This condition greatly complicated the task, but gave me an advantage as the second heir. But Mikael, who was already asleep and saw himself as the ruler of the Onyx Rocks, on the contrary, was seriously worried. He was no longer the first crown prince, just as I was no longer the second. From now on, we are on equal terms, which makes Mika hate me even more. But I didn't care about my cousin's feelings. I just punched him in the face and broke his nose, no matter what the guys said. Did I need at least some kind of compensation for all the shame that I experienced through his fault, listening to my uncle’s reprimands?

Ignoring Mika's threats and scolding, I left. And yet one phrase of his caught my attention and made me think. Mikael swore that he would do everything to ensure that I would never be able to find a bride in my life. Neither true nor any other.

What could this mean?

Yes, anything when it came to Mikael Derberg. To the point that this idiot will decide to deprive everyone of honor who agrees to give me their hand and heart.

The cousin was two years older. Handsome, smart. He graduated from the academy with honors and became an excellent naturalist, as befits the first heir. But much better than studying, Mika knew how to lie and pretend. And also – to humiliate people and mock the weak and those who could not fight back. This was at the top of his list of entertainments. He even indulged in gambling with less enthusiasm.

For a long time I myself did not believe the rumors that occasionally reached me, believing that someone wanted to denigrate the future ruler, until I witnessed how my cousin was having fun in person. And most importantly, he got away with everything! Well, Mika knew how to solve problems. And he chose his victims carefully, taking care of his own reputation. Those who will be easy to cajole, give money or simply intimidate. He did this excellently.

And if something got out of control, Uncle Olaf – his father and my second uncle – got involved. In dealing with the “petty pranks” of his beloved son, he spared no expense.

I have neither father nor mother left, only Uncle Eric. It was he who supported me when the misfortune happened. The misfortune affected not only northern dragons, but also onyx ones. It did not affect anyone, but the ruling family. Six years ago I was left alone, around the same time the Lord of the Onyx Rocks lost his wife and daughter. Both of them changed their hypostasis mid-flight and crashed. Both cases were strictly classified so that panic would not set in, surveillance of the sources was intensified, and my uncle began to leave the house much less often and almost never took off.

Only by supporting each other, we were able to survive.

But in the last two years a lot has changed. The dragons returned to tradition in matters of marriage, and it all started again with the northerners. They coped with the Adversity, and we also became calmer. The sources have indeed stabilized, and the risk of flights has disappeared. But the freedom of choice is gone. And the elements are with her!

– Through the main entrance! – I commanded irritably, walking past the gate.

The guys followed me silently, only Jed frowned:

– Through the main one? Are you serious, Ethan? It's a hook!

Freckled always expressed everything that was on his mind, but he preferred to walk in a roundabout way, as if compensating for his own straightforwardness

–What are you dissatisfied with, Flammer? “He himself wanted to look at the adepts,” Kaya sarcastically told him.

– Then, it's OK! – The fireman instantly became humble and inspired. He was unable to remain silent for a long time, so he pestered Ramlin: “Aiz, I still don’t understand why you were afraid?”

– What are you talking about? – Malachite responded gloomily.

– About hunting! You were so worried that girls would start hunting guys, but you, dragons, now only marry the true ones. What do you have to fear?

“Oh, believe me, this won’t stop some pretty face from dragging him into bed, and then accusing him of all his sins and forcefully marrying him,” answered Kaya instead of Eiz.

– The scheme is too complicated, don’t you think? – Freckled waved him off.

– Proven for centuries! – I smiled crookedly. “Even a dragon won’t be able to escape.” The girls are probably all from noble families, so keep your pants tied, guys.

– N-yes… I'm so glad I was born a human! There is no need to stress when choosing a life partner. Even if they marry by force, it’s not scary, like you dragons,” Jed blurted out without thinking.

– Don't tell me! A marriage with a true couple will always be successful. This is a perfect match of characters, loyalty, healthy offspring,” Eizeroth began to describe the advantages of truth. – And you, the magicians, have pure roulette. If you marry unsuccessfully, you will suffer for the rest of your life. And so that the magic does not burn out, you will have to choose your soul mate not by their figure or cute face, but by the strength of their gift. So there is a high probability of getting a scary or quarrelsome wife, and, moreover, gifted in such a way that it will not seem a little. But who won’t you marry in order to preserve the magic of the family?

– Oh, don't be dramatic! All you have to do is be patient until the children are born, and then you can get a divorce,” retorted the resilient Freckled One. – Again, walk left and right as much as you like. Not like you dragons. Got married, and no, no! I can't do that. “I don’t look at the same neckline twice,” he said with conviction. – I stand for diversity and freedom, here!

“On the contrary, I envy dragons in this regard,” he expressed an unexpected opinion to Kai, who was much more loving than Jed, he just didn’t talk about it. – This is a true couple! With her you will really be happy, and you won’t have to spend your whole life tossing and searching for a fresh neckline. I wish I could do the same… – He sighed sadly.

Aiz nodded contentedly, rejoicing at the unexpected support, and I again put my hand in my pocket and clenched the Focus in my fist, which I stole from under Mika’s nose so that he would not do the same first. I had no doubt that my cousin was going to do this. He planned to accuse me of theft. I accidentally overheard his conversation with Uncle Olaf, so I decided to take the lead. I immediately went to Uncle Eric's office and took the Focus with me. I will return it to him personally, obey him and explain everything when the right time comes. In the meantime, let it stay with me – safe and sound.

By that time, I had time to thoroughly think about what had happened and understood a lot. Uncle Eric started all this for a reason, and Mika’s adventures have nothing to do with it. He had long doubted his eldest nephew’s ability to rule the state, so he put on a whole performance to give me a chance to compete for the throne with my cousin on equal terms. Surely, my uncle will forgive me the same day I present him with the true truth. But there is very little chance of finding her in an academy where only men study. Except that…

I stared at the Travel Bureau stagecoach hovering outside the main building. The deans and teachers, led by the rector, gathered on the porch itself. Come on! I don't think I'll be so lucky.

– The girls have arrived! We’re on time,” Flammer noted. “But you can’t see them from here.”

– But what an intrigue! – He grinned at Kai, and then, turning more serious, added: – Just imagine, the dragon doesn’t even need to see them if he decides to make a choice.

What wise thought did your friend express?

“This is a true couple! With her you will really be happy.”

On impulse, I took the Focus from my pocket.

– Now we’ll check it…

– Fuck! – Freckled cursed, gawking at the artifact in my hand.