The ladies around my Duke are all listening to him so carefully. Like a bunch of children hearing a story from an elder.

Their eyes are shining romantically, and they sigh from time to time.

I'm being surrounded by my husband's fans, and it's not pleasant. I didn't even notice it until now, but he does attract women's gazes with his tall build and attractive smile.

«I didn't send my Duke to the city,» I point out. «You shouldn't have done it if you were going to complain.»

I sense how those eyes now stare at me, and unexpectedly they're more curious than hostile. They're not judging me for scolding my husband, but they're entertained by my feigned resistance.

«I didn't think I would ever feel sympathy for Duke Kyre,» Duchess Prim comments. She's chuckling silently, and she winks at me in a sign of complicity. She was the one that told me to act reserved when I wanted something from the Duke. In part, it is thanks to her help that I managed to get here.

Even though I suspect that the Duke wouldn't have left me to suffer even if I wasn't this scheming.

«I don't need jewels and presents,» I declare, circling the Duke's arm with both mines, instead of holding it casually like a moment ago.

See, Duchess Prim, I've become a master in manipulation. First, I said something cold, and now I'm acting all cute.

Alexander reaches out for my hands and pecks my forehead lightly.

«My Duchess always knows what I like to hear,» he comments.

I smile back, showing all these people a new face. Not a single one of them saw a happy Duchess till now. I had always been either polite or disoriented.

«Are you tired?» I inquire, walking towards a chair in a corner. Finally, after so much time, I can have a word alone with my husband. It was rather unsettling having to share him with all these noblewomen.

I make him sit down, and I stand in front of him.

«Are you thirsty?» I continue, mimicking his way of taking care of me. «The hunt was long. Did you catch anything?»

«You're doubting your husband so readily. I'm offended.»

«Because of me, you almost ran late,» I explain. «I've been worrying all the time.»

«I told you to go back to sleep.»

«Oh, I did go back to sleep. But when I got up, I worried about you. Hunts are dangerous, aren't they?»

«Indeed,» he grins, and a dark light passes in his eyes.

For a moment, I believe he did something he shouldn't have. However, that worry soon passes. My husband is a rational being, and he knows very well how to predict the outcome of his actions.

«But I couldn't focus properly because my thoughts always wandered in the same direction!» he continues.

«What?» I wince, surprised by his exclamation. What did he think of for so long?

pouting«I thought it was obvious.»

I blink, confused by his words. What does he want me to say?

«My Duchess,» he reveals.

I blink another two times before realising that he's shamelessly flirting. I saw this happen in my court, a couple of times. It was an entertaining show during the first few exchanges, but the more the couple found it fun, the more it was boring for me to watch.

What shall I answer to his provocation? Hmm, I don't think there exists a reply that's appropriate to this man's audacity.

«I have been thinking about my Duke as well,» I try, but the result is clumsy. All the eyes on my back aren't helping, and I start to feel embarrassed about the situation. Why did my husband seem so natural? He made it sound milder than it actually is.

When I glance at Alexander, though, he's smiling satisfied. I thought he would be displeased by my clumsiness.

«I came across a bush of berries, and I thought my Duchess wanted some,» he remembers while taking out a handkerchief from a pocket.

«Are you trying to poison me?» I inquire, taking one of the blueberries. The handkerchief is full of small red stains, but most of the fruits are preserved.

The berries are a bit sour, and the texture is dry. All in all, it's an interesting flavour. I bet they would be even better in cakes or pies. Well, I guess the Ethirians already thought about it, and I just didn't get the chance to try it.

«Does my Duchess like it?»

I nod, reaching out for more. Where is the light lunch that was promised, by the way? I haven't seen anything other than fresh wine on the waitresses' plates. I was told not to drink on an empty stomach, though. It seems that the effect is worse without some food helping to absorb the alcohol.

I only now notice the scratches on the Duke's hands. I move the handkerchief away and observe closely.

«Do those fruits grow on thorny bushes?» I inquire. It's rather evident, though. «Can't my Duke be more careful? Were you in a hurry, perhaps?»

«I didn't pay enough attention,» he admits, and I tighten my lips.

«You were supposed to go hunt, not pick up fruits!» I exclaim, checking if there is any trace of blood. The scratches are very light, yet it must have been annoying.

«Now it doesn't hurt anymore,» chuckles.

I guess it didn't hurt much, right, but was it necessary? Do all noblemen around here care so little about their skin?

No, my Duke certainly is special. He doesn't spend too much time around his image, which is rare for the men in the Empire.

He doesn't need to, by the way. I haven't paid any attention to it, in the beginning. However, it turns out that his image is perfect no matter what he does: writing, hunting, conducting a war... He's always eye candy, even when he's just got up and his hair is messy.

Oh, well, especially when he's just got up and isn't wearing anything.

«Won't his majesty get angry if he finds out that you flew from the hunt?» I remember while trying to get away from those weird thoughts that were crowding my mind. I've been married to him for a month, why am I suddenly distracted by his looks? He didn't become handsome overnight. He's always been like this.

I didn't give any weight to it, back then. But why am I now so conscious?

«His majesty won't even notice my absence,» Alexander shrugs. «There surely are other things that will attract his attention.»

«Have you caught anything?»

«I have.»

«Good, at least I won't need to feel embarrassed of your poor skills,» I mutter, turning my head to the side.

I guess he decided to come here as soon as he got a little rabbit or an old fox. He doesn't enjoy hunting, or he wouldn't have avoided this event every single year. Still, he shouldn't be this casual in front of his majesty. His carelessness can be misunderstood.

«Is my Duchess hungry?»

«Moderately.»

«Oh, then shall we go to eat?»

«Aren't we waiting for the hunters to come back?»

«I've already come back. Are you waiting for someone else?» my Duke pouts.

«I came here with Princess Lyland. I can't leave without her, wouldn't that be impolite?»

«She's already replaced you,» he points out. «I, on the other side, can't find anyone to take your spot.»

«Isn't there supposed to be a lunch while waiting?»

«You wouldn't like it,» the Duke affirms, and he drags me towards the exit of the garden. Oh, perfect: this way I won't need to bear all these stares. I suspect they're gazing at my husband rather than at me, but it's still bothering. Can't they find another man to observe?

We greet Duchess Prim and the Princess, stopping for a minute to talk with an old countess. She's sitting in a corner with a group of ladies her age, but the Duke turns her way purposely.

«I'm glad to finally meet the rumoured Duchess,» she murmurs. «Last time I saw her grace, she was sitting on a throne taller than what she was.»

I tilt my head, surprised.

«My husband is a retired ambassador. He worked for the late Emperor before he had gone crazy.»

I lift my eyebrows, taken aback by her openness. I guess elders are allowed to say what's on their hearts.

«We were stationed in Polis when the Duchess had her first public ceremony.»

«I don't clearly remember what happened, I was too little,» I explain, hoping the Countess won't hold a grudge against me.

«A lot of things have happened during the years, your grace. You were too little to remember while we are now too old. It looks like a century ago, doesn't it?»

«Indeed,» I nod. «So many things changed. It really looks like another era...»

After that brief conversation, we leave the party and reach the Duke's wing of the Palace.