Assassination attempts are an ordinary occurrence in the life of a royal. That's why I haven't noticed how odd it was.

Right now, I am no royal. I'm just a Duchess. Who would go out of their way just to kill me? Also, my Duke told me that I'm far from Duke Grahm's reach. And that he'll keep me safe here in Kyre.

I know very well that he couldn't predict such an attempt on my life. Not one as clumsy as today. I mean, they hid in the forest and hoped I would pass there. Who in their right mind left it to fate?

However, the most urgent issue is that my husband is furious at me for not listening to his words. Needless to say, it wouldn't have been any different if it wasn't raining. The spies were there, and they wouldn't have moved if the weather was sunny.

I move my eyes on Alexander, and I find him taken back by my accusations. It's not his fault either that I was attacked.

I look down, sorry, and wait for him to propose to go sleeping.

However, he's not doing what he needs to. As always!

«It doesn't change the fact that you disobeyed,» he reminds me. He's calm, almost relieved that he found something to say.

«What will you do, to me?» I inquire in a low voice. I look at him with my eyes wide, feigning fright.

Till now, he couldn't bear to look at my scared expression. It was almost the only thing that could make him change idea.

«I don't buy it,» he comments, leaning back on his chair and crossing his arms.

Damn it! Why now? Couldn't he read my mind in another situation?

«Alexander,» I call him, at the limit of tears. «Don't be mean to me...»

«I haven't done anything,» he shrugs. «Yet.»

«What is your intention?»

«Mhm, I haven't decided yet. My Duchess is making me want to be even meaner to her.»

«Can we talk about it in bed?» I try. Let's see if he can be this cold when we're closer to each other.

«Do you know how it sounds?»

«I'm feeling a bit cold,» I utter.

Just like a trigger, he jumps up and reaches my forehead. The only other thing that causes abrupt reactions in my husband is my health.

Once checked that I don't have a fever, he sighs relieved and carries me to the bed.

«You're lucky, my Duchess. If it weren't for the wound...»

«What?» I challenge him while rubbing my cheek on his shoulder. «What would you have done to this Duchess?»

«You will heal, eventually. And then I'll show you.»

«Oh, but this Duchess feels all right. I'm sure a little punishment won't do me ill.»

«You're still convinced that I'll take advantage of you,» he notes. «It won't happen. I'm not that kind of person. And it can't be considered a punishment if you enjoy it.»

«Too bad,» I shrug. Then, I press my lips on Alexander's neck and kiss his skin slowly, trying to distract him from the main point.

«It won't work,» he warns me, but I can tell from his voice that it is working flawlessly.

«So, you won't let your wife get away with disobeying? Not even once?» I breathe to his ear. I nibble the lobe, wondering where I've found the courage to say something like this. I don't feel shy, right now. Must be my survival instinct.

«Not even once,» Alexander confirms, but his hand slips down on my back. «No matter how hard you try.»

«Not even when I'm so available? Don't you like me?» I accuse him.

I pout my lips but don't let go of him.

Surprisingly, Alexander pecks my hair and leans me down delicately.

«I'll call the doctor to check on you,» he whispers. «You must have hit your head real bad if you're talking like this.»

«Aren't you afraid I'll act like this with the doctor as well?» I inquire, tilting my head. I lie down on the side, careful that the cleavage of the nightgown exposes part of my chest. I haven't tied the ribbon, just in case.

«I might just sit here and watch the show,» he replies, and I instinctively grimace.

He chuckles and tucks the cover for me.

«You're the one that started this game,» he reminds me. «Yet you back off after the first image that you don't like?»

«I don't want to be affectionate with anyone else,» I explain, hoping this will ease his mood a bit more.

Alexander circles around the bed and sits on his side.

I wait that he's settled down before reaching his side and cuddling in his arms. Even though he's angry, he lets me lean my head on his chest.

«It wasn't my fault if I was attacked,» I point out.

If soothing is useless, I'll just try with rational arguments. I don't want to be at the Duke's side while he's furious any longer. Not to mention that we share a room, hence it would be risky for me.

«I know,» he finally sighs. His fingers are stroking my hair, and his eyes are looking at an undefined point in the dark. «I was scared of losing you. I shouldn't have reacted like that.»

It took him a lot of time to realise, but he's finally back to being rational. The candles on the table are already off, so the only sources of light are the chimney and the lantern on the Duke's bedside table.

I stretch out my hand and close the valve that's letting air fuel the flame. While it dies down, I peck my Duke's forehead as if he was the one wounded, and not me.

«Alexander,» I utter in the dark, «are you perhaps hiding something from me?»

Oh, goodness! I sound like a nagging wife, this time for real.

«Are you suspecting me of infidelity?»

«We've already had that conversation.»

«And?»

«And what?»

«What have you decided? Do you believe me?»

Why does it matter, by the way?

«I do,» I sigh. «You don't have any reason to lie, so I shouldn't doubt your words. It would be a waste of time, and I wouldn't have any gain from it.»

«What a pity,» he chuckles. «I like the jealous Duchess...»

«I wasn't jealous,» I point out. «I was worried about my reputation.»

«Oh, I hoped you would try to convince me that it's better to have a single wife,» he adds, and I straighten my back all of a sudden.

I sit on the bed, staring blankly in the dark.

This Duke of mine is really full of talents, I have to admit it. He's just too carefree. And he lowers his guard with me.

In the end, he did decipher my coded plans.

He now knows of that language I haven't told anyone about. I burnt the paper with the strategies too late, after he casually noted the double-entry table in the centre of the page.

He pretended not to have a clue about what was written there, but soon after, he made me believe he had mistresses all over the palace.

«What's up?» he asks, pulling me back in his arms.

«I can't convince you,» I say while my mind starts running at full speed. «I'm not sure of myself.»

He talked with lady Bertha, his cousin. Pericle told me to invite a certain count's daughter pretending not to know that she was friend with lady Elisabeth. And it all went so smooth that I didn't even notice that he was planning.

But... why?

I was so obedient, back then. Well, that paper was full of evil plans and tactics to carry on in case anything happens. And the escape route I was looking for until I figured out it was useless and impossible.

«In the end, I can't think of a reason to prefer a wife to countless mistresses, other than the price. But then again, after seeing my allowance, I'm not sure I'm that cheap.»

Alexander chuckles in the dark, half confused and half intrigued by my words. I'm speaking the contrary with respect to what I've written.

«I was hoping you would show me,» he reveals. «The reasons why my wife is better than anyone else...»

This shameless Duke is continuing to use my words, and he didn't even notice that he's digging his own grave.

Really! It's as if this overbearing and cruel war commander loses all his brains, sometimes, and he becomes like a child.

«Why should I? You've been rather clear about it,» I tease him.

Let's see if he tries to organise something like that again.

«Thea, you were so eager to please me a few minutes ago. Why are you angry now?»

«Why do you think I'm angry?»

«Because you stopped leaning on me. You're fleeing to your side of the bed.»

«Oh, my! You're so sharp!»

«Have you really hurt your head that badly?»

«My head? I've never been this sound!»

I turn to my side for good and ignore him for the rest of the night.