I'm really sorry it took me so long to write this chapter. I've had writers block for the last few days and have tried to update but those chapters didn't seem right. So here it is. Chapter 6
I was making some tea at 6 in the morning. The sun was just setting and for the humans it was night time. Today was the day of Tatiana's funeral. I think Adrian had asked me to go with him. I had been hoping that I didn't have to go but I remembered Adrian had promised to quit drinking. Yet I remember seeing him drunk only a few nights ago. But at 10am there he was. Dressed in a suit looking sharp and sober- ish. He ushered me upstairs to get ready.
I got changed into a black dress that looked amazing and hugged in all the right the places. Yet it still was appropriate for a funeral. I went a picked some black heels made by Moroi designer Jet Williams they were plain but had a giant bow on the front and went well with my outfit.
Adrian didn't say anything. He just had that look that clarified I looked good.
We headed to funeral. Adrian explained that there would be a lot guest there. A lot of people probably didn't know Tatiana but still wanted to pay their respects to the dead Queen.
When we arrived at the church lots of people were standing outside. They turned to look at Adrian with sympathy. But they looked at me like a piece of dirt on their shoes.
"Their looking at me"
"Just ignore them. Soon they will look at you in amazement" I laughed
We moved past all the people. I kept my head up. Determined not be affected by lots of people's gazes.
Lissa was at the side with Christian. They didn't notice my entrance Adrian took me straight to the front and sat next to his mother.
"Rose" said Daniella extending her hand for me to shake. I shacked it.
"So, congratulations you two" said Daniella "When Adrian took me ring shopping for you I was delighted. I never knew Adrian would settle down. I always thought with a Moroi but I'm still very happy"
"Mom, I still haven't asked Rose. I was waiting until later. After the ceremony"
"Oh sorry" She turned away to hide her bright face.
"Rose I will talk about this later. Just let's get on with the ceremony"
I nodded at him. Unable to even speak I had never even thought about married. Especially with Adrian.
One member of each royal family held up Tatiana's coffin. Lissa had forced Jill to take the coffin. But Jill being a girl just meant she had to walk beside it holding to flowers. The rest were all men. The Ivashkov was Nathan- Adrian's annoying father.
They had walked all the way from the other side of court and the pathway was covered in Rose petals. A Crowd had formed outside hoping to get a glimpse of the ceremony and Tatiana.
The coffin was made of posh black wood and was spotless. Lots of Ivashkov members were standing up front. Daniella was crying too much to even walk but Adrian got up and stood there. I was suddenly grabbed by Daniella and she was sobbing into my shoulder-I wish I had worn a jacket.
Everyone in the church got a glimpse of Tatiana. She was wearing a rich shaded purple dress it had a small pearl details on the long sleeves. She was wearing a giant crown on her head. Her face had been plastered with foundation to try and bring back some colour to her face. But her face still was pale and managed to show through. Moroi were naturally pale but in death they were like Stigori.
She was placed at the front of the church and the priest stood at the top of the alter.
"Tatiana, was a beautiful woman, she was an extraordinary queen in life. She will be remembered for it in death"
The priest led everyone outside. He spoke the traditional words of earth to earth as she was lowered into the ground.
The ceremony seemed quick but in reality it had been 2 hours. Everyone headed off to the reception at Adrian's parent's house. I looked around for him in the empty church and I found him outside holding a rose and standing over her grave.
"Hey, I finally found you"
"Roses were her favourite. She always had a vase full of them in her office"
"Adrian, about the whole marriage idea"
He turned to look at me. "It was a stupid idea. Just forget it. Of course you weren't going to marry me"
"Ask me" he looked confused "Adrian, I need you to ask me. As soon as you ask me I will know the answer"
"Rose, I already know the answer"
"Then why did you want to ask me?"
"Because I was being pressured. If I become King I need to get married. I didn't have to be to a Moroi because the Ivashkov family is so big"
"Ask me then you will know for sure" I stepped closer to him
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He lent down on one knee.
My heart started racing.
"Rosemarie Hathaway, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife"
I looked at him. If I got married to Adrian and he became King I would never be Lissa guardian and I would be become Queen? But if Adrian didn't become King I might be her guardian. But if I said no I was sure Adrian would never ask me again. We had only been dating a few months and yet it had felt like years. When I am with Adrian I feel complete. But would marriage destroy that.
He opened the box and there was the most beautiful diamond ring. It looked to be about 2 carets and the diamond was the size of an iPod headphone.
"Rose, what do you say?"
"I" I inhaled "Yes"
"Yes?"
"Yes Adrian yes"
He stood up and embraced me. He took my ring finger and placed it on. It fit perfectly.
We laughed
"So were engaged" I asked hardly believing the words had come from my mouth.
"Yes Rose we are engaged"
We headed towards Adrian's place.
"Why don't you move in with me" asked Adrian.
"Because I'm living in Josh's place"
"Well move out"
"Okay"
When we got to Adrian's he unlocked the door and said "Aren't I meant to carry you over the threshold"
"Not yet. When we get married you have to"
"Well I've never been one to carry out traditions" He grabbed my legs and back and took me into his arms and walked into his room. He closed the door with his foot.
"Rosemarie Ivashkov. Congratulations you are now engaged"
He led me straight to the bedroom and while people were mourning a death we were celebrating the next step in our relationship.
We lay next to each other afterwards. Admiring each other like we'd never met. Smiling in amazement we knew a lot of people would not approve of this. My mother being one of them. Our age difference was a small issue but the main issue was I was a Dhampir and he was a Moroi.
Maybe we would last maybe we wouldn't but marriage would make to odds of survival stronger.
It would be the first Dhampir-Moroi wedding. I just proved Tatiana's theory wrong. To Adrian we were equals he wasn't superior. I hoped that this would remove my remaining feelings for Dimirti.
But only time would tell.
