While they proceeded in the night, I considered snuggling in the city through the same passage they used to get out.

I could visit Polis after years; I could meet my Queen during her last goodbye to her people.

She was like that. I knew it. She certainly had run from the Palace to visit the harbour and be with her subjects.

I stood in front of that hidden door for a while, and then I crossed it.

It was far from the walls. So, I had to walk awhile before reaching the end of the tunnel.

The general and my brother in law had left for quite some time. I didn't meet anyone on the way and walked out of the tunnel without worries.

The roads were dark and silent. News of the imminent surrender had already been made public. There weren't festivals and singing people, just gloomy drunkards on the streets and unhappy families behind house walls.

No one knew what could happen the day after, so no one had the nerves to throw parties. Not even as a way to forget tomorrow. No one could overlook it even for a moment. Many eyes couldn't close to sleep that night.

One of the few lively places was a tavern near the harbour. Musicians were singing as if it was the last day of their lives, some people even danced among the tables. The hall was full of smoke and chatter, the only spot in town where people actually dared to go on with life.

My Queen wasn't there, but I didn't turn back. The night was young.

I sat in a corner, my head covered by a hood. Thankfully, no one noticed my weird mood. It was a strange situation for everyone.

I drank a beer alone, turning away all the waitresses that offered me other drinks and panoramic views on their breasts. I wasn't interested in them, but it was fun to see how nothing had changed there.

Around midnight, when the red-haired waitress brought me a second beer and smirked in my direction, a tiny figure crossed the door, followed by a taller one.

The waitress turned, and her face was enlightened by a sincere smile.

I would have felt offended by the speed the waitress took to forget me if the person that attracted her attention was anyone else. I couldn't stand a chance, in that case.

«Dora!» she shouted, and I moved my eyes down, not to be recognised.

Thea grinned back and sat at a table in the centre.

«I wasn't expecting you!» the waitress continued, and some other people joined in.

«We don't know what will happen tomorrow. It's better to have some fun before the great day,» my wife chuckled.

«Oh, at least we now have water. I can make you some tea... It has been tough to drink only wine for days!»

Thea relaxed on the chair while the bodyguard sat at her side. He wasn't hiding in the dark, that time. I was the one watching over her without making her notice it, actually.

«The Queen lost the war in the end,» the waitress sighed. «At least, it's over.»

«I'm sure it was the only option,» my Thea said.

«Who is this?» the waitress asked, smiling at the bodyguard.

«He's my friend,» Thea replied. «He's a bit shy, but I convinced him to tag along this time.»

«Oh, wonderful! We like it more when many people hang with us,» the other girl decided, with an alluring smile.

«Bring us some wine.»

«Wine, Dora? Seriously?»

«Yes,» my Queen chuckled while the guard stared at her nervously. «It's a special day, after all.»

«Ah, you're right on that...» the girl mutters. «We'll be at peace from tomorrow, but we'll be slaves of those people.»

She brought the wine with some hurry, and I saw my Queen sip alcohol for the second time in two lives. After finishing the first glass, her eyes started shining, and she giggled happily.

She didn't even try pouring a second one, but she got up and started dancing with a group of girls. Her cheeks became rosy because of alcohol and movement.

She was holding hands with the girls, not even noticing the people around her. The guard was sitting straight on his chair, wondering who that cheery young girl was.

I was as shocked as him, except that I immediately spotted a man with an evil grin approaching her. It was as clear as day that he wanted to get his hands on my wife.

I left my place and walked among the crowd, stopping just behind Thea, giving my back to that man. She moved a step back and hit me. Her scent hit all my nerves, and my fingers started tingling. I observed her blond waves dancing in the air while she turned.

«Sorry,» she whispered, moving her bright eyes on me.

«No worries,» I replied in a whisper. Would the guard be able to catch up to me if I grabbed her and started running away?

I moved a lock of hair away from her forehead, and she blinked while stepping back. Her instinct was still intact, guiding her far from unwanted attention. I didn't have to worry that her drunk self would have fallen into some trap.

It was the first time I could see her from so close after a long, long time.

Before I had time to hug her, though, she turned away and continued to dance with those girls. She ignored me so swiftly that it was painful.

Already forgotten, I left the tavern to go back to the camp. Meanwhile, the bodyguard reached my Queen and convinced her to go back to the Palace. She followed him with her shoulders drooping.

It wasn't a day for celebrating, for her. Yet, it was good that someone was looking over her while she was defenceless.

I would become that person one day. For the time being, I had to be patient and wait for her to notice me.