It was shortly after that that their affair began. They would meet one another every day, whether it be within the twin's room or within another chamber of that enormous home. Lips would meet. A sugared suck and a happy pop. Hands going everywhere; searching and finding shining little crevices where they could.
Ivan was hard in love. It was a terminal illness spreading like cancer, worse and worse every single day. The love built within his core and began to tick as a time bomb, until he simply required the woman.
They found one another one night, at two o' clock in the morning. Either had got up, walking into the hallway for no apparent reason. The entire moment was built upon instinct. The pair had followed the rope that tied together, colliding within one of the numerous halls contained within that maze of a home.
And they joined hands; Katya's sinking easily into her master's. But it was alright-because Ivan held it as a little trinket, a precious article he found after years of loss.
Then, they snuck into one of the many empty flats lining the halls.
For the first time, they made love.
Yes, it was incorrect. Either knew it was wrong-what they were doing. But this affection was a cannon knocking through a brick wall. The act was done before it began. Being in love was enough. The act of such adoration made it official.
When it was done, either lied next to one another, hands connected beneath the sheets. Bodies were stripped nude and the shells spread all about the floor. Night clothes scattered everywhere.
"Oh, Ivan…" Katya's large chest heaved, out of breath. "I love you."
"I love you too, Katya." The man rolled nearer to the woman, layering her sweat drenched face in kind pecks. His light blond hair was a mess. Even those thick eyebrows were wet.
But they accepted one another, because that was unfettered adoration. They loved one another beautiful and ugly and clothed and naked. They loved one another dipped in sweat. They loved one another dry as bone.
They simply loved one another.
Passionately.
Katya kissed Ivan's nose.
"Darling, I'm going back to bed. So you don't get yourself in trouble."
"Katya…"
"No, love. It's for the peace of everyone in this home." The serf gave her master those pretty lips. "Do you want to leave the room first?"
"Alright. I'll go." Wet mounds were hooking together once more. "I'll see you tomorrow. Please, sleep well."
"Sleep well, Ivan."
They left that room at different times. Katya departed after making the bed.
And no one knew. The next morning was just like any other. Wake up. Eat breakfast with Natasha and the twins. The boys return to Katya. Natasha returns to her parlor, until she wished to see her sons. Ivan swallows his bile and goes to see his children.
And Katya. Of course.
She kisses his cheek and they fall for one another again. But they have an even stronger bond now, because for about forty-five minutes, they became one. Their souls embraced and combined to be one entity.
Yin and Yang turning grey.
The pair exchanged petit grins.
I love you, Katya.
I love you too, Ivan.
It went on.
The rumors began, as was predicted. It was a home of a thousand people. Someone was bound to notice the pair in their affectionate bubble. They couldn't be the only ones awake at two in the morning. And like all rumors, it spread like wild fire.
Katya is a prostitute.
Have you seen the two together? That man must be a pervert.
Oh, and he had sons.
Don't they make love just about every hour? They're missing sometimes throughout the day. Like phantoms.
Eventually, Natasha heard these horrendous half truths, as anyone would-taking a place inside that palace. After all, they were like a black conflagration, consuming every last plank that was used to build the mansion.
Hell, even the marble floors were boiling.
So, Natasha did what Natasha did best. She confronted her husband.
Ivan remembered that moment very well, even years after it had occurred, the event would play back in his mind. A constant flash back of his first lie that was far more than white.
"Ivan." She was standing within the door way of his office, dressed entirely in white. That dollish face was red and swollen, blue gems tired. Not only had she just finished crying, but the woman hadn't slept in a long while either. "I heard that-" Choke. "I heard that you and Katya-" If the statement was completed, tears would surely overtake her face. "Is that true?"
"Natasha, how could you even believe such a horrible lie? I mean-yes, I've been spending time with Katya lately, but not because of any affair. It's simply for the sake of Andrei and Dmitri. It's important to me to know how they are, and unfortunately, that would involve speaking with Katya, since she cares for them most of the day."
Ivan paused to silently catch his breath.
"I think these servants get their ideas because we're friendly to one another. Katya is a kind woman and I see no need to be cruel to her. Oh, Natasha. You know how these things so. These serfs see two people together and have to invent the most ludicrous of stories to go with it. I'm certain if they had any time to read, this need for entertainment would vanish within a minute."
Was Natasha buying it?
"Darling, if they need to get their entertainment from me, then so be it. But I would never do such a thing to you."
The wife was beginning to cry again, so sorry that she had ever doubted her dear husband. Of course. All they were was empty rumors. Words that scorched for no real reason. Only for fun. Only for a few laughs.
Like a child setting fire to a forest. What was the use but to watch it all burn?
Ivan and Natasha embraced one another, the mother openly wailing into her darling's chest. His stomach lurched. The man might as well have swallowed poison. That's what it felt like. An entire glass of toxic wine was forced into an unwilling throat.
No, not even a glass. The entire bottle.
But the discomfort was hidden. For Natasha's sake. For his sake.
And a few days passed. Ivan and Katya continued to speak to one another, as was usual. But they put their affair on hold-a suggestion made by the serf herself. It was obvious that no peace was coming of their coupling. Why not allow things to calm?
In that time, the rumors died out, if only slightly, and life went barreling forward. It was almost as though the entire incident with Natasha was forgotten by either of them and a bit of happiness was even left inside the mother's palms.
Natasha remembered how much she adored her husband-how wonderful and good he was. It amazed her that those horrible words were even believed, for any amount of time.
The woman managed to spend a small amount of time with her sons, who were so adorable, it nearly made her weep. How on earth did she become so lucky? An amazing man and two handsome children. Not even one-but two?
How many women would kill for her life?
She imagined quite a few.
Life seemed to be grand to each of them. Natasha was joyous and behaving as a mother and Ivan was able to have his darling Katya without much horrendous interference. And of course, the mistress was glad as well.
All three were in love. But with who-well. That wasn't so important, was it?
No. They were happy, everyone. And that was the only matter that held any water.
It was unfortunate that all balloons must pop.