Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

The weather has been warmer, these last few days.

The snow was removed from the roads, and carriages returned to travel from and to Stoneyard.

Now, it's rather comfortable to come here from Kyre's capital, Albios.

Ambassador Zolokis, uncle Nicholas, came here a few minutes ago. He's now waiting in one of the public living rooms. I couldn't meet him in the Lady's personal suite, so I had the maids prepare a living room for the occasion.

Stoneyard has plenty of rooms, it's time I use some of them.

«Good afternoon, Ambassador,» I say while crossing the door. «I'm glad you found the time to come visit.»

«Oh, are you going to keep our conversation formal, Lady Kyre?» he asks and gets up.

He stretches out his hand, and I let him peck mine before taking place on the armchair. The Ambassador sits back on the sofa, and we can finally start conversing.

The maids bring tea and snacks, and they behave without weird looks or stiff movements. If this happened at the court, they would have already informed everyone and asked the Duke to teach his wife how to act decently.

Luckily, we're now in Kyre. Alexander will be displeased when he hears about this, but I'll handle him later.

He wouldn't have agreed if I talked about it earlier, so I have to once again use the excuse: «wops, it already happened!»

I'm not really scared of his reaction. Even when he's harsh, he soon calms down in front of a sincere apology or a couple of tears. I'm doing this more for him than for me, by the way.

«There's no need to keep it formal, uncle,» I say while sipping tea. It's weak and sweetened with two spoons of honey.

The Ambassador adds a couple of lumps of sugar and stirs until it's not too hot anymore. Weird tea habits are not exclusive to Kyre.

«I'm glad you survived the war,» he comments, paying no attention to the servants around us. I wouldn't be so conscious about their presence if I didn't live in a siege for years. The possibility that a spy could tell our intentions to the other side was tangible. Yet, people living in peace can't seem to understand that danger.

«I'm glad as well. Being Duchess of Kyre is many times better than any other possibility I could see at that moment.»

«I guess it was. Does Duke Kyre treat you well?»

«I have everything I need, here,» I shrug while looking to the side. «Certainly, I don't lack clothes and riches. The help listens to me, and the Lord is very understanding.»

«Don't let him step over you, Theodora. You might have lost a war, but you're of royal blood. And you still have part of your family, in this world.»

I smile brightly, feeling a bit guilty for exploiting my uncle's presence like this.

When my mother died, the third year of siege, he came all the way to Polis for the funerals. Even an empire as immovable as Ethiro conceded three days of truce for that event. It is no secret that Ambassador Zolokis visited the city since they let him pass willingly.

We saw each other when I was very young. It can be counted as the first time we really talked. He didn't ask me anything, and he kept distant and polite publicly.

When we were alone, he just hugged me. He told me to cry all my tears and then forget about them. I had a war to carry on, and I couldn't afford distractions later.

He reminded me that I was not alone.

«I know it already,» I chuckle. «You won't believe me, but I'm faring quite well. Even though...»

I sigh, and my shoulders drop by a few millimetres.

«What is worrying you, my dear niece?»

«There is only a single problem on my way.»

I sip some tea, and I frown at the taste, sweet to an excess. Oh, it was such a smart move to add sugar.

I can't stand sweet tea. The sugar takes the place of the aroma and ruins the overall effect.

I won't be able to finish this cup. However, now I need to look sincere with my bitterness.

«It's better not to talk about it. I don't want to bore you with my issues.»

«Oh, I'd like to hear about your problems. If I can, I'll gladly help.»

«There is a woman, a Duke's granddaughter. She was promised to my husband before the war...»

«Promised? There were talks about marriage, but it was never made official,» the Ambassador notices.

«Well, they know each other quite well. I'm trying to do my best to keep my position stable, but I'm afraid that Duke Kyre will lose interest with me if that woman stays free and available...»

«I thought Alexander of Kyre was unreachable. I don't know if I should congratulate you for catching his attention or this other lady for being as much interesting as to be a threat to you.»

«Childhood loves are hard to fight, uncle. Keeping a man's interest during the first months of marriage is easy. It's after that all becomes a struggle. Can you help me deal with this lady?»

«You have the face of someone ordering a murder,» the Ambassador chuckles.

Oh, I have to relax my expression a bit. This is too much.

I lean the cup on the table and sigh noisily.

«My reaction was too strong. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. Indeed, this is a matter I have to solve on my own.»

«Oh, you're just promoting a friend with your uncle, aren't you?» he continues. He winks while reaching out for a cookie on the table.

Ah, he understood!

«That's right,» I nod. «Can you help me?»

«I'll see what I can do.»

«It shouldn't be too difficult. Asteria allows a man to have multiple wives.»

«Our mighty Emperor is in search of his fourteenth concubine. A young, promising daughter from a ducal house seems fitting. Also, it would help distend the tension between Asteria and Ethiro.»

«I agree,» I chuckle. «Now that Ethiro is my home, I'm trying to help the way I can.»

«You're doing it marvellously. They already have one of our own, it's only fair that a bride from Ethiro is sent to Asteria...»

One of their... Oh, he's talking about me.

My mother was born there, indeed. However, she served Polis for almost half of her life. I've never been to Asteria, I haven't met many of my family's members. I can't consider myself one of them.

However, there's no need to say it out loud.

A simple, complicit smile will do the trick.

«Do you have news from grandfather?» I ask, intending to change the argument for good. No need to talk it over, now that it's decided.

«He's doing well, except for his knees. He always complains about his knees,» the Ambassador replies happily.

I have no clue about my grandfather's habits, and I don't care too much. He has never written me a letter, not even before the war. I'm just a tool to reach to the heart of Ethiro. Still, I need to play the part for now.

After all, my uncle was there when I needed an adult from my family. I shouldn't make him figure out that I don't really care about anyone else.

Our conversation proceeds leisurely until Alexander comes in.

I start feeling his dark mood far before he actually crosses the door. I swear I can tell when he steps in the hallway, let alone the room.

Just while the door closes, I ponder about the amounts of soothing I'll need to make him forget this little incident. An enthusiastic thrill doesn't pass unnoticed by the Ambassador's keen eye.

Fortunately, he'll assume I'm scared of my husband's reaction.

«Good afternoon,» Alexander says with the coldest tone I've ever heard from him.

Just a couple of ropes won't be enough, this time.

«You're here,» I reply with a nervous smile. My startled reaction makes Alexander even angrier.

As a result, I look down and gulp.

The Ambassador will proceed faster with the plan if he's convinced that my position really is in danger.

The downside is that I'm not sure anymore if a single night will be enough to make my husband forget this. Oh, never mind. I'll just insist until he lets go.

«I hear my wife was having tea with a guest, so I thought it was a good idea to pass by,» my Duke says while sitting down.

His black eyes are soulless with this light, and his back is straight.

Oh, wait a moment. Don't say things like that! Don't make the Ambassador think you're jealous!

I just told him you're not that interested in me, come on!

«I see you've started using this place as your home,» he spits out, his head turned a few degrees in my direction.

Oh, thank goodness. Smart husbands are the best.

«I'm sorry,» I whisper. «I should have notified you beforehand. It won't happen again.»

After this silent apology, my uncle will fly to write letters to Asteria's court.

«I have to go,» he exclaims, in fact. He's in between hurry and awkwardness. He would have preferred not to see such a scene.

Sorry, uncle, but I need your full cooperation. Just this once.