It's the first time I hear of someone becoming crazy because of poison.

I understand it's possible, due more to the pain or ugly after-effects of the venom rather than the substance itself. However, this woman doesn't seem traumatised. She's just forgetful and senile.

I mean, she looks senile. I don't know if it is all just a pretence.

It wouldn't surprise me.

No one has suspected anything because her illness started with her second born's execution. Every mother would despair over such an occurrence.

But how long do crazy people live? Is it possible for an unbalanced brain to survive years? What more, alone and exiled into a building.

She treats dead people as if they were alive; this seems enough to scare away the other people. Alexander doesn't like to talk with her because the wound of his parents' death still hurts. The others probably feel just awkward.

However, it's too little to scare me. I don't have ghosts that she can use to scare me. Even if I dreamt of all the people she talks about, I haven't lived with them. I can detach from the situation.

I have to admit it's clever, though. She doesn't need to talk with strangers because of her retired life. And she knows how to make all the people she knows feel awful.

Like this, she can obtain her solitary life.

Or I could be wrong. It's a possibility.

«What does your majesty do during the day?» I inquire. She has to use all the free time, somehow.

She gets up from her chair and walks to the door behind the armchair. She doesn't have many issues moving, it seems. Only her eyes are unresting, like those of a real madman. She must have seen this from the late Emperor. He used to look around like this, in my dreams.

It's creepy, but it's not quite the same. This woman won't kill someone on a whim. Not one of her family, I hope.

«Come, come, child...» she says, with a voice that is creepier every second.

Maybe, I'm wrong.

Maybe, it's not the case to follow her in the room.

But the way the servant asked Alexander to follow him as if planned, exactly for this moment... It's either someone's game or this woman's plan. What can she be aiming at?

She opens the fatal door, and we walk in what seems to be her chamber for hobbies.

One of the walls is made of glass, letting the sunlight come in from any direction. There are a lot of canvases let in the corner to dry. There are two still on a trestle. An unfinished painting is waiting for the final strokes in a corner.

This looks like an atelier.

«This is where I spend my time,» the Empress says. She takes a brush and plays with the bristles while I observe her art.

At first, it just feels familiar. Then, I understand where this feeling comes from.

She has the same traits as Alexander. Her drawing is gentler than his, and her colours are more delicate. It's his tender version.

«Your majesty's paintings are beautiful,» I say. I can't find other words on the spot, just like I couldn't until I got used to Alexander's artworks.

«You're the first to see it,» she reveals.

I wonder whether she's just pretending to have forgotten all the people she's shown it to, and I turn to see her expression.

She stopped gazing around in that creepy way, and she's now just a regular granny with elegant clothes and an austere hairstyle.

«For real,» she adds.

«Why are you dropping the act in front of me, your majesty?» I inquire.

After all, she's pretended to be crazy in front of her grandson. Who am I to make her change idea and act soundly for a while?

«You already noticed,» she sighs, a bit annoyed. «I hoped it would be a surprise.»

«It's not easy to surprise me,» I say with fake confidence.

«I see... I heard you're selling paintings.»

«Yes, I am. Does your majesty wish to have one? I think they're quite compatible with these artworks. Even though all the paintings that I haven't sold yet are uninteresting to most people.»

They're all portraying Polis or me.

«There is one exquisite, with a sea harbour. There are a few fishermen, so I guess noblewomen won't buy it. They don't like folks-men, apparently.»

«I've spent the last ten years painting. I don't need a peasant's work. I have mine.»

If she knew that she just called peasant her own grandson...

«I'd ask you to sell my works,» she utters. «But first, I want to understand why you are doing it now. Do you need money, perhaps?»

«Oh, the Lord of Kyre provides for my every need and more than that,» I say. A shrug accompanies my words as if it was normal for a woman to be this spoiled.

«Then, why? To get the noble women's friendship?»

I chuckle, amused.

«I don't think it's that easy, especially in a place as poisonous as this.» I use that word on purpose, to check if the Empress startles. Yet, no reaction from her side. An Empress in name and in fact.

«Then, why?»

«Regardless of how much my husband loves and cherishes me, I need to have some earnings of my own. Something that will give weight to my word.»

It's not to convince Alexander. Rather, for the rest of the world. I can't accept that all my influence comes from his name. I'd prefer to have some of my own, even if small and useless.

«You can keep the money and connections you make. All I want is for people to see the paintings. I can't ruin ten years of acting by coming out of here and delivering art here and there.»

«Why not, your majesty?»

«I'm too old and tired for it. I don't want to be involved with the court anymore. All I wish before dying is that people outside see my paintings.»

«With a fake name?»

«You already are selling without a name, Theodora dear. It won't make much of a difference. You have a decade worth of drawing and colouring... I won't ask you anything but to keep my name a secret.»

«Your majesty, with all due respect...» I start. «I think that what you're doing isn't right. You're lying to your family, making them believe you're ill. Have you ever wondered how that makes them feel?»

«When I started, there wasn't anyone to hurt,» she points out with a sigh. «Later, it became a habit.»

«You've pretended to misrecognise Alexander as his father,» I say, revealing my true concern. There was no need to make him remember.

«Oh, I see,» she chuckles. «That's what you're trying to say.»

She observes my belly with a little smile.

«He's just like my son. They're much alike, you know? I hope your child will resemble him too.»

«So do I,» I add.

It would be nice to have a little boy with Alexander's features. Oh, we can have other children after Elias. One has to resemble my husband...

Then, I realise the timing of her plan.

«Why did you retire from the court, your majesty?» I ask. «Was it because of pain?»

«Oh, no. I wouldn't have retired just because of that. I'm one of Kyre, after all. It was the only thing I could think of to save my life. I wasn't ready to die. Not until seeing at least a great-grandchild. Once your baby is born, I'll have fulfilled almost everything I wish for.»

«To save your life? Were you in danger?»

«You can say that, yes.»

«Is it related to Alexander's parents' death? I mean, with the execution of the Lord and Lady of Kyre?»

«It's a story for another time, Theodora dear. Let's return to business. Will you help me?»

I consider her offer for a minute, but then I accept.

I'm curious to hear the truth behind what happened to my in-laws. I might not meet the Empress Grandmother ever again if I refuse her this little favour.

«I will help you, your majesty.»

«You can bring them to Kyre or wherever you want. I'd like for my products to reach every corner of the world.»

«If that's the case, I might be the right person to ask for help,» I chuckle.

«I know. That's why I took the decision.»

«I don't have official duties, so I have enough free time to contact people from every corner of the continent. I can send the pictures as gifts or something similar. Money isn't our prior purpose. Hence, it won't be difficult to place them.»

«You wouldn't make anything out of it,» she points out, fast and precise. A woman with her full capabilities. Of course, she noticed my game on the spot.

She will own me a favour, like this. It might be even more profitable than making money.

«Ah, let's return to our tea,» she sighs. «My aide will soon finish entertaining your husband. It's better if we don't let him notice this.»