This was my submission for the VA10th anniversary project. Some of the reviewers asked for me to continue this story. I might make it into a two-shot or even three-shot. I could think of a few snippets I could add here and there. But I doubt I will be making this into a full story. Pretty much used all my creativity on the subject in this submission ;) I would like to that Roguewords for checking it for me on spelling and such. Your help is appreciated.

RPOV

"No. Hell no. Njet, Non, Nee, Nein, Ie, I can't tell you no in enough languages. The answer is No."

"But honey, this is a great opportunity." I simply looked at my father as he was sitting on the edge of my bed, being completely serious.

"Whoring your daughter to some Royal is a great opportunity?"

"Oh don't be so dramatic Rosemarie. We are not whoring you out. And technically it would be pimping you out." Great, leave it to my mother to correct even my rants. She was standing off to the side and I could tell she was already done with this conversation.

"You are right, shipping me off to marry some Royal does only benefit you so I do suppose pimping me out would be more accurate, or maybe slavery, slavery would be more accurate." My mother rolled her eyes and sat exasperated on my bed next to my father.

"Rosemarie, you are only going to meet him. All dignitaries will send their daughters so it isn't like it is a done deal, you are simply to go there and meet him, make a good impression. Even if he doesn't choose you, getting in good graces with him could mean a lot for our family." I paraded around the room, swaying my hips in a dramatic manner as I was walking a fashion show.

"So I am there to parade around for him to judge me like a piece of cattle and then if he approves of me it will have provided favor for my family. I think I will stick with the pimping analogy."

"I don't see the big deal. He is only a little older and I hear he is very handsome."

"Meaning he is old and ugly."

"He is twenty four." Well okay, that isn't that old.

"Well he must be really ugly then, if he is so wonderful why hasn't he been able to get a bride yet. What is wrong with him?"

"Nothing is wrong with him. He has simply been too busy. I hear he has spent several years training in the military, making it as far as the special-forces." Right it was probably code for, he was drunk and whoring for a few years, or maybe he had some disease the public couldn't know about, maybe it left him defaced or something.

"It doesn't matter if he is six foot seven, has chocolate brown eyes and has the body of a God. I am not doing this." My father seemed slightly sympathetic towards my plight but my mother wouldn't hear of it.

"Rosemarie, you are almost eighteen. You have a duty to your family and yourself to find a suitable husband. You have obligations and responsibilities, and this is part of that."

The never ending story of my life. Duty, responsibility, my life was not my own. I used to think being the daughter of a duke was a good thing. I wanted for nothing; I got everything I ever wanted, except freedom. And it was something I craved more than anything. At least here with my parents I had some level of freedom. If I was married off to some Prince or high-ranking asshole he would keep me in a box and never let me leave. I had no illusions about what men want from proper ladies. And that wasn't me. I knew how to act like one. God knows my mother tried teaching it to me, but it never felt like me. I knew once I was married off, my soul would die a slow death.

"You are going and that is that. And I will expect you to try your hardest and not simply blow it to be spiteful."

I was about to begin the tirade all over again, but as I was looking at my mother, I knew it would be pointless. So I reluctantly agreed to at least go. Not that I had any plans of actually going, but it at least meant my parents would leave my room and leave me in peace. They got up and left the room. I heard my father say something to my mother about me agreeing to easily. I closed the door behind them and locked it and heard the last piece of the conversation between my parents.

"You call that easy?"

I smiled, despite myself. They were quite the pair. My father was passionate and rash like me, whereas my mother was strict and controlled, but had a mean temper. They balanced each other out.

I let a lone tear escape my eye as I said my silent farewell to them. This was the last straw. I couldn't stay here any longer. I have always known that I couldn't be who they want me to be, but I had tried nonetheless. But this was too much. I would not be bound to someone for the rest of my life simply because it was proper or would better my position.

I had always put my duty first. As the heir to my father's estate I was expected to handle certain matters, and I had always tried to be a good next ruler of this region. I didn't want to think about what would happen to these lands when they would become without an heir, but I couldn't stay here any longer. So I packed my bags like I had done a million times before, but this time I actually zipped it up and climbed out the window.

DPOV
"What have you done mother?"

My mother looked like the picture of innocence herself, sitting cool and collected in the lounge chair in my room.

"I haven't done anything. I have simply invited the most suitable young women in our kingdom for some tea and to make your acquaintance." She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap, apparently seeing nothing wrong with her actions.

"You mean, you are parading women in front of me, expecting me to pick my bride." She looked a little shocked at my choice of words, but then shrugged, because even she had to agree that this was the case even if it was veiled as tea.

"Well, I would like some grandchildren sometime soon."

I threw my hands in the air in exasperation. "You have grandchildren, Paul and Zoya, and Sonya is expecting another one."

She simply waved her hands in the air, dismissing my argument. "Yes, and I love them very much, they are my little munchkins, but I meant grandchildren by you, heirs to the throne. I worry about you sometimes Dimka?"

I sighed deeply as I sat down next to my mother and took her hand. "You know you don't have too. I am fine. I have spent my whole trying to be the best king I could be once the time comes."

She placed her other hand on top of mine and squeezed, trying to implore me to listen to her. "You have spent your entire life training and keeping people at a distance. This isn't just about the stability of the kingdom, this is about you finding someone to share your life with and someone who can be there for you and help you and support you."

"And I would love to find that person; I just don't see how inviting a very select few women will accomplish that task."

"Well you are going to be King, you do need a bride of stature."

"Karoline didn't marry anyone of stature and she is Royal, neither did Sonya."

"Yes, and do you see how that turned out?"

I sighed. I don't think I was getting somewhere with my mother. And I don't think pointing out that a royal marriage was a lot less likely to end in divorce than when I would marry a non-royal, so if I would marry one of these girls and be completely miserable with her I would be stuck with her with no escape, would help convince my mother to stray from her path.

"When are they coming?" How long do I have before walking to my execution?

"I have arranged for them to come on Friday."

"And who exactly is them?"

My mother handed me a list as she got up and kissed my head. "It will be alright Dimka."

I took the piece of paper from my mother and studied it as she left my room. I hardly recognized any of these names. I saw Tasha Ozera on there and was surprised. Tasha was a friend but nothing more, and I think my mother knew this, but maybe she had no choice. Tasha was in the right age category even if she was a few years older, and she came from a prominent family. I suppose not inviting her would have been some kind of faux-pas. I sighed as I resigned myself to my fate. Friday huh? It was Wednesday now. I could enjoy another day or so as a free man. Well as free as I had ever been as a crown prince.

I took some supplies, put on my old leather duster and informed the staff I would be going out. They knew that when I went incognito I didn't want a protection detail with me. God knows with all my training I didn't really need one. I told them not to worry but that I could be gone for a while, maybe the entire night.

RPOV
As I was walking in the streets without guards or fancy clothing I felt strangely free. I was wearing some old pants I stole from a maid and a shirt to match. The jacket was worn, but warm. My bag was slung over my shoulders and my hair was tied in a ponytail. I looked nothing like the Duchess I was before this. I looked like anybody else on the street. Other's seemed to think so too, because nobody paid me any attention. Usually when I would go out it was a spectacle and I had numerous guards with me. No one was to approach me directly. But here people were bumping into me and stopping me to try their goods and convince me to buy something. I had taken a lot of cash with me, but didn't want to waste it on the first day, so I just got some essentials. After experiencing the market I went down to the lake. It would be a quiet day today. Most people would be working.

I used to come here as a child. There was an abandoned cabin at the far side of the lake, where nobody ever came. I knew I could stay there and nobody would be able to find me until I had come up with a plan. When suddenly your whole life opens up, the possibilities are endless, and I had no idea what I wanted with my life. But for the first time in my life, it was my choice. So I didn't blame myself for taking some time, in figuring that out.

I was so focused on getting to the cabin and dreaming of a free life, I didn't see the one other person that was here today as I bumped into him. How I could have missed him is beyond me, because as he straightened out I saw he was huge. Standing tall at six foot seven with brown eyes and a muscular physique the man was very noticeable, and handsome.

He looked down shocked. I suppose he hadn't seen me either. I mean, we were literally the only two people out here today.

"I am sorry, are you alright? I was deep in thought." I nodded as I brushed something off of my clothes.

"I am fine and I wasn't paying attention either."

He looked me up and down and I saw he was taking me in. He certainly looked curious and I could tell he did find me attractive, but I was glad to notice he lacked the certain blatant lust and drooling most men had when first seeing me.

"So what had you distracted?" he asked.

"Life's questions, the purpose of me in this universe. What fate has in store for me? What I am going to have for dinner tonight?" The last bit made him laugh.

"Good, all the important questions then."

"What about you? Why are you here when everybody else seems to be at work or doing anything else than simply enjoying this day at the lake?"

His face turned into a frown. He seemed to be contemplating his answer. "I am avoiding my mother."

It was my turn to laugh. At least I knew he was honest. A grown man admitting to avoiding his mother had to be the truth. Nobody would be using that as an excuse.

"Funny, mine is kind of the reason I am here too."

We sat down and the edge of the lake and started to talk about our families. I did some editing here and there, and didn't reveal I was a Duchess, but other than that I was honest. "It is like she wants me to be someone I am not. I just couldn't take it anymore. And for the first time in my life, I am free. And it feels great. I have my whole life in front of me and endless possibilities to choose from."

I saw him look contemplative and even a bit jealous. He had said his mother has been pushing him to settle down. I guess other people felt pressure too. I wasn't the only one bound by some kind of duty. He had said that he had taken today and tomorrow off so he could spend it however he wanted. I was starting to feel guilty about hogging all his time.

"So your parents don't know you have left?" I shook my head at his question.

"Once I settle down somewhere I'll send them a letter that I am fine. But I know they won't understand if I had told them. They would have pressured me into staying and I think I would have let them." I looked down at my hands, suddenly feeling a little guilty. I was running away from responsibilities here. I hadn't really considered what kind of mess my departure would bring. But it was too late to turn back now.

The handsome man sitting beside me placed his hand on mine "It is okay to want your own life. You deserve to have one. You can't live your whole life living for your parents."

I smiled a little at him. "Yet, you are going back on Friday to do your mother's bidding."

He chuckled a little. "Unfortunately I have resigned myself to the fact a long time ago, that my life was not my own. So I am just going to enjoy the time I am able to do what I want and not worry about Friday. But you should run far and wide, now you still have the chance."

My stomach grumbled and he looked over to me.
"I think with all your worrying about dinner, you forgot to figure out lunch."

I laughed. I really did.

"Come on. I'll buy us lunch."

Well I was never one to pass on food. So I agreed.
He stood up to his massive six foot seven stature and pulled me to my feet.

"Well I suppose if we are having a meal together I should at least know your name."

He smiled as he extended his arm. "Dimitri."

I shook his hand and reciprocated. "Rose."

He purchased us a couple of sandwiches at a nearby deli place. He looked around a little warily? I wonder what he was afraid of. We took the sandwiches and walked around the lake. The sun was being blocked by the clouds and all of a sudden the clouds started to unleash their rain. At first it was a drizzle, but it soon turned into pouring rain. I was pulling him towards the cabin. We were already halfway there and there weren't any other structures around.

We were running along the lake. I could feel the rain permeating my clothes and drenching every inch of my body. We were heading into a tree line next to the lake and Dimitri spotted the cabin. He quickened his pace so when he reached the cabin he could open the door for me once I arrived.

I closed the door behind me.

I looked him over. He was taking off his duster and beneath it I could see every muscle that adorned his body. His clothes were stuck to his skin and left little to the imagination. He definitely worked out. His chest was broad and I could see his pecks tapering down into a six-pack, well more like an eight pack.

I was staring at him, I knew that, but my mind was simply too busy imagining this man doing all sorts of things to me to even care I was practically drooling. He cleared his throat and my mind started to function again. I blushed a little for being caught in the act, but decided it was his own fault. You can't look like that and not expect people to stare.

I took off my own jacket and noticed I was in a similar position. The jeans I was wearing were already skin tight, so the rain added little there, but my shirt had been a bit loose. Well not anymore. It clung to my skin, it showed all my curved and clearly showed a lacy bra underneath. Also the shirt was light and the bra was black, so the contrast made sure he could observe every detail.
I giggled a little as he was clearly mesmerized. He shook his head and focused on my face again. He turned around and started looking around the cabin.

"Right, is there any wood? I can make a fire to warm us up and dry us?" I pointed to the corner and he quickly located the logs and set to work.

"How do you know this place?" he asked, still keeping his back to me, probably in an attempt to give me some privacy.

"I used to come here as a kid. Only me and my friend Lissa know about this place. Structurally it is fine, but it hasn't been occupied in years." He looked around again and agreed with me.

"I'll get some blankets, we need to get out of these wet clothes," I said. I saw him swallow but nod, still keeping his back to me, even though the fire was already starting to burn.

I threw a towel and a blanket towards him and started to strip. First my boots then the jeans, and then the shirt, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. I was quick to cover myself with the blanket, but I knew I hadn't been fast enough. And honestly, I didn't mind. I kind of wanted him to take a good look. I had always been careful around men, always being proper. But it was very freeing to be able to simply let him see me and not have to worry about being a lady. And somehow I trusted him and felt safe with him, safe enough to let him seen my almost naked body.

I sat on the couch as I watched him undress. If his body looked good covered in skintight clothes, it looked amazing without any clothes. His skin was slightly tanned and smooth. I just wanted to drag my hands over it, feeling those muscles flex underneath my fingers. I wasn't hiding the fact I was openly ogling him, again grateful the chains of appropriateness were no longer shackling me.

He chuckled a little but when he was down to his boxers he wrapped himself in the blanket and sat down on the couch next to me. He handed me sandwich that was sitting on the table next to him.

"I think the wrap protected most of it, but it might be a little soggy." I shrugged. Food was food.

DPOV
As she was munching on her sandwich I couldn't help but to look at her. I tried very hard to not think about what was underneath the blanket, but she had made that especially hard when she simply stripped in front of me. She was so different than any girl I had ever met. She was so natural and passionate and fun. I could see how she wouldn't fit in the picture of a proper lady her mother wanted her to be. It must have been suffocating for her.

I felt very relaxed around her. She had made me laugh, and for the first time in a long time I was letting down my guard a little. Why couldn't my mother invite a girl like her to the tea party? My choice would have been made in a second.
I looked down at my sandwich a little depressed. It didn't do me any good to fall for her now, I won't be able to keep her, to be with her. I was only free for the next day. After that I had no choice but to go back.

She seemed to notice my change in mood, but I doubted she would have guessed the reason behind it. She grabbed my hand and started to play with my fingers. "You're cold. I can make us some tea. Well hot water. I don't actually have tea bags." She got up to fill the kettle with water. I noticed that despite years of non-use the water was clear and not murky. It testified to the quality of building this cabin. Whoever built it knew what he or she was doing. I suspected the water was taken from the lake and filtered. So as long as the lake was clear, so would our water be.

She placed the kettle in the fire, letting the water heat up. She looked around the cabin, trying to inventory what we had to work with. "Come on, let's see if there are still some provisions in the pantry."

We went through everything and at least found something to snack on and a couple tins with vegetables, beans and even some corned beef. And to our luck there was a pack of tea lying around.

"The gummy bears were Lissa's and mine, but they are eight years old, so I wouldn't be eating those anymore. I don't know who the rest belongs too."

I shrugged. "This place hasn't seen any residence or even squatters for a while. So I think it is safe to assume the food has been abandoned. I imagine hikers or travelers would have used this cabin on occasion. Probably also where the blankets came from."

"Well it is ours now." She walked towards the kettle once it started to whistle and prepared a couple of mugs with the hot water and tea bags. I tried not to stare as the blanket was scooting down inch by inch and by the time she was close enough to relinquish possession of one of the mugs and free one hand to hoist up the blanket I had copped another eyeful of her perfect breasts.

I took my time with my tea, the heat from the tea a welcome feeling, however, the cold never bothered me much.

It was still pouring outside and by the looks of the dark clouds it wasn't letting up anytime soon. We might have to stay here all night. The thought both scared and exhilarated me. When the rain turned into thunder and lightning, Rose snuggled close to me. I automatically wrapped my arm around her, trying to keep her safe. Not that I would be able to protect her from being hit by lightning, but still.

She moved even closer and I suddenly knew this had nothing to do with the weather outside. She was hovering over me and our lips were only inches apart. God I wanted to kiss her, hold her, make love to her, but I wasn't the kind of man, that beds a woman and then left. And that is exactly what I would have to do, because the day after tomorrow, I would have to bind myself to another woman.

But she kissed me none the less and I, despite all the reasons not too, kissed her back. Her lips were warm against mine, despite the fact that the rest of her body was still freezing. She started to straddle my lap, intensifying the kiss and wrapping her hands in my hair and tugging slightly. I groaned as I pulled her closer. Things were starting to heat up, both on top as well as downstairs. I could feel her hardened nipples on my skin, even if they were still covered with the lacy material of her bra. I could also feel my cock pressing into her backside as I had already become fully erect.

I pulled back, trying to stop this from going any further. But her pleading voice stopped me.
"Please Dimitri, I haven't made a single decision in my life, let me make this one. Let me be free for one moment and decide what I want. And right now I want you, all of you. I know we have an expiration date, but right now, I need you."

I could feel her desperation all the way to my soul. How could I deny her that, how could I deny myself that. Because that is all I wanted too. One moment that was mine.

So I kept kissing her as I picked her up and moved her over to the bed. The blanket fell away from her body revealing the tanned skin underneath. Her skin was no longer cold, but felt feverish against mine. I kissed her down her neck towards her cleavage. I was nipping and lapping on the skin exposed by her bra and she arched against my lips in an attempt to bring me closer. Her fingers were gripping my hair, pushing me further into her chest. My hands were busy roaming her body, tracing every curve and relishing every piece of soft exposed skin. They ended up at the clasp of her bra and deftly unhooked it, creating space between her breasts and the material. I pulled the bra away and saw her blush. I wondered how experienced she was with men.

I pulled back, suddenly regretting this. But I must admit the sight of her heaving breasts, with erect nipples waiting for my attention, was making my choice very difficult.

"Are you sure?" I asked hoping she would say yes.
She smiled as she ran her hands over my chest and down to the bottom of my pants.

"Never been more sure." And that was that. I moved down towards her lips and we joined in a passionate kiss.

She had made her decision. Gone was the inexperienced and slightly shy girl. All that lay beneath me was a woman who knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to take it. Overtaken by lust and the delirious feeling of freedom, she boldly nipped at my lips and pulled on my boxers.

I leaned back down and placed her hands beside her head. I leaned in and sucked on the spot between her neck and shoulder and I felt her body relax underneath me. I let go of one of her hands and started to slowly move it south. From her shoulder, to her ribs, to her hip. I hooked my thumb on the inside of her panties and pulled down. They slipped off of her hips and down her legs and I discarded them across the room. My hands slowly made its way back up and traced the inside of her leg, her thigh and eventually reached her warm, wet core. The moment I touched her she shivered and moaned. She was so sensitive.
I brushed my fingers over her clit a few times and I could feel her breathing increase, part in pleasure and part in exhilaration at what was to come.

When I tested the waters so to speak and inserted a finger I felt her clench around me. She was so tight, wet and ready. She was rocking her hips onto my finger needing more. I pulled my finger out and hovered over her. I lined myself up and looked one more time, just to be sure. But I saw no hesitation, no unsureness. All I saw was love and a good amount of lust. She wanted this as much as I did.

I carefully entered her, going slow and inching my way inside. It wasn't long before I felt her barrier, confirming to me her experience with men had been non-existent. It made me feel special. I knew it was more than just her exploring her new-found freedom. She wouldn't have given her virginity to just anyone. I wanted to honor her decision for choosing me. I felt the same way towards her. I had been with a few women before, but I had never felt like this. It felt like the first time for me too. In a matter of hours, this woman had made me feel things I have never felt, and I wouldn't have wanted to spend my precious free hours with anyone else. I would cherish these moments forever, even if I knew it couldn't last.

I broke past her barrier and felt her flinch beneath me. I waited a few moments until she relaxed again and slowly started moving. Soon I felt her move with me and any pain she might have had had made way for pleasure as I heard small moans coming from her.

I saw the mischief in her eyes before I noticed her push me over and straddle me. She leaned her hands on my chest as she moved forwards and backwards and from side to side, finding the position that she liked. I pulled her down towards me and kissed her, while moving with her. My hands were on her back stroking up and down and eventually settled on her hip, helping her keep her rhythm.

It wasn't long before I needed to take a pause or I would have blown right there and used a switch of position to do it. I pulled her underneath me again and lifted one of her legs over my shoulder. I slowly moved, trying to bring myself down just a bit, so I could give her the maximum pleasure. But her body started to move more frantically, and I had no choice but to join in the frenzy, both of us now very close. I could feel her desperation for release radiating off of her skin and was determined to provide it. I leaned backwards slightly so I could thrust harder and deeper. And after a loud 'Oh God' I felt her walls clamp down on me and she gripped my arms tightly. I lost myself as well as I flooded her from within. After my body was done convulsing from my orgasm I fell down half on top of her half beside her.

And that is how we fell asleep with the rain still pouring and the thunder roaring outside and the occasional lighting illuminating the cabin.

RPOV
We spend the rest of his free time together, making love, relaxing near the fireplace and eating from tinned cans and whatever else people had left behind. It was perfect. However, it was early Friday morning now and we both knew he had to be going soon.

I had been thinking about things too. I had seen about a million text messages from my parents, ranging from worrying to angry, to pure rage. The last one was from my mother.

I turned around and snuggled in a little closer. He was still asleep and I took this time to memorize him. This was probably the last time I would see him and I wanted to remember every single detail, from how his hair felt when I spread my fingers through it, to how his lips tasted, to how his skin felt pressed flushed against mine.

When he woke up and I saw the depression on his face as he looked over to his watch, I decided I didn't want to drag this out and make these last few moments the worst of my life. I wanted to remember this as the best two days, and not only the depressive ending.

So I straddled him. The covers fell away from my body and I saw him staring at my chest expectantly. I had noticed his fascination with my breasts. My hair and my breasts, were definitely his favorite things about me.

"So are you going to miss these tits?" I saw him look scandalous when I said the word 'tits'. I rolled my eyes, I forgot that his mother had succeeded in raising him to be proper.

Once he got over it, he reached out and deftly kneaded them in his big calloused hands.

"I do love them." In between my moans I looked at him shrewdly. I noticed he didn't actually say the word.

"You can't say it, can you? You can't say tits."

"Of course I can." But still made no move to actually say it.

I leaned in, pressing my tits against his chest as I whispered in his ear.

"Say it. Say you love my tits, say you love pounding into my warm, wet pu…"

"I loved your tits."

I laughed as I leaned back, so I was able to look at him. I suppose saying pussy was even harder for him than saying tits.

His gaze when from a little exasperated and ashamed to something completely different. He looked at me and I could almost see into his soul. There was such a vulnerability in it, it almost made me gasp.

"I love your tits, I love how you feel pressed against me, I love how you softly moan when I suck on your neck… I simply love you." His words had left me breathless. I knew I hadn't been just another girl to him. I had felt this connection between us, but neither of us had dared to utter the words. Because they were meaningless, because of our deadline. But as he said them to me, I realized we were so wrong. They were powerful and reached my very essence.

"I love you too."

I laid back down with my head on his chest, trying very hard not to cry and to turn this back around so I could still have a nice ending.

"If you didn't have to go, if you could be anything, do anything, what would your future look like?" I had always fantasized about it. What would I do if I were free to be whatever and whoever I wanted? But right now my only fantasy was that Dimitri would stay.

"I would stay here with you." I smiled at his answer, I had a similar train of thought.

"Forever? Because I think we would get tired of the food, also it would run out."

He laughed.

"Well, we would have to go out and get some supplied, but I mean in the long run. I would want to live here. I would remodel some things, update a few things, maybe extend this cabin. I would put in a yard with a large swing set where our kids could play and maybe a porch swing where we could sit underneath a blanket in the evening."
I looked at him a little shocked. He hadn't just fantasized about being with me. He had fantasized about a whole life with me. And it sounded perfect.

I realized something as I heard him layout our fantasy. That is what I wanted, but there was no way, I could have it. Any other life simply wouldn't compare. So did it really matter if I was out in the world, being 'free', yet still not having what I wanted, or being back home and doing my duty.

Dimitri looked over to his watch and I heard him sigh as he reluctantly got up and put on the clothes we haven't touched in two days. His face was stormy. He didn't want to leave any more than I did, but he was obligated to do so. I suddenly felt shame. I wasn't the kind of person that runs away, but that was exactly what I had done.

I got up and put on my clothes as well. We had laid them near the fireplace and they had long since dried. In a sign of pure irony, the sun was shining brightly outside, no trace of the storm that had been raging these last few days. It was the universe's way of saying that our time was up.

I picked up my phone and sighed as I scrolled through the numerous text messages. Dimitri must have seen my decision on my face, because he asked, "You are going back too, aren't you."

I looked up at him and sighed again. "I have too."

"No, you don't Roza, You can be free. You can do anything you want, you don't have to be trapped your whole life."

I was glad he thought so. I was worried he might have resented me for running away from my duties, when he was facing his head on. "But what I want I can't have, and could you really love me, if I was the kind of person that ran away from my responsibilities?"

He sat down next to me on the bed and softly stroked my hands. "I just want you to be happy."

"And I am. These last two days have been perfect. I will always cherish them and remember them as the happiest in my life. But seeing as I will never be able to do it again, I might as well go back. Two days to last me a lifetime. It would have to be enough. It simply has to be."

I couldn't help the tear that fell from my eyes and onto his hand. He grabbed my face and gently kissed me.

"It will be enough. I know I will hold onto them for the rest of my life."

We had dragged out our farewells as much as we could. But eventually we closed the door of the cabin behind us. Part of me wanted to burn it. I didn't want anyone else staying here and defiling the place I had been happy for the first time. Part of me simply wanted to burn it out of frustration. We would never get those days back, so why keep this place. It would never turn into the beautiful picture Dimitri had painted in his fantasy.

But in the end, the cabin remained exactly as it was.

We each had to go into a different direction and we were awkwardly standing in front of the door, not sure how to say goodbye. I decided, I didn't want to say goodbye. So I stood on my tippy toes, and kissed him as if there was no tomorrow, and for us, there wasn't any.

Once we eventually pulled away I looked at him one more time and walked away dragging my feet back towards my prison.

A few hours later I was standing in the parlor of the palace waiting to be announced. My mother had done an amazing job getting me ready in a short amount of time, especially since she had been seething the entire time.

I had simply told my parents, I had needed a few days to myself, but I think both them had guessed I had meant for my leave of absence to be permanent. I had felt it in my father's embrace as he hugged me when I came back.

I had seen a few ladies enter before me. All of them were very excited, but none as much as Lady Natasha Ozera. She seemed to be positively bubbling with energy. Well if she wanted him to so much, she could have him. I had my sights on an entirely different kind of man.

Finally my name was called and the doors opened to reveal a large room with places set for quite a few ladies. Most of them were off to the side, waiting for everyone to have come in. I could see an older woman stand to the side, she seemed to be coordinating this shindig. I held my head high as they announced my name.

"Duchess Rosemarie Mazur."

The older woman approached me as she held out her hand. "Rosemarie, how lovely of you to join us, Oh aren't you just a vision. I would like you to meet my son, Prince Dimitri Belikov."

She stepped away and my mouth dropped. I could see a similar reaction in Dimitri. He must not have seen me come in. I had seen a bored expression on his face, just before he recognized me and his demeanor changed. I suppose that means that none of the other girls had made much of an impression.

He quickly regained his footing and took my hand as he gently placed a kiss on it. It was protocol and he had probably kissed the hands of all the other girls too, but I could feel his lips linger on my hand, and I knew he was reminded of the many kisses we shared in the cabin.

He pulled back just before his kiss became improper and smiled a brilliant smile at me.

"Roza, welcome, I am looking forwards to get to know you better."

I smiled back as I moved over towards the other girls. But the smile never left my face and I saw Dimitri had a similar problem.

Maybe this would work out after all. And even though I knew we would never live in the cabin, maybe we could still have that happily ever after. I mean, he could build a swing set for our kids on the palace grounds.