Chapter 11
The mission is not for the proud
Should I mention that I was waiting for Listias in a disgusting mood? Yes, the walk was a success, but the feeling of general injustice of the selection only intensified. Why do all these Laernie, Daniars and others believe they have the right to control the fate of Aldon? Not to mention my own. It became so dreary that even the initial plan, prepared for Listias, has changed.
By my order, the Lord was escorted into the musical living room. Every princess has to be able to play musical instruments. I tried a lot of them, and it turned out that the gods gave me a rhythm and hearing, as well as the slightest talent for music-making. The piano was the one that got the most out of me. When I was a kid, I hit the piano so hard that it was amazing how the piano survived to my adulthood. Nevertheless, the mood was just the way to play sad music and look out the window at the rain. The rain of the magicians did not promise, but the grand piano was waiting for its time.
Listias chose to visit me with a dark blue camisole and a shirt with a white jabot, which somehow resembled an overseas bird. The only thing missing was a crest on his head. He bowed down to the ground.
- Do you like music? - I asked him if Listias should have sat on the couch.
- I love it.
The lord smiled in a lousy smile and wanted to wipe it off his glossy face.
- Then let me play for you? - I rolled my eyes in a picture. - After all, only music can help us to get to know each other better, open our hearts to the divine sounds and carry us away in the whirlwinds of harmony.
Listias' face expressed sincere delight. But the look was quite different. Give the Lord the will, he would have crushed the lofty princess with the cover of a grand piano.
- Let's start with my beloved one.
As a child, it was the fugue of the court musician Bravanta that made me feel exceptionally bad. I cried, screamed, stomped on my feet, but I had to learn the fugu. I didn't play it any better, but who knew that eight years later, the fugue would be my killer weapon?
I touched the keys, felt their alluring coolness, got more air - and hit them with all the despair. Listias shuddered, and I was already thundering with the chords of the fugue, which was supposed to sound long and sound like a bravura march. It is worth giving Aurelius credit - he endured. And fugu, and sonata, and a couple of scales, which poured no less threatening. That was the end of the stock of music, and I turned my smile on Listias. He could barely resist, so as not to sweat his forehead.
- I love music! - I assured him. - If I became your wife, we would definitely start the custom of giving home concerts. We will play with you in four hands. Do you want me to sing to you?
- It is not necessary. - Listias tried to get rid of the misery, but it wasn't here.
- Really, don't be shy, I'm in no hurry," I winked at the Lord. - A-a-a-a...
Listias leaned back on the couch and stared at me with horrible eyes. And I was taking a terrible aria out of the opera, which my father liked by ridiculous chance - "Valertanka Flower". The opera was boring, the aria was sad and long, but my voice was still sounding and sounding. At the same time, I had a hard time getting into the notes - it's been a long time since I sang, and I tried to make it sound disgusting. The aria was followed by a joke song that sounded like a threat. Listings' face was covered in sweat.
- Well, how about it? - I sat down next to him.
- You have a true talent," the lord said.
- Oh, yes! That's what the teachers used to say, and then sent someone even more famous to cut the diamond, so to speak. I own five musical instruments. Would you like me to bring a dombra?
- Don't! - waved his hands Listias - Your Highness, really, you are so kind that I don't know how to thank you for your indulgence. And your music... I swear I will never forget it!
For some reason, I did not doubt it. And when Lord Listias hurriedly said goodbye and escaped, I wondered if I could play at any ball. Maybe the fiancés will diminish.
Tired... How tired I am! I also had to get to the library and become Elias Cavernel again tomorrow to test the grooms' strength again. Or should they live? For some reason, it seemed that the remaining three would not last long in the selection process. Especially Lord Ellentar, who did not hurry to interfere in the squabbles. Oh, in the morning you will see.
I wandered in the direction of the library and almost got to it when I slammed the door and Lord Willian appeared right in front of me.
- Good evening, Arietta," he said quietly.
Oh, he knows! And he thinks I'm Ari!
- Kind, Lord Willian," nodded to the secretary.
- How did the meetings go?
It's strange, I didn't see Villian and Ari being friends. Why would I be so interested?
- Wonderful," I answered. - The lords were polite and friendly. And how was your day?
- Arietta, I need to talk to you. This is an urgent matter," Villian ignored the question.
- I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry. - Don't tell him I'm not Arietta.
- Just a couple of minutes!
Villian grabbed my hand and dragged me to the next room.
- What do you think you're doing? - I escaped.
- But...
- Lord Villian, remember your place and decency! - I poured out in his face and ran away. That wasn't enough! The secretary, who I was afraid of as if I were a fire, wanted to talk to me in person? It won't work! I was flying in such a way that my heels were sparkling. And when the door of the library appeared in front, my heart sang with joy. I flew in and immediately saw Ari. She was impatiently walking around the room.
- Elisa! - A friend rushed to me, drawing a symbol of silence in the air. - How was it? How was it?
- Terrible! - I turned my back on her so that she could open the dress as soon as possible. - Such ugly types! You have no idea. Especially Liverani. He told me directly that I would be his powerless toy.
- You scoundrel! - The bands finally gave in, and the dress moved in with Arietta. Now I was helping her get dressed. - And Lord Ayordan?
- And what about Airedan? We talked to him, too, and he was very frank. Reniard doesn't want to leave his district, so he doesn't need the throne. By the way, Ari! Lord Willian wanted to talk to you. And he insisted on talking! I barely escaped.
- A pitchfork? - Ari blushed.
Something was wrong here...
- Already Will? Didn't you even refuse to talk to him, girlfriend? - I asked myself, lacing the corset.
- He helps me a lot, Eliza. And he tells me about future challenges because together with the king he developed them.
- And you like him," I concluded.
- No, not at all. - Ari waved her hands and I finally got over the corset. - We're just hanging out. On business. Most likely, they decided on the next stage of the selection. If I find out something, I will send you a book.
- It's still strange..." I thought, correcting the pendant that moved to me. - Daddy trusts Villian so much. Don't you think so?
- And who do we trust in our palace? Vil has never let him down before. And you know, I think he's really worried about where you've gone. At first, I thought he was just trying to find out where you were. And then I realized no. But, of course, no one would know, Elisa. What do you plan to do tomorrow?
- We meet here in the morning," I said. - And at night we have to figure out what to say to the rest of the lords. See you tomorrow.