– Speak as if I am your property.
– Well, why so rude? You are my guest, and that means a lot.
Samira looked at us with curiosity.
I moved to the house when suddenly His Highness grabbed me in my arms.
– What are you doing? Put me on my feet! – I screamed and tried to escape from his hands.
– Do you want to hurt your legs? – He asked in a calm tone.
I clung to his neck, afraid that he would drop me, but it seems that he is in control. Crazy! He brought me into the gazebo, which was under the windows of his office (I saw her from the balcony this morning). I got to my feet, straightening my dress, when I was horrified to find that the sleeve of the prince’s shirt was saturated with a small strip of blood, in the place where he had recently touched my back. Mr. Ali first looked at his shirt and then abruptly approached me and carefully followed me.
– Nothing… I began to defend myself.
– Samira, bring a first-aid kit immediately, – a stern voice pierced the silence of the street.
– Do not worry… I myself… in the room… can handle this, – I turned to face him, and from his gaze I began to get confused in words. In less than two minutes Samira returned to us and handed the first-aid kit to her master.
– Thank you, – I smiled at Samira, realizing that she could not wait for gratitude from her master. She answered me with a modest smile, peering anxiously behind my back at Ali.
– How did you manage to get hurt? – began my interrogation, my “doctor”, who treated his hands with some kind of liquid.
– A branch … – I swallowed nervously, feeling extremely awkward at that moment. I can’t imagine whether one can be disgraced more than I am now. The Prince sighed heavily and asked me to turn away from him so that he could clearly see the wound. – Why are you doing this? I can settle everything on my own or, in extreme cases, ask Samira.
He muttered something under his breath and began to heal my wound, which is why I frowned and bit my lower lip.
– So what did you do on the tree? – he decided to change the subject and distract me a little when he finished treating my wound. – Are you really looking for ways to escape? – I did not answer, and in the meantime he began to gently apply the ointment with his long warm fingers, which caused a slight trembling in my spine. – All is ready. – He barely audibly informed me, bending so close to my ear that I felt his hot breath with my neck.
– Th… thanks, – I said, stammering, and sat on a bench covered with soft pillows.
– Before going to bed, you will need to process it again. – I nodded, hiding my eyes from him. – So there with the tree. I’m right? – He added cheerfully, and I broke out, evil eyes flashing in his direction. – Wow! I’m really right. You are an amazing girl! Warlike, although at first glance this cannot be said.
I took a deep breath and dropped my shoulders wearily.
– My name means “peace”, but… my mother always said that I was the exact opposite of my name. – I don’t know why I decided to talk about it, but Mr. Ali listened carefully to me.
– I brought iced tea and a sweet cake, – Samira told us. I didn’t notice how she came. – Anything else you want? – She put in front of us a carafe, glasses and a plate with a cake, and taking a tray, she stood in front of her master, her head down.
– Not. You can pick up the first-aid kit and go to rest. And further. Miss will need to wash the wound before going to bed. Help her. For the rest, I’ll let you know when you need it.
– As you order. – She bowed and left quietly, and Mr. Ali himself began pouring tea into glasses.
– Thank you – I thanked, taking the glass from my hands.
– The third “thank you” for the day. This is progress.
– Are you intentionally trying to piss me off? – I asked, looking at him point-blank from bottom to top.
– Not. – He smiled and sat across from me. – Everything happens on its own. Samira said that you eat almost nothing, should I follow these?
– Do you feed me for slaughter?
– Do you question every word of your interlocutor and are looking for a trick, or does this only apply to me?
– I generally trust very few people, and… in most cases it turns out that this is not in vain.
– Well … – he hesitated, – that makes some sense, but …, – he caught my eye and looked at me with a serious expression on his face – you can trust me.
For an instant, an innocent smile lit up his face.
– I doubt. – I took a sip of refreshing tea, which I really needed. – True, you have nothing to do but get me?
– Am I getting you? – He raised an eyebrow in surprise, assuming an offended look.
– Yes. And I know, now you will say that this happens on its own.
– Horrible! I’m still so predictable. – For the first time in all the time spent here, I wanted to sincerely laugh, which I did, and the prince smiled back. – Laughter is as good for you as growl.
There was something in his gaze that confused me.
– I think there are enough walks for today. – I finished the tea in one gulp and got to my feet. – Thanks again.
He nodded and followed me.
– I will take you to your room; you are still barefoot.
I followed his gaze and realized that it was really still without shoes.
– Don’t try to pick me up again! – I looked at his bloodied shirt and felt uneasy. It’s always like this. You try to deliver as little inconvenience as possible, but it turns out exactly the opposite.
– And there was no thought. He assumed an insulted look and held out his hands in a defensive gesture. – After you. – Mr. Ali politely showed me the way out of the gazebo. – How do you like the house? Does everything suit you?
– To me? – I did not hide my surprise. We walked with him hand in hand.
– Yes, to you. Is the bed comfortable, is the room temperature comfortable?
– I think so, but… it would be better if I were now lying in my bed in my room.
He did not answer, but in the meantime we went to my room.
– See you at dinner. At seven. – I nodded my head, disappeared behind the door and, despite the aching pain, pressed my back to it.
It was a terrible day, and I urgently need to take a shower to wash off all the dirt from myself, and from my thoughts a nascent sympathy for the prince. We will not be friends until I find out what is happening here.
CHAPTER 10
Before our dinner ended, which we spent in almost complete silence, I immediately wanted to sleep. The next morning I decided to go to the rest room. I need to find out what is happening in the world. Inside me was the hope that they were looking for me. Samira explained how I could find the room I needed (fortunately, she was on the same floor as my bedroom), and I went to wander these cold, wide, soulless corridors when I suddenly saw that Ali was approaching me together with an elderly man in a strict business suit. I quickly looked