Moonlight streamed across the terrace, shrouding their figures in a silvery haze. The air was cool, smelling of night flowers and distant smoke from the city's chimneys.
In response to her question, Saigo merely shook his head and settled into a nearby lounge chair. His movements were economical, like a predator choosing its position.
"What did you want to talk about?" His voice was even, indifferent, like the surface of a night lake on a windless day.
"About many things," Katarina replied, and the words hung in the air, filled with an awkward silence. She caught her breath, feeling it falter under his impenetrable gaze. "About many things..." she repeated, starting hesitantly, "But first, tell me: how do you like it here?"
Saigo turned his face to her. The moonlight slid over his white hair, highlighted his sharp cheekbones, and made his glowing green pupils even more piercing.
"A cage, even a golden one, is still a cage," he said simply. "By the way, when am I being released?"
Katarina hesitated slightly, her fingers gripping the edge of the lounger.
"That's... a complicated question. Just understand, your future... appointment... requires some formalities. I still..."
"I haven't agreed yet," Saigo finished for her.
"That's exactly why I'm not letting you out!" A note of irritation broke through in her voice, immediately suppressed. "Your appearance in the city will cause a furor, and considering the number of your portraits they showed to everyone while searching for you... even the last stray dog will recognize your face."
"And?"
"Are you a fool if you don't understand!" Katarina rose slightly. "Every word, gesture, glance of yours will be under a hundred watchful eyes. Recorded and evaluated. And if..." She abruptly fell silent, pursing her lips. "If you dare refuse me publicly... If you show even a shadow of contempt..."
"I understand," said Saigo, intercepting her thought." What if I promise to move around stealthily? In disguise.
The idea made Katarina ponder for a moment.
"An interesting thought... But you, dear..." she involuntarily reached out to ruffle his snow-white hair, but he sharply pulled away, as from the touch of red-hot iron. "...have too distinctive an appearance. Those eyes... That hair..."
"That can be fixed," he cut her off. 'The eyes can be hidden with lenses. The hair can be hidden, cut, or dyed. I have no scars or other noticeable features. Clothing is the least of the problems.'
"And why do you need to go to the city?" she asked, squinting.
"And why do you need to go anywhere?" he parried. "You could spend your whole life in the palace and nothing around you would change."
Katarina hesitated.
"Well... Space... Nature... And new places... People..." Her excuses sounded weak even to her own ears.
"There, you've answered my question," Saigo nodded, and there was something akin to condescension in his tone.
She sighed, as if resigning herself.
"But the disguise... I will select it for you personally." Her finger slid along his arm from wrist to elbow. Saigo didn't flinch, only nodded again. "And one more thing," – added Katarina, her voice hardening. "The tracking runes. Two of them, on a pendant and on your clothes".
Saigo looked her straight in the eyes. The pause lasted a second, then another. He knew: refusing was useless. Her knowing his location wouldn't interfere with his plans, but it would give her the illusion of control.
"Accepted."
"Well then..." Katarina straightened her shoulders, a familiar spark of excitement flashing in her eyes. "...let's start the campaign for your popularization! The people need to see their future emperor in all his glory!"
Saigo was slightly taken aback.
"What the hell? Do you think the future emperor should be a jester, boasting about a pile of loud deeds on his shoulders?" He twirled his finger near his temple. "Katarina, I don't want to disappoint you, but I am a killer. If the people find out even a fraction of what I've really done... they'll hang me, and you along with me, head down from the nearest oak tree, and light a fire underneath."
"Hee-hee, and we'll both just warm ourselves..." she laughed with a note of amusement. "So, we need new deeds. Clean, shiny, and heroic. I'll think about it for now, but you keep it in mind... She paused, looking at him appraisingly." And also, I want to give you... a task.
"Now this is more interesting," a sharp interest flickered in his eyes.
"Linsy and Akno. As the investigation has proven, they are guilty of falsifying the trial results and breaking the rules. The punishment for both offenses is death."
"And?"
"And that's too boring," Katarina waved her hand, as if swatting away a pesky fly. "I'll be direct: I don't care about either of them. Their property is already under imperial management and will soon be confiscated permanently. But what to do with them... you will decide!"
Saigo frowned.
"Why do you need that?"
"I want to see what you choose," her smile became predatory. "But remember: the first will share the fate of the second and vice versa. Whatever you decide for one, the same will happen to the other." She leaned closer. "Don't disappoint me..."
"Can I meet with them?" he asked without hesitation.
"Yes. I will warn the guards in the dungeon... and provide you with a carriage." She stood up, feeling a strange satisfaction from his businesslike reaction.
She had already taken a step towards the terrace exit when his voice stopped her, sharp and demanding:
"Katarina. I'll ask directly. Why are you doing all this? What game are you playing?"
She froze. Then she turned around sharply. Something elusive flashed across her face – confusion, annoyance, excitement?
"I..." she fussed, like a girl caught misbehaving. And suddenly she ran over, plopped down next to him on the lounger, and grabbed his hand with both of hers. Her fingers were surprisingly strong. "I want! I want love! Big, strong love! And forever!"
Saigo tried to free himself, but she squeezed his hand even tighter.
"We're going in circles again..." he whispered, weariness evident in his voice.
"Sometimes a man is too good to leave him with just one girl!" she blurted out defiantly. "By the way, since you asked yourself... can you tell me about your beloved? What is she like?"
"No." The answer was firm, like granite, like the steel of a blade. "I won't involve Mari in this circus for sure."
"Meanie," Katarina pouted, but didn't let go of his hand. "Well, do you have any children?"
"No." He already anticipated the next question and it was better to cut off unnecessary speculation immediately.
"Why not?" she insisted, her curiosity genuine.
"No time," he replied dryly.
"What does that mean?" she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I'm sure you'd have more than enough servants to care for an infant!"
"Then what's the point of having a child and not raising it yourself?" His voice remained even, but an unusual sharpness appeared in it. "A child needs to be taught. The active phase – when they already understand something – starts around the age of four. And with each year, more effort, attention, and personal time needs to be invested in them. I can't afford that. I have... work." He paused. "And a wife? – There are things that only a father, meaning only me, can impart."
Katarina looked at him with wide eyes, her lips slightly parted, and her grip on his hand loosened.
"How... responsible you are..." she whispered, her speech devoid of any irony. Only sincere, almost breathless, surprise.
Saigo merely raised an eyebrow.
"Is that all?"
"No!" replied Katarina, but her fingers didn't loosen their grip. On the contrary, she pressed his hand even tighter against herself. "Could you let go of my hand?" his voice remained icy.
"No, I don't want to!" her reply was capricious, but her eyes held a challenge.
"Gods witness, I didn't want to..." Saigo clenched the fist of his free hand, the muscles of his forearm tensing like cables, but he suddenly stopped short. His gaze fell on the hand with which she was holding him. "Your hand..." he began.
"Yes, it's mine," Katarina interrupted, slightly raising it. The moonlight silvered her skin, making it almost porcelain-like. "The very one you... tore off. Is that what you want to ask?"
"Yes," Saigo answered shortly.
"No," she shook her head. "This one is, you could say, new. But you know..." her voice suddenly became quieter, more vulnerable, "...how much it hurt me when you did that?" She moved right up close to him. Her lips almost touched his cheek, her breath was warm and rapid. "Promise... you won't do that again. Or I'll get offended. Seriously."
Saigo didn't pull away; on the contrary, his green eyes, glowing in the semi-darkness, were impenetrable.
"I'll judge by your behavior."
She finally unclenched her fingers, releasing his hand, as if letting go of a caught but too prickly bird." Alright, I'm going to bed. Are you coming?"
"Yes."
"Then maybe...?" hope rang in her voice again.
"No. We will not sleep together."
"You're such a spoilsport!" said Katarina, puffing out her lips again.
"Look who's talking..."
"Oh, well, never mind... Until tomorrow." She stood up, straightened her dress. "Good night, dear!" she called out to his figure, already turning back towards the city.