Aiz nodded contentedly, rejoicing at the unexpected support, and I again put my hand in my pocket and clenched the Focus in my fist, which I stole from under Mika’s nose so that he would not do the same first. I had no doubt that my cousin was going to do this. He planned to accuse me of theft. I accidentally overheard his conversation with Uncle Olaf, so I decided to take the lead. I immediately went to Uncle Eric's office and took the Focus with me. I will return it to him personally, obey him and explain everything when the right time comes. In the meantime, let it stay with me – safe and sound.
By that time, I had time to thoroughly think about what had happened and understood a lot. Uncle Eric started all this for a reason, and Mika’s adventures have nothing to do with it. He had long doubted his eldest nephew’s ability to rule the state, so he put on a whole performance to give me a chance to compete for the throne with my cousin on equal terms. Surely, my uncle will forgive me the same day I present him with the true truth. But there is very little chance of finding her in an academy where only men study. Except that…
I stared at the Travel Bureau stagecoach hovering outside the main building. The deans and teachers, led by the rector, gathered on the porch itself. Come on! I don't think I'll be so lucky.
– The girls have arrived! We’re on time,” Flammer noted. “But you can’t see them from here.”
– But what an intrigue! – He grinned at Kai, and then, turning more serious, added: – Just imagine, the dragon doesn’t even need to see them if he decides to make a choice.
What wise thought did your friend express?
“This is a true couple! With her you will really be happy.”
On impulse, I took the Focus from my pocket.
– Now we’ll check it…
– Fuck! – Freckled cursed, gawking at the artifact in my hand.
“Ethan, is this what I think it is?” – Kayu stared at the Focus, and his eyes flashed greedily.
Aiz somehow got all sorted out. His nostrils flared and his pupils turned emerald.
– How did you get it? – he asked dully.
“I stole it from my uncle,” I answered defiantly.
The friends looked at each other, but said nothing. And I stood, holding Focus at arm’s length, like in the pictures in the children’s books that my mother read to me, and felt like an idiot. What should we do with him next?