I just decided to get out of my room and take a short stroll in the garden.

I’ve worn a simple black gown. The doctor said not to wear the corset, so I am allowed to walk around like this. Right?

With Kate’s help, I tied my hair in a complicated style, and I’ve also drawn a silver line on my eyelids, just like any girl in Polis would do.

The girl that smiled back on the mirror was more similar to Queen Theodora than the gloomy Duchess of the last few weeks.

Even if I’m a captive, even if I’m alone far from home, I can’t change who I am.

If the Ethirians look down on me because I’m different from them, it’s not my problem.

I’ve just stepped out of my chamber when a messenger comes my way. He stops a few meters from me, and he bows respectfully.

«His majesty, the Sun of the Empire, sent me here to invite her grace, the Duchess of Kyre, to have tea with him,» he says out loud.

I raise my brows, surprised. What does that little brat want, now?

I open my mouth to accept the invite, but then I reconsider.

There’s no way to reject the Emperor, but, if I have to play these people’s games, I’ll do it with my own rules.

«This Duchess accepts the invite,» I say half-heartedly. «This Duchess will visit his majesty, the Emperor, this afternoon.»

I almost burst out laughing when I see the messenger’s face. He must be thinking that I’ve gone crazy. It was obviously not an invite, so there was no need for me to accept it.

All the eyes in the room are fixed on me, and only Kate doesn’t have her jaw dropped.

The servants must be wondering what happened to the quiet Duchess they were getting used to. Also, they’ve never seen me in this attire.

Maybe, they think that I was hit on the head. Should I make such a rumour circulate? People won’t be able to blame me if I do something awful, this way…

«Is there anything else?» I inquire. The messenger hasn’t moved a muscle, so maybe he’s not done talking.

«No, that’s all,» he stutters, confused.

I smile graciously and pass by his side, followed by a silent Kate.

I walk in the garden and sit under the sun. The wind has been cold as of late, and I can’t warm up as before. It probably is the first sign of autumn, along with the leaves falling from the trees.

The roses are still in bloom, and their colours are even more splendid. Will Princess Lyland be angry if I pick up one of the flowers for my room?

I turn around, in search of her. Somehow, she has the talent to appear every time I think about her.

As usual, the little girl is strolling with a couple of friends her age.

«Sister-in-law,» she calls me.

I wave my hand to greet her. After her kindness, her help when I was alone against everyone, I can’t ignore her anymore.

«I’ve heard that my brother dismissed all the maids,» she says when she’s close enough. Her friends sit on a bench and wait for her at a respectful distance.

«It’s true,» I nod. «Since the servants failed at protecting me, the Duke chased them away. I’m feeling safer now, though.»

The Princess glances at Kate and smiles briefly.

«I’m relieved,» she utters. «I was worried that you wouldn’t tell my brother about how the maids misbehaved, so I did it in your stead. I hope you won’t hold a grudge, Duchess.»

«Not at all,» I say.

How could I be angry at the person that relieved me from Patricia’s heavy presence? If she didn’t tell anything to the Duke, I wouldn’t either. I would still be thinking that the Duke wanted to control my actions no matter what.

«I was so worried, you know… Xander is certainly blaming himself for what happened.»

«Why would he?» I inquire, suspicious.

It’s true, the Duke neglected me because of the work the Emperor entrusted him, but that didn’t cause the incident. Not directly, at least.

I’m still convinced that I was the target and not my husband.

«The man that assaulted you is a loyal monarchist. He supported his majesty from the start,» Princess Lyland explains. «Xander was the second in line for succession, so the imperialists thought he would get in the way.»

«I always wondered how my husband survived the succession untouched.»

«It’s simple. Xander helped his majesty to obtain the throne. My brother doesn’t have any interest in it.»

«Then why is his majesty keeping the Duke at a distance?»

The Princess sighs, looking at a withering white rose.

«Our parents died because they were suspected of treason,» she reveals with a quick, sad smile. «His majesty, the Emperor, promised he would redeem their names if we helped him stabilise the Empire.»

Treason? Listening to the Princess, it looks like the charges weren’t genuine.

«How long ago…» I utter, trying to imagine how the young Princess must have felt.

«Ten years ago. The late Emperor had already gone crazy, and he saw dangers everywhere. Even his younger brother and his three-year-old son were a threat to him.»

«I’m sorry,» I whisper. «It must have been tough for you.»

«It would have been worse if I didn’t have my brother,» she shrugs. «Actually, we’re half-siblings. Xander’s mother died giving birth to him. That’s the reason for our age difference.»

«Thank you for telling me all of this,» I voice, and I’m sincere. I’ve never had the chance to find out much about my husband’s past. All I know is related to his odd jobs regarding tax evasion, and his commitment in the past two years during the war.

«It was a bolt out of the blue, for all of us. No one expected the Emperor to sentence his younger brother and sister-in-law like that. Xander tried to stop the execution by any means, he almost was imprisoned when he bribed the guards to let our parents run away. In the end, he couldn’t do anything.»

Princess Lyland looks directly at me as if she wanted me to understand her feelings.

«My brother is afraid of losing you, and that’s why he’s been so stubbornly protective. And since his protectiveness caused you harm, he’s now feeling terrible.»