After it, Nick wasn't in the mood to talk. He quietly went somewhere. I followed him. When he got to the floor above, he asked me.

-Why... are you following me

-Why not I don't understand anything here, so I just follow you.

-...-He had nothing to say. He went quietly into his room, and I followed him in.

His room was spacious. A bed, a table, and a wolfskin rug. Nick looked at me and said.

-Please close the door.

After the door was closed, Nick went to the bed and leaned over. He took something from under the bed and showed it to me.

-Let's... read together- Looks like it's the best he could come up with.

-Hm... -I looked at the cover carefully. There were letters here. It means... - I can't read.

The hands holding the book dropped.

-Really

-Yes.

- Well... then ... let's sit together and I'll read to you aloud.

-Okay.

We sit down by the bed and Nick opens the book and begins to read aloud.

…

A few weeks passed. Nick was getting more and more used to my company. I was given a room near his. He reads the book and then we talk about it. Most of them are just books of stories and legends that he takes from Darius' office. Slowly, he began to talk more. Still felt stiff, but still more open than he had in the beginning. Today, as usual, after dinner, he invited me to his room to read together. His brother and sister, according to Darius, left to find a suitable groom.

The current book talks about some Prince Fomus. About his deeds.

-And having won the battle of the city of Lamea against the assembled horde of nomads, which are at least 2 meters long, he declared the freedom of the Monhimouerian Empires from the tributary obligations to the Khanate of Koblandy. After that, he ascended the throne as Emperor. Legendary emperor, Valiant warrior of level 12. After that, he strengthened the borders and began to expand on Bakonger, but for all the time he was not able to free this land from the dirty clutches of nomads with shamans. His children protect our Great Empire to this day. Especially from the bloodthirsty barbarians -Nick's eyes were full of admiration as he read the book. Slowly, however, he grew sad.

-What's the matter Why did you turn a little blue

-Such great people. They protected us from tyranny. Their names will be remembered forever. Sigh, in compare I will be forgotten after death already in the next day.

-Why do you think so

-I am destined to live under the shadow of my father and brother. I will not become as wise as they are, as noble and as capable. I can't surpass them. Never.

-Why do you want to surpass them

...After a moment of silence, Nick replied, -To prove it to them. Prove that I'm not a burden to the family. My father ignores my existence, my brother is looking for something to find fault with, and my sister... she... she's the only one who puts me in anything. We read together, and she shows me her poems. But our brother wants to send her away, and he finally succeeded. And my father... he... doesn't care. Over the years, if I wanted to try something, he would at best just say do what you want. And usually he just silently gave everything necessary for this. But he taught his brother a lot personally, was proud and boasted of him ... Sniff, leaving me in the shadows. If he does something wrong, he invites him and explains everything, If I do something wrong, he enters my room and starts to scold me, with plenty using of puddening. -Nick's eyes began to turn red and he began to sob. -And I - I'm just a burden. No matter how hard I try, no matter where I try to go, I can't do anything. I'm only gifted at wasting my life. Sniff, everyone in the world is better than me. I have no one dear but my sister. But... she'll be forced to get married soon ... Sniff, I don't want to be alone.

He seems to be having a hard time. What can I say Same what Nevie said to her friend when she was sad

-Nick, don't be so sad. Everything will come back to normal and you may still find a pri... beautiful girl. With whom you will live a long life.

-...-Nick seemed to calm down. Those words of comfort reminded me of what Nevie had said. And I got an epiphany, that's what I can tell him, something that Nevie never told anyone!

-You'll find someone you want to love and be with someday And you'll also find those you want to protect. Those who will become to you family.

-Love It's impossible. The family won't be looking for anyone for me. And I can't find anyone who recognizes me as a friend. And to protect -he looked down at his hands -They've never seen hard work, never held a sword. What can these hands protect -Nick was still sobbing.

Hmm, friend What is it. I should ask Nevie.

After contacting the Head, I gave him the necessary memories. Now we need to wait for an answer from Nevie. I'll try to ask Nick

-Nick. What is a friend

-This is... someone you know intimately. Someone who will help you and support you. That's what a Friend is.

At the same time, the Head relayed a reply from Nevie.

«If you like someone and you want to help them, and they also feel the same feelings, in my opinion, it means you are friends. Close friends. You are sure that they are ready to help you in any way they can, just as you are ready to help them»

How do they come to such opinions Nevie seems to have known this all along, even though no one explained it to her. I don't understand.

-Uh... why did you ask

-I wanted to understand.

-Understand what

-You. Others. How do you come to such conclusions? How do you understand the meaning of these words? Maybe someone explained them to you?

-Well... I learned that from books... I learned a lot from them. No one told me anything, I found out for myself.

-Books? Can you read them to me more often?

-Sure! I'm always happy to read with someone! -hearing this, Nick seemed to be able to come to his senses. Although his eyes were still red, he seemed to have regained consciousness.

-Then, can you read the next one...- I got a message from the head. Ok.

-Is something wrong?

-No, just talking with myself. It's alright. Can you read the next book now?

-Okay! -Nick pulled out a book of stories. -It's a rare book. It was said it was written by a famous Metis Elf in the lands of the Castrix Family. My father said that he was full of propaganda and he did not finish reading it. Ahem ahem. A Collection Of Stories Of Metis Elves. The stories are collected in the lands of the Castrix Family and the Great Horde. 148 years of the Great Horde Era!? Nick looked at the book as if it were a relic -Interesting, how did my father have got it.

- Maybe you ask him?

-Uh... no... no need. Ahem. Story 1: Konayak's attack.

…

The story tells about a traveler who lived for many years away from home and finally decided to return.

Only his trusty steed was with him. He spent the night in the woods today. We're only two weeks away from home. Having prepared traps in case of an attack and tied the horse tightly, the traveler decided to look around.

His faithful steed snorted nervously as if trying to convey something to the traveler. However, the traveler did not understand it and decided to explore the area before going to bed.

The moment he lost his guard, a silhouette leaped at him from above.

-Ahahahaha! Come on, steed! Go ahead! Go ahead! -A man landed on his back. Instead of legs, he had leather straps. They entangled the traveler like reins. Suddenly, the traveler's legs began to run without his own accord. He couldn't stop himself.

Suddenly, the man remembered what kind of creature it was. It was konayak. They usually climb on the traveler either by trickery or force and make him run until he dies of exhaustion.

-Go ahead! Go ahead! Don't slow down! -Konayak's face was filled with pleasure. The traveler felt a strong fear. Would his body lie here?

... In the morning, the traveler had already run out of the forest. He was incredibly tired, and konayak's incessant voice only made him more exhausted.

Suddenly, just as he was about to collapse, he heard an instrument playing. There is no doubt that someone is playing the kobyz(1)! As if awakening a second wind, the traveler ran with all his might in the direction from which he heard the melody.

- Yes! Yes! Come on, go ahead my steed! - Konayak was delighted to see how quickly the traveler began to run.

When they came to the place where the melody came from, the traveler saw an old man. In his hands, he held a kobyz.

Seeing it, konayak's face was filled with fear

-Run! Run! -The traveler's feet moved away from the old man.

-Too late. -The old man picked up his kobyz and began to play. To konayak, it was like a sword strike. Walker felt his body come back under his control. He immediately threw it off and took out a sword from its scabbard and pierced konayak's neck.

After that, the exhausted traveler lost consciousness.

On the evening of the same day, he woke up in the old man's yurt. They chatted and the traveler told the purpose of his arrival, taking his horse and spending the night in the house of the old shaman, he continued on his way.

…

-That's odd. I always thought that only priests could deal with evil spirits. Although they are rare. -Nick was shaking a little. -These spirits are really scary. And the shamans controlling them are even scarier. But fortunately, we have priests who protect us from these bloodthirsty barbarians. Okay. History 2. Meeting with zheztyrnak.

- *Knock**Knock*. I'm sorry, Mr. Nick. Dinner time.

- Oh. Okay! I'm fast. Wait for me. -Nick left the room. In the beginning, he spoke to me very little, briefly and quietly. Now he speaks more freely. Is he used to my company like Nevie? Nick is starting to like me a little. Maybe I should...

- Phew -. Darius walked into the room. Looking around, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he went to the bed and took out a couple of books. One is as I know related to the families of nobles, the second is a Collection of Stories of Metis Elves. Then he turned to me and said

-Murad. Tell Nick not to touch the book The Story of the Metis Elves again.

-Why not? -The question brought anger to Darius' face, but he breathed in and out and said.

-A commoner must do what a nobleman says! But you're in a special position, so I'll tell you. This book will have a bad effect on him. I'm older and I know what I'm talking about. There are a lot of lies and propaganda that can ruin you if you ever meet them. I'm sure that the barbarians there definitely wrote this nonsense themselves. My son doesn't need to know such nonsense-Darius's face was full of confidence. Then he turned and left the room.

After about 10 minutes, Nick returned. He looked under the bed but found nothing. He looked at me questioningly and asked

-Where did the books go?

-Your father took them. He also told you not to touch that book again. According to him: This book will have a bad influence on you and there are a lot of lies and propaganda that can ruin you.

Hearing this, he drooped. His eyes expressed sadness and he started to cry.

-He... he couldn't have said it personally? He had done this before and passed it on through the servants. He always passes it through his servants. And if he speaks to me personally, then only with profuse curses. Why... why does he hate me? What have I done to deserve such treatment? I'm just a burden to him. Why won't he just get rid of me? It seems better than... living so.- Nick had a sad look in his eyes. Who seems to have already resigned with it. What should I do? Idea. I was struck by an epiphany again. For the second time this day, I had an idea of what to say.

-So, why don't you find someone who won't consider you a burden? Those who will not hate you and those who will not unreasonably scold you. Those who will become for you... - I remembered one book that Nick read to me a couple of days ago -a family connected not by blood but by soul. -I also remembered the words of Nevie, which I think are very appropriate -With which you will have a connection, strengthened by years and difficulties… Kindred spirits! -And then it hit me. Kindred. It means… bonded. Yes... I get it. I get it!

It seems that these words comforted him even more than the words I had said before. Nick calmed down and began to mutter softly.

-But ... how do I find them... -seems like he recovered a little. - Murad

Suddenly, Darius enters the room again. Nick immediately stood up, his eyes still red. Seeing him like this, Darius froze. With a sigh, he turned to me and said

-Sean came to talk to you. He's waiting downstairs.

-Why did he come?

- I don't know. Ask him yourself. -With that, he turned and left.

When I got down, I saw Sean. He looked at me and asked seriously.

- Murad. I have a question for you.

-Which one?

-Do you have a twin brother?

- Yes I have. His name is Mirad.