"Sharon Green - Brat 1 - Princess Brat" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Sharon)

adding my own to what your father must have already said. The kingdoms of Arvin have
been in need of uniting for many years, but no one before you was ever able to
accomplish it."

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Princess Brat 1



"It wasn't all that difficult to do," Derand said with a grin as he joined grips with the older
man. "I just pointed out that people would stop calling us savages once we were a single,
united country, and they fell all over themselves in their hurry to join. They must be as
sick of being called that name as I am."

"I heard there was a bit more to it than that," Ostrin said with his own grin, his grip
almost as strong as Derand's. "I'm told the fighting was intense to begin with, but the
strong and decisive way you handled it told others that trying the same themselves
would be futile. And now you're High King, and have come to pay an old ally a visit. How
long can you stay?"

"Not long at all, unfortunately," Derand admitted with a sigh. "I'd love to sit down and
put my feet up for a while, but I have to be on hand at home in case someone decides to
start trouble. But I'd like to see Gardal while I'm here, to remind him that our generation
will be signing a pact of our own some day. And, of course, to find out how he's doing."

"He's doing extremely well, but I'm afraid he's not here right now," Ostrin answered,
looking as disappointed as Derand felt. "You and my son got to be good friends over the
years, and I know he'll be disappointed that he missed you. Lately he's been acting as
representative of our kingdom, taking the diplomatic trips that I've always hated having
to make. Since he'll be king in my place some day, I saw no reason to keep him from
taking an active role right now."

"You and my father have similar ideas about that," Derand said with a nod of
understanding. "My oldest brother is doing the same for him, and my other brothers
haven't been forgotten either. So it seems that my visit will be even shorter than I
expected it to be. I hate to collect my bride and run, but тАУ "

"Your bride!" Ostrin all but yelped, cutting off the rest of what Derand had intended to
say. "I forgot all about that! Oh, dear"

"What's wrong?" Derand asked, disturbed by the way the man now looked really stricken.
"Isn't she here? Has she come down with some sort of illness? You look as though the
end of the world has arrived."

"Possibly, in a manner of speaking, it has," Ostrin replied cryptically and vaguely, then he
gestured to Derand's left. Two chairs and a small table holding refreshments stood there,
and Ostrin touched his arm. "Let's sit down for a moment, and we can discuss this more
comfortably."

"What can there be to discuss?" Derand asked as he joined Ostrin in walking toward the