Just when I consider losing all hope, I see the maid behind the assassin getting up.

Oh, if she reaches the door, she can ask for help!

Still, it's not just as easy. We need to make sure the killer doesn't notice anything. And also to survive until reinforcements come.

«How much are they paying you for this?» I ask. Now, I do need to buy time. «I can offer more. I'm a rich woman.»

I already know it won't work. Assassins aren't easy to be bought, and this one has started hating me. Personal grudges and work ethic together ensured her employer that she'll finish her task, one way or the other.

«Mhm, do you really think it's that easy to get out of here alive? Just with... money?» her crazy grin widens, and I sigh defeated.

«There is really nothing you would accept in exchange for my life?»

At least think a minute about it, damn it!

«No, there isn't,» the killer answers plainly. «I'm more than happy to be the one killing you. I'll earn enough for a lifetime with this single mission...»

«Oh my, your sender must be very influential if that's the case,» I point out.

She realises that she's letting information slip through her lips.

I glance at the maid and see how she's not running away. Why? Is she frozen in panic? If the killer notices that she's awake, she'll kill her, and we'll all be done for.

Before I have time to understand what is happening, the maid moves towards the assassin. She has a small dagger wrapped in her fingers, and her eyes are suddenly as cold as those of the killer.

She pushes the blade in the killer's hip, and she takes it out as fast as wind. Before she can reach the neck, though, the assassin turns. She hits the maid with a punch, and the girl falls back a couple of metres, rolling on the floor. What a blow! Is she even human?

However, the maid jumps up immediately. She starts attacking the killer, who is slowed by the wound. The two attack and defend in a sequence of moves that tires my eyes. I drag Olly behind the desk and gesture him to stay hidden. Then, I take a vase from the library and take a couple of steps towards the fighting women.

I raise the vase over my head, ready to smash it against the killer when she retreats to the desk. She stares at the maid and me with hatred in her eyes, while I widen mine remembering that Olly is right behind that desk.

«We'll see each other again» she spits out before running towards the window. She throws herself against it, and the glass shatters. The curtains dance in the wind and, when they stop, there is no trace of a person.

I wanted to crush such a person with a tiny vase. Not to mention that it might be more valuable than my life.

I lean it on the desk, carefully, and I look for Olly. He's rolled up under the table. I offer him my hand, and he grabs it.

He takes a couple of steps, and I drag him in a comforting hug.

«It's all right, now,» I whisper while patting his head.

I turn to the maid and check if she's wounded. She's standing in the middle of the room with a sorry expression. I stare at her, trying to understand if it's because of pain or annoyance.

Then, she bows deeply and clenches her skirt.

«I'm so sorry!» she exclaims. «I wasn't able to properly protect my Lady. I'm not worthy of serving in Stoneyard.»

Well, she did more than I thought she would. Judging from the quick movements of the assassin, it must have been hard to stay on par. If that killer went in the room instead of the stable boy, I don't think it would have ended with a single cut on the palm of my Duke.

«You did enough to protect me,» I reassure her.

I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her.

«I suppose the guards will come soon. The window made quite some noise. Meanwhile, you should patch up the cut on your arm. Does it hurt?»

She looks at her forearm for a minute, and then she cleans the place with the apron.

«It's not my blood, my Lady.»

«From now on, some things will change,» I whisper.

That woman arrived here in the middle of the day, and then she disappeared through a window. She also instructed the stable boy quite precisely. He knew exactly how many steps to take, to reach the bed. He knew with which angle to strike, to cut my head.

She knew by heart the disposition of the furniture and the distances of the master bedroom. She didn't want to risk her own self because of my Duke's presence, but she waited until I was alone.

Luckily, she underestimated the young maid. I did too, so I can't say the assassin made a stupid move.

«Only you, your little sister and my personal maid are allowed in the rooms I use. Also, do not let anyone unidentified sneak in the Lord's rooms as well.»

«Yes, my Lady,» she nods. «Thank you, my Lady.»

Thanks for what?

Whatever, I have more urgent matters to think of.

First of all, calling hubby won't help me this time. I'll have to postpone my vengeance plans. I'll write to my contacts, I haven't changed my mind. However, I can't invite hordes of aristocrats to have tea with me.

Alexander arrives just a second after the guards, and he crosses the door first, breaking that old, untold rule that forbids men to step in here. He hugs me tightly, almost cracking my bones.

I am the one that needs calming down, I'm the one that deserves to be comforted. Still, when I see my Duke's face, my heart melts.

«I'm all right,» I say.

Also, he's pressing little Olly with his legs.

Alexander seems to notice what's happening, and he steps back.

«I think we should change plans,» I try. «A trained assassin was sent after me again.»

«Another one?» he mumbles, scratching his chin while pondering.

«It was the same from the banquet,» I inform him. «The one that disguised as a maid.»

My Duke's eyes froze on me for a moment, and he recalls what happened with that crazy woman.

«Alexander, she was from the Guild of Blue Roses.»

«Why are you so sure?»

«Because she knows how to infiltrate castles, disguise as anything harmless, poison horses and memorise room dispositions... She's not a loner.»

«Hiring one of their adepts costs a capital,» he murmurs.

«And not only that. Who has the influence and riches to hire a top killer just to dispose of a mere duchess?»

«You're not just a duchess, remember. You're also the last Queen of Polis, a descendant of a long line of Kings. On the other side, your maternal family isn't ordinary either.»

«Still, I'm a fallen queen. It would make sense for one of your followers to be behind it, though.»

My Duke's eyebrows twitch, and I caress his cheek to reassure him, just like I did with Olly a few minutes ago.

«You lost your title when you married me, and this marriage brought you a step farther from the throne. If you were a candidate, as a bachelor, you're now out of the game with this useless wife.»

«I wouldn't have waited so long, if you were in my way, Thea.»

«All right,» I chuckle. «I'll believe you. But can you vouch for each one of your vassals and followers?»

«I can't,» he says while shaking his head.

«It must have been a group of people, not a single man.»

«I'll renounce the succession, Thea. Then, there won't be reasons to follow me as a potential emperor, nor to get rid of you for any reason whatsoever.»

«You can't do that,» I whisper. My forehead finds its way to Alexander's chest, and my lungs exhale a deep sigh. «Your younger cousin needs you.»

Ethiro needs you. You can't let everything fall apart just for me.

Also, I need Alexander to be in his best shape from now on.

«We have to get rid at least of one of the threats,» I breathe.

«I know,» he nods. «And I have an idea on how to do it.»

«Mhm?» I ask, raising my brows.

«I just received news that Count Grahm is the one that was assigned to the northern border. He'll soon travel there to check the situation at the mines.»

«He'll pass through here,» I grin. «Do you think he'll come alone?»

«I don't think so,» Alexander sighs. «Don't do anything dangerous, all right?»

«Oh, no,» I nod. «I'll be the perfect wife while Count Grahm visits.»

If by any chance lady Elisabeth appears here, I'll show her why she wasn't able to become Archduchess.

Oh, I also don't need to invent any weird excuse to lure her here. She'll come on her own to try stealing my husband away.

«You better not move your eyes away from me, not even for a second,» I warn. «I'll check on you often.»