Having folded the note, Madeleine hurried to see Princess Trivia. Ursula took her in the same minute. The pleasant excitement on her friend's face spoke of an important event. The girls were seated in the chairs opposite each other, and Madeleine handed out a note:
- Read it.
As Ursula's smile blossomed, so did Madeleine's smile.
- Oh, dear, how beautiful it is! - She twisted a piece of paper in her hands. - But from whom was the message?
- Of course, from His Highness Prince Yamina, a friend shone. - I did not have the pleasure of spending the evening with other men.
- I saw how sparks of love sparkled your eyes, but the thought that Yamin could seriously fall in love, I did not allow it.
- Oh, I know, darling, he always seemed like a chicken to me, too. At the ball, I'd avoided him before. But as deceptive rumors sometimes happen, we both know luckily not by hearsay. Yesterday Yamin confessed that he also believes in book love.
- Now that I've seen the note, I think I'll agree that he's not lying.
- Oh, I'm burning somewhere in my heart! It's all so exciting. And what should I say now?
- Breathe evenly, Madeleine, breathe! - Ursula fooled her friend with a love letter. - It is not customary to give up on the first confession but to joke about it.
- How can I joke with such feelings?
- You will get a second love letter, then you will be able to recognize the feelings of return. Hold on to it now.
- But I can see everything in my eyes...
- Let's do it! Let your eyes burn, but your lips are not talking.
- Oh, God, give me strength! - The princess lowered her eyelashes in prayer.
General Kicily and Prince Yamin walked through the blossoming garden. The buds opened to the sun, absorbed heat and gave sweet nectar to hardworking bees. Shallow shrubs, trimmed in even rows, led to fountains lurking behind cherry trees. Both friends merged with their surroundings and walked slowly along the sandy paths in a pleasant silence.
- I'm glad you invited me to meet you," the prince smiled. - I provoked you yesterday in vain.
- I want us to understand each other. Our friendship has never suffered before and I have no desire to turn into enemies.
- I admit I didn't expect such a reason...
- I'll be honest, as always: Princess Madeleine conquered me with her immediacy, open smile and sweet laughter at the first meeting. I couldn't sleep for four days then!
- Madman!
- I would probably agree with that. After all, I understood perfectly well that the Count was not equal to her, but continued to fall in love, then in the gold hair, then in the swing of eyelashes ... She is the brightest star in the sky, her soul is as deep as the ocean. Believe me, I spent so much time near her that I am confident that this woman is not empty!
- She presented herself as a dragonfly. I'm sorry I thought she was a pacifier.
- We both know you're playing games with women, and once you win, you lose interest. Yes, I'll never be Madeleine's sweetheart, but I won't let you or anyone else use her.
- Then I will confess that I am unusually conquered by its beauty. I'd like to get to know Madeleine better, and your words of admiration only made this desire worse. As a prince and as a friend, I promise to treat Madeleine with all due respect and leave the usual "games" behind. Will you let me?
- If it becomes the only one, if it becomes like a goddess, I will entrust you with my Aphrodite with a calm soul.
Men shook hands with each other. Kitsiliy knew Prince Yamina better than many, trusted and guided. Could the general forbid the prince to love Madeleine? No. His choice was his right. But he will see to it that his friend keeps his word, for Madeleine's happiness is the only thing that matters.
The dining room was filled with a light floral flavor, coming from bouquets of lush peonies placed everywhere in exquisite glass vases. The guests sat at a long table and His Majesty the King ordered to serve the first course. Prince Yamin was sitting near Madeleine, while Kicily was the opposite. Princess Vespera immediately made it clear to the general that she was still angry with him and had no desire to forgive: her eyes were cold and pierced her heart with sharp needles. And causing even more pain, making her feel the beeping weight in her temples and fight with the bubbling jealousy, was extremely nice, completely immersed in Prince Yamina.
Ursula, being very observant, but too naive, appreciated the behavior and gestures of Prince Batillos and deciphered them quite possible real feeling. As she continued to pimply her friends, Ursula asked them to stay in the kingdom of Trivia. The general's unusually dull state also did not escape her attention. Ursula understood the offended pride of Princess Vespera, and yet the intention was to reconcile her friend with Kitsiliy. Ursula did not tolerate quarrels. Also, the reason - the secret, which has no unnecessary witnesses, a grudge that can and should be forgiven.
Princess Trivia believed that the generaAlso miss the dance without obvious reasons, because he was brought up and because he always took into account. Also, among the countless walking around the world gossip does not exist similar, men never leave the ladies. Everyone will be better off forgetting this nonsense.