5.My wish

A personable looking man fixed me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He asked ruefully with a sweet smile on his lips. I immediately forgave him. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"At least that's what the lady at the checkout said; is included in the entrance fee. ”The stranger claimed. An extremely handsome specimen of the male species. I briefly assessed its appearance. Well-groomed, good figure in shirt and jeans. "Thank you! Can you also tell me how to get up there? "

“I know better, I'll go with you. Of course, only if you agree. ”I thought for a moment. Actually nothing spoke against it, he would hardly throw me over the parapet. "Gladly." I agreed.

He led me to one of the defensive towers, “Be careful, the ladder doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Maybe it's too dangerous. ”He looked at the ladder skeptically.

That matched my impression of the charade that was being played here. Well, I wanted to go to the battlements, and if the ladder broke, the lord of the castle Corvin Sardovan would have to answer a few questions. Resolutely I climbed the steps, she stopped.

"Not only pretty, but also brave!" Laughed the stranger and came after me. “I forgot one thing, recklessly. The thing is really decrepit, he should be sued. "

So the nice gentleman showed his true colors. “Oh sorry. Something like that upsets me. If everyone removed such a source of danger, there would be fewer accidents. I am a lawyer and I am well aware of such cases. "

“Well you can see that from two sides. After all, that's what they earn their living with. "

"There are enough battles in court, I can do without them," he said seriously. Then he told me about some particularly bad cases he was representing.

His name was Jens Stegmann, he was five years older than me and lived in Munich. As it turned out, this is where he spent part of his childhood. Before he and his parents moved away.

Meanwhile we walked along the battlements, I hardly paid any attention to the view, fascinated by my companion. When I asked why he was spending his vacation here. Jens thought that he had relatives living in the area he was visiting.

I was amazed to see how easy it was to talk to Jens. I soon told him about my deceased uncle. My search and I could hardly believe my last relationship. Embarrassed, I was silent when I noticed, but Jens laughed. "It's part of my job, people have to trust me."

I liked him better every minute, I admitted to myself. Then my eyes fell on a garden. We were just walking behind the tall fortress tower. I stopped while Jens went on.

Well that surprised me. A beautifully landscaped garden that thrived despite the high walls. So hidden, why only? In my reflections, my gaze wandered up the tower. I was unabashedly watched by an appraising look. To which I replied, after all, the tour was included in the entrance fee.

Was that Corvin Sardovan? If so, he was younger than I previously thought. Somehow I imagined him to be an old bald despot. At least not this handsome man. Or was it one of the numerous relatives? I couldn't care less, Corvin wanted to get rid of me. Accordingly, I would probably never find out who this arrogant guy was.

I stuck out my chin just as grandly. That seemed to amuse the gawker. Outraged, I turned away, suppressing my childish tendency, simply sticking my tongue out at the guy.

But I watched him out of the corner of my eye. Something else caught his attention, in fact his face darkened. A cold breeze seized me, wafted slowly on. Involuntarily I followed the man's gaze.

Jens! He looked down into the valley, at that moment he turned around. Shivering, he hunched his shoulders, “The weather is changing, we should end our tour.” He suggested, “Let's go on to the hotel. We can leave the battlements there. ”I agreed, but I still had to look over to the tower again. The man was gone, strange this behavior.

Later we sat in the hotel restaurant and warmed up with a hot chocolate. I noticed the attentiveness of the staff as soon as we stepped into the lobby. The time with Jens just flew by.

Alia soon came home from work, by then I wanted to be back. Because she wanted to give me another surprise. Hopefully none related to a trip.

Jens touched his cup sadly, finally he sighed, "Sarah, I don't want to be pushy, but can we see each other again?" On the contrary, I liked him exceptionally well and happily agreed.

With one exception, because I wanted to continue my research. "Well! Then I will help you. I know a few older people, maybe they can help. ”With these promises I drove to Alia's house. I quickly freshened up and waited for her.

Alia came home late and in a bad mood. Kathi the maid quickly fled through a side door. Apparently not a surprising condition.

Well, if she hit me like that, I'd just leave her where it was. "Hello Sarah, give me a few minutes. I have a terrible headache. What have you been doing all day? ”She asked me, not without a sharpness in her voice.

I briefly described my trip to the village and the fortress. I also mentioned Jens.

“Jens? Jens Stegmann? ”I nodded. She gave me an impenetrable look, "What did he say about me?" Her voice sharpened.

"Nothing special, only that you already knew each other as children."

“So!” She paused, “Yes, that was a long time ago and did you find out anything? The landlord knows everything. Is it [called."

"Unfortunately no, he just said that all Sardovans are related to one another."

“Exactly, that's why I'm so convinced that Vlad is your father. It cannot be otherwise. There is only one Vlad Sardovan. You don't have to look any further, you understand. When will you see Jens again? ”She abruptly changed the subject.

"Tomorrow, we want ..." she didn't listen to me, lost in thought she looked out the window. It was already night.

“My brother, he will be arriving this evening. I want you to get to know him. He is an extremely handsome man, you will like him. "

"We will see. I've found that just because someone is attractive doesn't mean they have a nice character. "

"Oh," Alia laughed, "Sarah, you will love my brother, all women do that." She poured herself some wine. To do this, she went to a closet and unlocked it. Which I found strange even when she didn't offer me a glass. “The wine is too strong for you, you will hardly like it. This is good. My cousin has a fine taste for that. ”And handed me a glass.

“So then we will wait for Vadim. Ah, this is all driving me crazy, Corvin my dear cousin preferred the family reunion. He just tells you that on the side. The guests are simply thrown out. He doesn't care what bad advertising that is. I've got my hands full, the hotel has to be empty by the end of next week. All the cancellations, what it all costs. The staff also they have a life I have to bring everything under one roof. And my cousin just rules. Luckily Vadim will help, I definitely can't do it alone. "

That was my cue. So I could explain my departure. "Alia, if you have so much to do I will go home earlier."

“No is out of the question, you will definitely stay until next week. But what happens after that, we'll see. ”She said evasively, that uncomfortable tingling in the stomach again.

"I really don't mind, you have to ..."

"Sarah, I've invited you." She snapped at me, she said more calmly, "please stay, no matter what this ... ah, I could ..., but let's leave that. You stay." She decided what I actually had nothing against. Even when I thought of the warning. My wish to stay here was completely different, I wanted to get to know Jens better.

It was late when I finally lay down. Alias brother was a long time coming, so she was irritable. Alia wanted me to wait, but I wanted to be rested for tomorrow. "How do you manage that?", I asked her, "You are not a bit tired, although you get up early."