I'm back! Sorry for the long wait, but I was really tired this past week and it doesn't look so good for me this week either. How'd last week go? Amazing! And I have a new bf! Ya he asked me out after we watched a bunch of movies. It was really sweet.

Anyways thanks so much for the reviews guys, 38! Here you go!

PS: I trick you! :P

Chapter 10

And before I knew it, we were on my bed. He was on top of me, kissing everything he could get his hands, or lips, on. I leaned my head back in pleasure as his hands roamed my body in ecstasy and bliss.

It wasn't until moments like this until I realized how much I loved him. He was my life, my soul, my dignity. If I lost him, I wouldn't know how I would go on with my life.

Dimitri was my other half. Without him, I wasn't a whole. I was simply just Rose. Not Roza, someone that was loved by Dimitri.

Then suddenly, I froze in place. What was I doing? I came to my senses. We couldn't do this. We had just been in a fight, and all I wanted to do was talk it out. I did not want to jump into conclusions so fast.

"D-Dimitri." I managed to choke out. When he didn't stop, I had to push him away slightly. That got him to pull back in surprise.

"What is it, Roza?" He asked, raising one eyebrow.

"I-you were right. We shouldn't be doing this." I refused to meet his eyes.

He looked at me curiously and sat on the bed beside me. "What changed your mind?"

I sighed and shook my head. "You were right," I repeated slowly. "I don't think I'm ready. I think I jumped into things too quickly. I am admitting this now so please...I need to talk this out first." I buried my face in my hands, blushing wildly. I was embarrassed to stop this moment, but I needed to do this.

Dimitri was silent, so I took this as a way to say continue. I gulped then looked down at my hands.

"What is the matter, Rose?" Dimitri finally spoke up when I was at loss of words.

"I-I don't know," I admitted. "It is just that I've never actually loved, Dimitri."

Dimitri cocked his head back and forth, clearly confused.

"I mean that you are my first love, Dimitri." I summoned up. "I know all about you, and you know so much about me. But I finally realized the reason you stopped this," I motioned back and forth between us, "the first time."

"It's because we only have one life, Dimitri," I continued, "and I want to spent it with you and only you. I want to experience everything with you and treasure every single moment. If we do it know, then what else is left? I want to...", I craned my head for more words, "learn more about you, aside from the things I already know. We will be husband and wife...and I love you. This is why you didn't want to do it earlier, right?"

He inspected me like I was a work of art. I felt my cheeks redden under his massive and powerful gaze. He just had that effect on me.

"Right," he nearly muttered, his gaze softening. "Roza, you know I love you. I want to savor this moment until I know, officially, that I have you as my own. Wait until the time is right, and it will be better then ever." He paused then gave me a small smile. "And I am truly sorry about my behavior earlier. It was uncalled for, and I promise I won't loose control of my anger ever again. I love you, Roza."

I smiled to myself and climbed onto his lap, perching myself firmly on his hips. Then, I attached my mouth to his. His warm lips kissed me back with all the passion he was made of and I felt like nothing compared to him.

Then suddenly, almost out of nowhere, he pulled away and chuckled.

"What?" I asked him.

He shook his head and kissed me again before pulling back. "Nothing, Roza," he said. "It's just that you taste like Russian vodka."

I laughed alongside him and smacked him on the shoulder playfully. "Hey, it was Viktoria who led me on. So don't blame me. And from what she told me, Russian tend to get drunk all the time."

Dimitri rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to argue with that. Just wait until our wedding. You won't remember a thing."

I giggled and kissed him again. I just couldn't get enough of him and his warm Russian lips.

A few minutes and gasps of breath later, we were lying in my bed in each other's arms. Dimitri was gazing down at me with wonder and awe which made me shiver deeply.

"Will you stay the night?" I asked him as he ran a hand through my loose hair.

He stopped then looked at me, longing.

"I wish, Roza," he answered, "but we don't want to get caught, now do we? Sneaking around late at night is one thing, but getting caught is another."

I pouted and he all but smiled.

"Don't worry," he continued. "I'll be here until you fall asleep."

I snuggled further into his chest, his body radiating warmth. I closed my eyes as he planted soft kissing on the crown of my head, murmuring sweet things in Russian.

"Dimitri," I said out of nowhere.

"Yes, my Roza?"

"Have you ever thought of having children?"

He was silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"I haven't actually thought about it," he admitted truthfully after a few seconds.

"But, do you?" I asked again.

He shrugged and kissed my hair. "Of course I do, Roza. But only with you; nobody else. I'd have a whole ballroom full of children with you if I could. Have you ever took it into consideration? When the time is right?"

I thought for a moment. I could not imagine myself being a mother of a child, or children for that matter. I had always thought of myself as a tad bit irresponsible. But now that I was with Dimitri, I no longer saw myself as a child, but a woman. And Dimitri actually trusted in me to have his children.

"You've certainly changed my point of view in things," I said, tracing a pattern on his warm hand. "At first, my thought of having children was...facetious. I had never imagined it being one of my choices. But then I met you and everything changed. If I do fall pregnant with you child, when the time is right, I couldn't be more happier."

I felt Dimitri's smile against my neck. His jaw ran along the base and lifted so he could place a sweet, delicate kiss on the section behind my ear.

"Just think about it," I said happily. "Little Rose and Dimitri's running around the castle. One of the them will be the heir, of course."

I turned around in his chest and gave him a long kiss. It was light and passionate, a rare kiss he usually gave among the most heated ones.

"Of course," he complied, pulling his lips away from mine. "But that's a long time away. We don't need to worry about anything except the wedding."

I pressed my lips to his again and smirked. "I absolutely cannot wait until then."

"Mmm," Dimitri mumbled in agreement, his lips brushing against my neck. I turned around and ran my hand through his silky brown hair. His hands slid down to my hips, one which slid down the top of my calf. I felt a tingling feeling of adrenaline burst inside me.

"Go to sleep now, Roza," he whispered into my ear. Then, almost inaudible, he murmured, "YA lyublyu tebya bolʹshe, chem moya sobstvennaya zhiznʹ."

I yawned and looked up at him. "What does that mean?"

I was starting to drift off when I heard him whisper to me,

"I love you more than my own life."

I woke up to expect myself alone in bed with the arms encircling around me. But I was wrong. I was still firmly in Dimitri's grasp, his arm draped lazily around my stomach. I looked up at him with a small smile on my face. He looked as peaceful as ever, a strand of hair slung across his face.

I listened to his firm breathing for another minute and nuzzled my head in the crook of his neck. I felt his hold on me tighten as I closed my eyes again.

Until I realized Dimitri was in bed. With me. And it was the morning.

I thrashed my head back and nearly jumped when I heard a knock on the door. Well hell.

"Rose?" Lissa's familiar voice rang through the room.

"Dimitri, Dimitri!" I whisper-shouted, shaking him on the shoulder gently. He shook his head and turned around, completely ignoring me.

"Rose? Are you in there?" Mia was the one to ask this time.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I shook Dimitri more severely, looking back and forth between the closed door and him.

"Rose, are you awake?" Lissa asked.

"One minute!" I shouted in reply.

I didn't know what else to do to wake him. So I lifted my hand and slapped him.

"Ouch!" He winced slightly and a red patch appeared on his cheek.

"Sorry," I apologized in a small voice. "You fell asleep last night and Lissa and Mia are outside. So go now. We can't risk getting caught."

He was fully alert by now. He forgot all the pain I had caused him on his cheek and stood upright, grabbing his boots and shuffling around the room, trying to find one shoe.

"Can we come in?" Lissa questioned.

"Give me a few minutes!" I replied, helping Dimitri. I found his other boot and threw it at him. He caught it gracefully and slipped it on. I would have looked up at him with amazement, but I did not have time for that.

I ushered him towards the window. He rushed towards it and pulled the window pain open.

And froze.

I bit my lip and said, "Go already!"

"I can't!" He said back, looking at me. "Guards are patrolling the grounds. They're right below this room. If I leave that way, then they'll catch me."

I panicked. What else could I do?

"Rose, seriously, we're coming in." Mia warned.

I threw Dimitri a look and said, "Hold on!"

If Dimitri couldn't get out using the window, then he would have to hide somewhere in the room. I looked around quickly and pointed towards the large armoire. Dimitri would have to crouch a bit, but it would do.

I beckoned him towards it and he stepped inside with much easiness. I closed the doors, leaving one slightly ajar so he would be able to breath.

Then, I hurried towards the door and opened it. A worried Lissa and Mia were standing there, about ready to bust the door down.

"What happened to you?" Mia asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing, nothing. I was just, uh, getting ready for breakfast."

I knew that was the most dull-witted lie I had ever told considering that I was still in my night gown and my hair was all over the place.

Both of them raised their eyebrows, but then shook it off. They entered my room and I bit my lips nervously. What if they caught Dimitri? I trusted them not to tell anyone, but still. Lissa was quiet the teller and now that she was with Christian, I highly certain that she would tell him.

"Well it's good you are up." Lissa said. "The Queen has requested an early breakfast. She says she needs you and the Prince there on time. Something about needing to talk with both of you."

My eyes wondered towards the armoire and I smiled to myself, knowing Dimitri was in there listening to every single word.

"Rose?" Mia said, snapping me out of my gaze.

"Huh?"

"I said I'll lay out your dress," Mia repeated, walking over to the armoire.

Her hands were barely on the brass handles when I yelled, "Stop!"

She pulled her hand away and looked at me. "What?"

"Uh," I racked my head for a reasonable explanation. "Because I want to pick out my own dress today. No need to attend to me today; I'm perfectly alright as it is."

Lissa and Mia exchanged confused glances and stared back at me as if I was crazy.

"Alright, Rose," Lissa said slowly. "Would you like me to run the bath?"

I shook my head and wove them off. "I'm fine. I'll attend to my own needs. Tell Olena that we-I mean I-will be there."

Once they left with wondering expressions, I let out sigh of relief. Dimitri came out of the armoire and lifted me into his arms.

"That was close," he whispered.

"You have no idea," I said. I untangled myself from him and picked out a simple cream dress from the armoire. "I think you should go before my ladies come back with more questions. And I'm certain Christian has stopped by your room already and was greeted by an empty bed."

"Don't worry about Christian." He said. "I'm usually up by this hour and roaming about the castle."

I smiled and pecked his lips once before breaking away and heading towards the bath. I took a quick one, and dressed myself before presenting myself to Dimitri. He looked at me approvingly and we headed down to the dining hall.

Every Belikov was there already, enjoying morning chat. I took my place next to Dimitri and poured my usual cup of tea.

"Roza, Dimka." Olena acknowledged. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I said back with a warming smile. "My ladies

"Yes," she started, "I have a task for both of you."

"What is it?" Dimitri asked.

"I want you two to travel to Moskovsky and deliver the new scrolls of laws that were just recently passed. It is not too far away, but you will need to stay a few days just to make sure the overseeing family will receive the new rules."

"Of course, Mama," Dimitri obeyed. "Who are Roza and I staying with?"

"The Kislyaks," Olena answered firmly.

I heard Viktoria almost choke next to me ad we all turned to her. She wiped her mouth quickly and let out a big grin.

"Kislyak? Mama, may I go as well? I have not seen Rolan in a long while!"

I suddenly recalled the night of the banquet where I had met Viktoria's friends. One of them which was named Rolan Kislyak. She had told me his father was a lord, but she hadn't told me that her family was overseeing the town of Moskovsky.

"Please, Mama," Viktoria begged. "I only see Rolan once every two months when he and his family visit the castle. Oh please let me go!"

"Viktoria." Olena said. "We will discuss this later. Not at the table. Right now we are planning Roza and Dimka's trip."

Viktoria was about to protest but was silenced by Yeva's glare. I smiled to myself and looked back at Olena.

"But why cannot the messenger just take the scrolls?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Because if new laws were recently passed, then the overseeing families must receive them from a royal to make sure it is not a useless scam," Dimitri explained.

"But why only Moskovsky?"

"Moskovsky is the nearest city to where we are," Karolina explained. "So we appointed our closest family to us, the Kislyaks, to oversee it, or to look over it. Basically the family that oversees Moskovsky is the second family in line to be the heir. If our family name ends, then the Kislyaks would take over. But it's the second royal family, as we call them, that spreads around the laws. So you just give the list of rules to the Kislyaks and wait for them to send them out to all over Russia."

"Wow." I said. This system of laws was confusing, but so organized.

"It takes awhile to enhance things," Dimitri said, smiling at me.

"Then it's settled then," I called. "When shall Dimitri and I leave?"

"I was thinking in a couple of hours. Just so you can arrive in Moskovsky by night fall. It will just be a short trip, so I was thinking one carriage and three guards will do," Olena remarked. "The Kislyaks have many servants so I'm sure they would be happy to attend to you."

I nodded. I was sad that I would be leaving Lissa and Mia, but I couldn't help but feel happy that I would be with Dimitri.

After breakfast, we all broke off to prepare for the trip. Lissa and Mia were packing a few dresses only, considering I would only be in Moskovsky for a few days.

I wondered about the castle until Viktoria called for me. She told me that we Dimitri and I would be leaving soon and they needed us outside. When I asked her if she was coming along, she shook her head silently and shrugged it off.

And before we new it, Dimitri and I were in the carriage, leaning into each other's arms. We didn't need words to say how we felt about each other, because the way he looked at me told a thousand words.

He told me it would be a rather quick trip and we would be in Moskovsky in a matter of hours.

"Have you ever been there?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Only once, though. You'll love it there, Roza. Lord Alexander Kislyak and Lady Karina have a bunch of children. Most of them are around your age, and they have two that are around my age."

"What are they like?"

"Well the ones your age are eloquent and sophisticated. They were just raised that way. But some of them can be on the rough side, I suppose."

"How about the older ones?" I questioned.

Dimitri paused. A pregnant second later, he said, "One is a man, the other a woman. The woman was found by Lord Alexander so she hasn't the Kislyak blood. She's native born. She looks different, so I'm sure you'll recognize her easily. But she doesn't go by the surname Kislyak. She goes by her actual surname."

"Why?"

"It's complicated, Rose," he said, his voice treading off.

"Wait but what is her name?" I asked frantically. Huh. Today I was just full of questions.

Dimitri was silent again. Then, I felt him kiss my head and murmur, "You'll find out soon enough."

So I decided I'm not going to put a lemon until later on. It's what most people wanted, so I guess I'll just save the best for the last. But Rose and Dimitri almost always have hot make out sessions.

I'm not really sure when I'm going to update because this week will be pretty hectic. (Fuck my French teacher, giving us an all week exam)

So who do you think the lady is? And is Dimitri...hiding something from Rose? Review!