After talking with the Emperor, and rejecting his offer, I walked in the imperial gardens and observed the flowers and fountains there.

I arrived in the room a few minutes ago, but I haven't taken off the clothes.

I can't do it alone, and I don't know where Kate is. Nor any other maid for that matter.

I sit on the sofa and lean back, trying to ease the pressure of the corset on the bruise.

The Emperor asked me what I wanted in exchange for my counsel, and I didn't change my mind until the end. If he wants this Duchess to help, he needs to offer me something worthy.

Unluckily, there is just one single thing that his majesty can give me, now, and it's my husband's original title.

In the end, the Emperor even proposed to give me an honorary title, as long as I renounced the archducal one.

I don't think the Emperor really needs me. Yet, in the case he does, he will eventually find a way to appease my thirst for power. As for now, I'm not going to work for him for free.

When the Duke knocks, I don't have the strength to get up.

«How are you feeling today?» he asks. Then, he notices the corset and my suffering expression, and his face darkens all of a sudden.

«Please, help me get out of these clothes, and then scold me all you want,» I utter, with small tears decorating my eyes.

The Duke sighs and helps me out. I observe his confused face and hide a giggle, while his fingers unleash me from the laces and layers of the clothes. In the end, I'm just wearing a light chemise and a pair of long socks.

«Why were you wearing all of this?» he inquires, pretending to be cool about it. Still, I can tell that he's annoyed.

«I was summoned by his majesty for a tea this afternoon. You forbade me to walk out of this chamber without Ethirian clothes, so I had no choice.»

«First of all, I said this wing of the palace. You can walk in the garden naked if you like,» he mutters, bothered.

«Can I?»

«I'd prefer it if you don't, but I won't stop you,» he replies after thorough consideration.

«I couldn't meet the Emperor without proper clothes,» I point out. «He's the Sun of the Empire, not just a random passer-by.»

«Does your belly hurt, now?»

«Not much. It was difficult because of the corset, but now I'm fine.»

The Duke sighs, apparently relieved. Still, he asks me to lift my chemise to show him. Only after making sure it's not worse than before, he leans back on the sofa.

«Dinner will be here soon,» he informs me, and then he pours me a glass of wine.

I notice the carafe on the table only now. I sip the red liquid and observe the Duke's actions. He's planning something, but I can't be sure what it is.

«Are you feeling well?» he asks, again. He looks so uncertain and somehow dubious. Could it be...

«Duke, will you stay the night?» I ask, curious about his intentions. Still, I don't notice that my question sounds like an invite.

«I'll be glad to fulfil my Duchess's request,» he voices, almost jumping in place.

I glare at him, but my husband isn't worried about my mood.

«I would have come earlier, but I was summoned by his majesty,» he then starts.

«You too?»

«Yes,» he nods. «His majesty relieved me from the tasks I was fulfilling, and he told me he doesn't need my help for this year.»

I bite my lip, realising that it's my fault. I complained to the Emperor, and Alexander lost his job.

«The Emperor said that I should stay with my young wife, instead of running from one side to the other of the empire. I think he's right,» the Duke continues. He leans his head on my shoulder, and I instinctively caress his hair.

«It's my turn to apologise,» I sigh. «During my chat with the Emperor, I said that he's treating you quite unfairly. I asked his majesty to stop using you so much and to give you the recognisance you deserve. I should have kept my tongue in check.»

«Is that so?» the Duke murmurs, relaxing under my caresses. «So, it's my Duchess's merit if I have some free time, now.»

«I'm sorry, I didn't think his majesty would distance you even more. I only wanted to help you, to make the Emperor publicly recognise how much you're of help to him and to Ethiro.»

«Is that so?»

«That's true,» I mumble.

The Duke's eyes fix on me, and those black stars are so kind that I can't help but smile at him.

«How can I make it up to you?» I ask.

«No need,» the Duke mutters, but his lips are so close to me.

I lean over and kiss him. Since he doesn't stop me, I surround his neck with my arms, and I sit on his lap.

«It seems that I already found how to spend all this unexpected free time,» he comments, moving a lock of my hair behind an ear.

«Is that so?» I reply, smiling cunningly. «Can I help my Duke with that?»

«Mhm, there is something you can do,» he says, tilting his head and kissing my neck just in the right spot.

I sigh and bend my head backwards, closing my eyes.

«I don't want to hurt you,» the Duke mumbles, but he doesn't pause kissing my skin. I love this coherence of his. He didn't even quit running his hands on my body, yet he's claiming he will stop, not to hurt me.

«Has your grace found a way not to stress my wound too much?» I voice, more ironic than worried.

«No, I haven't,» he admits, with the saddest expression I've ever seen. He's almost desperate, so much that I burst out laughing.

«It doesn't hurt that much,» I say, and I press a hand on my belly to prove my words.

«Are you serious?» he asks, his eyes suddenly so full of hope.

«Would I lie about my own health, Alexander?»

After hearing me call him by name and seeing my reassuring smile, the Duke makes up his mind.

«All right,» he accepts. «If my Duchess insists so much, how can I say no?»