CHAPTER SIX
TITLE
Last time…
"Selene, my beautiful girl….welcome home."
Selene couldn't stop the tears as they rolled down her face, not caring who saw her at this moment of weakness, with her fathers arms around her she finally felt whole again.
Pulling back, Treville put a hand to his goddaughter's cheek, she might not have been his blood but that didn't matter to either, they were family and he considered her his child. Wiping her tears away he smiled at her, she had made it back home safely thank god. He didn't doubt her abilities, but more than a dozen French spies had gone missing during the past year and he had expected her back sooner.
Speaking of, the darn girl was supposed to have arrived in Paris yesterday, Treville had been up half the night waiting for her and then this morning he's awoken by her screaming at Athos…it was like she never left really.
Watching his face change Selene recognized the look he was giving her, the explain yourself frown.
"You were supposed to arrive yesterday, what happened? Why were you delayed?" Treville questioned.
"Er…I wasn't quite delayed, as so much as distracted…but with the best of intentions…" Selene mumbled off.
"Care to repeat that?" Treville sighed.
"I did arrive in Paris yesterday and was on my way to see you, honestly! When I sort of stumbled across the Wren and you know travel is such thirsty work and who should be there but Athos," Selene explained.
"Athos is a tavern? Yes Selene, that is very surprising," he replied sarcastically. Selene smiled at him and looped her arm through his.
"Come now, you can't be angry at me just yet, I've only just got home!"
"And already causing trouble it would seem," with a backward glance at the musketeers below him. Selene followed his gaze and grinned.
"I'm sure the garrison has been far too quiet while I've been away."
"Peaceful is the term I believe," Treville teased. "Come, we have much to discuss about your travels" he said walking into his office.
Selene waved at the inseparables and followed her father into his office. Treville walked around his desk and turned to face Selene, he loved her but there was business to discuss, he was first and foremost a soldier.
"Now, what news do you have of Spain?" Treville was not a man to waste his time on small talk.
"Much of the same really, there is still deep hate towards the King even with a Spanish queen at his side. The Spanish believe the Cardinal has all the power and is the grand puppet master of the royal couple," Selene stated.
"Well they wouldn't be wrong there," Treville sighed.
"They aren't fearful of France, they think its child rulers are weak. The one thing we have in our favor is that there is so much conflicting information that comes out of France that the truth gets lost."
"Are we any closer to knowing who the spies are?" he asked.
"It's hard to know what information to trust but the Spanish ambassador is a man to be wary of, he has many spies in the palace, it would be impossible to silence all of them. They kept talking of a French man that would come into play eventually, it sounded like they were waiting for him to take power in Paris but no names were ever used."
"And what of their alliances with other nations," he questioned.
"Spain is still wooing Savoy, hoping to bring them over and claiming that the Cardinal is to blame for the assassination attempt but with their spy removed they have little more to offer them but old rumors. The English as well have been sending representatives to the Spanish court to discuss treaties, but I have a feeling that won't go so well," Selene smiled to herself.
"Oh and why is that?"
"I heard a little rumor that a Spanish Duke had intelligence that the English were in secret talks with the French."
"Where would he have got such an idea from?" Treville smiled with Selene.
"Certainly not from a silly woman from Paris who might have shared over too much wine one night that she met the nicest English gentleman at court," she shared with a wink as Treville laughed.
Well now that he's softened up a little time to bring the hard truths. Selene leant forward and looked her father in the eye.
"France is in real danger of being drawn into a war, Spain is just waiting for a reason to rally their people, the countries are on a knife edge and all it will take is a small push from either side and no one, not even the Cardinal, will be able to stop what will come," Selene said with a cold edge to her voice, "also there is another thing…"
"Because that isn't enough already," Treville responded.
"Word hasn't reached France yet but many are trying to discredit the Queen herself, claiming she is having an affair with the Duke of Buckingham and that the marriage is illegitimate."
"They would turn their own people against the Queen?" he exclaimed.
"I'm not so sure that it's her own people who are responsible for all the rumors that are currently being whispered around court. I've also heard disturbing news that the Queen is barren….but this information isn't coming from the Spanish spies," Selene let the accusation hang in the air for a moment.
"You're saying that these rumors are coming from Paris? That's a serious matter Selene," he said gravely.
"Word is that it comes direct from the Queen's ladies in waiting and that the Kings line will die out without…drastic action," she said.
"Drastic action, what do you mean?"
"With the Queen out of the way, the King could remarry, form an alliance with another strong, wealthy family. Everyone knows the crown is bleeding money."
Treville went silent, looking at Selene. He knew what this meant, a war on both fronts. How could they protect the King and Queen from an enemy within the palace?
It was hard enough fighting a war behind closed doors with Spain, but fighting dissent in the heart of the palace as well, the musketeers were already under enough strain as it was.
While the musketeers were busy looking towards their boarders, someone in Paris had been working against the Crown right under Treville's nose. Distract us with the enemy we know to keep us from looking at our own backs.
He could face an army in front of him, but these faceless men working in the shadows, how can he stop an enemy he can't see? And was it his place to? He had to protect the king but this was a battle that played out in the shadows, he wasn't sure he was the type of man to fight this fight…he glanced at Selene, but maybe this wasn't a battle for men…
But what if Selene was wrong? What if the information was incorrect? What if it was being deliberately spread to entrap them all?
Treville stood up and started pacing, these were hard questions and he didn't feel like they had enough information to make any decisions yet. Selene could see the worry lines on his face while he processed the information she had shared.
"I know what you're suggested Selene and it just isn't possible," he started before Selene interrupted him.
"It is possible and it makes perfect sense! Who placed the ladies with the Queen? Who controls the King? This is the Cardinals doing and don't try to tell me that this is all crazy theories, you know as well as I do what that man is capable of," she declared.
"Even if this is true," Selene scoffed, "even if we had proof, you know what this would mean. Standing against the Cardinal would be a death sentence, the King loves and trusts him, we cannot fight a war on both fronts."
Selene stood up in anger, pushing back the chair and pacing the room before turning back to her father.
"This is the proof you need to dispose of the Cardinal, no matter what loyalty he has with the King, if he is working against the Queen then," Treville didn't let her finish.
"If? If he is? See Selene? Not even you can say with certainty that he is behind this," Treville boomed. "We will continue as always, watching the Cardinal and making sure the King is protected, that is our duty Selene."
Selene walked back and sat down, slumping back into her chair dramatically, didn't he know what it had taken to get this information and now he was dismissing her?!
Treville looked at his daughter…there was something off with her. He wanted the Cardinal gone to be sure, but Selene was so set on this being the news they needed to dispose of him. Why was she so invested in this?
"Selene….how did you get this information?"
She looked up at her father, knowing that this question would come eventually and for a moment, lost herself in a memory.
One year ago…
Selene was beside herself, giddy with excitement. Could it be true?
She had learnt that a Spanish Count and his family had travelled to Paris and met the royals. From all accounts the Count was returning with the most valuable information ever discovered about the French monarchy.
If this information was really that valuable the Spanish could never have it and that's where she came in. She had taken a trip to the marina and spent an evening chatting to the captains, they were more than happy to tell her what she needed.
The boat carrying the Count and his family was docking in four days. They were returning to his family home before taking council with the king the next day. Perfect.
Selene had spent days planning all the different methods she could use to get the information she required. She would stick with her usual way, approach him for a private audience, get the information she needed and then slip him something in his drink. He'll be found the next day and the palace doctor will find that he died from a tragic illness, most commonly seen in men when they return from long sea trips.
With his death, the information will die with him.
Today was the day, just like usual Selene, get the information and get rid of the source.
Selene was walking through the court halls planning on heading to the Counts house when she walked past two men talking to each other, catching the end of their conversation.
"I don't know why he bothered coming up this late, everyone knows the King doesn't take council after dark," one said.
"Apparently he was quite determined, kept saying that the information was worth defying the Kings orders," the other responded, his friend snorted.
"Nothing is worth defying the Kings orders, even a Count can't keep him from his mistress," they laughed together.
She stopped, he was here? Already? Merde!
He could be anywhere! Think Selene, think! …. The Kings quarters, if he was there and had been refused he would be heading towards the stables. She ran off with her target in mind.
She rounded the corner and saw him, walking alone down the hall towards her. There was still time thank god. Composing herself she walked towards him confidently.
"Well I had heard that you were handsome, but the ladies of the court really didn't do you justice," Selene purred at him as his got closer.
"Pardon me milady, I don't believe I have made your acquaintance," he responded, taking off his hat and taking my hand to place a kiss on it.
"I'm sure we can change that, I'm an enchanted lady of the court," he smiled at my response.
"Really, and what can I do for this enchanted lady?"
"Perhaps a drink? I would love to get to know you a little better," now go in for kill. Selene placed her hand on his arm, "Or a lot better."
He looked at my hand and laughed to himself. "You think you can bat your eyelashes at me, say a few nice words and get me into your bed, French whore?"
He grabbed my hand and squeezed painfully, "I come back from your beloved homeland with information and suddenly, I have a mysterious French lady asking for a private audience? Please, don't play me the fool," he spat, throwing me against the wall and grabbing my throat.
"Your little act may work on other weak men, but I am faithful to my wife and would never betray my country with a French slut, tomorrow the King will hear of this, I don't doubt he will be very interested in why you sought me out tonight," he said, walking off towards the stables.
I grabbed my throat, that was a little too close for comfort. Who knew that I had targeted the one honest man at court? As soon as he talks to the King I'm a dead woman, even I couldn't lie my way out of this accusation, it was too easy to connect me to whatever information the Count had.
Selene started pacing, if she was caught as a spy there was no going home, no retuning to her family. Think, think, think…keep calm, panic won't get you out of this, no one here to help you but YOU…so what are you going to do?
Selene leant against a window and caught her reflection, she was pale, looked weak, nervous…she would fix this, she knew what to do. With a new calm she pulled away, smoothing down her dress and walking away with a plan forming in her mind.
He had revealed his greatness weakness in refusing her advances…the love he had for a most beautiful wife.
The Count dismounted his horse and handed the reigns to his stable hand.
"Make sure he's ready for me to ride first thing tomorrow morning," he ordered.
"Of course sir, welcome home."
With a nod, he walked through his home, relishing in the feeling of being back.
"Elena," he yelled. "Where are you?"
"In the dining room" she answered. He smiled to himself, he couldn't want to spend a night with his wife, travelling was hard and they had barely had a moment to be alone together. He walked into the room, so blissfully unaware of what was going to happen.
"Count, how lovely to see you again, I feel that we weren't quite finished with our conversations before, shall we start again?"
A whimper caught the Count's attention as he turned from the door to find his wife in the hands of Selene, a knife to her neck. He stilled suddenly, in shock at the events that were unfolding in front of his very eyes.
"I've been making myself acquainted with your lovely wife, such a beautiful woman and so very trusting, she welcomed me into your home with open arms" I dawdled, keeping my eyes on him.
"What ever you want, I'll give you anything...gold, jewelry…just please…not my wife," he stammered. I laughed at him, he was so confident before and now, I had all the power and it was a deliciously addictive feeling.
"Gold and jewelry have no sway with me, no, what I need now is information," I said.
"I'll tell you everything, please, just put down the knife," he asked, moving forward with his hands in the air.
"Uh uh not a step closer," as I pulled his wife's hair back, the knife closer to her exposed neck, drawing just a small drop of blood. "You'll stand right where you are and not move again understand?"
He nodded, eyes wide and fearful, staring at the blood dripping down her neck.
"The information from Paris, what were you told and by who? I need every detail."
"It was in the palace, just rumors here and there! The King and Queen have been married for years and no son, it's only natural for people to talk," he stammered out.
"So why did you put such importance on a simple rumor? They've been speaking of your return for some time, waiting for you to share what you heard. That sounds like more than palace gossip to me. I told you no lies," my voice reflecting my anger, if I have revealed myself for nothing more than stupid court gossip.
"No please! My information came from a much more secure source!" He revealed.
"Who?"
"The Queens own ladies in waiting, they said that the King visits her nightly and no child, that the Cardinal himself has said she's barren!"
The silence that followed was only broken by his wife's quiet sobs.
"The Cardinal?"
"Yes, yes! I heard him speaking to a woman in a corridor, the Queen is barren and the Cardinal is planning a new match, to bring in a new alliance!"
"The Cardinal told you this? What just sat down and shared this with you over some wine," I yelled back, like the Cardinal would share this so openly with a Spanish envoy.
"No! No, he didn't know, no one knew I was there, I had wondered into a part of the palace that was deserted, I was lost when I heard them. He was talking to a woman, saying he would do what was best for France and they needed an heir, that if they Queen could not provide than than..it would fall to him to find a Queen that could!" he yelled.
This was not what I was expecting, treason from within, it wasn't unheard of but even for the Cardinal this was a bold move. My mind worked quickly, creating a plan.
Dammit! This was much more than I expected.
This was dangerous information that could place France in more danger, if the Cardinal was planning to kill a Spanish queen, now that was a cause that could rally a nation that already had so much hate. This information couldn't get out, I can't imagine the Queen's brother would be happy to hear there was a plot to get rid of her.
Selene turned her attention back to the man in front of her, he just had to play hard to get and now the wife was involved.
"And you have told no-one about this?"
"No-one, I was to meet with the King tomorrow, now please…I have given you what you need," he pleaded with me, staring at his distraught wife.
No loose ends….I closed my eyes.
"Yes, you have" I whispered and without hesitation I knew what I had to do.
My hand moved before my mind could register what I was doing and with a single swipe, I slit his wife's throat. She dropped to the ground in front of me as the Count screamed for her and ran to catch her. He grabbed her before she hit the ground, drawing her to his chest, crying out in his grief and shock.
I viewed the scene in front of me…should I have felt something…more than the little regret I did.
What is wrong with me? Did I have such little regard for life?
The Counts cries brought me back to the situation in front of me, too loud, people might hear him. Finish the job Selene and make yourself disappear.
"You have only yourself to blame for her involvement," I said to him. He looked up at me, about to say something but I didn't give him the chance. My knife quickly slid into his heart, his eyes were still on my face, I looked into them and saw the darkness take him.
I looked down at my blood soaked hands and waited for something. Anything. But it didn't come.
Move the bodies. Put the knife in his hands. Leave through the back. Don't be seen. Create an alibi. Leave for Paris.
This information was too important to put in a letter, it would need to be delivered in person. Selene moved towards the door, looking back at the scene she was leaving behind her and smiled, time to go home.
Without a backward glance she disappeared into the shadows.
"Selene?" Treville asked bringing me back into the present.
"I got the information direct from a Spanish Count who heard it during a trip to Paris, I was lucky to get to him before he had time to share it with anyone else," I answered, keeping my voice steady while I looked at the man who practically raised me.
He held my gaze, looking for something more and waiting for me to continue but I was done, there was nothing else to say.
"And once you got the information?" he pushed.
"I made sure it didn't get to anyone else," the answer hung in the air around us. What did he think I was doing over there? Taking tea and wandering gardens?
Treville opened his mouth to say something but I beat him to it, "I got the information and made sure it didn't make it into anyone else's hands, isn't that what I was placed there to do? Would you ask any other musketeer for any other details?"
Treville looked at me over his hands, I knew he only wanted what was best for me and was worried but I was a trained spy, I knew that what I did was for my country and held no regrets for my actions.
"You aren't any other musketeer Selene, you know that," he finally settled on. I stood up and walked to his desk, standing next to him.
"I know, I'm the best damn musketeer you have," smiling at him, my attempt to move the conversation away from dark topics.
He laughed, "And the most modest one too," taking my hands in his.
"The information you got is invaluable Selene, but right now we need to continue as we always have. If we take on the Cardinal we need hard evidence and we just don't have it yet," I sighed. "But, I will keep a more vigilant watch on the Cardinal and increase security around the Queen."
"I suppose that will have to do for now."
Treville smiled and stood up, placing his hat on his head and putting his arm out to me.
"Enough business for one day, time to celebrate your return to Paris."
I beamed at him and looped my arm through his, "That's the best idea you've had all day, look out Paris!" Treville laughed as we made our way out of his office.
"Why do I have a feeling that you're going to cause me some serious headaches Selene?" he asked.
"Me? Never!" I winked at him.
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