Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

The next days, Alexander doesn't complain even once about his wound. He just places his hand on a table, the palm up.

However, I can tell it hurts. I catch his grimaces, once or twice every day.

During the evening, I make sure my Duke is comfortable and warm. I let him rest his head on my lap when he seems in the mood for it.

I also started singing to distract him from the pain.

He doesn't seem bothered that I only know folk songs. He doesn't look surprised either. Just the usual.

I offer my help every time I can, and I write letters for my Duke. He speaks from the sofa, while I write on the desk.

When I'm in a very, very right mood, I sit on my Duke's lap and cut the food for him. Then, I feed him.

«I can use my right hand, wife,» he murmured once.

I just made him notice that his right hand was in the right place, so he left it on my back and opened his mouth for the next bite.

Nothing relevant happened these days. It's been so dull that I'm starting to wonder whether I'm wrong. Maybe, that stable boy really tried to kill me on his own volition.

I left the Lord's room a few minutes ago, and I'm now in my office. I'll start writing the invitations for the ladies I want to visit me during winter.

First of all, I can't write to Elisabeth Grahm. However, I can write to someone close to her. Even better, I can write a letter in Alexander's name.

Do I need to ask permission, though? I can even ask my husband to write the letter himself. I'll help him so that the contents are as vague as possible. If Elisabeth Grahm thinks that Alexander is indirectly inviting her over to his castle, she will fly here.

Also, if the murder attempts come from the Grahms, then they'll send their granddaughter here to take the chance to infiltrate another assassin.

I take out the plan for next month's budget and start checking the numbers. I'll deliver it to Pericle once it's ready. He's the one taking care of trading with supplies, while I decide what to buy.

Olly brings in some tea and cookies, and I smile brightly at the little boy. I'm a bit concerned that the maids let a small child carry hot liquid by himself. However, it's not Olly's fault.

«Here,» I whisper while giving him the plate with cookies. I just take one for myself and lean back on the chair.

«All of them?» he asks, widening his eyes.

«You worked hard today. You deserve them all,» I chuckle.

I glance at the maid, wondering what kind of expression she's making, and I find her usual blank face. She's observing us, as usual, but she's not judging nor envying the friendliness I show to the kid.

She's just there, observing.

«Would you like some tea as well?» I offer.

«Thank you, my Lady, but I'd prefer not to.»

«All right,» I whisper while pouring a cup. «I should have saved at least a cookie for you...»

I giggle when I notice the maid's confused grimace, and I move my eyes away not to get discovered. It shouldn't be heard that this Lady loves to tease her employees.

I take a sip and relax on the chair, while Olly munches his cookies with a bright grin.

Maybe I can ask Alexander to invite Count Grahm with an excuse. If I come up with a valid reason to call for noblemen in the capital, their wives or daughters will come along.

If a voice is spread that my husband is unsatisfied with his current wife, then a swarm of contenders will appear out of nowhere.

I better wait before writing anything, maybe there's a better way.

The door opens suddenly, and I lift my head to find out who is as impolite as to storm in the Lady's office.

A thin figure steps in and hits the maid on the back of her neck. The girl falls down, losing her senses.

I widen my eyes and stare at the figure in front of me.

She's short, thin, and looks delicate. However, I'm sure that's just a facade. She's not wearing a maid uniform, this time, so it takes me a while to recognise her. Her face changed from the last time, and her hair is shorter.

She's wearing a black cloak and heavy boots. Her hand disappears under the mantle and comes back to sight with a knife in it.

I'm in front of the assassin that tried to kill me during my wedding banquet. I have been saved by Alexander back then. However, he won't come this time.

No man is allowed in the Lady's office. Even Olly is a big, big exception.

Alexander won't come here by chance and save me. Not this time.

I drag Olly behind me and step back. I'm just a metre away from the window. I can try opening it and shouting, but no one will arrive on time.

The assassin looks at me with her cold gaze, and I realise that I've survived once, by chance. I can't be too lucky for a second time.

Oh, damn it. I was starting to like married life.

I also got used to the north and the duties of a Lady.

Now, Alexander will have to find someone else to replace me.

My eyes fill with tears at the thought of my dear husband, despairing over my death. He'll feel so guilty, and I don't want that.

Olly is clenching my gown and peeking at the girl from behind me. His little head pokes from the side, and his face is tense. Even though he's so young, he understands what is happening.

«Let the child go, at least,» I say.

The assassin tilts her head and tightens her grip on the weapon. She takes a step towards us, and I instinctively move back.

She doesn't have any hurry. It's as if she wants to enjoy this moment for as long as possible. Her grin is amused and satisfied.

She lost me once, and that must have angered her.

Now that I'm cornered, though, she doesn't have to worry about me suddenly running away.

«Just tell me, please, who sent you,» I try again.

She doesn't speak. It's like observing a doll.

«Don't make it too painful,» I try. Finally, her face reacts.

She smirks and leans the tip of the dagger on her forefinger, and she presses until a drop of blood appears. She seems so content, envisioning my dead.

«You made everyone think I'm a fool,» she says, in the end. «You escaped from under my nose. No one, before, managed to do that.»

 «Well, thanks for the praise. I suppose.»

«They all believed I was a weak little girl. A harmless lamb they could use as they liked.»

Well, I can see very well that she isn't harmless. And judging from her expression, she must also be crazy.

My pleading worked on her almost as flawlessly as it works on my Duke: she didn't change her mind, but she was pleased by it.

Continuing with it will maybe buy me some time, but I still don't see a way out.

«Why do you hate me so much?» I ask, letting a tear slip on my right cheek. I make sure she sees it before bending my head down.

I sob a couple of times, and then I peek at the killer's expression.

«Oh, I don't hate you,» she shrugs. «I do resent you for making me work so hard. However, it was funny.»

Really funny. So funny that I would laugh if I wasn't trying to look pitiful.

«You poisoned my horse in the village, during the vintage festival. How did you sneak in? No one noticed a stranger girl.»

«Everyone was drunk,» she whispers while rolling her eyes.

«Then, you somehow convinced the stable boy to come into the room. You wanted us to believe he was the one that orchestrated everything so that we lowered our guards.»

«You talk too much, your grace,» she spits out. «Also, your eyes are too good. I'll keep them as souvenirs, once I'm finished playing with you.»

What kind of mess was she planning to make in the Palace? Oh, gosh. I'm glad I escaped. It would have been such a waste to be splattered over the walls of that hideous place.

Also, it's my brain that figured out her plan, not my eyes. Those only noticed her built arms. My ears didn't hear her silent steps, and my skin sensed the coldness of death on my neck. My body, as a whole, understood that she was danger.

«You infiltrated Stoneyard,» I exclaim. «It's not an easy deal. I shall congratulate you.»

She bypassed my Duke's security quite a few times, and she found the perfect time and place to strike.

If we weren't in this situation, I might have hired her.