Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

Kate, the maids, and even the knights walk away while Lavinia starts frowning and complaining.

I stop my feet from running to her. She's not crying for anything else but the discomfort of the loud music. She's fine.

I don't need to cuddle her now, and she'll be all right.

Before I can lose control and grab my baby to carry her out, Alexander walks by me and reaches the maid.

«Let me,» he sighs. He carries Lavinia away while the little ball calms down when she recognises him.

Oh, I could make a fool of myself by picking her up and not solving anything. Like this, she's calmer, in Alexander's arms.

Biased little thing. She'll hear me next time she gets hungry.

Ignoring everyone else, Alexander brings Lavinia away. She smiles at him, and she seems to relax no matter the music still loud.

As the father and daughter pair disappears, I spot a few too interested glances. Well, a man with a baby does cause such an effect.

Even I have to use all of my willpower not to ask him to make other children immediately. These ladies here haven't been trained to withstand such an appearance.

I sigh, observing how my hubby leaves me alone because he can't stand to hear our daughter cry.

I can't reach them because I'm suddenly surrounded by women.

«Your highness, you don't seem surprised by the scene,» one of them says. «Is it a regular occurrence for you?»

«What?» I mumble. What's the matter?

«A man taking care of a baby. I've never seen one.»

Well, me neither before Alexander.

«Is it such a weird thing?»

«I didn't know that men could be delicate enough to handle a baby. But now that I've seen it, I'd like my husband to be this caring with our children...»

Oh, well, as long as it's your husband.

And it's not like Ethirian women care more for their children than their husbands. Nannies are those bringing them up.

It's odd because noblewomen don't have anything to do all day except embroider, paint, sing, and so on... They don't work much, so they could spare some hours every day to stay with their offspring.

I was that kind of mother too, last time. Queen Theodora didn't see Elias too often. She did feed him, but most of the time...

«Are you all right?» Princess Lyland whispers, noticing my absent-minded gaze.

«Yes, thank you for your worry, your highness,» I reply.

«It's not something you should thank me for, sister,» she adds. «Are you nervous? For what's going to happen?»

«You know?» I murmur.

«It's not such a big secret. That woman will surely move on this happy occasion. She can't stand to wait for the celebration to be over. But I won't let her hurt you. I'll protect you if the worst happens!»

She clenches her fists and nods to herself.

«Thank you, your highness,» I chuckle. «This time, for real.»

As we talk and chat with the other noblewomen, the night seems rather peaceful. Alexander comes back and talks with his friends. He always keeps an eye on me, checking I'm safe and surrounded only by friends.

No foes are around here. Not even the Ambassador has come.

I guess he's still offended, for his other niece didn't make it through the selection. Not that I care much about his presence.

Oh, it's better like this.

He won't be able to complicate matters if he's not here. His turn to be taken down hasn't come yet. And I needed him till now.

Once the Empress is out of the picture, his utility will become zero.

«Her majesty, the Empress Dowager,» the herald declares.

She's here.

I straighten my back and turn to her with a polite smile on my lips. My eyes have their usual warm light. My back is straight, and my posture elegant.

I'm ready.

«Your majesty,» I say, curtseying.

I look down but do not bow my head. My back doesn't incline by even a degree. This is not a tea party.

«I'm honoured that your majesty decided to join this celebration,» I add.

The Princess curtseys next to me, but she doesn't say anything. Her thoughts are transparent, perfectly readable from her grimace.

«Don't be this relaxed from the start,» the Empress replies, looking down on me.

Now, I do bow my head.

I fake an offended expression and concentrate on how I felt when Alexander said he would eat my drumstick. I focus so much that I probably overdo it, but the end result must be believable.

No one sniggers; they just sigh or keep their breath at the Empress's discourtesy.

«I am here to stop this nonsense. Since when can a foreigner receive so much attention and gifts? What is Ethiro becoming?»

«The Princess was born in Ethiro, and she's the Archduke's first daughter. Not to mention that your majesty also is a foreigner,» the Princess comments, crossing her arms and challenging the Empress openly. For the first time, I guess.

Is her highness convinced I will succeed? She doesn't know anything about my plan. Yet, she trusts me?

What a naive kid. She should pay more attention...

«What are you implying? I have been here twenty years,» the Empress replies. «Not barely a few months. And I am your Empress. Not anything less.»

She smooths her gown, showing the imperial sigil.

«I was married to his majesty, the late Emperor. I wasn't brought here as a prisoner of war.»

As she lines up her attacks, I wait for her to be done.

«And I am not planning treason. That's a reality,» she says, and the silence in the room becomes unbearable.

«Your majesty, even if you're my Empress,» I declare, raising my head. «I can't hear something like this. Who is committing treason in this room? Your accusations are grave. Is there any proof? Even a clue of my intentions?»

«Oh, you,» she chuckles. «Still so proud! Of course, I do have proof.»

«You had last time too,» the Princess reminds us.

«Just wait and see, little brat,» she whispers before walking to his majesty. She greets him with a movement of her head.

«Mother, is something the matter? Who is annoying you today?»

«I've been hurt by the hints of treason,» she announces. «This time, I won't let the culprit escape justice.»

She's just used to this kind of routine, isn't she? One head will fall today. Let's hope it's not mine.

«Archduchess Kyre has been seen many times colluding with Asteria's Ambassador. None other than her blood-related uncle.»

Don't make me laugh! She's talked with my uncle way more often than me. She's involved with anything Asteria has done here in the last few years.

I suspect the first time Ethiro fell was because of this. The harpy thought she could win against them, so she used them to get to the throne. But then, she lost control of the situation.

I would leave her to her destiny if only it doesn't involve my new family and all the innocent people in the Empire. And now, even citizens from Polis.

«I will bring you proof, your majesty,» the Empress continues. «And I'll do it now.»

«This should be a festivity, mother. Are you sure it's the right moment?»

«I can't let the culprit escape. If we don't get it over with now, there's a chance we won't be able to catch them.»

«Then, let it be. Talk mother, what have you found?»

«Many of your subjects are loyal and want the best for Ethiro. Some of those came talking to me. They asked for help to stop one attempt on your majesty's life.»

She's going all out. There's no turning back after such a statement.

She's so sure my head will roll that she doesn't even think twice before throwing her accusations. This certainty of hers will cost her, especially when I return her hits back without a scratch.

«Some of them are as brave as to testify!» the Empress continues.

«Let me hear it,» the Emperor sighs.

He won't be able to save me if I make a mistake. But he can't stop the process either. Not anymore.

A few people walk in the hall, and I recognise a couple of faces.

One is a maid that served me last year. She must be the one tipping the Empress about my moves.

Another one helped the midwife with the delivery. What kind of testimony can such a person bring?

There is the officer that she infiltrated in the council and some others that serve his majesty on a regular basis.

All of them are risking their lives just to frame me? Or is it to hit Alexander through me?

Or... Are they aiming at him too?

Oh, if I lose control over all of this, I'll make it clear that my husband didn't have anything to do with my actions. He has to survive and take care of Lavinia if I fail.

But it will be a long fight till then. If anything else, I'll make sure to bring the harpy with me.

«I'm curious to hear about this too,» I declare. «It must be such an interesting story...»

«It's funny how relaxed you are. You don't fear death, do you?» the Empress rebukes.

«Your majesty, I ask for justice!» I declare. «I've been accused twice already. Will it ever be the end? If my presence is so bothersome and destabilising for the Empire, just kill me and get it over with. There's no need to come up with a new accusation every couple of weeks.»