«Now, I’ve waited so long to hear my Duchess’s praise,» Alexander utters as soon as we walk into his chamber.

He waited for something like fifteen minutes. And he fooled himself for the whole time if he really thinks he’s going to receive any praise.

«You didn’t even wait for the end of the hunt,» I start. «Yet you received the prize as if you deserve it. It’s unfair. You didn’t earn it, and I’m not worthy of this necklace.»

I reach out for the hook and try to unlock it, but it’s difficult without seeing it.

I struggle for a while, while the Duke stares at me with amazement.

I bet he didn’t hear this kind of words from anyone before. He’s had all the nobles respecting him just for his name, but that’s not enough to let this Duchess dance around him like he would like me to.

I’m so irritated by this matter that I’d just break the necklace, to take it off.

Unfortunately, it’s too valuable.

And also a gift from his majesty.

And, it’s not destined for me.

«You’re amazing!» the Duke exclaims and reaches me in a couple of steps.

I’ve finally succeeded in unlocking the necklace, so I lean it on the table carefully.

«I won’t calm down just because you compliment me,» I complain. That’s not how it should work, and it’s wrong.

«Really,» he chuckles, grabbing my waist and dragging me in his arms.

I can’t resist his strength, so I just let him hold me. I just turn my head to the side so that he can’t kiss me. It’s because I’ll bite him if he tries to. I’m trying to save my life by avoiding the Duke’s lips.

«My Duchess is someone special,» he continues, and his mouth lands on my neck. I can feel his tongue caressing my skin, and I can’t stop a gasp. The Duke moves the sleeve of my dress, and his lips slip down, kissing my skin so slowly that I almost open my mouth to protest.

If only I didn’t like it so much.

My Duke exactly knows where to press and how long to insist on a spot, so this torture is rather pleasurable.

«These are my thoughts,» I utter, trying to ignore the thrills that run through my spine and the sighs in my lungs. «I won’t change my mind just because of this…»

«I don’t want you to change ideas, my Duchess,» Alexander comments. «Just go on with your cute resistance. It makes me want to tease you even more.»

«It’s not resistance. I’m really concerned about the injustice that I witnessed.»

«Is that so?»

«No, I didn’t just witness. I’m an accomplice…»

«What injustice, my dear?»

His hands leave my waist. One slips down, caressing my back, while the other grabs my chin. He forces me to look at him, but he doesn’t kiss me forcefully.

He just observes my expression full of resentment and disappointment. Every second makes him happier, which makes me think he really enjoys seeing my suffering.

«Why don’t you scold me some more?» he asks, raising his eyebrows in a pleading expression.

Mhm, this doesn’t sound like something a sadist would say. Is he maybe that other kind of person… How was it? The kind of people that want to be taken advantage of… Ah, I can’t remember the right word on the spot.

And it’s not my Duke’s eyes’ fault. I am staring at them in silence. And I am in a daze, lost in those wells that attract all the light around.

But I’m not that distracted by them. Not at all.

«I have a better idea,» he then proposes. «I can scold you for being this harsh on me. Especially when I’m innocent.»

I exhale, realising that I can’t hold a grudge because of this. Injustice is horrible, but it was just a stupid hunt. Maybe, next time they will be fairer. It is the Duke’s wedding banquet, so that might be the reason behind this whole scheme.

Wait, what does it mean that the Duke is innocent, though?

He didn’t flinch when the Emperor made the aide deliver the prize. He already knew it was going to happen, but he didn’t say a word against it. He just accepted with a light heart.

Even if he’s not the one causing the injustice, he didn’t fight it, which means he’s guilty as well. As much as me.

«It’s not my place to talk like this, you’re right,» I concede. And not because of Alexander’s hand, lingering on my lower back. His charming smile has no part in my admission, either. I’ve simply realised that I can’t complain since I’ve accepted the gift already.

«I won’t be satisfied until I make you change your mind,» he decides and walks away. All of a sudden, I feel cold.

«What do you mean?» I inquire. I’m not too afraid of what he’s going to do. There’s no pain involved, so it’s all right. Actually, I suspect that what he has in mind might be even pleasurable. At least for one of us.

«You said that the winner should have been the one that slew the wolves, right?»

I nod.

«That brave man needs recognition,» I state. «If not a damn jewel, at least a few words of praise from the Emperor.»

«He got them.»

«Public words of recognition.»

«You’re so eager to praise that person…» he mutters. «Would you like to know who it is?»

«It doesn’t matter,» I shrug. «I don’t need to know. It would only make me feel even more wrong.»

«Your dear husband will help you get over your sense of guilt. You didn’t steal that necklace from any lady, my Duchess.»

What does it mean? That the wolf-hunter doesn’t have a lady whom to give the prize? Why does it matter?

«Let’s just forget about the matter,» I whisper.

I’m getting tired of the discussion, even though I was the one starting.

«Is that what you want?» the Duke teases me. «To forget about the matter?»

I nod, and he crosses his arms unhappy.

«Just punish me if I offended you.»

I know that’s what he was waiting to hear, so now that I’ve said the magic words, I wait to see the Duke’s foxy smirk.

Still, he doesn’t change expression. He looks at me, thinking about something. Certainly not about the way he’ll use my words to his advantage, or he wouldn’t have such a focused look.

«I don’t want to forget,» he exclaims, in the end.

«Why?»

What do you want from me now?

«I won’t take back my words, Alexander. I won’t change my mind. If you want me by your side, let me stay the way I am. I’ll control my temper in the future, but don’t ask me to change.»

«I haven’t asked you anything, my Duchess. I was hoping you would continue to talk about the skilled, brave, handsome hunter that caught three wolves.»

«I never said handsome since I don’t know how he looks li…» I start, but then I notice something strange.

Alexander’s eyes are so pleased. Is he happy to listen to his wife praising a stranger? No, that can’t be…

I feel the blood rush to my cheeks, while I understand how stupid I became after only a few weeks in this damned place.

«Alexander, what did you catch today?» I ask as if nothing happened. He said he came back after catching something, and I also replied that at least I wouldn’t feel embarrassed.

If only I could take back every word that I’ve said till now!

«Just three animals,» he shrugs.

I open my mouth to say something, but I have no words. I stay here like this, my jaw dropped, and my eyes wide.

«I’m sorry?» I say, but it sounds more like a question.

«Oh, I was so pleased to see that my wife has a keen sense of justice. Also, you pretended so well to be fine about everything during the toast. I’m so proud of you, Thea,» he chuckles.

He walks to me and holds my hands. I’m so shocked that I don’t even register his touch. He could embrace me tightly or touch me like he always tries, and I wouldn’t have the nerve to stop him.

However, he doesn’t take advantage of this.

«Then, seeing you defend a stranger was even more amusing given that I was that stranger,» he continues. «It feels so nice to be defended by you, Thea.»

I close my mouth and straighten my back. I stay like this, still in silence.

I’ll think later about how it is possible that this man is so skilled in hunting even if he avoided it every year.

Right now, I need a way to get out of this awkward situation without losing my dignity.

«Shall I organise some unfair competition just to hear you talk like this again? Oh my, I thought you wouldn’t find the courage to scold me, but I’m so happy that you’ve finally understood!»

«Understood what?» I ask mechanically. Sometimes, he acts like a child.

«I won’t hurt you, so you don’t need to be scared to face me,» he explains, and I feel even worse for my harsh accusations.