Hello everyone!
This isn't my first time writing fanfiction, but this is the first one I've seriously written for VA.
I hope you all enjoy it! I came up with the idea after reading Beauty and The Beast by littlerichellemead. That story had my heart going all over the place. Then I watched Gone With The Wind, and it gave me even more ideas! So here it is!
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own Vampire Academy, but in no way, shape, or form should this story be reproduced without explicit permission!
I would also love a beta-reader! Though I do spend a lot of time proofreading, I miss stuff a lot. PM me if you're interested!
Okay! On with the story...
Once in a blue moon does this evil occur,
Leaving one not remembered and provoking a stir,
Until the forgotten one begs for the truth,
In the cursed native tongue and the tongue of the sleuth,
The charmed ones are left at the hands of the moon,
Forever restrained if it not spoken soon,
But if this sacred question is cognizant and spoken
This dark, horrid spell will then be broken
This evil will fade into nothingness,
Leaving the cursed and forgotten in their new found bliss.
Rose woke with a jolt.
There was already a commotion thundering downstairs—she knew her sister would be wasting her days away planning her wedding, no doubt—her wedding to Dimitri Belikov, consort of Russia, and someone she tried her best not to think about. It filled her entire being with indescribable pain.
And she must face him. She knows not when, but she knows soon.
Her abysmal, brown curls frame her face as she rises from her bed, stretching her arms above her head as she yawns deeply. Her bedchamber was nothing fancy, but it suited her. She owned a small, oak dresser, carved out by her father from one of the tall trees surrounding the Mazur Manor. Her bed derived from the same auburn-colored wood, housing her small satin mattress, stuffed with straw and picked cotton, and her thin, woven quilt. Her pillow was filled with cotton, stitched up within a small silk pouch to which she laid her head each night. The only pair of shoes she owned were a small pair of wooden clogs, hidden beneath her light blue maid's gown. She knew she had to dress quickly; for Saige would be asking for her any minute.
Within minutes Rose was dressed, tying her hair back with a small bow she kept hidden beneath her bed—if her sister found it anywhere but in her sister's hair she'd take to it immediately. She slid on her clogs, and began quietly making her way downstairs.
The curtains hadn't yet been opened, but the candles lining the walls had been lit, down to the small flambeau resting in her sister's hands. Rose, knowing her morning duties, immediately began pulling open the grand, velvet blinds, allowing the sun's rays to flood the entire hall. Her bedchamber only had one small window to fill her space with light, but she appreciated how easy it was to shut it all out at the end of the day.
Her sister didn't speak her a word, even as she began preparing breakfast. The other maids were busying themselves with housework, and Eddie, the only butler, was tending to Olena and Viktoria Belikova, Dimitri's mother and youngest sister. She'd seen them before, in a time before her entire life fell apart, and they looked just as beautiful as she remembered. They both had light, caramel colored hair that aligned with their faces in thin strands, and dark brown eyes that complimented their pale complexion. They were from Siberia, which was colder than Turkey's worst winters. They looked to be ghosts, but their rich hair and Cimmerian eyes made added a bit of color to their faint hue. They were alluring in their own way, and it pained Rose to even look at them here and there; it reminded her of memories that she'd never relive again.
Rose finished setting the table, placing Saige's favorite dish, Simit, on the large silver platter, praying that the preparation of this sweet bread would enlighten her sister. Her sister already despised her, and Rose knew angering her would only add to her daily misery. She didn't need it, and she was definitely taking advantage of the nuptial-induced joy her sister had been in for the past two weeks. She hadn't seen her sister this elated since their mother perished, for a reason she cannot fathom, and when their father was exiled. Rose knew her sister had cruel intentions, but never had she expected her sister to throw a ball in honor of the quick and subtle loss of their parents. To Rose, it hadn't been subtle at all—her parents dying cut major wounds into her heart, spiraling her into a depression that had only been numbed by the love of her life.
Dimitri Belikov.
Until one day, it all stopped. The kisses, the embraces, the Roza, the proclamation of love, the love making…
And it left Rose even more broken than before. She refused to leave her room for weeks, crying, and wallowing in her own self-pity. Rose didn't have many friends either; her best friend Vasilisa Dragomir was the daughter of a wealthy Lord and her family was close friends with the Belikov's, but even looking at Lissa reminded her of Dimitri. She couldn't bear the pain of seeing his face in everything her eyes saw, so keeping them closed was her only option. She slept for what seemed like centuries, waking up only to cry herself back to sleep. When she finally felt anesthetized enough to emerge from her bedchamber, she didn't even recognize her own face in the mirror. And on top of her broken heart, her sister forced her into the peasantry, making her work as a servant in her own home.
Eddie entered the main hall swiftly, his suit hugging his chest tightly. Eddie's been with the Mazur's since their mother passed—he was a young friend of their father, and when he was sent off to England, Eddie stayed for Rose. Saige refused to give Eddie new attire, so he is forced to work daily in the same outfit—one that is too small for him, and one that is continuously covered in sweat, and occasionally blood. Saige has a temper on her. She knows if she hits Rose that she'll hit back, but Eddie is too much of a gentleman to lay a finger on her. She takes no prisoners when it comes to beating him, whether it be with a whip, the broom, or even her bare hands. She enjoys watching Eddie writhe beneath her touch, and knowing there's nothing he can do about it.
"Good morning, Rosemarie." He said to her softly, dusting the candle holders with the small feather duster he held tightly with his gloved hand. His gloves were faded and ripped, signifying the amount of work he puts in on a daily basis.
Rose smiled at him, her teeth barely showing through her faint grin. "Good morning, Edison." She replied, sweeping the floor with the broom as she looked to him.
"You look marvelous." He started. "You should really smile more."
Rose scoffed, chuckling sarcastically to herself. "Not when I have no purpose for smiling."
Eddie looked quite disappointed by her response. All he ever wanted for Rose was for her to be happy, despite the circumstances. He knew she was nowhere near happiness, but he would do everything in his power to add as much contentment to her life as possible. "Rose, there is always a reason to smile."
Rose turned on her heel to face him. "Prove it. Give me one good reason why I should be happy at a time like this."
Eddie grinned. "Because you have me."
Rose couldn't help but grin back at him, a goofy, lopsided grin that nearly split her face in two. She wanted to give him a playful slap at his remark, but she remembered the abuse he endured from her sister, and she didn't want to add onto it, even if it wasn't meant to be malicious. "I guess so, Edison." She started, her grin never faltering. "Tell me, are you trying to win my affections, Mr. Castile?"
He smiled back at her. "So what if I am, Ms. Mazur? Would you protest?"
"Who could protest to such a gentleman?" Rose asked him, her eyes brighter than they'd been in a while.
Eddie shook his head. "Many could, dear Rose. I just hope if you break my heart, you'll let me down easy."
Rose knew Eddie was joking, they both were, but she enjoyed this dose of affection from him. "Oh Eddie, you know I could never break your heart."
He shook his head in disagreement. "That's where you're wrong, dear Rose." He started, his eye hooded. "You could break anyone's heart."
"Oh Eddie I-,"
"Rosemarie!"
Rose knew the daily drill. Make breakfast, do the laundry, sweep and scrub, gardening, tapestries, lunch, letter writing, dress fittings, more laundry, more sweeping and scrubbing, dinner, and finally bed. It was always the same for Rose, and she's become so accustomed to it that doing anything out of the ordinary made her feel immensely uncomfortable.
So when her sister called for her to enter her study before breakfast had even been served, her body tensed, and she was preparing herself for the worst.
Saige noticed her sister reluctance to enter her chambers. Stupid girl, she thought, playing with a piece of her hair. As she grew impatient, she ushered her in. "Enter, Rosemarie."
Rose took a small step forward, past the wooden door, and urgently placed her hands behind her back. She knitted her fingers together and stood tall, her posture signifying respect—a respect that wasn't actually there.
"I've called you here to discuss today's plans," Saige began standing up and approaching her sister. "We are in desperate need of help."
As much as Rose wanted to spit in her face and flee the Manor, she knew she'd have nowhere to go. Rose nodded submissively, ignoring her resentful impulses. Any attempt to out-do her sister were futile—the guard would be on her in an instant, and the hell she already lived in would increase by a few hundred degrees. "Whatever you need, sister."
Saige scowled to herself at Rose's words. She didn't dare look to Rose as a sister anymore; she's ruined her life. Saige was supposed to marry Dimitri, Saige was supposed to be the only heir to the Mazur fortune, and Rose's birth skewed her plans. But now, Saige got what she wanted. No mother and father to dictate her actions, the man of her dreams, and now her sister—maid—was repaying her for her suffering. Saige had always stood in Rose's shadow, and she was ready to finally take her rightful place upon the throne, no matter which throne it may be. Rose would always view Saige as her sister, but never again would she feel the love she once felt for her years ago.
Saige finally found her voice and gave her sister orders. "I need you to make sure you have the dining hall ready for the remainder of the Belikov's. Today we are to discuss my wedding. I needn't any fault in my plans." She started, circling Rose territorially, as if she'd bolt any second—and knowing Rose, she'd definitely thought about it. "Make sure the dining hall is spotless. See to it the Edison is ready to greet them at the door. Vasilisa will also be in attendance."
Rose nodded slowly, absorbing her words silently. She felt her heart lurch at the thought of seeing Lissa, but she could feel a sudden nausea overtake her as she thought of seeing Dimitri. It pained her too much to even think of him, and seeing him might just push her over the edge. She hadn't seem Dimitri in almost three years.
Saige ignored the pained look upon Rose's face, and continued to speak. "Make sure you tend to Vasilisa diligently. My bridesmaid deserves the best of treatment. And so-,"
Rose stopped listening after bridesmaid.
Her best friend, the one she'd confided in through everything, was deterring to the worst of all betrayals—she was going to be a part of the holy ceremony that would unify her first—and only—love, and her cruel sister. Rose didn't even know if she'd be able to look at Lissa when she stepped through the door. She wanted nothing to do with her anymore.
When Rose felt a warm teardrop roll down her cheek, she wiped it away swiftly and eyed her sister once more, who was snapping her fingers in her face.
"Were you even listening to me, Rosemarie?"
Rose hadn't. "Sorry, ma'am. I was a bit distracted."
"That distraction could kill you." Her sister said wickedly, smiling devilishly at her. "Now pay attention. This is no way to treat your highness."
Rose could only nod.
"Per Vasilisa's request, she wants you to join us in our meal. You must be on your best behavior. Limit your talking to 'please' and 'thank you'." Saige said slowly, hoping her sister would comprehend her words. "You are to pay attention to what myself or my fiancé says to you. Do not make me repeat myself."
Despite the surge of excitement that flooded her veins at the thought of joining her best friend to dinner, she still felt hurt. Lissa's position as Saige's bridesmaid was to ultimate act of treason in her eyes. She still wasn't sure if she'd be able to look at her when she arrived.
"Once you are done cleaning the kitchen, you are to dress yourself. Look presentable."
"Yes, your majesty." Rose responded, doing her best not to burst into tears on the spot.
Saige nodded pleasingly. "That is all, Rosemarie."
Rose did a small twirl in front of her mirror.
She was satisfied with the look of her attire; her mother's old wedding dress, a simple white gown garnished with thin lace and smooth silk that Rose ran through her fingers repeatedly. She'd stolen a pair of shoes from her sister, ones that she'd discarded in the corner of her bedchamber, and when Rose made her daily rounds, she couldn't help but try them on for herself. Despite the differences between her and her sister, they still wore the same sized shoes, still shared the same dark hair and eyes, and they still had their mother's distinct nose—one that Rose wished she could have all to herself. Saige didn't deserve to share anything with her mother, let alone her facial features.
Her hair was in a small ponytail, crossing over her right shoulder, and a small plait went from her left ear all the way to where her hair spilled out from the small, silk bow that held her strands together. She felt beautiful for the first time in ages, and she was going to savor the feeling for as long as she could. She could feel the tear in her heart begin to reopen the more she thought about seeing Dimitri again, but she knew that the Belikova's wouldn't be cruel like her sister, and hopefully she could get some answers out of Lissa.
Before descending downstairs, Rose brushed her cheeks with some tinted ivory, a powder Eddie had gathered for her when he went to retrieve the Olena and Viktoria earlier that week. He knew how much the little things meant to her, so when he presented her the small, satin tote with the flushed pink powder after dinner, she couldn't help but squeeze him as tightly as she could, and leave a soft kiss on his cheek. Rose didn't know how she'd survive being in that palace without Eddie.
She was very tempted to write in her journal, one that Eddie had also retrieved for her, a diary she'd kept since her entire ordeal began. She planned on using it when she finally left the Manor as a means to testify against her sister in some way, but in their society, rarely did anyone of much power listen to women, let alone a girl claiming to have been tortured by another woman. As much as Rose wanted to gouge her sister's eyes out, she was going to be on her best behavior that night. Not only did she want to avoid an altercation with her sister, but she also wanted to receive as much affection from Dimitri as possible. She figured she looked good enough to at least earn some eye contact from him. Just a little something to warm her heart.
Before she could make her way downstairs, she heard shouting from the foyer.
"Rosemarie! Come at once!"
With a scowl, Rose began her trek down the staircase, holding her dress up so her shoes wouldn't catch any of the delicate lace. Once she reached the main hall, she found her sister. Her face was a bright shade of red—anger no doubt—but Rose couldn't deny that she looked beautiful. She was wearing an emerald colored gown, with long sleeves that hooked onto her ring finger. Her hair was braided into a crown, a few rubies interlocked with her dark brown strands. Though her sister was the devil in her eyes, she looked like an angel.
"My apologies, highness." Rose hated calling her that. "I had to dress myself."
Saige scoffed, looking Rose up and down with disgust. "I doubt you put that much effort into dressing yourself, Rosemarie. Your hair is rough and tattered, and your hands are as black as night."
Rose looked down at her hands instinctively. They weren't as dirty as Saige made them out to be, and she's checked her hair numerously in the mirror before she emerged from her bedchamber. Saige just wanted to belittle her, and Rose would have to hold her tongue. That's how it's always been.
"Dimka, Vasilisa, and his sisters will be here soon. Please go seat yourself at the table." Saige said, tilting her head towards the vast table in the dining hall. She hated the thought of Rose joining them for dinner; she was just a servant, and a wench at that, but Vasilisa pleaded with her, and she—unfortunately—caved.
Rose smiled softly to herself and chose her seat. She knew her sister would be sitting at the far end of the table—the head—and that Dimitri would be nearby, so she sat two chairs away from her sister's seat. No matter which way Dimitri sat, on the right or the left, she's either be right next to him, or directly across from him, and she minded neither. She just wanted to be close to him, even if it mean just basking in his presence.
Rose listened for the sound of a carriage, the sound of the clicking hooves and the wooden wheels as they connect to the gravel. She continued to keep her ears perked up, but anticipation got the best of her, and she felt herself begin to dose off the longer she waited.
"Rose." She heard from behind her. Her head rose quickly, and her eyes widened from her previously sleepy stature. When she peered behind her, her eyes bulged from her head as she looked Vasilisa Dragomir up and down. Rose couldn't help but immediately fall into her open arms, despite the angered feelings she'd felt earlier. They all melted away as soon as they held each other.
"Lissa," Rose began. "It's so good to see you."
Lissa smiled against her cheek after pressing a soft kiss there, warming Rose's heart. "You look much better, friend."
They releases each other and smiled, Lissa taking a seat beside Rose. They held each other's hands on the table top, and cowered at each other. Rose was blown away by Lissa's beauty, and Lissa felt the same. She knew Rose was naturally beautiful, but when she dressed herself up, Lissa thought she looked a thousand times more beautiful than before.
"How are you, my darling?" Lissa asked her, stroking Rose's dark brown strands.
Rose frowned a bit. "Busting my ass, Liss." Both of the girls laughed a bit, and Rose continued. "I can't stand working for that wench anymore."
"I really hope this 'wench' you're talking about is not your sister."
Rose and Lissa peered up and found the god-like man himself.
Dimitri Belikov.
Rose felt her breathing stop. Her heart began pounding relentlessly in her chest as she scanned him up and down. He was exactly as Rose remembered him: molten chocolate eyes, dark brown, shoulder-length hair that he tied back at the nap of his neck. His skin was a pale masterpiece, his dark features complementing a ghostly complexion. He was quite a large man, composed of muscles at most, and Rose couldn't help but stare helplessly at the muscles and veins that protrude from beneath his white button-down. She knew that Dimitri was never one for formal wear, sporting a casual white t-shirt and long slacks, completely disregarding proper attire for any kind of dinner party. But Rose knew, Dimitri never played by the rules.
Rose could barely breathe, let alone reply to him. His stare was piercing, and she could feel her cheeks heat up the longer he looked at her. Her vocal cords were failing her, and she couldn't help but succumb to her desires. It took a jab in the side from Lissa to bring her back, and she coughed a bit before speaking. "My apologies, Dimitri."
Dimitri tried not to smile. Though he was in love with her sister, he knew Rose was beautiful. It was that kind of natural beauty that most women vying for his affections lacked in. Dimitri also knew that Rose was nothing but a bump in Saige's road, and that being nice to her would only anger his fiancé. He regained his composure, and his hardened stare returned. "Do not talk about your sister like that." He had to contain himself. "I would hate to have to inform her of your nasty remarks."
Rose's eyes widened, and before she knew it she was on her knees before him. I've been here before, she thought. "Please, sir! I beg of you. Find some compassion in your heart. I promise my words will be of courtesy next time!"
Dimitri grinned, it looked malicious to Rose, but to Dimitri, it was an accidental sign of weakness. He adored Rose, and he was surprised that he'd gone so long without seeing her, but she was nothing more than his fiancé's little sister, a maid—nothing but a wench. He had to treat her as such. "I will pardon your words, Rose."
Rose felt her entire body relax. The last thing she wanted was to anger Dimitri—the memories she had of him were loving and elated, she didn't want to ruin them with memories of him wide-eyed and irate. She wanted to savor the look of him smiling at her, even if it doesn't even bare teeth, she wanted to commit his every facial feature to memory. "Thank you." She said sincerely. She couldn't help but go soft when it came to Dimitri.
"Everyone sit."
Lissa, Rose, and Dimitri both turned to face Saige, who stood within the threshold of the main hall and the dining hall, her arms crossed across her chest. She didn't look angry, more annoyed than anything, but she held her tongue when she saw the look on Dimitri's face when he looked at her. He still feels something for her, she thought. That made her blood boil more than anything.
Saige coughed a bit and spoke up after a moment. "Everyone please be seated. Edison and Mia will serve us at once."
Rose winced a bit. Not only did she not want Eddie serving her, but she hadn't yet told him of her and Saige's bargain. She didn't even want to think about the look that would be shone upon his face when he saw her seated at the table.
Mia Rinaldi hadn't asked for this life—none of them had. But it was much easier for Rose and Eddie to put it past their worries; this Manor held memories for them, unlike Mia, who'd been found on the street by Saige, and forced into labor. Mia remembers it all—the woven sack over her face, the smell of lavender and manure, and the bumpy ride in the carriage to the Mazur Manor. She scowled every time she had to look at Saige, and Rose had always comforted her, but seeing her seated at that table made her heart sink. Rose gave her a look of desperation, and Mia knew that it wasn't Rose's intention to hurt her, but it still stung.
As Mia and Eddie began placing the food onto the silver plates in front of them, Rose couldn't peel her eyes away from Dimitri. All she wanted to do was hold him, touch him, kiss him. She wanted the storm cloud that had been held over her since the day he left her to dissipate. It rained on any parade, no matter how big or small.
Rose felt her anger boil over every time Saige and Dimitri kissed. Every time he held her hand and every time he ran his fingers through her hair. That should be her. It should be Rose on the receiving end of Dimitri's touch.
Watching he and her sister, Rose briefly remembered their last night together. The night she regrets most.
"Why don't you just come with me, Roza?" He said softly, placing a soft kiss on her temple. She hummed softly as he massaged her scalp with his fingers. "We don't have to stay in Siberia. I know how much you hate the cold."
Rose grinned. "Well Comrade, Saige would throw a bitch fit."
He smirked a bit, moving his hand from her hair to her skin, running his fingertips along her forearm, raising small goosebumps upon his touch. "Since when did you care about what Saige thinks?"
Rose scoffed. "Since the stupid wench managed to get my mother and father to disappear."
Dimitri felt his heart lurch at her words. Dimitri didn't have a father—well, he did, but he was piece of shit in Dimitri's eyes. When he caught him beating his mother and sisters, he did what any noble man would do: he beat him to a pulp. He still had his mother, and wished someone could fill the void for his Roza.
"I know it's hard, but we could start over in Russia." He began, kissing her again. "You just have to give it a chance."
Rose wanted to go. She wanted to go bad. But knowing Abe Mazur, he'd eventually show up from wherever he'd been exiled—Saige never went into any detail with Rose about how exactly her mother and father met their fate, but all she knew was that her sister was the mastermind behind whatever had happened to them. She didn't want to miss it when her father returned—it would pain her for the rest of her days if he came back and Rose was gone.
"You know why I can't go, Dimitri." She murmured, and he winced a bit when she refrained from using his nickname. "I love you so much, but I have to stay. In case he comes back."
"You're more of a woman than Saige will ever be." He started, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "You're so brave, and strong, and bold. I'll never get enough of you."
She smiled against his lips and twirled a piece of his hair within her fingers. "The feeling's mutual, Comrade."
She deepened the kiss, their lips moving perfectly in sync. Rose had always know that she was meant for Dimitri, but it was in moments like this that her feelings solidified. Every time their lips met, every time they looked at each other, was just another reassurance of their love for each other. He pulled away, much to her dismay, and brushed her face softly. "Roza, promise me something."
She bit down on his lip softly, and felt her insides clench at his soft moan. "Anything."
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing after the lips bite that nearly sent him over the edge. He wanted her to accompany him back to Russia, he wanted to take her away from her god-awful sister. He wanted to protect her from harm's way at all costs, and it be easiest to do it if she was with him. But he knew his Roza was honorable, she'd put her family before anything, and if staying for her father is what she wanted to do, she was going to do it.
"Spit it out, Comrade. I won't bite," She paused for a moment. "Yet."
He chuckled a bit, but remembered the purpose of him breaking their kiss. "If you stay, and he come back, promise you'll come home to me." He knew she was going to protest, but he continued. He had to find some way to keep his Roza. "You don't have to stay, but I have to know you're safe. I have to know that my love is okay."
Rose wanted to cave and just leave with him. The boat back to Russia was leaving at dawn, and she could almost reach out and touch her freedom with Dimitri. Although she owed it to her father to be there if and when he returned to Istanbul with open arms, this was a promise she knew she could keep for Dimitri. After her father returned, she would go to him. As fast as she possibly could into his arms. She'd never leave his side again if she knew that her father was home and safe, and that Saige was pacified.
Rose could agree to those terms, a thousand times over. "I promise I will comply with your wishes, Comrade. Always. I love you."
"I love you more, my Roza."
"Rose!"
Rose's head shot up at the sound of her sister's piercing squeal. Saige was furious—she'd set strict expectations for her sister's behavior at dinner, and she was blatantly disregarding any order she'd given.
Rose sunk down in her seat, her embarrassment rising with each new pair of eyes that fixated on her. Dimitri's especially bothered her, the way his dark brown eyes studied her face, even as she winced below the gaze of her fuming sister.
"I gave you simple instructions, and you can't even follow those! You are a disgrace!" Saige rose from her chair and stormed over to where Rose was seated. "I don't even know why I allowed scum like you to sit at my supper. I should send you away at once!"
"Saige I'm-,"
"Save it! I'm tired of your bland excuses! Go to your bedchamber at once!" Saige howled, her face turning a deep shade of red.
"Stop this at once, Saige."
Rose and her sister both turned, and found that the source of the noise was the least expected. Dimitri Belikov had risen from his seat, and set a heated glare upon Saige. Saige felt betrayed, and reacted as such. How dare her fiancé defend some worthless wench? "What are you doing, Dimka?"
He shook his head in disappointment. He knew his fiancé was crazy, but now she was being completely cruel and unreasonable. "This is outrageous. Leave her alone."
Saige's eyes widened in shock as she retreated to her side of the table. Rose could do nothing but hold her breath as her sister chose her words. "How dare you? She's nothing but a maid. A stupid wench that's ruining my life!"
Dimitri felt his heart drop at his fiancé's words. He knew Saige despised her sister, but Rose had done nothing to her. She'd been a submissive servant in her own home, and as much as he tried to hate her for Saige, he was failing miserably. "Don't you dare talk about her like that. She's your sister."
Rose's heart lurched at Dimitri's defense. She was close to running around to the other side of the table and jumping into his arms.
Saige clutched Dimitri's arm and lead him to her study, her harsh grip leaving a red ring around Dimitri's pale skin. She was fuming. She wanted to rip off Rose's head. In the eyes of her soon-to-be husband, Rose should be nothing more than a waste of space. It didn't work, she thought. "She is not my sister."
"Yes she is." Dimitri said sternly. "You should treat her as such."
"Give me one good reason." Saige was ready to take Dimitri's head too. She was utterly embarrassed, and once again, he demise had been at the hands of her sister. She was ready to wring the life out of Rose by her neck.
"She hasn't done anything to deserve this." Dimitri said, knowing Saige wouldn't cave anytime soon. "If she's such a burden to carry, why do you keep her around?"
"Because, Dimka, she deserves to pay for what she's done to me! She took away my fortune! She took away the attention! Do you realize how much it pained me to have to send away my parents away? She wasn't supposed to be born!"
Saige was being a brat. Dimitri could understand where she was coming from though—his sister Karolina was supposed to be the only heir to the Belikov fortune, but as soon as Sonya came along, she knew her shot at being the sole heir was out the window. He couldn't help but sympathize a bit with his fiancé, and stop being so courteous around Rose, but something within him wanted to comfort her. But, he had an allegiance with Saige, so he said what any rational man would. "Okay, darling. I'm sorry."
Saige immediately felt a weight fall off of her shoulders. All she ever wanted was for Dimitri to agree with her choices. He had before, and it confused as to why he picked now to say something to her. "Good. I'm glad we can agree to this."
He, of course, had a hunch. "But, I want you to try to be a bit nicer to her."
Saige scowled at him, and stomped her feet around. "Why, Dimka? This is so not fair."
He tried not to scoff. "You're one to talk, Saige."
She felt her anger emerge again. She knew her fiancé wasn't completely on the same page as she was, and she had to do something about it. "I thought you agreed with me. Don't tell me you're going to continue to stick up for that wench?"
"I'm not." He said slowly, trying not to get upset over her use of 'wench' again. "But you need to treat her better. She does a lot for you."
Saige only wanted the conversation to be over. She wanted to shut Dimitri up, and return to her dinner. She scowled to herself—it's probably cold by now, she thought. "Fine. I'll try. For you."
Dimitri smiled at her. All he wanted for his fiancé was for her to be happy, and it seemed to him that she spent more time yelling at Rose than actually enjoying the little things in life. She didn't need to constantly be angry. "Good," He started. "Let's return to dinner."
The two of them swiftly emerged back into the dining hall, Saige's eyes immediately falling on Rose. She looked genuinely happy, for the first time in years, and it made Saige even more upset. She didn't deserve to be happy, she deserved to pay for what she'd done to her.
Rose didn't care about Saige anymore. Not that she really ever had lately, but after Dimitri stood up for her, she had a revelation. It can't always be someone else that stands up to Saige, and Rose now knew that in order to save herself, she had to be her own hero—and bust herself out.
Olena Belikova tapped her fork to the side of her wine glass and gathered everyone's attention. Rose sent a small smile Olena's way, and Olena couldn't help but wonder why her only son couldn't have married Rose instead. "I would like to begin discussing matter on the wedding, if there are to be no more interruptions."
Everyone nodded at her, and Saige took it upon herself to reply. "Of course, Mama. You may begin."
Olena smiled back at Rose, much to Saige's dismay, and began speaking. "As you know, we need the blessing from one of your parents in order for this wedding to proceed."
Saige sat up straighter, and told Olena exactly what she wanted to hear. "Both of my parents are dead, Mama."
"So there is nobody to bless this union from your family?"
Saige kept a straight face as she continued. "Yes."
Rose felt her cheeks heat up. Saige had put their entire family through hell, but this took the cake. This must've been her plan from the start, rid her life of anyone that could possibly get in the way of her stratagem. But Rose knew the truth, and she was done trying to hide it. It was finally time for her to take a stand against her sister. Raising her head up high, she looked Olena dead in the eye and spoke.
"Father is not dead, your grace."
Saige's eyes bulged out of her head, and Rose felt her body tense at the sound of the gasps emerging from the guest's mouths.
Olena eyed Saige with disgust, and before she could protest, she looked to Rose. "Where is he then?"
Looking repulsively at her sister, she tilted her chin and responded. "He was exiled. In England."
Boom. There it was.
I truly hope this story isn't a royal flop.
If you like it, please review and favorite! I appreciate any feedback I can get!
Next part may be up today, but you can expect one exactly a week from today.
Thanks for reading,
-Tay