Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

I've been collecting children around in Stoneyard for a couple of days. It took me less than expected to convince the parents to let me take care of them.

Most are daughters and sons of the castle's servants. There are a few from the villages behind the walls, and they were the most difficult to recruit.

For the rest, my life has continued with its usual pace, except for my Duke's silent presence.

I've also laughed at what happened in the city with lady Lyana, conveniently while Alexander passed by.

He should know that people mistake Olly for my son. There's no reason to be jealous.

Still, I couldn't tell him myself because I'm angry and we don't talk.

Ah, what a difficult situation.

After the third night in a row freezing at my side of the bed, I've found the perfect way to stay warm and angry at the same time.

I wait for Alexander to fall asleep, and then I snuggle by his side. Since I'm always the first to wake up, I can flee before he notices. It's just perfect. The only difficult part is to get out of his tight embrace, but I manage somehow.

His bandaged hand is the most difficult to bear. Every time I see it, my heart is in pain. He got hurt while protecting me, yet I found the time to argue with him.

He's unlucky to have such a stubborn wife, by the way. It's destiny, not me.

However, this is making me suffer more than expected. I happen to get up with sickness, but I ignore my body and prepare for work. It eventually disappears, and the rest of the day flows away like a spring breeze.

I've always hated fighting, and now that I do it with my husband, my stomach complains. I have to find a way to trick it, to make it think that everything is fine...

«My Lady, why are there many of us?» Olly asks, dragging me back to the present.

«What?» I mumble, looking at him. His face has become rounder during the last months, and it's now a bit unhappy.

«Am I not capable enough to serve my Lady? Why so many others?»

Oh, the children!

The maids prepared one of the unused rooms for this purpose. The children will come here to learn, and they'll stay warm. I've also ordered some snacks for the middle-morning break.

Oh, everything looks just perfect. I would have liked going to a school like this so much!

The teacher arrives in time, and he observes the children for a while before straightening his back and getting ready for battle.

What was he expecting? It was clear that he would be teaching village children, even travelling to do so.

«You'll have to work here in Stoneyard this week. Take it as a trial period. You will manage schools in different villages, so you should get used to working with children before this responsibility falls entirely on your shoulders,» I say.

He nods, even more convinced than before. Well, the salary is enough of a reason for accepting the hassles of travelling among villages.

«For now, you can stay at Stoneyard. If you find a village that makes travel easier, just let me know, and I'll make arrangements to find you a suitable place.»

«Yes, my Lady,» he says.

«The rooms for lessons are ready. Some villages have buildings that can serve the purpose, you can choose one where to live if you want.»

«Is there anything my Lady wishes the children would learn at first?»

Any priority? I guess the usual...

«Reading, writing and counting. Oh, and teach them some new words. You can borrow books from the open library. Your name has been communicated to the librarian, so he won't make problems. Just make sure to properly declare which books you are bringing where. And bring them back in less than two months.»

«Yes, my Lady.»

He bows his head, and I step away to glance at the children. They're sitting around the table and talking or playing with each other.

The plate with snacks is already empty.

«If I forgot about anything, let me know,» I mutter.

I've never gone to school, so I don't know what is actually needed.

«My Lady certainly did a perfect job,» the teacher says, and I roll my eyes.

«I have to go now. I wish you a good job...»

«Thank you, my Lady. With your words, my work has already become easier.»

I can now focus on the rest of my work. Well, focus is a bit strong of a word. If I really do that, I'll finish too fast.

«My Lady, what are we going to do now?» lady Lyana says.

Hmm... Tough question.

«Embroidery,» I shrug. 

I'm now good enough with letters, and I'm not in the mood to make As. It would be like admitting that I'm not all that angry.

«I want to replicate one of the nanny's patterns.»

Not the whole pattern, obviously. I'll just look at a flower or a cloud, and I'll try doing that. She's also sitting next to the fire, which is a cosy place.

It's also a place where Alexander might pass and look at me. I need to show him my indifference, and I can't if he doesn't see me.

The nanny doesn't speak. She hasn't uttered a word during the months I was here; it must mean she's mute. She's not deaf, by the way.

She listens and understands all I say, and she reacts with gestures rather than sounds.

Her kind expression makes me feel at ease, so I start spending some time with her. I enjoy the silence, broken only by the clatter of the needles when she's knitting.

She greets me every morning with a smile, and her eyes have never shown any bad mood.

I wonder how could such a pleasant woman deal with a moody man like Alexander.

Today, she's more focused on me than on the work. She has been observing for quite a while, trying to figure out something.

«We've argued,» I explain. «On something a bit stupid, to be sincere. But I don't know what to do now... I don't want to concede because it's important to me. At the same time, I think Alexander will be just as stubborn as I am.»

She shakes her head while her lips form a thin line.

«He doesn't want to talk with me, but he insists that I speak about myself. It's so unfair.»

She shrugs, signalling that my Duke is the way he is. He does have many other bright sides, I should just forgive him and go on.

«I know I can't continue to pout forever. I'm just waiting for my husband to realise that I can be as stubborn as he is.»

She nods, understanding my concerns. Then she shows me her palms and smiles reassuringly, as to say that everything will turn out just fine.

I suspect she also means that it will take less time than I think, but that's too much of an interpretation to be sure.

One thing is sure: one week without touching or talking with my Duke is very long. I hope he misses me as well.

It would be so unfair if I were the only one to suffer.

When finally Alexander passes in front of the fire, I feel his stare on me.

Oh, now! It's time!

I have to ignore him. I have to look totally uninterested and cold. No, it's better if it seems that I haven't even noticed his entrance. That's the best.

He's not as relevant as to disturb my work!

My eyes lean on the work I'm embroidering, and my fingers start sewing, slow and clumsy. My back is straight, even though relaxed on the back of the chair.

«Thea, you're here,» he mutters, more for habit than a real need to talk with me.

I glare at him, and he lifts his eyebrows before realising the reason behind my reaction.

«Sorry,» he adds. «Theodora.»

Good, he understood the message. I won't just idly listen to him calling me Thea after he refused to open up to me. In the end, I'll find a way to make him talk. I have all the time in the world, he won't be able to hide for our whole lives.

I need a way to become persistent, though. I'm not used to working on a single thing for years. I usually reach my target way sooner.

«Is there anything you need me for?» I inquire, seeing that my Duke hasn't moved an inch. He's just staring at me, lost and conflicted.

«Not now,» he breathes before turning on his steps and leaving.

Wasn't he directed at his private rooms? Why did he get out?

«He's a bit distracted today,» I shrug, and the nanny moves her shoulders in a silent chuckle.

She crooks her mouth, and she thinks about communicating something for a few seconds. Then, she simply returns to knitting.