- I will always be on the side of my daughter, I will do everything to protect her. - Horel cried out in outrage, but then drooped again from the realization of his helplessness and Lillian’s last words in his head that she would kill Thea with her own hands.

Why did he put these words on the brakes at that moment, why did he not attach due importance to it?

- Then do what you can. – Rick finally handed the ring to the king, watching him put it on his little finger. – And also, if you ever take off this ring, you will lose your powers forever.

Horel froze in shock.

- The phantom of your spouse is sealed in this ring, to which your magic flows are again tied, but if you break this connection by removing the ring, you will not be able to restore them anymore. The count explained and the king nodded.

At the same moment, as soon as the ring tightly encircled the king’s little finger, he felt warmth and a soft tingling under the skin spread through his body, and as if wanting to test his theory, Horel took out a magic wand and pointed its tip at the middle of the room.

A thin blue trickle of magic flowed out of the tip of the wand, hitting the marble floor and scattering in waves to the sides, enveloping the entire floor and walls as if with water, going beyond the room.

Rick’s sharp eye caught a slight tremor of the magic barrier reinforced by the king’s magic in the open window. Now it will become even more difficult to get into the castle of Marro...

- Guards! – the king barked, and the next moment Richard appeared in the open doors of the throne room with a measured, minted step, completely ignoring Rick’s crazy look.

- Richard. - The king nodded approvingly. – It’s good that you’re here, I was just thinking of sending someone for you.

Rick stood a little to the side and did not understand what was happening.

His brother was dressed in the royal tunic of Rilya, which reached to his mid-thigh, and his shoulders and chest were decorated with steel armor, sparkling from the penetrating sunlight. His legs and forearms were also decorated with armor, and in his hands he held a helmet decorated with a scarlet feather.

Richard got down on one knee in front of the king.

- Your Majesty, I thought my presence would be necessary here, given that someone has unceremoniously dared to intrude for your audience. - He gave Rick an evil look and only Rick knew that it was just acting. Or not? – Will you have him executed?

Richard stood up and unsheathed his long sword, flashing a mad smile.

- Stand down! This is my guest of honor. - The king intervened. – I needed you for another reason.

Richard turned his attention back to the king, lowering his brother’s sour expression.

- The old problem is solved. - Horel said, hinting at his magic. – But now we have a much bigger problem. Make sure that every guard and every soldier is notified that Her Majesty Queen Lilian is not allowed into the castle.

Richard frowned for a second, but then accepted the king’s order.

- It will be done, Your Majesty! – he didn’t ask unnecessary questions, so as not to attract too much attention to his disguise.

It took Richard almost two decades to create an exceptional reputation and alibi for himself when, on Raphael’s orders, he infiltrated Rilia to search for the Artemis artifact. Since then, everything in the Marro Castle has been under his close supervision. So, step by step, he was able to approach the king and took the position of head of the guard.

The king offered him the position of general of the army, but this was not part of his plans, since he did not want to fight for another king, except Raphael. In addition, if he had to be absent from the castle often, it would deprive him of the opportunity to control this place and receive the information necessary for Raphael in time.

However, now he could not get into the king’s head to understand why he had so unexpectedly decided to forbid the queen to return to the palace. He glared at his brother, hinting that they would have to talk about this in private.

Richard took his leave to spread the news of the king’s order.

- Won’t it be a problem when the queen finds out? – Rick still felt unpleasant sensations on his skin after the witch mocked him, wanting to force him to help her.

- As long as the barrier is standing, she will not be able to enter here... As long as I’m alive. - the king replied calmly, who now looked very tired, sitting in his throne chair.

It was clear that he was hard going through all the changes around him, but stoically kept his face, not allowing himself to spread out like a puddle in front of the others.

- I need to find my daughter. Do you know where she is? - Horel asked, but Rick shook his head. - Then how did you get this ring?

The last words sounded sharp, but without pressure.

- I received this from King Abion, Your Majesty. - The King winced again, but decided to omit the questions about how Rick might know the vampire king. – You don’t need to regard him as an enemy. Now you have one enemy for two.

- I haven’t decided yet that my wife is an enemy to me. - The king snapped irritably. – I have to think it over. My head is in such a mess, as if I forgot something...

Horel rubbed his temples hard, covering his eyes with his palm.

- In that case, why don’t you meet him in person? You don’t lose anything. - Rick gently prodded the king. - And perhaps this will help to establish your contacts with princess Thea.

- I’ll think about it, but leave me alone for now. - The king waved him away, feeling a burning headache.

After Rick left the throne room, where the king was indulging in universal reflections and awareness of his own life, he went to Richard, who was not so far away that he would not find him in the adjacent corridor, leaning against the wall and jingling steel armor.

- You never cease to amaze me. - Rick pointed out.

- Unlike you, there are people who work, and not just have fun. - Richard retorted sardonically.

- I do not dispute, but to get so close to the king ... it’s commendable! - Rick clapped his hands. – And yet I thought that as the head of the intelligence group you would be hiding in the shadows.

- The best way to stay in the shadows is to be visible. – he snapped. – So far, I’m doing pretty well.

- You can’t argue with that. - Rick shrugged and fell silent, while Richard’s lips curled.

- Do you want to tell me anything?

- Well, you’re the head of intelligence, so scout everything yourself. – Rick teased and immediately received a sobering blow to the cheekbone.

- You’re losing your grip. - Richard chuckled, grabbing his brother’s shoulder while Rick rubbed a sore spot on his face. – And so, stop pulling the cat by the tail.

- It wasn’t friendly at all. - Rick whined like a little boy. - I know no more than you do, and only that Lilial caused the loss of the magic of the royal family of Rilya. I brought the thing that helped fix it. If it wasn’t for Claire, I don’t know where we’d be right now.

- Is she all right? - Richard tensed at the mention of her name.

- Why don’t you just go check it out yourself? I think she’ll be glad to see you. – a mocking smile crept wider on Rick’s face, knowing that his brother avoids unnecessary meetings with the witch in every possible way.

Richard and Hara (aka Claire) had known each other for a very long time and Richard knew about her feelings for him, but preferred to pretend not to notice them. Hara was an open and kind woman, despite being a witch.

He liked her personality traits and her appearance. Like any witch, she was extraordinarily beautiful, but her disguise as Claire was unnecessarily vulgar. Richard couldn’t understand why she created such huge breasts for herself, or was it a way to block the complex of her own small breasts?

In any case, he couldn’t tell her that her true appearance was a delight to his eyes, otherwise she would have regarded it as a green signal for action.

He was a responsible and busy person and he didn’t have time for constant entertainment, so from time to time he interrupted himself with casual connections. It was better for him and for Hara, who could find someone who would be the best companion for her in life.

That’s just Hara thought otherwise and all the casual suitors were nothing compared to Richard, from which she was delighted, like melted cheese.

- What were you doing when we broke up in the dungeon? – Rick translated the topic.

- I’ve heard from Raphael through Skars. It was necessary to prepare a place for the portal when he decides to come here, but... but you restored the king’s strength and he strengthened the barrier.

There was condemnation in Richard’s voice, laced with a short sharp exhalation.

- And how will he get here now? - he raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

- I don’t think that will stop Raphael. I threw a fishing rod to the king so they could talk. Maybe it will work.

- Will it work? Do you remember the last time Raphael used the front entrance? - Richard smiled ironically.

- Time will tell what to guess? - Rick shrugged off the potential problems with his usual ease. – And anyway, I’m hungry. Where do you have a delicious maid here?