After knowing the Queen of Polis, bit by bit, I got to know Theodora.

She would always start a conversation after our love-making session, as she called it.

In the beginning, she was just curious about me. Then, she started to talk to me about herself. Each time, the distance between our bodies shortened, and, in a couple of months, we became used to cuddle together right before sleep. I liked the silkiness of her hair and skin, and I would use that chance to caress her lightly until falling asleep.

Theodora, on the other side, used to lean her head on my chest and talk in a low tone.

During those first months where we explored each other, I found out that I couldn't have a Queen in my arms just any time I wanted. There were days when she would say that she was indisposed and look at me with a suffering expression.

Only later did I find out that she actually bled, during those days, and that her whole body felt pain or uneasiness. I didn't know a thing about a woman's body before marrying her. I hadn't even had a mother whom to ask while growing up.

Other than the night, I started to meet Theodora during the day as well. The etiquette imposed that I called her my Queen in public, no matter how close we were. It wasn't such an easy deal, but I got used to it.

In the end, I would call her that even during our private time.

What charmed me was not just her beauty or intelligence. I admired the work she put even into the smallest task. She would often worry about her people, and she could predict the long-term outcome of her decisions.

If Ethiro had such a ruler, it wouldn't have split into several smaller countries.

While I was by my Queen's side, some of the outer regions rebelled against the capital and declared independence.

Martia wrote, in her letters, that Kyre was safe and clean under her administration. So, I didn't worry too much about the rest of the empire. It wasn't my business, and they ousted me of their own volition.

My Queen, meanwhile, proposed to me to ask my sister to visit. She even allowed me to go to Kyre, once. It was difficult, expensive, and it required a crazy amount of soldiers. Yet, in the end, Theodora managed to send me home for a few months.

It was then that I noticed that I missed my wife.

I didn't even notice when it happened, but I'd fallen in love like a teenager. I would think of her several times each day, and I would write her letters that I didn't send, not to bother her busy days.

Martia was doing fine, in her way. She had her trusted advisors, and she had learnt how to read a person's soul while in the capital. She was more suited than me to be the Lord.

Once sure that she was safe, I could go back to Polis with a light heart. I knew I wouldn't meet her again, most probably, but we promised to keep writing to one another.

The reunion with my Queen was spectacular.

She had become used to being frank with me, so I didn't see her blushing face unless she spoke some really bold words. She would offer herself so naturally, and I would accept so readily. Would every married couple reach this level of resonance, with time?

The day I came back, we didn't even wait for the evening, but we retired in the Queen's chambers and caught up with the months of separation.

That day, certain that death wasn't too bad if inflicted by someone as outstanding as my Queen, I dared to bite her breast after she had closed her eyes in ecstasy for my kisses.

I didn't press hard, so my teeth didn't leave any marks. Yet, the reaction my wife showed made it even harder to resist biting her again.

She moaned and arched her back, sinking her fingers in my hair. She split her lips to exhale, and she reopened her eyes to look at me. There wasn't any reproof, in them, nor annoyance. She seemed more pleased by my action than I was.

«No one has ever dared to bite this Queen,» she whispered.

I crooked my mouth in an evil smile, and I replied like the bravest of the men.

«Then, behead me,» I challenged her.

«I don't want to do that,» she revealed. «Even if it means giving you permanent permission to treat this Queen like this.»

«Do I have that permission, now?»

She looked at me with wide eyes, and then she just nodded.

«Don't do it too often, though. It would be bad if someone were to wonder who dares to bite this Queen.»

One day, I found one of her notes on the ground. It was written in a foreign alphabet I had never seen, but I could tell it was about some scheduled meeting. I didn't know what it said, but the way she aligned the text was the same as in her weekly planner.

I asked about it at night, and she bit her lower lip in thought before explaining.

She pondered about how much to reveal, but, in the end, she showed me her secret code.

I tried to remember as much as I could. I wrote to my Queen a love letter in that same code the day after.

She found it by chance, probably while looking for something unrelated. Regardless, her mood improved and didn't falter for the whole day. I knew about it because her personal maid revealed it to me.

The maid was younger than my Queen, but she had served her long enough to be allowed to call her by name just like I was. Her name was Katerina, but my Queen called her Kate. I didn't like that I was allowed the same intimacy level as a maid, but I couldn't exactly complain about it.

My Queen was busy solving real problems, and my duty was to avoid disturbing her with vain matters.

However, after reading my letter, she worked for the rest of the day. She didn't lift her head from the documents.

She came into my room earlier than usual, and we had dinner together.

«This Queen is very tired,» she pouted while leaning in my arms. I had already cut the food for her, and I decided to boldly try feeding her. She accepted my offer and chewed in silence while staring at me.

«Is my Queen so tired that she can't reserve some attention to her husband?» I inquired, already knowing the answer. She never rejected my attention, unless she was indisposed, extraordinarily tired, or too worried. That day, she was neither of those.

«I can try,» she whispered before biting the fork I filled with meat and salad. Then, she seized it away from me and leaned it on the table. She sat on my lap and surrounded my neck with her arms.

Her skin was always so cool, and her fingers would become icy sometimes. It was part of her charm, and her light caresses could make me shiver on the hottest day.

«I've written a reply to your letter,» she revealed before kissing me.

I was dying of curiosity to read her thoughts, but what was already within my grasp had priority.

I was sitting on a large armchair, comfortable enough to cuddle with my Queen. Still, I carried her to the bed while she kissed my neck with patience. She helped me undress and caressed each and every part of my body.

I had learnt that day the value of a well-written, sincere, and open-hearted letter.

Weeks passed, and soon the first year of marriage was over.

I hadn't found anything to dedicate myself to, other than my wife.

I wasn't wanted to meddle in my Queen's work. Also, I couldn't use the budget reserved to me in the way any other consort of the continent would.

I couldn't buy expensive dresses and jewellery, nor host tea parties. Being a male consort was a weird position, but it had the perks of living off one's wife.

I had thought I would never get used to being under my wife. But it didn't feel that wrong, eventually.

I found out I could stand boredom better than most people, especially since I could read the thousands of books in the Queen's personal library.

I could also visit the city every time I wanted, as long as I brought a few guards with me.

During the day, I explored my new home. During the night, I talked with and held my Queen.

It really was the life of a parasite, but I didn't bother complaining since no one else did.

The first time I could be of help to my Queen was when a delegation from Ethiro asked permission to dock warships.