After breakfast, we walk to the central library.

«I can't get in, or someone might recognise me,» I realise, in front of the entrance. «Unless you fired all the librarians and workers.»

«No one has been fired from the library, Thea. But it opened a few months ago. It felt safer to keep it close during the shift of power.»

«It was a wise decision,» I praise him.

«I was thinking about something, by the way...»

«Regarding the library?»

«Yes, about that. Since both Kyre and Polis have public libraries, one can think to organise an exchange. Not too often, let's say once a year. A carriage of books can depart towards the other side together with a bigger delegation. There are people travelling from Polis to the capital on a regular basis. And from the capital to Albios as well. It wouldn't be too costly to add a carriage to the caravan.»

«It wouldn't cost too much, indeed. Since both the libraries have long been established.»

«It would be a way to connect Albios and Polis. And it might become an excuse to come here in the future.»

«And I'll be able to read books from my birthplace,» I chuckle, unmasking Alexander's motives.

«Scholars from Kyre might come here to study for a period of time. And the same can happen with Polis's students. You've just started building a school system, but there will be enough students for this in a few years.»

«It seems interesting. We have to first consider all the costs and issues that may arise, but it doesn't seem unfeasible, to me. Maybe just costly.»

«Kyre's finances are getting better. We'll manage to find enough funds,» he says.

«What shall we do now?»

«We can go shopping on the market and walk around for the rest of the day. We'll depart tomorrow morning soon after waking up...»

«I want to greet Diogenes. Let's go to the harbour before evening.»

«As you wish.»

The rest of the day passes by strolling in the city and buying stuff I'll never use. I also spend so much that I avoid looking at Alexander for a while.

Since Kyre's currency hasn't arrived here before, people do not believe in its value. So, they do not accept to lower the prices accordingly.

As a result, everything is double expensive.

My husband reacts the same way he did when I paid one gold for a chicken, with a low laugh and a happy smile.

I bet he likes that I'm spending his money, as it links me to him even more. Oh, he lived off me during our first marriage. It's only fair if I return the favour.

«It's late,» he says at some point. «Let's greet your men and then go rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.»

«Yes, hubby,» I murmur and catch his hand. «I know a shortcut.»

«A shortcut?»

«Yes, to reach the harbour. If we take the main road, it will be panoramic but take forever. And I can't walk anymore.»

«I can carry you.»

«Oh, I'll resist some more. Maybe on the way back...»

As I guide him in the small alleys, he doesn't look worried regardless of how these streets look dangerous. He knows it's just the appearance of this place. Still, he's alert and on guard.

The alleys form a web that is impossible to understand unless one has passed through here.

In the beginning, this place had some order. There were a couple of main roads. Then, people started building without control. My ancestor, who was reigning at the time, didn't pay enough attention, and the end result is history.

I didn't dare to explore here when I was a child. I started walking around and getting further in only after my mother's death. It's a weird place, and there are dangers in some dark streets. But it's not as criminal as people make it look.

I turn around a corner and see a woman drinking a beer, leaned on the wall. She seems to be taking a break from work.

Her body is covered by a mantle, but the clothes underneath are light and translucent. Her make-up is heavy, and her hair is tied to avoid bothering her. Only a few locks are framing her face.

I raise my eyebrows, recognising her features.

She seems to remember me as well.

«My Queen!» she exclaims, spilling some of the liquid from the glass while getting up from the wall.

She looks at me for a whole minute, wondering whether she made a mistake. Only later, she notices the man that is with me.

«Who is this person, my Queen?» she inquires, maybe worried. «Is he keeping you as a prisoner?»

«No, he's not,» I reply.

«He's Ethirian,» she says, eyeing the clothes on my husband.

«Yes, but that doesn't mean he's also an enemy. War is over, isn't it?»

«Right,» she sighs. «And with peace, even our business increased.»

«I'm glad,» I utter. «I suppose.»

«Would you like to have tea, my Queen? The other girls will be happy to meet with you!» she then proposes.

I blink, looking for a fast way to refuse. Alexander steps towards us, curious, and he analyses the woman carefully.

He doesn't recognise her. Hopefully, he hasn't heard what we said, that we know each other.

«The girls always ask me to talk about the time I spent in the Palace,» she continues, oblivious to my thoughts. «They are so jealous that they couldn't meet our Queen. I was blessed to be chosen...»

Alexander has now reached us, and he moves his eyes between the woman and me.

I've straightened my back by instinct. Cold sweat is flowing on my back while my fingers are clenched in fists. I feel cornered, and I don't know how to get out of this situation without damage.

«Wife,» Alexander says. «Might you explain why you are easily recognised in the proximity of a brothel?»

As always, he doesn't look too concerned. Rather than angry, he's curious. He's sure there's an interesting story behind it.

«It's not how it looks,» I mutter.