Klaus entered the apartment after midnight. He had a good time and was able to throw all his problems out of his head, but only for a while. In the kitchen, in the semi-darkness, Pouoka sat and cut meat.
"Is everyone asleep already?"
"Yes, Egor and Lilith spent the whole day studying the computer, and I finally took a break from their eternal squabbles.
"Don't they get along?" Klaus was surprised, taking a cup out of the cupboard to make himself some coffee.
"As always, you don't see anything around you - the old woman sighed." At least sometimes you would pay attention to those around you.
"I am very attentive, otherwise I would not have survived in Isorobia, you know."
"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about what people feel, what they want, how they treat you."
"I can determine that too. How would I…"
"Klaus, you don't understand what I'm talking about at all! You read people, you see how to influence them, you analyze their actions, you can even determine how dangerous the person you're talking to is for you, but you don't see the most important thing."
"I don't understand you at all! Why are you so worked up?"
"The fact that you're callous to the core! You don't see what influence you have, and I'm not talking about your status, but about you personally. You don't see the feelings of those around you, or do you just not want to accept them?"
"What are you talking about?" the prince was already losing his temper. He didn't understand why this usually calm old woman had gotten so worked up.
"I'm talking about Egor. Don't you really notice anything?"
"Ah, that's what you mean. Let's just say I've been paying more attention to such things lately, thanks to August, who gave me almost the same lecture as you. But what do you want from me?"
"I want to know how you feel about him? And why are you so persistent in showing that you're not interested in him. I know that there was something between you and that man, which means that the reason isn't Egor's gender. Then what is it?"
"I have no particular reason to push him away," Klaus said tiredly. "But I don't understand why you want me to accept his feelings so much? You're his own grandmother and you should take care of him. Do you understand what a close relationship with me threatens him with? He's already in danger because he was nearby, and if I let him get any closer, I'll just hang a target on his chest."
"So the reason is that you just don't want to put him in danger?"
"Not only that. It's complicated. And why should I discuss such things with an old woman?" Klaus was indignant.
"Because, as you said, I am his family and I care about my grandson. Today he talked to me about a personal topic for the first time, and that topic was his feelings for you. He was so afraid of my judgment, but he confessed anyway."
"Look, as far as I know, he has never dated anyone. How can he know that he is not attracted to women if he has never been with one? He thinks that he feels one thing for me, but what if it is something completely different? What if, because of his inexperience, I ruin his bright future with a wife and children? I even offered him to go to the house of pleasure, and he got offended and refused!"
"What are you saying? My God, you really are callous! Listen to the old woman. This boy would never have brought this up with me if he wasn't sure of his feelings! He doesn't care if it's a man or a woman, he loves you. Yes, it's not the best choice, but it can't be fixed! And what are you doing? Offering him a prostitute, going on a date with another man, sharing a room with a girl who's in love with you, and even having an affair with your brother."
"In any case, until I resolve all the issues in Isorobia, he'll stay here. And if he doesn't change his mind during this time, I'll try to sort out all these feelings, but right now I absolutely can't get distracted. Understand, it's not that I don't want to... it's that... I don't know what I should feel and in general, all these emotions, attachments are new to me, I just can't sort all this out now."
"But you need to. Why did you decide to bring him back to this world so abruptly?"
"Because it became too dangerous for him in Isorobia. He almost died several times because he was close to me. Who do you think will be the main target of my enemies? And I can't think straight when he is in danger. It knocks the ground out from under my feet."
"So you were just scared of an unfamiliar feeling and decided to get rid of the object that causes it?" the old woman concluded.
"That's not what I said."
"But that's exactly what I heard. Klaus, you yourself said that you have a hard time with emotions, but I have a lot of life experience behind me and believe me, I know what I'm talking about. The fear of losing, the desire to protect, we feel all this only for truly close people."
"I don't argue that Egor has become close to me, but... what do you want from me now? I explained the reason and my further actions to you. And now I just want to sleep."
Klaus got up from the table without making himself a coffee and was about to go to bed, when Pouoka spoke again.
"Klaus, I want you to take him with you."
"Didn't you hear what I just told you? It's dangerous for him to be in Isorobia!"
"No more dangerous than here."
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean that I'm already old and may not live to see your triumphant return, and if I die, then Egor is doomed."
"What do you mean?"
"How do you think I have friends like Andrey? My husband was a big shot in the criminal world, and after his death, competitors decided to get rid of the heir. No one knew that my son was not Viktor Gradov's biological son. Andrey's grandfather helped us change our place of residence, and everything was calm until they found us. They were not interested in me, but they could not leave the direct heir of the old boss alive."
"The car accident happened for a reason?"
"It did not happen at all. The bandits simply broke into my son's house and shot him and Egor's mother, then put them in a car and burned them. Egor was with me at the time, that's why he survived. He will not be touched as long as he is under my wing, but as soon as I die, the boy will face the same fate as his parents."
"Why didn't you tell me about this before?"
"I wouldn't tell you now either. I don't want Egor to know anything about this. I don't want him to have anything to do with our past, that's why I let him go, even pushed my grandson into Isorobia. I could see how much he admired you back then. Klaus, take him. As long as you're here, he'll always be safe."
"You're not going to die tomorrow, are you? I'll come every couple of weeks and…"
"No. What if something happens to you?"
"If something happens to me, Egor won't survive in Isorobia. He has a better chance here."
"He has no chance here. I'm ready to take a risk and place bets on you, well, and if you lose, well, let Egor die next to the one he wants to be with, than here alone."
"Old woman, you simply leave me no choice. If I go back with these two, August will simply rip my head off."
"I'll keep Lilith. The girl doesn't know life at all and will be able to adapt here quickly, and an assistant wouldn't hurt me. Leave your portal and if anything happens, she'll come back herself."
"I knew I shouldn't go say hello to you, Klaus muttered under his breath."
"What did you say?"
"Good night, I say. The day after tomorrow, Egor and I will head back."
"Thank you, Klaus Deffender."
Klaus didn't answer. He didn't quite understand what he was feeling now. Relief? Joy? But these feelings didn't fit with what was actually happening. He should feel anger, disappointment, annoyance, after all. He had failed, so why was he happy about it? Perhaps the old woman was right and he also had some feelings for Egor? Or perhaps this was a manifestation of friendly affection. There was only one way to find out.