The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The escape, 14

When I slowly came to consciousness, I found myself lying on the cold stone floor of the Duke's chambers. My head throbbed where he had struck me, but I managed a smile - it had all gone to plan.

I got to my feet just as the palace guards burst through the door, led by Cardinal Richelieu himself. Not far from him was the King.

"Where is he?" demanded the cardinal. "Where is the Duke?"

The cardinal shook me violently, and I fainted again...

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the palace infirmary, surrounded by concerned faces. The King and Cardinal Richelieu were there, along with several guards.

"He's awake!" someone exclaimed.

I sighed and clutched my head dramatically. "What... what happened?"

King Louis leaned close to me. "You tell us, kitten. We found you unconscious in the duke's chambers. He has escaped from the palace."

I blinked, feigning confusion. "I... I remember I went to warn the duke. But he must have suspected me. He hit me before I could stop him."

The Cardinal looked at me coldly and added....

I don't believe you... You're playing some games again.

I put on my most stunned and confused expression. "Your Eminence... I tried to stop him, but he overpowered me. He fled the palace with the queen."

Richelieu's face darkened with rage. "Damn Duke. If I touch him I'll hang him myself...Sound the alarm! Warn all the guards! We must catch them before they escape the city!"

"Close the harbor as well," the King added. They might try to escape by sea.

I laughed quietly to myself for the two lovers were probably already far away, in a place of  safety.As the guards rushed to carry out his orders, I discreetly removed the recorder from my collar and presented it to the Cardinal.The cardinal's eyes narrowed. "And did you manage to save anything of value before he knocked you out?"With trembling paws, I reached for the device hidden in my collar. "I think so, Your Eminence. Though I'm not sure how much..."

I handed the recording device to Cardinal Richelieu with shaking paws. "I managed to capture some of our conversation before he struck me, Your Eminence. I hope it will be of use."The Cardinal snatched the device and immediately began playing it back. As the Duke's treasonous words filled the room, King Louis's face darkened with rage.

"...Tomorrow when the guards change, the musketeers loyal to me will seize the barracks and then attack the palace. The King will be arrested and abdicate, and the Cardinal will be banished to the countryside... Then I will get rid of him too..."

King Louis's face turned crimson with rage. "Treason! That scoundrel dared to plot against the crown!"Cardinal Richelieu's expression was grim. "It seems our feline friend has proven his worth after all. This evidence is damning."I bowed my head humbly. "I only wish I could have stopped him from escaping, Your Majesty."

When the recording finished, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then the King turned to me, his expression softening slightly."It seems we owe you a debt of gratitude, cat," he said grudgingly.

 "You've provided us with the proof we needed." Cardinal Richelieu nodded, though his eyes remained suspicious. "Indeed. Though I can't help but wonder why the Duke didn't kill you outright if he really wanted...

Suddenly, a guard burst into the room, panting heavily. "Your Majesty... I bring dire news..."