I face Patricia in the hallway. She glares at me silently.

She’s a bit too cheeky for a mere maid. What gives her such confidence?

I turn my gaze away, pretending to be bored by her presence, rather than annoyed. Her eyes are full of fury as if I made her suffer who knows what pain. At least, she’s smart enough not to say anything.

How can a maid get away with harassing a noble? I can’t understand the Ethirians, really. It looks like I’ll have to do something on my own.

The main issue is that I have no proofs of Patricia’s wrongdoings, but I have the feeling that she won’t stop at poisoning me. Her expression is that of a person that had planned further.

I’ll have to obtain justice with my own hands. And I’ll have to be a bit wicked if I want to succeed. More than a bit, actually. I wonder what kind of revenge will be more satisfying. Alexander already complained about the maids to the Emperor, but nothing changed.

A part of me is relieved that it didn’t work. Patricia is not the mastermind. She’s a lead to a broader conspiracy. If we throw her out immediately, we won’t have tails to follow. This way, we can try to lure out the real monsters.

For that, though, I’ll need to place a trap.

Kate opens the door to my room when she hears my steps, and she notices my dark mood.

«I’ve found a way to avoid the corset,» she mumbles, uncertain.

She takes out a large shawl from the wardrobe, and I smile happily. I will cover my torso with it. No one will discern whether I’m wearing a corset or not. I’ll be strolling with the Duke before lunch, so I’ll need to be presentable. Or better said: I need to seem presentable.

My maid fixes the cloth so that it stays baggy.

Alexander said that he wants to show to the court how much he likes his wife, so we won’t stay in the garden this time. Even though I said that I didn’t care about the court’s whispers as long as nobody tries to hurt me, he insisted on helping me.

I haven’t planned he would be so attentive, but I spared the energies I would have used for convincing him to help. This way, I’ll be able to use my tricks for another time.

Alexander added that he doesn’t want these people to make assumptions for nine months, so he wants to solve any misunderstanding before leaving. Apparently, we won’t return here until next summer.

I’ll have plenty of time to prepare myself to relive all these tortures. Next year I’ll have to endure for three whole months.

I’m quite hungry but can’t complain about it. I was the one dragging the Duke back in bed, so I now have to wait patiently for lunchtime. Also, I don’t want to ask for food with Patricia around. Having a rumbling belly is preferable to vomiting. I mean, the stomach is empty in both cases, but in the latter case, it also hurts.

The dress I choose is a black one. People in the Empire don’t like to wear dark clothes because they think these colours are a gloomy and bad omen. Still, I like them so much.

For this one time, I won’t follow the Duke’s tastes and choose for myself. I need to be in my best condition, to focus on the task in front of me.

When Alexander arrives, I lock arms with him. I fix the shawl that slips from my shoulder, and I straighten my back, ready for the court.

«You’re not going to war,» he reminds me, noticing my solemn expression.

«No, I’ve already lost that,» I reply sourly.

Alexander chuckles, understanding that I’m not complaining but just analysing the situation as it is.

He pecks my temple. Did he forget that we’re out in the open? Is it allowed to act like this in public?

The Empire is such a rigid place, already touching each other’s arms is considered a gesture of intimacy. Landing his lips on my skin in public is certainly unacceptable.

I turn to him with tons of doubts and questions in my eyes, and the Duke continues to laugh lightly.

«How can I show to everyone how much I value my wife if I don’t kiss her every two minutes?» he explains, not even waiting for my inquiry.

«Every two minutes?» I repeat dumbfounded. Isn’t that a bit too much? What if he does it only once in a while, but properly? We won’t end this stroll ever if we have to stop for this.

At least, I didn’t back away by instinct. It would have looked worse if I did. I just stay still and endure my husband’s attention. I don’t dare to reciprocate, mostly because I’m not in the mood. It’s hard to choose how to behave in this situation. If I’m too cold, I’ll be a vixen. If I’m not, I’ll be a slut.

«I want every single pair of eyes that are staring at us right now to know that they can’t mess with you,» the Duke explains.

Sure, I have to trust his explanation.

«You’re not believable,» I point out. «It’s too much trouble for something so simple. And you could reach the same purpose by buying me gifts.»

«Gifts are expensive and too conventional. Every husband in the court buys them for his wife, but they don’t all have a happy marriage.»

What a cheapskate!

«Countess Burbon bragged about a necklace the Count bought her for half an hour. Her friends stared at it as if it was a wonder of the world.»

«Her friends have lower status and financial problems. Not every noble can afford a life filled with luxury. The court is expensive, you know. It’s surprising how the poorer the noble, the more eager he is to stay here all year long.»

«Are we going to the North to spare money?»

It can’t be! Alexander is so smart and cunning, how can he have problems with something as vain as money?

I mean, he defeated me. He can find a way to raise some funds. And if that’s the case, I’ll help him with the administration of his territories. I know a thing or two about saving money.

«No, we’re not. We can come back soon if that’s what my Duchess wants,» he murmurs and pecks my cheek.

I pinch his arm from under the shawl as a sign of complaint, but I smile sweetly at his attentions.

«No need,» I reply simply. What could I ever want from the court? I hate this place so much that I don’t mind moving to a cold region.

I’m looking forward to leaving!

«I need to check how the fiefs in my territory are administered. And also prepare for the winter. It comes earlier in the North, and Kyre’s land is not as fertile as that near the capital.»

«Are you administering all of Kyre?»

«My grandmother’s family has been linked to that land for over a thousand years. She didn’t have any brother, and the late Emperor, my grandfather, wanted to marry her. In the end, it was decided that their second son would become the Duke of Kyre and lose his place in line for the throne. He would be considered the last prince even though he was the second born.»

«It didn’t change things that much, since your grandparents had just two sons,» I notice.

«Right, yet the late Emperor, my uncle, was afraid that my father would take his place. And not just him,» Alexander adds with a beaten voice.

«His majesty, the Emperor, is following his father’s steps, then,» I mumble.

«The current Emperor is the only son of the late Emperor, but he had been legitimated only a few days before the Emperor’s death. It hasn’t been easy for him as well. He needed my support to inherit the throne because a claim from my side would have more legitimacy.»

«A bastard?» I repeat dumbfounded.

«I’ll explain another time,» the Duke murmurs while pressing his lips on my neck.

I’m so captured by my thoughts, that I don’t even notice how his innocent pecks are more daring every moment that pass.

«Is this enough of a show?» I wonder, while my skin starts to feel hot in the spots where the Duke touched it. I feel the blood rush in my cheeks, and all my muscles are stiff. What irks me more are all the eyes on us. It’s as if they’re studying me, analysing the way I react to the Duke and forming their opinion about me.

«No,» Alexander sighs and circles my waist with his arms. He pulls me closer, and I can sense his breath in my hair.

As expected, he’s having too much fun.

«Isn’t it better to do this in a more private place?» I propose, trying to bait him away. The silent stares are becoming uncomfortable for my sensitive heart.

When Alexander smirks, I understand that my plan failed.