This love is like a curse (55)
He didn't even frown - so why were the Astros so uncomfortable?
The boy nervously fiddled with the button on his sleeve, trying not to attract attention. Only after a while did he dare to look up. Lord Siekan, meanwhile, quietly moved to the left wing and held a conversation with the high priest.
The Astros squinted, sensing the unsettling atmosphere. He could not see the face of Longboat Raego Siekana, he stood with his back to him, but veins bulged on the withered neck of the old priest, and he squeezed the staff forcefully in his hand. When he shook his bony shoulders, as if condemning something, a cold shadow slid across Lord Siekana's face. Even from a distance it was clear: there was no smell of friendship there.
Астрос оживился, глаза у него заблестели от интереса.
“What are they talking about?”
The priests were ardent supporters of the crown prince - and the same applied to the future Duke of Siekan. Why then did two people from the same camp end up in confrontation?
Inflamed with curiosity, Astros quietly left the parishioners' bench and hid behind one of the columns at the intersection of the corridors, intending to eavesdrop on the conversation. However, then someone suddenly grabbed him by the collar.
Raising his head, the Astros saw the stern face of Behrens in front of him - and instantly became sad. He looked at him with a sullen expression and quietly scolded:
“These are your Highness’s opponents.” Don't go close to them.
— What other opponents? I don't have those.
The Astros pouted and muttered in response, but Behrens didn't move a millimeter. Still dissatisfied, the Astros glanced back toward the sideline. Lord Siekan, meanwhile, had already finished his conversation with the priest and headed in their direction.
The Astros snuck behind Behrens. Lord Siekan cast an indifferent glance in their direction, then continued on his way with a graceful step.
-What were they arguing about? The Astros whispered, peering over Behrens' shoulder.
“The High Priest seemed to blame him for what happened,” Behrens answered, slowly looking at the altar, where the funeral ceremony was still going on.
- But why? They are allies! Even if Lord Siekan is guilty, the priests must cover for him!
A slight, bitter smile appeared on Behrens's face.
“The world is not so simple,” he continued slowly, as if edifying. “There are many among the priests who harbor hostility towards the people of Kan. Especially ardent dogmatists deeply despise the Siekan family.
The Astros wanted to ask “why,” but then fell silent: memories from history lessons surfaced in his head.
In the past, it was the Kan people who resisted to the last the unification of states under the leadership of Darian Roem Girta. Moreover, in the “last battle” in the north, it was they who inflicted a mortal wound on the knight Uigr, who was considered the chosen one of the gods.
After the war, the people of the East were also annexed to the Roem Empire, but even now the Kang people were not able to fully integrate into the Western world, and the hostility towards them from the population of the empire did not completely disappear.
Thinking about all this, the Astros suddenly snorted:
- Stupid. Other nations also fought fiercely. And to reject some just because they were the last to give up—isn’t that petty?
Behrens looked at him with slight surprise, and then, slightly raising the corners of his lips, said:
- The reason is not only this. Rather, the point is that the Siekan clan is too powerful, and therefore they are wary of it.
- Powerful? — Astros asked, tilting his head to the side.
Behrens thoughtfully ran his hand over his chin and began to explain:
“According to the records, people with unusual abilities were born in the Siekan family with a certain periodicity: some saw the future, some read thoughts, and some could subjugate any animals. Thanks to these strange powers, they were once a terror.
Astros' eyes lit up with interest:
“Does Lord Siekana also have some special ability?”
- Hardly. The priests carried out a thorough check, but found nothing special.
Behrens thought, rubbing his chin again:
“Probably, over many generations the blood became diluted and the abilities faded away.” The last strong telepath in this family was born eighty years ago. Since then, the so-called “primordial magicians” have no longer appeared in the Siekan family.
Having said this with confidence, he suddenly seemed to remember something - a spark flashed in his gaze, and he added:
“For that matter, there were rumors that the late empress had the gift of foresight...
- Older brother's mother? — the Astros asked with surprise on his face.
Behrens thought for a moment, as if he was considering something, and then shook his head:
“I believe these are just inventions of those who wanted to elevate that woman to the rank of deity.” The Crown Prince and the First Princess aren't anything unusual either, are they?
He smiled softly and added:
“Perhaps the abilities of the Kan people have disappeared without a trace.
The tone, clearly intended to be reassuring, irritated the Astros.
Why should the loss of a gift that has been passed down from generation to generation among the Kan people be a cause for relief?
He had no intention of confronting his brother, which means that the Siekan clan was not his enemy.
But if he said this out loud, his words would be taken for childish whims, and he chose to remain silent.
“It looks like the ritual is almost completed.” “You better come back, Your Highness,” Behrens said, noticing how the guests of honor were leaving the hall.
He touched the Astros shoulder lightly.
He immediately followed him, leaving the chapel. He himself did not want to meet his half-brother and sister, who looked at him like an annoying fly.
They walked around the main entrance, crowded with mourners, and headed into the garden. However, the backyard was also full of groups of aristocrats huddled together, busy chatting.
In an open area in the garden, Astros noticed a group of nobles sitting on benches and talking animatedly. Among them were those who pursued Gareth too annoyingly.
Astros glanced at them surreptitiously and headed towards a secluded path in the far corner of the garden.
It is unlikely that they will dare to harm him in any way - he is a prince after all. But he also did not want to meet unpleasant people unnecessarily.
He took Behrens by the hand and stepped onto a narrow path shaded by dense trees.
And at that moment a familiar name reached his ears.
- Do you think there is a chance that Talia Roem Girta will recover?
- Who knows. They say she was found half-dead... Even elves cannot cure this.
Astros' eyes widened and he stared at Behrens.
- Is this true?!
He paused, as if weighing whether to speak, and then nodded slowly.
The Astros' face immediately turned grim.
He heard that his sister would not be able to come to the funeral due to poor health, but he did not know that everything was so serious.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that she was injured?!” - he asked reproachfully.
“You didn’t need to know.”
- She's my sister! Of course I should have known!
Screaming, he involuntarily raised his voice. The garden, just full of hubbub, froze, as if someone had splashed cold water.
Turning around, Astros noticed how the nobles, barely noticing him, hastily began to bow, and frowned with displeasure.
He did not stand on ceremony with them and quickly left the garden.
Behrens, who silently followed him, sighed:
“Your Highness, she hates you.” No matter how hard you try, she won't appreciate it.
The Astros stopped abruptly and glared at him.
Intellectually he understood: Behrens was right.
Thalia Roem Girtha hates him.
She told him this herself.
But my heart refused to accept this as truth.
- What if... what if she regrets those words? Maybe that day I was just... not in a good mood. This happens to people, doesn’t it?
-...
- If I visit her... she might even apologize?
The words came out of my mouth spontaneously, but sounded surprisingly believable.
Without waiting for Behrens' answer, Astros immediately headed towards her palace.
Along the way, he collected the most beautiful flowers in the garden - a gift for the sick woman.
She'll be surprised when she sees me, won't she?
Maybe he'll even start to love me a little for being such a good brother?
With these hopes, filled with anticipation, he walked without stopping.
Soon, behind the garden, where flowers and herbs grew wildly, a rough gray building appeared.