Without losing dignity in front of the guards who lined up in the corridor, Gregory quickly walked towards his laboratory. The bejeweled Marchioness followed. Responding casually to the greetings of the men bowing in respect to the earl's regalia, her ladyship hurried after her husband, tightly clutching in her small hand the marshal's baton, known to every man in Leoria.

Turning a corner, Aola broke into a run. The desire to knock on the empty head of his beloved was irresistible. Always soft, calm and reasonable, Irishka burned with indignation. Not only do these figures not let her into their plans, they also decided to use pregnant women and a...