The next morning, Leonardo woke up and went down to the garden before breakfast, as usual, to check the mailbox. But this time, he found a letter from Marco that read: "Everything is going well. Maria is with us now, and Matteo has told her everything. So far, the plan is working perfectly. When will you come?"
Leonardo read the letter and replied: "Very good. But unfortunately, I won't be able to come for a few days until I recover from the injury that idiot gave me."
Time passed, and the mail reached Marco at the hideout. He read Leonardo's response and turned to Giovanni: "He says he can't come for a few days. We'll take over the planning until he gets here then we start the execution right away."
Meanwhile, Matteo had slept in. He quickly looked over at Maria and found her still sleeping peacefully: "Wake up, Maria. Breakfast is ready."
Maria woke up feeling strangely refreshed she wasn't used to sleeping so long. She rubbed her eyes and smiled: "Good morning, uh… Matteo."
He smiled back: "Come on, Princess. I brought some simple food. Hope it's good enough for royalty."
Maria laughed: "Don't worry, I'm not that picky."
Matteo set the food down and said: "Eat up. I'll go eat as well."
But Maria stopped him: "Wait. I want to tell you something important. I have an idea a plan to trap Adriano."
Matteo raised his eyebrows in surprise: "Really? What is it?"
Maria smirked, trying to stir his curiosity: "Eat first, then I'll tell you."
Matteo chuckled: "Fine, I'll eat here with you. Now talk."
Maria leaned forward: "I'll start sending secret letters to Adriano, pretending I'm contacting him behind your backs. I'll give him this location. By the time he comes, you'll have set the trap. Once he and his men arrive, your men will surround and finish them off."
Matteo was stunned: "You're a genius! You're starting to grow on me."
Maria blushed slightly, smiling: "When you're ready, let me know and I'll begin my part."
They began eating together, talking and laughing until suddenly a knock on the door.
"Open up, Matteo, it's Marco." came the voice outside.
Matteo rushed to the door: "Sorry, Marco, I didn't hear you. Good thing you're here I have something important to tell you."
But Marco interrupted: "Let me go first I got a letter from Leonardo. He said he's stuck at home for a few more days until he recovers. We'll have to wait until he gets out before we start the next phase."
Matteo nodded: "Alright. But listen to this…"
Matteo told Marco about Maria's idea.
Marco was impressed: "Looks like you and Maria had a real heart-to-heart, huh?"
Matteo replied sincerely: "She's not like her father. She hates Adriano and wants him gone. That's why she told me this."
Marco nodded: "Then we wait for Leonardo and the moment he's free, we execute the plan."
A Few Days Later...
Leonardo finally left his house. He hurried to the headquarters, where Marco and Giovanni were waiting.
"Finally out of that cage, huh?" Marco teased، and he said: "We thought you'd never come out."
Leonardo grinned: "Alright, what's next?"
Marco replied: "We're heading to the hideout Matteo and Maria are there. You'll be briefed on everything."
When they arrived, they found Matteo and Maria sitting outside talking.
"What's this? Getting fresh air now?" Leonardo joked.
Matteo laughed: "Took you long enough."
Maria stared at Leonardo in shock: "You're with them?!"
"Yes" he replied calmly، and he said: "I'm part of the gang. Are you comfortable here, or do you want to go back?"
"No, no," Maria said quickly, and she continued: "I'm perfectly fine here. And… Matteo is funny and kind."
Matteo smiled, trying to hide his reaction: "Alright, let's get down to business."
Matteo explained Maria's plan to Leonardo, then assigned roles:
> Matteo would supervise the operation.
> Leonardo would secure the necessary funds.
> Marco would recruit more members for the gang.
> Maria would send the bait letters to Adriano, leading him to the hideout.
Once Adriano arrived, the gang would ambush and eliminate him.
The Next Day, Adriano was still obsessively searching for Maria. As he passed through the palace gardens, he stopped at the mailbox a habit of his lately and found a letter from an unknown sender.
He opened it suspiciously, then froze: "It's me, Maria. I managed to send this letter without them knowing. Come quickly. I'm being held in an abandoned house in..."
The letter included the full location.
Without hesitation, Adriano gathered a group of soldiers and set off, telling no one in the palace.
Unaware of what awaited him...
To be continued...