This time I woke up abruptly, from a loud knock, as if a wooden door had hit the wall with all its might. An ominous roar followed the impact.

  - Guida, you told me that Lea would wake up within a day. It's already the second day and still no news from you. Is she still alive at all? Or were all our efforts and expenses meaningless?

   - I did not say that she would wake up within a day. If you remember our conversation, master, then it was about the fact that within one day the fate of the lady will be decided, whether she should live or go to the holy chambers to the gods.

  - AND? What is the result?

  - Lea woke up and we were even able to talk a little.

   - What?! Why am I only now finding out about this?!

  I listened to already familiar voices, clearly beginning to understand that this is not a movie or a soap opera. And all because the voice of the woman fully corresponded to the voice of the old woman with whom I had already talked. Yes, and in principle, I was aware that the conversation was not coming from the speakers but sounded next to the bed on which I was lying. This understanding came immediately, as well as what they said about me, while clearly mistaking me for someone else. And the fact that this is not a dream, I also already guessed, since everything was too real. As a rule, in a dream, you take everything for granted. I understood the absurdity of what was happening. Yes, and the singing of a bird, as well as a warm breeze coming from the window and gently caressing my face, also hinted at the reality of what was happening. And, of course, just in case, I lightly pinched my leg, immediately feeling a slight pain, Luckily, my hands were under the covers. So yes, it was definitely not a dream. 

  - Because, having learned that all her escort and companion, to whom, apparently, the girl was strongly attached, died, she was worried and again lost consciousness.

  Girl? The fact that the old woman is about a hundred years old, I already understood. And against her background, my nearly sixty is nothing. After all, the difference is almost forty years. But calling me a girl is already nonsense. And after all, an unfamiliar man, who, judging by his voice, is about thirty, did not say anything about this, taking everything that sounded for granted. Does he think I'm a girl too?

   - Did she say her name? Did you name the genus? Or at least some kind of magic? Answer me. I have no time to bother with young, sickly creatures. Therefore, it would be better to send her home as soon as possible, to mothers, nannies, and governesses. Moreover, His Majesty may soon again call me under his banner. Artians have recently become quite insolent. I heard that they made several raids on our eastern borders. So I absolutely do not want to linger in Durchars, because of an incomprehensible person. 

  Young? Artians? Magic? What are they even talking about? Am I in a crazy or some cult? I remember that in their first conversation, they discussed something similar. Although at that time I was not in a position to adequately perceive everything I heard. From the realization that everything is much worse than I thought before, my insides went cold. But at the same time, I was glad that I was able to hide what I had already woken up, thanks to which I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on this conversation. Whatever it was, any additional information would be useful to me. 

   So what should I do next? Judging by the sensations, today I feel much better. Weakness, though not completely, has passed. It was already easy to breathe. And yes, my throat stopped hurting. But I doubt that I will be able to move independently. This means that I will have to spend a few more days in this house in order to finally get on my feet. It remains only to develop a safe behavior technique for communicating with these people. As they say: you can’t argue with psychos and you can’t contradict them. Okay, so I'll keep smiling and agreeing with everything. Also, they are not allowed to talk about themselves. You never know, suddenly they are not only psychos but also maniacs. Although then it is not clear why they saved me and nursed me. I hope they don't need me for some kind of sacrifice or some other nasty thing like that.

   - No. Lea didn’t have time to tell me anything about herself. Yes, I didn't ask. She was still too weak and spoke with difficulty. But, since she was able to wake up, it means that the most dangerous period is over and the girl is on the mend. And if you, the owner, do not want gossip and do not want to compromise her and marry in the future, then you need to assign a companion or Lera to the mistress. She also needs a personal maid. Still, I'm not old enough to run errands for young girls. I am already silent about the fact that I need to replenish the stocks of herbs and potions. So, as soon as the girl finally comes to her senses, I will leave her chambers and go about my business.  

  - Compromise?! - Hearing an exclamation full of indignation and indignation, I hardly restrained myself from not smiling. Not that I looked bad at my age, but I doubt that a young thirty-year-old man would covet me. - Are you out of your mind? And what do you take me for, old hag? Yes, just look at her. Only a necrophile could covet this body or a necromancer. True, the latter is in a different vein. She is no different from a corpse. She lies there all day, pale and motionless. 

   - What are you, my lord? I never doubted your nobility. And I know that you would never dare to touch a girl without her consent. But others do not know about her condition and how bad everything is. They will simply know that she was in your castle alone, without guards and escorts. Also, don't forget about your enemies. Just give them a reason. They will immediately try to slander you, using foul language and inventing tall tales, in an attempt to denigrate your name. However, we do not know to which genus it belongs. And all because His Majesty favors you lately. And a lot of people don't like it.

    The longer I listened to the conversation, the more I realized what a mess I was in. It's still a sect. Although I once heard that there are people turned on different historical fantasy books. Some are called Tolkinists. They think they are hobbits, elves, or orcs. Other Martinists. The latter case is even more confusing. It seems that there are still Potterians. So I can admit that these people live in some kind of their own fictional world. It remains only to find out which one in order to try to play on this and get out of here as quickly as possible.

- If you allow me to give you advice, sir, then you will not find anyone better than Justine for the role of a companion. She will defend your honor with all her might and will not allow a single gossip that discredits your name. Since she herself has long dreamed of not only warming your bed but also being with you in the temple, swearing an oath to our gods.

   Hearing the last remark, the man chuckled loudly.

  - We all want something and dream about something, but not everything is destined to happen. But you, as always, Guida, are right. I don't think that Justine will be happy with the role of a companion, but she really will not allow rumors. Okay, I'll talk to her. And I'll send a maid. And next time, don't delay, and as soon as Lea wakes up, send to me first. An unmarried girl is really unsuitable to be alone without supervision in the house of a lonely man. Yes, I would like to know what kind it is. Despite the fact that the weather had already improved, I did not receive reports of the disappearance of someone's daughter, or even the bearer of a magical gift.

   The receding steps, and then the soft knock of the closed door, told me that the owner of the house had left. But before I had time to relax and think carefully about everything I had just heard, an old, creaky voice was heard nearby.

   - And how long are you going to pretend, lea?