Dinner dragged on, and I was happy when I was able to leave this stuffy company.

It was already the dead of night outside the window when I was striding sonorously along the empty corridor of the second floor. Right after dinner, I went back to Thea’s room, I didn’t send Skars and went there myself. But even after so much time, she wasn’t there. I was overwhelmed with a variety of emotions, but most of all I was furious, I wanted to find her, lift up her skirt and spank her tender ass. Painfully.

I wasn’t going to run around looking for her. Stopping in the middle of the corridor, I sighed irritably and closed my eyes, rubbing them with my hand. A dark aura was already beginning to seep around me, swirling, swirling, and just waiting for the order. And I let her go.

The dark smoke began to grow at lightning speed, multiplying, becoming thicker, penetrating into every small crack in search of her scent. I could only wait.

My faithful shadows have always worked successfully, this time was no exception either. Having received the location, I disappeared from my place in milliseconds and found myself in the stable. And why didn’t it immediately occur to me to look here?

Despite the late night, Thea did not sleep, but was busy cleaning the barn. She was actively working with a broom to collect garbage on the floor, while her mouth was full of angry messages and tirades. My heart felt warmer. And although I should react differently, but her behavior touched me.

- He idiot!!! No, Berkoot, just listen, your master is a real cretin. – she tried to speak quietly, with a slight hiss of irritation.

I wasn’t even angry at her insults, I was busy holding back laughter. She was talking to the horse. Complained to him. So charming.

- You’re silent. So you also agree with me. Well, what can I do, it’s not an easy fate for you and me to curry favor with his majestic ass. - she came closer to the horse and stared hard into his eyes, looking for approval there.

But she did not touch it, apparently she remembered the violent temper of Berkoot. Surprisingly, the horse was calm enough in the presence of an unfamiliar person and seemed to listen to her wilfully.

- God, what a humiliation I’m going through here. It is incomprehensible to the mind. Where is all my pride? - She set the broom aside and sat down on the dirty wooden floor, covered here and there with straw.

- You should have seen this... princess. - She squeezed out the last word, twisting her face in disgust at the same time. – What is so remarkable about her? Haughty, vulgar, and her dresses... you should have seen them – there’s such a cutout on the chest that you could not dress at all. Shameful.

The little gossip girl was indignant, and the horse was silently chewing grass, it is unlikely that he was interested in who and what he was wearing, but Thea diligently poured out her indignation to him.

- I was so glad to disappear from Riliya, but as it turned out, it’s no better here. Why is he doing this to me? She paused for a second and tilted her head back against the pillar.

– I understand that he uses me and as soon as he achieves his goal, then get rid of me as garbage. But why is he trying to finish me off emotionally? Why would he kiss me if he himself has a bride who can serve him in this? I’m a princess, not a "night attendant."

She laughed softly and bitterly at herself.

- Dear Mom, why is everything so difficult? This is not the life I dreamed of. I couldn’t even die in peace, maybe now we would have been together with you. - tiny drops of tears slowly flowed from her eyes.

I didn’t like to see her in such a mood at all, I wanted to come up, comfort her, hug her, but I didn’t do it. She was right, I’m doing bad to her. My marriage with Giselle was planned much in advance before Thea appeared here and it was too late to replay everything. The only thing I could do for her now was to keep her out of trouble. But will it work?

I was overcome with doubts, I didn’t know what I really wanted. Being with Thea means putting her at risk. Being with Giselle means forgetting about Thea. But I don’t want to forget her. Absolutely nothing connects me with Giselle, I do not feel warm feelings, not to mention desire and passion. It is only one step for the unification of the Kardran.

But Thea... It’s completely different with her. I’m not even sure that she can help me find the artifact, in fact, she may be useless, but I want her, I want her wildly.

It’s like she’s opening up all my feelings and turning me inside out. Even if she is angry at me now, even if she will be afraid and hate when she finds out about my essence. All this is nothing compared to how close to me I want to have her.

It has been so little time since she appeared in my castle, but it feels like she has always been here. It was as if I woke up every morning with her smile, we had breakfast, lunch and dinner together, spent time alone. All thoughts are filled with her, it drives me crazy. And angry. It’s like I’m becoming a spineless slug with her.

While I was indulging in my conclusions, Thea fell asleep, still in the same uncomfortable position, propping up a wooden column. Tired silly.

I came forward and slowly approached her, squatting down so that I could see her beautiful face up close. I slowly, enthusiastically enjoyed this sight, every feature of her, the thin and soft lines of her nose and chin, juicy and plump lips, as if I had never seen anything more beautiful before. She was truly perfect in my eyes.

Berkoot snorted in greeting and tilted his head down so that I could scratch his mane. Quite a tame boy. These two creatures made me smile the same, real and sincere.

I touched the girl’s head and a light haze enveloped her, plunging her into a stronger sleep, and then gently lifted her into my arms. Sleeping in a cold barn is not the best idea for a frail little man, so I returned her to her room and put her on the bed.

For a while I sat on the chair opposite and watched her peacefully snoring. I wonder what kind of dreams she has? I wish I was in her dreams.

She will definitely hate me, but for now I can’t... no, I shouldn’t do anything else. I will be able to solve all the problems without giving up either her or the former greatness of Kardran. It’s going to hurt her, but I’ll fix it. I will definitely fix it.

With firm determination, I got up from my seat, just at the moment when Skars appeared at the closed window. He turned his round black head, assessing the situation, and disappeared outside, appeared inside the room.

- He will protect you while I’m not around. - I whispered almost soundlessly, looking at the sleeping girl.

Her sleep was peaceful, and that’s how I wanted to keep it as long as possible.

I left Thea’s room and returned to my office.

Sitting on my favorite comfortable chair, with my legs crossed on the table, I stretched and realized that a drowsy wave was rolling over me. Not much, but some fatigue affected. I rarely slept at night, usually it happened when my day and night schedule changed, or I had several days in a row without sleep. And here it is again today...

Instead of indulging in a sweet dream, I sharpened my senses. The heart slowed down the rhythm, almost to a minimum. The eyes are closed, the hearing is sensitive, sharp. I put aside all unnecessary noises and focused only on one thing that caught my attention – the ringing of steel.

***

Among the high marble colonnade, between the columns, the heavy blows of swords resounded, sparks flew off as from a bonfire. It would be difficult for an ordinary person to understand what is happening here, but my eyes immediately found the instigators.

At breakneck speed, they appeared and disappeared from the spot in seconds, replacing one sword strike with another, blocking, attacking and defending, while creating too much noise.

I waited patiently for the duel to end, leaning against one of the pillars. Such a sight was very much to my liking. Yes, there’s nothing to hide, I myself would not mind sparring with someone at the moment. My hands itched to pick up a sword. Although I would not refuse hand-to-hand combat.

Dexter has always been my best sparring partner. Since childhood. He wasn’t a skilled warrior like General Milos, but thanks to the fact that we grew up side by side and always fought to raise the skill, he knew all my weaknesses and strengths and could skillfully maneuver this knowledge. So sparring with him was the best workout of the day for me.

- Your Majesty! - Milos approached and bowed low, showing respect. - I’m sorry, we were so carried away that we didn’t immediately notice your presence. - he looked guilty.

- Come on, if I wanted to distract you, I would have done it right away, don’t you think? Great job! - I patted Milos on the shoulder.

Despite the fact that he and his partner were hardy vampires, but the fierce training still knocked them out of the rut, forcing them to sweat a lot and knocked down the breath that he was trying hard to recover after catching his breath.

- Thank you. What can I do for you? - he finally asked about my unexpected appearance.

- I need help with an important matter. While Dexter’s away, I want you to do it. Pull up the right people to organize everything in the best way. - the military general was very intrigued by what I want from him.

I was silent for a couple of seconds, thinking and forming an order in my head.

- In the coming days, the castle should switch to daytime wakefulness. This applies to everyone. Without exception. Can you handle it? – my tone was unwavering and, although I asked a question, it was clear that he had no right not to cope.