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The three women sitting around the table held themselves rigidly. They were all afraid. Now I was frightened too. I had done the very thing Sebastianus feared: I had revealed myself to his uncle. And for what? I would never hear Ismene’s information now.

What a ridiculous ruse, I thought with a flash of anger. Did Jovinian think I was so foolish as to not see through this absurd disguise? I wasn’t stupid. I was clever. I was clever, and I should—I should use it for something good.

I forced myself to breathe. Think. Breathe. Think.

I cleared my throat. “The truth is, I do live with the Imperator’s nephew. In fact, that is why I wanted to come to this garden today.”

The man looked at me with interest. “What do you mean?”

“First, I must apologize to these kind women. I gave them the impression that I had a question about my mother. But I also had another motive, which I didn’t share.”

Nina’s expression was wary. Even Ismene glanced up for a second before refocusing on her plate.

“The Archidux speaks so highly of his uncle that I came here in the hope of catching a glimpse of him. To hear His Grace talk, you would think the Imperator is the wisest man who ever lived.”

I turned toward him and gazed into his eyes, allowing the corners of my mouth to turn up in what I hoped was a shy smile. “I’m disappointed to find only his gardener.”

The man blinked.

“The Archidux knows he has disappointed his uncle,” I continued. “I desire to help him. He told me a secret I’m not supposed to share, but I had planned to tell the Imperator. Once the information is known, it will allow the Archidux to redeem himself in his uncle’s eyes.” I let my arm fall gracefully onto the table so that my fingers were only a few inches from his.

“You came here to tell the Imperator a secret?” he asked thickly.

“Yes. But, of course, I can’t, since he is not here.”

Ismene looked up and met my eyes. “Perhaps you could tell us instead.”

“Do you think so?” I asked, trying to sound as guileless as I could. I looked around the table with what I hoped was a sly expression. “Could I trust you all?”

“I’m sure you could,” Ismene said. She understood that I was up to something, and she was helping me.

“Go on,” the gardener said.

“The Archidux knows his uncle is frustrated with him. Something to do with a treasure he didn’t find.”

The man’s expression became less eager. “I believe the Imperator has heard the Archidux on this topic many times before. That treasure has already been found.”

“Oh, but it hasn’t,” I said. “There’s something more, something he has not yet revealed. The Archidux discovered secret proof that an immense treasure is still out there. He shared this evidence with me, and I was astounded.”

“He has secret proof?” the gardener asked. “What is it?”

“It’s a letter written long ago, by a geographer who—”

And then several pieces of a puzzle clicked into place. Straba, chasing a courtesan around a well at Casa Caligine. Straba, who found the lost cave city of Arcadius the Mighty under the Kotol range. Who wrote about Goddess worship in Corlivo and then omitted that section from later manuscripts of Geographica. My mind flashed back to Flavia. The well and the shrine. The shrine and the well. I felt like I was about to burst out of my skin.

The man tapped impatiently on the table. “Who what?”

I stood up so quickly that the table rattled. “I— This was meant for the Imperator’s ears only. I shouldn’t be telling you.”

Four faces looked at me in confusion.

“I’m sure it’s all right,” Nina said.

“No, no. I’m sorry. I must go. I’ve said too much.” I was already backing away.

The gardener stood as well. “Don’t worry. The Imperator will know where to find you. He will be eager to hear more of this.”

Ismene’s puzzled eyes were on me as I turned and left the garden at a run.