She desired wine. Of course she did. I curtseyed and did as I was told, bringing wine and an assortment of delectable delights to tickle her fancy should she wish to accompany her drink with food. I did not speak a single word. My head remained bowed, eyes fixated on my feet and only moved when given an instruction. First impressions? I was left wanting. The woman was nothing remarkable at first glance. Handsome enough, though her age was beginning to show through the lines of her face, but I could not help but notice that her hair was unkempt.

Wisps were escaping the elaborate updo which must have become ruffled during her flight through the forest after the attack. Alleged attack. Porthos had been quite insistent that something had been amiss about that entire farce, and not just the absent bullets. If eight shots were indeed fired as he had recounted, then at least one of them should have hit a mark, even if it was not the intended target. From pure observation, Marie de Medici did not seem a dangerous woman.

She did not speak to me other than to give instructions, nor did anyone come to see her in her chambers. When she left, I hastened to clear away the goblet, wine and half-touched morsels. I cleaned up as swiftly as I was able then carried the wares so that I might follow after her, keeping a safe distance whilst appearing to be working. The echoes of her footsteps were my guide, moving through the palace which had taken a dark, sultry atmosphere from the presence of night and the luminous candles which flickered upon their stands. Keeping to the shadows and grateful for their presence, I was able to observe Marie de Medici speak in hushed tones to several nobles and men in office.

I could not name any of them for I was not familiar with the court, but I would be able to recognise them again if I saw them, and some I could determine simply by their clothing or their chain of office. Even something as little as a signet ring was enough to be able to denote a house name. It was enough to know that the former queen was speaking to them discreetly. The captain would not like this. The latest man she spoke to carried a long, tasselled pike in his hand. I could not draw closer without being noticed, so I settled for simply observing from a distance until Marie de Medici began to walk away.

This time when someone spoke, it was not in a hushed undertone so I immediately recognised the dull drone of Cardinal Richelieu. The sound caused my scalp to prickle in irritation and resentment. That man had been instrumental in sentencing my brother to death for crimes he never committed. It seemed to be a common occurrence of late. "Making yourself comfortable?"

"I wanted to ask you a favour." At this I heard the cardinal exclaim softly in surprise. From the rumours I had heard of the unrest of Marie's deposition from power, Richelieu had been instrumental in her removal. Asking for favours seemed an odd choice to make with a former enemy. "Speak to the king on my behalf."

"You seem to be doing that perfectly well on your own." From where I stood, I slowly eased myself closer so that their soft voices could be better heard, still holding the wine and food upon a tray carefully as to not make a sound.

"I'm not sure he believes I've abandoned all my ambitions for power.

"It was a mother's love that drove you to it. All you desire is the restoration of your son's affection, so you can ease into gentle old age, a happy woman." It was difficult to determine just what the cardinal was thinking in regards to the former queen. Whether or not he viewed her as a threat to the king was uncertain, as I found his manner in speaking exceptionally odd. A footstep sounded, echoing quietly throughout the hallways.

"I always liked you, Armand," the low, almost seductive murmur rippled like a purr as I listened to Marie de Medici speak informally to the cardinal. It never occurred to me that he had a name of his own, as someone such as I would never dare speak it as she had. "Even when you opposed me…we should be allies, you and I." Again the footsteps sounded, forewarning me that Marie de Medici was now walking away.

From where we were and by the sound of a door opening and closing, I knew that she had returned to her chambers. Before I could be discovered by the cardinal, I made a silent retreat. I disposed of my wares then slipped away into the night, ensuring that I was not followed or noted by any of Marie's retinue so that I could make my report to Treville. He waited for me with Athos in our prearranged meeting place out of sight and sound of others. "Madeleine…" my brother breathed the tension from his body as he whispered my name. "Are you alright?"

"You worry too much, brother," teasing him gently I stepped close to him so that I could place a kiss upon his cheek.

"What have you discovered?" Urging me to speak quickly, I looked at to the captain as Athos curled his arm around me, holding me in the safe circle of his being.

"Marie de Medici has been making contact with several officials and members of court," recalling all that I had noted, I delivered my report as truthfully as I could. "I do not know them all by name, but I could point them out to you. Otherwise she has kept to her rooms, but I did overhear her speaking with the cardinal."

"Richelieu?" This seemed to come as a surprise, which in turn did not surprise me. I nodded firmly.

"She suggested that they should be allies rather than enemies."

"And how did the cardinal respond?" Athos questioned, but unfortunately to that, I could not answer.

"I could not see him and he gave no verbal response, so I cannot say for certain what his intentions may be concerning the Medici," truthfully it felt a rather lacking report. I had hoped to be able to have found something tangible for the captain to either ease his mind or affirm his suspicions. Either one would have allowed him to settle his mind into a course of action, but thus far we had very little to incriminate the former queen, other than a few conversations which could easily have been passed off as reaffirming old acquaintances. "I will continue to watch her. If she makes movement, I will inform you in due course."

"Take heed of your safety, Madeleine," Treville warned me firmly, catching my chin with an affectionate cuff of his hand. "She is a dangerous woman, and a clever one. Do not give her reason to suspect you." Promising that I would be careful, my brother would not release me until he had whispered instructions in my ear of how to signal him if I were in immediate danger. He vowed that either he or Porthos would be nearby at all times. All I had to do was call for help and they would come running.

"I am the most fortunate sister in the world, truly." Kissing his face one final time, I wished both Athos and Treville goodnight before returning to the palace. There was nothing more I could do tonight as Marie had retired to her bedchambers. Perhaps tomorrow would be more fruitful.