Hi guys, here I bring you two newly translated chapters, I hope you enjoy it, at least I'm taking a little while xD.
Take care and thanks for reading

Chapter 20: An Unexpected Event

It had been a couple of days since the reconnaissance of the secret paths and Puss still hadn't had a chance to talk to Joey about it and the troubling issue that was spying on him. Since that day he knew that, he's been walking the streets more carefully.

- Puss, I'm sorry for being so missing - Joey said a bit busily -They told me you were looking for me.

- Yes - he answered - I preferred to talk about it in the tavern, it's short - he answered cautiously, feeling persecuted lately.

- Is something wrong? - asked the golden cat, noticing this detail.

- I'll tell you," said Puss.

- Let's go - added Joey - we have a couple of hours before work.

The two Royal Guards went to the usual tavern. Puss still looked sideways from time to time, he couldn't help it.

Finally, they arrived at the place. As they entered and ordered a table with a few drinks.

- Can you tell me what's going on? You're making me nervous with all this suspense.

- What do you want me to tell you first? The good news or the bad news? - Puss asked.

- Tell me the bad news - he answered.

- I've been followed, someone is finding out what I'm up to or where I'm going - said the orange cat.

- What?! How did you know? - he asked him in a panic.

- The bar manager told me, several weeks ago there was someone suspicious who showed up every time I was here - he explained.

- Anything else? - he asked, wanting to know more details.

- He tried to get in, but they wouldn't let him, of course - he answered.

His friend thought about it, the latest information was quite disturbing.

- I have no doubt that it is Dulcinea's doing, but who else? - said Joey.

- I was thinking the same thing - agreed the orange cat - how far could she go? Is there no limit?

- Apparently not - he replied.

- What shall I do? - asked the orange cat.

- Act normal - said Joey - We'll do the following, every time you go out to the tavern or somewhere else, I'll follow you by another path - he proposed.

- But you can't do it all the time - he said - it's hard enough to meet on a day off.

- That's right - he said thoughtfully - I've got it! We'll set a trap for him when we have the day off!

- Good idea - said Puss - I'll try not to come here so often and go to other taverns too, otherwise he'll hesitate because of my change of routine if I stop coming here.

- Yes, I agree - he said – You don't confront the Unnamed either, as if you knew nothing, in case she wants to talk to you.

- I don't even want to meet her - he said.

- It is sure that she will, because she is still looking for something with you, that unfortunately we have not been able to find out - said Joey.

It's true what his friend said... It was strange to him that she wanted to approach him in an insistent way, that is to say, before she didn't even notice his presence unless the Princess needed something... And although he told her in all the tones, she simply didn't want to understand... The only reason for that was what his friend said she was looking for something.

With this, the only part that did not please him, is that he could not meet with Kitty until he could solve this impasse, it was the only way to protect her, although it was practically impossible that this guy has followed him to the lower sector, otherwise he would have already faced him. He would find an excuse for Kitty not to worry.

- Let's talk about something more encouraging - proposed Joey - What is the good news?

- I researched the roads... it was excellent - said Puss changing his mind - There is a road nearby. The oasis is divided into three roads and a fourth one to the lower area.

- That's great! It will serve as a passageway when they build the watchtowers - said the golden cat in exaltation.

- Exactly - he agreed -That will give me time to go through the passages.

- I agree, so when we have all that information, we'll tell everything - said Joey.

- Yes, it's a very big map and I've been through a lot of it," said the orange cat - Besides, the other roads seem to lead to the center of the middle sector and another to the prison.

- Oh! That's a good idea! - said Joey very happy.

- The same thing said-! - Puss interrupted himself when he realized what he was about to say.

- Who said the same thing? - asked his friend curiously.

- I said the same thing! - he hurriedly said with a slight laugh - How you had told me that this plan would probably happen at the same time as the prison escape - He excused himself as quickly as possible.

- Oh yes - agreed his friend. Puss sighed with relief to get out of the mess.

- I have not yet discovered the other ways, especially the low ring, to know where it leads - said the orange cat, lying with the latter.

- Don't worry, you've made a lot of progress in one day - said Joey - And the map?

- Oh, that's right! I forgot to tell you - He said, remembering what his girlfriend had done - I made a copy, left it hidden in the passage and removed the leaves.

- I understand - said the golden cat - Better safe than sorry. Very good idea!

- Thank you - he replied -But since someone is spying on me now, I have to be careful and put the work of discovery on hold - said Puss.

- You know what! - said Joey getting up from his seat - We'll solve this starting today!

- Do you think we can? - asked Puss.

- Of course we can! - he said.- We're leaving at different times, if I'm lucky and I find out something, the important thing is that we start now, regardless of the outcome.

- You're right about that - agreed the orange cat - By the way... How did your homework go?

- Super - he answered - I contacted them and they didn't hesitate to help with the escape - he said - I just have to arrange the meeting with Mike.

- Mike? Who's that? - asked Puss, the name sounded familiar.

-Ah... he is... - said Joey a little sadly - He would be my father-in-law, he is like a father to Claire and her friend - he answered.

That's why the name sounded familiar, Kitty had told him about him and that he was the closest thing to a father she had.

- I don't even want to imagine it - I say Puss.

- Phew, he acted very overprotective, thank God Claire gave me a hand, plus he joked a lot - he said amusingly - I promised to help him with that task... I have to do my bit.

- You're screwed, if you fail your father-in-law, I don't even want to imagine what the consequences would be - he said laughing.

- I think exactly the same as you - supported Joey laughing anyway.

- And when do you intend to hold the meeting? - he asked.

- If everything goes well, I think in two days - said his friend - it's difficult to get everyone to agree, tomorrow I'll let Claire know so that she can give him the message.

- Good, I hope it works out - supported Puss.

- Yes - said Joey and in that he noticed the time - Wow, we are running out of time, you go first so we can try our luck.

- Ok - answered Puss - I'll see you in the barracks.

As expected, Joey didn't see anything suspicious on the way back, among that, he decided that he would also opt for another resource. Anyway, he told this plan to his friend so he could calm down. Must not be nice to know someone is following in your footsteps.

It's been a couple of days since Puss told Joey about the news. They haven't had much progress... besides, the Royal Guard had to lie to Kitty that he'd have a lot of work at the barracks that week and that he wouldn't be able to see her... it was the only thing he could think of to make time.

On the other hand, as he was spending more time in the barracks, in the palace and in the middle area, Puss thought that the guy could notice this small change in his routine, so he went to the different taverns and canteens more often.

As for Dulcinea, he still kept his distance, just the right and necessary, from that typical "pawn" order, they hardly communicated, thank goodness...

Now, Puss was lying in his bed, resting after a hard day's work. He was thinking about Kitty as usual... it hurt him a lot to have to lie to her and he was already missing her even though it had only been a few days, but he was already used to seeing her often, hearing from her... To enjoy her company and practice together in the archery, to play tricks, to love each other...

He hoped that soon the day would come when he would be able to be with her without having to hide and be able to sleep peacefully next to her, in short, enjoy their lives.

Unexpectedly, he felt a loud slamming of the door in the barracks, as if an elephant herd were coming in, there was a big mess in the common room and many voices shouting orders.

Puss got up immediately to see what was happening, went out into the corridor where he met his friend who had the same questioning face.

- All guards to the common room! - someone ordered from there.

They recognized the voice of that character he was the Commander of the Elite Guard of the palace. That squadron was one of the highest positions within the kingdom, that group was in charge of the welfare of the Royal Family and they are the bodyguards; where Dulcinea tried to integrate Puss to promote him, but it wasn't allowed, he was only allowed to be her personal bodyguard.

- Line up! - he ordered again - Quickly!

Everyone in the barracks had the same face of question, no one knew what was going on.

- I want everything quiet! - he added - The rest of my squad, proceed!

They were surprised to see that this squad started to mess up everything in the place, from the main room to the last corner of each room, they looked like animals, literally, by the way they took all their personal belongings out of each of the Royal Guards. They were there for several minutes and they could do nothing, no opinion, no objection.

- Now, everyone leave except the next guards that I shall appoint - said the commander - Ronal, Martin, Pablo, Mateo, Puss and Joey.

The common room was emptied as his companions left. At that moment, everyone was already looking at each other suspiciously.

- Keep investigating - he came back to order and then spoke to the six who remained - I imagine you have many questions.

Of course, too many, starting with how they were being treated, similar to thieves. Worst of all, they could not answer, only comply, even though they were not in their jurisdiction.

- For that, you'll have to wait until we find what we are looking for - he spoke again maliciously.

At that moment, the commander's companions trotted back to him.

- Report - said the leader.

- We haven't found anything suspicious or what we are looking for, for now - answered one of them.

- Okay, it is time to make these people talk - He answered - I explain to you, several days ago in the common room of the palace, something happened and you were on duty in the palace. The only thing that was lost, or rather damaged, was a couple of pages torn from a book that was there - he added, looking at them all, studying them.

- And these are the ways you treat us in this way to find out? - asked Joey, he was very angry.

- I didn't ask you that, nor did I allow you to give your opinion - he said.

Joey was going to answer again, but the orange cat stopped him in time before he made matters worse. He tried to calm down because he was just as upset as his friend.

- Permission to speak? - Puss asked reluctantly.

- Granted - he replied mockingly.

- I remember that night, together with my partner Joey, we were indeed inside the palace - he began to tell. We decided to split up to cover more area and even went out to different parts of the palace, but nothing on the floor where that room is.

- At what time? - he asked - Why wasn't that noise reported?!

- Precisely because of that, it was just a noise and we didn't find anything - answered Puss - and that was a couple of hours after we entered our shift.

He grunted - Anything else?

- No, nothing and that can be corroborated by Mateo and his partner, I met him in the gardens - said the orange cat.

- Yes, it's true," said his partner, "we had to go through the garden and we didn't see anything.

- Together with Martin, we had to watch the entrance, the main door of the castle wall, I cannot give much information about what happened inside - added Pablo.

-Either you are very useless or we probably didn't make a mistake.

Joey exploded on hearing that.

- It was clearly your mistake! How could you even think that we were involved in that! - shouted the golden cat -It is not our job to clean up your shit and it is your job to do that!

- Who do you think you are!? - he shouted back.

- Nobody! We're just colleagues, you're not our superior and you have no right to treat us this way! - shouted Joey.

- These are orders from the King's Counselor! - he said.

Suddenly, the manager and captain of that squadron of the Royal Guard slammed the door he was upset.

- I want an explanation. Now! - he demanded as he saw the situation - What is this?! What is my whole squadron doing in the street?!

- Just an investigation - he answered as if nothing had happened.

- They say they are looking for something that was lost in the palace in the common room on the day we were on duty and they didn't find anything better than looking here - said Joey - He said it was the King's Counselor's orders.

Their leader laughed – Liar - he said to the commander - You are so desperate and afraid to fix your ineptitude and irresponsibility that you couldn't find anything better than to come and look here - He said, shaking his head.

- Don't spread any nonsense - he said.

- Don't I? You think I didn't know that they investigated and interrogated every worker in the palace looking for that which you lost under your noses - He countered - You were in charge of that, not my squad if you want to look for a guilty one who is within your elite, not here.

The above-mentioned was silent, looking at him with rage.

- Now get your asses out of here, I won't allow you to treat my people badly anymore - He added.

They left quickly from there, the Commander before doing so, sent a look of hate to the captain.

- These people who think they're... Big deal because they belong to the Elite? - he asked. "We very rarely meet them! It's as if the troop of bums didn't even exist! - he added angrily. There has always been this rivalry between them, because being in a higher position made them go crazy. - I barely knew I was coming here.

- Thank you very much - said the six who were there in unison. The leader nodded, he was one of those who disagreed with the kingdom and managed to look the other way. Much to his regret, he had to participate in the attack in the lower sector, only the part of organizing, not destroying.

- Did they really investigate the workers? - Joey asked.

- Yes, they are all very upset - He said - The King's Counselor has no idea about this... But! It's not our problem! They didn't find anything to charge us with, I'll leave a notice tomorrow - he added, changing his mood - Order the basics and get some rest. Those who have to make shift changes, go.

Luckily, neither Joey nor Puss were supposed to go to work, but they had to tidy up their rooms. They decided to help each other and started in Joey's room.

- That was a close - said Puss, relieved.

- Good thing we don't have anything here, everything is in that place - said the golden cat.

- Which makes me happy - He said, holding back his laughter - Those will get a monumental scolding.

- Yes, it is true - agreed Joey, laughing - I forgot to tell you that King Anthony's cousin is in that elite - his friend was surprised to hear this.

- That explains a lot - said Puss - It seemed strange to me that the King's uncle was not involved with the family if he was so interested.

- Enigma solved - he said - Though it matters little, we must find out about your spy.

Puss nodded, they had to solve this, otherwise, they couldn't go any further.

It was hard work to find the information about the stranger who was following Puss. The two cats spent days researching and planning how to catch him. It wasn't until Joey could find a starting point. At that point, the golden-toned cat was waiting for Puss in the barracks, as he was on duty and it wasn't long before he finished

Once he arrived, Puss didn't even bother to ask, he knew immediately that he had discovered something. To be more discreet, they went to the usual tavern, the one where they met with their respective girlfriends, so that the stranger would not follow them and enter.

- I'm listening to you - said Puss once they were installed at a table.

- Just as we suspected... the guy is working for someone from the palace - said Joey.

- Dulcinea, who else - said the orange cat for sure.

- She's crazy as a goat - said Joey, Puss nodded in amusement at the comment.

- How did you know? - he asked.

- It's a good thing that we suspended the meeting we had... one of the people who work in the jail, mentioned to me that this guy works in that, detective type and they haven't seen him for a while... That means that he is busy in something... in the palace precisely.

- Can you think of a way to catch him? - asked the orange cat thoughtfully processing all the information received. He was not going to bother complaining about what Dulcinea was doing, he was no longer surprised, he expected everything.

- Mmm - said Joey - If he works for her I imagine that any relevant information will tell the whimsical one...

- We'll have to give him a false lead, but it has to be very important for him to go straight to her - Puss said - Besides, it has to be a coincidence that we're on duty to intervene or something.

- Yes... Exactly! – Joey agreed - The only thing I can think of that is important is what she's supposedly looking for in you, because I can't imagine anything else, I mean in the romantic sense... that she thinks you're up to something and so you ignore her.

This surprised Puss, from the start, it would be quite strange to do that, but his friend was right... although he didn't want that either, it was like cheating Kitty...

- How are we going to do this? - asked the slightly dubious orange cat.

- Leave that to me - said Joey - You just do your normal routine. I'll see to it that we find a friend to help us with that and to coincide with our shift days - He added - I'll let Claire and the rest know that I'll be gone for a couple of days to focus on this.

Puss nodded, hoping it would be soon, he wanted to work this out...he couldn't go another day without seeing his Kitty.

Dulcinea was in her room, sitting on the edge of her bed...about to open another letter she had received. She looked at it with a mixture of rage and anxiety.

In that letter she possibly had those answers she was looking for so much...just maybe, because the useless one didn't have so many advances.

The princess opened the envelope and went on to read it.

"Princess Dulcinea:

"Hoping you are well, I come to notify you of the following progress.

Puss does the usual routine, goes to the exclusive tavern (the one I told you about last)

Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me in and even kicked me out. And worse, he was notified of my presence (no description, luckily)"

- He's an idiot," complained Dulcinea. "Can't I trust anyone? Although he did his job well at least or not?

"But I repeat, Puss doesn't know who I am, he's never seen me. For this reason, I have had to lower my guard."

- Something you did right! Useless! - claimed the princess.

"Another thing (I think you' d like to know) lately your prey has been absent longer, it seems he is busy with someone... I don't know if you understand me, I doubt it is the work... if you know what I mean.

I just need a little more time to get this information to verify it. If I get it, I'll pay a visit to those beautiful gardens..."

She hoped it would be that way...because her failed attempts to get close to Puss were definitely not working anymore...if he had someone out there, she would be the key to getting him back in her clutches... Dulcinea had something in mind.
She smiled at the idea...she was hoping that this time it would work out and that someone would pay for it...Nobody messes with her.