Chapter 9

-Then, if you are so afraid of being in the palace, I will bring books here. In this case, I will be able to teach you properly and perhaps in the future you will thank me. - From such words, I sharply bent my fingers, so much so that some of my phalanges cracked. Tantallus looked at this terrifying sight and shouted: - Stop breaking your fingers already, it hurts me to look. turned away. Tantalus shuddered and . . .

-Sorry. I answered in a hoarse voice and sat down. When it was already beginning to get dark Tantalus said:

- Do you want to go to the bath? There is a wonderful men's bath not far from here! Only the rich go there. When else can you be there? The emperor said this with such a smug face, as if he was sure that I could not refuse.

-I can not. My grandfather forbade me to visit the baths because of the wound. It's deep and still hurts a lot. I put as much regret as possible into my voice. For the first time since I was hurt, I'm glad about it. Otherwise, I would have had to go to the bath with the emperor himself, and most likely my secret would have been revealed.

Well, you have excuses for everything. And the funny thing is, you can't complain. Nothing, let's go.

how it heals, Tantallus said dreamily.

- Yeah. - I said uncertainly.

- I decided to brag to you. This year I have refused tribute in the form of young girls. I'm not going to marry yet, and they don't need to annoy my eyes again.

Well, you have excuses for everything. And the funny thing is, you can't complain. Nothing, let's go.

how it heals, Tantallus said dreamily.

- Yeah. - I said uncertainly.

-The right decision, In this case, you deserve respect from the families of those potential concubines who are in your service. could

-And you? Tantalus looked at me carefully. Will you respect me after this decision anymore? -

-What about me? I'm not a girl. And I have no one who would apply for this place.

-What are you talking about? What about your aunt Han Na Ri? - At that moment, I felt a real fear for her. For the first time.

- I dared to hope that you would take my aunt, but I jumped to conclusions. My voice almost sat down from the fear that this conversation might go into a dangerous zone.

It will probably be a long time before you start trusting me. Tantalus answered thoughtfully. No matter what happens, I will never - offend your family. My hand won't go up. - What happened to your parents? How did they die? For a long time?

I was strong enough in fiction, because I studied to be a critic-reviewer and I even planned to release my own fiction in a year and a half.

-Father got into a storm on a boat and drowned. And my mother, three years after his death, came down with an illness. Even my grandfather could not help.

-How long have you lived alone?

-Almost a year. Until I realized that it is quite dangerous. I realized that a thief or even a murderer could get into the house at night. I showed an old scar on the back of my hand, which I got when I fell on the skating rink in winter and some girl drove over my arm with the blade of figure skates. Oh, and there was blood! Thirty-three stitches were applied. - Once I got hooked like that. turned her back to the emperor and bared her neck. There was a scar from a burning candle. However, I don't remember exactly what happened then

- What kind of life did you have? - Turning around, I saw compassion on the face of Tantallus.

Whatever it is, this is my life. Let her not be easy, but I love her. Now I imagined MY real one, which I missed very much. family, software

-Take the books, I have already agreed with the scribe. I will walk you home. Tantalus changed dramatically in his face. He got up from his chair and walked over to me.

Thanks for the books, I will definitely read them. But just don't follow me. Na Ri will worry, and grandfather ... I'm afraid he will generally collapse into a swoon.

- It is very dangerous to walk alone at a late time. - Is it possible that after such a frankly false conversation, the emperor began to worry? Amazing! both

to me

-If I have already won, having defeated three in an unequal battle, then I think it will not seem enough to the rest. I smiled my most reassuring smile.

"Will you refuse my help for a long time?" Tantalus asked directly.

I don't know, maybe now is just not the right time. Imagine that you are an ordinary person, and none other than the emperor himself helps you. How would you behave in my place? I'm sure it's the same, a little distant out of fear of you. I wanted to make it clear that I have no intention of getting close to His Majesty yet, so I'm keeping my distance as best I can.

-When I'm with you, I'm not your emperor, but just a friend and call me by my name Tantallus. Nobody will bite your head off.

-Let's leave the jokes about my head. I swallowed so loudly I could hear it.

- WITH ME You are completely safe. So stop denying Me B the opportunity to help. Perhaps I owe you my life. These mercenaries were very capable. I'm lucky that I met you.

-Maybe,

however, now I have to refuse help. I have to go home or Na Ri and Grandpa will be worried. Thanks for the books. I bowed and left the shop.