Chapter 10
Without going over the personalities
My heart was beating desperately, my hands were wet with excitement, but I still went to the library right after breakfast. Nothing, the library is not the most popular place in the castle. There they more often date than taking books. No, they do, of course, but the likelihood of encountering someone, especially on selection days, is minimal.
She pushed the door and found herself in the unshakable realm of books. Time has stood still here. I remember, as a little girl, I was afraid to get lost among the book rows and always tried to take only what was on the shelves. And now, on the contrary, I moved into the depths of a row of rooms.
- Your Highness," I called quietly.
- I'm here," Ari stepped to me. - What happened? Have you been discovered? Do they suspect something?
- No," I waved my hands. - Wait.
I read a short spell that should have warned us when strangers showed up and continued:
- Are you seeing the lords today?
- Yes, I will. - Arietta got darkened. - Your father thinks that you need to show as much as possible the presence of the princess in the palace so that no one can guess about your escape.
- Look, I want to talk to them myself. During these days, so much has been accumulated that we can say ... You see, they will leave the selection themselves.
- What are you talking about? - Ari rounded her eyes.
- Let's switch places! Only for tonight, and back in the evening. You will become Elias Cavernel and you will patiently read books here or go to my room, and when the meetings are over, you will come back. And I will become Princess Eliza again. How many meetings are scheduled today?
- Four," Ari sighed. - But Elisa, dear, what if someone understands? I barely escaped here! The king is afraid that I will run away too.
- They won't understand," I persisted. - Arietta, you would have heard these lords! They're talking about me like a mare. Maybe if they realize that the princess isn't a doll or a puppet, they'll go away. What do you think?
- This is a crazy idea," Ari admitted.
- I understand. But how else would she do it? Arietta, please.
- Elisa, isn't there a single lord you'd like to see as your husband? - A friend sadly asked.
- Why not... - I felt the blood come to my cheeks. - I have one. Not that I fell in love, don't think about it. But...
- Who is he? - Ari squeezed my hands. - Wait till I guess. Lord Reniard Ayordan.
- Quiet!" I shouted at my cousin. - Don't even say his name. Yes, Reniard. But there is nothing between us and can't be. I'm his boyfriend.
- Then why not let Lord Ayordan win? - my cousin winked. - You'll go back to your seat, marry him, and everyone will be happy.
- He does not need the throne. And the princess too," I sighed. - All he wants to do is prove to the other lords that he is no worse than they are. And what to prove, Ari, if he is better? Sometimes, when I listen to them, I want to get up and slap them in the face. They are already sharing the crown of Aldon to the fullest extent. No way! I will never let that happen. Ari, honey, I'm sorry you got dragged into this, but I'm not coming back.
- Okay, let's leave this conversation to the best of times. Soon the first meeting will be held. I'm walking with Lord Laherney.
- Changing?
- I have to.
My cousin smiled and I hung on her neck. Ari quickly helped me to change into a dress - a lot of hooks and bandages killed! I couldn't have done it alone. But Ariett's men's clothes were easy to change into. The pendant moved around on my girlfriend's neck, and Lord Cavernell stood in front of me, and I became Princess Eliza again.
- Remember," said my cousin. - Walk with Laernie, have lunch with Liverani, then meet with Airedan and Listias.
- Wow, one day they gathered the most disgusting faces! - I snorted. - Except for Ren, of course. Tomorrow's candidates will be more pleasant, though not too much.
- Good luck to you, Elisa. And be careful! The main thing is not to talk to Willian. I think he suspects something.
- With whom, with whom, and with whom, and with him I am not going. - I winked at my cousin and hurried back to the room.
Oh, stupid idea! But don't let the lords think they'll get a toy to live with. Who is the first one there? Laerney? Well, I hated Kiriana a little less than the others. Only that did not mean that he should wait for mercy. Not today! Not now.
- Your Highness, Lord Cherian Laherney is waiting for you," said the maid.
I ordered myself to calm down and with a dazzling smile came out towards Kyrian.
It is worth admitting that Laernie surpassed herself. Turquoise shirt, dark blue vest with silver threads, the same color trousers. The Lord smiled nicely and seemed to be the nicest man if I didn't know what he was all about.
- Good morning, Lord Laherney. - I reached out to him and he gently rubbed his lips on it.
- I am glad to finally speak to you personally, Your Highness. - The gaze of the blue eye was bewitching. God, not man. - I confess that not a single day has passed since we first met so that I wouldn't think of you.
- Really? Love at first sight? - I tried to hide the mockery.
- Exactly. - The Lord put his hand to his chest.
- That's good to hear. Shall we walk? The weather is wonderful now.
The Lord offered me a hand. The companions followed, but I ordered it:
- Leave us alone!
Laernie seemed to think it was a good sign, and the smile became even bigger. What a liar!
- Lord Laherney, how do you find the capital? - I asked.
- Beautiful as your eyes. But call me Kyrian, Your Highness.
- Well, Kirian... I chose you first because I find you the most worthy candidate in this selection.
- I am flattered and fascinated, Your Highness. - The honey in Laherney's voice made me sick.
- Yes, I too... But that's not the point. You see, Kirian, I also have a few requirements for my future husband. And I do not want them to be an unpleasant surprise for you. First, my father, may the gods prolong his days, very young, and will rule Aldon for a long time. I would prefer to spend this time away from the capital's noise. In a village on the riverbank. So that we could walk with you, pick berries and mushrooms.
Lord Laherney's face was slowly pulling out, and I was jubilant in my heart. No berries, of course, but these days I realized that Laherney wanted the same capital life, the same respect, the same worship.
- Of course, Elisa, and wish you had was the law," the Lord muttered.
- And we will definitely put that in the marriage agreement, won't we?
- In the agreement? - The lord's eyes were rounded.
- Exactly. You don't think I, a modern girl, will marry with my head in the air? No, that won't do, and my father agrees with me. Where was I? Oh, yes! Mushrooms. There is one more thing. You see, Laernie, I will not tolerate my husband having favorites. But since you fell in love with me at first sight, I hope you wouldn't mind swearing me an oath of eternal loyalty.
- After which treason is punishable by death? - clarified Kyrian.
- Yes, death or eternal torment. But love is between us. What is there to be afraid of?
- You're right, Eliza, there's nothing to be afraid of. - Kirian turned pale.
- Beautiful. I like you very much, Lord Laherney. And if you win, I can be calm.
- And I don't," the Lord muttered.
- What did you say?
- I say I won't be able to calm down until I call you wife, Your Highness. - Kyrian took control of himself.
- Well, that's great. We will get along.