«What happened to you, my Queen,» Kate asks as soon as the Duke has closed the door. «What has that brute man done?»

«What brute man?»

«The one that just got out. That man came to the Palace, soon after you surrendered. He collected some of your dresses. I thought he was just a looter or some kind of pervert, so I didn't stop him. Also, you ordered me not to intervene. But he didn't touch a single jewel.»

Oh, so that's how he got the dresses in Polis' style.

He sent a couple of my original dresses to a tailor.

«I didn't think I'd see him again,» the girl says and stops to look at me.

«What?» I utter, sure that she's waiting for my comment.

«Which one is he? A looter or a pervert?» she inquires, looking at me with a keen eye.

Since I'm not in the best shape, she must be thinking who knows what.

«Neither,» I shrug. «Have you seen how noblewomen dress around here? I'm supposed to do the same, but the Duke allowed me to wear comfortable clothes when I'm in my room.»

«Uh, what a saint,» she comments and rolls her eyes. «You can wear nothing in your room, I don't understand the bother.»

Before I can control my actions, I lean over and hug Kate's frail body.

«I'm so happy that you're here, even though you're now in a dangerous place,» I whisper.

She hugs me back and moves her chest in a sigh.

«I really thought you died,» she mumbles with a tiny voice. «I would have preferred to die in your place, my Queen, but no one asked for my opinion.»

I can understand her, somehow. We stay hugged for a few minutes, not yet believing that we're actually together.

«How is the situation in Polis?» I inquire once I've calmed down. I lean on the headboard, and Kate sits next to me.

«People are lost, but they were safe when I left. The guards invaded the Palace, but they left the citizens in peace. The harbour started working a few days ago, even though there aren't many ships yet. Only those from or to the Empire.»

«They will arrive once the voice spreads. What happened to the Generals?»

«They retired from their places and now live private lives. All the servants that work in the Palace are still employed, even though half of them left.»

«It's understandable,» I nod. «So, the Empire did maintain their promise...»

«It seems so, even though you're still alive. Are the Ethirians planning something grand for your execution?» Kate mutters, already looking around for a way to escape.

«An Autumn hunt,» I answer, chuckling, «and a marriage banquet.»

«Oh, right. What does it mean that you're a Duchess now? Did the Emperor change his mind about your death? Did he give you a title as an apology for ruining your kingdom?»

«No, he didn't.»

«And who's the pervert? Why was he allowed in your bedroom? Was he checking what you were wearing?»

«He's my husband,» I patiently explain, «the Duke.»

Kate blinks a couple of times, and then she seems to understand the situation.

«So, he definitely is a pervert!» she shouts, jumping in place and making the mattress wave. «I knew it! What a pity, though...»

I signal her to keep her voice down, and she clenches her fists in anger. At least, she closes her mouth and snorts in a huff.

I missed her funny reactions so much.

«The Emperor ordered the marriage,» I try to calm Kate down, but she's rather stubborn. Once she's decided something, it's hard to make her change idea. Like this, the Duke will stay a pervert for the rest of eternity.

Not that I mind. As long as the Duke doesn't hear of it, he can't do anything. And Kate is not the type to chat around, especially in such a foreign place.

«Are you sure the Duke didn't ask his majesty for a prize of war?» the girl mutters, already exploring the roads of her fantasy.

«I don't know,» I shrug. «Here, things are so complicated.»

«And what is the Emperor like? You should be married to him, and not to a simple Duke. Even if he's not as handsome as your husband, he has a position fit for you.»

«The Emperor is thirteen,» I point out. And he will probably become as handsome as my Duke, with time. «And being an ornamental Empress is no different than being a Duchess. What more, there is no need to marry the queen of a land that you conquered. It would have been a waste for the Emperor.»

«But your Duke did marry you.»

«Right,» I nod. «And my husband is a Duke because I refused to show respect to the Emperor. He was an Archduke before marrying me.»

Kate crooks her lips, considering the situation.

«He didn't look too angry, to me,» she comments.

«He wasn't. I think that the Emperor used me as an excuse to take away some of his territories, so he didn't take it out on me.»

«What a mess,» she sighs.

Then, she wakes up and walks to the table.

«Theodora,» she mumbled, looking around, «don't you have anything to eat, by chance?»

I burst out laughing and can't stop for a while. I am so loud that I'm surprised the guards didn't come in to check what's happening.

«There are some sweets somewhere. You should try them because they're delicious. The maids thought they were for the Duke, so they brought the good ones,» I say. I get up and walk to her, to show her where to search.

The plates from the lunch are still here since the Duke ordered the maids to stay away for a while and he forgot to take them with him.

«I was so worried that I forgot to eat,» the girl says while munching the sweets. «At least, they're not starving you here!»

I caress her hair tenderly, while Kate sits down to eat.

«You won't be so happy when you see my breakfast, tomorrow,» I mumble.