***
Evelina relaxed in her chair, a smile playing on her face. She was pleased to have acquired me as an asset, and it clearly warmed her soul, although she still glanced at Catherine with a look of slight disapproval.
Meanwhile, the silence dragged on, and the quiet that hung in the room began to waste the most precious resource—time. Before I spoke, I looked at Catherine, who was sitting with a whitened face, still processing the consequences of what had happened, then at Nova, who was sitting silently, her back straight as a rod, her gaze fixed on Evelina.
"Your Highness…" I began, breaking the silence.
"Since you have signed the pact, you may address me by my name," Evelina cut me off sharply, "and that goes for the others present as well, but only when we are together." Evelina smiled coldly and added, "Etiquette above all."
I smiled at her, despite the fact that she had just branded me practically her slave. However, being her slave was not part of my mission, only necessary shackles from which I would free myself when the time came. Catherine did not share my position and sat, barely hiding her raging irritation.
"Catherine, your disapproval is becoming tiresome. Control yourself," Evelina said, her voice dropping to a cool, dismissive tone.
Catherine swallowed at the unexpected question, but after a few moments, she gathered her strength and replied, "Your… forgive me for breaking formalism…" Catherine hesitated. "In short… Lady Evelina, I am very afraid for Arta's life. I don't want her to die because of me."
Evelina sighed.
"I thought we were done with the topic of blood pacts," she said, slightly annoyed. "If you think you'll talk, then prepare for Arta to die. Those are the rules of a blood pact."
Catherine lowered her eyes, giving the impression that the threat of her own death motivated her to keep her mouth shut more than her position as a third party in the pact.
Realizing the conversation was not going in the direction I wanted, I addressed Evelina.
"Since I have signed the blood pact and there is more trust between us, may I ask that you share some of your plans?" I asked, looking her in the eye.
Evelina shifted her gaze to me, then placed both hands on the armrests of her chair, as if trying on how she would sit on the royal throne.
"Of course, you may ask. After all, without it, you will be absolutely useless in my plans," she smiled coldly.
Evelina was about to begin when Nova interrupted her.
"I assume the conversation will be about matters I am already aware of?" Nova asked, staring at Evelina as if drawn by a magnet.
"Of course, you are aware, but please be so kind as to come by this evening. We need to discuss a matter with the Ice Snake before she leaves."
Nova frowned.
"And Arta won't be at this conversation?" she asked, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
"No, Nova," Evelina replied coldly, "the fact that Arta is my mage-guardian does not mean I must involve her in all matters of the kingdom."
Nova was about to open her mouth to ask another question, but Evelina stopped her with a gesture of her hand.
"Nova, go to Ren. Talk to her while Frederik and Terren are busy with other matters."
"Alright, thank you," Nova reported quickly, hearing Ren's name. She stood up quickly and headed for the door, but before leaving, she glanced at Catherine and me, then opened the door and left the sitting room.
Once she was sure Nova had left, Evelina turned her gaze back to us.
"I hope you understand why I will not involve you in all matters, despite the blood pact?" Evelina asked, addressing Catherine and me.
I nodded, and Catherine shook her head.
Evelina smiled irritably.
"Catherine, although the pact guarantees loyalty, some matters contain secret information that I cannot disclose to you, because after the blood pact ends, who will guarantee that you will not talk?"
Hearing Evelina's answer, Catherine nodded in understanding, and Evelina, seeing her reaction, smiled more gently.
"Then let's begin our conversation." Evelina paused. "As you can see, these are not the best of times for the Academy of Duality. Tomorrow, Geranira Evenclod will leave her post," Evelina said, after which Catherine gasped audibly, as she was not yet aware of this news. "There is no need to be surprised by this. Such changes have been brewing in our kingdom for a long time," Evelina replied, looking at Catherine's reaction. "Believe me, what is happening at the Academy of Duality is only a superficial effect of the major events taking place in Valtheim." Evelina stopped again.
"Evelina…" Catherine began uncertainly. "I assume you won't allow the rules of the Academy to be changed?"
Evelina frowned calculatingly.
"Of course, I will not allow it to happen, but you and Artalis are only in your first year at the academy, and I am in my third. As soon as I finish my fourth year, there will be no question of maintaining the academy's status as an institution that cultivates exceptional skills in the women of the kingdom." Evelina raised her eyes to the ceiling, as if imagining the future of the academy she was describing.
It was ironic to hear her talk about the exceptional skills of women and how the academy cultivates them. It would seem that from the walls of an elite academy should emerge women of various skills and abilities, but most of them are prepared only for marriage, in which they will be the eyes and ears of a matriarchal dynasty.
"So the academy is doomed to fall into oblivion?" Catherine asked uncertainly.
"Yes, it is inevitable. The patriarchal circles of Valtheim have chosen my brother to change the state of affairs in our country. These idiots believe that we must return to the system of power that existed under the first king and forget the sacrifices our country has made." Evelina gripped the armrests of her chair even tighter. "Education, the status of women, and many other issues will be put on the chopping block if they come to power."
"So will the academy be closed, or will it be left with a different type of education?" I asked, to understand the trajectory of future events.
"Most likely, it will be closed, but I cannot rule out the fact that they might just change the structure of education," Evelina replied coldly.
I decided to provoke her a little by asking the next question. I was interested to see how she would extricate herself from her hypocrisy in the face of the facts.
"You know, Evelina, I always thought the Academy was very conveniently arranged. A girl enters here at sixteen or seventeen and graduates either at the age of majority or at twenty-one, and then gets married. Why would the patriarchal circles want to change this tradition? It's an ideal incubator for brides."
Evelina frowned; she was clearly not prepared to answer this question.
"Artalis, you ask very strange questions. Do you really think the academy supports the interests of men?"
"I certainly don't think so, but it seemed to me that this system was designed taking into account the patriarchal traditions of Valtheim."
"That's not true. The academy aims to educate women so they can choose who they want to be and always put duty above personal interests. Our girls are like the twin queens and are ready to continue their sacrificial path," Evelina replied irritably, as if from a textbook, which once again confirmed my thoughts about the hypocrisy of this institution.
"In that case, I apologize," I said, bowing my head. "Next time, I will try not to ask such questions."
Evelina, seeing her "victory," smiled as if she had won a difficult duel, although our conversation was a mere trifle.
"So, will the academy be closed or not?" Catherine asked uncertainly. "It would be very unfair to close an institution that has existed for several centuries. She…"
"Justice has nothing to do with it," I interrupted Catherine, so she wouldn't develop this topic further. "The mechanisms of the state are not always just, but they are necessary for the common good," I added, playing along with Evelina slightly.
Evelina, hearing my words, smiled contentedly.
"Yes, Artalis, exactly." She paused. "But I wouldn't be me if I didn't offer you an alternative that, in my opinion, is much better and does not depend on the fate of the Academy."
Catherine leaned forward, her eyes shining with excitement.
"What alternative?"
"First, we need to accelerate your studies. If you agree to intensify the process, I can arrange for your transfer to a higher course next semester. This will allow you to complete the main program in three years instead of four."
"And what then?" Catherine persisted, still clinging to the Academy of Duality.
"Perhaps you have heard of the Royal Academy of Court Mages of Valtheim—Arcane's Blessing? Both men and women study there, but the number of places is extremely limited. You will be able to enter directly into the fourth year, study for another two years, and receive the official right to work at court or even teach magic, if you are interested in that."
The opportunity to teach magic to ordinary students was not within my interests, but I had another question that interested me much more.
"Will it only be Catherine and I who go to study?" I asked, and then immediately added another question that was more logical for this initiative: "And what about the tuition fees? Are you prepared to cover all the expenses?"
"No, it won't just be you and Catherine who go to study. I said that I take care of those who serve me." Evelina paused. "The three of you—you, Catherine, and Nova—are guaranteed places, provided you pass all the exams. As for Ren, it's a bit more complicated because of her parents, who are in the Anix Empire." She paused. "In any case, that's not your concern, and I will resolve it myself."
Hearing Evelina's answer, Catherine lit up with enthusiasm:
"Even Arta will have something to learn from the best mages in the kingdom!" She looked at me cheerfully. "Just imagine the opportunities that await us there!"
"Opportunities…" I drew out the word, pretending to think. "I suppose there will indeed be something to learn there," I lied, knowing that I would never be taught anything there.
This whole conversation with Evelina had revealed absolutely nothing to me. To her, we were just convenient "girls" who were talented enough, but not independent enough. I suppose the only thing I could gain from this situation was that I would continue to be with Nova and Ren. Perhaps, by joining their ranks as a "friend," I could finally sever the pernicious influence of their relationship on the universe.
I was about to ask another question when the Ice Snake emerged from the study with a sealed parchment in her hands. Evelina, noticing her, looked at Catherine and me.
"I'm sorry, but our audience is over," she smiled. "Unfortunately, time is too precious a resource, but we will definitely talk again." Evelina watched as we rose from the sofa and added, "And yes, don't forget that there are no classes at the academy today."
Hearing her final remark, we bowed slightly, left her chambers, and headed to the second floor, to our shared room. The entire way, Catherine was not herself. She was silent and showed no emotion, as if this whole conversation with Evelina had left an indelible wound on her soul, and she did not know how to live now.
***
We entered our room. Everything was as it always was: made beds, textbooks neatly arranged on the desks, and a window through which the spires of the academy could be seen, as well as the royal soldiers dutifully standing guard at their designated posts. It was obvious that the academy was changing, even though everything still seemed the same.
Catherine went to her bed and sat neatly on the edge, while I went to the mirror to look at my still disheveled appearance, which was saved only by the braid I had made in the infirmary.
While I stood at the mirror, Catherine watched me silently the entire time, but finally, she couldn't take it anymore and spoke.
"Arta, tell me, why did you get involved in this? Don't you realize that if I talk, you'll die?" she said in an undertone.
I shifted my gaze to her, trying to look slightly tired after the recent events.
"Why did I get involved?" I asked myself in an undertone, so she would think I was confused. "I came to Valtheim to change something for myself, and Evelina is putting a stop to that with her own hands." I came closer to her. "Do you have any idea what this means to me?" I asked her, not hoping that she would ever be able to understand me.
"Of course, I don't understand what it means to you, Arta!" Catherine snapped. "How can I possibly understand you if you don't tell me anything? You're a mystery, Arta, do you understand that? All I know about you is that you're a smart, slightly arrogant student who came from Tarvar," Catherine finished and looked at me defiantly.
"I'm afraid some of the problems with my behavior are related to my birth in the Tarvarian Empire, about which you know practically nothing," I replied calmly, her reaction being too predictable for me.
"Rest assured, Arta, I will study everything about your homeland. Don't underestimate me," Catherine replied. "In any case, the situation with your homeland won't explain to me why you refused my blood pact and made me look like a fool in front of Evelina!" Catherine attacked me again.
"Oh," I began ironically. "Do you even understand what a pact is and why they must be honored?" I shook my head. "Think about it in your spare time. And another thing, Catherine, I don't want to take risks and discuss Evelina unnecessarily, especially in a negative light. The blood pact is in effect, and I need to be careful," I added, so she would have at least a little understanding.
"I understand perfectly well what pacts are, and that Evelina changed it unilaterally," Catherine replied, lowering her eyes. "But, Arta, please understand, I don't want your life to be in danger, especially from a carelessly spoken word of mine." She looked up at me, and her eyes were full of hidden anxiety.
"I understand you perfectly," I replied calmly. "But you must also understand that in this case, your free will is much more valuable than the chains in which we both could have found ourselves." I feigned a half-smile. "You know, if something goes wrong, at least you'll be able to get me out of it."
A deep sense of understanding was reflected on Catherine's face.
"So you think I can save you in case she…" she said the next word uncertainly, "goes too far?"
"Yes," I nodded. "And understand this, Catherine: you are the only person in the academy I can rely on."
"Oh, don't start!" she smiled. "You know I'm your friend, and I'm ready to do anything for friends. And you're not just a friend, Arta, you're my best friend, to whom I owe my life."
"And you don't start," I smiled back at her deliberately. "I made you a prosthesis and am teaching you not so you feel indebted to me," I replied calmly, so she would understand my position. "Real friends help each other in difficult situations, right?" I asked her, hinting at my mission.
"Of course, Arta, you're right," she smiled again. "In any case, remember that you can trust me, and I'll try not to let you down!"
"Thank you," I nodded approvingly. "Well, now that we have a day off, I suggest we dedicate it to sword fencing practice. You need to get stronger."
"Do you really think I'll become an excellent fencer?" she asked uncertainly, looking me in the eye.
"Of course, you're strong-willed and capable. If I weren't sure of you, I wouldn't have suggested such training," I replied calmly, completely confident in her ability to learn.
"Is that so…" she replied thoughtfully, then stood up from the bed. "Then I'm ready right now." She came closer to me and suddenly changed the subject, whispering, "Arta, there's one more thing I wanted to ask: what's with this goddess of fertility? What did she want, and why did she heal you?"
Treading this territory was risky, and any conspiracies against Chaotic Light could potentially end badly for both me and her, so I answered in a way that would steer us away from this unpleasant conversation.
"I don't know, Catherine, but it's better to be cautious. Goddesses can have their own plans, which they call divine providence."
Catherine flinched at the last two words.
"I understand…" she replied, probably remembering the legends of the Gods of Dreams. "I'll try not to ask unnecessary questions."
"Good, then let's go practice. Show me your skills," I smiled and, taking our wooden swords from the corner of the room, opened the door.
Catherine nodded to me, and we went through the dormitory corridors toward the exit.
***
After some time, we reached our usual training spot on the edge of the forest on the academy grounds. I handed Catherine her wooden sword and noted from the ease with which she took it that she had outgrown this type of training weapon and that we needed to go into town to buy real training swords.
"You hold the blade well, Catherine, even too well for a novice," I said with a deliberate smile. "Given these circumstances, I suggest we spend our time studying Order and Darkness magic."
Catherine did not argue and looked at me resolutely, ready to follow any of my instructions.
"First, a little introduction to this magic. They won't tell you about this at the academy," I began. "Darkness is usually associated by those who are not sufficiently immersed in the basics of magic with evil, cunning, danger, but these are just primitive reasonings that do not reflect the entire nature of Darkness." I paused so Catherine could absorb the information I had said. "In fact, Darkness is calm, stability, serenity, tranquility."
"I understand. Darkness is calm, stability, serenity, and tranquility," Catherine repeated after me, word for word.
"Good, then the second fact: what I am going to tell you about this magic are techniques that are not practiced in Valtheim, and they are deeply connected to my family," I continued, slightly twisting the truth about my knowledge. "So, throw out all the academic rubbish they teach here from your mind." I stepped aside, clearing a space. "Try to summon Darkness. Not the magic, but its essence: imagine your hand sinking into a bottomless well where there is no sound, no time—where even thoughts themselves dissolve."
Catherine extended her hand, and dark energy began to materialize from her fingertips, like rays emanating from the sun.
"Not quite right, Catherine," I continued, "right now you are controlling Darkness, but you need to let Darkness into you, and then release it outward."
"But how?" her voice sounded almost annoyed. "If I relax, I'll lose concentration, and I won't be able to do anything at all."
"Look," I extended my hand, and a thick, almost all-consuming dark fog came from it. "See, it's simple. Just let Darkness itself flow through you. Be a conduit for this energy."
"I'll try…" Catherine replied, trying to repeat this simple lesson after me. Minutes passed before the first wisps of dark smoke began to appear from her hand. She smiled, seeing the result, and then immediately lost control. "This is harder than swords. At least there it's clear—strike, parry. And here…" She paused and, shaking her head, added, "You're absolutely right that they don't teach anything like this at the academy."
Her ability to understand the nature of Darkness magic was growing deeper and deeper, which meant that my prosthesis was the perfect conduit for her to absorb my nature and trust me as she would herself.
"Catherine, concentrate. Right now, you are acting as a conduit for the very essence of Darkness, not its combination, but the very essence of the universe," I said, forcing her to return to her magical practice.
A few moments passed before she concentrated and frowned, and then her face became like a mask, expressing no emotion, and wisps of dark purple smoke began to billow from her hand.
"Excellent, well done!" I smiled coldly. "Let's continue." I looked at her, assessing the level of Darkness energy passing through her essence. "Don't let go of the Darkness until I say so," I replied firmly, watching her struggle. "And now, let's move on to Order magic. Imagine golden threads of Order piercing the Darkness in your hands," my voice was even, but it held a tense concentration that I created specifically for her. "Don't fight the Darkness; just give it structure using Order."
She closed her eyes, her face expressing absolute control over her emotions. The Darkness around her hand began to take on an ordered form, coming into contact with the thin golden sparks that began to appear in the air. Catherine let go of her control for a second, tensing her forehead, and the energy immediately began to dissipate.
"Don't relax!" I shouted loudly, noticing that she was about to falter. "Control is not strength, it's…"
"…a fulcrum," she whispered, remembering my previous fencing lessons. Her fingers twitched, and the golden threads suddenly wove into a lattice, restraining the swirling darkness.
"Yes," I replied with a slight smile, "now create a shield from these two streams of magical energy that will protect your body from attacks."
Catherine stood for some time, trying to increase the flow of energy, and then the shield began to structure and grow, materializing dark, translucent plates held together by golden patterns that flared between us. She held the structure, trembling, for about ten seconds before it shattered into small golden and purple sparks.
"That was…" she began, but I interrupted her.
"Weak," I stated, shaking my head. "You allowed an emotional impulse to corrupt the structure. The spell collapsed."
She nodded, lowering her gaze to the green grass, as if feeling a deep guilt for not being able to achieve the ideal I had set for her.
"Again. And this time—without fear. Magic senses your doubt."
Catherine raised her hand, and this time the shield formed almost instantly. The forest around us fell silent; it seemed that even the wind was afraid to disturb the fragile balance of the two energies in her hands.
"Better," I said with a note of approval. "Now your new task is to hold the shield while I attack it with a sword."
I stepped forward sharply and lightly imbued the wooden blade with Darkness magic. My strike was precise, flawless, and landed right in the center of Catherine's shield. The dark plates trembled, the golden patterns flickered, her palm twitched, and the shield cracked, shattering into a thousand sparks.
"Again!" I commanded, not giving her a moment to recover. "This time—without hesitation. Darkness must become your flesh, and Order—your bone."
Catherine nodded, her breathing deepening. Her eyes, reflecting the golden flashes, narrowed. The air around her thickened, as if before a storm. The new shield did not grow from her palm—it literally flowed from the ground before her, enveloping her silhouette in an arc.
"Much better," I whispered almost inaudibly and approvingly. "Then let's make it more difficult."
I created a sphere of darkness in my hands, weak enough not to harm her, but strong enough to shatter her shield.
"Your shield is not a wall," my voice sounded like a reproach, but I did it only so she would learn the material better, "it is a mirror of your will."
I threw the dark, night-like energy ball at her shield. It crashed into it with a crack, creating fissures on the surface of the plates. Catherine fell to one knee, not from pain, but from the strain of trying to hold the shield. Soon, the energy of my magic dissipated, and her shield began to regenerate.
"More…" Catherine rasped, feeling the magic of Order and Darkness weaving into her blood.
"As you wish," I smiled deliberately, assessing her level of enthusiasm. Then I waved my hand, forming a sufficiently large boulder with Earth magic to break a shield that was not strong enough. "This is your test. If you fail, you'll be in the infirmary for the next Veytra," I threatened deliberately, directing the stone tangentially so that it wouldn't even accidentally hit her body if the shield didn't hold.
The stone flew toward the shield with a whistle. There was a crash with a characteristic magical crack, then a roar echoed through the area, making even the trees on the edge of the clearing tremble. When the dust settled, Catherine was still standing. Her shield was covered in large cracks, but it held. The boulder lay at her feet, split into two even pieces. I decided to support her by clapping my hands. It was a commendable achievement; her skills were growing right before my eyes.
"Well done, you're doing great!"
Catherine smiled; a hint of happiness and deep satisfaction could be seen in her eyes.
"I have a good teacher!" she said, slowly dispelling the shield, but her hands were still trembling with strain.
"That's right," I allowed myself to smile back at her, "but remember, you're not ready for real battles yet, but…" I paused, "you're beginning to see the essence of Order and Darkness magic."
We spent the rest of the time until late evening intensively practicing with swords, and I was finally convinced that she was too comfortable with a wooden sword. I decided to lead her to the thought that had occurred to me at the beginning of the training.
"I suppose it's time for us to go to the bathhouse and freshen up," I said, stretching my neck. "And yes, tomorrow we need to go into town. These wooden swords have become too simple for you."
"Really?" she asked in surprise. "I was just about to invite you to go into town, to a theater or a cafe, or… to buy something useful," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe there we could spend time like real friends…"
"You wanted to invite me to a cafe or a theater?" I asked skeptically. "And what do you plan for us to do there?"
"And what, in your opinion, do people do in cafes?" she smiled. "Drink coffee, maybe even with something sweet." Catherine paused to continue, "And in the theater? Enjoy the acting, of course. Have you never been interested in such things?"
I looked at her skeptically, although I understood that she needed a rest and some friendly bonding. However, my upbringing and my role as the future high priestess of Order dictated that I not give a direct answer to this question.
"It's not that I'm interested, but if you want to, we can go."
"That's great, Arta! I thought you wouldn't agree and I'd have to persuade you," she laughed. "Then, I suppose, after the weapon shop, we'll go to a cafe. That would be more rational for you, right? And then… to a pastry shop? They say they sell amazing pastries with cocoa from the Anix Empire. I think even you would be interested in trying them," she replied with a wide smile.
I shook my head and looked into her clear blue eyes, watching as her gaze slid over my face, searching for a reaction. First a café, now a pastry shop. She was systematically enmeshing me in a web of human social rituals, each one a study in absolute inefficiency. However, I understood that she was trying hard in training, and I had to make concessions to her.
"You know that Order magic requires control even over small desires," I replied jokingly, so she would at least partially understand my true nature. "Sweets are a weakness, but if you need to recover your strength after training…" I paused, as if thoughtfully considering her question. "Alright, we can go to a pastry shop, but not for long. We'll buy what we need and leave."
Catherine bit her lip, clearly holding back a smile.
"And if… after that, we go to the park? There's a rare flower exhibition there now. They say they're very beautiful. I've always been interested in seeing something unusual."
I felt that she was beginning to take my goodwill for granted.
"The park? I think that's already wasteful. Time is a precious resource, don't you think?" I replied coldly, my gaze sliding over her face. Something new flared in her eyes—not just enthusiasm, but a challenge, as if she were deliberately pushing me to the limits of my patience.
"Of course, Artalis," she deliberately emphasized my full name, "time is a precious resource, which is why all we do is train and study. Really, when do we ever have time to rest?" She paused before launching another verbal assault on me. "But don't you think that even Order magic, as you yourself said, requires balance? Isn't rest a part of preparation? Or do you think I'll become weaker if I spend an hour among flowers?" She stepped closer, her fingers involuntarily clenching the hilt of the wooden sword, and her gaze became serious and almost defiant.
"Catherine, you can spend as much time among the flowers as you need, but without me. The trip to the city is purely business, and there's no need to make it a grand event with visits to all the city's attractions," I replied, hoping that my answer would calm her down.
"Arta, you're still counting precious minutes, thinking I'll steal them from you," she replied angrily. "I'm not asking for much. I want to understand you, so that next time you don't throw your homeland and your childhood at me as something incomprehensible."
I noted her gaze; it held not just insistence, but a thirst for truth, mixed with a slight hurt. She wanted to know the truth that I couldn't provide.
"You want to know me better? To know why I don't drink chamomile tea like all the other students?" I parried her question with cold patience. "Why I was raised the way I was? Or maybe why I don't value the épée like your 'twin queens'?" I paused so she could process my questions. "I was taught from childhood that weaknesses are doors through which Chaos bursts in. And instead of asking a simple question, you offer me flowers, which are the chaos of life?" I deliberately turned away and looked at the yellowing forest, so she would think I was offended.
"That's exactly what I want to know, Arta!" she replied loudly and with complete determination. "I want to know you as a friend, so there are no gray areas between us!" She fell silent. "You have to agree that if I were weak, you wouldn't have taken me as a student, and if I were stupid, you wouldn't have tried to teach me magic!" She stepped forward defiantly. "Arta, understand a simple thing: trust is also a part of strength!"
A silence hung between us, broken only by the rustling of leaves. I deliberately remained silent, pretending to think about her words. Unfortunately, I was forced to immerse myself in this irrationality so as not to put my investment at risk, and before I began to speak, I deliberately took a deep breath.
"Alright," I said at last, turning my gaze to her. "We'll go to the park, but only because it will help you concentrate."
Catherine smiled the smile of a winner, not realizing that it was just my strategic move.
"And if you happen to like the flower exhibition…" she began again.
"No 'happen to,' Catherine," I replied coldly. "For every minute spent in Eldenbridge, you will work twice as hard in training."
Catherine flinched slightly at my words, but then smiled again. She probably took my words in a different way. But for me, this was not a joke, but a pact between us, which, although not sealed with blood, was no less important.