Читать книгу Dragon’s Empire – 5. Society of Shadows онлайн

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«Sit still,» she whispered to her pet.

«You have a brother, don’t you,» the king said, scrutinizing Rose’s face for anything familiar. «It was your brother or cousin who did me the same favor, I believe, a year ago.»

«Her Highness has no brother,» I said, causing the king to turn back to where I stood. «She has no one but me. She likes to help people out of trouble, never mind the first or second time she’s helped them out, and never mind the monograms on their carriage.»

I understood His Majesty’s amazement. It would have been a blow for anyone, even one warned in advance, to see his successor outside at night in the company of a girl who had shown too much mercy to be considered an enemy.

«Edwin sheltered me,» Rose explained. «And if, in one of the countries we visit, I should be sent to the scaffold, there would be no one to intercede for me but him.»

She shrugged her shoulders gracefully, but did not curtsy. Why should she? He’s a mere mortal ruler, and she herself may very soon be proclaimed ruler of an empire where no man will set foot again.