Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

The west was boring. No one was expecting an attack so early, so Ethiro won without many struggles.

I made sure to be seen in the right places at the most appropriate times and to say the right word when needed.

Soon, everyone heard of my talent. Even the Emperor.

Too bad that I couldn't go home for a couple of years, and I spent all that time worrying about my sister. How was Martia growing up? Was that little girl going to turn gloomy like the previous time?

She wasn't taken away, but I couldn't stay by her side. Would that influence her?

All those questions crowded my mind so much that I decided to give it a try and finish the war a month earlier.

«Try moving the right wing here,» I proposed to the leading General.

Last time, even though I didn't pay much attention, all the rumours about this war were about this specific battle. The only one Ethiro lost.

It didn't change the outcome, but it dragged the war longer for a couple of months. Also, the enemy's troops regained some good mood after winning, which made them more challenging to defeat.

If I managed to win this battle, the rest of the war would have been taken care of by the generals.

«If I were their general, I would use the mountains to my advantage. Here the road is narrow, which means that we can march in rows of three, maximum of four soldiers.»

«Taking the other way around will take days longer.»

«That's why I'm telling you now. There is still time. Also, you don't need to divide the army in half. Just a wing will be enough to surprise the enemy and ruin their tactical advantage. They won't come forward on their own, General. They'll just pretend to.»

«Are you sure about your hunch, boy?»

It was tiring, all of them calling me boy.

At least, they didn't ignore me all the time like in the beginning. I had gained myself a name, with the tricks suggested by my memories.

I had to pay attention, though. First of all, not to raise suspicions.

And secondly, because most of my knowledge was made of gossip. I couldn't completely rely on it, but consider all of that as a hunch.

Still, I was quite sure that the battle was going to end in our favour. I've examined the situation thoroughly before coming forward with a plan.

«Have I ever been wrong?» I shrugged.

«There's a first time for everything,» he laughed, but he sent a third of the army on the long road.

The war ended a week and two days later. The western populations surrendered, and the Empire annexed yet another piece of land.

I hoped I could go back home, but I was informed that I had to go to another site.

This time, south-west. Luckily, not Polis. I wasn't ready to meet my Queen.

On the way, I visited one of my mother's relatives. She was near my age and got married very recently. I had received the invitation to attend the wedding, differently from last time. I was imprisoned in Stoneyard and alone, so no one would have asked me to come to their wedding.

Regardless, I couldn't attend the second time either because I was busy.

I wasn't familiar with that woman. All I remembered was that she got married to a Marquise and didn't have children even years after the marriage. She was supposed to die young from an illness or something like that.

Since I was passing next to their fief, I decided to visit.

My relative welcomed me with a timid smile while her husband was rather happy to see me. He rubbed his hands together while grinning at me. His elbows were leaned on his hips, sustained by his round stomach. He was shorter than the lady, with a pair of long moustaches and a short beard.

«I'm glad to have you here, your highness,» he said.

«I was passing by and thought it would be impolite not to greet my cousin that got recently married,» I shrugged. «I hope I'm not inconveniencing you too much.»

«Oh, not at all.»

The only one to talk for the whole evening had been the Marquise. I couldn't hear the lady's voice at all, except for when I directly asked her something.

I considered asking her the name since I've never heard it. It was written on the invitation, to be sincere, but I didn't pay attention. Also, it was written with small characters. No one thought it was relevant enough.

It took me a whole night to remember it, and I had to skin through my old life's gossip.

Lyana. She married at fifteen and died at twenty. What a pity: at the prime of her youth.

I couldn't do anything against illness, so I kept quiet and didn't try to change her fate. It would have been dangerous, and it wouldn't have changed a thing.

However, it was weird for a fifteen-year-old girl to be that silent and smitten. Her face was always directed to the floor; her arms crossed on the front and fully covered by long sleeves. No matter how hot the weather.

That detail bugged me the whole time, but I couldn't grasp what was wrong with it. After all, I didn't know a thing about fashion.

I stayed there for two days. I couldn't stop any longer because the war wouldn't wait for me.

By chance, I stumbled upon a scene that cleared up most of my doubts.

I was strolling in the garden, the day was sunny. The flowers had released their scent, and the birds were singing among the leaves, hidden from my sight.

I was alone when I heard voices from a corner of the garden. To be more precise, it was a single voice, and I recognised it.

I went there, curious about what could have angered the Marquise on such a beautiful day.