«Archduchess, I thought we had already cleared up those misunderstandings,» the Emperor declares. «Are you still unhappy about those small incidents?»

«I never said that, your majesty,» I reply. «But it's becoming obvious that someone is targeting me for personal antipathy. It's a burden, to me, to always need to clarify my intentions. Especially when I've done nothing to deserve so little trust.»

The Empress inhales quickly, charging for her attack.

«Let us judge whether you've done something or not!» she declares.

Before I can reply, a hot hand lands on my back, and the familiar figure of my husband appears by my side.

«Is something the matter?» Alexander inquires, his tone calm and relaxing like always. «Your majesties,» he adds, then.

With a single, glacial look, he reminds them of who they're trying to face.

Well, the Empress is trying to make things difficult. His majesty only doesn't have enough power and firm will to counter her.

That's why I'll have to get rid of her for him.

For his majesty, but also for Alexander.

«After being accused in the open, like this, I want to see the proof,» I say, looking at the Empress with as much calm as I can. It's easier, with Alexander by my side.

I'm not doing it alone. We're both in this together.

And I won't let him suffer, be it the last thing I do. I've done enough damage to him already.

«Let us hear the witnesses,» the Empress declares, challenging me with a stare full of hatred. She'd kill me with her glares if she could. However, she will surely try doing it with the law.

It's easy to accuse me, but it's harder to prove it. What has she done to convince so many people to lie for her? Is it because I'm the last to arrive?

Or is it the power of the throne?

The Emperor glances at me. Seeing that I'm calm, he sighs and walks to his chair.

«Who are these witnesses?» he asks, loud and clear. «Let me hear.»

The first to talk is the maid that served me for weeks. She's one of Patricia's fellows. Oh, Patricia... I kind of miss her now.

«I served her grace Duchess Kyre,» she says. «Last year, during her stay in the Palace, I was assigned to her highness.»

«That's true,» I add. «I remember you.»

«Her highness used to write something on small pieces of paper. Then, she would usually burn those papers.»

«So, you're talking without proof,» I point out.

«Let her finish, Archduchess,» the Emperor murmurs. «Let's hear it till the end.»

«I think those were plans. To hurt his majesty, or maybe to damage the Empire... Since her highness didn't have any power back then, she couldn't do much. But her plans might still be in her mind. And she surely made new ones.»

In fact, another maid comes forward. She has an envelope in her hands. The letter Alexander sent me from the front! The one the Emperor handed me himself!

«How dare you?» I exclaim. «Rummage through my possessions and steal private correspondence!»

My tone and rage make everyone believe I'm trying to defend myself, to hide my guilt behind polemics, and my stress behind fury.

Who could touch Alexander's letter?

«I have two missives written with the same code, your majesty,» the maid utters.

«Is this how the servants behave in this Palace?» I inquire. My voice is so loud that it scares me. «I can't believe such disrespect. You're suspecting the Archduke of Kyre. It would be fit to inform him before rummaging between his things.»

«My dear wife,» Alexander whispers, pulling my hand and entwining our fingers. «Do not get upset. I will make the culprit apologise to you for this disrespect.»

«How can I not be upset?» I reply. «They've taken your letter from me...»

Now, this should instil some doubt into the most romantic minds. It's not fake, though. My first worry is to have my husband's words back.

I want that letter back to me, in my drawer, next to where I sleep.

«We know how much your majesty values the Archduke,» the Empress adds. She's been silent for a while... What is she going to do now? «We're not attacking him. On the contrary, he is under this witch's spell.»

Oh, again with that... They said this when I couldn't control one bit of my life, and they're repeating it now that I've started to cope with my new surroundings. I'm beginning to believe it's not up to me, this being a witch. It's not because of something I do. It's just my name, isn't it?

Or my face, or something that I can't control.

«I am under no one's spell,» Alexander replies. «Not that I would mind if it was my wife's, though.»

Ah, is this what a man not under a spell is supposed to say? For real?

«See?» the Empress scoffs, in fact.

I sigh. I can't help but agree with her.

«I told you he's under her spell!» she exclaims. «Which man in the Empire can say words like this!»

Eh, my shameless husband can. As you hear.

«Other than that, there are other habits of her highness that are preoccupying,» one of the servants adds.

«Yes?» his majesty murmurs, not the least impressed. There isn't anything implying any kind of treason yet. Not even the letter.

He can make one of his cryptographers decode the writing and enjoy some free romance.

«Her highness isn't obedient as a wife,» the servant continues. He's twisting his fingers, looking nervously at the Empress and at me. «She doesn't listen to her husband when she's told. And her replies are often cold and impolite.»

What is this one making up now? I'm very, very polite. Especially when compared to my husband's remarks.

I'm pure and polite like a flower, compared to him.

And also, who if not an obedient wife would allow her husband to do all the things Alexander does to me? My body has several bite marks in different spots. That only should be enough to prove my obedience!

Oh, but very few of these marks are in appropriate places. Maybe better avoid showing those as proof.

«I can explain anything that isn't clear, your majesty,» Alexander says. «But I wish to ask permission to punish these people slandering my wife.»

«Permission denied. I first want to hear it till the end.»

«Sure,» Alexander says, dark and chilly. «Let's hear till the end.»

He doesn't have his sword. It wasn't allowed by the protocol.

«Her highness, the Archduchess, has many odd habits. For example, she spends most time in the library. She also does unnamable things to his highness!»

What unnamable things? Are they nuts? I'm the victim to be protected, not Alexander.

«Am I disobedient, husband?» I whisper, looking at him.

«What if you are?» he replies. «It's not their business.»

Yes, I agree. But stop behaving like a man enchanted by a temptress, please. It's my reputation that's at stake here.

«Her highness, the Archduchess, often ties her husband to the bed!» the servant exclaims, using all the courage he has left. His face turns red like blood.

Oh, damn it.

I did it only once. There was no need to be seen that one time.

The Emperor's face is red as well, but he pretends to be fine with the topic. I am embarrassed, like never before, while the Empress is giggling with her ugly, annoying smirk.

The only one unbothered is Alexander.

«Is that true, cousin?» the Emperor can't help but ask. «Are you under such influence?»

Alexander shrugs, not even glancing at the other people in the hall. This was supposed to be our daughter's special day. Not a spicy evening where our secrets get exposed.

«There is a drawer full of shawls she uses as ropes,» the servant continues. «The guards can check and confirm my words are true.»

«The ropes are on the side where I sleep,» Alexander points out. «Not on my wife's.»

«So, are you the one using them?» someone inquires from the crowd.

Oh, what a riddle. On one side, I understand Alexander has a reputation to defend. It's not easy to admit that he lets his wife tie him, especially when it's not the truth.

On the other hand, it's not easy to confirm the other option either.

I mean, I'm a delicate flower he uses his power and strength on. Everyone thinks he's as gentle with me in bed as he's out of it, but that's not the case.

Yet, Alexander doesn't need to endure embarrassment just to protect my reputation.

«Oh, that...» Alexander murmurs. «We take turns.»

He turns to where the voice came, with the most straight-forward face I've ever seen.

«My wife and I.»

Silence fills the room, as the first plan they thought of using against me fails. It was a low blow. They wanted to make me look like a witch throwing a spell.

But it's normal for couples to try something new from time to time, isn't it? And Alexander's plain reaction, accompanied by my red face, must be enough to prove that we're not lying about this.

Or at least, that I am not the one taking advantage of the other.