«I do not understand why you kept a prisoner queen alive,» the Dowager Empress says with a smirk. Her eyes are fixed on me, burning with the flames of her displeasure.

She hates me, doesn't she? I'm on her path to the throne in more than one way. And I'm not willing to let her rule even in a ladies' hall.

Her feelings brought her to accuse me in a public session, and this just makes me laugh inside.

«I cannot execute one of my nobles just because,» the Emperor says.

He doesn't care about me. He would do it if only it weren't for Alexander. Losing the Lord of Kyre as a loyal ally would unsettle his position.

Not to mention that the Princess wouldn't just let them dispose of me. They would at least postpone the execution to after the baby's birth.

The heir to Kyre is more precious than me.

«She isn't a noble of Ethiro, your majesty,» the Empress continues. «She's a prisoner queen from a fallen land.»

«Right now, she's the Duchess of Kyre and a counsellor to the crown. Is this how an Emperor is supposed to act? Executing anyone that is on the way? That's how the late Emperor behaved, and it cost Duke Kyre enough.»

The Emperor leans an elbow on the armrest. He turns to the Empress, analysing her presence and expression with attention.

«Am I wrong, perhaps?»

The woman flinches, not expecting her early failure. She had lost when she started this battle, but I have to admit that his majesty played his cards well.

He delivered, through dark forces, the letter to the Empress. Then, he observed how she came forward and attacked me in front of everyone else.

He's using me to put that woman back in her place. At the same time, I'm using all of this to lure his enemies out.

It's so hard to keep up with court intrigues. I want a simple life.

Once this is all over, I'll lock myself up in Stoneyard. I'll take care of my family for the rest of the days.

«Your majesty can't be wrong,» the Empress replies with a bitter smile. She bows her head in a sign of respect and returns next to the throne. «I've overstepped my boundaries, and I apologise for it. But I'll ask for understanding: I'm concerned about a potential enemy walking among us...»

She glares at me while talking, her expression showing regret only in front of his majesty. As soon as she turns away, her unhappiness about this situation reappears.

The whole court is witnessing her actions, her unyielding desire to burn me to ashes. And they might have the impression that she's going to have it her way.

After all, the Empress's attacks are strong and direct, in the open. She's not plotting in silence, this time. I managed to have her come out of her anonymity.

Too bad she won't just reach her goal. Not until my brain works.

The Emperor sighs, observing his stepmother and the proof she brought him. He seems deep in thought, even though there aren't many things he should think about.

This woman didn't get her hands on the letter through magic forces. Someone set the bait for her. Someone that is now pretending to be considering my execution.

«Do you have anything to say, Duchess?» the Emperor asks me, all of a sudden.

Is he washing his hands clean from the issue now? Ah, I didn't request such a big scene. I just wanted to make it public, not entertaining!

Thank goodness I took precautions, or my head would have been on the line for real.

«Yes, I do, your majesty,» I utter, bowing my head. «If your majesty allows me, of course.»

«Talk.»

«I'd like to ask for the reason why this letter was brought up now.»

«Now?» he mutters. «What do you mean?»

This time, his surprise is real.

«I've wondered so much about the reason why I didn't receive any response. I was afraid my blood family forgot me. Or that they decided to cut ties... But then, I've been accused of treason in front of a whole court.»

I join my hands in front of my belly, letting silence fall for a second. Now, everyone is trying to understand my words. Everyone is creating their own theory.

«Why waiting for months before summoning me to court, your majesty?» I ask, raising my head. «I understand your concerns, and I realise how my words might have sounded. But treason is a difficult matter. It's a priority to clean the charges as soon as possible, to investigate... If I were what her majesty suggested I am, then it's only more dangerous to allow me to live freely for months and wait for me to come here.»

I sigh and then inhale, refilling my lungs with air.

«How many ill deeds could I commit during all this time? I can't even start imagining what a treacherous woman could do to reach her goal. And all these months, you let me live freely without a single voice of complaint. Without putting me under arrest. Not even a guard was sent to see what I was doing...»

I shake my head and crook my mouth, showing more worry than I actually feel. My words sound like a critic.

I'm telling his majesty that he's done a mistake in front of the whole court. It won't be an issue because everything will be revealed in a moment. But till then, I'll be the loyal servant any ruler wishes to have.

Someone that is not afraid to risk their lives for the Empire, to say something relevant that many don't have the courage to mention.

«I'm worried for your majesty's safety. Is every charge of treason treated in this lax fashion?» I add, smoothing down the rant of a moment ago.

His majesty's eyes are wide open, even if he's trying to hide his feelings. He thought it would be so easy to use this Duchess as a pawn?