During such audiences, the crowned mother restrainedly scolded her child for misdeeds, sometimes not neglecting the abuse. True, this did not lead to anything. Rose still behaved as she pleased. Let severity be the basis of any education, but the father will not allow her to be punished.
The princess expected her Majesty to burst out with the usual abuse, but she only quietly asked:
Rose, what do you allow yourself? At the same time, Odiles eyes flashed fiercely, and a forced smile flew from his lips.
The Queen was extremely polite with everyone, but on occasion she liked to show her character. However, her beauty was worshiped like a deity. The bards praised an incomparable face in their songs. People took even the excessive pride of Odile for dignity. The only trait that Rosa inherited from her mother was beauty.
I should have taught you how to spin and embroider so that you could at least do something, Odile wanted to read a tirade about how a princess should behave, modestly and at ease, but Rose interrupted her.
I know how to hold a weapon in my hands, she said boldly, to read books and talk to foreigners in their native language. Isnt that enough?
There was a long silence in the hall. One could even hear the hand of the clock beating a drum roll and echoing it in the empty, magical fireplace. The fire in it could flare up by itself and go out only after the order of the hostess.
Im afraid that a happy future doesnt shine for you yet, the queen said, and after a short pause, announced: The war has begun!
These words sounded gloomy and solemn. Rosa lowered her head at once. She knew that the kingdom was on the verge of ruin and the fighting would not lead to good. Last year, hail hit all crops. Several vassals rebelled against the king, for which they were severely punished. And when public executions of noble gentlemen begin in the country, the people consider it their duty to raise a rebellion. Of course, the neighbors are doing even worse, but this is not a reason to start a war. After all, you can lose.
The northern neighbors have declared war on us, Odile continued.
Rose laughed mirthlessly.
Why, their kingdom is half the size of ours. It turns out that everything is not so bad.
Youre wrong! Their son led the order of knights elves under circumstances which I will not expand on. If you were even a little more agreeable, the dispute could have been settled by marriage. But the prince does not need a bride who runs through the mountains with a gun and talks to the peasants. And now
She fell silent, unable to put her thoughts into words.
What? Rose asked impatiently.
Everyone knows that you hang out with trolls!
The news hit Rose like thunder.
Its not true, she lied.
What the hell are you wearing on your head? Odile wanted to rip the wreath from her daughters head, but Rose drew back from her hand.
Im going to fight, she said. Only old-fashioned archers serve in the troops, and I know how to handle muskets and rifles. I will come in handy.
Odile shook her head ruefully. Such a proposal was already beyond all limits of decency.
No, my dear, she said resolutely, you are leaving today. Go to your orphaned cousin.
On her piece of land, which arrogant fools call vast possessions? not without sarcasm asked Rose.
But the battlefields are far from her chateau. Its dangerous to stay at home. I decided to send you away in case of an enemy invasion.
The queen rang the bell. The chamberlain appeared on the threshold and stared at the princess in amazement. Then he came to his senses, opened some kind of scroll and began to read out the names of the astrologers invited to the court. Their services were always resorted to before the outbreak of war.
Odile ordered the carriage to be pledged and ordered the most efficient servants to prepare the load. It seemed to Rose that she was being kicked out of her own house. There must be a more compelling reason behind such precautions than war. Terrible news is passed by word of mouth, but those who are particularly affected are often left in the dark.
It was getting dark. Rose went out into the castle courtyard, hoping to see the noisy crowd of servants again. Its time to listen to their gossip. Commoners always speak bluntly. From them you can easily learn what you cannot get from the nobles under torture. Now Rose was interested in any rumors. If only none of the nobility came down here after her. In the presence of gentlemen, the servants are afraid to open their mouths to forbidden topics.
However, there was no one in the courtyard. The gray light still fell on the paving stones and jagged walls. How old is the royal castle? This question haunted Rose. Is there a more ancient and impregnable fortress in the world than this one?.. They say that there is, but everyone who sees it is doomed by the powerful owner of this citadel to a long and painful death.
A dull hiss broke away from Roses thoughts. An unbearable stench hit her nostrils. The princess could not understand what was the matter and where the servants had gone. By evening, everyone crowded around the well. And now there is no one around, only a cracked bucket is lying in the middle of the yard, as if it was left here on purpose.
Rose moved forward swiftly. Heat burst into her face, although there was no fire nearby. Then the heat gave way to cold. Rose wanted to get closer to the well, maybe the reason for all these oddities is hidden in it. The girl took two steps and froze in place. What she saw was incredible.
A thin, golden serpent with wings coiled around the well log. His slippery wet body coiled into rings so that the entire well was braided with sparkling ornaments. Two amethyst eyes stared at Rose. Fragile, golden wings fluttered behind the back. A shining halo surrounded the snake. Rose wondered if his skin was actually molded from gold. If so, it is worth a fortune, not counting the fact that behind the soul of the reptile itself, there are undoubtedly also witchcraft.
Now there was a breath of spring freshness from the well. Rose stared in fascination at the golden guest. The snake was graceful and beautiful, despite its unusual body length, it did not seem bulky or awkward. On the contrary, all movements were simple and sophisticated, like a gallant gentleman.
Smooth, as if doused with precious metal, the head jerked up. The narrow stripes of the jaws parted, revealing a red, forked sting. Cloudy saliva flowed from him, from which poisonous fumes emanated.
Rose, as if paralyzed, stood and waited, not knowing why. Glowing, purple eyes mesmerized from a distance. Smoke escaped from its oblong mouth. The girl involuntarily covered her nose with her hand. The stench that spread through the air was unbearable. Another minute, and the creature on the well would have breathed fire, but then a weak, human voice called out to her highness in the distance.
This voice sounded like deep, stringy sounds. Such is the song to the accompaniment of a viola in the mouth of a tired minstrel.
Sensing someones approach, the snake began to tumble, its slippery, sparkling body streamed like a ribbon along the frame of the well and disappeared into a round, stone hole.
Rose could not understand anything. In annoyance, she kicked the bucket lying nearby. It rolled away with a crash, leaving behind a puddle of dirty, green liquid, just like the one that poured from the snakes sting. Its good that the snake didnt spit this poison in her face. In general, it is good that he retreated without burning half of the castle. But just what could this creature be afraid of?