After Maxie left us, Razor imdiately took her place on the chair opposite my bed. He looked like the guy hadn't closed his eyes all night.
— How are you feeling? — was his first question.
I nodded.
— It's okay. Did you really wait that long?
— Of course! Razor replied calmly, «That girl didn't tell anything when she pulled you out of the woods. There was such a commotion. How else could I find out what happened?»
I sighed and realized that I had really caused inconvenience to many people. And how did I manage to lose consciousness so stupidly…!
— You were left alone in the camp then. Has Philip done anything to you?
«Fortunately, he didn't find .»
I felt a small pang of guilt. After all, Philip and Razor grew up together, and were attached to each other as relatives. I knew that the second prince treasured his brother. But due to the current situation, they are forced to be separated. And it is not even known under what circumstances their next eting will take place.
Razor seed to guess what my thoughts were filled with, and hurried to assure:
«I'm all right. In the end, I myself suggested the idea of leaving Azeroth and my brother.»
— But…
— Besides, we're not kids anymore. I have to learn to handle everything by myself. Without him.
I nodded, while the guy smiled at with relief. At that mont, I realized that now was the most appropriate opportunity to tell him important news.
— Razor… Actually, I have to tell you sothing.
— Hmm?
— I… well… — hesitated for a while, — I'm going to leave the estate with Maxie.
The second prince's eyes widened in the blink of an eye. He stared at blankly.
— What are you talking about?
I sighed.
— The doctor said that an old illness has returned to . And if it's not cured in ti, then… I could die.
I tried to speak softly so as not to scare him too much, but Razor was still in shock. He was silent for a while, digesting what he had said in his head. Then he was suddenly overwheld by indignation.
— A deadly disease…?! — The guy asked angrily, — Did she tell you that?
By «she», Razor ant Maxi.
I hesitantly agreed.
— Nonsense! — he spat out, — Yes, she just wants to take you away to do sothing!
I blinked in surprise. Such an idea did not occur to at all. And why would she do that if Maxie already has her first love?
— What makes you think that? I asked, puzzled.
The second Prince snorted.
— It's obvious! «Only a fool wouldn't notice the way she's looking at you.» Clearly, he wants to do sothing.
Such categoricality on the part of the guy surprised a little. Of course, I myself noticed ambiguous looks and jokes in my direction, but the girl did it more in a friendly way. I never would have thought that she would really have let her hands loose. In addition, I dismissed this idea because I knew in advance that I was not interested in her as a woman.
That's exactly what I said to Razor, reinforcing the fact that I was confident in her. The prince hesitated.
«…Why do you suddenly believe her so much?» Or is there so special reason for this?
It sounded logical. In fact, we've only known each other for two months, but I was already ready to take a chance on a trip with an unfamiliar person. The second Prince's concerns about this seed quite understandable to .
Therefore, I decided not to tornt him, and just tell everything as it is. After all, the guy already knew that we were in the world of romance. And to my surprise, he rehabilitated himself pretty quickly after that.
I told him everything I knew about Maxie. Since the girl belonged to the category of positive characters, even in her youth she was not capable of an deeds. Even the adult Maxie had a code of honor that she didn't break.
Razor listened to carefully, and to so extent his fears subsided. He sighed.
— …It turns out that we t one of the main secondary characters? — sumd up.
— It turns out so.
A short pause.
— Is she really good? — the guy asked incredulously.
Considering how brazen and reckless Maxie seed to him from the beginning of acquaintance, it was really difficult to believe in her positive qualities. Moreover, she did nothing but mock us.
— Hmm… would I be a fan of the villain?
— «Fan»? What's it?
— Well… — she quickly caught herself, — It ans to single out one character among others!
I gave the most civilized explanation I could. After all, he doesn't have to know that in my earlier teenage dreams, I dread of marrying her… One way or another, every person had an idol in childhood, whom he admired. This is a normal period of growing up, which passes over the years.
Since Razor didn't really understand such terms, he didn't ask any extra questions. Anyway, he realized that I had a reason to trust Maxie.
And since he trusted , he had to rely on her.
— Okay… — he had to admit, — So be it, I'll believe in the words of this girl. What kind of illness was she talking about?
— I'm not sure, but… It's sothing hereditary.
— Hereditary…?
— Maybe Dad just didn't tell . But lately I've really been feeling strange symptoms.
He sighed, but didn't argue.
— good. If it is so necessary, then I will go with you.
«It's not worth it,» I objected, «It's better to just wait for .»
— Why?! — he was indignant.
«Will the Marquis let us both go?» — I said rationally, — We are still hostages. Maxie will just take to the healer, after which we will go back. You don't have any good reason to leave this place.
Razor hesitated.
— But how can I let you go alone to God knows where…?!
— I won't be alone, but with Maxie.
We argued for so more ti before I could finally convince the guy of my decision. He, contrary to his own prejudices, still accepted it.
The only thing he said to after that:
«Whatever happens… be careful.»
I nodded.
— You take care of yourself too.
***
After Leriana woke up, the Marquis asked Maxie to co into his office. The girl imdiately followed his order, and soon they were sitting opposite each other in a sowhat tense atmosphere.
The knight looked at his daughter and could not believe when she managed to grow up like that. So much so that I learned to make decisions independent of him.
«Are you sure you want to do this?»
— yes.
Maxie didn't hesitate at all when she answered him, and the man had to accept it. To so extent, he wasn't even worried about letting their captive go with Maxie. After all, knowing that her abilities were among the best among young warriors, I was sure that she would never miss her.
The Marquess of Windsor was more worried about his own daughter.
— Maxie, promise one thing.
— What exactly?
The knight turned his heavy gaze on her.
«If the Cassias demand to give this girl to them… just do it.»
— What?! — the girl was amazed.
— It's better this way. We're ordinary people, and we can't fight monsters like them.
Maxie didn't understand why her father decided to give up so abruptly. For ten years, he stood up to the Cashiers without a drop of fear, despite the fact that he was prepared for defeat in advance. But why now, contrary to his own forr beliefs, tells her to retreat …?
— Father, I will be able to stand up for myself! «But we can't just give it to them.»
— You're just too young, and you don't understand who you're ssing with.
The Marquis was telling the truth. This case was much more serious than his daughter could have guessed. And if she foolishly gets involved in a war with them, she will harm not only herself, but the entire Windsor family. The legend that the enemies of the Cassians did not live long was quite true.
The man managed to hold out until this mont only because Raymond did not take them seriously and turned a blind eye to what had happened. But his patience could not last indefinitely.
The Archduke's daughter could be the last straw.
Considering how seriously her father had spoken to her about this, Maxie realized that he might have had his own reasons to be afraid about this. In order for him to let them go, he had to lie that she understood everything.
«Elder Ileas hasn't had visitors in years. If he refuses you, or nothing happens, then just do what I said.»
By this, the Marquess of Windsor ant his original plan: to get rid of Leriana Ashford with the ends. Anyway, now that everything had already happened, they couldn't just let her go. After returning to her father, the girl would certainly report everything to the Archduke, and a war would break out between their countries, for which the Marquis was not ready yet.
Similarly, Cassia will not sit on the sidelines either.
In other words, Lady Ashford didn't have many ways to survive. And basically, her success depended on this particular operation.
Reluctantly, Maxie had to agree to his decree.
— I understand everything.
The girl got up from the chair, intending to go back and continue collecting things. They were supposed to be on their way in a couple of days.
The Marquess of Windsor watched her go with a worried look. He hoped his daughter wouldn't do anything stupid.
But Maxie herself, despite her promise to her father, intended to do otherwise. No matter what happened, she wouldn't let Leriana get hurt. And even more so… Even at the cost of her life, Rachel Cassius would never take her away from her.
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