Elizabeth

This is how you live for yourself, do not touch anyone, and then you suddenly have a bam - fourteen chests of clothes and a husband. Fortunately, the husband is still in quantity - one piece.

No, really, I watched this way since morning, as the servants brought heavy chests into the bedroom one after another, and this is how I imagined their obscene thoughts. Servant. Not chests. The owners, then, converge, then disperse, and the servants carry things back and forth. Moreover, the chests are so massive that it seemed that if you dropped one of them by accident, it would definitely break through the floor.

- What would you like to wear today, ma'am? The maid stubbornly looked at the floor, not at me. Either she hated my very physiognomy, or she was ashamed that the lady was in the same dress for the second day in a row.

“Anything,” I didn’t want to waste half a day looking through all of Eliza’s clothes. “I'm not going anywhere today anyway.

And I'm not going tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And here is through six days very even am going to. Again in that temple to hear such a long-awaited “I declare you not a husband and not a wife! Don't kiss the bride!"

The maid gave a slightly stifled cough, as if she was afraid to say an extra word, and her own impulse got up across her throat. And yet she rejoiced:

“But the lord mentioned that they were invited to a party tonight.

Reception? .. But we must necessarily create the illusion of a normal marriage! But maybe it’s quite possible to get away from joint appearances if one of us, for example, has a sprained leg or something ... But how can Ryan dislocate something? ..

“Also, breakfast is already served,” the maid knocked me down. “But the lord and lady have already left the refectory. Only you are left.

- Madam? - I did not understand. No, well, what if there is polygamy in this world, and no one even warned me about it. Maybe, for the sake of conspiracy, I should generally lament, they say, ah, Ryan, I am no longer your beloved wife! How could you trade me for those fourteen scammers who still remain in your harem, and for whom I can’t even pull out braids, it’s just that my hands get tired of so many ...

- So Mrs. Livina, - the maid looked at me extremely puzzled. She had an early breakfast, because she has art classes on her schedule.

Interestingly, if I ask who is this Livina, will they immediately call local orderlies? Well, or inquisitors to burn at the stake. Although, judging by the fact that this Livina has some classes, maybe she is like a schoolgirl by age? And who is she then? If this is Rian's daughter from a previous marriage, then it is still small, yet he himself is still young for overage children. Alternatively, she could still be his sister. Or maybe my harem version isn't as crazy as it sounds.

No, well, why not include knowledge about others in a magical dream? What's the point that I can dance now and certainly won't get tangled up in cutlery if, along with that, I'm not aware of local customs at all?

Well, I'll be careful...

- So what do you say, ma'am? - the maid reminded herself again. - Will you come down for breakfast?

I'll go down. And at the same time I will study the house and local inhabitants. Anyway, whatever one may say, you won’t be able to sit in a room all week. So it is better to be ready for everything in advance.

But, oh my, the evening party! This will definitely be a test of nerves for strength ...

That awkward feeling when the Christmas tree was not removed, but simply rammed into a chest ... Fourteen chests of Christmas trees ...

No, the fact that I had previously been in a dress embroidered with gems, I perceived as a kind of holiday at Eliza in honor of the divorce. But, it turns out that she has such a whole wardrobe in general? ..

With all the responsibility of a person who will have to carry other people's things for a week, I reviewed all the contents of the chests delivered in the morning. All dresses, it seems, were created with the expectation that their owner could be seen from space. But the shirts clearly hinted at a stormy personal life - all too frank. And in addition to all this splendor, a bunch of shoes, gloves, stockings ... An impressive jewelry box became the cherry on the cake of brilliant madness.

So, when Eliza's husband suddenly showed up in the dining room, where I finally got to have breakfast, the first thing I said was sincere:

- I'm not going to the reception, I have nothing to wear.

Rian looked at me so gloomily, as if he was mentally sawing in the same way as I was sawing a pancake on my plate.

- Nothing to wear? he asked. - Seriously? And those chests that migrated back today, what's in them? The ashes of my hopes that you have common sense?

- There are all sorts of little things - I shrugged. “So, I’m sorry, you’ll have to go to the reception without me.”

- What more. In case you suddenly forgot, we are obliged to appear everywhere together. Get ready. Tikens will take you to a clothes shop - he seemed to want to add "and he will dig in there."

Well, okay, I won’t be able to get away from the reception ... But at least I’ll go there anyway in a more or less decent form. But I'm completely unfamiliar with the local fashion. And ideally, I would be accompanying Elisa's mother. However, you can find the unknown Livina in the house and call her with you. And then I find out who she is.

Although Ryan seemed to be going to follow me with a Cerberus, he was distracted by a messenger with urgent reports. And all I had to do was ask the servants where Lady Livina was now.

After wandering around the house, I came across a library. Here was found an unknown girl of about fifteen, pretty and very meek in appearance. She was just zealously writing something down on a scroll, dictated by an important old man in a robe, nursing around the table. At the same time, the teacher managed to simultaneously give out orders to a lanky young man who was compiling books on a shelf. Moreover, judging by the simple clothes, this young man was either a student, or an assistant to a strict old man.

- Mistress Eliza, - he started up, bowed. The young man followed suit. But Livina turned pale at my appearance. She even twitched, as if trying to jump up in fright and curtsy. I wonder if she respects Eliza so much, or is she so afraid?

- Good morning! I smiled. “I'm sorry to interrupt your lesson, but I would like to have just a few words with Lady Livina.

She looked at her companions so pleadingly, as if I was about to grab her by the leg and drag her to the uranium mines.

- We are already almost finished, mistress, - the old man bowed again. - Ider, let's go, - and already added to Livine: - I will definitely go to your brother and tell you about your successes.

Aha! Brother! So Livina is Rian's little sister! Unless, of course, it means some other brother out there...

As soon as they left the library, I immediately got down to business:

- Could you help me, please? I need to go get a dress for tonight's party - and some local underwear - and I'd really appreciate it if you'd keep me company.

And at the same time, you can help me choose an outfit so that I look appropriate in it for the upcoming event.

Livina blinked in puzzlement.

- V..you ask me for help?.. - I wonder why on "you"? And, even more interesting, why is she looking at me like there is definitely some kind of nasty catch in my words? Looks like they didn't get along with Eliza...

rian

Leaving home was risky. But at the same time, the order of the king should not be neglected. So, with all the desire to stay and follow the impostor, he was still forced to go to the royal palace. In the end, Livina is under magical protection, nothing will definitely happen to her. And at the slightest danger, in any case, he will immediately know about it.

The secret meeting was held in the eastern tower of the palace, usually set aside just for the court magicians. Here, in the round hall, there were far fewer guests than expected. But, by the way, there were not so many especially gifted magicians in the capital.

Vincent was there too. Rather, not as a particularly gifted, but as a representative of the royal interrogators. Having greeted the others, Ryan first of all went to the listless friend standing by the window. He either didn't sleep, or didn't sleep at all. It seemed that he was ready to take a nap, burying his forehead in the glass.

- Do you know what happened there?

- Like something with the Black Tower - Vince diligently tried to suppress a yawn. “I don’t know the details myself, but everyone is excited. Although what can happen to this tower? Worth a long abandoned ...

The doors of the hall opened. But Leroy entered instead of the king. With a nod of greeting to the assembled people, he asked everyone to sit down. And as soon as everyone took their places at the round table, the prince began gloomily:

- First of all, I want to warn you that everything heard here is under the spell of non-disclosure. Solely for the sake of security, and not because any of you are not trusted. We have convened only those whom we consider reliable. I will be brief. There is something strange going on with magic. For the second month now, the archmages in the guild have been carefully monitoring how harmony is being violated in the very nature of the world. The reason before that remained unclear, but just the other day, it was still possible to catch that a strange force that creates an imbalance in magic comes from the Black Tower. Of course, it was not possible to penetrate there. It is still impossible to get even close to either of these two towers. Although it is known for certain that the doors of Chernoy opened for some reason. It seems that the tower is waiting for someone, no matter how absurd these may sound ... Well,

He immediately added in the same businesslike tone:

- What exactly is required of you. Everyone should try to enter the Black Tower. Perhaps it was a particular gifted magician that the guarding force would miss. And if it really works, then even then find out the cause of the magical failure inside. I'm afraid if the predictions of the archmages are correct, then our inaction will lead to a gradual deterioration of the situation. Until this imbalance of the magical nature of the world touches people, even the most prominent of you cannot yet sense that something is wrong. But the situation will only get worse. Questions?

Concerned statements immediately rained down on what exactly a magical failure could threaten, and Vince quietly whispered to Rian sitting next to him:

- Yes, I was at this tower last week. On a drunken head I wanted to show off in front of one person, what a powerful magician I am.

- So how? Successfully?

- How-how ... I imprinted my physiognomy into a magical barrier and almost broke my nose. But on the other hand, - he chuckled rather, - then they “pitied me” for a long time and in various ways ... By the way, about sorry. Is it true that you didn't get a divorce?

“They postponed for a week due to the request of Lord Mavrus,” Rian answered just as quietly. But this is clearly not our biggest problem. If everything about the failure is so serious ... Then at most a year, and we will all be completely left without magic.

‍​Something I was upset.

And no, not because it was preferable for Livina to pretend to faint than to go with me. And not because Eliza was obviously a bitch. I was much more worried that Igor's double, by such an analogy, may well turn out to be a completely different person in character and views. What's the point of having an identical appearance if there is a direct opposite behind this appearance? ..

Such gloomy philosophical thoughts haunted me while I was riding in the carriage. The day today turned out to be warm, sunny, it was dripping with might and main from the roofs of cozy houses - spring was gradually coming into its own. And it even became curious how it is here in the summer ...

- And where are we going? A dark ghost appeared on the seat opposite.

- I'm going to the store for a dress.

- That is, as always, you are doing all sorts of nonsense instead of remembering the really important things.

“Well, for some reason, you yourself don’t remember about really important matters,” I retorted in his tone. - No explanations about the world, about Eliza herself ... Why should I suddenly go there, not knowing where, and bring you something, I don’t know what, if I myself have more important questions? You, as a long-dead one, may not care about worldly goods, but I still need to get settled in this world somehow. And if they suspect that I am an impostor, there will be no question of any prosperous life. And, most likely, about life in general.

It seemed that if he could grind his teeth, he would definitely grind. But he relented nonetheless:

“Well, okay, maybe I didn’t take into account the need to bring you up to date on every ridiculous little thing. It was naive of me to think that you yourself will figure everything out right away.

- Alas, I do not have the gift of foresight to immediately know how everything in this world works, - although I tried to speak calmly, my irritation grew. “But on the other hand, I understand very well that you obviously need me more than you need me.

If it was possible to kill with a look, the ghost mage would definitely finish me right now.

- Okay, - it seemed, every word literally forced himself to pronounce, - and what do you want?

- I want to know everything I need to know. Today, for example, I go to the reception. And even though I know the rules of etiquette to portray the average aristocrat, but at the same time I don’t even know how to portray Eliza.

- And what is there to depict? The ghost snorted derisively. - A scoundrel spoiled to the marrow, ready to go over the heads without remorse. But at the same time, in public, skillfully depicting a meek sheep. Do you really think the duke just decided to get a divorce a month after the wedding? Yes, for the sake of the inheritance, he married in advance exactly the one that it would not be a pity to throw out of his life so quickly. Although Eliza herself was ready to kill right and left for him. And how you will portray her now is your business.

Well, I do not. If I'm going to portray something in this case, then only a gradual re-education. And I’ll write everything off for the fact that supposedly the divorce had such an impact on me, I realized a lot and the like ...

- But let's get back to the point, - he still bent his line. – Now to the place where you have to make your way, too much interest. But as soon as an opportunity arises, I'll let you know right away. Get ready.

- And if I refuse? - I didn’t want to dance to his tune at all. - Although you lured me by helping me find Igor's double, there's no point in that now. Since the doubles are so different, then Igor's double here may turn out to be the last scoundrel.

The ghost grimaced.

- What kind of villain is he? Little-holed bumpkin, smitten in his head with a love spell! It was Eliza who trained on it so that she could later test it on Riana. But it's only for you! He is already in love with you. And I can just organize a happy joint future for you. So do not rush to refuse my help, Lisa. It’s just that you still can’t imagine how this world knows how to erect barriers on the way ...

Without waiting for my answer, he simply disappeared.

Well, well, ghostly intriguer, so I took it and agreed. Maybe I'm too small to brag about my life experience, but life has definitely managed to teach me one thing. The fact that everyone is the blacksmith of his own happiness.

That's just... It's rather strange for a coincidence... I love Igor, and in this world his doppelgänger is compulsorily in love with my doppelgänger... Maybe, of course, the fates of twins are always interconnected in one way or another, but so far there is a strong impression that not everything is so simple...‌

First of all, the coachman appeared. More precisely, a massive brand new chest, which the coachman dragged groaning. And then there was Lisa. Something very satisfying.

- I see you are planning to turn my house into a storage chest? Ryan asked dryly.

“It's only the fifteenth.” Although she smiled sweetly, this smile was more of a condescending superiority than a desire to soften the situation. What can I do, I like odd numbers.

Looking helplessly at the master, the butler, with a timid hope of refusal, asked:

- Will you order me to take it to the room of the lady?

I wanted to order to throw it into a snowdrift. And so all morning the servants carried Eliza's goods. Well, okay, Lisa, let's assume, has her own good. And if these chests do not actively multiply, then for the first time you can endure.

But still, he was in no hurry to agree immediately.

- And what's there? - as if by the way he asked, and seemingly without any obvious hint, but Lisa still caught the hidden challenge.

Her smile became even brighter.

- Just a couple of new dresses, and so, different, little things. At today's reception, I must traditionally shine and dazzle everyone and everyone.

“Rian, your eye twitched,” whispered Livina standing next to her worriedly.

- It's my eyes that are already looking forward to another "shine and blindness," he whispered darkly in response. Yes, but Lisa still heard everything. And oddly enough, he seemed to be barely able to contain his laughter.

“Nothing, nothing, my dear husband,” she said with the most innocent look, humbly folding her hands on her chest, “you have only six and a half days left to enjoy the happiness of the presence of me and my herd of chests. And then, so be it, I will migrate away from you with them.

Just in time, the footmen called by the butler arrived and carried the chest up the stairs. Liza immediately followed them, not even once looking back.

- She's kind of ... not like that, - Livina muttered a little bewilderedly, as soon as Liza disappeared upstairs around the bend.

“I have some thoughts on this matter, but I won’t voice them yet,” Ryan said thoughtfully. Nevertheless, it is better not to devote the sister to the fact of imposture ahead of time. First you need to find out for yourself.

"But how are you going to see the Hallingtons with her tonight?" Suppose that all this month you managed to avoid all social events under the pretext of employment, but now you can’t!

- Secular society knows Eliza very well, and her love for ridiculous shining outfits, so her appearance will not be a revelation for anyone. Well, I'll somehow survive that today I have to accompany a walking clot of sparkles.

- It seems to me that this is just a crime against humanity, - Livina could not stand it. “I sympathize in advance… To appear with such a companion is not pleasant enough… Oh, Ryan, you should soon get rid of this nasty Eliza and marry a good, kind girl!”

"No, no," he shook his head with a grim grin. “I'm fed up with matrimony. At best, only in ten years I will think about it. And that's not a fact.

So far, I could not imagine that he would propose to someone. The very idea of ​​such a thing seemed absurd, ridiculous and devoid of any possibility. After all, even Eliza at one time did not directly offer marriage, he negotiated everything with her father.

And yet I wonder where the real Eliza is ... However, it is quite possible to magically check this.‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍

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