Despite the cold winter this year, there was almost no snow. This concerned many people, not only farmers, but civil officials as well. While some cheerfully claimed that it was still January, others hoped for irrigation systems and water supplies to be transferred from the North-West. It weighed on her mind as well, but today Cornelia's spirit was high. Standing on her tiptoes, she gazed at the paved road leading to the palace. Even with her eyes on the road, she could feel a smile from the knight.

"You look cute, like a happy puppy," he said. "Are you that excited to see her?"

"Of course," the princess adjusted the warm winter hat, ignoring his first remark. "Dr. Winda is incredible! It’s such a luck she accepted my invitation and agreed to come here."

Dietrich rubbed the back of his hand. The buck leather gloves looked perfect, but they weren't much help during these freezing days.

"I was surprised to hear you bought the entire floor for her study and equipment. I thought scholars used much smaller rooms. I hope it will be sufficient."

"For starters, it will. I have invested half of the money, and the income should cover the expenses for the next two or three years. And don't give me that look again. Most of the property that I sold was gifts from my grandmother. She wouldn't mind."

"I guess. I heard she loved you very much."

"Yes, until she went out the window."

Taking an awkward pause, Dietrich finally said: "I'm sure your grandfather was devastated by his loss."

"You mean the one who commented on the news "What a pity"?

"Everyone has their own perks and flaws. His Majesty was known as a righteous man who helped with many investigations."

Cornelia didn't comment on that. The young knight's firm belief and veneration toward the royal family were unshakable. 'Then again, this is one of the pillars of the monarchy. And only a few people were aware that grandfather visited the police to extract confessions through torture.'

Dietrich adjusted his collar, moving his gaze to the square. "Well, even if you have tense relationships with relatives, you can always escape from them through marriage."

"It's too early to give up. There are still things I can accomplish."

"Please, just don't provoke His Majesty," the young man's face remained calm, but she heard pleading notes in his tone. "His Highness Cesar's wife is pregnant with an heir. His position is secure."

"Nothing is set in stone. Legally, I have the same rights. And it's not like I'm demanding something for free. I just want fair competition."

A long sigh was all the answer she received. Meanwhile, the carriage drove through the palace's gates. Two guards accompanied it until the vehicle stopped at the square. The coachman quickly jumped from his seat and opened the door. He helped the passenger get out. A woman in her thirties with deep umber skin and short black hair tied in Bantu knots thanked the coachmen. When Cornelia approached her guest, she was greeted with a bright smile.

"Nice to meet you again, Your Highness," the woman said, shaking the offered hand. She let out a breath and adjusted the wool shawl draped over her navy-blue winter coat. "It's colder than I thought it would be in the West."

"I hope you had a safe journey, Dr. Winda."

Cornelia introduced Dietrich and invited her guest inside. The two guards took the bags the doctor had brought with her and followed them. "Thank you again for accepting the offer. It's an honor."

"It's an honor for me too, Your Highness. Although my fiancé was quite grumpy about my leaving," the woman was smiling, but the princess still felt guilty.

"I hope in time we will find a way to increase the budget so that he can come to Castro too."

"Is he also a scholar? - asked Dietrich. "Does he work in the same field as you?"

"No, Shango works in the Re-creating Department."

"Well, we all need a good rest sometimes."

The two women exchanged quick glances but decided to let the knight's ignorance slip. The re-creating department concentrated their efforts on bringing back lost technologies. Despite some successful projects, a lot of their work went unnoticed by most people. Cornelia whispered to the woman, "I'm sorry. He's a good man, he just isn't very interested in science."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Don't be. I meet people like Sir Berg all the time. It was rather a pleasant surprise to find Your Highness so interested in this."

The approaching footsteps put an end to their brief exchange. Through the wide hallway, the captain of the royal guards walked. Cornelia thought he would pass by, but Gahiji instead headed straight for the small group. The princess felt pinned down by the heavy gaze of his amber eyes.

"Your Highness," the royal guard's captain bowed and smiled, "I thought you would be on the training ground at this time of day. Maybe I should pay you a visit and spar?

"I would be honored, Viscount Fayek, though I'm afraid you'll find a weak opponent in me."

"Ha-ha! No need to be so humble. If Kroghan enjoys his sparring sessions with you, I'm sure I will as well - the captain turned to the arrived scientist. - May I escort our honored guest to her quarters? His Majesty has invited Dr. Wind to today's dinner, so I was hoping to give you a little tour."

"With pleasure. It's an honor to meet the heroes of Nereid's war," the woman smiled and Gahiji nodded to the guards. Dr Wind turned to the princess. "I'm looking forward to continuing our discussion. See you at dinner, Your Highness."

"I'm so jealous right now," whispered Dietrich, following with his gaze Gahiji leaving. "I wish I could spar with the captain too."

"It will be a good experience, but I need to prepare mentally to get beaten."

"You can win, Your Highness," cheerfully stated Dietrich, ignoring the princess' skeptical look. 'Like optimistic belief can cover the difference in strength and experience.'

What he did noticed was how tense she became while watching Gahiji escort the scientist. "His Majesty is a renowned hero, not some kind of villain."

"Sure," Cornelia replied without any enthusiasm. Certainly, the king wouldn't execute or openly threaten her guest. But he might subtly suggest finding a better territory for research or trying to recruit Winda. She could only hope and trust that her idol was strong enough to withstand "the renowned hero's" pressure.

The dinner had just started, but the king was not going to waste any time on pleasantries.

"How are your parents?"

Cornelia mostly drank water. It was always difficult to eat during family dinners. Brining a person, she admired into the snake's nest made it nearly impossible to enjoy food. She glanced at the scientist. Dr Winda had changed into a lemon-yellow dress and gotten some rest before evening. 'Hopefully, this will be enough to get through dinner.'

"They are good, thank you, Your Majesty. They insist I stop playing in the lab and help with the family business."

"What business?" a flash of interest sparkled in César's eyes.

"Just an ordinary textile production."

"I wouldn't call creating Golden Spider silk something ordinary," as soon as Carlos mentioned the luxury item from Aisiki, even the queen began to pay attention to the conversation. Now Cornelia began to suspect that maybe her father's goal was to access the most expensive fabric and not to recruit a potential supporter to his side. She glanced at Dr. Winda. The woman forced a smile.

"I suppose so. But it's ordinary for me. I'm grateful for Her Highness' sponsorship of my research."

The queen returned to her glass, instantly losing any interest she had in the conversation. César snorted but refrained from making any snarky remarks. The only person to keep the conversation going was the king.

"What is the subject of your research?"

"Crops, and the possibility of hybridizing with local plants."

The silence fell upon the dining hall. The king stared at the scientist intently, almost intimidatingly.

"The use of local plants is taboo, as you are aware. I understand my daughter's youthful zeal, but you are not a teenager, doctor. You should understand the consequences of breaking the rules for your career and for mankind."

Dr. Winda pinched a bite of fufu. She continued eating without blinking an eye. Even at the banquet, when they met for the first time, Cornelia noticed that the doctor's work drew attention. She was definitely more accustomed to criticism of her efforts than to discussions about her family matters.

"I understand that my work can save many lives, even if it is marked as "morally ambiguous" by the Tower's scholars."