Reflection of the night
Шрифт:
– The magic shield artifact has finally been found, – the seated youth said softly. – This place is close. The trip will take half a day.
– Who is entrusted with the key to the cave? – Robin asked, grimacing.
– Anna Rein.
– To whom? – There was an uncharacteristic note of surprise in the King's voice.
– I was surprised that Gray Lisbourne, who has earned a reputation as a misogynist, would trust her with the key.
– It's a name, – Robin drawled.
– Yes, that mad soothsayer was talking about her, – the nobleman said.
– Did you send to her for the key?
– No, I ordered her to come to court.
– Why? – The king was even more surprised.
– Magic addiction. Only she can open the door to the cave.
– Something's definitely wrong here. What did you find out about her?
– The Countess of the Rhine. The owner of a province in the middle of nowhere. It has barren lands, almost deserts. She hasn't left her land in the last fifteen years. The woman raised her nephew, he is already an adult.
– Who's the nephew?
– There's a dukedom next door. Heir to the lands of Orden.
After these words, it seemed to Robin that the fire in the hearth flared up with an unusual force. He interrupted Arthur.
– The heir of Orden?! I was looking for him, and he was growing up in the desert?! Who is this Anna Rein?!!
– You were looking for him? – This time it was Arthur's turn to be surprised. – Why?
– Who is Anna Rein?
– I've already told you everything I know. There is almost no data in the archive about it. Although…
– What? – In his impatience, the young man even leaned forward and grabbed the handrails of the chair.
– Your betrothed! – Arthur burst out laughing. – She's old enough to be your mother. Yes, even, probably, terrible as a mortal sin. No wonder no one married, even with the title of count.
Robin condescendingly waited until the homeric laughter of his subject had died away, and then said:
– Now stop being stupid. The heir of Auden, by virtue of his bloodline, has as much right to the throne as I do.
The answer to the monarch was the wide-open eyes of red Arthur and the beads of sweat that stood out on his forehead.
– And if you consider that he may have children, unlike me, then make a conclusion on whose head the crown will look better!
As Robin said this, he crushed the heavy metal goblet of wine with one hand, and his subject, seeing this, hastened to retreat into the hall. As he ran out the door, he ran full tilt into Edward, who was coming towards him.
– What? – The warrior-healer asked, stopping his friend with an iron hand.
The crumpled goblet flew after Arthur with a curse.
– He's been looking for the Auden heir all this time! – The red-haired man rang out. – Yes! I should have known that! I am a third-generation diviner!
Before Edward could answer, the angry king burst out of the bedroom and snarled:
– Are you still here? Pull up all the archives, interrogate everyone, so that tomorrow there will be the necessary information and the pedigree will be on my desk!
– Whose? – The head of the Bear clan couldn't resist asking.
Instead of answering, the long-suffering goblet that had been picked up from the floor flew at them again.
In the morning, Arthur and Edward waited for the king in the winter garden near the fountain. The soft sunlight played in Arthur's red hair.
– All the archives are classified. I've never seen such protection. There is a royal seal.
– The Lion King the Seventh himself?
– Yes. And the witch's prediction came true. We arrived just in time for her funeral. Her young great-granddaughter doesn't know anything. Robin the First strode majestically into the conservatory.
– Good morning.
The dukes exchanged puzzled glances. The King continued:
– How long will it take to break the protection?
– At least a week, – said Arthur.
– When is the Countess coming?
– Well, I gave her three days. You know: aunts, carriages, crinolines… We are now meeting with the Minister of War. He has a lot of interesting things accumulated.
– Yes, – Robin said coldly. I know all this interesting stuff by heart. If Arenia and Piran unite, there will be nothing left of us. And such a turn of events is a matter of time. By the way, send Linea out of the palace.
– Is this your last favorite? – Edward asked.
– The last one? Hold your tongue! – the imperturbable monarch replied.
– Just send it away? – Arthur asked.
– Marry her off, – the king snapped.
– She's already married, – the Bear persisted.
– Then give her some presents and send her back to her husband, – Robin said again.
– Yes, that's right, Robin, – Edward said suddenly, his green eyes shining mysteriously. – You have a betrothed now. You have no time for mistresses.
There was a roar of laughter, and Robin winced. While the friends were enjoying themselves, the butler appeared at the door and addressed the king:
– Your Majesty, the Countess Anna Rhein requests an audience.
– What? Did she get here overnight?! – The representatives of the higher aristocracy shouted in unison.
– Let her pass, – Robin said, exchanging glances with his friends.
The three of them stared curiously at the doors.
– Countess Anna Raine, – the butler announced, and thumped his staff three times on the floor.