And therefore he gathered a council to develop the rules. They decided as follows:
1. Before a dragon marries, to give him a choice of 13 maidens. Нe must communicate with them for at least six months, the contenders may live all the time in a castle, the emperor may replace any of the maidens (this is in case he wants to go again to Land of people).
2. Every five years the palace arranges a ball, to let girls meet a couple.
3. On the outskirts of the empire to create a settlement Old Believers, to resettle people there are not ready to live among two-faced (dragons and werewolves). (It turned out that not all the girls were able to believe in and get used to a new life, and frankly went mad).
So I have, first of all, a plausible legend (a human settlement exists, some behind high walls are really completely closed and barely communicate with the world), and, secondly, a right to participate (according to the law, if a person from such a settlement wishes to participate, they cannot be refused but they may be expelled or replaced the next day. However, few people in the settlements themselves know about this, so they do not claim the right.)
4. The girls who did not choose a pair at the ball or the Royal selection, but refuse to live in human settlements provides a work.
So, rules are created, the war finished with the victory of the emperor. Grandson of the emperor grew up and it was time to try out the rules with the selection.
But the grandson fell in love with the maiden of the dragon family, took advantage of the opportunity of replacement and put a chosen one in the castle. Six months later he announced his choice, married and lived in a marriage with his beloved 300 years. These 300 are considered the golden Reign in dragon history. The dating balls for the nobility were still held, there were no wars during this period, and our lucky man asked his grandfather to bring thingsthat are not present in this world from his travels (he himself could not walk thro ugh the portal, too much jealous wife he had). This period was recorded as the Age of the Flourishing Arts, Science, Technology and Magic.
The new emperor decided to complete the regulations (knowing that the next selection would be for the son).
First, the right of dragons to send their daughters for selection has been secured.
And the final change: if after six months the heir has not decided on a choice, the coronation and transfer of power are postponed, and after two years a new selection is made.
And then two things happened:
1. As a gift to our lover of sacrifices was given to a beautiful woman, to whom a certain George has turned out to be in love. The guy was young, hot, and our emperor was quite the opposite. George became a local hero who killed monster and even on his coat of arms painted the defeated dragon. So the active communication of worlds was interrupted, the new emperor did not want to walk between worlds. The method of transition is preserved only by the Emperor’s family (in the library) and by some Mage-keepers.
2. Grew up new ruler.
New selection was carried out, the Queen is determined (again chose the dragon), but there was no love in marriage. During the six months allotted for selection, the families of the future wife and husband discussed: the merger of capital, rules (including the freedom of choice of lovers, after the birth of heirs), the appointment of some relatives in key positions, and so on.
The following three generations of emperors entered into arranged marriages, but each of them followed the tradition and ritual of selection
It means that the monster with which we are acquainted probably already have a bride with whom the deal of the century is being negotiated.But it’s night, so I’ll start working out a plan tomorrow. Right after breakfast.
Why i didn’t it before? I had 3 weeks for it in the house of Vidon, but only when I saw the monster with my own eyes I realized that it wasn’t a hoax.
When in front of you stands up monster and gives a volley very real fire, and his skin looks like a live crocodile – you start to realize the reality of what is happening.
If it had been friends joke, it wouldn't have lasted more than a week. They are not so cruel to let me to miss the flight. So we will have to accept and live in a cave.
Chapter 8. Making plans
The morning greeted timid dawn, fighting mood, clothing home. (Dresses I had brought with me to the castle were bought for me: four of it were mind-bogglingly memorable, three were solemnly beautiful, fifteen were decently closed and securely tightened, and two were free, without a corset, in the style of peasant women).
Today I was dressed in one of the peasants. Because the heir was absent, there’s no one to seduce, so there’s no reason to suffer with a corset. I Plaited my hair, belted my dress, and put a communication bracelet on my arm, and went down to Breakfast in this modest fashion.
In the dining room there was silence again, and now the cause of it was my appearance. It turns out they without a corset does not come out, I’m a redneck against them. But I sat down at the table and said, breaking the silence
«Enjoy your appetite, excuse me if my appearance seems strange to you, but in the estate from where I arrived we wear dresses with corset rarely, I am more accustomed to a simple tailoring».
The beauties exhaled, mentally crossing me out from rivals, because the girl in the bag with the pigtails can't be the Empress of dragons.
The breakfast was delicious, the crepes with the cream cheered up the mood, my head gradually lined up the next plan of action. I'll start it with the library. It is necessary to assess the amount of information available and useful.
I looked around our friendly company at the table, and I discovered that I was the only one who didn’t talk to anyone. The beauties were actively sharing impressions, plans and news from their families.
So, after finishing the pancakes, still silently I left the table, calling an escort in advance. The chair screeching caused silence and bewilderment again, but I think I’ve already broken all the rules, so leaving will be just one point in the long list of oddities of the girl from the outskirts.
***
My preliminary action plan consists of four points
1. The library: Try to find information about the portal, to escape early by myself. And to find any information on the local world order.
2. Avoid the heir to the extent possible. It is desirable simply to avoid expulsion.
3. Avoid contenders. Without friends, I half-year somehow hold out, but how to deal with those who uzreet in me a threat to their future of the Union, I have not thought of.
4. Finally, find out who is a contractual bride. What should I do with this information and especially how to get it is not quite clear yet, but I will leave it as a goal.
Chapter 9. Knowledge is power, nescience is disaster
Library – a room with an infinite number of racks filled with books, part of the halls is closed for visiting. There’s no damp here, and there are deep, comfortable, soft chairs for visitors. The library will be my favorite room!
The caretaker of the library, wizened little man with a cane and a small bald spot smiled affably.
– What’s your name, young lady?
– Catherine.
– Catherine, I have to tell you about the rules of the hall: in the reading room at the same time you can leave with him no more than three books, reserve for no more than three days. In your room, you can take no more than one and not more than for a month. What do you want to read?
– It is possible the book, which described the events of the first selection?
– What language do you prefer to read? Slavic, imperial, foreign?
It became hot, fingers cramped little sweat trickle slid down along the spine.
– Let's, one in each language?
The caretaker probably thought I was a very educated girl, but no, I just didn’t think the alphabet of our worlds could be different.
After receiving three books bound in leather, I moved it on the table next to a soft comfortable chair.
The text of the first book was written in signs similar to our hieroglyphics, the text of the second was reminiscent of the cuneiform of Egypt, the third book is clearly ancient, written by hand ink in Old Slavic.
None of the lyrics are available to me, so I started going through all the books to see if they had pictures, sketching out But here, too, I was unlucky, all three books contained only text.
Tormented for an hour with the text in Slavonic, trying to somehow make out the words and recall letters (because at least in passing, but is sometimes found on the internet transcription to the alphabet), having not advanced by a millimeter, I had to admit that on the first item of short plan did not go well from the beginning. I returned the books and upset trudged to my room.
Chapter 10
So, books are not available. I can try to make friends with someone of the girls, but how can I explain the fact that I cannot read. To admit that i have grown up not only in the wilderness, and illiterate to all other disadvantages?
Another option would be to ask the Emperor’s assistant to train me for six months, but he may not have the authority to, worse still, is the new one excuse to suspend me from further participation.
From the sad thoughts distracted knock on the door, it is lunchtime.
On the way to the dining hall, I asked the accompanying to find the emperor’s assistant, and I was informed that as soon as he was free, I would be contacted and escorted.
The dining room is full of girls with the luxury jewelry and dresses. My head ached slightly from the failure to find a way out of the situation.
– Katrin, I noticed that you don’t talk to anyone. My name is Rosalind. I would like to offer you a walk in the park. How do you look at it?
– I’d love to take a walk with you. I must warn the escort.
Rosalind stood out for the other dragon girls. She was too fragile even compared to me, and against the background of the other contenders seemed painfully subtle. Short height, thin waist, small chest, narrow thighs. There was no boiling energy inherent in dragons, or a low chest voice, or a deep cleavage. In general, it was not standard for dragons. If it were a human being, I’d say she’s like a refined aristocrat, someone who strictly follows a diet, keeps her back perfectly straight, and her speech is exceptionally correct. For the Emperor’s wife, it might be perfect, but why would she have a friend like me? It’s completely confusing.
Chapter 11
The second item of the plan (to keep away from participants far away) is broken. The walk with Rosalind was surprisingly pleasant. The area surrounding the castle was quite extensive, and we headed towards the gazebo by the lake.
– Rosalind, can you tell me how the selection is going? I don’t really know much about it. Are there any competitions, assignments, tests of knowledge?
– Selections are not held as often, but there is no strict list of activities (except for the day of acquaintance and the final ball at which the emperor announces his decision). Participants can organize evenings at their own discretion, having previously agreed with the assistant. Nadine, for example, wants to show the theatrical production, is now appends the play and picks actors. Would you like to participate?
– Me? No, I think my position here is too shaky. Preparing a role is takes a long time. (not to mention I can’t read it that I can’t read it).
– Well, first of all, any actress can be eliminated. And second, a contestant can invite a guest (mage for example). Thus, if involved participant is excluded from the selection, she can return to the performance as a guest.
– And yet I will refuse. Will you play in the play?
– Of course, participation is entirely voluntary. I warned Nadine that before i'll give my consent i read a play. On the one hand, it is an occasion once again to remind myself to the Emperor, on the other hand I did not want to appear in a bad light.
– Yes, you’re absolutely right. Tell me please, when she completes the writing and distribution of roles. I can be in the reserve. Do not look like that, it’s just in case some of the participants became ill and unable to participate.
– Actress in a stock, an interesting idea. I think she’ll be thrilled. she's always dreamed about her own theater.
– How long have you known each other?
– Since childhood – Rosalind’s face illuminated a happy smile, and flashes of light flared in her eyes. And she was just a kid dreaming about the role of a director. The actors for her play were servants, nurse, and of course I am. It was fun, especially when erected decorations from scrap materials. The only one who scolded little Nadine was her brother. Emiren thought a lady couldn’t be an actress, let alone a director.
– Wait, Lord Emiren, the Emperor’s aide, he’s Nadine’s brother?
– Yes, an older, harmful and boring brother. He is very angry at her sister, for the decision to put the play in the Palace, but within the framework of selection cannot deny. – Rosalind’s smile became even brighter, and her back more straight- although he insists that it is a dishonour to the family.
– Can you be in the auditorium for participants not involved in the performance? And how to know the date and place? Will there be invitations?
– In the dining room there is a Board (it is now empty so you probably did not pay attention to it). As soon as the event is agreed with the emperor, it is displayed on the board. The names of the participants, the date, the place and the type are indicated. The type can be closed (private for the emperor), open (free entry for anyone) or on invitation. The number of questions in my head was increasing, but it was not possible to ask any questions, because the chaperon came and warned that the assistant was available and offered to meet now, he had a small window in the schedule. I apologized to Rosalind, offered to take another walk the day after tomorrow if she had the chance, and went to Lord Emiren.
Chapter 12. It’s hard to be a poor relative
The office of the assistant was as spacious as all rooms, with a round table with six chairs in the center, a wide working table near a window, opposite which stood two chairs. One of them invited me to sit down.
– Good afternoon, Catherine, what brings you to my office?
– I’d like to ask you a few questions, as you may have noticed, I don’t know the selection rules very well.
– Yes, of course – the Lord is conveniently located in his desk chair, folded his fingers into the lock, leaned the chin on it and focused on my face. (Freckles seems counts)
– The first question, how free are we to move? In the absence of the Prince, I would like to pay a visit to a relative, but I do not know if we can leave the castle, or invite guests, and should I call the carriage or it is provides by сastle?
– You are free to move, you can leave the castle for any number of days, the castle carriage will take you to the place and take you back at the specified time. All I ask is that you inform me of your departure. You can invite the guest to the castle only receive permission of heir, so try to meet friends or family in the city.
– Okay, well, in that case, I’ll be out half the day tomorrow, leaving at 8:00 a.m. the second question is to be honest a little awkward.