The final part of the visit to her majesty feels more annoying than troubling. She continues to play her role, making Alexander sad with some of her remarks.

Still, she's an ally. I can't unmask her, not yet.

She might become useful in the future. And if she doesn't turn out to bring any benefit, I'll use the favour she owes me to make her admit, at least to her closest family, that she isn't insane.

Alexander and I leave the Empress's palace and reach his chambers without many words.

«What is it that kept you busy?» I inquire, not that curious. After all, I'm quite sure it was all decoy.

«My grandmother prepared a gift in one of her rare moments of sanity,» he sighs.

«Oh, interesting. Is it pretty?»

«You'll see,» he says with a shrug. «I also have some news you'll like.»

«About the plan?»

«Yes,» he sighs. «I've been contacted.»

«Oh, nice!»

«It's not that nice. There are some big shots in the faction.»

«If you met them already, file a list and deliver it to the Emperor.»

«I can't do that. I don't have proof yet.»

«You don't need proof for this.»

«My parents have been executed under false accusations. It wouldn't be just to repeat the same process.»

I tilt my head, confused by his reasons. I don't understand.

«But you know this time the accusations aren't false.»

«Yes, but I don't want to play that game. I don't want to become like my uncle, not even for this once.»

«Uh, all right,» I murmur. It means more work for us...

«And my name should be on that list, Thea. I've been at their meeting.»

«Oh, damn it! Are you going to denounce yourself now? Is your sense of justice that clouded?» I say. Alexander winces, hearing me curse.

«Do you think I'm the only one his majesty sent on this mission?» he asks me, and I hit my forehead, struck by a realisation.

«You found his other spy, didn't you?»

«Not yet, but I have a few suspects.»

«So, his majesty doesn't believe you as much as you wish,» I say.

«He's being counselled by wise advisors. He chose to set aside familiar love for a better understanding of the situation. It's only good that we have an Emperor that thinks about his subjects' motives.»

«You don't have to defend him,» I say. But he's so unjust! Alexander helped him get to the throne and kept him there with his accomplishments. One should learn how to be thankful, sometimes.

«This place is more complicated than Polis, Thea. We can't afford to act the way we think is right without thinking of the consequences. Every single word the Emperor pronounces will have effects.»

«So you let him do anything he minds to you because of peace?»

«I'm here a few months only, and we'll soon go back to Kyre. Can you bear with it a few weeks more?»

«Yes, I can,» I sigh. Mainly because there aren't too many flies annoying me.

It's true, there's the Dowager Empress, but neither Elisabeth Grahm nor George are around to be seen. Speaking of George...

«Have you heard anything about George Lindell, the Marquise?»

«Ah? Now, should I have?» Alexander says, but his ears twitch, and his eyes become more attentive. «Have you heard anything?»

«No, and I'm worried because of that. What if the Marquise is planning something in the dark?»

«Oh, he isn't,» Alexander replies, waving off my words and surrounding my shoulders with his arm. This is his favourite distraction manoeuvre. At least since when we stopped being intimate. Before, he used other more distracting moves.

«Are you sure? I'm not in the state to be assaulted right now.»

«Oh, Thea. He won't bother you ever again!»

I tilt my head, stepping closer and leaning my cheek on Alexander's chest.

«I hope you're right,» I pout. «I don't want to see him again, not even at a random party or at court...»

«You won't,» he reassures me.

I straighten my back and look at him in the eyes.

«What have you done?»

«Me? Nothing.»

His voice is calm while he replies, which means he's not simply lying.

«Have you ordered someone to get rid of the Marquise?»

«Me? I would never!» Now, his tone is weird.

«You!» I chuckle. «You're unbelievable... What if someone suspects?»

«I was on the other side of the Empire, Thea. I'm completely innocent.»

«You, innocent?» I repeat, laughing out loud. «That is something I still have to witness.»

We reach his chambers, and Alexander invites me to settle on the bed.

«You should rest, now,» he says.

«I want to see her majesty's present!»

«Here...» he says, passing me a wooden box.

Inside, there are two jewels enriched by emeralds. One is a brooch, I guess, for Alexander, while the other seems to be part of a hair accessory or a necklace.

«Matching accessories!» I exclaim, wondering how they would look on us. «So cute... Her majesty was very kind with her thought.»

«These had been part of the imperial treasure for centuries when my grandfather gifted them to my grandmother.»

«Oh, is that so?»

«Yes, it is. I've had to listen to the whole story of these jewels.»

«That's why it kept you away for long,» I note. I wondered why my husband took so long to accept a gift. «Is it all right if we have them, though?»

«Yes, it is. As said, they're not part of the treasure anymore.»

I lie back on the pillows and move my legs on Alexander's lap. I haven't walked much today, but he won't refuse me a massage. A few minutes will be enough, I swear!

I won't take advantage of my husband, making him work too much.

«There is also something else,» Alexander continues while moving his fingers on my calves.

«Mh-hm?» I moan, closing my eyes and letting him work. «So much news today...»

«Duke Grahm named his successor.»

«And?»

«It's the Count,» Alexander confirms.

«Good.»

«Good?»

«Yes, it's perfect,» I sigh.

«Oh, you're talking about the massage,» he realises.

«No, I'm talking about my plan. It's good that the Duke took a decision. Bringing him down will be easier after the choice becomes official.»

«He can change his mind when the Count turns out incompetent.»

«Ah,» I chuckle. «As if it will be the first time... How many times has he already proven his incapability to handle stressful situations? Not to mention the chaos he caused during the war with Polis.»

«You know,» he mumbles. «Is that the reason why you hate him so much?»

«It's because he wants me dead,» I reply. «He used to look at me like a fly as if he was powerful enough to crush me. Too bad for him that he never stood a chance.»

«Well, the Duke will try using the situation to his favour and disown his son.»

«It won't be an issue, and it will bail him out. I want to look at him in the eyes at least once before he dies.»

«Oh, Thea,» Alexander chuckles.

«I mean, he's old. Isn't he?»

«He's my parents' generation. A few years older, but not too many.»

«He might play a trick on us and live happily for decades,» I say, crossing my arms.

«Are you planning to kill him?»

«I should send assassins after him. It would only be fair.»

«Or you could implicitly allow me to do so. It's what happened in the end. He wasn't the one sending killers to you, but his son and granddaughter. He just closed one eye while they planned a crime.»

«Half a dozen crimes,» I correct him. «Not just one. It's a pity that I won't allow myself to fail this many times. Nor I'd let you do it.»

«I like it when you plan murders with aplomb, Thea.»

«Don't tease me now.»

«I'm serious.» As if to prove his claim, he bends down to kiss my knee. His lips make contact for a second alone, then moving up a millimetre at a time. He looks at me in the eyes, smiling when I raise my eyebrow.

«I'd prefer it if you continue with what you were doing before,» I say.

It's odd, but I'm not in the mood for this. I'd rather just rest and melt under Alexander's rough touch, but only as a massage.

«All right,» he says, beaten. He fondles my calves and ankles, taking off the shoes. His fingers start pressing on my toe, making me moan in pleasure.

«I didn't know that this was even possible,» I chuckle while he massages my feet as if it was all normal. He pinches my smaller finger, and I wince.

«Will my wife forget about bed activities now that she's discovered massages?» he asks.

«It's not like that. I'm just tired, Alexander.»

«Do not excuse yourself, Thea. You do not need to explain your reasons. You do not want it, period.»

«You're angry.»

«No, I'm just waiting with eagerness for our child to be born,» he sighs.