It's time for the Emperor to make his entrance. The hunt is almost over, and his majesty will come back soon with his delegation.

I've observed how all these ladies stand boredom for two hours already. Even with my strong will, any more of this would get on my nerves.

At least, I have Duchess Prim commenting with me. Her observations are actually helping. She voices her opinion without much restraint, but she pinpointed a couple of useful things.

When it's time, his majesty arrives on horse to the end of the garden, followed by his knights and squires.

He gets off, and a couple of servants are already taking care of the horse. Just when he's about to come to us, I spot a white cloud running in the wild.

It's a girl. Who could it be? They're all here.

She's directed towards the entrance, and she doesn't seem to know there's an incident right behind the corner.

When she's about a step from his majesty, the knights react and stop between her and the royal head.

She widens her eyes in surprise and observes the situation with a short breath. I guess running isn't something young ladies are used to.

«Your majesty,» she says, curtseying. She bows her head, hiding her face with her waterfall of dark hair. Her pale face is reddened by the heat of the exercise, making her look even more delicate. «I'm sorry for inconveniencing you.»

Her voice is low, just enough to be heard from this close. The rest of the garden won't be able to grasp the words. Duchess Prim is holding her breath, waiting for the Emperor's reaction.

«Who are you?» he murmurs.

«My name is Lorene Zolokis. I came from Asteria and was sent here for the selection. My carriage broke on the way to the Palace, so it took us a couple of days more to arrive. I'm very sorry to be late...»

«And why were you running?»

«I gave my word that I would be here,» she exclaims, raising her head just enough to peek at the Emperor. «I didn't want to break it.»

That's not true. Whom did she give her word to?

«No worries,» his majesty replies. «I wouldn't have been offended if you didn't come. There was no need to hurry so much, lady Lorene. It's just a court event.»

«I know, your majesty, but I wrote to my cousin and promised her. We haven't seen each other yet. I couldn't accept to ruin my reputation in her eyes even before meeting her!»

«Your cousin? Is it Archduchess Theodora Kyre, by any means?»

«Oh, yes, it's her!» she replies with a smile.

Her features are rather angelic. But why send one from my mother's family? I knew they would play many tricks to ensure an Empress. Especially since his majesty is the only faction they haven't conquered yet. But, my cousin?

She can't be chosen. Too many political implications. And people would believe I played some trick to let her sit on the throne.

But more importantly, she isn't the girl they were planning to send. It's true that the one originally chosen fell sick and stayed home, but they could warn me in the letter they sent to inform me about the health issues, that the substitute was no one other than Lorene Zolokis. The apple in my grandfather's eye, my first uncle's younger daughter.

Not just that. This little vixen computed the time when to arrive. She bumped right on his majesty, having a couple of words with him before all the others, even if she was the last one to come.

Even Georgia failed her attempt to attract attention by being late.

Ah, this one is dangerous. It seems I have to speed up the romance plans.

And why is his majesty already paying so much attention? Can't he see that it's all a facade? A ploy to catch his attention?

Oh, that one is going out of the shortlist for sure. Too dangerous to play with. Even Caroline Grahm who lives at court didn't dare to approach his majesty by chance.

«I can bring you to your cousin,» the Emperor replies. «Since you don't know her face.»

He offers her a hand, and Lorene straightens her knees. She looks at him for a second with her eyes wide, and then she stretches out her arm with annoying slowness.

Why don't they get it over, already? I should have predicted it. Teenagers. It's teenagers we're talking about!

It won't be as easy and rational as when adults are making decisions.

All the eyes are now on the couple walking towards me.

Yes, yes, ladies. Look at this one: she's already hooked with the Emperor and has family in high places. She has an advantage, so why don't you pick on her until she leaves on her own?

I wouldn't need to move a finger, in that case.

«Your majesty.» I greet the Emperor as the first thing. Then, I turn to Lorene and smile. «Cousin, dear, come have a seat. You seem tired.»

«I just arrived from travel,» she explains.

Yeah, yeah, I've already heard the story.

«You are so pretty even while tired from such a long trip. I'm relieved you made it in time!»

I ask for a cup of juice, and she sips while observing the Emperor's back as he moves away. She doesn't make the mistake of looking for a way to have his attention back, unfortunately.

«Are you here alone?» I inquire.

«Oh, no,» she says. «Uncle Nicholas is here too. He's checking what happens with my luggage. We met halfway, and he accompanied me to the capital.»

My stomach turns on itself when I hear the words uncle Nicholas.

«Ah, that's why you're late,» I realise with a polite smile.

«No, the carriage broke,» she repeats.

Yes, sure. I believe you.

«We were almost here when it happened,» she sighs. «I almost considered taking a horse to reach here. But uncle Nicholas didn't allow me.»

Of course, he had already planned this whole thing.

I talk with the girl, forgetting the Autumn Hunt in favour of new information. All until a second running shape reaches us.

This one is faster. And when he stops at the garden's entrance, he's not the least tired.

«I see your husband can't stand to stay far from you, your highness,» Duchess Prim comments.

What is happening now?

Alexander walks among the people and greets his majesty, they exchange a couple of words, and then my husband walks to me.

All of a sudden, all the enamoured glares in his majesty's direction turn to Alexander. This was not supposed to happen. He doesn't have to engage in court until all these ladies go back to their homes.

Why did he come here? Is something the matter?

«Thea, I need your help,» he whispers when he reaches me. He stretches out his hand to hold mine.

I can hear the ladies' sighs, and I can see Lorene's attentive gaze. She's analysing Alexander from head to toe. There's much space between the two, so she needs quite some time to see every detail.

«What happened?» I ask.

«I can't calm down Lavinia. I will take your place while you feed her.»

«Already?» Isn't it a bit early to be hungry?

«I tried everything, but she's asking for you.»

She didn't eat much, indeed. But... asking for me? It's a first.

«I will be back soon,» I say, nodding my head.

Then, I realise that I'm leaving my husband alone in a garden full of teenagers in search of a partner for life. Alexander has it all: the looks, the power, the status... He only lacks a crown, but that's a detail.

How many of these admiring gazes will harass my hubby while I'm away? The Emperor is on the other side. They shouldn't be looking here.

«I will keep watch for you, your highness,» Duchess Prim says, hiding a giggle with her hand. «I won't let anyone steal your husband. Even if there's not a chance in the world his highness could forget you.»

«I know,» I murmur. I'm not suspecting him just like this. The ladies are concerning, not Alexander.

What if they take some inspiration from Lorene and start running and fainting nearby...

«Are you jealous?» Alexander whispers close to my ear.

We're in a public place, yet he dared to touch my waist and bring his lips to my ear.

This is good. Everyone should witness that dividing us is an impossible mission.

While I walk away, I hear the first few sentences that Alexander and Duchess Prim exchange.

«I have to thank you, Duchess,» he says.

«What for?»

«Thanks to you, my wife remembered to take the necklace out and show it to the court.»

«Oh, I'm sure her highness would have remembered even without me commenting about the prize my husband won for me,» Duchess Prim says. I can't turn and check, but I'm sure she's now touching the sapphire earrings Duke Prim won at the hunt years ago.

«I'm glad she accepted to show off the prize I sweated so much at getting,» Alexander comments, laughing. «I was afraid she wouldn't like it.»

«I'm sure her highness would have worn it even in such a case. After all, it's a present from your highness. There is no chance she wouldn't like it.»