I straighten my shoulders and widen my eyes, but I do not dare to talk until asked.

I'm standing in front of the Emperor, just accused of something I actually did do. And there's nothing illegal in that. I have written to Asteria's Prime Minister. Not only to him, by the way.

I wrote to so many people there... Most were just ladies that liked writing to me. And their gossip is always fun to read.

I have no clue about who they're talking about, most of the time, but I can imagine all those interesting figures making trouble in Asteria's strict court.

«How do you explain it?» his majesty asks. Oh, right. I'm under accusation. Should I drag it longer to make those harpies behind me rejoice for a few minutes?

By the way, what kind of question is that? Are all of these people really this much uninformed?

«He's my grandfather.» It's as simple as this. «I haven't heard from him for months, and my uncle made me realise that I've been neglecting him. I was so focused on my duties as a Duchess that I forgot to inquire about grandfather's health.»

«And you inquire about his health by asking him to conquer Polis back?» the Empress adds. Her eyes distend in a hidden smile, but her lips stay tightened in a strict expression. She can't show how she's elated about this turn of events, but she's as content as a child that found the jar with marmalade.

Oh, I guess I ought to react now. There's not enough time to glare at the Dowager Empress, right now.

I widen my eyes, surprised and confused.

«I asked that?» I moan. «I do not understand.»

«Here,» the Emperor says, letting the Dowager Empress take the paper and read herself.

«Dear grandfather,» she reads, overreacting with her tone. I wasn't this desperate while writing, not even in their fantasies. «I write to you after much time to inquire about your health.»

She seems so happy to get rid of me. If I knew it would be this easy, I would have made even more trouble today.

Too bad I promised that I would be careful. And Alexander would have heard about it, so he would have known I broke my promise.

«I miss my birthplace with all my being, and I wonder if I'll be able to return there ever... If you know a way to be able to see my city again, I plea you tell me, for I'm going insane.»

She stops reading and looks at me with a challenging smirk.

«Duchess Kyre, how do you reply to this?» she says, then.

«Your majesty, you haven't read the whole sentence. Everything will be clear if you do.»

She narrows her eyes, hiding the annoyance.

«Are you telling your Empress she's wrong?» she spits out. «Are you hinting that I've mistakenly read your words?»

«No, your majesty. I would never dare... I'm just explaining my motives. The words following those you read should be enough to erase any doubt.»

She snickers, crumpling up my precious letter. That was proof of treason, my dear Empress. You can't convict me without, not in front of a reasonable judge...

Oh, I guess this is not how things used to be when the crazy Emperor was still alive.

«What are those words?» she asks, raising her chin to show her supremacy.

How convenient. This is exactly what I was waiting for. A chance to point out a little detail that all of them seem to have overlooked.

«I do not remember with precision. After all, months have passed. But I'm sure of what I wanted to say. Back then, all I could feel was nostalgia, your majesty. Now, I realised what my place and duties are. However, I can't see anything wrong with what's in the letter. Doesn't every bride long for her birth family during the first weeks of marriage?»

Of course, I remember what are the exact words after my request. I wrote: I'm going insane with nostalgia for the hot sun and the scent of the sea.

I mean, I wrote it a few weeks ago. But they can't know it, they can just assume.

«Your situation is not regular,» the Emperor says, stopping the Dowager Empress from adding to the fire. «And you can't miss a family you never met.»

«I've exchanged regular correspondence with my family,» I point out. It's true, even though it wasn't private but for business. However, they don't know what I wrote, nor to whom. «We know each other through letters.»

«I'd ask you to avoid writing something that can be misunderstood, Duchess Kyre,» he sighs. «This little incident wasted my time. Running an Empire is not an easy deal, so I'd prefer to avoid worrying about your intentions.»

«I do not have ill intents, your majesty. Polis is part of Ethiro, and as such, I wouldn't risk hurting my new country.»

«Is that so?»

«This Duchess is a loyal subject.»

The Dowager Empress sniggers, her lips curled in contempt.

«Is this the end of it?» she asks. «Seriously?»

«Do you have any other issue, mother?»

She glares at me before continuing. She's set on making me fall today. Too bad that she again didn't notice the details that should have warned her about all this matter.

She survived this long because she's good at hiding. But she's not as wise as she likes to think. One doesn't meet every day a woman that overestimates herself. It's usually the opposite.

She caresses the embroidery on her gown depicting the royal family's sigil. Every time she does that, she wants to remind us of her role. As if anyone could ever forget.

She always wears red for that same exact reason.

«I do not understand why you kept a prisoner queen alive,» she declares.

«She's not a queen anymore. What's the point of executing her?» the Emperor rebukes. He knows I'm more useful alive than dead, and he won't allow them to cut my head just yet.

«It would send a clear signal. So that our enemies do not think we're meek and forgiving.»

Ah, this bitch.