Chapter 1

She sat at her vanity staring blankly at her reflection for hours, allowing her handmaids to primp and preen her as they pleased since she had little to say in the matter anyway. Her dark brunette hair was curled and pinned away from her face revealing her high cheekbones, full rosy lips and large dark eyes framed by long wispy lashes. Her maids dressed her in a crimson silk wrap gown that cinched in at her narrow waist and had a high slit going to mid-thigh showing off her toned legs. It was a gorgeous garment that in any other circumstance Rose would have been dying to wear, however being forced into a betrothal of a man she knew only by name and stature was not something she had ever planned to accept. No amount or begging or fighting her father had changed his mind on this treaty that was thrown together with Russia. The previous day she had hoped to convince him to take time to rethink her position in this alliance and that she wasn't needed to unify Turkey and Russia but that was to no avail and ended up storming out of his study and straight to the training room to work out some pent-up aggression.

"Princess Rosemarie, it is time to go downstairs for the formal send-off," her maid informed her Rose simply sighed placed the simple gold circlet around her head and slumped out of her room.

"Rosemarie!" scolded her mother the moment she saw her daughter "stand up straight and look regal if you are going to be a queen you better start behaving as one."

"Are you saying mother, that all I needed was poor posture to be kept here and not shipped off to Russia? In that case…" Rose proceeded to practically hunch over.

"Stop being so childish Rosemarie, this alliance depends on you more than you care to acknowledge, and not acting appropriately will not keep you safe in this palace, it will only endanger the lives of all our subjects and your father's."

At that statement, she straightened her back and smoothed her dress, waiting to be announced by the page in the next room. The wealth of her country was ostentatiously displayed in this room, granite pillars lined the courtyard the tops dipped in gold-leaf. The ceilings were intricately carved and inlayed with gold and a stone fountain was in the center of the room with a mosaic of deep sapphire on the pool's floor. Trade-routes had been very beneficial for her country in gaining wealth and now it seemed that is what put them in the middle of this war. Russia wanted to solidify that only their alliances would be the one's turkey was to trade with and if that an agreement couldn't be worked out then trade would cease and they would be enemies of the crown. Russia being one of the biggest deports of goods that would have wrecked the economy not to mention put the Russian army at their back door. While all this was known to Rose she still did not understand why the Russian administration was so adamant that Turkey marry off its only princess to the Imperial Tsar of Russia. Lost in her thoughts she missed her announcement to enter the courtyard, much to the displeasure of her mother. When she finally entered all eyes focus on her at the entrance, she nodded her welcome and went to meet her father perched by his throne. She had heard little of the king of Russia, only that is was very tall and stoic, however the man she saw conversing with her father did not seem to fit that description. While he did seem to be fairly tall; stoic and otherwise boring in her mind did not fit the lighthearted personality of the blond man sipping on a glass.

"My dear Rosemarie, I would like to introduce you to Lord Ivan Zeklos, his Imperial Majesty's right-hand man" said Abe.

"Your beauty proceeds you, princess as I am sure you are told quite often, as his Majesty said I am Ivan and I will be your travelling companion to make sure you arrive safely at the palace in the coming days."

"Forgive me Lord Ivan I was under the impression that his Imperial Majesty would be meeting me to officially announce our betrothal before I am to be whisked away from my home for good," Rose spat with venom lacing her words. The warning look from her father told her that behavior would not be tolerated.

"Misinformation I can assure you Princess, His Majesty is far too busy at home to break away for even a moment, you must understand with the war at our doorstep. Besides the formal engagement announcement takes place at the King's palace since that will be the residence you both will ultimately hold," Ivan stated.

Coming from another person Rose would have seen what he said as a diss at her country, yet Lord Ivan seemed genuine at her surprise of her betrothed not being present at her send off. With that her father turned to the guests to address them.

"My honored guests it is with great pleasure that I am announcing the engagement of my daughter Princess Rosemarie Hathaway-Mazur to Russian Imperial Tsar Dimitri Belikov, may this union strengthen the alliance and friendship between our two countries for years to come and bring both parties great happiness in the coming future. Please raise your glasses in celebration of this joyous moment," everyone replied with a loud cheer.

Ivan turned his attention towards Rose, "unfortunately Princess we cannot stay for the celebration as your arrival is highly anticipated by all of Russian court, so we must be on our way. I already have a carriage outside awaiting us."

"But my things they have yet to be collected for my travels, and you can hardly expect me to travel wearing this," she motioned down at the elaborate gown to emphasize the situation, "especially since it will be cold the closer with get to the capital," she said matter of fact.

"Fine a quick change of clothes but I would advise nothing too heavy since like here it is indeed summer in Russian capital and not at all chilly," Ivan smirked at the frown received from Rose.

_line break_

Back in her room she as not a moments rest as her maids once again readied her for something she had no desire to do. They fitted her in dark travelling clothes and a light cloak packing away her fine gowns and jewels to be sent after her once all collected. The removed the pins from her hair allowing it to fall around her face and she was swept out of the room and down the corridor to the carriage parked outside.

This all seemed too rushed in Rose's mind, how was she expected to leave her country when it seems she only just found out about her engagement no more than a week ago. It's not that she ever thought she would marry for anything more than her country, but she at least thought there would be some sort of courting with various suitors and that she would meet them before her future was decided for her.

Ivan helped her in the carriage and followed closing the door behind him.

"Princess, I understand this has happened much faster than anticipated but just know that everyone truly is thrilled to meet you. Seeing as you are a mystery to many nobles and royals alike, maybe we can use our travel time to acquaint ourselves otherwise it would be a long, boring journey." Rose merely nodded her head but made no action to speak to Lord Ivan. Rather resigning herself to looking out the window at her homeland for the last time before entering her new future as her father put it.