A Concept? Of Course I Have a Concept. Let Me Tell You About My Concept. It’s Right Here… That Very Concept [End of Act One]

When Aeneas, Dido, and Eshmunet reached the bay and harbor of Carthage, they could already see their recently ditched entourage standing helplessly on the quay.

“This is a disaster! How could you let the queen wander off alone and unprotected?!” Reganobal shouted toward the Trojans.

Korydros folded his arms, looking entirely unimpressed by the accusation.

“My deepest apologies for assisting you so enthusiastically with your duties,” he replied with biting sarcasm. “But isn’t guarding your own Lady also your responsibility?” He lifted his chin. “Besides, you need not worry. Prince Aeneas is a heroic warrior of Troy. Your queen is more than safe in his presence.”

Reganobal snorted.

“…As long as he doesn’t run into Diomedes or Achilles again,” he muttered quietly, but just loud enough for Korydros to hear.

“What was that?!” the general snapped immediately.

“You heard me! Two battles, two defeats, wasn’t it?”

Korydros blinked in outrage.

“Two of the greatest warriors the world has ever seen! And he still had the courage to stand against them! Could you say the same about yourself?”

“…At least I can claim my people didn’t start a war that turned the entire Hellenistic world against our homeland!”

Korydros took a step toward the Carthaginian, teeth clenched.

“That is...”

But before the situation could escalate further, the three runaways stepped into the sight of their companions.

Aeneas sighed as they stopped in front of them.

Well… guess that’s the end of our almost private moment already…

Reganobal’s eyes widened when he noticed them.

“My lady! Are you unharmed? Has this Trojan done anything... improper to you?!“

Dido’s face flushed crimson at the words, while Aeneas scratched the back of his head and stared off to the side, his imagination running a little too freely.

“W-what?! Of course not! How could you even think something so absurd?!”

Her chamberlain immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

“Please forgive me, my queen! It’s just that I simply cannot trust these foreigners…”

While the Trojans loudly protested the remark, Dido briefly recalled the moments she had shared with Aeneas.

He distrusts them? But… Aeneas saved me from that assassin. He showed genuine interest in Carthage and our customs. Even after what happened in the Purple Quarter and at the temple, he still chose to stay. And he’s supposed to have dishonorable intentions?

Before her thoughts could wander further, anger welled up inside her. Her eyes blazed as she looked down upon her subject with regal bearing.

Because of this foolishness, Aeneas might reconsider his intention of staying. I can’t allow this to happen.

“You disapprove of my decision, Reganobal? I'm fine with that, but how dare you question our guests’ motives and defame them in public?”

“I-I only meant to...”

But she didn’t let him finish.

“I must assume you distrust my leadership as well then. In that case, I may need to reconsider whether I still have any use for you and your counsel.”

While Reganobal knelt before her in stunned silence, Dido turned away without waiting for an answer and addressed the crowd that had already gathered around them since their arrival.

I have to show everyone that I stand behind Aeneas and his Trojans.

Dockworkers, merchants, and passersby of every sort turned their heads toward their queen as she raised her voice.

“People of Quart-Hadasht, hear me well, as I have made my decision. I hereby declare the Trojan exiles to be allies of Carthage! They shall be granted a district of their own, and while they reside among us, they are to be treated with the same respect you show to me.”

With a cold gaze she turned back to Reganobal and the other officials.

“Are there any objections?”

No one dared to speak.

“Good. Then I order that the Trojan fleet be towed into our harbor and their people provided for without delay.”

“Y-yes, my lady…,” Reganobal replied as he hurriedly rose to carry out the command, unable to meet her eyes.

Behind her, Aeneas stood with his mouth slightly open, eyes shining with admiration.

Damn, she’s incredible. She’s got her people completely under control!

Aeneas straightened his posture.

I need to look impressive too.

Two seconds later, panic returned.

Wait… can I actually keep up with someone like that?

His head lowered again, worry creeping back in.

Even if she seems to be into me right now… will that last if I can’t live up to her expectations? If she realizes I’m not the hero she thinks I am, she’ll end up looking like a fool in front of her own people too. I don’t want that…

At last Dido turned to him with an apologetic smile.

“Please forgive my chamberlain’s behavior, Prince Aeneas. Reganobal is a loyal adviser who cares deeply for my well-being. But sometimes his caution exceeds what is appropriate.”

“A-ah, it’s fine…,” Aeneas replied, avoiding her gaze.

He clenched his fists.

No. This is my chance to prove she isn’t completely wrong about me!

With sudden determination, he turned toward his general.

“Korydros!”

The Trojan immediately stepped briskly to his prince.

“What is it, my lord?” He raised a hand conspiratorially to his mouth and lowered his voice. “Shall we order the attack once our fleet is in the harbor? I must say, a brilliant stratagem...”

WHAT IS WITH THESE BLOODTHIRSTY IDEAS?!

“N-no, no! Let’s… save that for another time, okay?! I was thinking of something else…”

He cleared his throat.

Alright. Let’s try doing it exactly the way she did.

Raising his voice, he spread his arms so the other Trojans could hear him. His words were directed half toward Dido, half toward the gathered crowd.

“As, uh… as representative of the Trojan exiles, I thank you for your generosity! And… and I promise that we shall repay it with our support in…”

He paused, placing a thoughtful hand on his chin.

Hm… support in what exactly?

His eyes drifted toward the ships anchored in the harbor, until they lingered on the empty berths and the unfinished shipyards.

Ah. That’s it!

“…the construction of the greatest and most magnificent harbor the world has ever seen!”

The people let out a collective “Ooooh!”, while the Trojans exchanged skeptical glances.

“You mean… until our fleet is ready to sail again to our new home, right?” one of them asked cautiously.

Aeneas blinked.

You can sail wherever you want, I won't stop you...

“Uh, yes, of course, j-just until then… I do have a destiny to fulfill after all, right? Heh…”

I’ll just think of some way to get out of this before that happens…

Dido stepped beside him, her expression a mixture of hope and concern.

“Are you certain about this? I am grateful for any help, but you truly don’t have to...”

“Think nothing of it!” Aeneas interrupted energetically before his voice softened again. “It’s the least we can do…”

She nodded with a smile that made his heart beat faster.

“In that case, thank you, Prince Aeneas. I look forward to hearing the concept you have in mind for the expansion of the harbor…”

For a moment, Aeneas smiled confidently.

Then the words sank in.

Concept?

His smile froze.

Damn it, what did I just get myself into now? Why don’t I ever think before I speak?!

“Y-yes, of course. I’ll tell you all about it… over dinner, yes…”

“I look forward to it!” she replied sincerely.

For a moment, Aeneas forgot his sorrows as he gazed into her emerald-green eyes.

Then he smiled as well.

At last they began making their way back toward the palace, once again accompanied by their retinue.

All except one.

Reganobal remained on the quay.

After relaying the queen’s orders, he watched her depart with a troubled expression.

He sighed as a shadow approached him from behind.

“A pity…,” said a deep voice.

Startled, the Carthaginian spun around.

“W-what? Who are you?” Reganobal asked nervously, studying the figure.

The man wore dark leather garments, completed by a long cloak whose hood was pulled low over his face, leaving only a long black beard, streaked with gray, visible beneath it.

“I am someone who is just as concerned for Carthage’s future as you are.”

“Concerned? What are you talking about?”

The stranger gestured toward the royal procession.

“Granting entry to a foreign army just like that?” He shrugged. “Doesn’t strike me as particularly wise.”

Reganobal lowered his head.

“Queen Dido has always been a good and far-sighted ruler. I trust her judgment.”

The figure nodded slowly.

“Yes… she has been.”

Then he turned to leave.

“But if you should ever feel that this is no longer the case… you will find me at the tavern called Bet Yayin, not far from the docks.”

Reganobal frowned.

“For what purpose?”

The stranger continued walking. He didn’t answer at first, but then he stopped, calling back without turning around:

“To talk about Carthage’s future, of course...”

Then he disappeared behind the next corner.