As promised, the gates were opened at dawn.

The army marched in the city, but I had expressly ordered everyone not to touch anything that belonged to citizens of Polis. It was of my Queen's conditions and her primal wish.

The general marched at the front, followed by his adjutants. I didn't want to be there, as I had a couple of things to do before heading back to Ethiro. There were enough dresses in Kyre, in case my wife accepted to follow me, but none in the capital. It would have been odd if I suddenly ordered many clothes for a woman right before departing from war.

Also, the dresses in Kyre were still too strange for her. They had a style in between Ethiro and Polis.

At least for the first few days, I wanted her to feel at home.

While the city keys were handed to the general, the soldiers invaded the Palace and took all the relevant places. The throne room, my Queen's office, and her chambers.

They dragged out the maids that refused to leave her bedroom, stubbornly defending a place that was lost.

Thea wasn't there, as she was surrendering in front of the Palace. I couldn't be there to check if everything went the right way, but I was sure the general wouldn't have mistreated her.

I barged into her room and ordered everyone to get out. What use was there to keep that place?

Finally alone, I observed the familiar furniture for a whole minute.

It was exactly as I remembered it. So minimal that it seemed empty, with a bed and a wardrobe, nothing more. There wasn't the couch I dreamed of so many times. My Queen bought it only after realising that cuddling in front of some snack was better than on a chair in the dining room.

I opened the door of the wardrobe and collected a couple of her dresses. I would have liked so much to see her in a white or light blue dress, but her comfort was more important. I chose some black and purple gowns and packed them in a sack.

There wasn't any need to make everyone realise that Archduke Kyre travels with female dresses.

As soon as I stepped out, Katerina looked at me with a killing gaze. She was standing in front of the door, her eyes half-closed out of fury. Her hands were clenched in fists, and her teeth gritted under her closed lips.

She hated me, but she didn't dare to make any stupid move. After all, she didn't know that I wouldn't have hurt her. I needed her, but, for the time being, it was better to keep her in Polis.

She was wearing a simple maid uniform, like every other girl in the Palace. Thea must have instructed her to blend in, not to let anyone notice how close they were.

It would have been helpful to bring Katerina to Ethiro so that my wife had a loyal friend always on her side. However, it was too early for it.

Thea would have worried about her best friend in the capital.

I would have made Katerina appear in Kyre, like some magic. It would have made my wife realise that I wasn't that bad as a potential husband.

I first had to convince her to come with me. Yet, the Royal Palace was such a difficult place that anything would have been desirable.

Katerina moved a step to the side, letting me leave the place. I didn't turn back, but I knew her eyes were still burning with hatred. Such a temperamental child, she would have got along with Martia.

The ceremony was almost over when I reached the gate of the Palace. My wife had just signed all the necessary papers, and a couple of soldiers surrounded her. They didn't dare to touch her, but she followed their instructions with a tired, dull face.

It was as if she was buying furniture and not surrendering after a years-long siege.

She mounted on the horse already prepared for her, and she left towards the camp. It was a way to show to her people that we weren't killing her. Just keeping her hostage for the time being.

She didn't think much of it, just followed instructions like always. I wanted to comfort her. At the same time, I feared it would become a memory she repulsed. It was late to change my idea; I already was the man that destroyed her life.

Yet, there wasn't any need to be the one that ties her in chains.

«Are those necessary?» I asked the general.

He lifted his brows, somehow disappointed by that situation.

«What is your highness referring to?»

«The chains. Are they necessary? She won't run away.»

«I know,» he sighed. «But his majesty decided that we can't risk showing weakness. A prisoner has to be treated like a prisoner until his majesty decides what to do with her.»

I clenched my fists, wondering what that brat was thinking. We had a pact, and it was that my wife wouldn't have suffered no matter what.

«Untie her,» I ordered.

The general sighed again.

«I would like to, really, but his majesty was clear. The prisoner has to stay safe and intact but captive.»

«She signed the treaty. There's no point in that!» I replied.

«Fine,» he moaned. «Go unhitch your Queen. But you'll be responsible if anything happens.»

I already was responsible.

As I ordered one of my aides to uncuff her and another to go stay at the Palace waiting for orders, my heart skipped a beat seeing my confused Queen looking at her free wrists. She didn't know what to think, so she just kept on guard for an hour or so.

She was sitting at a table, almost unguarded. There were a couple of soldiers looking at her. But that was not what they were supposed to do. They had to protect her from the world and not the army from her.