«My Lady!» someone calls me.

I turn, wondering who dares to call out for me and not Alexander. Judging by the title used, it's someone from Kyre. But yet... It's Alexander, the Lord of Kyre...

I find a fine young man in front of me. Very little in common with the boy that helped me build my information web ten years ago. He's changed as much as I did, and he's now a teacher working in this school.

He's none other than the boy telling to me about Duke Grahm's messages with the late Empress. He helped me push them in a corner and bring justice to those barrel lands.

After that day, he continued helping me build a network of spies and informers.

As promised, I sent him back as soon as my net was stable. Not all the youth from Polis wanted to return. Some of them were satisfied with their new positions. Others preferred to work for me.

Some even disappeared without leaving traces, only to reappear in the city a few months later.

Young people are hard to control, but they had all fulfilled their job and deserved to choose their future with freedom.

«It's a pleasure to see you in person, my Lady,» he says.

I just smile, remembering the good old days we spent cleaning the court from imposters and traitors.

«How are the new generations?» I inquire.

«We were better,» he sighs. «They wouldn't survive out in the harsh world without protection... They're lucky they didn't have to witness most of our challenges...»

Alexander looks around, apparently bored by the conversation. Only I know that every single word is reaching his mind. He's always so attentive when it regards me. Even just talking about the youth is something he wants to listen to.

«I'm sure they study hard,» I try defending the pupils.

Their teacher rolls his eyes and snorts.

«Not much. Barely enough to pass the tests.»

«Well, sparing energy is a talent,» I chuckle.

«Indeed, my Lady. That's a talent,» he says, glancing at Alexander.

Is his laziness this famous? To be known on the other side of the Empire? But it's weird. How can they believe the man that conquered Polis likes to sleep and read light novels instead of working?

I thought it wasn't public knowledge that I'm the one doing most of the administration work. Alexander most often looks at me in continuous search of details he'll paint when the time is proper.

He does his job: he's not irresponsible. Just highly efficient.

«Would you like to have lunch in the city, my Lady? There is an inn with a tasty fish soup...» he starts, but Alexander cuts him off.

«We can't. We already have a commitment.»

What commitment? We're here on vacation, kind of. And Alexander offered himself to go to an inn.

«And the kitchens in the Palace are already preparing an exquisite fish soup for the Governor,» he declares.

What fish soup? Weren't burgers on the menu this morning? Alexander insisted that he wanted some beef after weeks of sailing.

As I wonder about his intentions, I spot one of the Palace servants running away at Alexander's sign. He stayed here for a few days only, and he already has the reins of the place.

«My wife and I will now go,» he then says.

And, who am I to contradict him? Not in one of the rarest moments when he shows some jealousy.

«Is my Consort getting nervous? Is he fearing this Governor will leave for someone else?» I inquire once we're alone.

«Oh, no. I just realised that you don't have official business this afternoon.»

«And how is that connected to our improvised commitments and the fish soup?» We could have had lunch with the teachers and ask some more about life in the academy!

«You are free this afternoon,» he repeats as if this makes it clear.

«Sorry?»

«When you're free, you're with me.» He shrugs. «We can relax in the garden, look at the sea from the balcony... There are so many things we could do after lunch...»

«Oh, sure,» I sigh. I should have figured. It was not jealousy. «So many things...»

«Do you like the dormitories, by the way? Are they as you imagined?» Alexander murmurs, this time focused on hearing my response.

«Not bad. The two separate buildings for boys and girls are indeed a good idea. It solves a lot of issues that may arise if they're too close...»

«Can you imagine if we met at school?» he chuckles. «It would have been fun to chase after you.»

«We're seven years apart, Alexander.»

«Oh, right,» he sighs. He drops his shoulders and curls his lips downwards.

«But you could have been a teacher.» I'll try my best to cheer him up.

Our age difference is nothing compared to other married couples'. We're of the same generation, and we'll get old together like this.

Men do age slower, usually, so it's only a good thing that Alexander has a few years more than me.

«Imagine how wicked your tricks would be in that case,» I say. «I would have no way to run away from you...»

«Uh?» he murmurs, this time a bit more interested. «You would have the best grades, Thea.»

«But a teacher can't be biased with his wife!» I complain. «On the contrary, you would need to be even more stern.»

«That is right,» he nods. «It's a good idea to keep a naughty wife in check.»

«Being stern?»

«Oh, no. Giving bad grades so you would need to come to me to complain,» he says. His smile goes from ear to ear.

I'm so glad we're not on opposite sides, or my life would be very difficult. Even more than now.

Managing my overbearing husband is one thing, especially since I enjoy this side of him as well. But having to deal with a suitor like him... Oh, I wouldn't last two days.

«Don't think about it anymore,» I sigh. «It was a bad idea.»

«Not that bad. Maybe, if we have another life, it will be in another place. We might meet at school, who knows?»

«If we have another life, come to me and explain the problem before messing a whole Empire. All right?»

«As my wife wishes.»