- Leave us.

  After some time, the owner of the castle decided to try his luck again. Taught by experience, this time, before entering, he not only knocked, but also waited for permission. True, this did not affect his mood in any way. As soon as the man crossed the threshold of my room, he immediately demanded that the maid leave, leaving us alone.

  - Mr. Ader... you understand... you can't do that...

   Shriveling and throwing a frightened glance in my direction, Ulya, stammering, tried to hint that it was somewhat indecent for an unmarried girl to be alone with a man who is not a relative, but was rudely interrupted.

  - Go away.

  Hearing a menacing shout in her direction, the girl rushed headlong out of my bedroom. I, putting the spoon aside, looked inquiringly at my guest.

  - Good afternoon. Could you introduce yourself and at the same time explain why you kicked out my maid?

  I was sitting on the bed, leaning on the pillows, covered with a blanket, in a shirt with long sleeves and ties to the very neck, with loose, combed, but still damp hair, and in front of me was a small bed table with my dinner. Because of the latter, with all my desire, I would not have been able to stand up to greet an unexpected guest. Who exactly came to me, I myself guessed. But still I would like to hear the name of the one who saved me and is the owner of this castle from himself. I doubt that in this world, it is customary to communicate with strangers. Especially in such an intimate setting.

   “I am the master of Durshars, banneret Ader Ok'Tharner. And he kicked out the maid, because we need to talk, at the same time, preferably in private.

  I did not like the beginning of our conversation at all, as well as the resolute appearance of my interlocutor. But, despite the fact that I was wary internally, outwardly I tried to look as friendly as possible and even smiled.  

  - So you saved me? - The answer was a nod confirming my words. - I am very pleased to meet you. And I'm also glad that I can express my gratitude to you personally. But, I'm sorry I can't introduce myself. As you probably already know, despite the fact that I feel much better, I still have memory problems.

  - Yes, Guida told me about it.

  Despite the displeasure that flashed in the man's eyes, I immediately asked what interested me at the moment in the first place.

  - Tell me, please, did you manage to find out something about me? Who am I and where? Or who were my escorts? Anything?

   Asking questions, I did not take my eyes off the man. The fact that he is tall and strong, athletic, noticed even when Ader was training in the yard. Now I have the opportunity to see his face. Ok'Tarner was not handsome in the usual sense of the word. Dark thick brows were constantly furrowed. My eyes were narrowed, which made it seem that the banneret suspected me of all mortal sins. The nose was like the beak of a bird of prey. Thin lips are resolutely and irreconcilably compressed. The general unfriendly appearance was somewhat softened by a mustache and a small beard. And if the latter were almost black, then the hair had a chestnut tint rather than black. I have never liked men with long hair. I myself prefer to wear short hair. At the owner of the castle, they were shoulder-length and gathered at the back into a tail. Well, this, I'll tell you, for an amateur. And yes, at first glance, a man could be given twenty-eight or thirty years old. Although, if he is shaved and cut properly, then perhaps he will turn out to be younger. At the same time, I must admit that this warrior was surrounded by an aura of strength and power, which, not only frightened, but still kept me in suspense.  

  - No.

   Judging by the irritated voice, Ok'Tharner himself was dissatisfied with his answer, what to speak of me then. Still, I would like to know the full alignment in which I found myself. Even if everything is bad, it is bad to know about it in advance. The unknown, in any case, as for me, is much worse. That is why I never understood the saying that the less you know, the better you sleep. Since in this case you can not wake up. Or wake up in a place that no one will see. Although, if you think about it, isn't that what happened to me? Here's the same thing.

    - All we could determine was that you were traveling from the temple monastery.

   - From the monastery?

    Not quite understanding what was at stake, I clarified the moment that the question aroused in me.

    - Yes. You were wearing a novice's dress.

   This unexpected fact took me by surprise.

  Are you saying that I was a nun?

  "No," Ok'Tarner immediately dismissed my version. - Not a single family would give the owner of the gift to the temple. Most likely, you studied at a monastery or in a closed temple boarding school. And as soon as you reached marriageable age, you were immediately called home.

   Reached marriageable age? I immediately remembered the reflection of a teenager in the mirror. Yes, this girl is still three years old, or even all four, before marriageable age. Although, who knows the rules of this world. But in any case, in the coming years, I was not going to get married under any circumstances. Therefore, I will hope that the banneret was mistaken.

   - And just about the latter I was going to talk to you.

  Hearing the unexpected continuation, I almost choked on the air. Only this was not enough for me. Meanwhile, my interlocutor, frowning more and more, continued his speech.

   “After the recent incident, as a noble lier, I must...

  One moment was enough for me to understand what exactly the owner of the castle was going to tell me, and that is why I immediately interrupted him.

  - What are you talking about? I think you are confusing something. There was no incident. You came to me, but I was busy and could not pay attention to you. Realizing this, you immediately left and came again a little later. All. There is nothing more to talk about here.

I saw a flash of relief on the man's face and realized that he himself did not burn with the desire to tie the knot. At least with me. Well, yes. Why does a grown man need yesterday's child as his wife? Is it possible to play with dolls or become a daddy. I admit that there are those who like teenagers. But, apparently, the banneret was not one of them. That is great. But before I had time to rejoice at the unexpected fact, I saw stubbornly clenched fists. Apparently, someone is too noble to take advantage of the loophole provided to him. And the next words of Ader confirmed my guess.

  - You simply do not understand the gravity of the situation because of your condition and memory loss.

 But I interrupted my guest again, without listening to him to the end.

  - I understand everything well. And so I repeat once again, I have no claims against you. When you entered, I was wrapped in thick cloth from ear to toe. So you didn't see anything anyway. Yes, I am now in front of you in a more undressed form than I was then. But that doesn't bother you. So I repeat, there was no incident. Forget everything. Just in the future, please knock before entering.

    - As you say.

  - That's great, - nodding satisfied, I calmly continued our conversation. - And now, since we have come to a mutual agreement on this issue, please call my maid. I hope you, like me, do not want to give rise to gossip.

  - Of course not.

   And so Ok'Tarner personally opens the door and lets Ulya into the bedroom. Taking a quick look around the room, the girl let out a sigh of relief. I, as serenely and calmly as possible, continued our communication. And then you never know who there may still be near the door.

    - Thank you for your concern, banneret. I don't even know what I would do without your help. But still, let me ask you a little request.

  Before I could finish my sentence, Ok'Tharner was already scanning me with a suspicious look that almost screamed that he knew how it would all end, and that he would still have to pay for his carelessness.

  - And what do you want?

  The voice of my interlocutor could freeze the mouth of an active volcano, but I only smiled broadly at him.

    - Books. On geography, history and political situation in the world.

 A moment ago, Ader's squinted eyes suddenly opened wide. It's amazing how his mouth remained closed.

  - Books?

  - Yes.

 - For what?

    I saw that the man honestly did not understand my request. So he had to explain.

  I don't remember anything about the world around me. No who I am, no where I am, no laws, no traditions, no rules accepted in society. Nothing. Absolutely. You can get all this knowledge from books. In addition, one should not exclude the possibility that, having met a familiar name or the name of a place, I will remember something, or it will cause associations that will push me to a speedy recovery. So can you give me something to read?

   The man thought about my question for only a moment and immediately nodded in agreement.

  - Fine. Dam. As soon as you finish dinner, send your maid to me. The necessary books will be prepared for you. And if you manage to remember something, then immediately be sure to let me know about it. And now I have to leave, because I have a lot to do. Bon appetit and don't overexert yourself. As far as I know, Guida advised you to rest as much as possible.

  Nodding goodbye, Ok'Tharner even smiled slightly at me before closing the door behind him. Well, at least one threat managed to be taken aside. I hope that in the future I will also lead.

    In such a rosy mood, I continued the dinner, but they still didn’t let me finish it calmly. In less than ten minutes, there was another loud knock on the door and, without waiting for an answer, another guest burst into my room. Or rather, a guest. Directly not a personal bedroom, but some kind of passage yard.