It reminded her happy years of family life with Prinze when she liked to play a trick on him so: - and - ak will set to kvass on stones! And Prinze, on the contrary, did not transfer a big heat. Will redden as tomato and was will want "to fade" under a specious excuse, but the Fairy already manages to lock bath doors a spell, and then takes a broom more rigidly and let's it soar! The prince so ridiculously blinked, just like a kitten, - it the show fairly amused the Fairy so she laughed to tears.
However, once she too was fond of this entertainment. To the prince then it became bad - after all he is only a person! - and then in general fainted. It was necessary to call the Kitten urgently. Nasilu then pumped out …
The truth and Prinze is good too! As will begin it to beat with a broom and so that just the spirit goes out! Once the Fairy even thought that it specially so mutuzit her, in revenge for her jokes with a bath temperature. But she bore all silently - the fairy under no circumstances cannot show before the husband of the weaknesses. It only consoled itself in thought that when it begins it to soar, to it definitely not to be become stronger! And, by the way, helped! After couple of such scoldings Prinze did not risk to use excessive force … "Yes any more - and - and-and, cheerfully we lived with Prinze all these years … - the Fairy sadly thought. - And I just now understand that we were simply created for each other …"
From these pleasant memories the Fairy was awakened by the Kitten who came running with feiny pink soap accessories (she could not wash the gentle skin with human means!) - basts, spirits, cosmetics, clothes and other female features. What it without it would do! The kitten also helped the Fairy to be washed and take a steam bath properly, however, too somehow softly, shchadyashche, so the Fairy again with nostalgia remembered Prinze's "scoldings" and sadly sighed. "Here Prinze will return, - the Fairy thought, - first of all we will go to a bath and there I will ask to beat him me with brooms as earlier! And to kvass I will pour less, and that will die still, the poor creature …"
While the Fairy took a steam bath in a bath, the Puppy jealously checked her future bedroom and table layout, taught servants how it is necessary to handle her Highness. "She is Prinze's wife too, - the Puppy important spoke, - and, by the way, the prince it is better than yours, it precisely!"
And after a bath she dressed a new dress, having replaced a uniform blue tunic with the thin, fitting overalls from white silk which are not hiding from public eyes of any part of her beautiful body. The kitten braided it hair to the spit, having decorated it with a set of the gold and silver threads poured by all flowers of a rainbow even in the dark. On a neck put on a pearl necklace - Prinze's gift a wedding anniversary. It he won a necklace against mermaids, swimming with them competing in speed, about three years ago. However, a rate from its party was 1000 kisses. The fairy, having learned about it at mermaids, flew into a rage and did not want to accept at first the gift won by such price, but … as always forgave. In addition it sprayed itself from legs to the head pink spirits so, smelling sweet as the real royal garden, it was simply irresistible.
Court ladies at court of the prince just burst with envy and right there about themselves called her "witch" and "libertine". On the contrary, all male noblemen - and them gathered not less than fifty - just devoured it with eyes. Prince Gaston, having convulsively swallowed saliva, quickly rose and approached the guest, having easily discharged the Animals standing on each side. Then, having taken by hand, led it to the place near the throne. All gentlemen and court ladies at the sight of the high guest got up and prudishly bowed.
The prince managed to accept a bathroom too. It was dressed ceremonial clothes: snow-white short pricks, the same color the drawers which are densely sitting standing to knees, shoes made of cloth, on ancient fashion with the long noses bent slightly up, a short raincoat to a belt, and on one side at it the long, but easy ceremonial sword in the silver sheath shining, decorated with a scattering of small diamonds flaunted.
When the Fairy sat on a high and easy chair at the head of a table, also the prince, and afterwards - and all court sat down. Faithful Animals got up behind the hostess, ready in everything to do a favor the Fairy. "These so clumsy vast objects, they cannot be trusted precisely!" They gave to the madam all dishes, vessels for washing of hands and a napkin, and also devices.
Having taken the place, the Fairy could examine, at last, more attentively the room in which she appeared. Generally, everything was as in fairy tales.
To her look the huge stone hall with a huge fireplace on the party, nearest to a table, opened. Probably, it was constructed till an era of the Order and Prosperity when in the inhabited Tselestiya's part still there were winters. Now it played a role of a museum piece rather - and so was hot that still to heat it. The high lancet windows on walls decorated with the real stained-glass windows, getting through which the sunlight scattered color spots of sunlight on a floor and walls. It did in general gloomy gray walls cozier.
All walls were bequeathed gobelins. Both gobelins, and stained-glass windows were on the same subjects: here knights fight with dragons, here - with volkolaka, here - with spiders, and here - and among themselves … And here, for example, hunting with hounds, here and tournament … Generally, usual knightly plots of Dark centuries. Also walls decorated statues in various knightly armor, and also effigies of volkolak and some other monsters, some - quite fresh.
The fairy with curiosity looked at an effigy whose skin still did not fade at all. On a breast it had section directly with heart.
Prince Gaston, having caught her eye, I was glad to the arisen occasion to keep up the conversation:
- It I struck in the Limit zone, right in the heart several months ago … I periodically there go to hunt with volunteers from my group. Unfortunately, I cannot take all, fairies allow armed to move groups no more, than in twenty people … - the Prince grew dark again and in sharp blow thrust a fork in carcass of the fried boar watered with tomato sauce.
The fairy with disgust looked at fried meat and wrinkled a nose, but told nothing. People were allowed to eat meat under the Contract on Guardianship, however, not in all days (such days people for fun nicknamed "fast" - they covered nearly a half of days in a year). And, besides, is it was possible not all animals: it was impossible to touch young females and cubs, it was impossible to eat also fish caviar and eggs of wild birds. Females and eggs - for reproduction, and cubs - from humanity. Today was, unfortunately for the Fairy, just "meat" day.
- I do not understand, Gaston, - it is possible, I on "you"? We have at fairies a democracy, and therefore we did not get used to loud titles … - the Fairy accurately sent herself to a mouth a small piece of the banana cut by the Kitten and washed down it with a small draft of the red wine which is strongly diluted by the Puppy. - What are you, actually, dissatisfied with? - the Fairy inflated sponges. - We relieved you of monsters and wars, destroyed all harmful diseases, forever eliminated hunger threat, prolonged to you life term twice, and you keep youth almost until the end of life … Generally, gave you the Order and Prosperity in everything …
- … But took away from us at the same time the most important.
- And what?
- Freedom … - with bitterness Gaston answered. - Freedom … - at these words in his courageous, almost black eyes fire of some pensiveness and a neotmirnost for the first time appeared and it surprisingly reminded it her Prinze …
"Creator! - the Fairy thought - they are so similar … as like as two peas … If Gaston would be not such brawny, and, on the contrary, shchuplovaty if he had not dark hair and eyes, but light and blue if it had always the same pensive expression as now, he would be the poured-out Prinze!"
Here her look fell to a medallion on his neck - a letter "A" with the crown covered with diamonds.
- … Well-at-at-at, freedom - a loose concept, - meanwhile continued conversation the Fairy, having sent itself to a mouth one more piece of banana. - I here, for example, spent five thousand years on one place on the duty station - and
only once during this time left it (apart from, of course, office trips on a meeting of Council) when I went for my wounded husband to hospital about three years ago.
- In what hospital?
- On the big island in miles of thirty from Avalon. There took place knightly tournament in which it took part and got two changes … Oh, if the one who with it made it only got to me, I to it would make two tens changes! - and eyes of the Fairy angrily sparkled and she so strongly stuck a fork into one of segments of the orange cut by the Kitten that splashes of orange juice scattered far in the parties.
- Husband of the fairy? On tournament? Never would believe! - puzzly Gaston exclaimed. - They except as flowers to collect and to spin wreaths, after yours - he pointed a finger upward - Schools of pages are not capable of anything!
- My husband did not graduate from School of pages. He is a person and, by the way, the prince - is not worse than you! - with insult the Fairy said and threateningly looked at Gaston.
Gaston gave a whistle.
- Interestingly, from where it undertook, your prince?
- I do not know, - the Fairy sadly told. - I picked up it seriously injured, at it struck memory … - eyes of the Fairy were filled with tears how her darling then, all in blood, unconscious, with changes looked.
- And when you picked up it, the lady in what year? - suddenly suspiciously Gaston narrowed an eye, having stopped chewing and having put a fork aside.
- That is and - and - ak … My son in three months will be six years old, we got married, respectively, then … - the Fairy went into eyes and mentally considered months, bending fingers. - Well, precisely, six and a half years ago, and that?
- It seems that the milady, I know who your Prinze. But for these invaluable data I will demand from you bo - about - olshushchy repayment! - Gaston grinned, now having completely turned towards the Fairy, without paying attention to court at all.
At this time in the hall beautiful music played. The orchestra from delays, pipes, lutes and guitars was executed by beautiful dancing melodies. Some court ladies and gentlemen were turned in some ancient beautiful dance consisting mostly of a set of bows, changes of positions and kisses of hands of the lady by the gentleman. Other ladies and gentlemen sat at a table and were keen on conversation about advantages or shortcomings of fairies. Of course, they at the same time were divided into two camps - on ladies and gentlemen. One in every possible way condemned them, and others - extolled. It is obvious that this dispute could not be resolved in the diplomatic way, but at the prince any of the parties did not decide to transfer dispute to other phase, having postponed it before come home.
- And what repayment … - inside at the Fairy everything grew cold, being afraid of the worst. About Prinze's past she terribly wanted to find out, and she was ready to offer everything, but only not the honor of the fairy.
Gaston burst out laughing enough. He, at last, felt a master of the situation and was glad to an opportunity to revenge the Fairy in bitter minutes of humiliation and uncertainty which he tested earlier. It it is snow-white white teeth is dazzling began to shine by the light of the setting sun, and the eyes which dimmed from undiluted wine cunning closed the eyes partly.
- Do not worry, the lady, I will demand nothing disgraceful from you though I also am not married - knightly honor for me - above all.
- Well, you do not weary? I will give everything that I will be able only, for the sake of my darling!
- The first condition, - having bent one finger, choking with sense of superiority over the Fairy, Gaston told, - swear to me the Throne of their Knowledge - your most terrible oath - that you will never tell it about it.
- Well-at-at, it is just easy. It on my behalf. I never wanted that he remembered the past. Even it I destroyed a medallion … I swear.
At these words of Gaston distorted. But it restrained.
- The second, - having bent the second finger, Gaston continued. - You tell me about the purpose of the travel. Frankly. In total. I think, it is fair: secret on secret. Besides, I have also other reason, personal, to know about it. In turn, I swear to you Roland Drevnego's sword that nobody learns about it. And tomorrow I will declare to the people that the one who will let out your visit of Kronburga that will be expelled from the city once and for all.
- It is good, - the Fairy nodded. - I trust you.
- There is more to come. There is also the third condition …
- What?
Prince Gaston again crookedly grinned and bent the third finger.
- You present me dance … But not one. All evening you will be mine - talk, walks, dances and other - all inclusive. Till 11 in the evening. And in the morning you will go on the confidential affairs … They are confidential, isn't that so?
- Thank the Creator, - hardly restraining, having turned white as swept, the Fairy hissed, - that I do not want to humiliate your authority before citizens, and that I to you would close up such box on the ear that you would depart to an entrance to the hall from here!
- As you please, - forcedly again to a table Gaston indifferently turned, shifting himself in a plate a piece of a fried partridge.
But the tenacious thin hand with the long nails which are made up by a nacreous varnish already caught it by a lapel of colitis and attracted to itself. Fabric burst.
- Listen, you, the person if you talk to me such tone how with the public maid, I will raze to the ground here, understood?! - nebesno blue eyes of the Fairy blackened for anger. Music, having screamed, broke off, the fire of torches (the sun already almost the village) began to hesitate and almost faded, the lock began to tremble as from an earthquake, even plaster fell down from above, chandeliers downloaded. - You did not see the fairy in anger yet, and, I swear the Creator, it is better for you not to try her patience!
But it did not make any impression on Gaston. He derisively looked down on the Fairy, appraisingly, and continued to eat indifferently a partridge, having blown away from it crumbs of the spilling plaster.
- The darling, - he told absolutely passionlessly, even despite the Fairy, - you forget that you say with the man and the knight, but not the graduate of School of Pages. It is time. And if you bring down everything here - the death of tens of people will be on your conscience. Become serious it will be, than today's white fallow deer. However, you, fairies, as we know, love animals more, than people. It is simpler to love them …
Such answer worked on the Fairy as a cold shower and a tryaseniye stopped. It reddened, lowered a head, absent-mindedly picking a fork the cut pear. Having sustained a short pause, said in low tones:
- I agree.
- There now and remarkably! - nearly having slammed in palms from delight, Gaston exclaimed, throwing an unfinished partridge on a plate and quickly wiping hands a napkin. - And now - welcome - for me, I something will show you it then you will understand that to demand from you dance and walk for me was quite lawful.
It inconsiderately took the handle of the Fairy in the big rough palm and pulled along it, directly in a dark corridor halls, without paying attention to gentlemen and ladies at all, parting forcibly them in the parties the big and strong hands as a bear. Animals were hardly in time behind it skipping - you never know he is going to make with it, in a dark corridor there!
Having reached a dark corridor, it snatched out the left hand a torch from a ring on a wall and moved forward, still dragging for itself(himself) hardly keeping up Fairy.
There were they long enough. It was the long corridor, more precisely, the gallery connecting two wings of the lock together. This gallery was all, from top to bottom, on both sides, is covered with portraits. Some of them were so old that slightly cracked and grew with dust. A flame of a torch snatched out from darkness that one person, another - bearded, beardless, with moustaches, with short or long hair, different shapes of a nose, color of eyes … The prince so promptly rushed that the Fairy plainly did not manage to consider any of them.
- Who is it? - trying to hold equal b
reath, from herself the Fairy hardly squeezed out.
- It? It is known who - all crown princes of Kronburga from Rikkared, the son Roland Drevnego to me … A-a-a, here it and I am absolutely fresh portrait, all three-year prescription. Look, the lady!
It inserted a torch into the empty ring - probably, continuous illumination in the long gallery was not for economy. The fairy clearly saw Gaston's face on a portrait: anything special - the same courageous face, colors of a voronov covered a curly hair, black eyes, an aquiline nose, the strong-willed squeezed lips, an easy nebritost - the real knight, the real kondotyer, the real man.
- Yes, portrait quite good, almost full similarity to the original …
- Yes look not there, here - look here!
And Gaston pointed thick as sausage by a finger to the next portrait on the right. The fairy looked, having slightly blinked the eyes - light of a torch was rather weak, and … Grabbed heart a hand. Even Animals reacted later, than Gaston who right there picked up the falling Fairy in the strong courageous embraces.
Animals looked at a portrait and … saw THEIR Prinze.
Yes, it is most. In same, as well as Gaston, clothes, with a medallion. Light, slightly curly hair, blue pensive eyes, an easy down on cheeks, slightly turned-up nose, a faint pensive smile …
- It … mine … the P-p-prints … - the Fairy whispered, still holding heart, and suddenly broke into tears.
- T-sh-sh-sh … to Tisha-is more silent … Calm down … Well, why to cry in such joyful day? - Gaston consoled her, holding with one hand for thallium that it did not fall, and stroking another on the head. - I have a pleasure here, and you - cry … I learned here that I have nephews - whole two! - the daughter-in-law fairy moreover and the brother over whom for a long time in absentia read the burial service! - even at Gaston the voice trembled. And Animals - those in general started howling - and legs of the person who was wanted to be bitten until recently as the enemy - a zveroyed and to a zveroubiyets started embracing.
- - and - ak … h-h-h-hot … e - e - e - its … zzzzvat …, sssskazh - sobbing, the Fairy somehow said.
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