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30

Kinn-Aeri, royal residence,

second third of the evening watch

- Poor thing, how unimportant he looks ... They say he is seriously injured. My dear, is it true? Tell me, don't torture us with guesses!

“Don’t force me to divulge state secrets, I know no more than you!” My husband is devoted to the throne, not to his own wife.

“Don’t be cunning, Kinta! No man can resist your charm! Admit it, you already asked about everything? They asked, didn't they?

“Ah, daneke, daneke, you torment me like executioners! Everything my husband told me...

Deciding to add my oil to the fire of flaring gossip, I stepped towards the sincerely talking company, which consisted of the young wife of Amiter and her two bosom girlfriends.

Daneke Kinta, a bright brunette, whose charm was slightly diminished by the yellowish tint of her skin, noticed that the enemy was moving in her direction, fell silent and hissed at the others, who instantly bit their tongues. However, the red-haired Olika and Silima, whose ashen hair was whipped into a high mop, reminiscent of meadows during haymaking, were not at all annoyed, because instead of being content with a third-hand retelling, they got the opportunity to see for themselves how badly the object of their current short-term interest.

— Greetings beautiful daneke. I lowered my chin in a bow.

Court gentlemen usually bend lower, and even sweep the parquet at the feet of the fairies with their hat feathers, but I had two whole excuses for ostentatious coldness. Firstly, I arrived at the palace without a hat (and why is she in a carriage, pray tell?), And secondly, supposedly poor bodily health eliminated the need to follow all the subtleties of etiquette.

“Happy to see you, dan Ra-Gros,” Kinta replied, devouring me with might and main with her dark blue, almost black eyes. Probably, she was looking for traces of terrible wounds, which, I am sure, her husband had painted in bed yesterday. Or maybe even this morning: Antreya's amiter was not allowed to touch the body of his beautiful wife every day.

“My dear dan, is it true that your life was in danger recently?”

I made a mournful grimace and answered Olika:

“Unfortunately, the service that I carry out for the benefit of Her Majesty's subjects forces me to risk my life.

"And how severe are your wounds?" Quinta couldn't let anyone but herself dominate the conversation.

“No matter how heavy they are, I will always have the strength to put my lips to your lovely fingers!”

I pretended that I was really going to carry out the voiced intentions. The brunette recoiled, hastily hiding her hands in the folds of her purple dress and smiling guiltily.

— Oh, dear dan, you should be joking...

Well, well, the stigma is again in thick fluff, if it smiles extremely guilty. This means that both yesterday and the day before yesterday someone else warmed the bed, and Kinta had the pleasure of seeing her husband only briefly, therefore, she does not have all the information. Unless, of course, we assume that the amiter himself knows more than Vig reported to him.

To be honest, dan Anseli from the very first meeting inspired enduring respect for his person, but not at all with advanced years, despite which he was famous for his good appetite for bed comforts. Oh no, this stocky and still strong chubby man with rare streaks of gray in blue-black curls dumbfounded and captivated me by the fact that at the end of the presentation ceremony he winked mischievously and whispered (fortunately he was standing very close to me): “And why are we wasting time on acquaintance? All the same, after all, you will do business with Viger, and bypass me, the old man. Only it is for the better: it’s more fun for you, and it’s calmer for me. ” And such a nice man is repeatedly deceived by his wife! Not fair. However, judging by the occasional rearrangements and changes in the composition of the upper tier of the City Guard, amiter carefully monitors all Kinta's hobbies, and perhaps even uses her impressions to assess the personal qualities of officers. For example, the desire to quickly get into the bed of a hot brunette can be viewed in two ways: either as a criminal disrespect for a higher rank, or ... as a passion, without which it is difficult to break into people. So there is no harm without good, and in this case it does not work. Notorious bastards can be driven out with vzashey, and assertive fellows can be elevated and brought closer - then you will certainly know with whom the walking spouse is spending time.

- Allow me to steal this unfortunate sufferer from you for a couple of words? Wiger asked, making a graceful bow to the three gossips unlike me.

“Of course, dan, with great…

Quinta broke off, realizing that there was still a word, and my company was provided to gossips until the very end of the reception, and this could not be allowed: it would not be possible to exchange the latest news, and there was a huge risk of betraying intimate secrets.

Ra-Ken stifled a chuckle, bowed his thanks once more, and, grabbing my elbow, dragged me to chairs standing against the wall.

Is this serious, Ray?

— Gossip daneke Kinta is always penetratingly serious.

- I'm not talking about that! You look bad: so pale, as if you are going to faint.

The alarming tone of the whisper, quite appropriate in the current situation, did not suit Vigueru at all. Especially in combination with a tense look.

“Say thanks to Ollie, he's got his corset so tight you can barely breathe.

“Ahhhhh, here’s the thing…”

“I shouldn’t have confessed,” I pretend disappointment. “I would be silent, and your attention would belong entirely to me, and the court beauties would bite their elbows with envy.

- Not funny.

- It's a pity. I wanted to cheer you up.

Ra-Ken lowered his voice to a growl.

- I should have thought about my mood yesterday when I got into a fight!

- I had no choice.

— I guess. But this is not a reason to take risks.

- I didn't risk it. I just…

Are you tired of living? So be it, I agree. Just keep in mind, Ray, I'll forgive anything but death.

- I'll remember.

— Try hard!

“I’ll try, I’ll try ... In the meantime, be a friend, snap your fingers to one of the servants, my throat is completely dry.

"Can't you click yourself?"

Why, if I have you?

Wiger shook his head, but did not refuse - with an experienced look of a man accustomed to command, he found the most accommodating fish in a flock of livery and showed with an intricate gesture that young people do not mind a little drink. In less than three breaths, a tray with two glasses already appeared in front of us, in the crystal buds of which something of the color of dark amber splashed. We favorably accepted the offering and slowly sipped the wine, simultaneously glancing at the courtiers who had gathered in the Coral Hall in anticipation of the beginning of the Small Reception.

In contrast to the Grand receptions, which were held solely to emphasize the significance of certain events, the Small ones were intended by Her Majesty for other purposes. In particular, it is pleasant and, if possible, to have fun, to meet the right people in a warm, trusting atmosphere, and in addition, to find out how the courtyard lives. To implement the last point, the main gossips and gossips of Antreya were invited to the reception, but, of course, in a limited number, because gossip is gossip, but someone must also supply truthful information.

The presence of my favorite gossips in the hall meant that the purpose of this evening's gathering was not so much to discuss existing rumors as to generate new ones. Amiter's wife loves to walk around the city (of course, visiting places befitting a noble lady) and does not know how to keep her mouth shut. At least, so do many courtiers and townspeople who are not fortunate enough to possess even the slightest grain of my gift. I realized very quickly: Kinta is an unbearable talker, but only on topics that are not important for herself, but when her personal affairs or the affairs of her family and relatives are affected ... Oh, then even the most terrible torture will not bring the desired result, then I mean, they won't help you find out what's on the lady's mind. In fact, that is why she is so afraid of the only person in Antrey who does not need to resort to questions. Me, beloved. She is afraid and makes an unforgivable mistake: she would behave calmly and naturally, and I would not delve into the depths of her soul. But everything happened exactly the opposite, forever setting a barrier to understanding between us ...

The gossips are modestly dressed, without exposed shoulders and breasts, which means that an evening of exclusively spiritual pleasures is ahead. Well, of course! Dan Millit has already unsheathed his lute, preparing to delight the ears of those present with music and singing. I have nothing against: the court musician has a bewitching voice, and the selection of texts and melodies does not suffer from flaws. True, it would be better for me now to sit in peace and quiet and think about something, but since Callie ordered, I will carry out the order. In addition, I admit that Ruala, not only out of female curiosity, added my name to the list of invitees. Maybe she's worried about recent events. Yes, they are definitely worried. We have a kind queen, caring, attentive. The same can't be said about my wife, who stiffly stiffened in an armchair on the opposite side of the Coral Hall.

And how she pouted her lips! More precisely, not inflated, but squeezed. In vain, oh in vain: nature, with the help of parents, did not bother to give this feature of Nais a pleasant fullness, therefore, it is not worth reducing what is regrettably small from birth. No, my dear, you should behave differently, keep your mouth slightly open, as if ready for a kiss, then you will be just a feast for the eyes! Although ... It seems that they look at you without tricks. What a handsome man, why don't I know?

Staring at a stranger is considered obscene behavior in high society, but when did I follow the generally accepted rules? No, I will study the guy who is dangerously close to my wife in the most intent way! But first, I'll find out the name and position, which will not be difficult: you just need to pinch Viger's arm.

- What's the matter?

The pinch seemed to displease Ra-Ken. The effort was small, so it was not the action that annoyed my friend, but its result: diverting attention from the contents of the glass. Would you say the Re-Amiter only drank wine to disguise himself? You don’t know Vig well: for once, the main cause of all troubles is standing nearby and in sight - why not relax? Especially in the royal palace, where nothing life-threatening can happen to me.

You know everything about everyone, don't you? “I try to mimic the ingratiating tone of Kinta's girlfriends when they set out to extract the delicate details of a new gossip from their chief informant.

Gray eyes narrowed suspiciously.

- And you - no? Don't make me laugh, Raiden!

"So, am I making you laugh?" Why did he deny, they say, "not funny"?

Viger suppressed a heavy sigh, the hopelessness of which, I believe, most fully described my strengths and weaknesses en masse, pulled himself together and answered the first question:

- Not everything, but a lot. What exactly are we talking about?

— Name and origin.

— Whose?

I cast another brief glance towards the pair, which in every sense caused my displeasure.

— The guy next to Nais.

Viger looked at the person in question, chuckled and shook his head:

- There is no cause for concern.

– How do you know?!

Don't get excited, Ray. This is the great-nephew of our Minister of War, one of those distant relatives whom they prefer not to let on the threshold, arranging their fate at a distance.

- Oh really? Why didn't I know it existed?

Because you don't care about anyone but you.

In private, Vig would have hit me on the nose at these words, but the presence of a number of brilliant courtiers kept my friend from the usual manifestation of feelings.

I try to be offended.

"Do you really think so?"

Re-Amiter honestly tries not to smile, but loses the fight to himself, and his thin lips curl up in mockery:

- That's it, we close the discussion of your nonsense. Is there anything else you want to know?

- Actually, I want to know everything ... Well, at least the name and track record.

Ra-Ken raised his eyebrows a little, as he always did when plunging into the pantry of his memory, and after a pause long enough to seem tangible, but too short to be annoying, began to read out an excerpt from the dossier in a tedious voice:

“Dagert Illis, twenty-six years old, trained at—”

- Stop, stop! How is it, "Illis"? Why not Ra-Kimi?

“Because,” Vig muttered displeasedly. “I told you, he’s one of those relatives who…”

“They don’t let you on the threshold, I heard. But what is the reason? It seems that in the family of a pugnacious old man there are not so many young shoots, so as not to endow her with a generic name.

“A lot or a little, it's not for us to judge, Ray. I do not want to go into details, but all this is not just. An illegitimate birth shrouded in mystery is also good that the old man agreed to give the guy a “junior” name, otherwise he would have completely succumbed to some servants, but it’s a pity: Doug is not deprived of talents.

“Especially in terms of embarrassing the peace of other people's wives…” I muttered, returning to my inspection armed with a new point of view.

Twenty-six years, you say? It looks like, if we take into account the figure: a very young man is characterized by thinness of the body, desperately gaining strength, and not dryness of getting rid of unnecessary muscle bumps.

And the face seems young, and I guess why: because of the clean-shaven skin. True, a slight blue is still noticeable to the eye, which means that the guy does not use magical ointments, but prefers to scrape his chin and other parts of the face every morning, and striving to overgrow with stiff bristles. Poor thing… It’s easier for me: if the hair starts to break through, it’s not visible from afar, and with such a luxurious black mane, the only salvation is regular shaving. I wonder how many oils he used to make his hair tame? I would have grown longer curls, and that's it. However... Perhaps openly speaking out against court rules has a serious reason. Since the queen considered it possible to invite him to the Small Reception, the guy has every chance to someday be honored with the Grand Reception.

Talented, you mean? In what arts? He moves smoothly and quite economically, from which one can conclude that military discipline has not passed him by. Yes, probably one of the lower ranks in the royal guard, because if he was in the City Watch or in the Coast Guard, I would run into him. Well, why doesn't Roale oblige everyone to come to Small receptions, if not in uniforms, then at least with insignia? And so you have to guess: who, where, why, why ... I don’t like it. Although such a requirement would cause difficulties in the first place for me: if you imagine how many signs you have to carry yourself, it is done downright badly. The only joy is that because of them the color of the camisole will not be visible, which means that you don’t need to think how it fits with other details of the appearance.

I don’t know what thoughts hovered in Kallas’s head when he supplied me with new clothes, but another black from head to toe, diluted with a pale face and a light blond braid tightened no weaker than a corset (I’ll kill Alden as soon as I deal with more pressing matters !), gave me neither grace nor charm, giving the impression of a gloomy and sick type. However, that's how I felt about myself. Now. But he stood out from the crowd of courtiers dressed in the colors of the Coral Hall. But not only one stood out, which, to be honest, he regretted a little.

Wiger sported a dark azure suit, reminiscent of a uniform - apparently to avoid unnecessary meetings and conversations: they say, gentlemen and ladies, although I am not in the service, I am always ready to carry it. Nais - in a menacing scarlet dress with black lace trim - looked both defiant and impregnable, but that's how she looked in my presence on any day and in any mood. The third spot, standing out from the general palette, was just an impudent person unknown to me so far: I don’t know if he guessed on purpose or didn’t even keep it in his thoughts, but the camisole of the color of dried pigeon blood unpleasantly hurt the eye, shouting about the young man’s serious intentions. In whatever areas.

A pretty face, you won’t say anything, but growing, and not frozen in puppetry. In less than a couple of years, this man will mature completely and become a thunderstorm of court ladies, whom he will tremble with his straight profile and piercing gaze of brown coal eyes. Well, let him do it. But he'll have to leave my wife alone, or...

Looks like we won't look into each other's eyes today. It's a pity, but she herself wished it, forbidding to seek meetings. I didn’t even look for it - there simply wasn’t time, and I hope that my presence at the reception will not be blamed on me: I didn’t come myself, but by invitation (read - by order).

She sits, impregnably straightening her back and carefully choosing for a look all the spans of the hall except for the one on which her suffering husband is located. Well, yes, it is suffering! Let at the moment not from female coldness, but for completely different reasons, but why shouldn’t I be entitled to a fleeting interest? I don’t ask for anything anymore: neither understanding, nor forgiveness, nor other charms of marital relations, but at least look and make sure that I am still breathing ... Apparently, unworthy. Well, okay. But no one forbade me to look at my wife. And what is not forbidden is allowed - such a motto enters the blood of every inhabitant of Antreya from the moment of birth.

Still, she's beautiful. When he is not angry, when the stern mask disappears from his pale face, the features soften, and a dreamy tenderness appears in his bright eyes. However, Nais, while still being Ra-Ell, and not Ra-Gro, very rarely allowed herself such relaxation, because it is possible only in conjunction with boundless trust, but something, and she was almost never allowed to experience this feeling ...