Chapter 191: Chapter 42. The Boy with No Name
I always thought I would be very nervous before my wedding day. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But surprisingly, this time I was completely calm.
Probably because I knew in advance that everything would go well.
All the preparations for the ceremony were completed in the shortest amount of time. Even my wedding dress, which Rachel had ordered for me earlier, was still intact. The amazing thing is that since that time and Camilla's arrival at the palace, it hasn't been disposed of.
And even though Rachel offered to sew another one for me, I refused. After all, I quite liked it. Besides, I should have worn it six months ago.
Now that all the turmoil of recent events had subsided, we were just resting. I lay on Rachel's chest in the imperial chambers while she stroked my hair. In fact, in fact, we had broken the rules-when we moved into the same chambers before we were married. But Cassius had never cared about that anyway…
We always talked a lot before we went to bed. Or rather, it was mostly just me who talked. Rachel was just listening in the background.
— …and last night Maxie and I went to the temple of the Ileas clan. Who knew it was still there!
I thought the girl had fallen asleep by this point. But after I said that, she opened her eyes abruptly.
— Where-where did you go? — She asked me again.
— The temple of the Clan Ileas,» I repeated.
Legend has it that the power of my family descended from the ancient Goddess of Creation, and that several temples have been built in her honor in the Kingdom. Once upon a time, the goddess was highly revered among the worshippers. However, only one of these structures has survived to this day. And even then in a depressing condition.
But Rachel didn't seem to be interested in this mythological history.
— And you went there with her? — Rachel asked harshly, without mentioning her name.
— Yes…
She frowned.
— And why was that?
— Well…» I hesitated, «Maxie said I wouldn't go to the ruins alone. She offered to accompany me.
Rachel exhaled heavily. I could tell from the angry look on her face that she didn't like my answer.
— By the way, it was dangerous! — The temple was so old, it was crumbling before my eyes. One of the towers almost fell on Maxie!
At that moment Rachel experienced disappointment.
— Pity.
— What?
— If that really happened, I'd order a thousand of those temples to be built all over Azeroth.
I pursed my lips in frustration. The spirit of rivalry between them was never going to die, I suppose. I had to live with it.
— By the way,» I said after a few minutes, «a thought occurred to me the other day.
— М?
— If we had a baby, what do you think it would look like?
At this point Rachel suddenly choked up. Like I said something so unimaginative.
— What do you mean…?
— I think it would be good if he looked like you. But character… Character is better not,» I thought to myself, «I can't stand having another person like Rachel in the family.
— …
— By the way, do you want a boy or a girl?
When I kept pestering Rachel with questions like that, all her sleepiness immediately faded. Rachel used to panic at the word «babies.» I didn't see what the big deal was, though. Weren't these the usual things in a marriage?
Meanwhile, the girl hurriedly changed the subject.
— Let's get back to the temple. You said you wanted to reconstruct them?
I grinned.
— Yes, I did.
I didn't argue, though I was going to get to her about it sooner or later. It's only a matter of time.
***
Once the Empire's situation was finally stabilized — life for the inhabitants was also returning to normal. For Razor Blanche there came a turning point — when it was time for him to decide who he was and what he would do in the future.
The stage of youth was gradually coming to an end and adult life was coming. The boy didn't know yet if he was ready for it. Would he be able to take full responsibility?
Razor sighed as he strolled through the streets of the capital thinking about his future. Despite the fact that he and Philip had reconciled — the boy didn't want to be as thick as before with his brother. After all, now they each had their own independent life.
Thinking about all this, the second prince did not immediately notice a noise in one of the alleys where he was passing. Curious, the boy approached and soon caught an unexpected scene.
Fights between children were not uncommon. But it was one thing when it happened as equals. It was quite another when a mob of bullies simply attacked a defenseless man.
Razor was discouraged when he saw a small boy being beaten by several of his peers. They were all commoners from dysfunctional families.
— You miserable trash, how dare you be in the same class as us!
— That bastard doesn't even have anyone… He's studying on our parents' taxes!
— That's right! A dirty rat like you should sit down and keep his head down!
The poor kid was kicked, but he didn't even try to defend himself.
Razor couldn't look at it for long and after a couple of seconds, he exclaimed indignantly:
— What are you doing?!
The children, not expecting anyone to see them, froze.
— W-we…
— Get out of here…! — the boy shouted angrily.
The children did not argue for long. When they saw a grown man in front of them, and especially with a sword, they were frightened. They were frightened, and backed away almost immediately.
Razor sighed and approached the battered child. The boy's nose was bleeding and there were bruises all over his body. The prince helped him up.
— Are you all right?
— T-thank you, sir…» he thanked him weakly.
The boy did not look more than six years old. Short brown hair and brown eyes. His appearance seemed vaguely familiar to the second prince.
Razor helped the child to his senses and inquired:
— Why are they doing this to you?
Despite the cruelty he had just suffered, the boy still smiled at the stranger who had saved him. He didn't seem to hold a grudge at all.
— It was all because of me…
— Huh?» Razor wondered.
— I go to the commoners' school,» the boy said, «And my classmates hate me because I study on the taxes of the state. Because everyone else is paid for by their parents…
— And you…? — the prince hesitated at the question. Though the answer was already obvious.
— I am an orphan,» the boy lowered his head, «So, before that I took the hard exams to study for free…
Razor smiled weakly.
— So you like studying?
— Yes,» he nodded, «My dream in the future is to enter the Royal Academy. But I am of simple birth, so it is unlikely…
The prince sighed. In fact, deep down he was touched. It's not often you meet a person, much less a commoner, with such a great desire for knowledge. The child in particular reminded Razor of himself.
— Do these children beat you every day? Why didn't you defend yourself? You could have at least run away!
The boy looked down and answered awkwardly:
— I… I don't want to hurt others.
These words made Razor shudder involuntarily. Once upon a time, an acquaintance had said the same words to him… It made him feel nostalgic.
— Stupid,» the boy said, «I've only met one person in this world as stupid as you.
— Huh?» the boy looked at him in surprise.
Meanwhile, Razor grinned and patted the child's hair.
— Do you have a name?
He shook his head.
— No…» he answered sadly, «I have no parents.
Razor smiled.
— Then from now on your name is Silver.
The boy was even more shocked and speechless. While the prince himself had perhaps made the most spontaneous decision of his life.
— Do you like that name?
Tears came to the boy's eyes.
— Yes! I like it! — Hurriedly exclaimed, — Thank you, sir!
Razor smiled warmly and took the child's hand.
— Now you can't say you have no parents. You have me, okay?
The boy was over the moon.
— Yes!
The second prince continued:
— Sil, you are now my son, and I want to personally teach you everything. I want to take you with me on a journey. How do you feel about that?
The child's tongue was slurring with excitement.
— Thank you, sir… You mean father!
Razor couldn't help but marvel at his awkward movements. The boy was indeed a marvel. Hand in hand, they went home.
It was the day of the most unexpected encounter in the life of the second prince. And perhaps the most fateful. After all, the twists and turns of fate cannot be predetermined.
At any rate, Razor Blanche knew one thing clearly.
«Silver, if you are looking from heaven… This time I will try to make your life the happiest.»
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