The rebels took the castle with difficulty. Neither the royal army nor the resistance knew what had happened inside. Everyone had heard the sounds of battle. They had seen the destruction that had badly battered the outer walls of the palace.
The news of the king's death shocked everyone. The royal army had no choice but to throw down their weapons. They had achieved their goal, but at what cost?
When Gorald entered the very hall where the battle had taken place, he was stunned. Nothing but ruins. The crushed bodies of the royal guard. Only five bodies remained in normal condition, four of which showed no signs of life.
"I've been waiting for you for too long," the captain croaked and Gorald immediately rushed to him.
"You look disgusting," he said, examining his friend. The leg is broken at the wrong angle. The whole face is in streaks of blood. Pale skin and terrible bruises under the eyes.
"Yes, it would be better to postpone the date."
"Still joking?" Gorald looked at the king's body, then turned his gaze to Egor Klaus, who was still hugging him, and then to the thin, long figure of Merid.
"They are all alive, well, except for him," August pointed at Ichiro 'but I doubt that will be for long. They urgently need to be delivered to the healer."
"And it wouldn't hurt you to drop in on him."
***
Pritik brought Brod from the underground city. All because the captain was stubborn and did not want to trust anyone with Klaus's treatment, despite the many doctors that the allied highborns brought.
Since the future king had not yet regained consciousness, all the routine work had to be done by August again.
"It seems to me that he deliberately does not regain consciousness so as not to have to deal with all this," August complained to Gorald, sitting on a chair with a bandaged leg. He refused a quick recovery because he knew that this method of treatment would put him out of action too.
"Yes, I would not rule out such a possibility," confirmed Gorald.
"So what about the highborns who were on the side of the crown? Were they all taken into custody?"
"Almost. What to do with them?"
"That's up to him to decide. How is Merid?"
"He's still bedridden, but there's no danger to his life. I think he's even comfortable there. Egor said that he's already noticed him asking about the other world."
"Has his father visited him yet?"
"No, Digger said he'd come when Klaus wakes up."
"Yes, he's always like that. Business comes first, even when his youngest son is in danger."
"But I think he was still worried about him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have set a condition for Klaus that his youngest son become his confidant."
"Yes, you're right. Merid hasn't been home for a long time and I doubt Digger expected to receive any information from him."
"And another question. What to do with the baby? We've left him with a wet nurse for now, but the highborn insist that he must be killed."
"Klaus won't allow that. He already has plans for his brother."
***
A little over a year had passed since that difficult battle and the rebels' victory. All this time, Klaus had hardly had a free minute. He was constantly surrounded by the highborn who became his advisers. He defended his positions almost single-handedly, introducing new laws and rules.
Yes, there was still a lot of work, but at least he had fought off marriage. For the last few months, no brides had been offered to him. Klaus hoped that they had given up after he announced the heir to the entire country.
The news that he had decided to spare the life of Ichiro's heir had raised quite a stir, but Klaus categorically refused the idea of killing him. Now Bakari was two years old. The king had declared him his heir. The highborn had no choice but to accept this fact.
As for those who were on the side of the royal army, Klaus also decided to act in a way that was not typical for the country. He gave them a choice. Death or life, losing all privileges.
Those who chose the second option were given anti-magic collars and were required to show up every month to monitor their work. Their power, money and estates were taken away from them.
As for Minami, he planned to visit her soon. Egor often visited the other world together with Merid. He learned all the news from them.
Skotsky sold his apartment, quit his job and moved out of town. He also gave lectures, but remotely, and tutored. Minami's condition improved, but she still had frequent attacks.
Pouoka, after more than fifty years, saw her sister. Nina refused the offer to stay in that world. She decided to spend the rest of her life to help Brod with his idea to improve medicine, but the old woman often visited her sister.
August was always there and supported any, even the most absurd decisions of Klaus and the prince officially appointed him his right hand. Now he could leave his place and not worry that everything in the country would go wrong again.
A peace treaty with neighbors was signed, but relations were still unstable. Education and security reforms were also in development, but the first school and a semblance of a police station had already opened in the capital.
Klaus understood that all his plans would take a lot of time and was determined to raise his brother so that he would adopt his ideals and continue to develop the country.
"Do you seriously want this?"
"Yes, August. This is the best option."
"Klaus, but this is... How are you even going to live two completely different lives? Do you think you have enough strength to rule the country and live your life in another world?"
"And why do I need you? I plan to leave all the routine matters to you. Wait, wait," Klaus tried to calm his brother when he had already opened his mouth in indignation. "I do not plan to completely shift everything onto your shoulders. I will also remain the king and will participate in all important matters, but I will not live here permanently."
"You want to raise your brother in that world, but how will he rule this country in that case?"
"I want to give him a childhood in that world and raise him in two worlds."
"Well, who am I to argue with you. In fact, all your plans have been successful, although I doubted many of them. All I can do is support you. I promised to always be there, even if I always remain just a brother," August smiled.
"And I'm glad you're on my side."
"Still, you're still an egoist."
"I must have my flaws too."
"Yes, and also narcissistic."
"I have to go, Egor is already tired of waiting."
"Say hello. I haven't seen him for a long time. Did he go to see Bakari again first thing?"
"Yeah," Klaus smiled.
***
"Why don't you want to make a portal here, like to Sasha's country house? - Egor asked when they got on the train to visit Minami.
"I like the differences between our worlds, and while I'm here, I want to enjoy each of them."
"The smelly train doesn't exactly make for a pleasant experience."
"I'll buy a car soon," Klaus reassured Egor.
They've been living two lives for eight months now. A few weeks ago, Bakari was sent to kindergarten. The boy is too similar to his older brother. He's just as gloomy and uncommunicative, but the teachers say that he also has a friend, the noisiest and most cheerful boy.
Minami met both sons in her right mind, but decided that it would be best if Klaus took care of Bakari, as originally planned. They visit Skotsky and Minami, then the woman spends all her time with her youngest son. Skotsky finally got his piece of happiness. He and Minami formalized their marriage last week. Lilith still lives with Pauoka. The girl has settled into her new life well, but she still has one habit, and it really irritated Egor.
The girl was really beautiful, and when she showed excessive attention to Klaus, the fair-haired guy noticed that the prince liked it. He was jealous of Klaus for everyone and could do nothing about it, but the prince had never let him down.
Alexander made Klaus a job offer. The salary was several times higher than those who received it in a similar position. In addition, the king had a flexible schedule.
Klaus took the position very seriously and even tried to master all the intricacies of the profession on his own. It did not last long. He still used his abilities. And then he used them again and again, until it became a habit for him, but such professionalism brought Sasha considerable profit.
"Next week you have a meeting with the king of the northern country. August said that he wants to offer a marriage contract to strengthen the relationship."
"Yes, I heard that he has very beautiful daughters."
"Hey!"
-"'m just kidding," Klaus laughed. "You know I'll find a way to avoid it, like always."
"Yes, but how long can you run away from marriage?"
"Always."
And Klaus kissed Egor hard, stunning the elderly couple sitting opposite.
"No shame, no conscience," the old woman was indignant, "Two men doing this!"
"If you liked watching, we can repeat it," Klaus smiled.
"Impudent!"
Egor rolled his eyes, and his lips stretched into a smile.