This is my first story and I hope you enjoy. Please read and review with any encouraging words you may have. Criticism can be helpful too.
All character belong to the lovely and talented Richelle Mead!
My name is Princess Rosemarie Hathaway Mazur, born Turkish royalty I have certain responsibilities to uphold and traditions to fulfill. My father, Abe, and mother, Janine, are putting on the pressure to marry. At only seventeen years old I have no reason of my own to want such a thing. I dream to see the world outside the palace walls, maybe even attend a university. I have my whole life ahead of me to marry and fall in love, not that I get the option to marry for such things. Royal marriages are strictly political, arranged with whoever offers the best alliance. My parents were an arranged marriage and although they have come to love each other in their own way they still have quite the strained relationship, I still don't quite comprehend why they would wish the same thing for me. Maybe I'm being selfish; my father has already given me everything I have asked for. He allows me to have visits to the city outside the palace walls every other week, supervised of course. I was allowed to get my driver's license, against my mother's wishes saying that I need not drive and was unfitting of a princess to learn so. As no surprise I was homeschooled with some of the best tutors in the world but I did manage to convince father of some normal schooling experiences like prom and the occasional fieldtrip. Incase it's still unclear I am daddy's little girl. The hardest concession for the old man was allowing me to get a personal trainer and build me my own gym. I've always had a bit of a temper so this helps take out some of those frustrations but I'm still no saint. Abe always said I have no reason to learn to defend myself because I shall always have my royal guard and he doesn't want to see me hurt, my mother agreed of course but I enjoy the rush of endorphins I get after any sort of physical exertion. Now I'm no adrenaline junkie but the high I get after besting a sparring partner is exceptional, if only I could obtain some real competition. My father continues to hire trainers that hold back any real fight to let me win. It's rather upsetting. No longer can I sit back and allow it to happen but I'm at a loss on how to resolve this.
"Rose…Rose….ROSEMARIE are you listening to me at all, or are you just going to spend the day with your head in the clouds? This is going to be on your final exam and as much as I love to hear the sound of my own voice this lesson is for your benefit, not mine. I've already mastered the Russian language where as you have yet to scratch the surface." I could hear the exasperated tone to Mrs. Karp's voice concluding I must have spaced out again, getting lost in my own mind without realizing such.
"Sorry Mrs. Karp, I became distracted is all." There was a hint of apology in my voice but my level of distraction as of late has reached an all-time high and I could tell Mrs. Karp was getting frustrated.
"I see that dear but don't you understand this is important. You will become queen someday and Russia may become one of our largest allies with the way its economy continues to grow, learning the language will become quite the asset when you must deal diplomacies with them." My eyes reached for the heavens with this chastising statement. She knows how much I despise becoming queen but she never fails to me remind me of the fact at every available chance.
"Must you always bring up that I will be queen, it's still early in the day and I'd rather not ruin it with such thought." I could tell my response only increased her growing agitation with me but as an only child and the heir to the throne I get enough reminders of my royal responsibility. No matter how I much I detest that I will one day assume the throne I have accepted the inevitable. I just wish to enjoy my freedom until then. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and my people but how am I to guide the lives of thousands when I am not even able to lead my own life. Most think being a royal, let alone a princess, is easy. They believe you get everything handed to you on a silver platter, which is mostly true, but what many don't realize is that most of what you are given you don't want. That may sound ungrateful, and maybe it is, but being a royal is about sacrifice. You sacrifice your life and happiness for those of your subjects. While they are free to make their own choices without worry of any political repercussions I must make whatever choice is best for my country without any regard for myself.
"Do not roll your eyes at me Rose; it is unbecoming of a Princess. I know this isn't the life you envisioned for yourself my darling but you're bright, clever, generous and fiercely loyal I believe you could do this country a world of good. That is a deadly combination Rose and if you add those in with your striking beauty my dear you could bring any adversary to their knees. Now if we could only get you to learn linguistics, you would be unstoppable." Mrs. Karp may chastise me from time to time but the woman doesn't have a cruel bone in her body. With her brown hair, blue eyes, soft features and loving disposition you understand why. This woman is like family to me having tutored me since the age of ten.
"You must admit I am improving in the Russian language, I got a "B" on my last exam!" It's true too. I worked really hard for that mark. School has never come easy to me; I always had to work for my good grades and this being my senior year I wanted to slack off and enjoy my last moments of freedom, not that Mrs. Karp would allow that. Final exams are next week and after that I have four months left before my eighteenth birthday. That means four months left until my parents can announce a royal engagement. Many have offered their hand in marriage to me but my mother and father are still undecided. They request my input for a decision but my answer always has been and will continue to be, no. I don't wish to marry someone I hardly know, I dream of a love and passion so fierce that one cannot breathe without the other. I fantasize for an all-consuming love; where two separate people become one. Where you know the other as well as you know yourself, possibly better then you know yourself. One who shall bring out feelings you never knew yourself capable of. My father says only fools marry for love; love manipulates us and we let our guards down because of that which is true. Abe always says the only love a ruler should carry is for their country so that they will always do what is in its best interest without feeling or hesitation; though I see deep down he is warring with himself over me. He wants my happiness as much as I want it myself he's just at a loss on how to give it to me.
"That is true, I have seen such an improvement over the past few weeks and it makes me glow with pride. You are doing splendid my dear, my only fear is for you will one day learn those wicked words and only lord knows how often you shall use them." Mrs. Karp is right of course. I would love to learn to swear in Russian, I may be a princess but I have the mouth of a sailor, or at least that's what my mother always says. I would take pleasure in being able to swear without her chastisement. Janine doesn't know Russian seeing as they were only a small monarch when my mother was younger but growing as they have since then my father has learned the language to make international relations between our countries easier. Abe doesn't discipline my swearing as much as mother but he certainly doesn't condone it either. However, I do think he'll find amusement in my use of Russian profanity with mother around not understanding my foul language.
"Will you teach me those words Mrs. Karp?" You couldn't mistake the hope in my voice even though I knew her answer.
"Definitely not Rosemarie, I'm astounded you would even ask such a thing. I suggest we end today's lesson here, dinner is soon and I'm sure you would like to freshen up and change. Your parents are home and I'm positive they can't wait to see you." Mother and father have been away for a few weeks in England aiding the Dragomir children, Prince Andre and his sisters Princess Vasilisa and Princess Jillian. Vasilisa, otherwise known as Lissa, is my best friend. She's a few months older than me already being eighteen and engaged to Lord Christian Ozera. Her brother being next in line for the throne she doesn't have to worry about an arranged marriage, Christian is the love of her life. As much as Christian and I argue I rather like the guy, not that I'd ever tell him as much, but he's the closest thing I've ever had to a brother. As jealous as I am of Lissa I'm more than happy for her, she's the kindest, most loving person I have ever met and even though we are complete opposites she has become like a sister to me. Her parents, the late King Eric and his wife Queen Rhea, passed away recently in a car accident; more specifically a drunk driver on the wrong side of the road. It was a terrible loss and I can't fathom what my friends must be going through right now. Abe and Janine have been helping Andre settle into his new role as King; his coronation is set to take place after his marriage to Princess Victoria Belikova of Russia next month. I've only met the girl but once at an event a few months back and rather adored her, were very similar, and she's only about a year younger than I. I don't know much about the Russian royal government since it's only recently become a power player but I do know Queen Olena Belikova, widowed by her late husband King Andrew, has three daughters and a son. However, I couldn't tell you their names to save my life; I should make a mental note to look that up sometime.
"Yes, thank you Mrs. Karp. I'm quite excited to see them as well. It's been so long and I'd like to hear what has become of my friends since that heartbreaking catastrophe." I'm sure Mrs. Karp didn't miss the sorrow in my voice because her face took on a look of sadness that I'm quite sure mirrored my own.
"Such a disaster that was, my sympathy goes out to them in this tragic time. Well go on then my dear but please don't forget to study over the weekend, final examinations start Monday. Tell your parents I say hello and do remember to eat a good breakfast Monday morning!"
Her voice picked back up to its usual level of cheer at the end and I just smiled to myself while packing my books and replied back, "Thanks again Mrs. Karp. When have I ever needed to be told to eat a hearty breakfast, I could eat most families out of home, although I shall tell my parents of your salutations. Have a great weekend and I'll see you bright and early Monday morning."
After a quick shower and change of clothes I was off to the dining hall to meet my parents for dinner. My mother and father were already there waiting to greet me. My father stood to greet me as my mother remained seated only giving a cold nod to acknowledge my presence.
"Kiz, you look beautiful as always. I've missed you my dear Rosemarie. Come give your father a hug." As I went to hug my father I noticed Abe looking as dashing as always standing over six feet tall with his dark black hair slicked back into a short ponytail, neatly trimmed beard, piercing brown eyes, tanned skin, and golden hooped earring. His appearance never fails to capture others attention, and with his powerful demeanor he could obtain control of a room without effort. Tonight he was wearing a purple pinstripe suit with a black dress shirt, and matching tie. His flamboyant sense of style is in a classification all its own.
"Baba, oh how I've missed you so. You look well, debonair as ever I see. Please tell me how my friends are holding up? It's been far too long and I do hope to reunite with them soon. Such a tragedy must be difficult for the Dragomirs." His embrace was fierce and unrelenting as I'm sure it matched my own. Lissa's parents passing only showed me how fast someone can be stolen from you and makes me want to enjoy every moment with those I hold dear. My mother choosing that moment to speak up we broke our embrace. She's never been one for endearing comments or loving words; truth be told we've always had a strained relationship seeing as she never passes up the opportunity to castigate me. She believes her words to be encouraging me on to the right actions.
"Rosemarie, you look well tonight. Let's all sit down please so we can enjoy our dinner, then we shall talk." With a nod to my mother I take my seat across from her and my father taking his at the head of the table we begin a quiet dinner. Janine proper as always, never losing the emotionless mask she puts on. My mother is of Scottish heritage and her mother taught her to never allow your emotions to be known for if they are they can be used against you. She's a beauty in her own right standing a little over five feet tall with fiery untamable red curls but I resemble more of my father. I'm about five feet seven inches tall with long dark brown, almost black, wavy hair, brown eyes, and a nice tan complexion courtesy of my old man's good genes. Thanks to all the training I do I have a nice figure as well with an abundance of curves in all the right places. I learned long ago to be comfortable with my body and I'm not shy about it.
As dinner progresses Abe tells me about how Andre is getting along as the new king and how they are dealing with the loss of their parents. He also says I will be attending his wedding and coronation which comes as a bit of a surprise, my mother doesn't think it proper of a lady to attend such events unescorted but for an event under these circumstances she has made an exception.
"So Rosemarie, how have you been these last few weeks?" I can always tell when my mother is searching for information. She never comes right out with what she really wants to ask, she always tries to coax the information out of you under false pretenses. In another life she should've been a spy.
"I've been well mother. I've been studying for my final examinations and even got a "B" on my last Russian exam." I knew that's not what she wanted to hear but if she wondered of my love life she would have to ask it outright.
Her voice was bland and held no contempt for her words. "That's wonderful Rosemarie, anything else?"
She's still beating around the bush, well maybe if I rile her up she'll spit out what she really wants to know. "Why must you always call me Rosemarie, you know I prefer Rose." Truth be told I do prefer the modern nickname over my given name and she detests that fact.
"Your friends may call you Rose but I am your mother and I named you Rosemarie for a reason and that is what I shall call you. It is what your country will call you so you best make peace with it. Now tell me have you made any choice in suitor?"
Little does my mother know that most of the country calls me Princess Rose instead of Rosemarie but I need not tell her. Before my parents left on their trip they told me of the recent marriage offer from the King of Ireland about his son Prince Mason Ashford. I have known Mason most of the life and he's quite attractive; he's a bit taller than me with an athletic build, bright blue eyes, orange-red hair and freckles and I could do a lot worse but I don't see a romantic relationship growing between us. I knew he always found me attractive and had a bit of a crush on me but I always saw us as only friends, although he is a relentless flirt and I may have accidently led him on by flirting back but it was too much fun to resist. "No mother, we've been through this. I don't want to marry a stranger, I wish for love."
I could tell she wasn't pleased with my exasperated tone but I certainly wasn't expecting what she said next; her voice rising with every word. "Foolish girl, we don't get such luxury! Prince Mason would make a suitable partner; you've grown up with the lad. Love may come in time or it may not but a decision for your future must be made less you want to be an old unmarried hag."
I was never one to back away from a fight and I certainly won't be starting right now, whether it is with my mother or not. I threw my hands up now yelling, "Well I don't want a "suitable partner."" I even made finger quotes to emphasize my point. "I want a lover. I want an equal. I'd rather die an old unmarried hag than be stuck in a loveless marriage with some lad I grew up with." By the look on my mother's face I could tell this was only the beginning of our argument less someone intervenes; and I'm quite sure my face mirrored hers because the only thing we have in common was our temper. "Does my happiness mean nothing to you, Mother?"
With that her face twisted into an unimaginable scowl and I knew I've pushed to far but I was beyond the point of care; blessed be that the moment my father chose to interject before things got even worse. "Kiz you know we care about your happiness but this is the situation we are in. If you have an alternative that makes all of us happy I'm all ears. "
I know he was only trying to help but this is just something I don't want. "No Baba I don't have an alternative to make you happy but this is for my happiness. I've already sacrificed so much, why can't you both give me this one concession?"
I knew those words hurt him more than he let show; he's tried to give me everything I've ever asked for but the one thing I wanted more than all was a normal life and that was out of his power to give. "I know you don't want this Rose but the law clearly states that any princess must wed before she is allowed to rule, this I can't change no matter our wishes. We've had one more proposal since we saw you last, will you give him a chance please. I have a really good feeling about this one Kiz."
I wanted to make my father happy more than anything but I just don't have it in me to be courted by another arrogant, self-centered royal. "Baba I'm sorry but I don't see him getting a fair chance. Since the age of fifteen you have received countless offers for my hand and for a while I really put forth the effort of a romantic relationship with some while others never made more than a feeble attempt at long distance communication; I just don't have the temperament for this anymore. I can't choose someone I barely know and make a vow to love, honor, and protect them for it would all be a lie; if I must marry after my birthday you and mother may choose my husband." The defeat in my voice must have been obvious because while my mother never looked happier at her getting my choice in husband, my father had a sullen look. He hated being in such a powerless situation.
"Well lets discuss this no more tonight Rosemarie, there is still time for a decision. In four months you may have a change of heart. It's getting late, is there anything else you wish to discuss before I depart for the evening?"
There's no chance in hell I'll have any sort of change of heart in four months and the old man knows as much but I'm sure he slipped that bit in for my mother's benefit. Though there is one more thing I wanted to discuss before I went to bed for the night. "Well there is one more thing I wanted to discuss with you, Old Man."
Abe's ears perked up because I only called him old man when I was chastising; he had his own endearing nickname for me as well, whenever we had these kinds of conversations. "What's on your mind, Little Girl?"
I held back my laughter because many people thought Ibrahim Mazur to be a frightening man when reality was he has the temperament of a kitten. "I need a new personal trainer. Mine has the stamina of a couch potato."
He gave me an exasperated look; this is the fifth time this year I've asked for a new trainer. "Well if you'd let your trainer get some rest I'm sure his stamina would return. I've heard you keep him occupied for hours at a time."
I scoffed at his statement. "Stan is three times my age. No matter the number hours we train he still has the stamina of a couch potato. I'd benefit more from someone closer to my age and abilities, maybe someone who will actually spar with me. Every trainer so far has conceded or allowed me to win. How will I know what I am truly capable of if not given the proper opportunity?"
Abe eyes lit up with amusement. He knows how passionate I am about my combatant skills despite my mother's disposition. "Maybe they are actually fighting but you continue to win because your skills far exceed theirs. Ever think of that, Little Girl? You are a Mazur after all and we people are ruthless."
I laughed out loud at his words which made him narrow his eyes in return. "I know just how ruthless we Mazur's can be Old Man but I know a farce when I see one. I am after all your daughter."
He chuckled and shook his head. "That's true. Alright Kiz I'll think about getting you a new personal trainer, now off with you."
I smirked, it wasn't a yes but it's better than a no, and with everything discussed tonight I'd take what I could get before I pushed him more. With dinner coming to an end I nodded a goodnight to my mother and gave my father a hug before whispering, "Goodnight Baba, and thank you". He kissed my forehead and off I went.
Later that night I was just studying some schoolwork before bed when I heard a knock at my door followed by my father's voice. "Kiz, can I come in, I have something rather important I'd like to discuss with you?"
I called out my invitation and when he stepped into the room my curiosity peaked. He wore an unreadable expression and was still dressed in the same suit from dinner so it was clear he spent a few hours in his office after dinner instead of retiring for the night. "What's going on Baba, what's so important you couldn't wait until morning?"
He took in a sharp shallow breath before he spoke again. "Hear me out first before you object, Okay?" I nodded, and he continued. "Your mother and I want a suitable husband for you and you want love, correct?" I nodded again. "I've been thinking this over for the past few hours and I think there is a way for us to all get what we want here. I will even give you a new personal trainer, one that will rival with your own abilities. What do you say to that Rosemarie?"
I stayed silent for a moment thinking over what I have to lose, but this all sounded too good to be true and my father always told me that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably was. I continued to stare at him for a moment longer before I narrowed my gaze and spoke, "What is it you want to do exactly?"
He smirked at me before he spoke again; and anyone that knows Ibrahim Mazur knows him to be a devious man and that smirk meant he was up to no good, which sparked my interest even more. "Before I tell you, you must agree we keep this a secret from Janine. Can you do that?"
I've been keeping secrets from my mother my whole life so what's one more to add, but Abe keeping a secret from his wife was unheard of. Now I have to know what it is, I could still say no if I disagreed but I had this feeling deep in gut saying that wouldn't happen. So I looked him in the eye and nodded, "I agree".
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. What do you think will happen next? Next chapter might hold a look into the infamous Ibrahim Mazur's head!