Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

In the morning, I get up at dawn. I stay in bed and sigh at the warmth of Alexander's arms for a while.

My muscles are still tired, and I'm not sure I'll be able to walk today. Yet, it's the last day in Polis before the departure! I can't waste it.

There are so many places I haven't visited yet. I'd like to see the central libraries, just to check they're still open. Also, it would be nice to buy some clothes for my alone moments. Even if I can't wear them in the Palace, I can use them in Kyre.

Now that I consider the matter, how am I going to wear a corset? My stomach is too round for that. My waist isn't as thin as before.

And I don't want to mistreat my child with useless, uncomfortable clothes.

When Alexander opens his eyes and releases me from his clutch, I dress up with slow movements. The worst part is putting on socks.

I must keep doing exercise, or I'll become useless after the delivery. It took me weeks to reach a shape good enough to keep up with Alexander.

I'll have to take everyday walks in the garden, in the capital. And maybe do some light stretching from time to time.

We decide to have breakfast in the dining hall with the other guests of the inn. It's the perfect chance to catch the mood and understand how things are going around here.

Our table is in a corner, so I can also see the whole space at once. I don't need to turn my head left and right all the time and have some spare energy to enjoy the food.

I reach out for the fork, a little smile on my face while I wonder if I still remember how to use it. It's been so long!

Alexander cuts some cheese and fills my plate with olives. I fight against the latter food awhile, as the olives flee from under the fork every time I try to catch one.

In the end, I have to admit defeat and use my fingers. After all, olives are sweeter when eaten with one's bare hands.

As my stomach grows full, I can focus on the surroundings more. There are a few travellers eating in silence, each at their table. A group of Ethiro soldiers is laughing loudly at the central table, and a few ladies are glancing at them from nearby. Some are annoyed by their noise, others seem intrigued.

It's the usual atmosphere of a tavern. The food is good, so people will come here even when they don't use the rooms.

Two elders are drinking some ale, even if it's early morning, and discussing politics. Too bad that they're not believable. Everyone likes discussing politics. Even more, when they have no clue about how it works.

But they'll be the right people to start collecting information from.

«They're planning something, I tell you that. Don't tell me that I haven't warned you. Where have you heard of an invading army letting the generals live?»

Oh, it would have been quite a hassle to execute everyone. And they would have risked a revolt. But I'm glad that the promises have been kept.

«It's because the Queen made them sign that paper,» the other replies, bringing some sense into the conversation. «They can't kill the generals or the former officers.»

«What does a signature on a paper mean? The Queen is dead. How do you think she can check they fulfil their part?»

«I don't know. But people do sign treaties all the time. Would they do that if it had no effect?»

«It's their way to hide their true intentions. They want to reach the royal treasure but failed.»

«And how do you know they failed?»

Right, how do you know? Diogenes brought it away during his flee, but has Ethiro succeeded in opening the treasure chamber to check if it's empty?

Has Alexander told them how to? No one asked me for instructions, and I wanted to bring that secret with me in the grave.

Even after not dying, they didn't ask.

«The officer that brought them there told me that. He opened the door for them with the golden key, but there wasn't much gold inside. Either someone stole it before Ethiro came, or we have always been lied to. I'm sure the Queen made them think we were rich to gain some advantage, but we've always been a poor country.»

«We've been in war for long, after all. We can't blame her...»

«I'm not blaming her,» the elder sighs. «I'm just telling you that she was a royal, and all royals lie all the time.»

I bet his eyes would fall out of his head if he saw the whole amount of gold and precious stones in the treasury the day I surrendered.

«You know what?» the rational one of the couple asks. «I do not care about who lied and what hidden motives they have. As long as my son can earn enough to feed his family, I'm fine.»

«What if they want to ruin your son's life, then? What if he loses his job?»

«Then, I wouldn't be fine,» he shrugs. «But I don't think that Ethirians have time to plot about my son's work. They're busy with administration and staff. They made such a mess for the Moon's festival, haven't they? I guess they have their hands full with work to have time to do evil.»

I'm relieved it's the case. Even though the Moon festival is an important part of Polis's traditions. Messing with it isn't the right way to reach these people's hearts.

«What happened during the Moon's festival?» Alexander asks, apparently curious. I know he's actually looking for information, maybe to understand who's responsible for the failure.

«They filled the city with flowers and wine,» he replied.

What is bad about that?

«Red wine,» he added. Oh, I get it.

During the Moon Festival, one can only drink beverages light in colour. Hence, white wine, water and lemon juices.

«What was the issue with flowers?» my husband asks, helping me satisfy my curiosity.

«There were like three corners with sunflowers,» the elder explains. «Sunflowers. For the Moon Festival.»

I chuckle, relieved that nothing major happened.

«Ethirians do not know how to organise parties,» I say out loud.

The elders nod at my words, agreeing to the last bit. Alexander, on the other side, sulks.

«That's because you haven't been to a real party,» he mutters, almost offended. «We didn't have time, but I'll make sure you see how Ethirians have fun. It's not bad.»

«Don't be this petty, husband,» I whisper. «I wasn't referring to you.»

I've almost forgotten that he's Ethirian.

«You two come from Ethiro?» one of the elders asks, changing expression all of a sudden.

«I do,» Alexander replies with a nod. «My wife doesn't. She's from around here.»

«Oh, that's why her accent feels familiar. When did you two get married? During the war?»

«Actually, after. We've been married for less than a year,» he explains, proud and smiling.

«Ah, that's why you act all lovely. You're still in the sweet phase. I also used to cut the food for my wife the first weeks... Ah, we were so young, back then...»

«Have you met after the war?» the other asks, more interested in us rather than the nostalgic memories of the other.

«No, we've met years earlier,» Alexander replies. He doesn't add how many years, as it would be difficult to explain.

«We've been promised to each other since birth,» I say. In case the elder wants more details. Like this, they won't make assumptions about why people from countries in conflict would decide to marry each other.

«Oh, I see... You do look rich enough to be from a noble family. You people act so differently from us common folks that I often wonder if we're the same thing. Men are men, in the end.»

«That's right,» I chuckle. «We all bleed the same blood when we're hurt.»

«I bet you two were happy when the war was over. At least, your families can now meet easily.»

«We're happy that our countries are at peace, regardless of our families. War is brutal. Anything that can avoid people dying and being wounded can't be bad.»

«It depends, young lady. Sometimes, dying is better than living like slaves.»

«We're not slaves,» the other points out. «We pretty much live the same as before the war.»

«Tell that to my granddaughter!»

«Oh,» he sighs. «We had to pay a price... what can I tell you?»

«It's easy to say since you have your kids with you.»

«What happened to your granddaughter?» I inquire. Has she been a victim of the siege? Or is it something that happened later, when Ethiro took power?

«She has been sent to Ethiro as a slave for some heartless noble,» he whispers. «I haven't heard of her ever since.»

«I thought only volunteers were chosen,» I point out. I'm sure of it; I was the one to talk to those youths. «And I've heard that the families were compensated...»

«I don't need that gold anymore. They can have it back, as long as I see my sweetie again.»

«I'm sorry,» I say. Maybe, it's my conscience talking.

Maybe, I should have resisted more and insisted on taking out that clause from the treaty.

«I have some contacts in the Palace,» Alexander intrudes. He's been silent for a while, but he's listening to every single word. «I can ask them for information about the girl. What is her name? If she's all right, she might write a letter to you.»

«Would you do this for a man you don't know?» the elder inquires, now suspicious. «What do you want in return?»

He narrows his eyes, analysing us with care.

In the end, he's right. What do we gain from helping a random person? We're just a young couple in his eyes.

He can't know that I'm actually the one responsible for his granddaughter's destiny. Nor that my husband is trying to ease my guilt, and maybe his.