After the Hunt, I walk in the imperial gardens once or twice to check on the ladies. All seems calm, but I know very well there have been several bickering and bullying among them.

I receive frequent reports, so I even know how everyone reacts. I don't meddle in, however. I don't have the nerves and the time. It's enough I'm informed to avoid having a bully on the shortlist. For my own future security: I don't need an Empress easy to enrage.

During the second of my walks, I meet Ambassador Zolokis.

«Your highness, I hope you were pleasantly surprised by Lorene's visit,» he comments.

«I haven't met her since she's born. I was glad to see her. She's as beautiful as everyone says.»

«She would make a wonderful Empress...»

Yes, sure. And I'm a bear walking on two legs.

«Who knows?» I shrug. «There is so much competition.»

«I heard you're involved in the choice, my dear niece.»

«It's right, uncle, but it's just a formality. Those old geezers don't really listen to my opinion.»

«But there's so much you can do. Even just helping your cousin out a little.»

«It's dangerous,» I sigh. «And it wouldn't be good if I was found out.»

I'd rather have Georgia as Empress than let Lorene gain a grain of power. Not to mention how that would put Alexander and me in danger.

With an Empress from Asteria, they don't need a simple Archduchess to make trouble for them. And they won't need me to produce a possible heir to the throne.

Still, I can't tell my uncle all of this. At the same time, I need to push him in the Dowager Empress's direction.

Those two were already causing havoc together.

Viscount Prothus was in the rebel faction, and he was collaborating with Asteria in human trafficking. What is the chance that someone like that man had his feet in two shoes?

He was collaborating with the rebel faction, the Empress's, and with Asteria. Viscount Prothus wouldn't have risked his neck if he didn't know that the Empress had close links with foreign factors.

Just like Duke Grahm, Asteria is meddling their fingers in all three factions. Thank goodness I'm pretending to be working for them, or they would infiltrate someone near Alexander.

«I will do what I can,» I say. «But I can't make promises. My position is unstable at the moment.»

«Unstable? You just had a daughter. Oh, which reminds me... I haven't seen her yet. Is she as beautiful as her mother?»

«My daughter is still too little to receive visits. And it's not in Ethirian customs. It would be too suspicious...» I murmur. There's no way he's walking near my child. «We can arrange when we go back to Kyre.»

«Oh, sure. I am in no hurry. I'm stationary in Ethiro from now.»

«Congratulations! Most Ambassadors need decades of career to settle in a single place,» I chuckle.

«Well, then. In Kyre, it is!»

I nod, even though I'm not planning to let him return to Kyre. He will take the wrong step sooner or later. And I will be there to take advantage of his distraction.

«I'm glad that your worries are now settled. With a child, your marriage is now irrevocable. And I'm sure you'll have a son very soon. With that, your husband's position will be only a degree lower than his majesty's.»

«I hope you're right,» I sigh. «But I'm not sure it'll be this easy.»

«All the court talks about how enamoured the Archduke is with his wife. He changed his attitude from when we were in Kyre. Well, I guess children are miracles, aren't they?» the Ambassador says.

He's right. Children are miracles. But one needs to work hard to have one and to raise them. It's not as easy as talking about it.

«It's all a facade for the court,» I whisper with a pout. «My husband didn't change his inclination towards me. Everything is pretty much the same as always.»

«Ah, what a surprise.»

«My husband isn't even interested in power as much as I thought. He always says that he's good with Kyre to manage...» I start, hinting that involving him in a coupe is useless.

«Men always say that, but no one is immune to power.»

«Oh, the Archduke is!» I exclaim. «It's so bothersome. With a child, our position in the royal family is ensured! Yet, he doesn't want to ask for the formal title of Prince.»

It's difficult to feign a rage outburst without actually saying anything against the throne. Every word could be used against me, and foreign ears might be listening.

«Yet, he's displeased it's not a son,» I sigh. «I fear for my life. That's why I'm always where I can be seen. It's more difficult to stage an incident in the imperial gardens than in my chambers.»

My tongue tickles because of the lie, but I don't want the Ambassador to think about involving Alexander. There's also the risk my husband goes on a rampage and kills my uncle before I have time to plan anything...

These two should stay apart for the moment being. Until securing the harpy to justice.

«I heard about some attempts on your and your child's life, but I didn't want to believe it. Moreover, according to the voices, your husband got rid of those responsible for the deed.»

«Because they failed,» I point out. «He punished their failure: it was not revenge.»

«I thought the culprit was... someone in the inner Palace.»

Of course, it was. But I shouldn't show my suspicions just like this. Better fake ignorance. My uncle will lower his guard if he underestimates me.

«I don't think so. Have you heard about anything after the incident? If there's someone else behind it, the Archduke of Kyre would have moved every single brick in the Palace to find clues. He dislikes when his possessions are in someone's aims.»

«Oh my!» he murmurs.

«It was not the only attempt to my daughter. My maids are always careful, so nothing major happened, but more than once... Oh...» I moan, lowering my gaze.

«Your husband's sister is the second in line, right? Your daughter is only third.»

«That's correct.»

«But if your husband were to inherit that place, she would be the crown princess.»

«Until a son's birth, yes.»

He's moving in the direction where I want him. Now, he'll wait for the selection to be over.

If Lorene becomes Empress, then his tasks are pretty much fulfilled. But if she doesn't, he will attempt to make a revolt against his majesty to shorten the path to have one of their own on the throne.

Well, one they think is of their own.

All that is left is to wait for him to take the wrong step. Even if he escapes justice, he'll at least bring down the Dowager Empress for me.

I haven't yet found what's the link Duke Grahm has with the harpy, but stirring the waters might reveal the truth.

«What should I do, uncle?» I inquire, like a maiden in search of an elder's advice.

«You can't give up with your husband. Find a way to make your married life tolerable and produce a son,» he murmurs.

Produce a son so that he can kill him? What's the point?

It's probably just to make me think he's on my side.

«Then, when times are ripe, we'll pick our fruits.»

We? Oh, how would he react if I asked who is we?

«Yes, uncle,» I murmur. «I will do as you say. And I will help Lorene as much as I can! She's my cousin, after all. The closest person to a sister.»

«That's right,» he says, nodding his head. «Now, I should go.»

Oh, what a hurry. Is he already going to make chaos?

Whatever he does, I won't see any consequence as long as Lorene is in the selection. As soon as her name is crossed, the Palace will become a place hard to survive.

«With your sister as Empress, your position would be more stable,» he reminds me. «And it will take years for his majesty to have an heir. Both him and Lorene are still young.»

«I wasn't thinking about it,» I chuckle. «I know that I'll be in my rightful place, sooner or later. I'm just wondering... Is there anyone that can help me?»

The Ambassador scratches his chin, thinking about it for a second or two.

«There are a few people that will help you,» he says in the end. «If you're in danger, they will protect you.»

«I have my husband's knights protecting me already.»

Even now, there are two maids in this same garden. They alone are enough. But still, there's always a knight following me when I'm not in plain sight.

«I don't need protection,» I point out. «I need help.»

«Help?»

«With small matters. But I can't trust my husband's servants. They're loyal to him, not to me.»

«Oh, I understand,» he sighs. «They will help with that too. If it's something more than small favours, though, refer to me.»

«Yes, uncle, of course!»

«No, it's better if we part. We don't want people to suspect we're plotting here.»

In a few hours, I'll have the list of spies from Asteria. I could risk exposing them, but that would only make the Ambassador suspect.

I'll keep the list for future use. Either to get some small favours done for real or to offer his majesty some relevant information.

Not every chat with my uncle is fruitless, after all.

I can't wait to tell Alexander about all of this! He'll be proud of his quick-witted wife, won't he? I've obtained not just one name, but a whole list!

I'm sure there are more my uncle didn't disclose to me, but it's a start.

And even if Alexander gets slightly annoyed with the mention of my uncle, he'll see the bright side. Nicholas Zolokis will become more dangerous if we ignore him.

And we need a hell of a good reason to hurt a diplomatic figure. If we don't want to start a war, that is.