Alessandro spent the entire day helping to search for the pirates threatening the merchant ships leaving the port. The issue of the slaves deeply bothered him; he would not allow innocent people to be treated as commodities. When he returned to the palace, it was late; dinner had been over for hours. He went directly to his room, and in the hallway, Alessandro encountered Cassian, who seemed to be waiting for him.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep?"
"I'd like to talk to you for a moment."
"About what?"
Cassian opened the door to his room and said, "Come in, and I'll tell you."
Alessandro followed him and asked, "What's the mystery?"
"It's about the princess."
"Has something happened to her?"
"Not exactly, it's just that she seemed sad."
"Why?"
"She thinks that once
