Am I Incompetent? She Mustn’t Find Out! Am I Insignificant? He Mustn’t Notice!

Even before the arrow struck the floor, it had already dissolved into a glittering pink haze.

On Aeneas’ left cheek and Dido’s right, it left behind nothing more than a faint, glowing trace that slowly sank in until it vanished beneath their skin.

But neither of them noticed, since they had long since forgotten where they even were.

Aeneas’ eyes were locked entirely on Dido.

In that moment he no longer saw a queen, but a dainty Phoenician girl whose unsteady breath brushed hot against his face.

She blinked up at him, a mix of surprise and confusion in her eyes, yet not a single word left her lips.

Instead, her rosy mouth parted, and a small, trembling “Ah…” slipped from her lips as her hands clutched at his red cloak.

The moment Aeneas heard it, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Without thinking, he leaned in closer.

The surprise in Dido’s expression melted into nervous anticipation.

Their noses drifted closer.

And then...

“WHAT IN MELQART’S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING, TROJAN!?”

Two hands grabbed him roughly by the collar and yanked him backward.

Aeneas stumbled and nearly fell, but Korydros caught him, already drawing his sword.

“You dare lay hands on our lord?!”

The Carthaginian guards had drawn their weapons as well, Reganobal standing behind them, eyes blazing.

“Your lord just pounced on our queen like a wild beast! Is this the Trojan way of repaying hospitality? Was your war with the Achaeans not lesson enough for you?”

“You dare?!” Korydros hissed, as he stepped forward, furious at the remark.

Aeneas’ heart was still racing as he rasped out his defense.

“Th-there was an assassin! They fired at her!”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Reganobal shot back immediately. “I didn’t see or hear anything!“

“But they were there!” Aeneas insisted.

Suddenly Dido’s voice rang through the hall, loud, firm and dignified. The voice of a queen.

“Put your weapons away. He speaks the truth.”

All heads turned in surprise toward the ruler, who had already straightened herself again.

Nothing remained of the vulnerable girl Aeneas thought he had glimpsed moments earlier, aside from the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

“My Lady, are you certain?” Reganobal asked, startled.

She nodded decisively.

“I don't know where that assassin has gone, but I saw their silhouette in the rafters from the corner of my eye.”

Her gaze fell on Aeneas, suddenly cool and distant, yet not unkind, as she bowed before him.

“I thank you, Aeneas, for your courageous intervention.”

The onlookers stared at the Trojan prince, who in turn looked completely dumbfounded.

“Um, yeah... y-you're welcome…”

Whew… that was close. What was I even thinking just charging at her like that?!

The tension gradually faded as Trojans and Carthaginians finally sheathed their weapons.

“In that case, we will place the guards on high alert and double the patrols,” Reganobal declared briskly. “If that assassin is still here, we won’t let them make another move.”

Dido nodded, satisfied.

“Good. Then let us forget this unfortunate… incident… and proceed as planned. Escort our guests to their quarters.”

“As you command, my lady!”

Curiously, Aeneas watched the queen walk away, even craning his neck to keep her in sight as he was led out of the hall.

Her vulnerable look, burned into his memory, flickered before his inner eye, and warmth immediately flooded his chest.

She looked at me so… strangely. What did this mean?

Dido disappeared through the heavy door on the far side of the hall without sparing him another glance, not even turning back once.

A short while later, Aeneas stood in the spacious guest chamber he had been shown to.

He sighed, sat down on the soft bed, and closed his eyes thoughtfully, brow furrowed, arms crossed.

“Hmm…”

A smile crept onto his lips.

At first small and twitching, then growing wider and wider until it became a broad grin.

Suddenly he flopped onto the bed, burying his face in the pillow, kicking his legs in the air.

Oh yes! I was on top of a girl, a queen, no less. This is insane! And she didn’t even call me gross or shove me away. I swear I could even feel her breasts beneath me. That beats holding hands by miles!

Dreamily, he turned his head to the side, something glimmering in his eyes.

I wonder if she likes me too? I mean, she did say earlier she thinks I’m truly capable, didn't she?…

Suddenly Aeneas’ eyes snapped open.

He shot upright, beads of sweat forming on his pale face.

Wait a minute. She thinks I’ve totally got it together. Which means, if she finds out I’m actually completely clueless, my chances with her will vanish faster than Troy's defense after that wooden horse got in!

For a while, Aeneas desperately raked his fingers through his hair.

Then her eyes appeared before him again, the way their faces had been so close.

Damn it, I can’t give up that easily! I really did save her from that assassin, didn’t I? I wonder where they went or why they were after her… Ah, who cares, I think I really got a chance with her!

Determined, he slapped his fist into his palm and muttered his new top priority:

“I just have to keep her believing that I’m a truly capable man!”

And while the Trojan Prince continued to daydream, different scenes were unfolding a few rooms away.

🏛️🏛️🏛️

The regal composure on Dido’s face had melted the instant she closed the door behind her.

Flushed bright red and breathing heavily, she stood before the mirror in her chamber, hands covering her face.

“What am I supposed to do, Esh?! I can’t possibly face him again like this! And the banquet is soon!”

Her handmaiden scratched her head thoughtfully.

“Lady Elissa, has that young Trojan truly unsettled you so much? So little usually shakes you…”

The queen spun around helplessly.

“I don’t know! When he rushed towards me and then suddenly he was so close, I… I felt so strange. I was a little scared, but somehow I also wanted him to… to…”

She broke off, burying her burning face in her hands again.

Her hamdmaiden suddenly smiled, thinking she understood what was happening.

Oh dear… it seems Astarte answered my prayers sooner than I expected.

“Then shall I have him and his men escorted back?” Eshmunet asked carefully.

“No!” Dido burst out, sounding surprised at her own reaction.

Her thoughts flew back to the moment the young Trojan’s body had lain firm and warm against hers, his blue eyes blazing with passion as they looked at her.

She pressed a hand to her chest.

“Without hesitation he ran to save my life, risking his own, even though he doesn’t know me at all. Me, an insignificant ruler of a tiny city-state…”

“You diminish yourself, my lady. You have accomplished so much for your people,” Eshmunet replied firmly.

But her queen only shook her head.

“I’ve accomplished nothing! I’m merely managing a nest in the desert and deciding ridiculous trivialities…”

Suddenly her eyes widened in sheer horror.

“Oh no! If Aeneas sees how insignificant I am, I’ll be nothing but smoke in the wake of his destiny.”

Eshmunet smiled awkwardly.

“Do you truly believe that, my lady?”

But the queen’s thoughts were already racing.

In her mind’s eye she saw Aeneas looking down at her with pity, while she ruled on whether a donkey could be prosecuted for kicking its owner.

Desperately, Dido bit her thumb.

“I just have to convince him that I’m achieving great things here. He has to believe that when it comes to politics, I’m his equal.”

“And what do you hope to accomplish with that, Lady Elissa?”

Dido crossed her arms, looking away.

“Well… maybe he’ll stay here a little longer then…” Before quickly adding, “I-I mean, it can’t hurt to have a capable ally at court, right!? He did see that assassin, after all!”

Eshmunet smiled gently.

“You are quite right, my lady.”

The rest of her thoughts, however, the handmaiden wisely kept to herself.