«You called me Claudius. Do you need something? «Shes so beautiful.» Her perfume stung my nose. His breathing became frantic. My hands began to sweat.
«Not you, but you, you are my slave.»«Ill give you whatever orders I want.
«Yes, master. You are my master. Ill follow any order you give me. Her eyes were glassy. Her collar turned red. You can see that she resists, but to no avail.
«On your knees.»
yes. She got to her knees, her face flushed.
Kiss your sneakers.
yes. Tears welled up from her glassy eyes. And she began to kiss them.
«Thats what I thought. If my father orders something like this in these five years, youll do it too. Now I understand my fathers words: «Dont trust the slaves, they have no souls.» Hes always right. Get out of here slave. And serve your father for the rest of your worthless life. Tomorrow I will start a new life at the Academy of Miracles.
She stopped kissing my feet. When she got up, her eyes were no longer glassy, and she turned and ran back to the castle. I didnt go to the castle, but decided to take a walk in the park.
«What a brute I am. Shes my friend. My favorite. And thats what I did, "I slapped myself. It didnt hurt, but it didnt have to. «The world is so unfair. Why do we even live in this world? Who we are to this world. I dont understand my role in this world. No one wants me. Now Martha, too. One hope for this stupid Academy. Maybe Ill find a new meaning to live in it. I will become stronger and change this world. I will free all the slaves in the world. So that no one has to humiliate themselves so much in front of others. The world will suffer. But in the end, it will become cleaner and better.»
«How interesting. A new mortal is before us. This was said by a black raven perched on a tree branch. «Hoping to be chosen to save the slaves.» Maybe we can help him.
«Why not?» said another raven, but a white one.
«Who are you?» I said, taken aback.
«We are the gods of this world. The true gods. Not a fictional god of Light. We are the god Orin and the god Irin.
«So you want to help me save all the slaves.»
«Yes, but first you must apologize to the maid Martha. Ask for forgiveness, get down on your knees. Well give you hints from time to time. This will help you achieve your goal.
«What do you get out of it?» «The gods dont just do things,» my father says.
«Tell him the truth, brother. Black raven Orin said.
«Tell me yourself.» Irin the white raven said
«Tell me already.» My patience was wearing thin.
«Youll be doing little errands for us. We need help. Irin said
«So thats what it is. You need help. So you are weak gods. I dont need the help of such gods. I need strong allies.
«We need a demonstration, all right. Orin said.
I began to choke. I just forgot how to breathe. He fell to the ground. Convulsions began.
«Thats enough, the kids got it. Irin said. I was able to breathe again.
«What was that?» I asked, holding my throat, which was aching terribly.
«This is only a small part of our strength. So you just dont have a choice. We will conclude a contract. Youre helping us. Were here for you. Here, put a bloody signature.
A piece of paper appeared next to me with the text on it. I read it.
«The signatory of this agreement undertakes to comply with any of our orders. Feed us with your life force. And give away a part of your soul. If he cancels the contract, he will give us his whole soul. We, for our part, are committed to helping him achieve his dream of Freeing all the slaves in the world. And we will return all the taken vital forces and part of the soul in full compliance with the contract. Place for caption».
I had no choice. I put my finger on the paper. Pain shot through him and blood flowed. Ive heard from my teacher about such contracts. They did not benefit the signatory. But what could I do? I didnt want to die.
And the guy turned out to be smart. And you said, "It will take a long time to resist.» But its not like that, "Irin said happily.
«Without revealing us to Irin.» We need to look solid in front of the client.
«I signed your contract. What you want from me. I said in a resigned voice.
«Dont be so sad. The gods will watch over you. You are chosen. You heard the first order. Ask Martha for petitions. And the advice is simple. Dont stand in the middle of the road and help the lady on the left. Ha-ha. Irin laughed. His brother, too. And they flew away together.
What a mess Im in right now. How did it come to this. We urgently need to read about such cases in the Academy library. But first you need to find Martha. I really did a bad thing. The castle is huge. I passed corridor after corridor. But I didnt find it. I asked the servants, but they didnt see her. And those who saw her said that she was crying bitterly. I went to see her mother, Ilinas housekeeper. As always, she was standing in the kitchen, counting the food supplies.
«Good afternoon, Mr. Claudius. Im glad youre well. I heard about your departure. Its so sad. My heart darkens at this. She hugged me. Even if shes in her late forties. Shes very attractive.
«I dont want to leave either. I will miss you all. I said, and all the servants in the kitchens started nodding their heads. I offended Martha. So I want to apologize.
«Well, youre young. Make up again. And she went to the attic. All tearful. I told her right away. If you give birth to a young count, your son will become an earl. She just smiled and left.
«I didnt do anything wrong with her. While.
I ran away. What a bitch. He wants my daughter to give birth to him. At least my grandson wont be a slave. What a bad world. And they adapt to it. Maybe it was her idea to kiss me today. And be friends, too. Give me a pebble that I keep in my pocket. Hug me every day. She probably begged for expensive perfume from her teacher Matvey Ulok. Maybe potions, like the love potions she mixed for her or me. But I think too much. It was with these thoughts in mind that I went up to the attic.
«There you are. Ive been looking for you everywhere, "I said as I entered the attic.
«Oh, youre the master. You will still give orders. Her tear-stained face was rough. All the appeal is gone. All I saw was a servant girl. There was no longer any tenderness or kindness towards me. She was sitting on a small chair near the window, writing something.
«I came to apologize.» I dont know what came over me. I got to my knees. «Forgive me, my beloved. My gentle friend. A tear rolled down my face.
«I dont believe you, master. You dont love me. We just came to collect our stuff before we left. She turned her head away from me. Well, tell me what you want to do to me. The sooner were done, the sooner I can get away from your family in the woods.» Even if the magical beasts eat me, I dont care.
«Believe me, Im being sincere. Im so sorry. And dont run into the woods. Ill buy you out, just like I promised. Wait for me, Ill forgive you.
«Youre not lying. She came over to me and knelt down, too.
«Im telling the truth. I swear on my mothers grave.
«I believe you. You wouldnt lie with an oath like that. She hugged me. I love you so much.» Youre so precious to me.
«I care about you very much, too. I cant live in a world where you dont exist.
«Ill be waiting for you.» As long as it takes. She kissed me on the cheek.
When I woke up the next day, I was happy. She forgave me, and now I need to keep my promise. And, of course, the contract. Just like every day before, she helped me get dressed and wash my face. Hugged a lot. My father and I started eating breakfast.
«My son. Here is a letter to the director of the Castor Otel Academy, give it to him personally. He owes me. So hell keep an eye on you. Youre my family. Youre my son. We are of an ancient and proud line of Knuts, renowned slavers. Every tenth slave in the country is sold by us. King Philip III personally thanked me for my service. Although Ive been selling his elven clansmen all my life. Strange people. Stay away from them. Accept my blessing, my son, and you may go. The coachman is waiting for you at the entrance. Its going to be a long trip. Two days after all. He turned to the butler. «Pavel, get some food off the table for his journey. I dont want to spend money on roadside taverns. Moreover, it is dirty there. And tell that coachman gnome Gennady. Let him drink less dark kvass on the way. If I find out hes drunk, Ill whip him like last time.