Konrad Curze listened intently to his every word. His brother was not one of those students who asked many questions, but he firmly remembered everything the teacher said.
From the principles of the Imperium to its most important tasks, the basic political terms – Konrad Curze remembered everything.
From his face, Fulgrim could see that he didn't understand the connection between "political exchange of benefits" and the appointment of planetary governors, but Konrad Curze would remember it.
And for a Primarch, if he remembered something, understanding was only a matter of time.
Time would help him understand everything.
It's just that…
"But I'm not sure you'll be interested in politics, Konrad."
The Khemite closed his book and, leaning back in his chair, uttered these words.
A shadow of melancholy flickered in his eyes – an expression that often appeared on Fulgrim's face. Sometimes intentionally, and sometimes as an involuntary manifestation of his true thoughts.
"Politics?"
"Yes… politics."
Fulgrim sighed and didn't continue. Over time, Konrad Curze would understand how special his status was in this Imperium.
Even if in the future he would hate politics and try with all his might to stay away from this whirlpool, politics would find him itself.
This word, to a certain extent, was associated with responsibility.
"Let's not talk about it, Konrad."
Fulgrim smiled.
"We've worked excellently today. If it continues like this, you'll have time to learn everything you need in two weeks."
"And the answer to that question…?"
"I haven't forgotten, of course."
"But you already have the answer, don't you?" Fulgrim said softly. "I saw you pondering this question during the lesson."
The pale giant nodded. He was silent, but it was not an ominous silence.
Fulgrim could see that he was now thinking and choosing his words – Konrad Curze had already understood something; he just needed to understand more.
A year and a half…
Sighing soundlessly, the Khemite stood up and took the pendant from his pocket. He immediately noticed how Konrad Curze's expression changed slightly.
"I…"
Fulgrim, without looking into Konrad Curze's eyes, raised the pendant, shifting his gaze to it. Then he spoke in a soft tone:
"It's from Terra," the Khemite said affectionately. "I forgot to tell you yesterday, sorry, Konrad."
Then, with a light movement of his hand, he tossed the pendant, and it, jingling its chain, landed in his palm. Fulgrim opened his palm and, pointing to the pendant itself, began to explain in detail.
"The casing is gilded, inside is a fragment of ruins from an ancient building, very old, I asked my father for it. The gilding wears off easily; it dulls from impacts or chemicals."
"So, if you wear it constantly, it will need to be touched up from time to time. It's simple; even a child can do it, so I won't go into detail, Konrad."
"So…"
He finally met Konrad Curze's gaze.
"Do you still want to accept it?" Fulgrim asked quietly. "Even after what I've done?"
Without a word, Konrad Curze slowly took the pendant from Fulgrim's hands. He turned away so as not to see his face and pointed to the book lying on the table.
"Did you give it a name, Fulgrim?" Konrad Curze asked.
His voice was calm.
Fulgrim struggled to suppress a smile and, maintaining a calm tone, replied,
"No, Konrad. I didn't give it a name."
"Why?"
"Because… ah, you caught me off guard."
The Khemite sighed.
"I don't know why myself, Konrad. I just didn't give it a name."
"You said that sixty-six years ago you made the cover for it yourself, and since then its pages have been constantly updated. So why didn't you give it a name?"
Fulgrim froze.
'Indeed, why?'
And his brother continued:
"You took very good care of it… It's old, but this oldness is pleasant, Fulgrim. You must have reread it often, right? I saw many folded corners and fresh notes…"
Konrad Curze raised his head and, looking at the Khemite, asked quietly,
"If you like it so much, why didn't you give it a name?"
Fulgrim lowered his head. He didn't know what to answer.
From a rational point of view, he understood that there was no need to answer Konrad Curze's question.
Just a notebook, what name does it need, and what kind of love can there be?
Even if it had now become almost an encyclopedia covering all aspects of the Imperium's life, in the end, it was still just a notebook.
But, yes…
A notebook that had been with me for over sixty years.
Some feeling began to stir within him, making him purse his lips.
"Because… I forgot," Fulgrim said.
"The last entries were made seventeen years ago. I still carried it with me, but I hadn't opened it or added new pages for a long time. If it weren't for today's lesson, it would probably have remained closed."
Fulgrim smiled, and this smile slowly transformed. The beautiful demigod laughed at this moment – simply and ordinarily, in a way he would never have allowed himself in the past.
The Emperor's son, Fulgrim, smiled only with restraint and elegance.
"I forgot!" he exclaimed, clapping Konrad Curze on the back with laughter. "Absurd, isn't it? I managed to forget about it!"
'I managed to forget how humble I once was…'
'I strived for perfection, so why did I forget this notebook? I cherished it so much, reread it every evening…'
The pale giant silently watched his brother, not reacting to his laughter at all, only involuntarily straightened his back – Fulgrim's pat made him a little uncomfortable.
"Alright."
Having finished laughing, Fulgrim shook his head:
"Apparently, everyone has a different sense of humor, right? You don't find this funny."
"Yes," said Konrad Curze. "And I want you to take it back."
"What?" Fulgrim's eyes widened. "This pendant?"
"No… I mean the notebook," Curze pursed his lips and averted his gaze.
"…But why, Konrad? Don't you need it?"
"I do, and very much so, but… it must be very dear to you."
Konrad Curze raised his head.
"Therefore, I will not take it."
He glanced quickly at Fulgrim, then immediately looked away, raised his right hand, letting the pendant slide down. Then he unclasped the chain with both hands.
"…But thank you for the pendant," Konrad Curze said. "I like it very much. I will give it a name."
Fulgrim stared at him in astonishment. After a moment, the Khemite smiled.
"Good," he said quietly. "I think he will like it too."
***
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