Preparing to leave takes less time, thanks to the maids' organisation. They have had the necessities ready for weeks, so only the most trivial part of the luggage needs to be packed.

We don't really bring clothes along, except for those used during the trip. We have enough in both places.

However, we can't leave the gifts his majesty bestowed Lavinia. Because of etiquette and because she likes some of them.

The little Princess doesn't let go of the canary. She watches it and listens to its songs every day with curiosity.

Sometimes, she even argues with him. Her moans and giggles enlighten the room when she's in a good mood.

She also likes jewels, especially shiny gems. Kate loves to show her each one of the gifts from the party, and Lavinia chuckles and yells when the turn for the gems comes.

Alexander has been quite busy these last few days. He won't come here next year, so he's trying to finish all the relevant tasks before departing. And he's checking the situation with his faction.

The nobles following him have almost all accepted to pledge loyalty to his majesty. Not that there was any other choice after the Dowager Empress failed her cue.

He's working very hard. He's exhausted when he comes back home, so much that he just hugs me and falls asleep soon after we lie down.

As if she knows what's going on, even Lavinia doesn't trouble him too much. She's satisfied after being carried for a few minutes every day.

I'm the one that shouted in pain for giving birth to her, yet she's so careful not to overexert her daddy. As for me, she doesn't really care. She's capable of shouting for the whole evening when I'm the one taking care of her.

Princess Lyland spends most of the time playing with Lavinia, now that she can. She hasn't parted from her almost ever.

«You can come and visit us in Stoneyard, your highness,» I say. She hasn't been in Kyre for long. This might be the right chance to go home. «We'll always have a room ready for you.»

«Oh, really?» she murmurs, happy and content. «I was given an imperial promise, so I guess I'll be able to leave the Palace after the turmoil settles down...»

«We'll be happy to host you.»

«Next time I see Vinnie, she'll be running around!» the Princess realises. «We'll be able to pick flowers together, eat sweets, observe the court dynamics, pick our clothes so that they match...»

All of these are a bit too calm as purposes for someone like the Princess. I thought she was waiting to start causing trouble in the Palace with my daughter's and her names.

If it wasn't for the Princess, though, we wouldn't bring Lavinia back to the Palace, not even once every couple of years. If the Princess could move to Kyre, that wouldn't be much of an issue, yet it doesn't seem feasible.

Also, Princess Lyland is sixteen. She will get married sooner or later. It's better if Alexander can spend some time with his sister while she's still young, for in the future things might become more difficult to organise.

«Since the Empress will come from Myrya, no one ever mentioned I should get married there,» she comments, maybe understanding the thoughts behind my blank expression. «I have to thank you for that.»

«It was just a coincidence that a suitable candidate was coming from Myrya,» I point out. If Eliza wasn't capable and elegant as she is, I couldn't have pushed her on the short-list.

«The final result of the selection will be announced at the end of the year, but his majesty already declared that he chose the bride. The missive was sent to Myrya already, so the engagement procedures can start a few weeks ahead of the official announcement.»

«Good,» I sigh. This way, the dearest Duke Grahm won't be able to trample with the letters or stop the negotiations. Everything will be already set in stone when he hears about it.

Even if one of his spies manages to hear about it, it will be late.

I haven't taken revenge against him for sending assassins to kill me. I have to talk about this with him before going back to Kyre.

I just can't understand why he did that.

«Your highness, would you like to help me with something?» I murmur, wondering if the Princess will really be as happy as she's now to do some work for me.

She's never backed down from any challenge. And she tends to believe in me a little too much.

«Yes, of course!» she exclaims, in fact. She doesn't even inquire what I need help with.

«I necessitate to have a chat with Duke Grahm,» I explain. «Would you like to back me up?»

He'll realise his position if even a Princess of the Empire stares at him.

The rest of the morning is spent looking at how cute Lavinia is when moving her arms, legs, blinking, or shouting vowels.

Alexander joins us around midday, and he starts commenting as well. I just observe how these siblings observe the little ball and praise her for every deed.

«My daughter is so smart, isn't she?» Alexander murmurs.

«Indeed!» The Princess nods fiercely. «Very smart!»

I just look at them and sigh from time to time.

Am I the only one seeing Lavinia for what she really is? Just an ordinary baby. I love her because she's mine and because she's the exact copy of Alexander, but she didn't do anything weird till now.

Just the usual things babies do.

I don't need her to be exceptionally smart or beautiful. I'm content if she's happy and safe: I don't need reasons to love her.

«I can't wait for her to grow up so that I can show her around,» the Princess squeals.

«Oh, no. My daughter is perfect the way she is. There's no reason to hurry up,» Alexander rebukes, not on defence. «I didn't give birth to Vinnie to show her around.»

You didn't give birth to her in the first place. Ah, whatever...

«When you two are done bothering my daughter, we can have lunch,» I say out loud.

I cross my arms and wait for the siblings to remember they're both adults. Especially my dear husband. He's behaving like a toddler.

Yet, remembering how he was curious about the Princess when she was born, in his first life... He does love children. Not as much as to play with them, but he likes seeing them have fun on their own.

But I would have never imagined he would be like this with his own offspring! Even with Elias, he had the tendency to spoil him a bit too much. And he would always run when he calls.

Is this what makes our children love him more? But I need to be stern if I don't want to ruin their education with my love. They'll thank me one day... Maybe.

For sure, they'll remember Alexander as the father that loved him to the end of the world! How can I compete with him now?

«Why are you unhappy, Thea?» Alexander inquires, sitting next to me and letting the Princess continue her chat with Lavinia.

The two girls seem to like each other, so our daughter doesn't frown nor cry when her highness is around. Among Princesses, they get along.

«You will turn our children into spoiled brats,» I say. «And they'll hate me for being a stern mother, like this. You were supposed to be stern, among us two.»

«Why?» he murmurs.

«Because you're the father! You need to show them firmness.»

«I will show them firmness when the time comes,» he murmurs, shrugging my words away. «And, also, it's better like this. Among us two, you're the one capable of playing the part of the stern parent. I would screw it halfway.»

Being a caring mother, one that praises her children all the time and cuddles them without stop... I would have liked trying that role, but we both know it wouldn't last forever. It's simply too much work, for me, to stay lovely and nice for a long time.

«Do you always have to be always right?» I murmur, grabbing Alexander's hand and squeezing. «And also, I too want to talk like an idiot and sing praises to Lavinia.»

«You can, in your own, personal way. You don't need to play the part of a stern mother, nor to be extremely lovely if you don't feel like that. Just relax and do what your instinct guides you to do. It will be fine, and I'll be here to help you if you struggle. Just like you'll be here to stop me when I overdo it. We're in this together, aren't we?»

Right... To have a child, we needed to be two. Bringing them up shouldn't be too different.

«All right,» I sigh. «I'll try relaxing and following my guts.»

«Good,» Alexander chuckles. «It's not duty or anything like that. It's your family, Thea. We're just your family.»

Oh, my dear husband.

«It's enough if I love you and our daughter with my whole heart, right?» I murmur, trying to sound less awkward. «Right?»

«It's more than enough.»