I hate to admit it, but realising the real value of my allowance made me change the way I treat Alexander.

I hope I’ll be back to normal soon, but at this moment I’d like to just kiss him regardless of all the eyes on us. Soon, he’ll read my mind and understand the reason behind my lovely gaze, though.

I don’t even feel tired to solve all the other problems that come in the way. Alexander lets me interact with commoners, while he takes on himself to grant favours to the noblemen. I don’t have enough information about who is on his side and who’s not, so it’s way better with this method.

I think that he’s more generous today. Every time he helps someone, he reminds them that it’s because I’m here. It’s become a welcome party rather than a workday.

Some of the commoners came just to look at me, and they even brought food as an offer. I’m not any kind of divinity, but I accept their gifts with a smile and a word of thanks.

This is all they have, and they decided to give it to me. Out of curiosity or hoping to get something in return, it doesn’t change the reality.

These are now my people as well. Accepting their wishes is the least I can do.

It’s almost midday when a group of men come in. They’re tired from the long journey, but their nerves don’t let them stay still.

«My Lord,» the leader of the group starts. He kneels in front of Alexander and bows his head. «The rainy season started early this year. The weir’s reparations aren’t done, and we’re afraid that water will invade our homes once again…»

Floods? It’s way early for that.

I glance at Alexander, and he’s suddenly listening closely to the story.

«I will come tomorrow morning,» he nods.

The men leave the room, heartened by that single sentence. They certainly trust their ruler.

For the rest of the day, I feel like my Duke is distracted.

Alexander suggests I retreat early, but I don’t want to leave his side. It’s refreshing to see him work. Even more interesting to help him.

The applicants seem to multiply by the hour. When we finish, it’s almost dawn.

«Alexander, can I come with you?» I ask, looking at him in the eyes. I’m curious to see Kyre. And I’m also wondering why is my Duke so worried about some weir.

«You better go to sleep,» he rejects me.

«But I want to see, as well!» I confess.

If I make up any fake reason for wanting to follow him, he’ll immediately discover my thoughts and get mad. And leave me in Stoneyard.

«No,» he repeats. «You can reach me in the afternoon, but only if the weather gets better. You’re not allowed to get out if it’s raining!»

I nod as if I have any intention to listen to him. In the end, he won’t do anything if I misbehave.

As if catching my thoughts in the air, my Duke smiles evilly and whispers to me his threat: «if you disobey, I’ll tie you to the bed. And then, I’ll eat a mountain of drumsticks right in front of you. A few inches from you, so that you can also scent the delicious chicken…»

I open my mouth to protest, but then I close it. Complaining would just sound suspicious.

«I will do as you say, my Lord,» I murmur, a bit sadly.

«Good girl,» he chuckles and pecks my head.

I walk to the bedroom while he gets ready to depart.

«You should rest as well,» are the only words I can utter before he disappears into the cold hallways.

I just have to wait for midday, so I get in bed and sleep for a few hours.

I guess that next time there will be fewer people. With some luck, the crowd will decrease in a month or so. In a couple of weeks, my husband and I will be able to go to sleep at a decent hour.

After lunch, I make the servants prepare a carriage for me.

It’s still raining, but the drops are not that insistent.

While the carriage proceeds towards the lands that are having issues with floods, I sit in a corner and look out greedily.

I’ve brought with me a mountain of blankets and some food. I thought about asking two maids to follow, but, in the end, I got on the carriage followed by the knight that ensures my safety and the horseman.

This way, I had more space for refreshments. The men must have been working hard, so they’ll be happy to have some dried meat for lunch. Also, I’ll ask the local women to prepare hot soups and teas as well.

Everything is so well thought that I smile to myself.

At some point, the carriage stops.

«I will see what’s the matter,» the knight says while grabbing his sword by reflex.

Men, they always think that touching their swords will solve everything!

«Maybe, there’s something on the road,» I point out.

«Your grace, please stay in the carriage until I come back,» he states and jumps out. He closes the door and walks away.

He comes back a few seconds later, and he looks at me with a calm yet vigil gaze.

«We’re under attack.»

Oh, wonderful. Bandits.

«We can hand them everything, including the carriage,» I sigh. «No need to kill anyone for that…»

«The coachman is dead, your grace. And they’re waiting for you to get out of here. I can feel an arrow pointing at the door.»

«So, what can we do?»

«We can’t stay here any longer, but trying to run away is too dangerous as well…» he ponders. «I’ll free one of the horses. Does your grace know how to ride on horseback?»

«You mean without a saddle? I do know,» I nod.

«Then grab a horse and head north. That’s the fastest way to leave the forest. There is a village there. Ask the folks for help.»

He’s ordering me around, but it’s not the case to complain, is it?

«And you?» I ask him. I’m not used to leaving my people behind.

«I will survive, your grace. And I will be right behind you.»

«To protect me,» I sigh. «We don’t have any other choice, do we? I can’t fight, so the safest choice is indeed to run away.»

Just as instructed, I run to the horses after the knight’s signal, and I get on the closest animal thanks to his help.

He hits the horse’s back, and the animal starts galloping towards safety. I grip the reins and focus on not falling from here.

I can hear the noise of a battle, behind me, but I’m too scared to turn. I just look at the front and pray for safety; my safety and that of the knight.

The ride lasts for a few minutes, but it seems like hours. My back hurts when I finally get off.

I arrived at the promised village, and I look at the eyes staring at me.

I can guess that it doesn’t happen every day that a lady comes riding from the forest and asks for help.

«I was passing in the forest when my carriage was attacked,» I start. Soon, I understand that my words aren’t reaching the people in front of me.

A boy, around eleven years old, comes forward and tilts his head.

«Are you a witch?» he asks.

What? Do I look like a witch?

My hair indeed is messy, and my clothes are full of mud. The horse which I came with fled somewhere, so I can’t even get on and try running away by myself.

I must be very ugly, wet from the rain and the desperation. Still, calling me a witch is a bit too extreme.

«Are you the witch from the forest?» he insists, and I just shake my head in denial.

«Go back to where you came from, you demon!» he shouts, and some smaller children follow him.

He throws a rock in my direction, but he misses me.

«Hey, that’s dangerous!» I scold him.

«The witch is angry,» he exclaims, and the children start to run in a circle and yell crazily. Some of them pick up other rocks and throw them at me.

Unfortunately, their aim is better, and some of the projectiles hit me.

«Wait! Stop!» I complain, but they continue to curse me and throw rocks.

The adults, at first, don’t react. Then, they step towards me.

«A witch?» some of them whisper.

One of the rocks hits my temple, and I shout in pain.

They step back for a moment, alarmed by my scream, but they soon circle me. I can see pitchforks, rakes and sticks.

«I’m not a witch!» I complain.

«Can you prove it?» one of the men replies, and I drop my shoulders.

It’s them that ought to prove that I am something, not the other way around.

Being tied to a bed and forced to look at drumsticks until the end of times… That doesn’t sound so bad anymore.