38 Chapter 30 (1/2)
Zarkin left early in the morning.
To make the time pass faster, Kalena asked people about the war in Madegald, but they only repeated what she heard at Gesha's house, or they knew even less. For now, the actions of the new emperor remained secret.
After two days, the boy returned. Alone.
”She disappeared!” He shouted. ”She just left a letter and gone!”
”Maybe she came home?” the girl tried to comfort him. ”Can I see this letter?”
He nodded and handed her a crumpled note without a word. Kalena developed it and began reading.
Zarkin, I'm so sorry.
I had no right to raise my hand on you. I did it under the influence of nerves and now I regret it. I know you had good intentions when trying to help me reconcile with my family. And it's not your fault that it failed.
I don't want to be a burden that you want to get rid of as soon as possible. I know that after the words that fell between us, I cannot count on your forgiveness. Also, loneliness opened my eyes to a few things related to my life. It would be best if I leave before you come back and sell me at the slave market.
Mei
It was hard to read to the end because the last paragraphs were written very carelessly, as if in a hurry. Kalena looked at Zarkin, then at the message again.
”You have to look for her! She couldn't dissolve in the air.”
”You know what…?” The boy rubbed his face with his hand.
”What?” She asked impatiently.
”Let it go. Let's not look for her.”
”You're acting like an offended child again! She loved you!”
”And what about it?” He asked and smirked. ”Galaspiael loved you too.”
”Don't change the subject! You said yourself that our relationship would not make sense. And by the way, it's a completely different situation!”
Zarkin leaned against the wall and sighed heavily.
”Is it? I see no difference.”
”You have to be blind not to see it!”
”Maybe I'm blind,” he said. ”I feel I've always been blind to feelings. My mother once told me that I am an empty shell that would never be able to love anyone. She was right. All of this is too much, it suddenly blows at you, although you don't need it. It annoys me that I don't know what to think.”
”Then go and look for her,” she said, ”Galaspiael will probably be able to organize a replacement if I have to go on.”
In response, he pursed his lips and turned his back on her.
”How many times should I tell you that I will not look for her?! She left me, it's her decision... by the way, do you know how much more we have to sit here?” changed the subject.”
”No news from Kagolania has come so far.”
”And isn't this Okiani getting angry that he must still host us?”
”Not at all.”
Zarkin fell silent and followed Kalena reluctantly. He did not want to go back to the quiet room, where his thoughts would only revolve around Mei's farewell letter, so Kalena walked with him aimlessly, until they finally stopped, and he sniffed and looked towards the building, from which the smell of sweet alcohol came from.
”Do you want some broken heart medicine?” She picked up.
”I don't have a broken heart.”
”But don't pretend you don't have a heart at all. Let's go. We haven't even spent half of what Galaspiael gave us.”
”If we would still get money for being here... why not?”
In this place a lot of drinks were sold – both alcoholic and also soft ones, perfect just for quenching thirst. Kalena was completely ignorant, but Zarkin seemed to be well versed in everything.
”Do you have Nirimu?” He asked, glancing at the man arranging the various bottles in one straight line.
”Children are not allowed to drink Nirimu,” the man grunted.
”I am fifteen years old, I am an adult for long. Do you have it or not?”
”It's gone.”