"Do not remember?" Adivaris laughed. "It was hard to get your attention. You threw such a crazy competition for five hundred elite applicants, it's crazy! Combat tournaments with different types of weapons and magic shows. And I won. How happy I was to win the very first competition for the heart of the capricious princess."
"Was I a bitch?"
"Well, it's rude to say, but your behavior left much to be desired. I had to look after you for a long time to bring you to bed."
"Why couldn't I choose one myself? Why some wild competitions?"
"Every princess is obliged to hold a reception once a year for everyone who wants to participate in the selection, which brings together thousands of aristocrats from all over the city. How else can you choose one among many handsome and strong men? Princess comes out in a protective mask against spells and just walks past the endless rows of syrinxes, handing out five hundred tickets to those who take her fancy. It seems to me that she doesn't care who gets this invitation and who wins. Princesses are sick of the abundance of men. You gave me the ticket without even looking at me. I snatched it from the heap of hands that immediately reached for it. Therefore, having won the competition, I remained nobody for you, no amount of beauty and valour could win over a heart tormented by attention. Indifference and coldness are not capable of creating strong relationships. Princesses don't like syrinxes, they are tired of them. That's why after your death I no longer participated in competitions, I was so disappointed in women. I went into the heat of war, died many times, trying to forget about you. I wandered around the colonies on long journeys, easily winning the hearts of alien girls who melted from the romance of relationships with interstellar emissaries."
"It turns out that I didn't love you? How is it possible to reach the finals of the competition, by what criteria did I choose you?"
"Not for any reason! You didn't care. Whoever survives is the winner. It was like a game for you, entertainment, kind of relaxation when you mock someone and see when he will get tired of this struggle and stop competing."
"Did anyone die in these tournaments?"
"Oh, yeah! The person who died or lost was eliminated from the competition. But the princesses did not take this seriously; the resurrector was always nearby. Death is not at all a problem in the battle for love."
"And I sat arrogantly watching a duel to the death?" Luanlia was horrified.
"Yeah! You also invited your girlfriends to see how desperately they die for you. The battles were very spectacular and bloody. The naked participants' wings were tightly bandaged so that they would not be seriously injured during the battle. I remember that moment, how I cut to pieces my last opponent and, spattered with pearlescent blood, stood with a victorious look in front of you, sitting nearby on the podium, crossing two sharp sabers between each other and expecting encouragement, but no emotion was reflected on your face. Then I realized how indifferent you are to everything that happens."
"Was I that heartless? What a sick society! Why did I die?"
"They burned you for disobedience, for refusing to fulfill your direct duties. You did not bear me a son for a year; somehow, with the help of your magic, you removed my crystal from your womb, and the Rulers considered you a rebel."
"What? Executed for such nonsense? I don't remember this at all,"
Luanlia said indignantly.
"Not nonsense at all! Depriving a child of the legal right to life is considered a grave crime, the penalty for which is execution. Now you are denied to be born among the syrinxes, but the Source still accepted you because of your feminine Essence and my guarantee. I gave you a chance to atone for your sin."
"Ramies noticed my pregnancy. Did you hide this from me so I wouldn't get rid of the baby again?" Luanlia muttered sadly.
Adivaris sighed heavily.
"I hope for your prudence, although there are no executioners here and no one to punish. Everything is on your conscience."
"I'm sorry I treated you badly. You suffered so much because of me... I will give birth to your son that time!"
Luanlia, in a fit of emotion, rushed to hug Adivaris. He was imbued with regret for her past life, hugging her tightly to him.
"It was a long time ago. I've forgotten almost everything, don't worry about the past. Now you realize that you didn't value what you had."
Luanlia, consumed with guilt, tenderly kissed husband's face. He took a deep breath, noting with pleasure that she was developing reciprocal feelings for him.