After a few days, the duke arrested two knights who were travelling under the English flag. One of them was wearing a ring which reminded Leopold of King Richard's seal, carved in the precious stone given by him. An idea flashed through his mind. He went in his office and looked for a letter from the King. He studied carefully the stamp and discovered with a wild joy that it was identical. He took a deep breath and directed his steps towards the prisoner's room. He opened a small peep window and looked inside. On a big soft armchair was resting, with his back to the door, the King of England. Richard the Lionhearted was the embodiment of the chivalry in both his thoughts and his acts. His look was also grandiose. Tall, well build, strong and elegant- a lion by the very fact. Leopold had a feeling of pride thinking that the life of such a man depended on his decision. Of course he couldn't break it off, but the humiliation of his vainglorious prisoner was more than sufficient. Absent-minded, he looked around for the King's attended. His dream flied to the winds when he didn't find the one whom he was looking for.
"Where is he?" wondered the duke alarmed.
He opened the door quietly and entered the room with an instinctive motion. Immediately, two delicate nervous hands rushed upon him. A hand propped up in his throat while the other was grasping his articulations like a living tongs. He tried to free himself from the crushing grip, but he melted his grease. Remaining without air, he blacked out. The King's attendant dropped the body on the carpet. At that sound, Richard swung round and catching sight of Leopold lying down flat on the ground, he could not help leaping.
"Charles, what have you done? Is he dead?"
"Is that how you say 'thank you'?" asked Charles laughing.
"Well, I..."
The King looked at the duke with a bad hidden hate.
"You thank me. You are welcome. You must hurry", said Charles and rising the body with an unusual force, he put it on the bed.
"And what should I do?" asked Richard with an almost fatherly smile.
Charles looked amazed at the King.
"I beg your pardon?" he exclaimed.
"Did you think I would leave without you?" said Richard, pretending to be angry.
"But you have to!" said Charles.
"Do I?" smiled mildly the King.
Blushing up, Charles dropped his eyes.
"Forgive me, sire."
The King put his hands on the knight's shoulders.
"There's nothing to forgive, Charles. But although my life depends on my choice, I won't let you be the one to who all will come back to."
"But you are the King, sire. I am replaceable."
"Just because I am king, I cannot sacrifice the life of a man who saved my own not long ago."
"But, sire, I..."
"You said that yourself: I am the King, so I'm the one who gives the orders! And I won't allow to be contradicted."
Charles looked at the King almost with veneration. Suddenly, a lot of guards rushed into the room. Richard the Lionhearted raised his head and took a majestic standing. Charles dashed upon Leopold and making a shield from the duke's body, he put a knife to his throat.
"Let the King pass", he shouted, "or your duke's fate is sealed!"
The guards halted terrified. Profiting by their panic, Charles snatched Leopold V and shook him by main force. The duke of Austria breathed deeply and opened his eyes. Noticing the distorted faces of his solders, he understood the desperate state in which he was finding himself. He heard a desiring voice whispering at his ear:
"You have nothing to be afraid of, Your Highness. Thank God for your life and give Him the freedom of King Richard instead."
Suddenly, the tip of a sword has been aimed at Charles's chest. He smiled disdainful and looked at the one who was keeping the sword. The smile froze on his lips. The man was the King of England.
"I order you to set his Highness free", said Richard looking straight to his eyes.
"I won't lose my King", answered the knight with a firm tone.
"You might lose him anyway", replied the King, pointing the blade to his own heart.
Charles slowly distanced the knife from the duke's throat. He released Leopold from the grip and threw the weapon away on the floor. Pushing the duke aside, he raised on his feet and folded his arms. All this time, his eyes never left the King's. Richard leant out to help Leopold stand up. The duke stared at him with an almost mad look.
"Charles has the power to scary people", thought the King, hiding his scorn under an encouraging smile.
Leopold leant on Richard's arm and stood up. He looked around and seeing that he was the master of the situation, he grinned malignantly. A flash full of hate crossed his eyes when he saw Charles.
"You will pay for this, sir Delorges", he ground, foaming with rage.
Charles sneered. The Duke turned round to his soldiers.
"If you dare to remember even just one thing that happened here, you will cry for your fate."
The guards bowed with obedience. Leopold's eyes lingered one moment upon the King, and then the Duke left the room fallowed by his solders. Richard and Charles remained alone. The knight was looking dark at the King.
"I suppose your majesty is very pleased now."
"Why shouldn't I?" asked Richard remaining calm.
Charles did not answer. He went to the window, leant against the sash and looked outside in the palace's garden.
"He said he would come back", whispered the knight.
Richard had fallen into an armchair. At Charles' words, he gave a jump and asked:
"Who?"
"His Highness, who else?"
The King smiled.
"Do you think he will return?"
"Well, after all, he promised me a reward. I suppose he will keep his promise."
Richard laughed.
"You'll be surprised when you'll see the reward."
"Of course", allowed Charles. "You never know the ideas of a crowned head.
Richard looked daggers at him.
"What do you mean?"
Charles stuck his head out of the window.
"Here he comes", he announced.
"Leopold?!" exclaimed the King.
"A massager."
"Who cares?" said Richard shrugging his shoulders.
"I do. He wears the symbol of the Germanic Empire on his chest."
The King started from the chair. After a while, he asked:
"What do you think about this?"
"I think nothing. I let your majesty the honour of thinking."
"Well", said Richard sitting down with crossed legs, "I'll just wait and see what happens."
At that moment, the key creaked in the lock and the door opened. Leopold arrived alone in the doorway, keeping a letter in his hands.