Princess Lyland’s words stay in my mind for the whole day. I brood until tea time, starting to realise that the Duke’s worries must have been triggered by the incident.

What if he really feels guilty for the maids’ behaviour?

It isn’t his fault, in the end. He even warned me not to trust them, so I always assumed he knew how those women were.

Shall I tell him not to think about it too much?

When tea time comes, I consider not changing clothes and walking around like this. Still, the Duke said to wear Ethirian clothes.

After thorough consideration, I wear a silver gown with Kate’s and Lea’s help. The Princess insisted on lending me her handmaid again.

I ask not to tighten the corset, though. The bruise hurts when I move abruptly, but it’s bearable.

When I arrive in front of the throne room, Lea and Kate are asked to stay back. I’m accompanied by one of his majesty’s aids to a small door, to the side of the big chair.

«His majesty, the Emperor, is waiting for your grace behind this door,» the aid informs me and walks away with fast steps.

I sigh, slightly annoyed by all this secrecy. What if rumours about this chat start spreading? I don’t want to make more trouble. Especially now, that I know how Alexander feels about the throne.

The Emperor isn’t alone, at least. He’s writing something, sitting at his desk. Two counsellors are at the sides, continuously whispering to his ears.

I would have thrown them out the second time they interrupted my work.

«Duchess Kyre,» the Emperor exclaims when he notices me. «Please, have a seat!»

«I was told to enter, I’m sorry for intruding,» I utter. I walk to the chair in front of the desk and sit down. «How is your majesty doing?»

«Running an empire is a busy job,» he sighs.

He waves at the counsellors, and they leave the room silently.

«I can imagine,» I reply. Mine wasn’t an empire, but I still had a lot of work each and every day. Even when the rest of my kingdom was on holiday, I had to appear for the celebrations.

«At first, I thought to ask you for advice, but then I understood that our situations are quite different,» the Emperor starts. «I became the Emperor all of a sudden, and I’m still learning. You, on the other side, weren’t a princess in your childhood. You directly sat on the throne.»

«That’s right,» I nod, not sure what he’s trying to say.

«It must be tough, becoming just a duchess,» he comments.

«There are so many perks, your majesty.»

«Let’s talk about the drawbacks first. I heard what happened in the garden. I’m sorry for the inconvenience,» the Emperor mutters.

Inconvenience? It must really look like that, to him. Why are people here apologising so often, though? They don’t owe me any respect, so there’s no need to be sorry if something happens.

Wasn’t I a prisoner?

«If this happened in Polis, I wouldn’t have stopped at apologies,» I utter, before realising what I’m saying. «Is it such a small matter if someone hits a duchess, here in the Empire?»

The Emperor blinks, surprised.

«I would like to have the power of helping you,» he admits then.

What is the function of an Emperor, if he can’t rule over his subjects?

What’s the point in asking for such deference, deep bows and low heads, if his real power can’t make a nobleman apologise for his actions?

I’m not asking for a sentence, just to be recognised as a human being, as someone that can’t be hit without consequences.

«The man that trespassed in the garden is one of my supporters. If I turn against him because of a foreigner, it won’t look too good.»

«I’m your majesty’s cousin’s wife. I am no foreigner,» I point out. «Is turning against a member of the royal family better?»

«My cousin understands the situation,» he sighs. «I hope you will do the same.»

«I understand what I see, your majesty. It’s just a pity that you can’t recognise when someone is loyal to you.»

«It sounds like a critic, Duchess Kyre.»

«I don’t know how it sounds, but I know what I want to say.»

«And what is that, Duchess?»

«You took away my husband’s title. Then, you made him work during his first week of marriage. I can guess that the task wasn’t simple, or my husband wouldn’t be that busy if it was the case.»

«I committed something to the Duke because I trust him. As of the loss of the title, it was more your fault, Duchess, than mine.»

«I know,» I say, moving my head elegantly to the side.

«Your tongue is fast, Duchess Kyre. It’s something I’ve envied you quite much. My aides don’t dare to tell me when they think I’m making a mistake, but they try their best to convince me to do what they deem better.»

«It’s something every ruler has to learn, sooner or later.»

«Would you like to help me, Duchess?» the Emperor utters, suddenly.

I bite my lip not to let him see my expression, and I slightly bow my head.

«I’m not worthy of such an honour,» I reply, copying the words some of my subjects used to reject an offer. How can I, a Queen that failed her duty, counsel an almighty Emperor? I would ruin the Empire if I had that power. How courageous is this young ruler, to give me such an opportunity?

«I will grant you a wish if you accept,» the Emperor utters.

«Will you give my husband’s title back?»

«I can’t do that,» the young boy says, looking down with a nervous movement. «Anything else! Isn’t there something you desire, Duchess?»

«You can’t give me back what I want, your majesty. No one can.»

«I will let your second son become the Governor of Polis. I’ll create a county and let your children rule over it,» he proposed, his eyes shining with intelligence.

As if I could trust his words. My second son? It’s too far in the future to believe the Emperor will remember his promise. A lot of things can happen during the years.