Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

As soon as we walk in the garden, Princess Lyland's friends reach us. They greet us with a curtsy, both of us.

It's the first time someone shows respect without seeming forced to.

Instead of walking away with her friends, her highness stays with me. She hasn't let go of my arm, and her smile didn't even falter. She's a natural.

I don't know whether she really likes me or not, but she hasn't acted disgusted even once. She did play a small trick on the Duke, the first time we met, but it wasn't directed at me.

Thanks to this realisation, I manage to smile at the Princess as sincerely as a woman like me can.

«This new style is really eye-catching,» the Princess says. She's talking in a normal tone, not too loud nor low. Still, everyone around us seems to hear her words well. I don't know if it's just my imagination, or if they're really listening closely.

Their gaze is burning my skin, and my heart is pounding fast. Yet, I don't have the urge to run away. Maybe it's because of the hot weather, or the food that I ate this morning, but I feel ready to fight. I can show these people how this Duchess isn't afraid of anything.

«Indeed,» I chuckle. «I feel like many more eyes are following your highness than usual.»

Princess Lyland smiles, happy that I replied.

She thought I would just nod in agreement and keep my head low. That's how I behaved these last days. However, my Duke told me to be daring and spoiled.

He said he would protect me, and he also promised to counter any attack in my direction. He won't let anyone ruin our wedding banquet.

We walk towards the centre of the gathering, and we sit on two empty chairs. Those ladies don't dare to move their eyes away, in fear to lose some juicy detail about my shameless behaviour.

I can already hear the whispering about the makeup and hairstyle. I didn't have time for anything more complicated, but I believe that this braid suits my traits. I look tidy and proper, even if not beautiful like the other young ladies. I've been like this for so long that I feel at ease and relax a bit.

I can show them that this Duchess doesn't need jewels and clothes to express her elegance.

Alexander did bring a new set of diamonds yesterday. He asked me to wear them during the hunt, to show those people how much he treasures me. I nodded, back then, and smiled reassuringly.

I haven't worn the diamonds, though. I don't want to send the signal that the Duke spoils me with jewels and luxury goods. I have in mind a way to show them that what I have is far more valuable.

The Ethiro social system is tens of times more complicated than ours. However, they have a few odd beliefs that stay valid no matter the status. One of these rules is that a woman is valued according to how much her husband spoils her. When she ages, she's as important as how great her children grow up.

Giving away presents is easy, and everyone can do that. All the women here have loving husbands willing to generate debts just to make them happy. What they lack is a good show of affection.

When a man buys something for a woman, then he has control over her. He wants something in return, be it carnal love or speeches of praise shouted in public. All these ladies think they're mistresses of themselves, but they obey their husbands without a word.

It's time someone shows them how to be the one in control.

I sigh, remembering how I asked permission for this, yesterday evening. I had to blink seductively and brush my cheek against the Duke's chest until he finally decided to let me do.

I'm in control of nothing. Still, these people don't know it. They all think that I'm a cruel temptress, so I don't have any reason to ruin their expectations.

After less time than what I predicted, lady Elisabeth walks to us with a smile full of contempt. Her lifted chin and arrogant expression are so funny, given that the Duke swore he never had any conversation with her. I'm sure of it because I interrogated him for long, after greeting him this morning.

He continued to deny until he figured out that he was having fun. He then said something ridiculously vague. At that moment, I knew he was innocent. Still, I sat on the bed with wet eyes and waited for him to stop expecting me to torture him. He kissed my hand and repeated that he didn't have any reason for lying, that there weren't women I had to fear, and that I was the only one in his heart.

I wasn't expecting such words, but I got what I wanted: confirmation of one of my suspects. Which was that lady Elisabeth made up all the stories about being the lover of my Duke.

She greets the Princess politely, paying attention not to turn even a degree in my direction when she bends her knees slightly.

Her highness nods briefly, pretending to be uninterested.

If I know her a tiny bit, then she's actually giggling inside and waiting for a good show. And she'll have one, no matter what I do. Lady Elisabeth won't give up any chance to embarrass me even if I act flawlessly. So, there's no need to act cautiously.

I pretend not to notice her disrespect, though. I don't need to be the one starting a fight. She'll lose her patience first, among the two of us.

«Your highness,» she starts, not realising that she's going to do something unforgivable. «I noticed that you changed your style today.»

Oh my, how can a lady be this stupid? She's commenting on the choices of someone far higher than her. I turn my head towards her, letting the corner of my mouth twitch.

I can see that she noticed this movement, and she must now think that I'm annoyed. I move my eyes away and pretend to be holding back my words.

I don't have anything to say, actually. This naive lady will do all the work by herself.

«Forgive me if I overstep my boundaries, but I don't think you should imitate someone like your sister-in-law.»

The Princess tilts her head, confused.

«What is the problem of wanting to resemble the Duchess?»

Lady Elisabeth sighs as if she was expecting such a question.

«Your highness saw with her own royal eyes how this woman's true nature is.»

«And you, lady Elisabeth? Have you seen it as well?»

«I wasn't present, but I heard what happened. Such a shame... Your highness' brother should have punished this unworthy woman, instead of letting her stay so close to your highness.»

«How can my brother's wife be considered unworthy? She's the Duchess of Kyre, and one of his majesty's, the Emperor's, counsellors.»

What am I? I clearly rejected that honour, what is the Princess talking about?

Even if not genuine, her words have the effect of making everyone tune down their tones. Lady Elisabeth shuts up for a few seconds, lost in a world of desperation and confusion. She thought the Princess wouldn't go this far just for me.

Sincerely, I didn't think it possible either. Oh, better for me!

«I'm just repeating the words I heard so often lately,» the lady continues, digging her own grave. «But most of the nobles think that a prisoner of war doesn't have any right to sit at the side of Duke Kyre.»

«I know,» the Princess nods. «My brother explained it to me.»

«He explained your highness?»

«He said that he didn't deserve his wife. Also, he was so desperate to have lost his title, for he can't offer to the Duchess a place worthy of her!»

I choke, surprised. What did the Duke say?

My reaction isn't the only one that's inelegant and sudden. Some ladies are coughing as well, while others wave their fans with funny grimaces.

«Duke Kyre is not the one who should feel unworthy!» lady Elisabeth exclaims.

I can't help but get involved in the conversation. It's boring just to observe without acting. And I can't afford to listen to the Duke's word repeated by this little elf.

«I don't have such high standards, your highness,» I mutter. «Being a Duchess is enough, for now.»

I smile sweetly, trying to show to the Princess that I'm playing a game. I don't want her to misunderstand me.

«I'm relieved,» she sighs. «I was worried that you would take it to heart. I always wanted a sister, and I had waited for so long before gaining one!»

I chuckle, amused.

This girl is so sweet, even when she's lying. She doesn't have any desire for a sister. I know how much she loves and cares for her brother. I've seen her attempts to put a nice word in for him.

Even her harsh words at our first meeting were just a consequence of their relationship as siblings. It reminded me how my brother loved to make trouble for me when he was little. That's why I'm so sure that the Princess will protect my Duke, no matter what enemy they're facing.