Ever since they had been "invited" to this heavily guarded courtyard deep within Grand Duke Andrei's estate, Vasily's wives and concubines had felt a creeping unease.
Rather than a residence where they could conveniently care for the sick, it seemed more like a sumptuous cage.
His principal wife, Anastasia, whispered anxiously to Darya, her closest confidante, beside her. "Darya, dear sister, don't you think we're less here to care for Vasily than to be kept under house arrest?"
Darya sighed. More worldly and perceptive than Anastasia, she gave a bitter smile. "Sister, it doesn't merely 'seem' that way. I'm afraid we really are under house arrest. The guards at the gate may look respectful, but they never leave us alone. We can't even step outside the courtyard without being questioned in detail about where we're going."
Confusion and anxiety filled Anastasia's beautiful face. "But why? Vasily is the chief strategist! Even Grand Duke Andrei normally treats him with considerable respect!"
Darya glanced warily around and lowered her voice. "Sister, have you forgotten? Grand Duke Andrei is unconscious too. Young Master Sergei holds power now. Besides, Vasily's secret identity..."
She trailed off, hesitating as though something held her back.
"His secret identity? What do you mean?" Anastasia's heart clenched, and she hurriedly pressed for an answer.
She loved Vasily deeply and had always believed her husband was simply a highly trusted adviser.
Only after making sure there were no eyes or ears nearby did Darya speak in an extremely quiet voice. "Once, I accidentally saw Vasily speaking with a secret envoy from the Sacred Palace in the Imperial Capital. There were magically encrypted letters passing between them, too. It seems His Majesty the Emperor planted him at Grand Duke Andrei's side long ago!"
"What?!" Anastasia covered her mouth in shock, her