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“What is he noticing?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? My looks, your looks… our body language… When I serve you, how close I get to you, how you thank me, how you smile at me, how you love me with your eyes… we can try with the ‘sir’ and the ‘ma’am’ as much as we want…”

“You’re overreacting, Manami. I don’t believe…”

“Believe me, it’s true. I know Julius very well. I was his real wife. I tried to understand each nuance in his mood, his behavior… Not to anger him, to please him… There is a seed of doubt in him, Pascal. Perhaps he still isn’t aware of it. He still hasn’t uttered it to himself. But even the smallest detail could change that. Like when Eir infuriated him. And then what will be will be. I will hug you and nothing will be able to separate me from you. Not anyone and not anything!”

Pascal held her to his chest.

“And another thing, Pascal” Manami continued. “You say that Julius is the mayor of Megapolis. He created everything that you only talked about. It’s true that he created Megapolis and the University — but for his own reasons, in his own way. Within a given theme. He took part in and won Kaella’s competition.

“It is true that he offered everything to young and talented people. But he couldn’t understand that those scientists and artists became unhappy when they grew up. Because they had to focus and use their talents and their knowledge to increase production efficiency, reducing costs and increasing Prince’s profit.

“Prince had the greatest respect for Julius because the scientific institutes in Magapolis developed materials and tools for tearing down skyscrapers and building new ones, in the same location, in only a month. Your apartment’s season is over, folks! You now have a new apartment, folks! And your rent is higher, too!

“Artists had to create only odes to Humane Capitalism or to solely commercial products. Literature, fine arts, music, theatre, film… they all created the ideal of the super-consumer, which younger generations would admire and mimic.

“Julius didn’t question that at all. That was a given for him. He acted, with exceptional success, within such a system. He could never understand the hopelessness and desperation of young people. And their escape into depravity. Even now, after everything, after your arrival and the talk to the students, when you told them that they should dream, when you gave young men and women hope, when they listened to you and returned to themselves, even now, when the war started — Julius still does not understand that. He only understands that Megapolis and the University will be able to function only in your world, not in Kaella’s or Erivan’s.

“But Raul understood that, Pascal. And the fact that you stayed in the shelter and that you will safeguard yourself so that tomorrow you can help people create a new world, that is an expression of your greatest admiration, your deep respect for your friends’ sacrifice.

“And understand that already! A hundred Juliuses and Levis could not create a better world. Only my Pascal can do that, my dreamer,” Manami said and kissed him.

“I am a dreamer that has seen his dream come true,” said Pascal. “I’m living my dream. You were my only dream this entire time, Manami. Everything that I dreamed of in life, everything that I did in life, was all a dream about you. I realized that the first moment that I saw you. When the light that reflected off of you first reached my eye.”

“What are you saying, my love? Why are you torturing me so, when I can’t kiss you?” Manami touched his face and looked him in the eye. “Who are you? A biology teacher or a lovesick poet? Tell your Manami — who are you?”

“I don’t know. I know only that I am yours. And that nothing else matters.”

Manami couldn’t hold back anymore. She kissed him passionately. Pascal was still caressing her back.

“Cuddle my breasts… just my breasts…” she whispered in a moment when she separated from his lips.

Pascal gently cuddled her breasts through her nightgown.

“Not like that!” Manami screamed. She raised herself from his lap, lifted her nightgown and placed Pascal’s hands beneath it. “Just my breasts, Pascal! Don’t you dare…”

Manami and Pascal could barely part, standing in front of her door. They had to get a few hours sleep so that they could function normally in front of the children.

“I’ll tell you this, my dear. You’re not a coward. You’re the bravest man there is… who has ever lived.”

Chapter 117

“Wow, Your Imperial Majesty! It looks so good on you!” shouted the Grasshopper when he saw Erivan in the black short tunic, wearing a wig.

“I don’t know… it’s a little strange… but at least its comfortable…” Erivan stated his opinion.

“It’s perfect, Your Imperial Majesty. But, do you remember that reality show before the war? The one where the competitors killed each other, and whoever survived won money?”

“I do, how could I forget it! I loved it! I kept sending messages. I spent a bunch of money, but I have no regrets.”

“You should now organize the same show, but at a stadium. Let the people watch them live as they kill each other.”

“Wow, that would be great! Even I would go watch that.”

“Of course you will go, Your Imperial Majesty. In the central box. And your throne will be carried in by hand.”

“Will they do that?”

“Only if they want me to vaporize Capital City…”

“So, that’s what I should say…”

“It’s clear to the people, Your Imperial Majesty. You just give the orders and don’t worry about a thing.”

“I will. I’ve really missed that show,” Erivan finally relaxed.

“When the show is over and one survives, you get up in your box, you slowly raise your hand…”

“And?”

“And then if you give the thumbs up — the survivor gets the prize, and if you give the thumbs down, Charlie’s boys will kill him.”

“That’s great! I can’t wait!” Erivan was excited.

“That’s only the beginning. I have many things to teach you, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Chapter 118

“Today I was definitely convinced that you will tell Seneca about the two of us one day, Manami,” Pascal smiled.

“I couldn’t leave you with that bad haircut. I don’t know what was up with Peter. He’s always cut your hair nicely. I guess his hand trembled for some reason.”

“And you pounced like a lioness. You grabbed the scissors from his hand. Peter was shocked.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It was really strange. I was watching in the mirror. I was watching you, my love. How silly you were. You were all red. And you, the missus, took the scissors to cut my hair in front of your son. You won’t let me be ugly.”

“Well I won’t! I won’t let you, my handsome man,” Manami kissed him.

“Really kiss me, Manami,” Pascal placed his hand on her breast.

“Not now, Pascal. The night has only begun,” Manami grabbed his hand, but she didn’t move it away. “Alright… two minutes, but through the nightgown… We mustn’t… you know how it would end. We always have to leave that for the end of the evening, my love. Two minutes before bedtime. Kissing and cuddling breasts beneath the nightgown. That’s our agreement.”