Chapter 89: Chapter 37. Oberon Station

After the sudden guests settled in his hut, Elder Ileas immediately warned that he was not going to let them do it just like that.Since the man has long refused material benefits by becoming a hermit, he decided to take payment in another way. From time to time, he entrusted them with some household chores, on which he himself did not want to waste his strength.

And today the healer ordered to bring him firewood for the boiler, in which he would cook another medicinal decoction. Elsa and Maxie, in any case, could not argue with him for a long time. Since everyone was pursuing their own interests, they had to stay on this mountain as long as possible.

Therefore, immediately after a meager breakfast, they had to move into the forest.

The girls still did not like each other's company, so without prying eyes, they did not even try to build a kind of «friendship» out of themselves. They intended to split up as soon as they entered the wilderness.

But Maxie was still unwittingly interested, and decided to follow her a little. Even on the road, she sensed something was wrong, and wanted to see what Cassius would do alone without Leriana.

And the sight she saw surprised her at first, but then only confirmed her fears.

Barely entering the forest, where not a single living soul remained for a kilometer, Elsa leaned against the first tree she came across. It soon became clear that she was holding on to him so as not to fall.

The side effect of wearing a disguise hit Rachel Cassius with renewed vigor. Even worse than the last time.

Involuntarily returning to her real appearance, she could not stop vomiting blood for a long time. Given the severity of the symptoms, it could be assumed that the girl had barely restrained herself until this moment.

From the outside, it seemed like a really terrible sight.

Maxie grinned ironically as she came closer. Such an «Elsa» she had to see infrequently, and she decided to take advantage of the situation.

«It looks like you were almost discovered this time,» she remarked.

It is obvious that Cassius had been holding on since yesterday before giving free rein to her true well-being. And now, just hiding from prying eyes, she could no longer restrain it. At this rate, soon Rachel will really give herself away right in front of Leriana.

But even with difficulty remaining on her feet, when everything around her swam before her eyes due to dizziness, Cassius maintained her former equanimity. As if nothing had happened, after the blood finally stopped, she wiped all traces from her face with the dark sleeve of her clothes.

— Fuck off, — she snapped icily.

— Are you sure? Maybe you need «help»?

Maxie suggested this with irony, while Cassius herself was eager to recover as soon as possible. Having barely settled down under a tree, she again tried to regain control of her body.

Maxie watched this process with interest for a while, folding her arms on her chest. Actually, everything was developing as she thought.

Rachel Cassius didn't have much time left. It is possible that tomorrow her condition will worsen again, and she will no longer be able to hide it. In any case, the girl felt that she was one step away from victory.

She probably wouldn't let Leriana know the truth. So, one way or another, she will have to hide. Maxie was waiting for this moment to finally leave the mountain, and after even kneeling to beg the Marquis for mercy. Since there was no other way out, she decided to honestly admit it, and rely on her father's favor.

At the very least, if he still does not accept her, this time they will run away from the Windsor estate together forever… In this life, having chosen Leriana as her destiny, she wanted to do everything possible for their future together.

Even if you have to give up your own parents… Maxie sighed heavily, thinking about it. In any case, she will definitely not regret her choice, whatever it may be.

It remains only to wait until Cassius reaches his limit. When that happens, everything will be resolved.

— One way or another, I will win out of the two of us, — said the heroine's mentor.

Maxie chuckled, watching Cassia's pathetic attempts to ingratiate herself with Leriana in this way. Well, as long as she has a chance, let her hope.

She left it, because she had already seen everything she wanted.

Hearing the retreating footsteps, Rachel did not find the strength to answer her. And even now, the proceedings with this girl were not so important.

Meanwhile, she was well aware that there was not much time left for the execution of her original plan. The girl delayed this moment for too long before starting to act.

This was the true purpose for which Cassius risked pretending to be a stranger.

Leriana must fall in love with her before her real identity is discovered. The only way the curse wouldn't completely destroy her and they could continue to stay together.

Only true feelings can make you reverse the «flowering» of the Bloody Camellia.

And now, when she barely had this chance, Rachel didn't want to miss it. To start their acquaintance and relationship anew… without unnecessary prejudice, so that Leriana could open her soul to her again.

Even through lies… But it will still be love, right? Isn't that the most important thing?

It was a single attempt on which Cassius had staked everything.

But most of all, she was worried not even because of the deterioration of her condition, and the fact that everything could fail. These doubts, in fact, overcame her from the very first time they met.

— Lea… Is there even a place for me in your heart?

***

Razor, the Marquis of Windsor, and Silver were standing at Oberon Station. Searᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

— Sir, are you sure you can figure out how to buy tickets yourself?

— Of course! Who do you take me for? — the man was indignant, — I'm not a child!

— Hmm… But you've just confused which part of the empire we need to go to.

— T-this… I was just worried!

After Razor convinced the Marquis of the need for at least a short-term cooperation with Duke Cassius, the question arose about their speedy departure to the kingdom of Azeroth. Since the usual way in the form of a carriage would take too much time, the second prince proposed a logical alternative solution.

There was only one train operating in the Oberon Empire, and therefore ticket prices in it were inflated to an unthinkable scale. Only some wealthy aristocrats could afford such a «pleasure», which only reinforced its status as an elite transport all over the world.

But just because of this, it turned out to be much more difficult to hide their identities.

In order not to arouse suspicion, all three pretended to be commoners, because too many questions would arise due to the fact that the first knight of the empire suddenly goes to an enemy country. But the problem also arose here.

The Marquess of Windsor was extremely difficult to persuade to change into ordinary clothes. Even as a disguise, the man found these «rags» impermissible for his status. He usually always wore something that instantly identified him as the head of the Windsor family.

Even on his casual suit there was the symbolism of a rose, and it's not worth talking about knight's armor with the family coat of arms. In other words, he always boasted of his position.

But if you just take it all off him, then the Marquis was no different from an ordinary middle-aged man. Except that a certain number of scars made him stand out from the crowd.

Razor got used to the role faster than anyone, because he had been used to it for a long time. To make sure that the negotiations between the two families would really be peaceful, the guy begged the knight to take him with him. This will also be useful in case a fight does get started. After all, it is unlikely that the duke will decide on bloodshed in the presence of a member of the royal family.

And Silver… What's Silver? The nephew of the Marquis went with them only because he could not stay away. Interested in their trip, the guy volunteered to be an escort without any questions. Even after I found out they were going to the Duchy of Cassius.

Neither the Marquis nor Razor took this news with enthusiasm. But what can you do if one person has an awl in one place?

— Wow! Silver exclaimed, looking at the steaming scarlet vehicle in front of them, «This is my first time riding a train!

— What are you…

The Marquess of Windsor had just gone to buy their tickets, and the prince hoped with all his heart that he would not mess up anything. Finding himself without servants, the knight became no more capable than any other aristocrat. It's good that at least he can tie his own shoelaces.

Razor sighed, studying the map on which they would be traveling. According to the original route, they will be able to reach the northern border of the Azeroth Empire in a couple of days. On a carriage, it would take at least a month.

The most important thing now was to make it to the time appointed by that aristocrat. Otherwise, even if he decides to attack, the duke will be able to support them.

Well, that's only if everything goes well…

The guy felt some excitement before the upcoming meeting. Raymond Cassius wouldn't ask him about Lerian…? Despite the fact that they had different excuses for leaving Azeroth, he could still guess that they ran away together. In that case, the prince will have to lie something quickly.

Silver watched his worried expression, and asked:

— Ray, my friend, are you worried too?

— What? — he came to his senses.

— Well, I mean… If you are afraid to go by train, there is nothing shameful about it. I'll be right there!

Razor's eye twitched in annoyance.

— of course. That's all I think about…

He sighed again, waiting for the Marquis to finally return. Their departure was already very soon.

— I wonder if they sell pies here somewhere? I'm terribly hungry…

Looking at how the Marquis's nephew was again talking nonsense against the background next to him, the prince only hoped that everything would go well. Although, with such fellow travelers… Will their trip be without surprises?