Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
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“Thatyoushallhave,”Paulsaid,“andanythingelsethatGurneyorIcangiveyou.”
Jessicanodded,feelingsuddenlyoldandtired.ShelookedatChani.“Andfortheroyalconcubine?”
“Notitleforme,”Chaniwhispered.“Nothing.Ibegofyou.”
Paulstareddownintohereyes,rememberinghersuddenlyasshehadstoodoncewithlittleLetoinherarms,theirchildnowdeadinthisviolence.“Isweartoyounow,”hewhispered,“thatyou’llneednotitle.Thatwomanovertherewillbemywifeandyoubutaconcubinebecausethisisapoliticalthingandwemustweldpeaceoutofthismoment,enlisttheGreatHousesoftheLandsraad.
Wemustobeytheforms.Yetthatprincessshallhavenomoreofmethanmyname.Nochildofminenortouchnorsoftnessofglance,norinstantofdesire.”
“Soyousaynow,”Chanisaid.Sheglancedacrosstheroomatthetallprincess.
“Doyouknowsolittleofmyson?”Jessicawhispered.“Seethatprincessstandingthere,sohaughtyandconfident.Theysayshehaspretensionsofaliterarynature.Letushopeshefindssolaceinsuchthings;she’llhavelittleelse.”AbitterlaughescapedJessica.“Thinkonit,Chani:thatprincesswillhavethename,yetshe’llliveaslessthanaconcubine—nevertoknowamomentoftendernessfromthemantowhomshe’sbound.Whilewe,Chani,wewhocarrythenameofconcubine—historywillcalluswives.”
