by Ervin Agayan
“You would if you read anything,” said Parelia haughtily.
“Let’s admit I’m not keen on reading, but how come Erik, who has read all the books in Agastan, has no idea of who Erania really is?”
“Erania is a shy girl; therefore, she might not be telling him. Damn it!”
“What happened?” asked Arsy.
“Erania had asked me not to tell you,” Parelia said with sincere regret and even some fear in her voice. “Promise me you won’t tell Erik, will you?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Erik should know.”
“Okay, let’s agree on the following: you give me a day for me to speak to Erania. She should talk to Erik personally, so they don’t have an argument later.”
“Okay, you’ve got a day.”
“Thank you,” Parelia said sincerely.
“Is Erania a close friend of Parelia?” asked Arsy, though he knew the answer perfectly well.
“Very close.”
“So close that she’d behead Erik if he hurt Erania’s feelings?”
“Of course.” She frowned. “You can’t even imagine what she’d do with him.”
“You could have told me that earlier; I’d maintain friendly relationships with Erania,” joked Arsy.
When Erania saw what Arsy was capable of, she was filled with detestation and fear.
“Why are you clasping my hand so tightly?” asked Parelia.
“To distract your attention and win.” Arsy’s face showed a devious smile.
“I just got horrified at the mere thought of losing,” said Parelia with a smile.
“Why? Am I so disgusting?”
“Let’s change the topic. That won’t happen anyway.”
“And what shall we do if neither of us gives way until morning?” asked Arsy.
“You will feel sorry for me and will give way sooner or later,” Parelia assumed, screwing up her eyes.
“No way! Our battle should forever be remembered in the history of Agastan as the fiercest one ever.”
“Right!” exclaimed the princess.”
After some silence, Arsy asked, “Is Erania rich?”
“Yes, she’s rich enough,” answered Parelia.
“Erik is such a lucky guy. Not only is his girlfriend a close friend of the princess and a famous writer, but she’s also quite rich.”
“You know I don’t believe they met just by chance,” Parelia said suspiciously. “It is quite strange that Erik didn’t find another place for vacations in the entire kingdom.”
“I’m not sure. What if they met elsewhere?” Arsy shrugged.
“But you are his friend. Aren’t you supposed to know?”
“For the last few years, he has been busy with his classes, and we hardly ever meet. He is more attached to his fellow students than me,” said Arsy.
“Where does he study?”
“I don’t know.”
Of course, Arsy knew. He studied in Okstren.
Where is that? Don’t ask that, as no one knows! That’s not a joke, but a top-secret training school in the world… heartbreaking school! I realize you won’t believe me, but that’s pure truth!
Top graduates will compete for the role of the leader of the movement – the Tiedos, after which the winner will marry the princess and become the king; thus, the movement will come to power.
You know the rest of the story; I’ve told you somewhere earlier, though I think many people didn’t believe it after all…
“Your friend is a strange guy with a strange background, and you aren’t different. The cupboard is bursting with skeletons,” said Parelia with squinty eyes.
“What skeletons are you talking about?”
“Where he studies or your night vigil…and many similar secrets, not to mention your confidence that he will become the king. His ‘accidental’ acquaintance with Erania also gives rise to questions.”
“You won’t believe it, but many people know he will be the king and they will do their best to prevent it, so that extra safety won’t go amiss.”
“You’re right.” Parelia nodded. “I don’t believe it. He can’t be the king.”
“He will,” said Arsy confidently.
“He won’t,” she replied with the same confidence.
“I’m telling you, he will,” insisted Arsy, being absolutely confident about that.
“Parelia will never marry him.”
“How do you know? You are not Parelia, after all.”
“If Parelia learns about his relationships with Erania, she will never betray her friend.”
You must have already guessed what kind of a “trap” awaited Erathos…
“So, she won’t learn.”
“She will. If your friend wants to be the king, why is he courting Erania? I don’t understand it, Arsy.”
“You don’t get it. He will be the king by some quirk of fate.”
“Don’t be silly. The fate of each of us is in our hands.”
“You are right, but that’s not the case with Erik. He is a chosen one.”
“Haha.”
“Well, you will see it for yourself very soon, when he becomes the king.”
“Nohandure.”
“What did you say?” asked Arsy.
“You don’t even have elementary knowledge of Lienese?”
“I don’t.”
“That’s no good… it is translated as ‘it’s impossible,’” said Parelia.
“Why would I need that nonsensical language?”
“You will definitely need it when you become the king,” said Parelia with a sly smile.
“A king? Me? That’s impossible—Nohandure.”
“But why are you so sure? I’ve told you I could put in a word for you with the princess to help you get the throne.”
“I don’t need Parelia, nor do I need the throne or a fortune.”
“Enough listing what you don’t want. You’d rather think well. You won’t have another chance like this.”
Parelia had been dreaming of such a guy for her entire life, one who would be interested in her and not the throne. She had lost all hope of finding such a man and was ready to marry some lucre-seeking person whose eyes would sparkle at the thought of all the benefit he’d obtain from the marriage.
And finally she had found him, but instead of a high-minded knight, the fate sent her… a criminal!
“Is your opinion so important to Parelia?” asked Arsy.
“It is, believe it or not,” replied the girl proudly. “If I recommend she marry Arsy, she’ll agree.”
“You’d better make that lucrative offer to someone else. I need neither Parelia nor the royal robes.”
“And still, I will acquaint you with her.” The princess smiled slyly. “You’ll tell her you don’t need her looking into her eyes.”
“Seems like we are speaking a lot about the Princess. I am not interested in her, not a single iota.” Arsy frowned. “Others might be worshipping her, but not me. Wherever you go, you hear people talking about her; sometimes it makes me feel sick. Some fine day, she will be canonized and worshipped – that silly little thing.”
Arsy's words touched Parelia and she took offense.
“I have a presentiment that some fine day you’ll take sides with them,” she said with an almost ominous gleam in her eyes.
“It’s a false presentiment. I will be with you then.”
“Have you ever fallen in love?” asked Parelia.
Arsy nodded silently. This movement—a simple nod of the head, not accompanied by words—for some reason triggered in Parelia's soul a feeling she simply did not have the right to experience. Is this jealousy or what? She is jealous? Parelia could not understand it.
“Will you tell me about her?”
“There’s actually nothing to tell. It wasn’t anything serious.”
“I’d like to know anyway,” the princess demanded.
“It’s a long story.”
“I have plenty of time.”
<
br /> “But I don’t really feel like talking about it.” Arsy tried to evade the answer.
“I am just wondering how that girl slipped through your fingers given your slogan, ‘See it, grab it.’ Why are you silent?”
“I don’t want to speak about it, really!”
“Come on, tell me right now, before I get really angry,” said Parelia half-jokingly.
“It was a very nice girl… and…”
“Can you speak faster, or I’ll fall asleep?” Parelia pretended to yawn.
“My friend was also in love with her…”
“Wow, it's already interesting.” Parelia raised her eyebrows. Her curiosity grew stronger. “So. you scraped with your friend because of a girl, and you were outplayed. Am I right?”
“You aren’t. It was absolutely the other way. We both stepped back to give way to the other one… As a result, another man won her heart…”
“I'm dying of laughter.” Parelia laughed. “Is that a real story?”
“We both didn’t show our feelings like bush fighters, so the other one didn’t resign in favor of the other. In the end, she went to no one,” Arsy chuckled bitterly. “You are right; it was really silly.”
“Something is telling me the friend you are referring to was Erik.” Parelia narrowed her eyes cunningly. “Am I right?”
“Please, don’t tell Erania about it.”
“Why?”
“Because Erania is very jealous, and Erik will have problems,” Arsy explained.
“Why should he have problems? You said there was nothing serious.”
“Right, but I still don’t want you to tell her. Even such an innocent story can become a reason for her to make a scene.”
“In fact, I don’t see a reason not to tell her.” Parelia shrugged, then added, “I won’t, if you are asking me.”
“Thank you,” sincerely thanked Arsy.
“What was her name?” asked Parelia.
“Dinarina,” pronounced Arsy in a gently voice.
Sensing the intonation of his voice, Parelia felt another twinge of jealousy.
A deadly hush fell over the place; they stopped talking. While Parelia was profoundly plunged in her memories, Arsy was trying to compare her appearance with that of Dinarina. Before he met her, he believed the world didn’t have a beauty like Dinarina. Now, he realized how grossly he was mistaken; not a single creature in the entire world could be compared with the beauty of this goddess.
The night was surprisingly warm for the time of the year, as well as absolutely windless. Flames in the burning fire freely stretched upwards, casting mysterious shades on the couple sitting not far away.
Rattling of the brushwood and the monotonous singing of balm crickets coming from afar were the only sounds that shattered the calm of the glorious night. The balmy scent of fresh grass filled the air.
“What if Erik still has some feelings for Dinarina?” Parelia spoke after a long pause.
“Of course, not!” Arsy hastened to reply. “He doesn’t remember her.”
“As far as I understand, you still keep in touch with Dinarina, don’t you?” asked Parelia.
“Yes, we’re just friends. I’m not like Erik. I always keep in touch with friends.”
“And why aren’t you interested in her now? Erik is no more a barrier for you.”
“I already told you, I don’t have any feelings for her anymore,” Arsy assured her.
“But absence of feelings can’t be a strong argument for you,” said Parelia.
“It’s too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“She has a boyfriend.”
“But that isn’t a barrier for you either.” Parelia would not let up.
“One shouldn’t step into the same river twice.”
“Only not you…You can step a thousand times. I’ve told you a million times not to invest any hopes in me, but you hardly understand. You are really tough; I’m already feeling sleepy,” Parelia started complaining.
“You should give in then.” Arsy smiled. “We’ll have a kiss, and then you’ll go to bed.”
“You’ll see it in your dreams!”
“It’s a pity I didn’t find you sooner… But like they say, better late than never,” said Arsy with a smile.
“Not in my case.” Parelia shook her head. “I am absolutely inapproachable for you. You will be deeply disappointed afterwards. I have already told you.”
“You are mistaken. In all of Agastan, only Parelia is unapproachable for me, while you have no chance of escaping from my hands.” Arsy winked.
Parelia smiled—Arsy also realized there can’t be anything between them.
“You know what I just pictured? How you come to my dad to ask for my hand. Such a funny scene.”
“What’s funny about it?” asked Arsy.
“Imagine the scene: my dad is sitting on his chair, and you are bowing to him trying to utter something, stammering.” Parelia giggled, imagining the face of this impudent bandit at that moment.
“I am not stammering, and of course, I am not going to bow my head to anyone,” Arsy said resolutely. “I’ll come to see your father, not to ask for your hand but to inform him that his daughter is now mine. Damn him if he doesn’t give his approval!”
“Mind your language, Arsy!” Parelia got angry.
“That’s the way I talk,” said Arsy.
“Okay, let’s be silent. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
“Don’t be huffy; I’ve already told you I will change my ways for you, and I will even bow my head for you,” said Arsy, then he thought and asked, “But may I know who your father is and why people bow to him?”
“Doesn’t matter. Let’s not talk.” The princess avoided replying.
Parelia looked into Arsy's eyes, virtually not blinking and sometimes changing her facial expression; she was taking turns between smiling and frowning, shaking her head all the while.
“Don’t bother trying; it's useless. Your sharp dealings have no effect on me,” said Arsy. “This time I’m hell-bent to win.”
“I am starting to regret agreeing to play with you,” said Parelia anxiously. “I feel sleepy.”
“Perfect!” exclaimed Arsy. “Come on, give in! We will kiss, and you’ll go to bed!”
“Never! I will stand up to morning. Arsy, look at the sky; it is so beautiful.”
“Good shot, but still amiss.” He grinned, not taking his eyes off her.
The sky indeed arrested the sight that night, taking the beholder’s breath away with the beauty of the universe. The sky canvas, untouched by a single cloud, was scattered with hundreds of thousands of stars, like expensive silk strewn with precious stones.
“I love such starry nights,” whispered Parelia. “There’s a small lake in our garden with a pergola in its center. I can often be seen in that place, swinging on a swing …with my eyes fixed on the endless starry sky.”
“At night? What are you doing there at night?”
“Admiring our wonderful world. The weather on such days is usually calm and windless, so the silence of the night is only interrupted by your own heartbeat. The sky canvas is strewn with hundreds of thousands of stars, illuminating everything below with a mysterious light. We have a very beautiful pergola surrounded by six majestic columns made of snow-white marble topped with a beautiful stone dome and an elegant swing entwined with lianas hanging from it. The pergola is located on the edge of the royal pond, so on a windless night, its smooth waters reflect thousands of stars - big and tiny, bright, and expiring, faraway and such that seem to be on the arm’s length. Water lilies and nymphaea are quietly floating in the water, making the pond a real marine garden. I am describing in such details for you to picture all the enchanting beauty. The path paved with stone leading to the pergola is narrow and tortuous: a careless step and you might find yourself swimming in the pond, while the water is rather cold! I felt it on my own skin when I suddenly slipped on the damned path,” said Parelia
, laughing.
“The architect of that pergola should be punished! I will personally address that matter to stop him from constructing such dangerous paths,” joked Arsy. “I will make him swim in cold waters the whole day.”
“So, you want to punish me? That pergola, along with the path, was constructed according to my design,” said Parelia with a smile. “I just thought a tortuous path would harmonize with the pergola. And I turned out to be right…however, I miscalculated something! But never mind, swimming in cold-water ponds at night is also romantic. Well, I seem to have digressed from the topic.”
She was silent for a while, continuing to stare into those beautiful blue eyes opposite her. Sometimes, their steadfast and gentle gaze knocked her off her thoughts, confusing her and making her blush.
“Where did we stop?” She shook her head slightly to gather her thoughts. “Now, I take a seat on the swing and start swinging. The swing flies high up in the air, throwing me close to the stars that captivated my imagination. It seems like I am unriddling the secrets of the fathomless sky… but then my thoughts start wandering far away—to the world of dreams and miracles, where every second is unique, where I am absolutely free, and where the air is filled with love and joy. During such nights, I want the sun not to rise in the East, to make that very second of the night last forever… After the promenade, you start thanking God for creating this magnificent world.”
“Holy cats! You described it all in such beautiful words that I’m now eager to try that swing!” Arsy exclaimed. “So what does a beautiful young lady dream about sitting on that swing?”
“It’s a secret!” Parelia answered flirtatiously and added with a smile, “You should keep away from that place!”
“Oh, come on! It is obvious what young girls are dreaming about on swings. I’m not like you to admire the beauty of landscapes…I don’t argue with the fact that it’s beautiful, but I hardly enjoy such things.” Arsy shrugged his shoulders indifferently.
“So, you enjoy robbing, don’t you?” Parelia frowned.
“No, what I enjoy most is looking at you. I swear I could spend the entire time looking at you, or I perhaps I should say, admiring your beauty,” whispered Arsy.
Ugh, such a pity he is a criminal, Parelia thought, with deep annoyance in her heart. Why is life so unfair? It could be such a beautiful love story, after all!
