Here it is, my dears! The most anticipated meeting of the story, thus far! I didn't get many reviews for the last chapter (which hurt a little), but I would love to hear from you all!
~DA2014
Let Your Heart Lead The Way
Chapter 11
"Sir Belikov."
The Princess was being formal. Dimitri didn't know if that was a good sign or a bad one, but he remembered watching the King and how he reacted to all the men meeting his daughter. King Ibrahim didn't seem to care for many of the men, though there were some with political or foreign connections that the King seemed to approve of, though he didn't know if it was because of said connections or because he genuinely like the idea of his daughter with them. Either way, Dimitri was here to be with Rose, and he'd be damned if he didn't spend time with her!
"Princess."
Dimitri grabbed the Princess' hand, and bent over into a generous bow, before gently kissing her knuckles. Then, he escorted her to her seat and waited for her to sit, before taking a seat himself. Dimitri didn't know it anybody was paying attention to him, but in that moment, when he looked up and saw the Princess smiling at him, he didn't care. All he cared about was finding a way to keep that smile on her face.
"Well, I suppose we should talk. I mean, this is when I officially meet you."
The two took a moment to share a quiet laugh.
"Yes, I suppose we should. What would you like to know?"
Dimitri could see all of her questions floating around in her head, and swimming in her breath-takingly deep brown eyes. The same set of eyes he would never be able to forget. The same ones that had captivated him since that first time he looked into them, all those years ago. Dimitri found it hard to believe that the baby he had held, all through the rebel attack that claimed her mother's life, was suddenly looking back at him now, and she wasn't a baby anymore.
The Princess had blossomed into a bright light. She was a vision to behold in her red dress, and the tiny tiara setting atop her head seemed to fit her. It wasn't large, or gaudy, but simple, and classy. Much like her.
"What do you see for the future?"
Dimitri had been so enraptured with consuming every detail he could about her that the question fell on deaf ears.
"I'm sorry, what?"
Rose chuckled a little, before repeating her question.
"For the future? I see this nation rising back to power, where it once was, instead of in ruin. I see the people finally having enough to eat, and prospering. I see it making the foreign alliances needed to back us in times of war. With you as Queen, I see a far better future than I have thought imaginable for a long time."
Rose seemed to be enraptured by Dimitri's words, and took a moment to give them some thought.
"And for us? What do you see for us?"
Dimitri let a small smile tug at his lips. He could see many things with the Princess, though he gave no hope for them to be brought to fruitition.
"I see you being the best Queen this nation has seen since Queen Alexandria. You will breathe life into your people, and care for them like no other has ever cared. Eventually, I hope to see your children grow and become so much like you, and pass on your legacy. I wish only the best for you, My Princess."
"I notice you said 'you' quite frequently. Do you not see us together?"
"I do, Your Majesty, but... I don't see why you would pick me, a man with no connections of any kind, and a past full of hard laborious work, over a man like Sir Ivashkov, who could give you the world, even though you already have it at your disposal. A man like Sir Castile, who would be loyal and dedicated, no matter the situation. A man like Sir Ozera, who has overcome so much adversity in life, and yet he still finds the will to survive another day."
"A man like you, Sir Belikov, who only finds the good in others, but never in yourself. I know you have many reasons for being here, though I know them not."
"Yes, I have many reasons, competing for your hand being one of them. I remember you as a baby, and your eyes have hidden away in my dreams every night since that horrible day. I see your eyes every time I close my own, and somehow, they give me the strength to get through another day. I know I won't be the best man here, for I have stated that I have no connections, but I have paid no mind to any other soul, aside from my family, since that day."
Rose was silent for many moments as she listened to Dimitri's every word. Neither had paid any attention to the time or their surroundings, and therefore neither realized that Dimitri had spent the most time with the Princess thus far. The two sat, caught up in their thoughts until the King's voice rang through the hall to grasp their attentions.
"Rosemarie, darling, we have business to attend to. Please get on with it."
Rose looked up and nodded, before turning back to Sir Dimitri Belikov.
"Thank you for this little chat, good Sir. I shall look forward to talking with you again. Please, return to your seat."
"No, Princess, it is my honor. Thank you." Dimitri stood and took Rose's hand, briefly kissed her knuckles, before releasing her hand and returning to his seat. Then the Princess stood, as if she were going to address the room again.
"Thank you, gentlemen, for allowing me some of your time. If I asked you to remain, please stay seated. I'd like some more words with you all. If not, please continue on with your day. I'm sure Kirova is waiting to sweep you all off into lessons. Have a pleasant day."
With that, Dimitri, and many other men, like Sirs Christian, Mason, Edison, and Adrian, all rose and left the room. Not many stayed behind, but a few notable figures, like some from the Upper castes were still seated. There were a few from the Lower castes as well, but not nearly as many as one might think.
"This way Sir Belikov." Kirova's voice stabbed through the air until it grabbed Dimitri's attention, thus forcing him to turn and follow the other men from the room.
Then, the doors closed with a loud, ominous booming sound, and Dimitri knew whatever was happening behind those doors was not a good thing. Suddenly, Dimitri was glad he hadn't been asked to stay.
The day had been filled with dull lessons about what attire is appropriate for what occasion and why it is so.
Dimitri was a guy, and pretty sure he could wear a tux or suit to every occasion and be just fine. But, Kirova was insistent on a polo and khakis being worn to an outdoor event, or that riding breeches must be worn when going for an equitation lesson. This caused Dimitri to protest profusely. He had been working with horses for as long as he could remember, and he knew that denim jeans working just as well, if not better. Then, thinking of denim jeans made Dimitri miss home, just a bit, for his Mama had not let him pack a stitch of denim.
Having returned to the privacy of his quarters, Dimitri walked to his bed and looked at the little memoirs his family had sent him away with: photos, Paul's baseball, Zoya's pony.
Never had Dimitri missed his family so dearly. Then, an idea struck him.
He had his maid, Tatianna, fetch a pen for him, and he took out the stationary his Mama had entrusted him with, and he set to work on a letter.
Things in the Palace are as well as can be. The Princess is almost exactly as I remember her being, though she has grown and blossomed into a gorgeous person. If she is anything like her mother, Mama, she will bring the people out of the dark times that have swallowed every joyous moment since Queen Janine's death. We had our first official meeting this morning, though I did run into her the other night on the Palace roof. Something had occurred, and it was overwhelming, so I fled to the safety of silence and solitude. And there, on the roof, she came out of the shadows and asked what I remembered of her mother. Princess Rosemarie is the beacon of hope the people have long waited for.
All men are required to attend lessons, and though we are only a few days in, I seem to find these lessons useless. I remember when you worked in the Palace, and I recall all the things you taught to me.
The King doesn't seem to like me much, though I suppose he wouldn't like me much. I watched the Queen's death firsthand, and saved his daughter, though that seems to escape him regularly. He seems like such a bitter, controlling man. It leads me to believe that the Princess might not be making all the choices in her Selection...
How are the others? Did Viktoria get the apprenticeship with the seamstress? I know how much she has wanted it. And Sonya? She and the baby are well? I worry, since I'm not there.
Just then, Dimitri heard a knocking at his door, and turned to his maid. She stared at him, waiting to be told what to do.
"See who it is please. I'll be there shortly."
Dimitri turned back to his letter, and finished it off with a flourish. He signed his name, and sealed the letter away in an envelop. When Tatianna returned, and he was informed that the visitor at his door was a guard, fetching him for a summons, Dimitri gave her the envelop and instructed her to have it sent out immediately. Tatianna bowed her head, gave a small curtsy, and scurried away to follow his instructions. Then, Dimitri turned to the guard and followed him.
The guard led him to the Palace Gardens, and a large, expansive maze.
"Through here, Sir Belikov. She is waiting in the center of the gardens."
With a 'thank you', Dimitri turned and began the journey through the maze. Going through the maze made Dimitri think of a story he once heard, of a girl named Alice falling down the rabbit hole. His stomach twisted and turned, and he felt as if he were falling.
He rounded the last corner, and that's when he saw her.
Sitting on a bench in the middle of the Gardens, dressed in a simple gown, and bathed in moonlight.
"Hello Dimitri. Remember me?"
Any guesses who it could be?! Tell me!
And, if anyone guesses correctly, they just might get a sneak peak of the next chapter ;)
~DA2014
