Aleksei had been given his own knife. He glanced at himself in a mirror, feeling even happier. Something about the knife made him feel even more masculine. Sure, there was a clear difference in this world, but it was nothing when Aleksei considered what he felt like when they placed a ceremonial flower crown on his head.
He felt the deep pain back then. But now, as he was accepted for who he truly was, he felt a deep happiness grow. If he were asked to explain it, he wouldn’t be able to give words for it. But now, he knew he was accepted for who he was.
“I am Aleksei,” he murmured to himself. “Blessed by Orthanik.”
He grinned, feeling a little guilty. But as he prepared for his lessons with Ildihor, he found that he cared less and less.
He found Ildihor in the center of a room where there were multiple targets on one side of the room. The training room. Aleksei couldn’t help but skip into the room as he noted Tylvielle and Cavrielle watching on the sidelines.
“Welcome,” Ildihor said. “First, we are going to have a knife fight so I know just exactly where you are. Do not worry about anything other than showing me what you got.”
Aleksei nodded. He took the knife and he blocked Ildihor several times. He remembered when he used to play as Prince Aleksei with Tarvos. This time, it felt more real. He–in all technical terms–had become Prince Aleksei. Although he tried not to think about it.
After a few moments, Ildihor disarmed him. Ildihor sheathed his own knife. “You have some skills, but if you were in a fight, it would go badly. Are you sure you want to go looking for clothes?”
“Please?” Cavrielle said. “We want to spend some time with our new brother and introduce him to the city.”
“I would be honored, but I know it’s a risk,” Aleksei said. “I have you three to defend me if nothing else. Can we have some guards come with us? And I know it’s not a big deal to you three, but having the right clothes changes how I feel about myself.”
Ildihor nodded. “Perhaps Sandhor and Asrielle could come with as well. That way, there are five of us plus you. I still feel a little uncomfortable. If there were six of us. Maybe Salvielle could come too?”
“Yes,” Tylvielle’s smile widened. “We can all get a new wardrobe for the feast.”
Aleksei grimaced. “Ildihor, are you sure it’s a good idea? You seem to know something I don’t.”
“Word has it there are revolutionaries here. No one knows who they are. Chances are, they wouldn’t be too happy about you being here. Nevertheless, if there are six of us, it would give us a strong advantage. Two sets of three, if you will.”
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