The streets of Kingston's Blade were completely packed with people that Sunday despite the strong heat that had been unleashed throughout the kingdom that morning

The crowds that walked very quickly through the beautiful streets did not stop before the scourge of the sun to achieve their objectives. Many noble women also walked around looking at the small gadgets that the merchants hawked with strong frankness, some workers who were finishing the remodeling of the Church stopped at several inns for lunch time while from a small cafe on the bank of a small river almost Outside the noisy streets full of life, a man and his friend were enjoying the tranquility and coolness of the terrace of that place

— It's a shame that this beautiful weather once ruined my horseback ride — the pale-skinned man exclaimed heavily

— I don't understand you, good friend. Sunny days are supposed to be perfect for all kinds of actions and yet you think the opposite — the other man sitting in front of the blonde scoffed politely and with some boredom

— The sun and I have never been good friends. I remember that when I was little my mother forced me to perish for minutes under the warm sun of the beaches of Morera, according to her that would take away my paleness a little — the memories hit his mind with a little bitterness and dryness, which made him feel even more thirst

— I would have recommended to the Duchess at that moment that she take him to visit a doctor. I've never really seen the extreme paleness of him, I even once thought you were sick — Florian groaned in disgust before taking a sip of his lemonade for the second time

They both looked at each other for a few seconds before they burst into somewhat contagious laughter. Caspian claimed that his best friend had spent too much time reading books and that he had forgotten the faith of a fine day while Florian mocked the cold his summer-loving friend must endure in the cruel jaws of the north

— But well — the man in black suspiciously cut the silence that had formed between them — Aren't you calling me here just to talk about your extreme paleness? I think there's something more important you want to tell me to get out of your mousetrap on a fascinating day like this — Florian chimed as soon as Caspian finished speaking

— My great friend, Duke Caspian Dimitrov and his imminent sense of deducing the actions of others. I must congratulate the emperor for decorating you as a General, you are an extremely entertaining being — Florian snorted impolitely

— Dear friend, when you speak that way I can't help but think that you are sharing your gift of using sarcasm in many situations, but hey, I appreciate your supposed flattery, now tell me what this meeting is about — Caspian defended himself and­ Florian laughed joyless, staring at the ice melting into what was already just some tasteless cold water

He made a hand gesture that was more ridiculous than elegant and shifted lazily as he settled into his seat. He had chosen for that day a black suit that was somewhat loose and comfortable knowing the weather situation, Caspian watched every movement

— Do you know about the great news that has reached the kingdom from door to door? — Caspian settled down with absolute incomprehension

— I don't like gossip and I'm always too busy to pay attention to that or this — A loud snort escaped the bored-looking noble's lips when he heard that response

— What a boring man. Caspian Dimitrov, you are a demon without hell — he mocked with wit, achieving the desired grimace in his opponent

— Continue and then you can insult me again — Caspian mocked his friend

— Ah, you take the fun out of my conversations, but well, since you don't know the town gossip, let me inform you a little — he said and then he immersed himself in a story where Caspian found him decadent with emotions — Someone very close to you has A terrible misfortune happened. A woman to be exact, and I'm afraid this will cheer you up a little — He took a sip of his lemonade

Caspian raised an eyebrow as he called to the girl who was running around the place carrying wine glasses to order another drink of that whiskey he loved. He had to be prepared for the stupidity that Florian  would say

— You better drink and be happy. The young woman is none other than the now widowed wife of Marquis Davier, that modest and elegant young woman that you once told me you met at a party —­ Florian smiled victoriously

— I see. I knew Marquis Davier, I'm sure of that, we went to some battles together when I was younger, however I don't remember his wife — the conversation fell into a stalemate until Florian decided to resume his interrogation

— Your bad memory is surprising. A year ago before leaving for the North we both attended a ceremony given by the church, there we agreed with Baron Dreig who invited us to the coming-of-age party of his only daughter, a charming girl indeed. And after that night you said that you had crossed paths with the supposed wife of Marquis Davier — Caspian raised an eyebrow uncertainty

— Impossible. I remember leaving early that night — Duke Dimitrov denied with absolute vehemence

— Ahhh, you are such an annoying man, Caspian. You mentioned this and that about a beautiful woman with almost white golden hair who crossed your path and then you mentioned Marquis Davier running after her — Florian snorted with typical egocentrism of his

— I don't agree, I never met any woman at that dance, I even left the crowd to avoid commitments out of obligation — Caspian continued denying with oppressive negativity

Florian negotiated patiently in the face of his friend 's complex ignorance. Caspian touched the ring on his fingers

— Was that your big news? — The sarcastic tone of the question made Florian wrinkle his eyebrows impertinently

— In my mind, if you would be surprised and have a more human and pleasant reaction, that night you told me about the encounter you seemed somewhat excited and happy. Anyone who had seen your face that night would say that you seemed possessed by someone else — Caspian moved his glass of whiskey with some elegance

— This is absurd on your part, there was no supposed meeting — Florian looked at him like someone looking at an old enemy or a new rival

— Really? — He asked in a contemptuous tone, causing a somewhat temporary fury in his companion

Caspian looked suspiciously at Florian and he smiled mockingly as he prepared to start a long conversation again about his mother's new flowers. Outside the restaurant, the streets of Kingston's Blade were still completely flooded and the sun seemed to have risen higher, summer was approaching and with it an overflowing story

— The lady still refuses to eat? — asked the young maid in a neat uniform

— Yes, she hasn't even looked at the breakfast I left in her room this morning — the other girl responded cautiously and with a bit of a bad face

— It's really sad to see the Lady in such a state — the younger girl lamented in false light

Both women who were headed that morning to do that day's laundry stopped in the wide hallway of the Davier mansion while whispering to each other

— May I know what is the point of this meeting to which I have not been invited? — A voice scared them from behind, completely interrupting their conversation

— Rebecca — both sighed, exasperated by the silent entrance of one of Lady Davier's main ladies-in-waiting

— Don't you two have something to do? — Rebecca pointed to the dirty clothes in both of their hands with an air of scolding — Lady Davier's dresses will not clean themselves — the maids discerned about this

— It's a waste of time washing these dresses, Rebecca. The Marchioness is now a widow, and widows are forced to wear completely black mourning for three years, and I doubt Lady Davier will be seen at any events for a long time — the eldest argued carefully in Rebecca's presence

The head maid looked at the open-mouthed, pout-faced woman and wanted to curse her own cunning for giving the other party the opportunity to start that illusory conversation

— I care little about the information about widowhood that you just gave me. You run to the laundry room and clean each of the dresses until they are new and also the shoes too — it was more of a scolding than anything else

— Rebecca —the expression of discouragement became much deeper in both of them. The scolding and punishments had made them abruptly end the conversation they were both having

Rebecca watched them leave from a distance and disappear at the end of the hallways. After that, she carefully resumed her path towards her destination. She walked for several moments through the long corridors illuminated by the day's sun and which attracted attention due to the unusual brilliance of the green crystals that the late Marquis had brought from one of those islands in the East

The Davier mansion was a fascinating piece of ancient architecture of the great battle forts and the modern with its garden spaces, it was well known for its large parade ground and its long stables in addition to the splendid natural landscape outside

Rebecca knew every corner and passageway of that place, when she had moved there with Lady Davier she had dared and the Marquis had allowed her to explore every part of the mansion, turning architecture into something of her strangest hobby, sometimes she dreamed of designing his own palace, one as large as that of the Royal Astoria family

— Good morning Madam — a cordial greeting but not without a lack of genuine affection in your tone

Rebecca waited patiently for an answer to come, it was not like a servant to enter a nobleman's room uninvited despite the great relationship that Rebecca and Lady Davier had since they were little

—Lady Antonella, Madam, are you okay? Need help?— There was no desired response, however there was a kind of complaint turned into a moan

Rebecca took this as a cue and pushed through the dark, dull-looking room

— Too dark for a nice day like today — without thinking he opened the curtains quickly

— Rebeca? — the soft voice called

— It is good that you get up, my lady. It's a wonderful day today, it's noon and the sun is shining brighter than any other day — the young woman tried to shed a little light on Lady Davier's fallen and sick personality

— I don't want to do anything today, again — it was a sigh in the form of denial and hopelessness

— I regret to inform you that what you are asking for is impossible. It has been a month since the death of her husband and the council of the little lords of your land demand that someone appear to calm her doubts — Rebecca explained as she moved a few dresses lying around the window sill

— This weather makes me tired — Lady Davier moaned almost in pain

— As you are the only family of the Marquis, you must understand that you are now the owner and mistress of the marquisate — Rebecca continued

— My mother did not educate me for this — the Marchioness protested

— Lady Ruthy would be extremely sad if she heard your words. I witnessed the exhaustive education she received from childhood — a grim and bitter grimace took over every fraction of the servant's rough young face

— Education to become a princess, duchess or marchioness, not to govern a marquisate — Antonella smiled sadly when she remembered it

— The Empress rules alongside the Emperor and the princesses support the princes in their ascension to the throne. My lady will soon adapt too — it was too direct a scolding

— I doubt it, knowing me it's more likely that I'll end up asking my father for help — she defended

Rebecca stopped folding the white sheets and grimaced

— I don't think your father and his new wife are the most suitable — Rebecca fully discerned Lady Davier's idea

— I will never understand what a serious thing Lady Dorothea did to you — she asked between sighs

— His existence is enough to embitter mine. She has changed all the things in the mansion and your father allows it, if your mother were alive she would never allow such an aberration — the mere image of the pompous woman with red hair always flowing and feline green eyes always looking at everything with that kind of mockery and The sarcasm made every fiber of Rebecca's body filled with extreme hatred

— If my mother is still alive, my father would never have dared to think about another woman. He loved her very much — Lady Davier tried to defend the accused. She had a respectable affection for her father, he loved her too, in he own way

— Little to my knowledge, I don't even go out for two months before getting a new lady — when this happened Rebecca almost went into cardiac arrest

— Hates loneliness — Antonella did not stop

— Foolishness. You were suffering too — it was impossible to win a fight with Rebecca's snake.

— I got married — unfortunately

— That doesn't lessen your pain — Rebecca folded a sheet quickly while she lost sight of the other woman

Antonella bit her lip. Sometimes she hated that Rebbeca was right.

— What do I have on my agenda for today? Who should I meet today? Which young man should I receive today? — Lady Davier asked with little intention

— He is not a gentleman, he is one of the many emblematic characters of high society. My Lady should know who he is or even she should have met him in person — curiosity grew

— Who? The crown prince or his twin brother? — the woman asked still without moving from the bed

— Neither of both, I am talking about Mr. Florian Romain, the second son of the late Duke Romain. He wants to meet with you to discuss certain points, her husband had business with her older brother — Rebecca explained

— I never heard of a second son of Duke Romain —Antonella played with her hair

— The second young master is a man who shows little. According to many, he lives locked up in his library reading all kinds of books, he is a good friend of the Crown Prince and it is rumored that perhaps his sister is the closest candidate to become the new Empress — the gossip of the empire

— At some point I also dreamed of being one — the idea crossed his mind after a chance afternoon. The second prince who returned from the war had gotten lost in his father's territories, it had been a supposed love at first sight, then she realized that she was just a young fool

— And it could have been, if she hadn't fallen in love with the Marquis — Rebecca broke her daydream, that had happened years ago, now they were in the present

— Is an arranged marriage called love? — the marquis loved her and she loved him too, but they never truly loved each other

— You can call it whatever you want, but let's not waste time on that now, it is better to choose a dress for her meeting with the duke's son — the conversation dissipated as soon as appeared

— They are all the same, you could do it. My stepmother says that now she has to wear black for three long years — Lady Davier snorted indignantly

— Black has never been her color, but we don't want a show about her decency at the empress's next tea party — said the maid

Rebbeca opened the closet and discarded all the light or bright colored dresses, she decided on a black one with a somewhat classic and closed model

— I look like a nun. In the end my aunt's last wish was fulfilled somehow — Antonella mocked gracelessly.

— It's time, my lady, don't delay any longer — Rebecca instantly hurried her to fix her hair, which was scattered like a waterfall.

Downstairs, in the main room, Florian, in an outfit free from the deadly heat, played with a letter that he himself had dared to write in his hands.

— I just found something entertaining again. Dear Caspian, you will have to thank me later — he exclaimed, looking at everything around him.

Antonella stood at the top of the stairs in the main room while she fixed her dress. According to Rebbeca, being presentable to receive visitors was always important, however, she couldn't make them wait too long or it would be rude on her part

— I hope my nerves don't ruin this — she said to herself with a touch of tremor in her voice

It was the first time she had a private meeting most likely to discuss business without her husband and she didn't really feel ready to face this kind of situation but unfortunately she had no other option

— Duke, the lady is on her way. Excuse her for her delay — one of the maids left a message politely as Rebbeca had ordered her to do along with an elegant bow

— Duke? I'm sorry to tell you that I'm not yet and I don't plan to be either, I'm sure my brother would be upset if a visionary with no future like me took the crown from him, it would be better if you called me Florian — said the man with an apparent excess of flirtation

— I would never think of calling you that, sir — The maid turned red with embarrassment

Florian laughed softly, let's just say a very mundane little hobby of his was flirting with pretty girls. Caspian had scolded him several times for that bad habit and more for praising other men's wives too much, but he couldn't do anything sometimes the words came out of his mouth by themselves

While Florian smiled, a new member appeared. Antonella looked at the laughing man and the embarrassed girl and had a first impression of the Duke. Bad or good, her mother had taught her not to judge at first glance

— Madam, I regret this situation. It's time for me to go — the girl quickly ran away with shame still

— My dear Marchioness Davier, you are even more beautiful since the last time I heard from you — the thin red lips delighted before a mountain of sweetened praise

Antonella observed the big blond man in silence, trying to find another impression. He was handsome and extremely attractive, perhaps interesting because of his personality, but Antonella still didn't remember seeing him at all and let's just say that he didn't have a face that people would quickly forget if they ran into him one day in the morning

— Duke, it is a pleasure to attend to your visit today— after a few seconds the greeting was immediate

— Wow, it's sad to hear such a cold and distant word from a beautiful voice like yours. Duke is not my man, better call me Florian, I am sure that is my real name — Antonella smiling a little and the handsome knight without a sword was delighted

Florian smiled back. If Caspian had really gone crazy for this woman that night at the ball then he couldn't deny his friend's good taste in women. Antonella Davier had that sensuality typical of every woman but not enough to overshadow her purity and those big blue eyes that looked at everything confirmed it

— It would be disrespectful to address you like that, and I could also create evil rumors — she said and Florian was even more delighted and amused

— I wouldn't consider it that way, a large part of the nobles and many commoners only know me as Florian, without a name or surname, I am just a painter and philosopher for some — Antonella played with her dress — Are you nervous? — asked

— Don't worry about that, it's just my nonsense — She said and he denied

— I'm sorry but my upbringing prevents me from not avoiding worrying about a woman when she looks so distressed. Has she slept well lately? — Florian asked softly, knowing her situation he doubted it

Antonella turned her attention elsewhere. She had tried for several nights with various natural remedies and infusions but everything had been in vain

— Unfortunately, I am a nervous woman who scares quickly. You should know that my current situation is not the best, I have just become a widow with affairs to manage — explained with the innocence of a rabbit about to be hunted

— It is the time of women in power. Do you know Lady Guila? — Antonella denied — She was the wife of a baron who escaped with his lover to the islands of Garam, she had to take care of her husband's children with his deceased wife and also all the debts, surprisingly she made the fortune grow more — the young man explained

— Admirable woman — Antonella would have died in her case

— All women are from my point of view. Even if they are commoners or queens, they all face great difficulties in their lives. It is understandable to give them credit for their actions — Antonella smiled

— Thanks to the duke for thinking like that, there are not many men with his thoughts — the woman blushed

— Unfortunately, but returning to our conversation, I left that nickname of Duke aside, he is my brother, not me, and people will think that we are not friends. Doesn't the Marchioness consider me a friend? — the conversation quickly changed direction

Antonella blushed. She could say no, he wasn't even a close acquaintance, it was the first meeting of hers or that she remembered before

— But hey, it's your choice. I'm not going to take any more of her time, being a woman who owns land, she must be busy, so I'll be quick — Antonella silently thanked her

— Could you know your business with me today? Is it the properties your brother and my late husband shared? — asked

— No, no. I haven't come here to talk about business, it bores me, and if my brother had something to say he would have already sent his secretary. My job here is for two reasons, one to give my condolences on the death of her husband and two to invite her to a private tea party at my residence — the second task made Antonella frown in disgust

The room fell silent. Antonella did not speak for a long time, Florian waited patiently for the response, a refusal was much expected

— I regret to inform the Duke that I will not be able to attend. A widow has certain appearances to keep up and my husband has only been dead a month. As you know, an act of bad faith could destroy the reputation of any noble woman — and even more so, someone who always seems to be on the Empress' lips

— I know, but I don't think you understood me. The tea party or meeting, let's call it better, would be private at my residence outside the city. Only four people will participate, you, me, my sister and a good friend of mine — Florian insisted

— I don't think I can give you an affirmative answer — Antonella did not let herself be fooled

— Think about it, Marquise, my sister will love to meet you, lately she has been too stressed by her recent engagement to the crown prince and none of those girls she calls friends inspire my confidence — Florian explained

— I'll have to think about it — and maybe consult with Rebecca

Florian stood up, saying goodbye. Antonella offered to accompany him to his carriage but he refused

— It's too hot outside, marchioness. I don't want him to suffer from this infernal sun, about my request, think about it better — she politely declined

The carriage left, taking the guest. Rebbeca waited impatiently for the man's departure, too flirtatious for his taste

— Did he tell you to be his lover? — When they were alone the maid asked her shamelessly

— Rebecca — she exclaimed blushing — He only came to give me his condolences — that thought had never crossed her mind

— Just that? — the maid asked uncertainly

— Not really. He also invited me to a tea party at her private mansion — Antonella shook her head at the thought of pride

— What rubbish — Antonella scolded her — That guy exactly came here to ask you to be his lover. I know these boys from the duchies, each one worse than the other — She had been unlucky enough to run into some of them when she was traveling to the city

— I don't know — Antonella played with her hair

— Good. After we'll deal with that matter, it's time for her bath — Antonella nodded and decided to relax. There had been many surprises today

Meanwhile, the duchy's carriage left Marquez Davier's territory

— Secretary, write a letter and send it to Duke Dimitrov's mansion urgently — Florian smiled and the little teenager who always accompanied him took out a piece of paper

— Yes sir, what should I report? — asked the young man

— Write that you invited the duke in the next three days to a friendly racing meeting at my private residence. You must put it exactly urgently from the Duchy or I'm afraid Caspian won't read it — the secretary ascending. The letter would be sent as soon as they arrived at the duchy

— Yes, sir — the young man agreed

The carriage moved faster. Florian had a plan and if he was lucky. Caspian would have a lover and he would have ten thousand gold coins and a bet won.