Lady Anne Mary is the only person that dares to come to visit me under the Duke's watch. She's not even too bothered by his imposing presence.

She's just confused when she sees that I've turned my back to him.

«Have you two fought or something?» she whispers.

«No, we haven't. It's just easier this way,» I sigh. «Please, have a seat...»

I pat on the spot next to me, but Anne Mary chooses to sit in front. Oh, wait, she can see my Duke like that.

When she bows over, a cunning smile on her lips, she whispers: «I believe the Lord asked you to sit like this, so that he can look at you without you realising...»

She picks a snack from the table and continues to sip her tea as nothing happened.

I straighten my back, confused by her words. Then, I turn suddenly.

My Duke is scribbling something. His face is focused and his brows narrowed. He must be worried or annoyed by whatever he's doing.

His frown is a bit out of place, though. What has the power to make my Duke grimace like that?

By the way, he wasn't looking at me! Lady Anne Mary must be wrong about this too. Also, since she's sitting in front of me, she can see if he stares for too long. That alone should be a reason enough to keep his eyes away.

Regardless, I've been waiting for her visit for so long! All the other ladies are scared to see me after hearing about the assassination attempt. I'm not sure if they're afraid that crazy killer will try again, or they don't want to be confronted with the black stare of my Duke.

However, today I'll show what happens when a husband is too clingy.

My Duke will relax his safety protocol after this tea party.

First of all, women are chatty. Also, I can't see my Duke, which helps me talk relaxedly.

«My Lady has become even more beautiful,» Anne Mary says. «Is it because danger makes people young? Or has the Lord learned how to treat a wife?»

«None of them,» I reply with a frown. My Duke has always known how to treat a wife!

«Oh, what a pity,» she sighs. «I'm sorry for you, my Lady. It must be difficult...»

Rather than hard, it's a bit tiring. If I can't step away from my Duke, I can't exercise in secret nor work on stretching. I was so fit before the attack.

Now, the Duke is wounded, and his eyes are always on me. I haven't had time for me in so many days!

«Certainly, it isn't easy,» I nod. «But I can't complain. It could be worse.»

«Don't you feel suffocating, though? I wouldn't be able to stay so close to my husband for so long. I would rather get killed.»

«Oh, I don't prefer that option,» I chuckle. «But I hope everything will be settled soon or I might lose my mind. It's nerve-wracking, and I'm falling behind schedule with my tasks.»

I've barely managed to finish the list of supplies. At least, I could help my Duke with the serious non-political matters regarding the fiefs. I could finally have a look at the overall situation of Kyre and, even though I still think that monsters are lurking in the dark, everything seems in order.

Luckily, Alexander has a similar way of organising documents to what I had in Polis.

I smile at Anne Mary, hoping she won't stop her attack only because I'm obediently sitting here. She has to make my Duke feel awful, that's why I needed her here!

«I also miss the ladies. Shannon couldn't come this month, so I feel lonely during the afternoon.»

I lean over to be heard even while I whisper.

«I think she feels uneasy,» I add.

«I can't say I don't understand her,» Anne Mary replied, glancing at Alexander.

«But it's so nice to have a friend like you, Anne Mary! You're brave.»

«My Lady, rather than brave, I'm reckless.»

«Oh, well, that's why I like you.»

The sound of an object rolling and then breaking on the floor interrupts our conversation. A few curses in a low voice later, Alexander gets up and reaches the door to call for a servant to clean the mess, and then he marches to us with a dark face.

He sits down on the armchair with a terrible expression, while Anne Mary and I stare at him dumbfounded.

«Is something wrong with the local nobles?» I ask while moving a bit to the left.

I touch the hand that is clenching the armrest, and he moves his eyes on me.

«It's something I can easily solve,» he breathes.

«I know,» I chuckle. «I wasn't implying anything.»

He turns his right palm up and interlocks our fingers together.

«We can take a walk outside, later,» he whispers, suddenly in a better mood.

«We can,» I nod. «Would you like some tea?»

He now remembers we're in public, and he moves his eyes on Anne Mary.

«It seems like a good idea,» he breathes, and I pour him a cup.

While stirring the tea to melt the sugar, I smile at Anne Mary. She's looking at me with just the right expression! It's a mix of surprise and uneasiness. Now, she'll find an excuse to leave.

«It's getting late, and the roads will soon be blocked...» she starts.

Blocked? By what?

«Is it raining?» I inquire.

«No, my Lady,» she mutters. She turns to Alexander with her eyes wide, and she clenched her fists.

Then, suddenly, she relaxes and gets up.

«I have to go,» she says. «If you excuse me...»

She curtsies and turns to the door, her intentions clear and firm.

«Will you come back?» I ask while getting up. I move a couple of steps in her direction, but then I stop.

If I get too far, Alexander won't see my expression full of hope.

«You will, right?» I press her. «Like... Next week?»

I can't wait forever before making a move.

«If the roads let me,» she nods.

I grin with all the happiness I can summon, and Alexander sighs beaten. Anne Mary disappears behind the door, thinking that my husband is indeed a cruel man.

I sit back and look at the table with the snacks sadly. I stay like this for a couple of seconds. I count to three in my mind. This way, I'm sure the reaction is noticeable, but not too long that it is unnatural.

«Do you like this tea?» I ask when I'm back to normal. «Anne Mary brought me this today. She said it's from the far east. It really has a rich aroma, doesn't it?»

«It's good,» Alexander murmurs, still in a bad mood.

«She's nice,» I shrug. «She came here even though it's dangerous.»

«Thea, maybe I can let you have some private time next week.»

I tilt my head, appearing confused.

«Two knights will be within reach, and you're not allowed to walk around freely during that time. But I won't be disturbing your gathering with your friend. You should also call the other one... Shannon, was it?»

«Yes, Shannon Lynn,» I nod. «But... Are you sure it's all right? I don't want to make you feel upset. I don't need friends, after all. I've been all my life with few of them, I can survive some more...»

Oh, this is awesome! It took me less work than I thought.

«You should simply accept my offer, instead of crafting complicated plans with that wicked mind of yours,» he spits out. His crossed arms are like a barrier, and his solemn expression is just a bluff.

He totally believes whatever I say.

Oh, I just need a few minutes. Not even a couple of hours.

«The warrior maid can stay with me. She's good enough to protect me, and she won't be surprised a second time.»

«All right,» he nods. «I'll assign the maid as well.»

Hmm... The knights are a bit of an issue, but I'll find a way to deal with them. The biggest of the obstacles is now removed.

«Thank you,» I say while bowing over to leave a kiss on Alexander's cheek. «You're the best husband in the whole...»

«Thea,» he sighs.

«What now?»

«Do not play with my heart, it's too painful.»

«But I'm not playing. I really think about what I said. I would have just kept quiet if it wasn't the case, right?»

«So, you really like being my wife?»

I chuckle and move on his lap. His arms surround me without clenching, as they've been doing for quite some time. It's rather clear that this Duchess won't flee, so there's no need to grab me as if his life depends on it.

«It's a bit more than just like,» I reveal in a whisper.

In fact, I feel safe no matter what dangers approach me. Having someone protecting me has changed my ways of treating life.

I peck his lips, settled on proving my claims with all the means at my disposal.

«I've never felt like this, before,» I admit. «I don't think that like is enough to describe my feelings.»