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The doll was carved out of wood with straw for hair, wearing the toga the palace tailor had made for her long ago. It was meant to resemble her, but it was broken beyond repair.

Gia pulled a face, unable to contain her horror at the doll’s caved-in face, her scribbled-on skin, her dirty, blood-stained dress.

‘What happened to her?’ she asked.

‘Decimus,’ said Claudia. ‘Decimus happened.’

‘Oh… no. Sorry, Valentina.’

‘I told you, anything I ever owned and loved, he sought to destroy or taint for ever.’ She sat down next to Gia, feeling very soft and small. ‘He couldn’t stand anyone else being happy, especially not me.’

‘That’s sad,’ said Gia, putting her arm around her and kissing her shoulder. ‘I should’ve known. I wish I hadn’t made light of it now.’

‘It’s okay, she is pretty unfortunate-looking.’ Claudia pulled the doll into her lap. ‘But I cherish her all the same. She’s kept me company through some dark nights. I feel responsible for what happened to her.’

‘She’s not real,’ said Gia gently.

‘I know, but… she is me, in a way,’ said Claudia.

They fell quiet.

‘He’s dead now,’ Gia said, tenderly stroking her hair. ‘He can’t hurt you any more.’

Claudia leaned into her hand, like a cat being petted.

‘Yet, part of me fears him still, even now. Sometimes, I think I can feel him… watching, waiting. He was such a malevolent force. I’m sure his spirit could take form again. If any monster can be reanimated and resurrected from the dead, it’s him.’

‘New phobia uncovered,’ said Gia, shuddering.

‘I just pray he can no longer see me or hear me, that he is finally severed from my life.’

‘He’s gone,’ said Gia. ‘I know it.’

‘This is depressing, let’s discuss another topic.’

‘Okay. What about this prince you’re still engaged to?’ said Gia, avoiding her gaze.

‘Really? That’s what you want to discuss?’

‘Do you think he’ll come?’

Claudia groaned dramatically, collapsing onto the bed.

Gia lay beside her, until they were both on their backs looking up at the canopy, their legs hanging off the edge.

‘It’s bothering me to think he might appear at any moment and sweep you off your feet… and I’ll have to refrain from killing him for the sake of international diplomacy,’ said Gia.

‘Please, don’t worry,’ said Claudia, rolling onto her side. ‘He is not a serious concern.’

Gia mirrored her, their faces close together.

‘Do you intend to marry him still?’

‘I don’t want to marry him,’ Claudia said.

‘Then… don’t.’

‘The letter he wrote was sent before my father died. He may have changed his mind, and all of this speculation is just a waste of our precious time together,’ said Claudia, stroking Gia’s cheek.