"David Eddings. Castle of wizardry enchanters' end game (The Belgariad, Part two)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"I won't go!" Ce'Nedra's voice went up an octave or two.
"Yes, you will." Polgara's voice was deceptively calm, but there was a
hint of steel in it.
"I absolutely refuse," the princess declared. She was about to say
more, but a small finger gently brushed her lips. The sleepy child in her
arms raised his hand to touch her mouth. She moved her head irntably.
"I've told you all before that I will not submit to-" The child touched
her lips again. His eyes were drowsy as he looked up at her, but his gaze
was calm and reassuring. Ce'Nedra forgot what she had been saying. "I am
not going to the Isle of the Winds," she concluded rather lamely, "and
that's final." The trouble was that it didn't sound all that final.
"It seems that we've had this discussion once or twice before," Polgara
observed.
"You have no right to-" Ce'Nedra's words trailed off again as her
thoughts went astray once more. The child's eyes were so blue - so very
blue. She found herself unable to look away from them and seemed to be
sinking into that incredible color. She shook her head. It was so
completely unlike her to keep losing track of an argument this way. She
tried to concentrate. "I refuse to be publicly humiliated," she declared.
"I will not stand in the Hall of the Rivan King like a beggar while all
the Alorns snicker up their sleeves at me." That was better.
Her momentary distraction seemed to be fading. Inadvertently she
glanced down at the child and it all went out the window again. "I don't
even have the right kind of рress," she added plaintively. low what had
made her say that?
Polgara said nothing, but her eyes seemed very wise as she watched the
princess flounder. Ce'Nedra stumbled along, her objections growing less
and less relevant. Even as she argued, she realized that there was no real
reason for her not going to Riva. Her refusal seemed frivolouseven
childish. Why on earth had she made such a fuss about it? The little boy
in her arms smiled encouragingly at her, and, unable to help herself, she
smiled back at him, her defenses crumbling. She made one last try. "It's
only some silly old formality anyway, Lady Polgara," she said. "There
won't be anyone waiting for me in the Hall of the Rivan King - there never
has been.
The Rivan line is extinct." She tore her eyes away from the child's
face. "Do I really have to go?"
Lady Polgara nodded gravely.
Ce'Nedra heaved a great sigh. All this bickering seemed so unnecessary.
What was the point of making such an issue of a simple trip? It was not as
if there was any danger involved. If it would make people happy, why be
stubborn about it? "Oh, all right," she surrendered. "If it's so important
to everyone, I suppose I can go to Riva."
For some reason, saying it made her feel much better. The child in her
arms smiled again, gently patted her cheek and went back to sleep. Lost in
a sudden inexplicable happiness, the princess nestled her cheek against
his curls again and began to rock back and forth gently, crooning very
softly.

PART TWO