Neglecting

Ulariye closed the door so as not to wake up sleeping Natalia. Her face was full of concern. The news brought by Zackocuki worried her very much.

"Do you think Hugoarno was able to bring out such energy because he had contact with Natalia?" she asked him.

"Yes," he admitted. "This arrow was three times stronger than his previous arrows. He couldn't achieve such results by training. Not without my noticing. He might have modified his bow, but not to that extent. The only explanation is that girl. "

"I agree. The only question is is it good or bad? "

Zackocuki shifted uneasily.

"Until now, he has lived without a chance. We could only watch his condition worsen. I don't know if Natalia will actually have a good influence on him, but we have to try. Let's lock them both in the laboratory under the supervision of Master of the Knife, let him conduct the appropriate tests. "

"But from what you say, Hugoarno is not keen on it."

"So let's convince him of this. Or we force him! Ulariye, neither do I want to watch him die. "

Yes, the woman did not want to see the prince die, but she did not have the courage to impose her will on him. For everyone else, she could be the proud and strong General of the Straight Way, but for Hugoarno she wanted to be a supporting woman.

"I think I might have a way to get him to cooperate," they suddenly heard a third voice. It was Natalia standing in the doorway. But I need to know what exactly you expect of me. "

"You really can have a way? How is that? " Zackocuki asked.

"That's my problem," she blushed. "However, I can promise that he will do what I ask."

Her firm assurance surprised them. They even disbelieved her a little. But were they able to choose a different solution at this point?

***

Bruno thought about what was happening for a long time. He couldn't help feeling that he himself was in some ways guilty of this situation. Virtually all friends and acquaintances of Natalia were to blame. Neglecting is not something to be proud of.

He didn't know Natalia very well, but he knew she was an honest, hardworking girl. Privately, she was quiet and a bit shy, but when there was a problem in her class that she didn't understand, she wasn't afraid to ask. If a discussion was needed, Natalia was always able to find strong arguments and defend them properly. Such a person could not go to bed with a professor just to get a higher grade on the test. Bruno was not her friend, but he knew her and could attest to her character.

And he should have done it. By ignoring the malicious comments and rumors about Natalia, he contributed to their spread and thus made Natalia disappear without a trace.

Bruno, like Iza, thought that the rumors would disappear, meanwhile they intensified again. Someone noticed that Natalia has not been at the university for some time. People even began to say that she was expelled for immoral behavior. At this point the professor, whom Bruno respected very much, was drawn into the swamp of human tongue. His name was not mentioned, but anyone who had ever had a class with him could easily recognize him.

How far will human madness go? How many people will suffer because of idiotic gossip made up by someone? After all, these people had no proof! Words were enough to drag an honest, hard-working girl through the mud. And now they were doing the same with the professor.

Bruno couldn't stand it. He finally decided to act and wrote a commentary defending Natalia and the professor. He didn't have to wait long to find out from someone helpful, though not quite polite, that he was fucking stupid. Then he found out even more about himself.

Was it really a crime in the eyes of these people to seek the truth and justice?

***

Natalia was shaking her legs anxiously while sitting on the couch in the laboratory at the Interworld Research Institute. Her acquaintance, the Master of the Knife, was hanging around with his instruments, humming some strange melody that reminded Natalia of heavy German operas. Although the girl did not get rid of the impression that she is still dealing with a mad scientist, she even started to like this slightly crazy old man. He looked totally harmless and both Zack and Ulariye trusted him.

They were not in the same lab as before. That one was in an air vehicle, which was adapted to research mainly the surface of the continent, therefore its most sensitive apparatus had external sensors. Now they were at a ground-based research facility investigating energy anomalies in the objects and organisms brought here. Natalia has already learned that Hugoarno has passed all possible tests here.

Natalia felt anxious because she knew the research she wanted to do could have an impact on people's lives. He was not some abstract representative of humanity, but a specific young man she knew who, despite his cold manner, made a very positive impression. The girl hadn't asked Zack why he had said yesterday that it was wrong to be Hugoarna, but she had the impression that it wasn't the disease itself. Perhaps this disease prevented him from taking on certain princely duties? Who knows, maybe she even excluded him from the fight for the throne? Anyway, Natalia sensed with her heart that the disease was only one of Hugoarno's misfortunes, but its elimination could become a cure for his other problems as well. That's why she really wanted to see that she could really help him.

She was impatient with the waiting, but unlike the prince, she had a lot of free time. She was no less pleased when the door opened and Hugoarno entered.

"Master of the Knife, I heard you need me for the next ..." he began, but when he saw Natalia, surprised he stopped. Only after a while he added: "... tests."

She smiled pleasantly at him.

"Good morning!" she exclaimed almost cheerfully. "It's time for you to pay your debt."

Needless to say, Hugoarno did not welcome this idea enthusiastically. However, he was a man of honor and had no intention of breaking his word.

"Speak."

"I need you for testing. I want you to be an obedient guinea pig today. "

He might not like the idea, but he gave her his word. He couldn't break it.

Natalia saw in his eyes that he was reluctant. She wondered why he was so reluctant? After all, he knew this might be an opportunity for him. Was Hugoarno afraid of another illusory hope? Or maybe, as a prince, he could not allow himself to be touched by a crude plebe from another world?

Whatever, she decided, and gave him a broad, inviting smile. She was still waiting for his answer.