The Royal Confession
-To whom? What? And why do you need something from me? - Hostor grumbled, annoyed, having just been awakened by his loyal friend and excellent butler, Sebastian.
-My lord, you have a guest.
-What guest? To hell with the guest! I'm going to sleep…
-But, my lord, it's your sister…
-What? Neyra?! – Hostor immediately got out of bed and quickly began to get dressed.
Knowing about his host's eternal laziness, Sebastian constantly used the word "sister" when no less important guests came to Hostor. Firstly, it was the only sure way to rouse him, and secondly, the butler always found it amusing to watch. But this time, he wasn't joking with his friend. Neyra had indeed arrived, and she didn't look her best.
Putting on his favorite suit, Hostor, without asking Sebastian anything, rushed to the living room. His brotherly feelings told him that something was wrong with his sister. Soon, his fears were confirmed. When he saw Neyra, he almost threw up. She was pale, her face was tired, and her legs barely held her up.
-Good heavens, sister, what happened? Sit down!
-I probably should… - the queen barely managed to say, after which she collapsed on the sofa as if she were at home.
-Neyra! What's wrong with you? Should I call a doctor?!
-No doctors… please… there are so few of them, they are needed more by the people… I've had enough of how much they all hate me…
-Um, I actually meant my personal, qualified doctor.
-Really? Well, then…
-Now, tell me everything as it is. Why are you feeling so bad?
-For the past few days, I've been having terrible nightmares, and they're all about Vesker…
-What, prophetic dreams? Paranoia?
-I'm not sure… I think he's planning to spread his U.G. again. But that's not the point. Wanting to get rid of these nightmares, I decided to go to the hospital to consult a doctor and find out what was happening. As a result, I found out that due to the Lizardmen's "revolutions," almost all the doctors have left, and they made me the main villain, and then they injected me with some suspicious medicine, which made me feel even worse. I became completely exhausted, which gave Arandor complete control over me at night. And when he fell asleep, I immediately rushed to you.
-What? How dare he take advantage of you! I will never forgive that bastard!
-Calm down, it's my fault, because I didn't talk about my problems…
-Still! He had no right to touch you! I will destroy him!
-Don't… really, don't.
-Okay! But, on one condition. You won't live with him under the same roof!
-But…
-No "but"! You will live with me! Here, I will be completely sure that nothing will happen to you, and that bastard will not dare to touch you.
-Well, okay…
-And now, I'll take you to your new rooms. If you need anything, Sebastian will always be at your service, and for now, I'll ask him to put you to bed.
-Thank you, brother.
-You're welcome, sleep well, sister – Hostor, together with his loyal butler, led his sister to her new rooms, wished her good night, and then went to his room. - Well, I'll go visit my old former friend. I think I have something to talk to him about…
An unknown person entered the Church of Saint Flood, dressed in a dirty, rain-soaked gray cloak that completely covered his face. He sat on the pew and began to cry.
Archbishop Vegtam could not help but notice such a strange visitor. Therefore, he decided to personally approach and try to help the stranger, whose appearance left much to be desired.
-What happened, my son? - the priest asked, in response to which he received only a quiet answer.
-Are you sure you want to hear about my problems, holy father.
-The church is always open to people, especially those who have experienced some kind of misfortune. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to listen to people's problems. First, what is your name, my son?
-I think it will be enough to show you my face so that you understand who I am. But please, don't use names – with these words, the stranger lowered his hood to show his face to the archbishop. Seeing Vegtam's shocked face, he immediately put the hood back on and began to look down.
-Your… - the surprised priest was about to exclaim, but he quickly regained his composure and stopped. Vegtam couldn't understand what grief could have brought the very Arandor to tears. - What misfortune could have brought you here?
Arandor told the archbishop his long story about how often he argued with Queen Neyra, and how she secretly ran away from him to her brother.
-But I just wanted us to be like real spouses… I just wanted my dreams of a beautiful family to come true…
Imagining such dreams, Vegtam was horrified. The archbishop could not imagine such a long story that the king told him. On the one hand, he felt very sorry for the poor fellow, and on the other hand, he fully understood Neyra's position and would probably have done the same in her place…