41 | Nouveaux Indices

Athos and I listens as the Cardinal moves about the room. For a few minutes it's just small scuffles and scribbling.

Finally,

"Renolds, get in here!" The Cardinal shouts.

I hear metal clanky as the Guard rushes into the room. Voice on alert.

"Yes, your eminence?"

"Go patrol the outer halls."

"Of course."

With that the door closes once more, and for a few breathes, nothing.

Then we hear a door, but this one comes from the other side of the room.

"What do you need? This is an I'll timed meeting."

The voice sounds feminine, but her voice is a near whisper. Which made it harder to hear behind a heavy wooden door. I try to crack open the door a bit but even then, I can barely make out full words. I am however able to see the back of the hooded woman who's seems to be everywhere I go lately. They exchange a few more whispers and then the Woman walks from view and I hear the same click from a door. The Cardinal readjust his robes and then makes his way out of his office door. When I'm sure they are both gone, I step out of the closet, Athos right behind me.

I can hear the guards chatting outside. Athos presses his finger to his lips. He stands near the door with the guards while I try to find the hidden door. After feeling along the wall a bit, I eventually stop by a large book case. I can feel a small breeze creep up my ankle. I reach behind it and find a small latch. The door opens with a creak. Athos hurries over, pushing me through the door. He closes it softly behind him. We don't say anything till we are safely outside of the Palace.

Even then, Athos just gives me his critical eye.

I walk ahead of him, trying to find some sight of the Woman. She seemed to be long gone at this point.

I could still feel his eyes on me.

I finally turn, still walking ahead of him.

"Yes?"

"I didn't say anything."

"You never do. You never seem to say quite what you want. Doesn't it ever tire you?"

"Not as much as you have in the past few months."

I stop, he walks a bit to meet me. I think back on what we find, or rather lack there of.

"And I have nothing to show for it. It only confirms what we already knew. My first love, tried to kill me. A girl could write sonnets about it but it doesn't mean much."

"No, this is a good thing. We have learned something important. That woman you've been seeing, is linked to all of this. She's the key. Maybe we can get her to flip on the cardinal. Or at the very least she could lead us to something concrete."

"She's practically a ghost, how are we gonna find her?"

"She was sent to your Frederick by the Cardinal. She's his middle man, his hands stay clean. You know the boy, we'll have a chat with him."

"And if that doesn't work? If he decides to eat us out?"

"Then we regroup. Replan. We don't give up."

"We don't?"

He shakes his head.

"No."

He holds out his arm.

"What?" I ask.

"We can't let a beautiful woman spend her entire night out in a courtyard. Let's get you back to the party."

My face warms at his compliment, and I link my arm through his.

I slip my mask back on and we begin to head back through the main doors of the Palace. Something clicks against the ground. We both turn toward the noise. We wait a beat, before seeing a small cat run past us. We continue on, but my gut is a bit uneasy. I can't pinpoint my anxiety, so I try to push it back.

Athos doesn't let go of my arm until we are right in front of Pierre again. Pierre looks between me and the very cold faced Athos and to are interlocked arms. I can tell Athos was still upset. A middle aged woman comes up to Pierre.

"My apologies for interrupting. I believe promised me a Dance."

He smiles politely and offers the woman his arm.

"Of course Duchess, I am a man of my word. Excuse us." He says to me in particular.

As he walks off to dance with the woman, I notice my arm still in Athos's. I gently slip it out. The musicians begin to switch out their instruments and settle back in their seats. Couples line the dance floor.

"I should get back to the king."

"Of course."

He meets my eyes, then holds out a hand.

"A dance before I go?"

I laugh "you're not serious. You don't dance."

"That's true. I usually don't. So, would you care for a dance Ms La Vielle? Or will you leave this poor man wanting?"

"Well, who am I to refuse such an exclusive offer. I'm no fool after all."

"We—" he begins. I grab his hand, giving him a warning glare.

"Careful there, Musketeer."

He leads me to the dance floor. A few party goers giving his a glance. His attire a contrast to their silk gowns and suits. He doesn't pay them
One mind though. He just looks ahead to me. Looking content at the moment. I offer him a small smile.

The song is slow, tragic almost. And the dance matches it in tandem. While our hands never touch directly, just the mere brush of them against my back sent a chill up my spine. I was becoming alarmingly aware of how much his touch affected me. Putting it into words seemed too difficult. I decided to try to just enjoy the moment, focusing on the good the night has brought me.