The captured infidel

In the end, I don't get out of my chambers for the whole day. Except for a fast walk in the garden that I can't skip without alerting everyone.

Seeing my bad mood, the maids don't come too close.

I change into my nightgown as soon as the sun sets, and I cuddle near the chimney, wrapping myself with a cover. I look at the flames for an hour or two, until the Duke walks in my chamber with his usual, relaxed demeanour.

«How is my Duchess feeling?» he asks, noticing that I'm rolled on an armchair like a cat.

«This Duchess is indisposed,» I inform him, my eyes shining because of the tears.

The Duke lifts his eyebrows for a moment, and I have time to consider whether to explain to him what it means. Maybe, he doesn't know that women bleed once a month.

Before I can open my mouth, though, he turns on his feet and leaves the room without a word.

I sigh, realising only now how much this will cost. I'll have to start again from scratch, building our relationship bit by bit.

When the door opens again, I turn my head, full of hope.

It's Patricia with tea.

«There's no need for that,» I utter. My voice is so low that I don't immediately realise that I'm crying. Once again! Why can't I stop whining?

«I'm just following the Duke's orders,» she says, not paying me any more attention than usual. She leaves the cups on the table and leaves the room.

When the door opens for the second time, my nerves are already at their limit.

«What is it, now?» I shout.

«I forgot where I left my chess set, Duchess,» the Duke explains. «Sorry for making you wait.»

«Chess set?» I repeat dumbfounded. So, he didn't run to one of his mistresses. How unexpected.

«Has my Duchess planned something else, perhaps?»

«No, but I wasn't expecting this...» I admit. «I thought the Duke left me for good.»

«How could I do that? I wasn't able to see you for so many days, I was looking forward to our meeting.»

I crook my mouth, unconvinced.

«You could have come to see me anytime. I didn't hide anywhere, I've always been here,» I say, and my words sound somehow accusing.

«I wish I could,» he sighs.

Ah, is that so?

«I bet my Duke has been quite busy,» I utter, sitting on the sofa and taking the black figures. I like starting second. I cover myself with the blanket and look at the Duke with expectation. When he doesn't complain about my decision, I begin to align the pawns.

«Tax reports,» he shrugs. «It looks like the problem from the past week hasn't been solved the way I wanted. I had to go and check again.»

«Has the Emperor sent you?»

«No, I went on my own...»

«How many ladies did you leave alone, sighing behind you?» I inquire with a smile that suggests complicity as a friend would react and not a wife. If I start questioning with a sour voice, he won't answer.

«I don't know,» he replies rather calmly. «Did my Duchess count?»

«I arrived up to two, but I was busy this week. I'm sure there were more!»

«Is my Duchess included in the count?»

«Of course not. I didn't have time for sighing.»

The Duke opens the game with a knight, and I move a pawn, already understanding what he's trying to do. What a transparent move...

He counters my move in one of the ways I use most often, and I understand that it won't be an easy match.

«Is my Duchess jealous, perhaps?» he asks, smirking proudly.

«Jealous?» I repeat, tilting my head by a few degrees. «I can have two ladies sighing for me if I want. I don't need to be envious of you, my Duke.»

«How did the tea party go?» he asks, then. He looks convinced on changing the topic, what a pity.

«Nice, I chatted with so many women my age. I've never had such a tea party in my life. Actually, I didn't know what to talk about with them, but Princess Lyland was very kind to help me with the conversation. Shall I prepare a gift as thanks for her?»

«Martia will be glad if you do. She looks splendid, but she's actually just a little girl.»

«Also, I talked a lot with lady Elisabeth. She's so nice, isn't she?»

He lifts his eyebrows and waits for me to continue while I wait for his reaction. Just like that, we stare at each other for a while, until the Duke sighs.

«What have you heard?» he asks me.

«That you two were engaged. I'm sorry for getting in the way, she's ten times better for you than me.»

«Her father is Count Gramh, Duke Gramh's son. Their family is one of the most important in the Empire. There were talks about marriage when my parents were still alive, but it wasn't ever made official. Her family sent a proposal to me two years ago, but I refused.»

«Because you wanted to marry me?»

«That is the most relevant reason. The second is that lady Elisabeth has a difficult character, and she aims at the throne. Everyone knows that the Grahms are trying to have one of their daughters become Empress. Her younger sister will be proposed as a marriage candidate for the Emperor as soon as she turns fifteen. She's a year older than his majesty.»

«Is that so? I had the impression that you and lady Elisabeth knew each other quite well. Was I wrong?»

«We do know each other, but I know so many other ladies, my Duchess. As you know, I'm a relevant figure in the Court. And I don't have your talent for avoiding people,» he chuckles.

He's smiling too brightly for someone that is being accused of infidelity. He looks so happy that I'm questioning him.

What a weird man.