VA isn't mine, and the charecters aren't either.
Just shortly, before the chapter: I promised myself I wouldn't react on this but I found myself forced to. Someone left a very rude review on this. Now obviously they meant it for someone else, as the details are off, but that doesn't change the fact that they shouldn't be writing such messages for anyone! So this is actually just a short reminder for everyone that there is a person, reading the things we hit send on, so lets be nice to one another, okay? Please and thank you, now enjoy
Rpov
"Adrian! Oh, honey it is so good to see you!" Daniella exclaimed and pulled Adrian in for a hug. She looked at me over his shoulder. "And you as well Rose, how was your trip?" She asked and let go of Adrian to greet me.
"Fine, it was a long trip from London, but we took a nap and all is well. How are you holding up?" I asked her and put down my suitcase, so I could give her a hug. I had a private bodyguard and Adrian had an appointed guardian, but I didn't want to bother them with our luggage, we could carry that ourselves.
"As well as we can. Nathan is a bit shaken, but that was to be expected." She explained and brushed an escaped lock of hair back from her face. Never, and I mean never, had I seen Daniella without perfect hair. Tatiana's death must truly have been a tragedy for the Ivashkov family.
"Is there anything I can do?" I asked without really knowing what I would do if she asked. I had cleared my calendar, sure, but I still had tons of work to do while I wasn't available for meetings.
"No honey, I think we can manage. Should I set up a separate room for you here?" She asked kindly, but I turned down the offer.
"No, I will be staying with Lissa, but thank you for the offer." I informed her and turned to Adrian again. "Are you sure that you will be alright on your own?" He nodded while he still looked a bit lost to me.
"Yeah, go get some rest, god knows you need it. I am not alone." He tried to comfort me but we both knew he pretty much was. Nathan wasn't known for his empathy and Daniella, although a lovely woman, was busy trying to fix everything. They were supposed to be a family in grief, yet everyone was still doing their own thing. I hugged him and gave him a peak on the cheek, not wanting to let too much on in front of Daniella. She would be okay with it, I knew that, but again: We were keeping our privacy.
He kept me in his embrace for a lingering moment while inhaling my scent then let go, not wanting to show to much affection in front of his mother.
"Go." Was all he said when he let me go and I knew he wanted to add 'before I won't let you.'
I bid them both goodnight and took my suitcase and left the Ivashkov family home, bodyguard in tow. I smiled a little to myself as I walked down the small lightened paths trough the garden. It was such a long time since I had been back here. Although I was a council member, I spent most of my time away from court, only coming in for votes and to get knew proposals allowed. The rest of the time I traveled the world and made it all become reality. Therefor I had sold the apartment Edie hooked me up with a few years back and whenever I returned to court I would be staying with either Lissa, Rufus, the Ivashkovs or in the geust housing. It was just easier that way.
We arrived to the Dragomir-Ozera household. It was the old townhouse that Christian had inherited. Lissa had done a great job at redecorating it, but I think Christian still had his oasis. I hadn't been there since the first time. Sighing deeply, I cherished the small moment of peace before I knocked on the door. It only took a minute for someone to open it. I feared for a small moment it would be either Christian or Dimitri, but I was pleasantly surprised to find Lissa's smiling face on the other side of the door.
"Rose!" She exclaimed and threw herself at me.
"Lissa! Oh my god, it is so good to see you." I basically crushed her to me. To my surprise she started sobbing. "Liss? Liss are you okay?" I asked confused as I couldn't see her face. She pulled back and nodded while wiping her tears.
"I have something to tell you. You have to come in." she said and pulled me inside, suitcase, bodyguard and all. I told Eylem, my bodyguard, to stay out of ear-reach and surprisingly he agreed. Lissa's female guardian, Aliysa, was on duty and stayed outside as well. I sat Lissa down on the couch in her living room and looked at her worried.
"What is it Liss?" I asked her, and she bit her lip.
"I'll start at the beginning." She decided and took my hand. "Tatiana died two days ago, you know. I saw her, just hours before and… I don't know if she knew she was going to die, but the timing just seems so… odd. She asked me to run for Queen. She didn't say now, she said that when she eventually stepped down she would want me to take over. I didn't think much of it, it was so far away but now. Now she is dead!" She wailed, and I pulled her to my chest and ran my fingers through her silky hair. "There is more." She sobbed and I nodded knowing that already but wanting her to tell me. I tried not spying too much so it was a surprise when she told me. "I am pregnant!" She exclaimed, and I froze for a moment before I resumed my motions, stroking her hair.
"How far?" I asked and she pulled back to look at me.
"Just a few weeks. I found out the same day she died." I needed a moment to process all of it.
"Is it Christian's?" I asked, needing to be sure. She nodded, and I felt a bit relived that at least it wasn't a strangers. "Does he know?" Her face twisted in a guilty grimace, and she started sobbing again. "It is okay Liss, it is okay. I am sure he will be trilled." I comforted, but she was devastated.
"You don't get it Rose. I can't be queen if I am pregnant and unmarried, and I don't want him to marry me because I am pregnant. I don't want to give it up, but I can't not run for queen either, it might be my only chance." I knew what she meant, this might be the only election in our time, as monarchs liked to keep the chair till they kicked the boot.
"It will be okay Liss, one problem at a time. You can totally run for queen, you are only a few weeks. No one will know before a few months and everything might be different then. Hell, I will marry you if I have to." I told her sincerely and she laughed.
"I think that might only make things worse but thank you anyway." She said and I smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
"Anytime." She sniffled a little at looked at me with red rimmed eyes.
"So that was me. How have you been?" She asked, and I laughed.
"Ah same old same old. Nothing to tell really." She smiled, satisfied with my answer and stood up.
"Lets, get you settled in the guestroom. Then we can put on a movie and order pizza." She said and opened the door to our waiting guards. Eylem had thoughtfully put our things away already, having been here before.
"I put your suitcase in the master bedroom, as usual miss Rose." He informed me coming down the stairs. I looked at Lissa to ask permission. We usually slept in the same bed, but perhaps Christian was home and she wanted to be with him.
"Yes of course. Will you be staying with us Eylem?" She asked thoughtfully. Eylem usually stayed with us, but it happened that he was elsewhere as court was considered a safe place. He fixed a tight smile.
"Yes, Princess, and Berk as well once he gets here." He answered politely. Lissa furrowed her brows.
"Berk as well? You know I have two gaurdians right?" She asked towards me and I faked a relaxed smile.
"I know Liss, but it is election time and one can never be too careful. I figured you would have room?" I asked, pulling a little at the end in a silent request. She still looked a bit thrown off but she shook it off and smiled.
"Of course! You are always welcome. What kind of pizza would you like?" She asked and he smiled at her thoughtfulness.
"Peperoni, please princess." She smiled and took the folder from the kitchen. It was clearly often used, and I got the wipe that perhaps Christian didn't cook as much as he used to. I smiled and slid down on a chair in the dining room, watching her make the order while I finally felt a little home.
Second chapter huh? Okay so I thought I might give you a heads up where this is headed. Obviously lots of fluff with Rose and Adrian, but Dimitri isn't out of the picture yet.
