“Of course it’s not a sin. My soul is pure. My love is pure. It’s like a mountain stream from ages ago. That is how pure my love is, Pascal.”
“Your love is pure, Manami. As is your soul. You are wonderful… wonderful, Manami. But my love is pure too. And powerful. And I cannot go on like this anymore. I must caress you, touch you, kiss you… Don’t torture me any more, please. In any case, you’re just deceiving yourself and me for no reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I seduced you with my eyes, when you were bringing the mayor tea.”
“You seduced me?” Manami exclaimed. “You’re really talking nonsense, Pascal. I seduced you with my eyes! In any case, I looked at you first. And you were puzzled by that look for days. Only later did I succeed in seducing you, in forcing you to look at me that way.”
“You looked at me first?! I looked at you intently the entire time that you were brining the tea. And you felt my gaze, my seduction, on yourself. And that is why you even looked at me in the first place. To see what was so powerful, who loved you so much.”
“Just you keep deceiving yourself, my darling, if it makes you feel better.”
Manami got up from Pascal’s lap, sat next to him and placed her head on his chest.
“So kiss my hair… So what? I’m a lonely sad woman in a shelter… in the middle of a war. And you are a good friend who’s comforting me… who is hugging me and kissing my hair, in difficult times. That is completely understandable and acceptable.”
Pascal kissed her hair in silence and stroked her back.
“I want to kiss your lips so much, Pascal… But I can’t. The one who is watching would then say ‘He kissed her.’ That’s what they always say ‘he kissed her,’ and not ‘she kissed him.’ Right?”
Chapter 113
“Is everything alright, Mr. President?”
“Yes. Everyone is as calm as a toad in the sun. No one’s coming near the residence. I’ve finally had some rest and my blood pressure is stable. Thank you, Grasshopper. You are truly a man of your word.”
“Are you thanking me, Mr. President? Tell me again, what did I write in my PhD thesis?”
“That you want to serve the leader.”
“Not only do I want to - that is the purpose of my life. Which leader, who do I consider the greatest leader in history?”
“Me.”
“That’s correct. And why then are you thanking me? I exist only to carry out your orders.”
“Thank you… I mean… I’m pleased with you, Grasshopper.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. It means a lot to me. But, may I ask you, how do the people get paid now? Are you still printing money?”
“No, no. They’re not getting anything.”
“So they’re not working? The Inspectorate is not working?”
“No, no…. everyone’s working.”
“How? How do they pay for food? Alright, I provide the energy for free. Your waterworks are running…”
“They don’t pay… They’ve organized themselves. You know that we produce enough food for the city here. And they distribute it somehow… according to the number of household members. They negotiate… There are also pharmaceuticals, doctors are working… how do I know…”
“Excellent, that means that no one is pestering you with that nonsense.”
“No… they are settling it all on their own.”
“Perfect. There is bread, the games are coming.”
Chapter 114
“Hey, Grasshopper. Don’t accidentally vaporize Megapolis,” said Erivan. “I need to go to their square, and for Seneca to sign the capitulation. We have a deal.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t. I guess you see what I’m doing. People are afraid that I’ll vaporize their city too, so everyone’s fleeing to unpopulated areas. And I’m waiting for them to become thirsty and hungry and to move on Megapolis and Capital City. Those are the only two regions that still have energy, water, food, production… everything. They are the only two oases on the planet.”
“No! What’s the matter with you? What should I do with all these people in Capital City?” Erivan was aghast.
“They can’t enter your area. Have you already forgotten about my ring?”
“Ah, yes…”
“And let them flock to Megapolis. I’m interested in how Seneca will react, what his decision will be. However, let’s leave that aside… There’s time for that. I wanted something else. I was just getting ready to call you, when I got your call.”
“What did you want? Tell me, Grasshopper.”
“Your Imperial Majesty!” the Grasshopper suddenly shouted.
“What?” Erivan was baffled.
“You are no longer President. You are now, Your Imperial Majesty!”
“What does that mean?”
“Presidents are elected in elections, and Emperors are chosen by God.”
“God? Me too?”
“Of course. You are his final choice.”
“What should I do now, Grasshopper?
“I’ll explain it to you. Capital City is your empire.”
“Alright…”
“Barbarians will gather around my ring, but they won’t be able to threaten the empire.”
“I know that.”
“So, you don’t need to worry about wars. You can just have fun and enjoy yourself.”
“Well, alright…”
“But you must also provide this for your subjects.”
“For whom?”
“Your subjects, the citizens of the Empire, of Capital City.”
“Ah… I understand. But how will I entertain them, Grasshopper?”
“I will tell you. But first take off that uniform and let us make you a toga.”
“What is that?”
“No, not a toga. Just a tunic. But it has to be short. Tell that to your tailor. And have them make you a wig. Long hair which will blow in the wind. And a pedestal with a magnificent throne. And have it all done in black. We won’t change the style. Call me when you are prepared,” the Grasshopper said and hung up.
Chapter 115
“Pascal, did you see how angry Julius was today?” said Manami, as soon as she sat down next to Pascal in their room.
“Angry?” Pascal was puzzled. “At whom?”
“I don’t know, Pascal. At us? At himself? I don’t know.”
“Why was he angry? How did you notice it?”
“Pascal, you don’t notice anything! When he picked up Eir, she immediately held out her hands towards you and called you Pascal.”
“Manami!” Pascal shouted out. “I am in love with his wife. And I can tell him that at any moment. But I’m not taking away his children. Peter and Eir are yours and his children. In any case, that is normal. We are closed up here, I play with Eir, he rarely comes…”
“Yes, it’s as you say. The child connects to the person that plays with it. I think that Julius is angry at himself, because he never found time for the children, even before this war.”
“That’s not my issue. I’m not to blame, Manami.”
“Of course you aren’t…”
“Listen to me now, Manami, please,” said Pascal in a determined voice. “I’ve been wanting to tell you this for some time…”
“Tell me what, Pascal? Don’t scare me, please,” Manami was surprised by the change in the tone of his voice.
“Manami, you are struggling because of me! I’m harming your wonderful soul! You’re split between your family and me. Between your children and me. I am destroying what you are.