VA isn't mine, and the characters aren't either.
Hi guys! I know that I have been gone for a while - I am sorry about that. I have been working on another project and I am happy to announce that I have just had my first short story published! I am so proud! It is in Danish, so I cannot share it with you, plus, you know, legal stuff. I wanted to share the news! Anyways, I hope you will enjoy this chapter.
Rpov
I waited impatiently outside until the door opened, "We need to talk," I told him as I brushed past him.
"Well hello, Rose, nice to see you too." He snarked sarcastically and closed the door behind us. "Dimitri is off duty." He informed, thinking that was the cause of my visit. I just nodded and took off my coat.
"I know, I came to talk to you." He raised both eyebrows.
"Me? Why? I didn't think that we had anything to talk about anymore." He noted sharply and I felt the urge to tell him to shut up but I didn't say it out loud. I did not come to argue.
"No, I didn't think so either but now we have." He clapped both hands together and pretended to feel honored.
"Well, if a council member says so, then please, sit down. Can I get you anything?" He asked, pretending he wanted to be a good host.
I glared at him, "A little less attitude would be nice." I bit, and his fake smile disappeared and turned into a scowl.
"Fine. What do you want to talk about?" He asked, finally sensing this was a serious matter.
"It is about Lissa." That simple statement made his smile return.
"Ahh, yes, it always is. Well, my girlfriend and I are very happy, thank you for your concern. You can leave now." He placed his hand on my shoulder as if to guide me outside, but I stood my ground.
"Christian!" I hissed angrily and he seemed to sober up.
"Wauw, you really mean it. Alright then, Rose, please tell me, what is this about?" I huffed feeling annoyed. Now I didn't want to tell him at all! However, I knew that for Lissa's sake I had to.
"Do you love her?" I asked bluntly, not feeling up to beat around the bush.
"Of course." He answered honestly, and he seemed to get a little nervous.
"Do you want to marry her?" I asked him again and he furrowed his brows in confusion but nodded anyway.
"Yes, someday, in a few years. Rose, where is all this coming from?" I took a deep breath, trying to figure out a way to get my point across without spilling Lissa's secret.
"Now would be a good time to propose." He frowned.
"Now? Why Rose? What is happening?" I shook my head and closed my eyes for a moment to collect my thoughts, then I locked my eyes on his.
"Do you trust me?" He hesitated. "Christian, I share a psychic bond with your girlfriend, moreover I am her best friend. She needs you to propose to her and she needs to think that it was your idea. Either you do it, or I am going to have to kick your ass. As much as I think that would help release the tension between us, I honestly don't think it is the best solution to this problem." He took a moment then he nodded seeming to understand that I wasn't kidding. It was a shame, I would have loved to kick his ass.
"Okay. I know you love her. So, I am going to take your word for it. How am I going do it?" He asked and I felt slightly taken aback that he wanted advice from me.
"She will be running for queen. They are already planning the tryouts, so it needs to be done in between those. I have talked to Hans, the first tryout is in two days, and then they will have a week until the next. That is confidential by the way. You will want to propose on Friday. She will be the least stressed then and the most surprised." I told him and he looked surprised.
"Is she running for Queen?" He asked and I nodded.
"Another long story. Now focus, Christian, Friday!" I hissed and he sobered up again and nodded.
"Friday. That gives us four days to prepare a proposal. Good on the tight deadlines there, Rose, it would have been nice with a heads up." He snarked and I put on my best poker face.
"This is the heads up. Alternatively, I was going to send her a proposal in your name and hope for the best." I told him honestly. The thought had crossed my mind but I wanted for her proposal to be a real one. Who cared if I interfered a little in the planning of it? Christian loved her, he just needed a gentle push.
"I don't have a ring." He mused and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. The ring was the smallest problem! "Will you help me pick one out?" He asked out of nowhere and now I was surprised.
"Really? You want my help?" He shrugged.
"As you so nicely pointed out: You are her best friend. No one knows her better than you do, not even I. So yeah, I want you to help me find the perfect ring." I couldn't help but smile a little. Sparky had a heart, who knew?
"I would love to. We can do it during the first tryout? Then you don't have to come up with a cover story." He nodded and opened the door for me. I was just about to leave when I heard him ask:
"Rose?" I looked at him over my shoulder.
"Yeah?" He looked uncomfortable. Whatever he was about to say was causing him hardship.
"I… Thank you, for helping. I know that I am not your favorite person and that you would rather see Lissa with someone else. So, thank you for doing this." That was surprising. I sent him a smile.
"Quiet the opposite, Christian. I don't think anyone could be better for her than you." He smiled a little at that part and I left without further exchange. Outside the guesthouse, to which Christian had fleed while I stayed with Lissa, I looked around. It was odd, in the past few years I had been in and out of court multiple times, but I had never had the time to look around. Of course, it was the royal court, and nothing ever changed much but there were the little things like the pick of flowers or maybe someone had moved a statue to the other end of the park. It reminded me of how little I had been around to notice such things.
It was late, almost in the middle of the moroi night and I wasn't sure when I knocked on his door, that Christian would have even opened the door. The day had been beyond hectic. I had never witnessed an election before and I hadn't understood the full meaning concept, but after today, I was in ave. I had gone to see Rufus as early as I could after hitting the gym. He had made time, but there were already a bunch of advisors fighting for his attention. Rufus was an obvious choice to replace Tatiana and he wasn't about to let the opportunity slide past him. After all, this was the last shot he had at getting the throne. He had given me a brief recap: Tatiana had been found dead in her chambers, the details surrounding her death still hadn't been released. The council had been frozen, meaning no one could leave or join until the elections were over. If a member dropped dead, then an on beforehand chosen substitute would take their place. Meaning I had to go see Hans and point out my substitute, giving me an excuse to see the head of security. The official ceremony hadn't been held yet, but it was expected that most of the council would want to take part in the election. I, of course, was excluded, thanks to the law that stated it was exclusively moroi from royal families that could take part. However, this was good news for me, as now I would keep my seat at least until a new monarch decided to remove me. Or I too dropped dead. That was a possibility as well. I had left Rufus in the care of his advisors and a spin-doctor and went to find Hans instead.
Hans had been less delighted to see me than Rufus.
"I can't tell you anything Council member Hathaway." Had he barked and I tried to change approach.
"Please Hans, I told you to call me Rose plenty of times. I am not running, I just want to know how long this thing is going to last." Hans wasn't going to move or bend.
"I can't reveal any confidential information. Not even to you." He stated and I leaned forward with a smile on my face, maybe a bit seductive but what the hell: I needed answers.
"Not even when it is going to take place? Please, I have to know when I can leave court again." I asked nicely and he looked conflicted then he sighed deeply.
"This is confidential," he informed be strictly then continued, "the first tryout is in two days. Then they have a week to prepare for the next one. The last one will be held three days later and end out in the actual election. The whole thing will last 12 days, and then you can leave." I smiled and thanked him already turning towards the door, but he stopped me from leaving. "I need to talk to you as well." He told me with a grim expression. It was very unlike Hans to want to talk to me about anything so naturally, I was curious.
"Something wrong?" I asked and he nodded.
"There are two things: one, I need you here to help out with security. You have done a great job at the academies, the security is better than it has been in years, and I will need your help consulting at the events. The other thing is a little more serious: We have received some letters to your mail address here at court. They are off a disturbing nature." He told me and I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"More death threats?" I guessed and he nodded. "I have already hired extra security," I informed him but he didn't seem satisfied with my solution.
"I have upped the security around the Dragomir household. Rose, I need you to be prepared for anything. This isn't something you should take lightly." He said.
"I know. My father is on his way to court, and I will be moving in with him when he arrives. My team and I have it under control." I promised him but still, he seemed to be skeptical.
"These threats are very explicit, Rose. You won't know where the next blow comes from." I knew that. We had been surprised numerous times already.
"I appreciate your concern, Hans, but there really isn't anything more that we can do. Until the election is over this is how it will be. May we live to see the end of it." He sighed and looked at me as if he knew I was about to throw a tantrum.
"I have asked your mother to take care of your security." Yep, he was right, tantrum coming in.
"YOU WHAT?!" He held up a hand to stop me from continuing on a rant.
"She is the best, Rose, you know that." He tried to argue but he had so miscalculated if he thought that would calm me down.
"No, she is not! I am the best! You know that." I threw back at him but the man only shrugged. He shrugged!
"She has more experience and she is still an active guardian. I am sorry Rose but this is how it will be." I glared.
"Don't think I am not going to fight this." He smirked.
"Oh, I know you will, but right now, the council is frozen, and the same goes for your power. You can't do anything until the new monarch is chosen and by then, who knows?" Suddenly he turned serious again. "I hope you get to keep your seat, Rose, I do, but to keep it you have to keep your head. I am doing everything in my power to ensure your safety but you have to let me." I couldn't help but smirk.
"I am not afraid to die, Hans. I just thought it would be an utter shame for all my hard work to go to waste. If I am shot dead in the middle of the royal court, then there will be a riot. My work will live on, maybe not through me but through the people. So, I am taking my chances. Call my mother, and tell her I can handle myself." I ordered and then I stormed out. I meant what I said. I wasn't afraid to die. Not anymore. The only thing that mattered to me was the legacy I left behind.