– Yes. I don't doubt you, Maria. You are a wise woman, almost like your mother," her father replied with a smile.
– I prefer to think of myself as a girl, Papa! – I said with a laugh. – I am too young to be a "wise woman"!
Everyone laughed. Except Fredrik, of course," he smiled, as if to confirm my words. He knows me. Maybe even better than I know myself.
– Hello, brother-in-law," I threw to him, for some reason not wanting to communicate with him at the moment.
Fredrik seemed to feel the same way, for he didn't even give me a hand.
– Hi, Maria," he said in an indifferent tone. – How are you?
– My life brings me nothing but joy," I replied ironically.
A lie. Disgusting. Black.
My life was beautiful. But it all fell apart in an instant. But no one must know about it. It's up to me to forget what torments me so much. How can I do that?
– I'm glad," Fredrik replied briefly.
He is lying too. After all, he doesn't care, not at all.
– But where is Cedric? I want to say a word of greeting to him," I said hastily.
– He's in his room. He said he was tired of the crowd and needed a breath of solitude," Mrs. Morgan answered me. Her eyes flashed strangely, and a bitter smile flickered across her lips for a moment.
– I hope he doesn't mind my disturbing him," I said quietly, thinking that Mrs. Morgan's sudden transformation was due to the very disagreement that had forced Cedric to leave the castle. But that's their family and their problem.
– I don't think he minds… Cedric has been sitting there for three hours. Tell him we're waiting for him," Mr. Morgan said suddenly. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.
– Gregory…," his wife said quietly.
– It's all right. Don't take it personally: he never liked to be among the guests," Mr. Morgan said quietly.
– I'll get him. I'll see you later! – I said cheerfully and headed to the other end of the castle, where Cedric's room was.
The sound of my heels echoed off the high stone ceilings, making it even louder and more intense. Every step I took was another second-a second of my lost life. But the Morgans' behaviour made me wonder: what had driven Cedric so far away from his parents? They had always been a very close-knit family… So strange. It's useless to ask Mariszka – that prude is always as silent as a fish. But I'm sure she knows. Maybe she'll tell Misha and she'll tell me. Although, it's been eight years, but this mystery has remained a mystery.
I walked to the solid wooden door leading to Cedric's room and opened it without knocking.
– You never knock on other people's doors," I heard Cedric's handsome voice. He was standing at the window, his back to me. He was probably thinking about something, and my visit had disturbed his loneliness. The loneliness he loves so much. Strange Cedric.
– We're related, which means we don't have to observe these ceremonies! – I said cheerfully and glanced round his room.
It was huge. Dark. Sullen. How fitting for this hermit. Books, a fireplace, an ascetic atmosphere, and minimal furniture. Heavy black curtains on the windows, this time opened wide. The dim light of the gloomy Prague day seemed to embrace Cedric's tall, handsome figure. Black shoes, black jeans. Black jacket. I'm sure: black shirt and black tie.
– Are you in mourning? – I joked, walking slowly toward Cedric.
– You're so clever," he said without turning round.
