The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The ... Milady, Part 18

Milady shifted  on the Cardinal's lap, her eyes glittering with a mixture of desire and deadly  cunning. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, with raven haircascading over ivory shoulders and lips as red as freshly spilled blood. Butbeneath that alluring exterior lay a soul as dark and treacherous as a moonlessnight.

The Cardinal's lips curled into a cruel smile as he traced a finger along Milady's jaw. "Patience, my dear. First, you have a task to complete."

Milady pouted but nodded obediently. "What would you have me do, Your Eminence?"

"The Duke of Buckingham has become... inconvenient," the Cardinal said, his voice low and dangerous. "He must be eliminated. Permanently."

A flicker of excitement passed through Milady's eyes. "It shall be done, my lord."

The Cardinal's hand slid lower, caressing her throat. "I know you won't fail me. You never have."

Milady leaned into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Never, Your Eminence. My blade and my body are yours to command."

As I watched from the shadows, transfixed by this scandalous scene, the Cardinal began to reveal more of Milady's dark past.

"Do you remember the day I found you?" he mused, his fingers tangling in her hair. "A street urchin, barely more than a kitten, with blood on your paws and fire in your eyes."

Milady's gaze grew distant, lost in memory. "I had just killed the tomcat who tried to force himself on me. You offered me a choice - the gallows, or a life in your service."

"And what a service it has been," the Cardinal purred. "You've become my most deadly weapon, my loveliest spy. How many have fallen to your charms and your blade?"

"I've lost count," Milady admitted, a hint of pride in her voice. "Men, women... they all succumb in the end. To lust, to poison, to the kiss of cold steel."

The Cardinal's paw slid lower, eliciting a gasp from Milady. "And yet, your true loyalty has never wavered. Not even when I sent you to seduce and betray your own brother."

A shadow passed over Milady's face. "He was a fool to stand against you. Family means nothing compared to power."

"Indeed," the Cardinal agreed. "And now, my dear, it's time for you to use all your considerable talents once more. Seduce the Duke, learn his secrets, and then end his miserable life."

Milady's eyes glittered with anticipation. "It will be my pleasure, Your Eminence. And when I return...?"

The Cardinal pulled her close, his voice a heated whisper. "When you return, my dear, I shall reward you most thoroughly. Now go, and do not fail me."

Milady was nearly at the door when the cardinal's commanding voice pulled her back.

"WAIT," he thundered, the air crackling with authority. "I'd almost forgotten. On your journey to England, you must first stop at Captain Blackbeard's. There is a significant obstacle you need to eliminate. His name is Mer-mer..."

"Wasn't he your spy, Your Excellency?" Milady purred, her voice dripping with curiosity.

"Yes, he was," the cardinal replied, his eyes narrowing with disdain. "But he's become reckless, playing perilous games. It's time to dispose of him. Solaris will assist... Blackbeard knows precisely what to do."

"Who's... Solaris?" she inquired, her intrigue piqued.

The cardinal chuckled darkly, his laughter sending chills through the room. "Ah, my dear, you wish to uncover all my secrets. Solaris is... someone who defies our world, to put it mildly..."

...

Blackbeard nodded gruffly. "Very well. We sail with the tide at dawn. But mark my words, cat - if this turns out to be some kind of trick, you'll both be swimming with the fishes before you can say 'God save the King.'"

I bowed low. "You have my word, Captain. No tricks."

As we left Blackbeard's cabin, I turned to Shadow-cat, my mind reeling with questions. But before I could speak, she held up a paw for silence and gestured for me to follow her.

"Not here," she whispered. "We're being watched."

She led me to a secluded corner of the ship, her eyes scanning constantly for eavesdroppers."I know you have questions," she said softly. "But now is not the time for explanations. Just know that I am here to help you complete your mission.""But how did you...

 We made our way to a secluded corner of the docks, where she finally turned to face me.

"You have questions," she said simply.

I nodded, trying to collect my thoughts. "Who are you? How do you know to come to my rescue?"
Shadow-Cat's green eyes glittered in the moonlight as she scrutinized me.

"I am many things," she said cryptically. "Agent, spy, warrior. But most importantly, I am your ally in this dangerous game we play."

She looked around furtively before continuing in a low voice. "As for how I knew I could help you - let's just say I have my sources. The Cardinal isn't the only one with eyes and ears everywhere."

I frowned, dissatisfied with her vague answers. "But why are you helping me? What's in it for you?"

A hint of a smile played at the corners of her eyes above the mask.

 "Maybe I have my own mission that coincides with yours. Or maybe I just like thwarting the plans of corrupt people in power. Does it matter, as long as our goals are the same?"

Shadow-Kat's eyes glowed mysteriously in the moonlight as she watched me. "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that we have a common goal."

I frowned, unsatisfied with her evasive answer. "But how do you know about my mission? Do you work for the Cardinal too?"

She shook her head slightly. "I serve another master. Who has a vested interest in the outcome of your task."

"And who might that be?" I pressed him.

The shadow cat's whiskers twitched with amusement. "All in good time, my friend. For now, just know that I'm here to make sure you succeed - and survive.

" When I was with the Cardinal, I saw this beautiful woman with him... she was incredibly beautiful... but there was something cruel in her look... the Cardinal called her Milady."

The shadow cat almost jumped...

"Are you sure you heard right?"

"Yes, he called her Milady... And they were acting quite... close to say the least... I had a feeling they were lovers..."

Suddenly a thought grabbed my throat and my breath caught...

What if.... it was all set up by the Cardinal... to get rid of the rebellious Queen... then he could easily rule the King... and Milady... would marry the King... the same King who was barren... continued to think Mer-Mer...

And Milady was the Cardinal's lover. One day their illegitimate child would reign on the throne of France. Mer-Mer felt an icy sweat pour down his back , but it was only a hypothesis...

"Ah,"he waved a paw. "He had a very developed imagination..."

...