All Chapters of THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20
79 chapters
11
Standing in front of a high silver mirror, Falinor leisurely combed her black hair, barely covered with gray. Straight heavy strands fell below the waist and scattered over the snow-white dress embroidered with pearls. - Well, what did you think? Looking at his reflection, the duchess raised a thin, arched eyebrow. - I'll bet on Ali. - Turning away, Paraman went to a table comfortably perched by the window and poured cooled herbal tea from a jug. It was unpleasant for him to talk to his aunt. “The girl is useless to Rod,” she answered calmly. “You know her flaws as well as I do. If you agree to marry Yakir, I will be forced to inform the Host and veto it. – First, talk to Aarmani. – Having taken a couple of sips, Paraman put the cup on the saucer and grinned almost imperceptibly: – Uncle will calm you down. - Armani? Falinor's voice was filled with curiosity. – Well… In that case, we will return to this issue later. Is that all you wanted to talk about? “For now, yes
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12
“Carl Vallor, Barthiota’s handbrake.” A distant relative of the late Duchess Narina, Your Highness,” he answered with dignity and, turning around, beckoned to the twin. We are very grateful for the invitation. Let me introduce my brother Christian and my adopted daughter, who had the honor of visiting the castle for the first time. – Is that how? – Visibly relaxed, Falinor smiled restrainedly. - Well, Ali-Nari tried to call everyone ... - Looking at Leah, she frowned again: - Glad to welcome you. I hope you will remember the coming celebration for a long time, child. I see that Tara's blood is capable of working miracles outside of the Leader. What is your name? Confused, the sister forgot to bow. Realizing that she was expected to answer, she looked helplessly at Carl. “The blood of Thar is difficult to stifle, even in several generations,” he answered casually, and putting his arm around her patronizingly pushed her back slightly. “I'm afraid I have to ask you for help, Your
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13
The knock was loud and insistent. It looked like they were pounding on the door with their fists.Reluctantly emerging from half-asleep, Paraman hardly opened his eyes. The hand habitually reached for the blade lying behind the pillow. Since the day his mother was killed, when his father took him by surprise, he never slept without a weapon. They knocked without stopping. Mentally swearing, Paraman somehow pulled on his boots and threw a camisole over his shoulders. The heart was beating heavily and intermittently. After wiping the sweat off his forehead, he sighed heavily and went out into the corridor. The secret door, barely visible on the silk-paneled wall, shuddered slightly from the blows. - Who? Paraman asked loudly, feeling for the key in his pocket. - For what business?In the silence that hung, they could hear a horse neighing alarmingly outside the window. There was a muffled shout and the creak of wheels. – Paraman… I beg you! The sister's voice sounded loud and
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14
Ali-Nari hurried as best she could. They either turned into some dark corridors, then went up and down the stairs. At times it became light all around - sunlight was already beating through the windows - and sometimes twilight fell again. There were more and more people, the castle was awakening. Servants scurried back and forth, doors slammed ... Twice the princess slowed down her step to exchange a few words with some people, and each time Leah shuddered and turned cold, trying to lower her head as low as possible and not think about anything except the tray. “Focus on one thought and one emotion, let the world around you drown in darkness and silence,” Carl repeated over and over until he was sure she remembered. The brother was afraid of the Order, although he carried himself confidently, as if he knew everything in the world. But Leah saw... She knew him too well not to notice the anxiety in his eyes. - Your Highness! A low shout came from behind. - Where are you in such a hu
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15
All the while, while Ali-Nari conjured over her hair, trying to put heavy straight strands into her hair, Leah did not utter a sound. Without blinking, she looked into the silver mirror and did not recognize herself. A long white dress of simple cut fitted her already lanky angular figure, emphasizing reddened eyes and inflamed lips. In it, she seemed older than her years and looked sick and tired. - You feel bad? Pinning another curl, Ali put her hand on her shoulder. Biting her lip to pain, Leah shook her head."I'd like to see my brother if possible," she whispered, afraid her voice would betray her hard-pressed tears.“I'm afraid it's too dangerous now,” the princess smiled sympathetically and immediately extinguished her smile. “I can’t take that risk, forgive me.- I understand ... Do not pay attention - just a momentary weakness. Exhaling, Leah slapped her cheeks several times. “Let's add some color,” she said in response to Ali-Nari's surprised look. “Never mind, I'm still
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16
“In the name of the ancient law, which is the guarantee of peace and prosperity,” she said loudly, reading from the sheets of memory what her brother had ordered the day before, “I accept the burden transferred to me with humility and honor. I swear to protect and protect my land, increase its wealth and eradicate lawlessness. She paused for a moment, and then, obeying an inner impulse, added: “I swear to follow the wisdom of Tara, the example of my father and the voice of conscience. From now until the end of my days! Rising, Lyramel turned and sat on the throne, for she was no longer able to stand. A slight shiver passed through her body, and a chill seemed to blow into her face. From now on, I am Liramel, daughter of Lirdan, she thought to herself, and let out a breath as she felt an invisible weight fall on her shoulders.Her brothers climbed the wide marble steps of the throne pedestal, shoulder to shoulder, the same and so different. Christian looked a little bewildered, and C
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17
Shivering under her cloak, Lyramel coughed and reluctantly opened her eyes. All around it was dark and quiet, and only in the dim half-arch of the fireplace did small ruby ​​embers shimmer and crackle.Grimacing in pain, she tried to get up - and could not: her legs numb so that they seemed like strangers. His head was spinning uncomfortably. Lifting her hand, Lyramel touched her hot, damp forehead and frowned.“Your Majesty…” a deep voice sounded nearby.Startled, she turned her head and narrowed her eyes narrowly.“Duke… You scared me.“I beg your pardon, but you need to be present at the dinner,” Paraman replied indifferently, jerking himself up from the couch. - We'll be called soon.Is there any way to avoid this?- Unfortunately no. The crown obliges its wearer to be in good health at least on the day of the coronation. You must be in the public eye today.“Yes, I think I heard… The priest warned about this,” she drawled uncertainly and bit her lip, remembering both the horror i
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18
About three hours later, a monotonous rumble already reigned over the hall. The people, relaxed by the wine, talked and laughed at ease. Liramel nevertheless decided to say a few kind words to Ali-Nari and her aunt, who seemed to be really pleased with what was happening. Suppressing her shyness, she asked a couple of general questions to Lord Yakir, for which she received an approving smile from Karl.“You can leave if you're tired,” Paraman said softly without turning his head, noticing that she almost yawned.“Right,” Carl replied immediately. “And the Duke will see you off.” There's a council tonight, and I don't think you two should be there.- Why? Liramel asked mechanically, while Paraman himself nodded approvingly.“This is not a peaceful meal with relatives…” the brother replied evasively, and then, as if by force, he added: “And I really need that those who did not share our joy today do not have support in the form of their protege.“Good,” she agreed, a little surprised by
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19
Yakir paced the White Corridor for an hour already, and the guards only shrugged: they were ordered not to let anyone near Her Majesty and not to touch the bolt at all. The order was given personally by the regent.After waiting another ten minutes and finally losing patience, Yakir resolutely walked away. After all, he could enter the royal apartments from the side of the secret door, passing through the Throne Room or descending from the East Tower, where the spiral staircase opened. One way or another, and the documents that the Head of the Council instructed to deliver Liramel, had to get to their destination. After waiting for the heavy doors to close behind him, Yakir stood in silence for several seconds, carefully peering into the slanting shadows of the columns. It was quiet and almost dark in the hall, only candles were burning out in candelabra above the narrow balcony that skirted the pedestal. The eastern windows, covered with faded stained-glass windows, were gray with
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20
“Not so long ago, you gave advice to take care of your own safety, son of Kyle,” she answered carefully, choosing her words in the same tone, feeling that she was walking on the blade, but no longer able to stop. “I accept it, as well as your help. My safety as the Head of the Family should be a priority for any of the sons of the Leading line, because the law says so, isn't it? Without waiting for his answer, Liramel smiled and, weaving a little gentleness into her voice, added: “And rest assured, there will be no case for gratitude. Chuckling, Paraman feinted to the side. “I don't need gratitude, daughter of Lirdan, and I didn't offer help. Women in the Kingdom do not require military science: the Academies are open only to men. As the Head of the Family, you already have the highest rank, and a dagger will be enough to open a letter. Having had time to react, despite being distracted by the conversation, Liramel easily repulsed him and repeated the movements she had learned befo
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