29 Hot and cold

His highness, Emperor Abel, made a public appearance very rarely even during the first debut of Calisto and Anastasia. Which, in fact, was quite understandable, By that time the monarch was already well past sixty years old.

His eldest son, Prince Julius, was forty-eight this year. In addition to him, the imperial couple had two more Princes, Anthony and Raphael, and Princess Charlotte. Rafael was about the same age as Cali and Anastasia, which is why Elois chose him as the main target for her daughter. And to make the matter worse, from early childhood, he presented himself as a charming and intelligent young man, showing great potential as an excellent leader in making.

The succession system in the Riol Empire was somewhat complicated. All Princes upon reaching the age of 30 were automatically to become the Chief of one of Empire's 12 provinces. And each Emperor would always make a point out of it by giving the most problematic lands to his children. The remaining Chiefs were chosen by the Council of Castles' Heads. All of them were equal, and no preference was given to the Emperor's offspring.

That way, besides Emperor, there was two main force in the Empire. The Council of the Castle Heads, which oversaw their own fields. And theBoard of twelve Lands' Chiefs, which ruled the regions.

In case the Emperor died or abdicated, one of the twelve Chiefs was chosen to be the next Emperor. The choice was also made by the Council of Castles' Heads. And they had the right to select anyone based on how they govern their territory. Of course, most often the next Emperor was the legitimate son of the previous one, but sometimes there were exceptions.

At the moment, it was tough to say who could eventually become the next Emperor. The eldest son, Julius, always gravitated to military affairs, but two years ago, when he went with his people to investigate attacks on villages in his province, an accident happened. It was rumored that he not only lost the ability to walk but also to produce any heirs. Now the Chief of the Northern province never left his castle and was privately written off as the future Emperor.

The second, Prince Anthony, was never interested in power and influence. The Prince's position was such a burden to him that Emperor was forced to appoint an assistant to him, which carried out all the duties in his stead.

From childhood, Anthony was fascinated by sciences, the theory of magic. At first, The Royal Academy become his second home. Even though the young Prince graduated from it at the age of fifteen, six years earlier than any ordinary student. He still refused to leave it, buried in his own researches. As the years went by, he gradually stopped appearing at any social gathering.

In the end, Emperor Abel gave up and taken away Anthony's title as Lord of Western province. The court was in disarray, but The Royal Academy sized this opportunity and immediately proclaimed Anthony as a Rector, not giving anyone a chance to lure a young prodigy away.

As a result, Raphael was left as the only heir for the throne. But the fact that he chose an impoverished aristocrat's daughter as his wife, and a bastard to boot, became such a dirty stain on his reputation. Even Emperor himself already didn't know where to turn his head.

What happened six years ago added oil to the flames. The engagement still took place, but opinions at the court were divided. Many respected and loved Lord Masters. His resignation and disappearance of Konrad, whom everyone had reasonably regarded as his heir, significantly crippled the Green Castle and the Council altogether

"To put it blindly, everyone at court is in a state of " What the hell is going on?!" now," - Stacy summed up with a sigh, - "Rafael has three more years left until his thirtieth birthday. But they say that the health of the Emperor is not so good recently. So the Prince does not have much time to show himself off. Because of this, many are cautious and eyeing other candidates among the Chiefs."

"But don't worry!" - she added right away, trying to cheer up Cali, who seemed to fell into deep thought. - "Maybe at first, right after your disappearance, many raged, accusing you of all sins. But as soon as your father left his post as the Lord of Green Castle. And then everyone heard the news about your death. Some began to doubt all those rumors swarming around. The talks about the attempted murder were never confirmed. Later the sins of the Viceroy of the Blacks surfaced. And in the end, many looked at the picture with new eyes. It all smelled so fishy as if it was just a setup to push you away, giving Countess Brand clear way. And by this significantly weakening the Prince's position. After all, if he had the support of the Emperor and your father, the Lord of Greens, no one would ever question who should be the next ruler."

Cali smiled slightly at Stacy to show her gratitude for trying to somehow smooth things over. Although the smile turned out quite tight. In fact, she did not want to interfere in all of this right now. Balls, social events, gossip, intrigue - she was not at all ready for all this. All this information made her mind spin.

"Nastia, thank you. But I want to tell you right away that I do not want to return to the court. After all, I just want to try living here with my father and brother. Quiet and peacefully. I do not see much reason to interfere in palace intrigues again. "

Cali spoke quietly, looking somewhere far into the distance, past Anastasia's shoulder. The girl peered with interest at her friend's face, turning the words of her brother in her head.

Of course, knowing Cali's past. How crafty, deceitful she was, always ready to turn any situation to her advantage. Cali was a girl who could waive the most complicated intrigue as if it was a child's game. Now it was not difficult to imagine that this was just a mere mask of a tired victim, which Calisto used to cover up a new exciting plan to conquer high society. For some reason, Anastasia really wanted it to be that way. It pained Stacy to admit that the spark of adventurism died out in this once spirited girl, who could smash self-esteem of the most experienced magpies at court just by a simple gesture.

" OK, I understand." - Stacy finally replied, smiling broadly. - "Lets put those depressing topics aside. Now there is no point in getting into trouble. But I hope you let me come to you from time to time, right? How about a walk around the city? I'm sure you'll fall in love with a few new places in the city. Oh, Gash! How much I need to show you!" - Stasi's eyes started to sparkle again. She rose, unable to restrain her excitement. There were so many images of new places, which they could visit with Cali, spinning in her head. Calisto got up and followed Nastie, who was again chirping nonstop heading away from the gazebo along the way listing all new and exiting plans that she already piled up in her head.

As soon as they left the bridge, an impressive figure of Mr. Trevelyan appeared on the other side. It was hard to read through his stone-like face what he was thinking. But for the one who spent so much time among the Stone Beasts, it was rather commonplace.

Cali stopped short of a few steps from a man who was frozen in their path, trying not to look him in the eye, although she really wanted to. Those strange feelings that he evoked in her scared the girl and made her tremble with excitement at the same time. While Cali did not understand what was happening with the gorgon, nor what happened six years ago, it was worth avoiding such incomprehensible situations.

" Mr. Trevelyan, I apologize for the fact that we ignored you that way, even though you spent your time visiting us. This is unforgivably rude of me, please accept my apologies." - She said, without raising her head.

For some reason, right now, she noticed how dry and rough her voice sounds. Frowning internally, she could not resist and cast a quick glance at the man's face. As soon as their eyes met, Cali stopped breathing for a second. His face was hardly beautiful. Not a drop of softness and elegance, only sharp features, like chips on a piece of granite. His long, coal-black hair, which was tied in a simple, not too neat knot and intense, bright yellow eyes made him look more like a demon from ancient tapestries than a person.

But something in him fascinated Cali, making everything inside squirm.

Devon was in no hurry to get closer. As soon as he noticed how the girl carefully looks away from him, something immediately pricked in his chest. He was used to the fact that people never look him in the face, much less in the eyes, when talking. Even Blaze admitted that once he tried to withstand the gaze of Devon for more than ten seconds. Just to challenge himself. Yet with each second, he felt as if his soul was sucked away from his body. However, now seeing how this strange girl diligently avoids his gaze, Devon suddenly felt a sting of disappointment.

"It's all right," Devon answered, trying to make his voice as soft as possible. It didn't work out very well. Usually deep, hoarse voice, now sounded even more menacing. Noticing how the girl flinched hearing it, Devon felt utterly defeated, although it was difficult to read on his face.

Only from his height, it was impossible to notice a blush that quickly spread on girl's cheeks and ears, and how her eyes shone treacherously. This low, gritty baritone as if ran along her spine like a stiff brush, causing the girl to arch slightly with pleasure. Only Anastasia noticed such a sharp change in the face of her friend and barely held her delight inside.

"I have a great idea," - Stasie interrupted the awkward silence, proclaiming. - "In a couple of days, the next races will take place at the Southern stadium. This is not such a big event, there will be hardly anyone from the nobility there. I heard from Blaize that Devon attends this event often, right? Why don't we visit it too?"

Devon nodded in bewilderment, not knowing how to answer. Such races were held four times a year and were a great event only for those who were seriously involved in horse breeding or were interested in buying them.

In fact, it was a big fair of various kinds of living creatures, but the races were mostly used to show a new product in all its glory. Aristocrats usually did not appear there, viewing such gatherings as traders thing. Devon went there only out of habit. The first few races, he was still trying to find for himself at least some horse that could carry him without going completely mad later on. But with each new visit, the hope was melting, and now Devon went there just to look around. In such a crowded place, he sometimes managed to mingle with the crowd and not attract much attention.

Cali thought about it for a moment. On the one hand, since she decided to stay here and try to start life anew, this was a good first step. But such a natural outing for the former Cali now was giving her cold feet. What if she says or does something wrong? What if people find out about her, and that will damage her family's reputation?

"Stacie, I think this is not a good idea. Lady Marsters may still be unwell after all that happened." - Devon put in quickly, seeing the faint shadow of doubt spreading on Cali's pale skin. He cast a reproachful look at Anastasia, trying to hint that it is quite enough for today.

"No, I will be delighted." - Cali blurted out, not letting Stacie to even open her mouth. She did not know what prompted her to say such things, but the thought that she would have to spend the whole day in the company of Mr. Trevelyan made her heart beat faster. Calisto threw a quick glance at the Black Lord's face and immediately froze. His eyes somehow strangely darkened, and his lips tightened in a line. "Did he not like her idea? Maybe he doesn't want to be seen together with her?!" - flashed through her mind.

"I can dress like a servant so as not to attract much attention." - Cali added hastily. Devon's face darkened even more after these words.

"What for?" - He asked in a harsh, almost metallic voice. Devons inside instantly started to boil. He was forced to secretly take a few deep breaths to pull himself together. This woman seemed to mock him at every turn. At first, forcing me to hardly restrain his joy at her sudden consent, and then as if pouring a bucket of cold water on him. The idea that Lady Marsters did not want to be seen in his company so much that she was even ready to pretend to be a simple servant pissed him off. He wanted to smash thing, now!

Strange, he should have long been accustomed to such an attitude. But right now Devon just wanted to close his eyes.

Because he knew that any moment now he would see a purplish-green haze of disgust and fear appearing around this fragile girl.

Instead, the girl suddenly raised her eyes and looked sternly at Devon. The man nearly backed away under such a piercing gaze.

"Lord Trevelyan, you must understand that right now the city is boozing with all kind of nasty rumors about me. If they see me in your company and recognize you, then your reputation can be severely damaged." - She answered gravely as if explaining a simple thing to a kid. For some reason, at this moment Devon felt like a boy, who had just been accused of disobedience.

" I do not think that such a small thing can damage my reputation." - He stated, stifling a smile that started to play in the corner of his lips. Cali still held his gaze and even frowned, noticing a slight smirk of his face. Her eyes were so deep and amazingly alive now as if he was looking into an endless blue abyss. His head immediately began to spin, and his palms started to prickle, begging for the slightest touch.

Cali glared at him. Faint wrinkles appeared between her eyebrows, and the tip of the nose began to tremble slightly. The girl was clearly unhappy with his answer, Devon guessed barely holding himself back. She was the cutest little thing while angry.

"Do not take rumors lightly, Lord Trevelyan."-Cali breathed out, although her voice sounded in Devon's head like an echo. All his attention was now directed to her bottomless eyes. He kept waiting for her to look away. With every second, he even began to get scared. What if she hurt herself, opening her soul to the demon inside him so mindlessly? But Cali kept peered intently at his face like no one before. And at the same time, he saw something else in the depths of her eyes. A strange feeling, as if he had reached a double bottom with his nails, this itchy feeling made him frown.

Devon's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sound. Having received no answer to her phrase, Cali cleared her throat, trying to attract his attention and even crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look impressive. Although for Devon, this her pose seemed terribly sweet.

"Lord Trevelyan, you must have forgotten that my name has already been connected in the past with your predecessor. If they see us together now, in such frivolous atmosphere, this can cause a new wave of gossip. Besides, we should also consider the reputation of Anastasia."

Devon had already opened his mouth to protest, but at that moment Anastasia interrupted him. The girl clearly was sick of being just a third wheel in this dispute.

"What if we go separately? Devon would take me there and you, Cali, for example, will go with Paris, and then - Boom! By chance, we will stumble upon each other! I can even act all prime and proper. I guess...?" - She suggested enthusiastically, squeezing between them.

"Sounds good!" - Devon quickly agreed, fearing that Lady Calisto would again begin to protest. Cali had no choice but to nod, although Devon noticed her nose flinch slightly in annoyance. A picture of a cat which was shaking its whiskers in anger immediately appeared before his eyes.

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"Then we'll be there by noon. And you can come at the same time." - Anastasia continued, once again breaking the strange atmosphere between the two. - "We can meet at the very entrance."

Cali again wanted to add something, but Stasie at that moment took a step forward and tightly hugged her girlfriend. This time Callisto responded to her embrace more confidently.

Anastasia let the girl go just a second later, keeping the gaze on her, as if looking for something on Calisto's face, then smiling broadly, nodding to some of her thoughts, turned sharply and waving goodbye dragged Devon towards the exit. He barely restrained himself not to turn around, feeling all the way the gaze of these amazing eyes directed to his back.

"Maybe we shouldn't have left so quickly?" - He muttered along the way. - "It's not decent so abruptly ..."

"It wouldn't be decent if I were forced to be in the company of you two a little more. For the first time in my life, others behaving like two fools, and I feel embarrassed ... Who would have thought!" - Anastasia said with a laugh, cunningly squinting at Devon's flustered face.