Before evening, we reach the first crossroad. Some of the carriages take a different route, while we continue straight towards the north.

We've spent less than a day travelling, but the difference in the temperature is already noticeable.

«How long is it to Kyre?» I inquire. I've never asked before, but I prefer to know how long I'll sleep in a carriage.

«It's about ten days at a normal pace. However, we'll speed up as soon as we reach my territories. The roads are kept in better condition than here.»

«Did you schedule the maintenance works to have them ready for this occasion?» I ask, grinning mischievously. It wouldn't surprise me too much if he actually did.

«No, my dear. I always keep the roads clean and smooth. Not just for my own benefit but to facilitate trade and journeys.»

«Don't tell me... How much did you gain in custom taxes during the war? Polis' harbour had been out of function for almost two years. From when you got involved.»

«I wanted to finish the war with as few casualties as possible. Economic attacks are better than weapons, and often even more efficient.»

«What will happen to your trade routes now that the war is over?»

«It will take months for Polis to return to be the central harbour of the continent. Even years to get back the routes with the southern coasts. In the meantime, I'll start to export.»

«So that was your final purpose!»

«More or less,» he grins. «The infrastructure is almost done. There are enough places where to rest on the road, including inns, restaurants and other kinds of shops for travellers. It's not such an adventure anymore.»

«Which land will you conquer next?»

«I won't conquer anything. I already have all I need,» Alexander grins. His hand reaches out for my hair, and he plays with a lock.

«Is a single queen enough for you, my Duke?»

«More than enough, my Duchess. It's already a handful, I couldn't survive with two,» he chuckles.

I don't even notice how my face turns dark.

Alexander observes my expression for a while, curious and mysteriously pleased.

«I don't need anyone else,» he whispers. «I'm happy with you by my side.»

«The Emperor told me that you didn't ask for this marriage,» I start. «He said you just wanted me to survive.»

«That's correct.»

«You never told me that. I thought you planned everything just to have me in your hands. I've treated you more harshly because of that.»

«You wouldn't have believed me, would you?»

«I don't know,» I shrug. «I usually trust people's words. I'm a bit too naive.»

I've also believed lady Elisabeth when she told me she had an affair with my Duke. Now, I accepted the Emperor's words without any second thought.

How can I discern the truth?

«I don't resent you anymore,» I mutter. «I don't know why, exactly, but I don't feel like a prisoner by your side. Not anymore.»

«I'm glad,» he replies.

I think I've said enough about my inner considerations and emotions. Yet, I feel like there's something I forgot to mention. The Duke's sweet smile is so distracting, must be it.

«I can lend you my shoulder if you want to rest,» he proposes, misinterpreting the confused look I throw at him.

«I'd prefer to change clothes. And not because of the sleeve. The corset is forcing me to sit straight.»

Also, it's in the way if... Oh, what am I thinking about?

«I can help you,» the Duke whispers. «You don't have to stay uncomfortable just because we're in a hurry.»

His fingers start to undo some of the knots and ribbons, freeing me from the outer layers of the dress.

When he reaches the corset, there is a small mountain of fabric on the larger seat.

He takes off the laces slowly, and I keep my breath every time his fingers reach my back. Still, I silently endure this weird feeling.

When I'm finally free to breathe, I remember that I'm only wearing a light chemise. I observe the layers of the dress on the ground and wear back the white gown. It's too simple, and it will get dirty immediately. Still, I don't have a choice.

I also tie one of the strips around my waist, giving some shape to the dress. I move the rest of the fabric in a corner and lie down on the front seat. I try to adjust in a comfortable position, but I fail every attempt.

«I was offered a shoulder,» I remind the Duke, and I wait for him to reach me.

He obediently sits next to me and lets me cuddle in his arms. I dare to lean my head on his chest, and I hear his heart pounding. I'm half-leaning on him, and my legs are lifted on the seat. It's quite comfortable, and his arms are warming me.

The Duke passes his finger on the bruises on my neck and shoulder, and he sighs beaten.

«I'm really sorry for this,» he says, in the end.

«It was fun,» I shrug. Indeed, my Duke's puppy eyes and burning kisses were more sensual than usual. If only we weren't in a carriage.

No, wait, that was not the reason we stopped. The Duke just decided to sleep. Am I unattractive, perhaps?

«Fun?» the Duke asks, but he doesn't seem surprised to hear my answer.

I nod, while a doubt crosses my mind. What does the Duke think happened?

«It's just a pity that you decided to stop when my clothes annoyed you,» I pout.

At least, I hope the problem was the dress. Drunken people are sincere, aren't they? If the Duke decided to stop, it was because he wanted to do so. But what could be the reason?

His eyes land on my chest, and he counts the love marks and bites.

«I guess it didn't happen too soon, though,» he comments.

Well, he's right. He had a lot of fun before stopping abruptly and requesting for me to act as a pillow.

«I can fulfil my Duchess's desires now,» he proposes, and my face turns red all of a sudden.

«I didn't ask for anything!» I exclaim. «I don't have any desire!»

«Hmm, too bad for you. You shouldn't have started such a theme if you weren't ready to bring it on till the end.»

«I never said I'm not ready, either!»

What in the world am I telling?

«Duchess, you're terrible at flirting. I can't understand if you want me to hold you or not.»

«It doesn't matter what I want,» I utter.

«To me, it does.»

Oh, damn it! Does he have to act this gently right now? Is he really avoiding me, trying not to make me notice that he actually doesn't like me?

«Duke,» I start, my voice as low as a breeze. «Do you like this Duchess?»

«Isn't it clear enough?»

«It isn't.»

He narrows his eyes, trying to decipher my expression.

«Are you playing with me?» he inquires.

«I wouldn't dare.»

He circles my waist and forces me to sit on his lap astride, in that indecent and unrefined position he seems to like very much. He lifts the gown, uncovering my legs to his eyes and hands.

«I like my Duchess very much,» he states.

I sigh relieved, and he chuckles silently. His lips land on the same spot where he bit me first yesterday night, and I tilt my head and close my eyes, ready for the same game of that time.

However, the Duke doesn't kiss me with that burning passion. This time, he's gentle and delicate. I wince when his hand cups my bosom covered only by the thin cloth. I can feel his touch through the gown, and I gasp when he starts massaging my breast.

His lips are burning, pleasing like a fire in the middle of winter. His tongue caresses every spot he can reach. When his teeth grasp the cloth and move it lower, I open my eyes slightly and notice his wily grin.

«You're so beautiful like this,» he whispers.

«Don't lie,» I complain.

My hair is unkempt, the dress plain and partially ruined. At least, I removed the make-up before getting on the carriage, so my face doesn't have any weird stains.

However, I must be awful to look at.

Regardless, the way the Duke smiles makes me think that he's really liking my appearance as if he was looking at a precious doll from a faraway land.

«This Duke is willing to be selfish, for once,» he sentences, seeing my confused expression. «Is my Duchess going to play along?»

I nod, not even fully grasping the meaning of his words.

«Will it hurt?» I remember to ask.

It's better to make sure he doesn't cross the line, even though he's entirely able to control himself right now. He's sober, so his thoughts must be in order.

«It won't hurt,» he explains. «On the contrary: I believe my Duchess will like it very much!»