Relax, It’s Not a Pyramid Scheme! Just a Regular Scheme...

It didn’t take long for the rumors to spread throughout the city, and by the next morning an agitated crowd had already been gathered before the palace gates.

“Is it true? Are we going to war?” a merchant shouted.

“The price of grain has already gone up by two shekels this morning! And if the Gaetulians block the trade routes, it won’t stop there. So what is the queen’s decision? Will she give in?”

“She should just accept the marriage, for the good of Carthage,” someone whispered.

“I heard those bloodthirsty Trojans forced her to reject the proposal…” another voice claimed.

But the Queen’s Guard, stationed before the sealed gates, offered no answers. They stood in rigid formation, ensuring that no one entered the palace.

With a troubled expression, Dido stepped away from the window of her chambers and drew the curtains shut.

I have to make my decision soon.

With a sigh, she sank onto her divan, folding her arms as she once again turned over her options in her mind.

Marrying this Iarbas is out of the question, of course. But if I let the deadline pass, it may lead to war, and that's something I must avoid at all costs. Should I send an envoy, in the hope of clearing up this misunderstanding?

She recalled the determined look on the Gaetulian king’s face.

No… I doubt he’d be willing to listen. What would he gain from such a scheme otherwise?

Suddenly, another face flickered in her mind’s eye, and her chest tightened.

“Aeneas…” she whispered softly.

I haven’t seen him since the incident. Does he truly believe I’d be involved with someone like Iarbas?

With a groan, she rolled onto her side.

“Ugh… what am I supposed to do, Esh?”

But no one answered.

Only now did she notice how strangely empty her chamber felt without the quiet presence of her handmaiden.

“Where is she?” the queen murmured, pushing herself up and looking around.

Her thoughts drifted again, back to the moments she had shared with Aeneas, to the warmth of his breath against her skin as their lips had drawn close in silent anticipation.

A flush spread across her face, and she slapped her cheeks firmly.

I can’t let myself be distracted by such thoughts right now!

Resolutely, she straightened her garments and strode toward the door.

“I have to clear this up. I won’t have any peace otherwise. Aeneas must not get the wrong idea about me…”

But when she opened it, she froze, suddenly face to face with her chamberlain, who gave her a nervous smile.

“R-Reganobal! You startled me. Are you aware of what is happening? Where have you even been all this time?”

The official bowed apologetically.

“Forgive me, my lady, that wasn't my intention. Yes, I am already aware. Has… has Your Majesty made a decision? Will… you consent to the marriage?”

Dido crossed her arms, staring at him in disbelief.

“Of course not! Do you really think I would submit to the whims of some foreign king because of such a ridiculous lie?”

Reganobal studied her for a moment with a strange expression before smiling again.

“I understand, my lady. There is, however, another matter that requires your attention.”

He gestured for her to follow, but Dido’s gaze drifted down the corridor, coming to rest on the door that led to Aeneas’ chamber.

“Actually, I was just about to...”

“It is very urgent, Your Highness,” he insisted, and after a brief hesitation, she relented.

“…Very well.”

She followed him through the oddly deserted colonnades until they stopped before a heavy bronze door in a remote wing of the palace.

“That… is the sanctuary of Baal Hammon…”

Her chamberlain merely nodded, his smile unchanged, as he gestured toward the door.

“Please, after you.”

Dido hesitated.

Something isn’t right.

She turned, letting her gaze sweep over the antechamber.

The empty offering bowls. The absence of incense. The dimmed light.

No priests. No temple servants. At this hour, they should already be busy…

Her expression hardened as she turned back to him.

“Tell me, Reganobal, where have you actually been these past few days?”

The advisor scratched the back of his neck nervously, avoiding her gaze.

“I… had some urgent matters to attend to. As you know, I have many responsibilities.”

“Did those ‘responsibilities’ happen to bring you into my chambers? Perhaps near my jewelry box?”

He began to stammer under her cold stare.

“Ah... well... of course not! Th-that would be...”

“What game are you playing? Do you take me for a fool?”

“M-My Queen, what do you mean? Rest assured, I have always acted in the best interest of...”

As Dido listened, distrustful of his empty words, she failed to notice the heavy door behind her slowly opening.

Two shadows slipped out of the chamber, approaching her unnoticed.

And struck.

“W-wha-?! Ahh!! …mmph!” Her cry was cut short as a large, meaty hand clamped tightly over her mouth.

Two more hands seized her arms and yanked them back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could only make out the rough outlines of the men who had ambushed her.

Only now did Reganobal’s smile fade.

“I am truly sorry it had to come to this…” he said to the queen, who stared at him wide-eyed as she was bound and gagged.

“…but I, too, care deeply for Carthage. And I will not allow you to drive it to ruin with foolish decisions.”

“Mmph! MMH!!!”

Dido struggled with all her strength, trying to scream, but to no avail.

“Make sure no one gets in or out until I’ve set everything in motion!” Reganobal barked to his lackeys, in a tone Dido had never heard from him before.

Then they threw her into the dark chamber, and the door slammed shut behind her with a thunderous crash.

🏛️🏛️🏛️

“Uuugh…”

Aeneas let his forehead thunk against the table, lifted it again, only to let it drop once more.

Lift.

Thud.

Again.

“You coward… you damn coward… seriously, what is wrong with you…” he groaned, before turning his head to stare at the door.

At the same time, he heard his inner voice in his mind, perfectly clear.

Get up, you idiot! Go out there, knock on her door, and apologize already!

Another voice cut in immediately, dripping with sarcasm.

Oh, and say what exactly? ‘Hey, sorry I just stood there rooted to the spot while that guy trashed you’? Brilliant plan. Really.

Aeneas flinched.

If you were even half the hero people think you are, you would’ve challenged that savage on the spot for spreading those lies, like Hector would have. But nope! Now she knows you’re all talk.

The first voice shot back.

And where is Hector now, huh?! Exactly! You froze! That’s normal! The last time you faced an army like that, your entire homeland went up in flames. Of course you hesitated!

A pause.

Dido will understand. But only if you actually get off your ass and talk to her!

Aeneas slowly lifted his head. A scrap of papyrus clung stubbornly to his cheek before peeling off and fluttering to the floor.

His fists tightened.

“…I have to fix this…”

Suddenly, he shot to his feet, marched straight to the door, flung it open, and stepped into the corridor, heading directly for Dido’s chambers without hesitation.

WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Turn back! TURN BACK!!

Aeneas quickened his pace instead, shaking his head like he could physically fling the thoughts out of it.

At last, he stopped before her door.

He exhaled deeply.

Raised his arm, and...

“Do you require something, Trojan?” a voice suddenly called out behind him.

Startled, Aeneas spun around.

That’s… her chamberlain? Reginald or something?

“Uh... yes, well, I… just wanted to see her majesty. There’s something important I need to tell her…”

As Aeneas scratched the back of his head awkwardly, Reganobal’s eyes narrowed, his voice dripped with condescending disdain.

“The queen doesn't have the time now to receive you and discuss any… trivialities. In case it has escaped your notice, Carthage is currently in a political crisis.”

“Uh, yes, I noticed. That’s actually what I wanted to talk to her about, because...”

“...Furthermore, Queen Dido has specifically ordered that you are not to trouble her any further, as she must now consult with her advisors.”

An unnaturally wide smile spread across his face, as Aeneas’ eyes widened.

“S-she ordered that?!”

You see? You see what you’ve done, you idiot? Because you acted like a coward, she wants nothing to do with you anymore. Serves you right!

“I… understand…”

Disappointed, Aeneas lowered his gaze, then looked back at Reganobal.

“If you see her… could you please tell her I have something to say, when she has time?”

“Of course, my lord.”

Reganobal smiled in satisfaction as Aeneas shuffled back to his room, lost in thought.

Only once the door closed did the corners of the chamberlain’s mouth fall again.

And with them...

his mask.