At lunchtime, I barely manage to walk to the main hall. I mean, it's so far!

After eating, I should just lie down and sleep for a couple of hours. I can't walk around like yesterday, unfortunately. My muscles won't let me.

«What is on my Duchess's mind?» Alexander asks, noticing that I've stared at the plate in silence for the whole time.

«I was thinking about organising a ball, or something like that. It's time to introduce me to your people, my Duke.»

«I agree,» he sighs. «It's about time. However, I'm unhappy with sharing my Duchess with so many people, even if for a single evening.»

«What can I do about that? I can't stay hidden forever, or people will start to wonder if you're keeping your wife prisoner.»

«Mhm, it doesn't sound that bad of an idea,» he smirks.

«I don't disagree,» I reply while rolling my eyes.

«Well, we can organise something next week. Is it enough time to prepare yourself?»

«I think it is,» I shrug. It's just a ball, how difficult can it be?

«I can help you.»

«You have your work to finish, Alexander. I can do it on my own. What more, I'm not alone in this.»

«All right. I leave it to you, then. I can lend you Pericle to list the invites...»

«No, thanks,» I grin. «Last time didn't work the way it was supposed to.»

I won't let my Duke and his aide mess with me like that again.

While Alexander just lifts his eyebrows in surprise, Pericle chokes on the wine. He then moves his eyes and asks forgiveness with a bow of his head.

I know that it's not Pericle's fault. He was just ordered to act in a certain way. The real culprit is sitting next to me, leisurely sipping from his cup without a worry in the universe. He's not annoyed by his wife finding out about his little plot, and why would he be?

I'm just wondering whether luring lady Elisabeth to my tea party was just a move to have her under control. The Duke used my plans and his almost-fiancée to trigger my jealousy. However, it might not have been the only reason.

The Countess and lady Lyana observe our exchange in silence. One is wondering what happened in the capital. The other has narrowed her eyes and has already guessed that my husband has messed around with me.

«Are there any contenders to my Duke's heart, here in Kyre?» I ask. I don't want to face a second Elisabeth Grahm, even if she turns out less troublesome or narcissistic. I want at least to know of her existence.

«No, my Duchess. You're the only one,» Alexander murmurs while gripping my hand. He kisses it with a smirk before letting go.

«The Lord of Kyre is one of the most influential nobles in the whole Empire, Duchess. It's not that unexpected that many ladies tried to contract a marriage with him,» Countess de Ruis adds. «However, you are the lawful wife now. You don't need to worry about things that happened in the past.»

She's telling me not to pry too much. She probably thinks that Alexander will be annoyed by my words.

«I do not worry unless they stand on my way, which is actually a more common occurrence than one would think, Countess.»

«Not in Kyre. I'm well aware of the beasts who reside in the capital, but here we're all civilised people. Even your husband's childhood sweethearts know where their place is.»

«Alexander, how many childhood sweethearts do you have?» I ask, intrigued. Ah, a handsome husband involves so much work.

«I believe less than you, my dear,» he promptly answers.

«I do not have any. I didn't have time for friends when I was little.»

The only exceptions are my brother and Kate. I grew up like a solitary child, which turned me into a reserved woman.

«Why do you think I have so many, then?» he mutters, a bit offended.

«Weren't you cute when you were little?»

«I don't know.»

«I bet you were,» I smirk. «Cute little boys end up surrounded by girls even if they don't want it. It's just natural.»

«Thea, don't push it.»

«Why not? Are you going to get angry if I don't stop?»

«No, I won't. I'm quite tolerant...»

The Countess scoffs at those last words, and she rolls her eyes as if she's listening to a couple of idiots. Well, I bet we do look like that.

Lady Lyana is just looking at her plate with slightly red cheeks, and Pericle has the same stiff expression of when I kindly refused his help.

Maybe, I shouldn't have blabbered so much in a public place. I forgot we were watched, so I teased my Duke as per habit. However, how didn't I feel embarrassed or threatened while doing so?

Am I already used to these people?

«Do you have any news about the men in the forest?» I inquire, changing the topic suddenly.

«Dead bodies don't talk. My men are still investigating.»

«Where do you think they come from? Are they foreigners?»

«Probably not,» he sighs. «It would be simpler if that was the case, by the way.»

«I know,» I smile. «If the spies were from the Empire, then we all have a big issue to solve. And his majesty will be in muddy waters until someone figures out what they are aiming at.»

It's not the right topic for lunch, I know it. However, I'm curious.

«They might attack again,» Alexander whispers.

«They surely will. If my life is strategically relevant, they won't let go just because of a small failure. Next time, they will be more organised. They might even infiltrate Stoneyard.»

«It's difficult. Also, I stopped hiring new personnel all of a sudden a few days before departing for war. All the people that do not belong to this place are under strict control. All the others have been residents for years. This very castle is quite safe, my Duchess.»

«I'm glad to hear that. However, we will open our gates to strangers during the ball. How many servants do your vassals bring with them, usually?»

«I can forbid them to bring any.»

«It wouldn't solve the problem,» I chuckle. «We have to increase security for that day, without letting anyone notice that we're worried. Also, if your vassals see that you fear them... Well, it's better not to alarm them too much, Alexander.»

«What do you suggest, then?» he crosses his arms. «You've given me reasons enough not to hold a party for the whole year.»

«We can't do that!»

«I don't want to put you in danger just because of some social convention.»

«You already assigned several guards to me. I'm safe enough. If you overdo it, you'll have the opposite effect.»

«And you will run away in secret to visit the surroundings,» he sighs.

What? How does he know about it?

The war ended months ago. Polis won't revolt for years, at least as long as I'm alive. He can afford to tell me who is the spy in my palace. It wouldn't be such a big deal anymore.

So few know about my unplanned excursions in town. Other than Kate and my personal bodyguards, I think no one else was aware. Not even my nanny or my brother.

Kate kept the other servants far from my room during my outings. One of my bodyguards kept the watch in front of the door as if I was inside. The other followed me from afar.

I had to come to a compromise after I was caught when I was twelve. Hence, I was never truly alone. Yet, my people couldn't easily recognise me, so it was worth the efforts.

«If you make it big enough, no one will try anything. Assassinations are perfect for secret places, not for public events.»

«Tell that to the maid that ran after you at our wedding banquet,» he spits out.

Lady Lyana startles next to me, and she raises her head in my direction. She's staring as if I was some weird spectacle.

The Countess, on the other side, seems to have already heard of it.

«It can't happen here, you said it yourself!»

«I can't be sure, Theodora!»

«I don't want to hide,» I whisper, and my Duke relaxes his shoulders.

«Fine,» he gives up. «But you will follow the security protocol in every detail. A single unpredicted move and I'll lock you up for real.»

«There won't be any need for that,» I reassure him. «I've been following protocols all my life.»

«Exactly, that is what I am scared of.»

I can't believe I managed to survive this long on my own. I adapted to Alexander's protectiveness in so few days that I don't even remember how my life was when he wasn't by my side.

Having to get permission for everything sure is tiring. However, having my Duke always next to me is more reassuring than any army protecting me. Not to mention that a man that defeated me on my ground isn't that easy to surprise.