– Ex-lover, third from the end.

– I see, – said the Duke of Kern, with some satisfaction. – The stupidest of them all.

– Who are you to judge me? There's a bunch of saints here, I see, – Robin said, striking a pose.

– However, we did not engage in violence, – the Bear did not look away.

– I didn't mean to rape anyone, you idiots, – the young king said dully.

For some reason, he remembered Anna, who had appeared before him on the first day: confused, shy, looking questioningly into his eyes.

– What kind of plant is a piranha rose?

The Falcon stared thoughtfully at the bookshelves.

– There are such flowers in Piran. Unearthly beauty. They are so rare that many people regard them as a legend. Those who wanted to tear them down were killed on the spot. The thorns are poisonous.

– A rare abomination, – Robin said matter-of-factly. – So she's in Selborne now. We need to hurry over there.

– Yes, but why? What are you going to do, Raven? – Arthur stood with his legs spread wide and his arms crossed over his chest.

– I'm going to marry her, – Robin said, rising gently from his chair. – Or do you have any objections?

– I'm afraid she'll have them, – said the Falcon. – What do you think, Rob, that a lady with such looks, abilities, and, above all, power and rich lands, did not attract anyone before you? Of course, of course. She was waiting for you to grow up.

– Yes, – said Arthur, – she was waiting for you to make her your mistress.

– Her hand was claimed by two kings of neighboring powers. I know that for a fact.

Robin's lips curled in disdain.

– So what?

– Because, – said Edward, – none of them got a positive answer. And don't think she'll fall into your arms as soon as she hears the marriage proposal. As far as I was able to learn her nature, she didn't give a damn about high-profile titles and the treasury. Almost single-handedly confront the entire nobility and not look for a patron… I don't even know what drove her.

– And if names aren't important to her, then we also have a chance to win the beauty's love. Let her choose, – the Bear interjected again.

Robin smiled wryly again, lowering his lashes.

– What if the chosen one isn't one of us? – he asked. – Have you thought of that?

– And who? For example?

– At least Ratmir.

The falcon choked.

– It's just jealousy that's blurring your eyes. You're crazy!

– I only agree that Anna can choose for herself, but God forbid you to make any attempts in her direction. In Selborne, we only count on magic. No careless movements, so as not to harm her. You answer with your head.

The three youths stood facing each other, glaring at each other. The dim light fell on their hair, and the moth continued to fly around the lantern.

Chapter II

There is an inevitability in the sunrise. Love will overtake me.

Selborne, a large city located on the coast of the harsh North Sea, was inhospitable to the head of state and his entourage. Dressed in the costumes of commoners, they shivered in the sharp, scorching wind.

– She hasn't left the city yet, – the Falcon said, peering into a flask of clear liquid that glowed purple. – We need to move to the southeast.

– It's along the embankment, – said Arthur.

Splashes of water spilled out onto the stone street, shimmering in the moonlight. The young men had been on the road for about half an hour, and during that time they met almost no one. The alley they entered was dark and gloomy. Edward's alert ears picked up a suspicious rustle. He stopped and motioned for the others to do the same. Several men appeared out of the darkness, and the youths realized that they were surrounded.

– They don't seem to have a penny, – a deep, gruff voice said.

– Nothing, they'll do, they'll be worth a lot in the slave market.

– Thirty men, – said Arthur, almost inaudibly, to Robin.

– We're in a hurry, guys, and we don't want to waste any time on you, – Raven said. – Therefore, I suggest that you disperse in a good way.

After that, it seemed to the travelers that the whole alley burst into laughter, and in the light of the lantern flashed the blade of a knife. After a moment, magic lit up the space and the faces of the robbers, who finally understood what was happening. Arthur waved his hand and all the attackers were left lying on the pavement, writhing in pain.