The time I need to recover is enough for the ladies attending the selection to gather in the Palace. A couple, related to Alexander's mother or the Princess's, stay in our wing.

The overcrowded hallways on the other sides of the Palace don't have enough space for them. They're not the only few that have relatives in Ethiro, and the others' lodgings are close or within those of their family as well.

And also, they won't have any special treatment because of this.

I hope they already know that, given their familiar bond with my husband, they don't have many chances. It could become unsettling, politically speaking, to have an Empress related to the second in line for the throne.

Today, I want to meet the ladies and check they're behaving. I also want to see if the youth from Myrya is suitable for the place I imagined for her.

Her inexistent political backing makes her a wise choice to prevent foreign intrusions in our administration. At the same time, being namely a Princess, she's more than qualified for the role.

I just need to make sure she doesn't have any strong feelings. A calm, unemotional lady would be perfect. But I'll be satisfied if she's not hating or loving anyone at this time.

Once reached the imperial gardens, I order the maids to keep two steps of distance instead of one. I don't want to look guarded, even if that's precisely what they're here for.

Kate is looking after Lavinia right now, so she can't follow me. But I feel safer knowing her with my daughter.

Alexander left early this morning, so he won't be around for the rest of the day. Maybe not even tonight.

Our plan to make everyone think we're cold to each other disappeared with the first rays of the sun when voices about what happened during the delivery spread in the Palace. What cold husband would dare to kill a royal midwife because of a wife he doesn't treasure much and a baby that is a daughter and not the heir he's supposed to be expecting?

I should have stopped him back then, but I didn't want to. It's what that woman deserved for hurting my baby.

The imperial gardens are full of ladies' chatter. All the young misses are close in age with the Emperor. Even countries that don't traditionally send their daughters away at such a young age accepted to do it this time.

After all, we're going to select the most influential woman on the whole continent. Age isn't an obstacle for the King of some small country to send his favourite daughter here.

I wonder if this is what the harem's place in Asteria looks like. All these ladies are competing for the same man, but they're capable of chatting with each other as if they were friends.

Most understand that chances are low, but I couldn't imagine they would be so friendly with one another.

Another thing that was expectable is that very few of these ladies resemble the portraits sent to the Palace in the first phase of the selection. Those whose face was real on paper are those with prettier sisters that were hoped to be sent.

Like the thirteenth Princess of Myrya. She's sitting on a bench, conversing with a few girls her age. She's fourteen, right? A few months younger than his majesty.

Her hair is collected in a high, strict bun, but her young face and radiant green eyes are as jovial as they can be. Her nose is small, elegant, and her lips thin and heart-shaped. Just as I suspected, she's a beauty of a kind. It's difficult to resist big eyes and an innocent look.

Her portrait was changed to make her look less appealing than other sisters of hers. However, with a painter by my side, I can tell the difference between reality and art. Even if she wasn't this pretty, she would still be my favourite candidate.

It's interesting to see how the daughter of a Palace servant can sit that straight and move that little. She's just the embodiment of elegance. Not even Caroline Grahm, with her years-long training, can be considered at par.

I can imagine how it happened: her lower status in Myrya's kingdom made all the teachers punish her harshly for every mistake. The servants would often overlook her chambers until she got used to doing without help. Her family would forget about her, if not even to pick on her, until she no longer felt the need to be loved.

There are many girls like that, and I'm lucky I found one with royal blood.

Moreover, whatever elegance and education she has gone through, I'm sure she kept the natural reactions of a child. She must be curious, even if she's keeping her eyes still and not roaming around.

She must be nervous, regardless of her calm expression.

Oh, this is what I'll have to be sure of, before proposing her for the shortlist.

I've already told my mind to his majesty, so he'll follow my suggestions. If he doesn't fall in love with one of those little harpies already preparing for the hunt.

I don't see Caroline Grahm anywhere, but it's no surprise either. She's probably having tea with her dear sister for the last time.

My first purpose for coming here was to check on the ladies. I swear!

Then, since Elisabeth Grahm is leaving for Asteria this afternoon, I can, as well, pass there by chance and check...

I mean, see her leaving.

I'm not here to check. Not on Elisabeth, at least. I'm sincerely curious about the young ladies!

I should start doing my job, right? The first time I left my baby without me wasn't for something as dumb as some annoyance. It's not even jealousy because there's no place for it.

Alexander didn't even look at that girl when she talked with me a year ago, in this same garden. And he didn't avoid her to make me feel better. It was his natural reaction.

I sigh, realising that it's hard to have someone that faithful on my side. I can't even get angry because he looks at other ladies...

I can just pretend to, but then I would be discovered and punished for being naughty. Hmm... Would it really be that easy?

«My Lady,» one of my maids says from behind. «There is some wind today.»

She takes two small, quick steps and covers my shoulders with a silken shawl.

Wind? You call this unnoticeable breeze... wind?

My identity will become apparent to everyone if the servants keep covering me at the slightest blow of air.

«I will walk in this direction,» I inform them. «There are fewer people and less noise.»

Hearing my words, only one of the maids dares to follow. I can't stay alone after Alexander's strict orders. And I don't need to.

I have to stay healthy and alive, at least until Lavinia can survive without me. I will have my privacy later.

And I don't think the maids from Stoneyard will gossip around about my secret operation.

Oh, they will, for sure. But in Stoneyard.

They'll tell everyone that the Lady is so possessive that she sent her love rival to another country. At least, this will prevent anyone there from trying anything with my husband.

Not that it could work, I sigh.

If I have any suspicions of infidelity, then it's one of his shameless attempts to make me act in a certain way.

I walk into the garden, reaching the terrace that is well-hidden behind a bunch of trees. It's difficult to spot and not maintained, so ladies don't wander here often. It's a pity because it has a nice view.

Under the terrace, there's the main square where carriages come and go every hour. This is the real entrance to the court, not the gates.

Elisabeth Grahm is trying her last vain attempt to convince the Duke to let her stay. Her father is a few steps behind, looking at her with something similar to contempt. He's disappointed that his first daughter didn't become Archduchess of Kyre, but he sees it's pointless to insist.

Even if I died, Alexander would mourn me for years before even thinking of another woman.

«What a beautiful day for the start of a journey,» I comment out loud. «I'm so happy for that young girl that is going to find her happiness next to a powerful Emperor!»

It's better to avoid the maids thinking I'm here to watch her fall. That would be too creepy.

As Elisabeth gets on the carriage and closes the door, I realise that my first enemy is leaving for good without a goodbye glare. Her eyes didn't meet mine, as she didn't watch over here.

What a pity, I won't see her sweet, killer gaze one last time.

Remembering once more that I'm not alone and that my weird grin must be frightening, I mould my expression into a bored one and turn towards the maid.

People from Kyre will never stop surprising me. Where did Alexander find so many unique personalities?

Instead of worrying about her Lady's unrefined smirk, the maid is looking at the carriage with an evil smile that doesn't have anything to envy to one of Alexander's. She's even happier than me that Elisabeth is finally gone.

I wish I had my husband's good eye for choosing people.