The Grahms don't have a personal garden at the Palace, but they do have a terrace. It's rather spacious, and there are several vases with plants and flowers of different sizes. The chairs are big and comfortable, perfect to host the gowns of a noble lady. And a big gazebo shields us from the still hot sun.

«I'm so honoured to have tea with your highness,» Caroline Grahm says, smiling politely. «I was quite surprised you would spend time with a nobody like me.»

«It's a pleasure for me too,» I reply, with the same, polite, fake smile. «You're understating yourself, lady Caroline. Your company is actually more precious by the day. Your name is heard often lately.»

«I hope it's not too bad of gossip,» she chuckles.

«I wasn't referring to gossip. But what I heard so far had no bad news for you. On the contrary.»

«Not gossip? Is your highness referring, perhaps... to something more official?»

«I'm talking about the selection,» I say, direct and proud. «I'm here to tell you something beforehand. The shortlist is not public yet, however... It won't do any ill if you know that you've passed to the next stage, will it?»

She widens her eyes and splits her lips in the perfect expression to depict surprise. It's not too difficult to fake, especially since there is an element of surprise here.

She wasn't expecting these words from me, my admission and the happy tone.

«I have to thank your highness for your help,» she says when she recovers. «It's highly appreciated. And I won't forget it.»

«I hope so.» I can't also forget that I'm not a naive benefactor in the Grahms' eyes. I can't let them suspect me. «I hope you won't forget.»

«It's early to know what the next stage will be, right?»

«I will talk about it with his majesty later this afternoon.»

«Oh, it's not decided,» she realises. «I wasn't asking for a shortcut, by the way. I was just curious.»

«First, there will be the announcement of the shortlist. But beware, it won't be the real one. Officially, the names in the shortlist will be only those of ladies from foreign lands. The court ladies will assume they lost any chance. That will be part of a trial designed for them. Do not despair. And do not lose composure and grace.»

She widens her eyes, this time surprised for real.

«Will it be like this? Oh, but... Won't knowing it ruin the whole purpose of the trial?»

«You're not the only lady from this court that has passed the selection. But you're the only one with the qualities to become an Empress. And your sister in law is my husband's close relative, isn't she?»

«Yes, that's true.»

«You are also my choice, Caroline Grahm. Someone with the actual power to reach the throne and keep it. And, at the same time, a lady with a tight link to my husband's family, which is also my family.»

She's still so young. And young people like to think they're special. A few words of praise can be enough to cloud their judgement.

This lady here isn't as naive, though. I'll need to work hard to win her over. And I'll have to provide her with proof. She won't fall into the trap if I don't push her forward.

She might have become a good Empress, in her own way, if only she wasn't so dangerous for my family's survival.

«Your name will be announced a day later, as will the other two ladies'. But this is supposed to be a secret. Don't ever talk about it with anyone!»

«Other two ladies?»

«Yes, that's it. There are two other ladies, and they're both from this year's debut.»

The council will write many complaints about this last-minute change. They'll ask me where did this Janette come from. I crossed out a name just for my convenience and replaced it with the Marquise's daughter.

All to invalidate any information the Dowager Empress gave.

No one knows about this, and no one will know except for the Emperor.

«Oh, this year's debut wasn't all that crowded, your highness,» she points out. She's making me notice that there were four ladies at the event. Out of all of them, three were chosen for the following phase of the selection.

My pretence to keep some information confidential seems so dumb, doesn't it? But I need to prove to them I am the one that decides and has the real information in hand. Not the harpy.

My words soon travel to the right ears, thanks to the maids listening closely to every single sound.

I've finally found someone that pays enough attention to the servants.

Only a few people in the Palace are conscious of how dangerous and precise their ears and eyes are.

Duke Grahm appears like a ghost, and he greets me with half a bow of his head. He's wearing a light green suit, matching with Caroline's outfit.

Was he planning to appear, or was it just a backup plan?

This way, though, I'm not supposed to notice his odd timing. I should just think he wanted to come here from the start and prick his nose in the business, right? Well, I'm too old for these tricks.

Duke Grahm's face hasn't changed, except that he somehow looks younger. His stern look is hidden by a welcoming grin, charming in its own way. His grey hair is combed and tied in a low tail, his face slightly adorned by makeup for men. He's the perfect example of an Ethirian nobleman.

Even the ribbon keeping his hair in place is of the highest quality and in tone with the rest of the clothes. How much time does he waste on clothing every day?

«Your highness, what a nice surprise to see you here. May I join you for tea? I wanted to spend some time with my granddaughter, but here I find Kyre's Archduchess. This terrace is a blessed place now.»

«Oh, you're flattering me, Duke,» I chuckle. «I would be the one honoured to have tea together. I've always been curious about you.»

«Curious?»

«Yes,» I nod, «that's right. I've heard many different opinions about you from the people I met. And confusing information about your standing at court. It made me curious about the man behind so many different rumours.»

«Oh, you're talking about rumours,» he chuckles. «And here I was already thinking about the worst.»

«Your granddaughter is a rarity nowadays. Such a pretty yet intelligent girl isn't easy to bring up.»

For sure, his first granddaughter failed part of these requirements.

«I know,» the Duke replies. «Caroline is my treasure.»

«It's no surprise,» I add.

«This selection for a new Empress, oh... It's so much stress for you, your highness, isn't it?»

He's good. He made it about me so that I start talking about my point of view and reveal something to him.

He didn't start this game yesterday; I have to be careful around the Duke.

«It's almost over, so I don't have reasons to complain.»

«His majesty called us to court tomorrow. I guess it's related to the selection. Caroline has problems sleeping at night. That much she's nervous and unresting.»

«Oh, young ladies are so full of spirit,» I murmur. «There is no reason to stay sleepless. I listened to her test the other day. She's wiser than other girls her age.»

«You've listened, your highness?»

«Of course,» Caroline exclaims. «Her highness is in the council, after all.»

«Oh, Caroline dear, that's now what I meant,» he chuckles. «You will understand, one day. Someone like her highness doesn't listen just to anyone. If she found your presence appealing enough and your words interesting, you should feel proud of such an achievement.»

«Oh,» she moans, taken back.

Her cheeks become rosy, and she looks at her fingers in embarrassment. I'm not sure this is fake, though.

«Now that it's over, your highness will return to tending to her daughter, right?»

«I've never stopped,» I point out. «I didn't put my daughter in the second place to become a matchmaker.»

«It's not what I meant. But taking care of a baby while working for the crown isn't an easy deal. Your devotion is admirable, your highness. Most nobles don't give so much attention to their offspring.»

«Maybe, it's because it's the first time,» I chuckle. «Everything my daughter does feels new, so it's a continuous discovery. Maybe, with the next baby, I won't be this attached.»

«I wouldn't count on it.»

«But I am afraid this is far from over,» I add, sighing. «There is still so much to do before retiring.»

«Your highness is an advisor of the crown, after all. It's a difficult job most aren't capable of.»

«I was referring to the selection foremost. You see the end, don't you, Duke Grahm? For you, it will be a couple of days, maybe a week, and you will know the results.»

I move a lock of hair behind the ear and look at my cup with the look of a philosopher. The one Alexander has when he considers which colour of ropes to choose.

«But for me, it's far from over. I already am tired when I think of all the work waiting for me!»

«You will do marvellously, as you already have,» he murmurs.

It's odd. The Duke is more polite and friendly than he looked during the few court sessions I saw him attend.

Even though I know it's all a facade, his acting is flawless. It's no surprise that he survived the late Emperor's generation.