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I woke up early, the sun was in no hurry to rise from the horizon and I did not want to get up. Memories kept me awake, I got used to this world. Maybe don't go back? I would buy a house, will go to visit Nadine, Darina, sell artifacts, there’s definitely enough to live.. To cut a deal with Vidon to visit my world, visit my parents so they don’t worry...
But werewolves they won't let me live in peace, they have too ambitious plans for the throne. Werewolves!
I jumped out of bed and walked around the room. I rubbed my palms together, trying to warm them. Werewolves can remove my competitors to the throne. But I can't share my suspicions. Investigators will search among the dragons, because all the applicants are from the rich families of this race, people are unlikely to go against the dragons. No one would even think that werewolves could join the game and support one of the contenders.
Although, why not actually create a temporary coalition? If we assume that there is an agreement with the family of one of the contenders, then the bride has to convince the heir to grant privileges werewolves (or the independence of the province) or followed by the murder of intractable and paper will be signed by the Empress.
So, let’s gather some thoughts:
1. The assassination attempt could have been carried out not only by dragons, but also by werewolves.
2. Vidon is associated with werewolves, so we should try not to discuss the attempt in front of him. On the other hand, he was the one who saved Assol, so he probably has nothing to do with the assassination.
3. The coup is being prepared for a long time, which means that among the contenders may be a bride for one reason or another in collusion with the werewolves. And I most likely successfully turned up at the last moment and am rather a backup option.
And what do we do now? Only Assol, who was shot at, can be excluded. Can I express my suspicions without exposing myself and Vidon?
Silence is dangerous for the lives of the pretenders, which means the werewolves must be talked about. I just have to figure out what form to submit information.
But while I was contemplating, the sun snuck out of the horizon, shining a pink morning light on the field outside the window.
It's time to take a shower (the wonders of plumbing here almost did not differ from ours, people in this regard have made life easier for themselves on both sides of the "border of the worlds".) and join the Breakfast.
Chapter 35
We had breakfast in silence, everyone was in their minds. I wondered which of the girls might have been involved with werewolf , and now I regretted avoiding most of them. Emiron was immersed in the study of some papers, Darin blushed looking at each other with Robert, her parents watched these glances and frowned. Rosalind and Nadine were quietly arguing about something, and Assol was smiling at her thoughts.
— You know, I’m so glad to be in your house- she talked out loud. - I never had any real friends, and every day I was booked - music, literature, dance, history, etiquette. My parents seemed to have no other purpose than to raise me to be a worthy Empress.
Cheeks Darina father's cramped, I remembered that he is in fact the goal was exactly the same, only in relation to his daughter
- But here, in these short two days, I feel happy for the first time. I freed from these endless activities, enjoy fellowship and sincere attention. I feel the happiness coming from a loving couple.
On these words, Darina’s father jumped from his seat and threw a napkin on the table.
- Darin is not excluded from the selection. Robert, you have to leave this house until the end of the selection, you're compromising my daughter.
- But father!
- Darina, I love you, you know. I’ll even admit that Robert’s inheritance makes him an exceptionally good match. But understand my feelings.
- When you will be parents you will understand my feelings and actions. Robert, I try to take my daughter's choice and is still repeated my request, I ask tomorrow to leave our home.
And he went out, slamming the door.
- I'm sorry, I did not think ... - Assol said.
- Excuse me, I'll leave you for a while- rose Darin, but could not hold back her tears and ran out of the dining room.
- I’ll talk to her - Robert said, and it was the third escape. We inadvertently looked at Darina’s mother.
- I apologize for the emotions of my loved ones. But I’m happy for my daughter, and I think she made a decent choice and I’m happy to wait for my grandchildren, and Richard will cool off. And I’m happy my daughter has friends in the castle, she’s very private, not very sociable.
The heir has asked for permission to stay with you for a while, he needs time to inspect security services. Perhaps you’ll stay two to three weeks. He also said to tell you that tomorrow they’ll give you an opportunity to go back to your rooms and pack. Katrin, given your intolerant portals, you will have to stay. You will be given an amount to purchase everything you need.
Now, girls, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you. I’ll go see how they are without me. Have a nice appetite.
- I have to be honest, too, am glad that my life you came. Life has clearly become much richer and more interesting. And the fact that we’re far away from the castle right now and we don’t have to be afraid to walk on the lake - I said - but I propose to consider the possibility to get into the city and a change of scenery.
In the meantime, to distract you I ask you to train at least one dance for ball. I am ashamed to admit it, but unlike you to the ball, I was not prepared and no dance, I do not know.
- Of course we will teach you to dance, but it is better to practice with a man. Let's connect my teacher when return back to the castle,, do not worry - Assol smiled. Then finish with a breakfast and go to train in the garden?
- Thank you! Where is the way Emiron? He decided to skip breakfast?
- Yesterday he went into the castle, and promised to return in the afternoon. I think he angry if we leave the city without him -said Rosalind.
Chapter 36
In the garden girls have explained the types and order of dance at the ball to me. We decided to start with the simplest - it was called "acquaintance". Its worth to learn precisely because it opens the ball, In the dance take part all the guests got to the floor, and avoid it just will not succeed. To start Assol took a twig and began to draw on the ground.
The dance begins with that men stood on one half of the room, the women on the other. In the center there is the wall mounted by mages. Men and women came up to the gap randomly. A man can only see the outstretched hand. Taking it in the male hand, the wall skips the girl, and couple adding to the circle of dancers. Once all the pairs are formed - wall dissolves, the music starts to play at full strength, and the first circle pairs are unhurried pace.
The partner kind of shows everyone around him beauty that he got. After the first lap, the couples stop and start circling each other.
I for myself have marked for themselves these dance figures as follows:
1. I am a proud peacock bird, that I'm
2. I am a proud girl, not a garbage , and my back straight and skirt like this. that I'm
3. girl , let's I will you with all parties look
4. Looked? Now it's my turn to enjoy.
The next figure of the girl goes to the partner on the left
The whole dance is a set of intricate circles and figures of the transition intended to introduce as many people as possible to the audience. Particularly interesting is this dance for unmarried.
And the shapes are simple, and the principle is clear, but I couldn’t remember, I got lost in sequence, and the endless turns were making me dizzy.
- What are you doing here? - Darina’s voice was sounded.
We were interrupted; I just sat down on the ground and a bottom-up looking at a couple. Robert very much for Darina possessively hugged the waist, as she fondly clung to his shoulder.
- Catherine does not know how to dance.
- I am shiftless student, confusing figures, the order cannot remember. - I sat on the ground and continued to draw with sprig of figures.
Robert looked up from his Darina and sat on against me.
- Catherine, before the ball is still four months. You have time to learn two or three dances. Opening dance learn necessarily, but do not worry, the figures for all the same, if something just forget - peep at dancing around. Waltz learn of course, is the most popular dance. At the ball, there will be several of it.
Further, the heir to the ball should dance at least one dance with each participant of the selection, so be sure to warn him about his problem, he should choose the danse in advance for you, this you will have to learn perfectly. And from the other boldly refused, citing fatigue if you do not have time to master.
- Thank you, Robert. You’ve calmed me down. I think I can do three dances.
- Let's go to lunch, came back and Emiron surprised that we all in the garden.
Chapter 37
We spent the evening in a noisy bar. I suggested relaxing in a noisy place with alcohol and delicious meat. The girls said they had never been in a place like this, because the decent lady usually have lunch in places serving delicious ice cream. So the men, after much persuasion, gave in to us too much perseverance.
And here we sit behind a tall oak table, on the wooden benches. We eat meat stewed in herbs, drink mulled wine, the most delicious of those that I have tried. And only our dresses stand out.
- I briefly excommunicated, who is with me? - I said
- I'm, wait a minute.
And we Nadine retired to the ladies' room. We're stuck in the queue ! Oh, well? Alien world! But no, it is a bar, and in the country of dragons: the noise, the wine and turn! just like our.
When I finally got into the hallway, I offered to go outside for five minutes. Nadine really doubted, saying that it might be worth to take Robert or Emiron with us. But the cherished door, behind which hides a breath of fresh air here it is, in two steps.
And we go out for a while. We stood, breathed in air, breathed out the mulled wine, and admired the air. And we even turned back, as I saw the figures of the people at the wall.
- Wow! - I breathed
- Emiron! - Nadine cried.
Emiron pulled away from Rosalind and confused a couple came to light.
— Let’s just go back to the table right now, and we’ll chalk it up to wine. We’ll talk about it tomorrow. - I took both of them in and led the embarrassed couple inside.
- But ....
- Tomorrow, Nadine, it’s tomorrow.
- So friends, do not want to go of course, but it's time. Let's take a quick reckoning and to beds
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