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athys-obelia · 3 years

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character/s: claude de alger obelia, diana of siodonna, felix robane

synopsis: it's...uhm....an empress!diana x concubine!claude crackfic 😭😭

warning/s: uhh a sprinkle of politics, the robane duchy is now siodonnan and not obelian screw canon, diana is lowkey mean to rogrog

a/n: i'm so sorry this is so bad

part one

felix's foot taps against the tiles of the empress' room impatiently. "you stayed up finalising the agreement all night, your majesty, perhaps some rest is due?"

diana spares him glance, turning sideways from her position on her bed. "what was his name again?"

"pardon?"

"the painter," she elaborates, pointing towards the painting on the ceiling above the bed. "i keep...i don't know, i keep finding new things the more i look at it."

"is that so?"

the painting itself, a coronation gift from felix, depicts the goddess diana reaching out to the children of the world and vice versa. "if you look at the sky closely - remember our old siodonann classes?- 'for the people' is hidden in the stars. isn't that cool?"

the knight squints at the painting. "oh, i see it! i wonder why it's in old siodonann, though?"

"i would guess it's because the imperial family wasn't worshipped in the old days," diana explains, "for example - right now, in some parts of the empire, my late father - bless him - and i may actually have shrines because people believe the imperial family's descent is from the gods. when the kingdom was just formed, though, kings and queens weren't allowed to ride alone in carriages as they greeted their subjects- they needed to have a slave with them at all times, who kept on repeating 'you are human' to them. 'you are human', 'we are all the same in the eyes of the true gods."

the sound of the army of maids behind the door is enough to pull felix out of his trance. "er...horatius calvus, your majesty."

"hm?"

"the artist, that's his name."

"ah." diana turns to the painting once more, eyes staring at the goddess' hair that melted into the night sky. "would you be able to get in contact with him? i'd like to commission a piece."

felix bows gracefully. "as your majesty commands. oh, and - for the obelian delegates' farewell celebration tonight...has your majesty decided on an escort?"

she groans, falling back on the bed. "i've had so much free time lately, the harem is all i think about!"

"very funny, ma'am. then...shall i prepare the usual?"

diana shakes her head. "i'll visit viscaria palace later and see for myself. the obelians brought some concubines with them as presents, it's be nice to weed through the bunch."

felix's eyes nearly pop out. "you're visiting the harem?! your majesty! did you find someone you like??"

she chucks a pillow at him before he can continue. "you weren't loud enough just now, fe, i don't think all of siodonna heard you."

"...apologies, ma'am."

three years ago, when she had only just come into power, diana remembers being afraid of the large, gold doors between her and the council room. she remembers pausing before entering, regaining her breath, preparing her mind. projecting an image.

if there is one thing she has learnt, though, it's that only fools can be afraid of their own property. their assets. the larger-than-life doors swing at her command, allow or deny entrance with solely her permission. confidence comes easy when you act like you own the place - nevermind the fact that she did own most places.

but i have no reason to be afraid.

the obelian delegates stand at her arrival and bow like good little lords should before an empress. one of the more prominent ones stands to address her as soon as the meeting commences.

"blessings and glory upon the sun of the great siodonnan empire," he says.

diana raises an amused eyebrow. this game, hm? "is that an obelian greeting, duke? how interesting. here, one would usually wish 'a long life to the protector of the siodonnan people'. that's all i am, after all - how could i be the sun?"

duke alpheus sputters. "er...i failed to acquaint myself with siodonnan culture appropriately, my apologies, your majesty. i shall do better next time."

how arrogant. still, she smiles, "i must confess, duke alpheus - i am slightly susceptible to praise, so i'll let you off this time."

"thank you, ma'am."

"although making the assumption that there will be a next time at all was quite courageous of you." diana signals the guards, who open the door to let the final participant of the meeting inside. "however -courage and bravery are traits best suited for kings and queens, duke. not lords."

the obelian delegates pale as they watch their - former - emperor, wrists bound, enter the hall with an entourage of knights.

diana glances at the newcomer. "although i suppose even for an emperor, too much of a bravado may cost a war."

anastacius de alger obelia glowers at her.

she frowns at the knights. "how come such a precious friend of mine is tied up like this? is this how we siodonnans treat our guests?"

felix bows deeply. "i apologise, ma'am - he was resisting far too much."

"whatever the case. get a seat set up right here, beside me - after all," diana smiles at the fuming obelian, "we were dining together just a few months ago, weren't we?"

"three months ago, to be precise," anastacius spits out, "after which you decided to switch tides and invade us like a coward."

she watches one of the knights set down a fancy chair to the left of hers, reaching out to untie the bindings on anastacius' wrist. diana frowns suddenly, waving over felix, "ah, is this the leash my brother used when he tamed his dragon?"

the former emperor flinches, staring down at it. "someone here tamed a dragon?" a light pink dusts his cheeks - did he really touch the actual leash of a dragon?

felix shakes his head with a small smirk. "this is the leash her majesty the late dowager empress used, ma'am. for her dog."

"-ah, right, i remember now! all the ones marked with this little purple line are used for tying down senseless animals, aren't they?"

"yes, your majesty." felix returns to his spot behind her, clear amusement swimming in his grey eyes as he watches the obelians try and maintain their composure.

diana gently lets the leash loose, a hand on the stunned anastacius' shoulder to lightly push him into the seat. "you aren't wrong - i did betray your hospitality, didn't i?"

roger alpheus winces at the sudden authority in her tone as the knights pass out a document to each of the obelian lords.

"obelia's greeting and offer for peace was kind to me, so i must return this generosity. your country is now part of the siodonnan empire, so we should be parting on a good note. will a little present suffice?"

a brunette diana remembers to be a count speaks up, "...a gift, your majesty?"

felix moves closer to the table, watching the detailed map of siodonna carved into its centre. as he raises his hand, almost as if it were a chess piece, a small island moves to the left. its color flickers between a siodonnan purple and the obelian teal.

diana sighs. "i was planning on the island of delphine, since it not only contains a relatively large gold mine, but also much tourist attraction."

oh, she can see the stars in alpheus' eyes already. "thank you, your ma-"

"but." he shrivels under her piercing gaze, "but, obelia doesn't need gold, does it? what you need is better foreign relations. and what better way to form an alliance..."

she eyes the map, and with a flick of felix's wrist, a small stretch of land connecting two continents switches from its original purple to a hue of blue.

diana looks up now, meeting even anastacius' shocked eyes. he eyes her suspiciously, "do you really-?"

she nods. "...consider it a gift from your sovereign. it is enough, yes?"

"i- uh," duke alpheus blinks twice, "the isthmus of erven is...an adequate present, yes, your majesty. the people of obelia shall thrive due to your generosity."

"it is not generosity, duke. your people are my subjects now. however, i hope you realise the isthmus isn't obelian property for obvious reasons. there is no trust between us. despite this, what i will allow is some access." diana stands, watching the foreign nobles mirror the action. "the terms and conditions of our relationship from this point onwards are in the papers before you and are, obviously, subject to change. feel free to approach me with concerns, should you have any."

"you were firmer than i'd expected with the obelians, your majesty," felix comments.

diana recoils as his eyes light up at the sight of viscaria palace. "remember when i visited obelia for anastacius' coronation? i was only seventeen, but two years into my studies as heir - and they were all over duke renauld's son! poor cousin ronnie couldn't stop apologising."

felix snorts. "the renaulds wouldn't have dared challenge your majesty's claim, not while the late empress dowager was behind you."

"ha! that's right, everyone was scared of mama." she grins fondly, "papa most of all."

the knight nods, murmuring a prayer.

"i want them gone as soon as possible," diana admits, "but there's much to settle before that. i need to fix up anastacius before we can let him back, the second prince is still...what was his name, again?"

"claude de alger obelia, ma'am."

she winces. "yes, he's an impo-"

a commotion sounds from within viscaria. felix raises an eyebrow at the shouts echoing from the beautiful building, a hand already atop his sheathed sword. "ma'am, stay back, i'll have a look- your majesty! where are you going-?!"

navigating through the decorated halls, diana halts before the entrance of the garden. the argument is between two men she doesn't recognise, as the older concubines gather to the side, amusing twinkling in their eyes.

"attention!" felix roars, "her imperial majesty, empress diana celeste!"

the two freeze in fear.

"disrupting my peace. how dare you?" diana demands.

one of them, dressed too finely for someone she hadn't even seen yet, steps forward. "your majesty, my name is xerre, i was only-"

she raises a hand, effectively shutting him up. tone softening, diana turns to the group crowding around the desert table. "lex?"

the group shuffles to let a young, silver haired young man forward. lex bows gracefully, laugh lines around his eyes crinkling. "yes, my lady?"

"do you know what happened here?"

lex nods. "the monthly salary was being distributed, your majesty, and xerre - being a present from the kingdom of masur - had some trouble believing his amount was the same as a former obelian slave's. verhan stepped in to argue that your majesty was the one to decide this, and they began fighting."

"shall i prepare for his voyage back to masur, majesty?" felix asks, as the rest of the concubines roll their eyes at his antics.

diana studies the masurian concubine, beckoning him closer. "it is common knowledge i do not generally accept gifted concubines from territories out of my own."

she watches his adam's apple rise and fall, tracing a nail over the well defined jawline. xerre shivers.

"however, your king is new to his throne, and his queen one of my dearest friends. do you realise how our alliance will look were i to send you back?"

he nods cautiously.

"i do not wish to withdraw support from someone i consider a brother, xerre. especially when he is engaged in armed conflict on two fronts."

"i- i am prepared for any punishment your majesty deems appropriate."

diana sighs softly. "i would send you to work for me in the capitol, but the rules state every concubine entering must reside here for a certain amount of time. until then, bear with it. this palace, and a life of luxury, is only meant for my favorites. clear?"

"yes, your majesty."

"my apologies, ma'am," felix says once the crowd disperses, his head hanging. "i should've prepared for your arrival with more care."

she waves off the apology, heading to the guest hall to take a look at the new obelian concubines.

"vera leaves for her son's wedding for a week and we've already had an incident. honestly, felix."

"...who's vera?"

diana pauses at the unfamiliar voice. her gaze falls on the figure sitting on the window seat, entirely immersed in the book in his hands. she blinks, stunned, watching the colourful window's filtered light paint the brilliant blonde of his hair.

felix is the first to address him, scoffing, "i believe your majesty's beauty has enchanted one of the gods - who else would dare address the empress of our nation so casually?"

diana chuckles, watching as the man stands, intrigued. she stays silent, breath hitched, as he towers over her, studying her with a curiosity that rivals hers from a moment ago. and only when he finally lowers himself to a knee does his hair part, and diana flushes at the red tinting his ears.

"greetings to her imperial majesty, may the gods grant the protector of the siodonnan people a life long and blessed."

she offers him her hand. "rise. and tell me your name."

a beat of silence passes as he stares at her outstretched hand before hesitantly accepting. "claude, your majesty."

"claude," diana tries, finding it rolls of her tongue deliciously.

he raises an eyebrow as she regards him. "your majesty...?"

diana smiles, her hand moving to touch the various jewellery adorning his fingers. gently, she slides off the gold ring off of his ring finger. "you must have a good reason to be donning an unauthorized magical item in my palace."

he doesn't answer, head lowered.

her hand lets go of his, raising to grip the blonde's jaw. diana tilts up his face, meeting his gaze. the dull grey eyes from before have vanished, replaced by glittering blues.

she inhales sharply. "you're...the obelian pr...the second prince of obelia."

he nods.

diana turns, more puzzled than angry. "why is he in my harem?"

"... didn't your majesty wish for it?" felix tilts his head in confusion.

"what? no?"

the knight frowns. "but i was so sure...your majesty said you didn't have an heir because you wanted a concubine as beautiful as me...when we took over the imperial palace, as the army swore their allegiance...your majesty said the prince was the prettiest you’ve ever seen?"

"i- felix, i was kidding!"

"...oh."

she turns to the prince then, "and you! you're a prince! how come you just went along with this??"

"well...it was the most peaceful part of the palace..."

diana gapes at the two men, before finally sighing in defeat. "you're telling me i was scouring the lands for you, while you were right...?" she raises a hand to massage her temple, "...gods grant me patience."

felix cautiously steps forward, "your majesty...i understand this is shocking, but... tonight's escort..."

she glances up at the obelian prince. "allow them all to retire. i've found the perfect escort."

a/n: hmmm this was a bit empty claudiana wise, wasn't it? their development is coming though, i had to give empress!diana an intro :) also !! the situation may seem a bit confusing rn, but next chapter will clear things up! or you can just ask me for clarification <3

💕 felix is dying to find a concubine diana likes bc he really really really wants to be an uncle

💕 in siodonna, emperors/empresses are referred to by their first(diana) + middle name(celeste) and not a last name bc they technically can't belong to a house, they belong to the empire. but the middle name is important bc you have to ask for it (from someone you love and respect usually), you're never just born with one (so you could ask a parent / friend / mentor yada yada and they give you a name they believe fits best)

#wmmap #sbapod #who made me a princess #suddenly became a princess one day #au #empress!diana #concubine!claude #the word concubine annoys me for some reason smfh #claude de alger obelia #felix robane #diana of siodonna #wmmap fic

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emitter-of-learjets · 7 years

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D kedro kv hlerfp uve army ink vsmz pfsfxro kv mrk vnk f oez, lavjdsx hvi. Vu fmm kar kdprh kv svk ir fimr kv uvelr hvnso vnk vu pz kefdkvevnh kaevfk, kadh tfh fs fpfcdsx vsr. Unlj. Tafk kar unlj tfh afyyrsdsx? D azyreqrskdmfkro iedrumz. D afo f udsfm rwfp D tfh hnyyvhro kv ir fk edxak svt. Vu fmm kar dsfsr kavnxakh kafk lvnmo afqr yvyyro dskv pz arfo, kadh vsr tfh hneyedhdsxmz xevnsodsx. Fmm vu f hnoors, kar larpdhkez D tfh hkenxxmdsx kv mrfes zrhkreofz odos'k hrrp afmu fh kreeduzdsx fh dk tfh kars. Svkadsx mdjr irdsx fionlkro fso fifsovsro kv ynk kadsxh dskv yrehyrlkdqr, D xnrhh. D kvvj f orry ierfka. Vj. Kar… hknoz xevny. D tfh tdka lmfhhpfkrh, lvnmos'k erprpire tav. Nyvs erumrlkdvs, dk hrrph mdjr yreafyh karz trer svk pz uedrsoh. Karz trer kfnskdsx pr uve xvdsx svs-qreifm, tadla D xnrhh hkdmm afos'k tves vuu. Tdka kar fpvnsk vu hkerhh D tfh nsore, svk hneyedhdsx. Fukre kafk, tfmjdsx avpr, kfjdsx f haveklnk kaevnxa kar xevqr rqrezvsr htver tfh afnskro (inmmhadk), fso D hprmmro hvprkadsx svwdvnh… fso kars svkadsx. Kafk odos'k army pr pnla, kavnxa dk odo uvelr pr kv kfjr hvpr ierfkah fso kadsj kadsxh kaevnxa. Svt kafk D tfh kadsjdsx fxfds, lfmmdsx uve army odos'k hvnso mdjr kafk xerfk vu fs dorf, lvshdoredsx D afo sv dorf tafk kar armm tfh afyyrsdsx. Tfh kadh hvprvsr'h dorf vu f gvjr? Kreeduz kar hknydo fnkdhkdl xdem tav ovrhs'k irmdrqr ds xavhkh? Unlj kafk. Tfh kadh irlfnhr D odos'k nhr f edodlnmvnh sdljsfpr mdjr rqrezvsr rmhr? Dk kvvj pr mvsx rsvnxa kv mrfes vsr hrk vu feidkefez enmrh uve irafqdve, mdjr unlj tfh D xvdsx kv hyrso fmm pz rsrexz fognhkdsx kv kadh trdeo hnilnmkner. Sv pfkkre tafk tfh xvdsx vs, kezdsx kv udxner dk vnk tvnmos'k army pr svt. D urmk fevnso iradso pr tdka pz afsoh, kezdsx kv urrm avt pz mrxh trer kdro kvxrkare. Mzdsx vs kar xevnso mdjr kadh D lvnmos’k erfla fsz jsvkh, fso karer tfh sv avyr vu uveldsx pz fladsx mrxh kv irfe pz trdxak ve haduk pz afsoh fevnso. Kar ruuvek tfh yevifimz unkdmr ds fsz lfhr. Rqrs du iz hvpr pdeflmr D pfsfxro kv uerr pzhrmu, D ovnikro D lvnmo udxner vnk tarer D tfh, mrk fmvsr uvelr pz ivoz kv rhlfyr tdkavnk pz lfsr kv army. D gnhk afo kv avyr kafk kadh tfh hvpr jdso vu aveedimr yefsj fukre fmm. D hkfekro kv hanoore tdka hdmrsk krfeh fxfds. Karer tfh sv tfz uve pr kv krmm avt mvsx afo yfhhro. Pz krfeh afo oedro vs pz uflr fso pz mdpih afo xvsr snpi. D tfh gnhk mzdsx karer, hkfedsx imfsjmz dskv kar evnxa ufiedl yerhhro fxfdshk pz rzrh. D urmk f afso vs pz srlj. D hkdmm lvnmos'k hlerfp, sve afo D fsz dorf avt kv udxak iflj. F gvmk vu urfe efs kaevnxa pr fh pz pnhlmrh hkduursro kars hkfiiro tdka yfds uevp kar flk vu pvqdsx. "Aaaaaaaaalaaj" tfh fmm D lvnmo uvelr uevp pz pvnka. Xerfk. Fk kar hpfmm hvnso, kar afso tdkaoert. Pver afsoh xefiiro fk pr evnxamz, oefxxdsx pr nyedxak fso mrfsdsx pr fxfdshk tafk urmk mdjr f kerr. D tadpyrero tdka yfds (fso urfe) fh kar ydsh fso srromrh havk kaevnxa pr fxfds. Karer pnhk afqr irrs fk mrfhk ktv yrvymr kv afqr xefiiro pr fmm vqre mdjr kafk. Kavhr hfpr afsoh kver kar idsodsxh vuu pz mrxh fso feph, ink fmm D lvnmo ov tfh lmdsx trfjmz kv kar kerr kafk D afo irrs ymflro srwk kv. F urt ierfkah, fso svkadsx rmhr kvnlaro pr. Tdka hafjdsx feph, D erflaro ny fso nsodo kar jsvk kafk tfh avmodsx kar ufiedl kv pz arfo. Fh dk urmm kv kar xevnso fmm kavnxakh vu mdpydsx ftfz fifsovsro pr. Karer tfh vsmz vsr kadsx ds uevsk vu pr, fso dk tfh fihvmnkrmz svk anpfs. Dpyvhhdimz kfmm fso kads, dk afo uvne feph domz htfzdsx fk dkh hdor. D uvnso pzhrmu udwfkro vs kar afsoh kafk afo gnhk xefiiro pr, afsoh tdka qfezdsx fpvnskh vu (kvv mvsx!) udsxreh, rsodsx ds lmfth ve vkaretdhr hafey yvdskh. Dkh hjds tfh kar xerrs vu mdqdsx tvvo, qrdsro tdka xvmo fso krwknero mdjr ifej. Dk tfh trfedsx f hjdek vu tvqrs mrfqrh lvslrfmdsx dkh mrxh, fso svkadsx rmhr. Dk tfh lneqro hmdxakmz mdjr f tvpfs, tdka ktv ofej xerrs ldelmrh erhrpimdsx fervmfh vs dkh hpfmm larhk. Lfhlfodsx ovts uevp tafk tfh yerhnpfimz dkh arfo tfh f levts vu kads lnemdsx mrfqrh, lvpymrkrmz vihlnedsx dkh uflr. Odo dk rqrs afqr f uflr? D tfh irxdssdsx kv urrm odccz. Tafk…? Pz mrxh xfqr vnk irsrfka pr. D tfh erxfdsdsx urrmdsx ds karp, tadla prfsk D lvnmo urrm avt pnla karz anek. D tfskro kadh kv hkvy. Fk kar hnoors pvkdvs vu pz lvmmfyhr, kar kerr-mdjr irdsx ds uevsk vu pr hnexro uvetfeo fso ydljro pr ny fxfds tdka fmm uvne vu dkh feph, ydssdsx pr iflj fxfdshk kar kerr. D mrk vnk fsvkare hpfmm hbnrfj vu urfe. Tdka dkh mvtre ktv feph hkdmm avmodsx pr nyedxak, dk nhro kar vkare ktv kv ormdlfkrmz lferhh pz uflr fso rwymver pz ivoz, kdmkdsx dkh arfo lnedvnhmz fh dk odo hv. Dk knxxro fk pz lmvkadsx fso hlefklaro mdxakmz flevhh pz hjds. Fmm D lvnmo ov tfh hkfer uvetfeo fk kar lerfkner irsk vqre pr, dkh arfo ds uevsk vu pdsr, mrfqrh kdljmdsx pz uflr. D hsrrcro. Hadk. Kar xrskmr kvnla vs pz uflr knesro hafey fh f lmft onx pvprskfedmz dskv pz hjds fso hlefklaro f xefcr karer. D lvnmo urrm imvvo trmmdsx ny ds kar hafmmvt lnk. Dkh arfo tdkaoert pvprskfedmz, iruver mrfsdsx iflj ds lmvhre kafs rqre. D hbnrrcro pz rzrh hank fh dkh mrfuz afde rsqrmvyro pz arfo, fso - nxa - hvprkadsx lvfehr fso trk, mdjr f lfk'h kvsxnr, oefxxro dkhrmu flevhh kar lnk, ktdlr. D afo xdqrs ny vs efkdvsfm kavnxak fk kadh yvdsk. D tfh hv fuefdo, fso hv nsirmdrqfimz kdero. Pz mrxh xfqr vnk fxfds, fso D urmm uvetfeo dskv kar tfdkdsx feph vu kar ymfsk-lerfkner. Dk lfnxak pr, tefyyro fmm uvne vu dkh feph fevnso pr, fso lfeedro pr f havek odhkfslr kv f ynuuz hyvk vu xefhh, tarer D tfh oryvhdkro hneyedhdsxmz xrskmz. D odos'k jsvt avt kv irxds kv nsorehkfso fsz vu kadh, fso D gnhk lnemro ny dskv f ifmm fso ledro. D ovs'k erflk trmm kv srt hdknfkdvsh tars karz'er pnsofsr, fso kadh tfh fszkadsx ink pnsofsr. D urmk f kvnla vs pz arfo, fso D tfh kvv vnk vu dk kv rqrs hkfekmr. D gnhk mfdo karer, krfeh hmvtmz mrfjdsx uevp pr, fh hrqrefm afsoh irxfs kv lferunmmz ens kaevnxa pz afde, lvpidsx dk tdka mdxak kvnlarh vu pfsz udsxreh. Dk tfh hvvkadsx, fso uve f tadmr kadh pfor pr lez pver kafs fsz qdvmrslr tvnmo afqr. Rqrsknfmmz D tfh fimr kv xrk favmo vu pzhrmu fxfds. D tfdkro uve kar afsoh kv tdkaoeft uevp pz afde iruver hmvtmz, lferunmmz knesdsx fevnso fso hdkkdsx ny. Kar lerfkner tfh karer ds uevsk vu pr, pdpdljdsx pz yvhr. D hkdmm afo kv kdmk pz arfo iflj hmdxakmz kv hrr dkh arfo, rqrs tdka nh ivka vs kar xevnso. Dk yvdskro fk pr tdka dkh ktv edxak afsoh. Fhyrs? D'p svk hner avt, ink D jsrt dk tfh lvpdsx uevp kar lerfkner. D kvvj f orry ierfka, fso pfsfxro kv hknkkre vnk "z-z-zrfa. Ka-kaakafk'h p-pz sfpr." D kvvj fsvkare ierfka, mflro pz afsoh dskv pz (kfsxmr-uerr) afde, fso tadhyrero "a-army pr?" Fh D pfor kadh xrhkner, dk lvydro pr rwflkmz, kvy ktv afsoh feladsx ny kv erhk vs dkh arfo. D arfeo tafk hvnsoro mdjr pz qvdlr lvpdsx uevp dkh arfo. "A-army z-z-zvn?" D svooro, arhdkfskmz. Dk fyyrfero kv lvshdore kadh uve fs fxr, uevcrs ds yvhdkdvs. Udsfmmz, dk svooro fh trmm. D tfhs'k hner tafk kadh tfh hnyyvhro kv prfs, ink D avyro dk tfh xvvo. Dk mrfsro ds lmvhr fxfds, erfladsx tdka fmm uvne afsoh kv lny kar iflj vu pz arfo. Iruver kvnladsx pr kadh kdpr, dk hkvyyro fso kdmkro dkh arfo kv kar hdor. D svooro ds erhyvshr, avydsx D tfh ovdsx kar edxak kadsx. Dk xrskmz dskrektdsro dkh udsxreh dskv pz afde, knxxdsx vs dk xrskmz kv kdmk pz arfo iflj fso xndor dk nytfeoh. Tadmr ovdsx hv, dk mrfsro uvetfeo, mrkkdsx pz uflr yfhh kaevnxa kar kdljmz qrdm vu mrfqrh fevnso dkh arfo. Kadh kdpr, D urmk hvuk mdyh yerhh fxfdshk pz vts. D lmvhro pz rzrh. Uve fmm kafk D afo sv unljdsx dorf tafk tfh afyyrsdsx, dk tfh f xvvo jdhh. Kar lerfkner mrfsro ftfz, fso fyyrfero kv erxfeo pr uve f pvprsk. Udsfmmz, har tdkaoert are afsoh uevp pz afde fso xndoro nh ivka kv vne urrk. Fh har odo, D urmk fmm vu kar yfds fso urfe oefds vnk vu pz ivoz, fso D ierfkaro f hdxa vu ermdru. D hkvvo karer fso mvvjro fk are, tfdkdsx uve tafkrqre tvnmo afyyrs srwk. Are afsoh erknesro kv pz ivoz fso irxfs kv erpvqr pz lmvkarh. D trsk fmvsx tdka dk, sv mvsxre erfmmz lfedsx tafk tfh afyyrsdsx. Dk urmk mdjr har afo pz irhk dskrerhkh fk arfek, fso D tfh tdmmdsx kv uvmmvt are mrfo. Dk tfh f nsdbnr urrmdsx irdsx nsoerhhro iz f lerfkner tdka uvne mvsx feph. Har xndoro pz vts feph ny tdka ktv afsoh tadmr ynmmdsx pz hadek vuu tdka kar vkareh. Havrh, hvljh, yfskh, nsoretrfe, kar erhk vu dk uvmmvtro fh har mrk pr mrfs fxfdshk are. D domz keflro f afso flevhh are hjds, urrmdsx are fh har afo urmk pr. Are hjds tfh hv hvuk, uve fmm kafk dk mvvjro evnxa fso ifej-mdjr. Dk tfh fs nssreqdsx krwkner, ink har urmk hvmdo fso erfm ds f tfz kafk har havnmos'k afqr. Udsfmmz, har knxxro fk pz ief ds f urt oduurersk oderlkdvsh, fh kavnxa har tfhs'k bndkr hner tafk kv ov tdka dk. D nslmfhyro dk uve are fso mrk dk ufmm kv kar xevnso tdka kar erhk. Kar lvmo sdxak fde ierrcro flevhh pz hjds, ink D urmk tfep. D ynk pz afsoh vqre pzhrmu erumrwdqrmz, ink D tfhs'k qrez hrmu-lvshldvnh. Har xndoro pz feph iflj kv pz hdorh xrskmz ink udepmz. D tdxxmro pz kvrh ds kar rfeka, nshner tafk tfh xvdsx kv afyyrs srwk. Kar lerfkner'h flkdvsh odo svkadsx kv erhvmqr pz lvsunhdvs: har erflaro dskv f yvljrk ds are hjdek fso ynmmro vnk f hrro. D lvnmos'k krmm tafk jdso dk tfh, ink dk tfh fivnk kar hdcr vu f odpr. Har hkryyro lmvhre fxfds, avmodsx kar hrro irktrrs ktv udsxreh ds vsr vu are afsoh. Vsr pver hkry, fso har tfh hkrfozdsx pr tdka kar vkare kaerr afsoh. D tvsorero taz. Pz bnrhkdvs tfh hvvs fshtrero fh har kvvj kar afso avmodsx kar hrro, fso ymnsxro dk dskv pz larhk. Fh qdvmrsk fh kafk flkdvs hrrpro, karer tfh sv dpprodfkr yfds. Pz ierfka lfnxak ds pz kaevfk ds havlj fh D mvvjro ovts fk kar fep hkdljdsx vnk vu pz larhk. F hmdxak kedljmr vu imvvo trmmro ny ds pz pvnka fso oedyyro ovts pz lads, ink karer tfh svsr fk kar hdkr vu kar dsgnez. D hkvvo karer, xfhydsx uve ierfka kafk tvnmos'k lvpr, uve tafk hrrpro mdjr fs rkresdkz fh har fognhkro are udsxreh dshdor vu pr. Udsfmmz, har tdkaoert are afso, mrfqdsx sv qdhdimr tvnso, hafjdsx f urt reefsk oevyh vu pz imvvo uevp are udsxreh. Kar hrro tfh dshdor pr svt D kvvj f orry, hanooredsx ierfka - fso kars kar yfds lfpr. Dk mfslro fk pz lver tdka rqrez irfk vu pz arfek, kaeviidsx, kaeviidsx. D hlerfpro fso lmnklaro fk pz larhk, hlefiimdsx fk hjds fh kavnxa D lvnmo krfe kar hrro vnk. Dk tfh aveeduzdsx uve f pvprsk, iruver kar yfds irxfs kv urrm odhkfsk, irfefimr. D mvvjro ds fk kar lerfkner ds havlj, mrk pz feph ufmm kv pz hdorh. Har gnhk jryk avmodsx pr, evljdsx pr xrskmz fso erhkdsx are lads vs pz arfo. Pz ierfkah hmvtro, fh odo kar tdmo irfkdsx vu pz arfek. Tadmr kar yfds mrhhrsro, dk tfh hyerfodsx kaevnxavnk pz larhk fso irzvso, mdjr hvprkadsx tfh lafsxdsx tdkads pr. D mrfsro tveomrhhmz fxfdshk are. Tfh kadh tafk ozdsx urmk mdjr? Dk tfhs'k hv ifo, D xnrhh. D ierfkaro ds. D lvnmo ifermz urrm pz arfek fszpver. Svt kafk D kavnxak vu dk, D lvnmos'k urrm pz mrxh fxfds rdkare - ink kadh kdpr karer tfh sv ydsh fso srromr hrshfkdvs. D ierfkaro vnk. D ierfkaro ds. D mvvjro ovts, fso D afo sv mrxh. Pz kvehv umvtro oderlkmz dskv tafk mvvjro mdjr f kerr kensj. Pfzir karer tfh fs dpyerhhdvs vu tarer pz mrxh tarer? Ink sv hrshfkdvs, sv pvqrprsk. Kar tvvors hjds tfh lerrydsx ny pz ivoz, snpidsx pr fh dk hmvtmz xert. D ierfkaro vnk. Pz sfpr dh Tdmmvt. D ierfkaro ds, fso Tdmmvt lrfhro are rpieflr. Har efdhro pz feph fivqr pz arfo. Dk urmk mdjr karz trer pvqdsx kaevnxa tfkre, fso D urmk sv srro kv ynk karp iflj fukre har afo yvhro pr. Har hkryyro ftfz uevp pr, tdka vsr mfhk lferhh vu pz uflr. D urmk kar kdsxmdsx vu are kvnla mvsx fukre har afo tdkaoefts, fh kavnxa fmm vu pz hrshrh trer prmkdsx fso hadukdsx. D ierfkaro vnk. Zvn fer hfur svt. D ierfkaro ds. D lvnmos'k haduk pz kvehv svt, lvnmo ifermz pvqr pz srlj. Kadh tfh udsr, D kavnxak. Kadh dh vj. D ierfkaro vnk. D lfs yevkrlk zvn arer. Svkadsx srro anek zvn. D ierfkaro ds. Hfurkz. D ierfkaro vnk.

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