The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Duke of Buckingham, Part 13

The Cardinal added, "There's something more..."

I turned around, feeling a chill of unease. "Yes, Your Excellency..."

"Once you've documented the Duke and Queen's betrayal, I want you to escort the Duke to the Queen's chambers, just as you do every night..."

"Yes... and then..."

"Then, the king will enter unexpectedly and catch the queen in the duke's embrace. Enraged, he will confront the duke, who will then stab him in the heart..."

"And what am I supposed to do?" I asked impatiently.

"It's quite simple. After the duke kills the king, help the queen and her lover escape the palace. A ship will be waiting for them at the harbor..."

Now I grasped the Cardinal's plan. With a single stroke, he would eliminate the three key players. With the king dead and the queen and duke on the run, the Cardinal would seize control of the state. And perhaps, beside him on the throne, Milady herself might sit.

I exited the Cardinal's chambers, unsure of where to go next. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The future of the king, queen, and duke rested on the choices I would make.

Suddenly, someone shouted..."Мer-mer... The King is searching for you. He wishes to speak with you."

A courtier guided me forward, and I followed as if I were a man on death row.

"Should I reveal the Cardinal's betrayal to the King? I lacked concrete evidence... I needed to devise a plan..." , I was thinking to myself.

"A Mer-mer," the King said. "Did the Cardinal give you the recorder?"

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

"Very well," King Louis said. "You have three days. Bring us irrefutable evidence of the Duke's treachery, or it will be your head on the chopping block. Is that understood?"

I bowed low. "Perfectly clear, Your Majesty. I won't fail you."

As night fell, I made my way back to the palace, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and dread. The tiny recording device was hidden cleverly in my collar, ready to capture every treasonous word the Duke might utter. The only thought in my head was how to save the Queen...

...

Slipping through the shadowy corridors, I made my way to the Duke's chambers. I paused outside his door, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. Then I knocked.

"Who goes there?" came the Duke's voice from within.

"It's me, Your Grace," I whispered urgently. "I bring urgent news."

The door cracked open, revealing the Duke's suspicious face. "You! I thought you'd fled the palace. What are you doing here?"

I glanced around nervously. "Please, Your Grace, I must speak with you privately. It's a matter of life and death."

Reluctantly, he ushered me inside and locked the door. "This had better be good, cat," he growled.

I pushed open the door to find the Duke standing by the fireplace, a glass of wine in his hand.

"Your Grace... I fell on my knees before the him. All is lost..."

"What is lost? Speak, cat, if you love life!"

"The King... knows of... your plans. "

"What plans? What the hell are you doing, you damn cat?"

I took a deep breath and added..."Do you love the Queen?"