«I hope my Lady will forgive me,» the maid whispers. Her apologising expression is rather believable.

«I should have figured,» I shrug. «You won't follow my orders if the Lord said you not to. His influence is way more powerful than mine.»

«It's not like that, my Lady,» she continues. «My duty is to protect my Lady right now. Unless it is revoked by the Lord, I can't follow orders that go against that goal. Even from the Lord.»

«So, you're not doing it because you were told not to leave me alone.»

«No, my Lady.»

«What if I follow you, though?»

«In that case, I'll gladly comply,» she nods, suddenly relieved.

She seems truly unhappy to be prevented from doing what I said.

It's funny to see how she's all worked up, while Patricia simply rejected my orders without too many comments.

«I'm not as unreasonable as I look,» I chuckle, and the maid relaxes her shoulders.

«I wouldn't dare to imply anything, my Lady.»

«Well, we can go find the Lord together later. Now, I'll rest for a while. You can sit too, there's no need to stand in a corner in the middle of the night. Please, take a seat on the sofa...»

I settle on the armchair and close my eyes for a moment.

When I can't stay still anymore, I jump up. I collect my papers and some books from the shelf, and I reach the door.

«Let's go, then,» I voice.

In front of the Lord's office, the maid stops.

«What is it, now?» I inquire.

«You'll be safe in there, my Lady. Do you need me to follow?»

«Oh, no, it's fine. You can go rest,» I mutter, confused.

«Thank you, my Lady.»

She runs away with her short, fast steps, and I walk in the office, forgetting to knock.

«Oh, sorry!» I exclaim when I realise my mistake. I was so lost in my thoughts.

Alexander lifts his head from the papers and stares at me.

«Thea,» he says while getting up. It's the first time I see him working. It's so weird, seeing him actually sitting behind a desk.

I step in and close the door. Then, I lean the books on the couch and walk to Alexander with my tentative letters. I place them in front of him, in the corner of the desk, and I sit on a chair nearby.

«These are some messages I'd like to send to my diplomatic contacts,» I explain.

«Are you asking me to proofread?» he inquires. «I'm sure my Duchess doesn't make mistakes, though.»

«It's not very urgent, but I'd appreciate it if you decide by the end of the day.»

«Wait, are you asking me to approve your correspondence?» he mutters. «Thea, come here.»

I circle around the desk and stop by his side.

«Yes?»

«Thea,» he sighs, «I don't need to read your letters. Even more, if they're private.»

«Oh, there's nothing too personal in there.»

«Aren't you at least a bit troubled by this, though?»

«What do you mean?» I ask, narrowing my eyes. «I really didn't write anything amiss. There isn't any secret code, nor disappearing ink.»

«That's not what I was implying.»

«I'm not stupid, Alexander. I wouldn't risk being exposed by you. I mean, you're proficient at deciphering...»

«Wait, what do you mean by that? Also, you're assuming that I want to control you so much.»

«Isn't that the case?»

«No,» he shrugs. «You have the right to think, speak and write the way you want. I just can't grant you freedom because I don't want to exchange it with your safety.»

«Are you sure you don't want to read them?» I ask, just to be sure.

«Only if you want me to.»

«It sounds like a trap.»

«There isn't any trap set for my wife,» he chuckles.

He signals me to sit on his lap, and he leans his chin on my shoulder. I can read the stuff he was doing, like this, but he doesn't seem to care.

«I don't have anything to hide from you,» I voice.

«All right,» he sighs.

His bandaged hand is on the desk, while the other moves on my belly. His arm encircles me, and his fingers grab my hip and rest there.

«I don't need to read your letters,» he starts. «It's enough that you stay by my side and don't run away from the guards. Do not be alone, not even an instant, until we solve this matter for good.»

All right, that I can do.

«I'm not trying to protect myself from you, Thea. It's the opposite: you're the one in danger, here.»

«Then, you won't stop me if I try something, right?»

«What are you going to do?»

«I'll ask lady Elisabeth to come to visit,» I whisper. «Not just her, it would be too suspicious. I'll write to a bunch of ladies that attended the tea party at the court. I need them as witnesses.»

«No way,» he exclaims. «You can't do that!»

«You just said that you don't want to control me,» I point out.

«Thea, there is some difference between control and protectiveness. I won't let you act as bait. You don't need to endanger yourself more than this.»

«Come on,» I whisper.

«No way.»

«Why are you so stern?» I ask, pouting my lips.

Seeing no reaction on Alexander's face, I try hugging him. It doesn't help.

After collecting all the strength and firmness I have, I clench my fists and straighten my back.

«Come on, hubby,» I try again. My cheeks turn red and hot, my breath becomes difficult, and my back sweats out of embarrassment.

Yet, Alexander's face becomes surprised and secretly happy. He's trying to hide it, but he's content with my words.

Thank goodness, it took me so much to voice those five letters.

«What have you just said?» he mutters, this fox.

«Hu-hu...» I try, but I can't finish the word. It's too much. I don't like calling people names.

«You can do it,» he cheers me on.

Now that he's looking at me like this, I can't back away. I'm definitely dumb. I should have stayed quiet, or maybe found a way to make him accept with some wily technique.

«Hu... Hubby!» I breathe.

My voice is so low that I'm not sure it counts as said. However, Alexander doesn't ask me to repeat. He just smirks and pecks my temple.

«You rarely called me husband,» he chuckles. «I thought I wouldn't hear you this informal.»

«I've never called you husband, actually,» I point out.

«Oh, right,» he nods. «I must be confusing you with someone else.»

What? Who else?

He seems to be enjoying my frown very much.

«Hear this,» he whispers, and he presses my palm on his chest.

His heart is pounding fast, and I can't help but blush again.

«I'm so happy, Thea,» he reveals.

«So, will you let me do as I want?» I mutter fast.

«How can I say no to my wife?» he replies.

Awesome. A few words are enough to make an idiot out of a war commander.

Whatever, as long as I got my permission. I'm not sure my Duke realised what he just agreed to.

«Will you help me, though?» I continue.

Alexander nods again. My hand is still on his chest.

I thought he was always calm and had everything under control. I couldn't imagine that his heart could race like this.

«I'm glad,» I voice. «I have the best husband in the world.»

As an effect of my words, his heart skips a beat. The rhythm becomes crazy once again, and I press my hand more. Without moving it away, I land my lips on his, and I close my eyes, focusing.

All of a sudden, I feel so powerful. My presence can influence my husband. I can make his body react to me, and I can change his mood and emotions.

«Alexander, I feel weird,» I whisper.

«Weird like what?» he inquires. I can sense a trace of worry, but he doesn't want to annoy me with his attention.

«Like when you asked me to undress,» I confess. «I feel wrong and right at the same time.»

«There's nothing wrong with you, Thea. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, and I'll help you with all the rest.»

«But I want to pay you back. I'm always on the receiving end,» I realise. «Let me settle this matter with the assassin. I'll bring you at least one of the Grahm's heads on a silver platter.»

«My vengeful Duchess turns me on so much,» he whispers to my ear.

«Then, I'll be vengeful more often.»

«Mhm, that would be too dangerous...»

«Don't be this fussy, hubby,» I voice.

His heart returns to its acrobatics under my hand, and I smile cunningly. I've just discovered a powerful weapon, and I can't afford to overuse it now.

It might come in handy in the future.

However, I can't resist and peck his happy grin.

«You can do better than just telling me, though,» I explain.