Summer had only started and I had been toted around to six events. I was starting to resent the season. The marks on my back from the corset were driving me mad, and I was starting to loathe the smell of lavender that Lissa's maid used when doing our hair.

Tonight's event I decided to skip on, instead opting to stay home. I was tired and feeling overwhelmed by the crowds and bluster. I got dressed in an ordinary gown and let my hair down, requesting that Pipa, Lissa's second maid, accompany me into town.

There was a shop just on the edge of the square that sold paints and supplies, something that I took pleasure in. Some liked books, music, and botany, but I preferred to paint. Pipa waited outside while I went in, the store being small, to begin with.

I browsed through the colours, my fingers brushing against the shelf as I walked. The shop had a distinct smell of pine and varnish, the smell being familiar. It reminded me of my mother. She liked to paint as well, and when we weren't in the company of others, she always had paint on the edges of her fingers.

"Fancy seeing you here," a voice said behind me. I turned and bowed my head respectfully.

"Your Grace," I said.

Dimitri smiled and stepped closer, there was still a respectful distance between us, but it was closer.

"I believe we agreed to address ourselves differently in like company," he said. I smirked and plucked a bottle of pain off the shelf, examining it carefully.

"I believe we did," I replied with amusement.

"Are you a painter, Rose?" Dimitri asked, leaning his head over to look at the bottle.

"I am. Are you?"

Dimitri shrugged. "I've been known to hold a brush. Did you receive my rose?"

I smiled and put the bottle back on the shelf, unsatisfied with the colour. "I did. It was lovely."

I reached up to grab a different bottle but fell short, my finger just brushing the bottle. Another hand stretched up and took the bottle off the shelf, his fingers brushing against mine as he did. I looked up at him when he handed the bottle to me, glancing at the bottle.

"The rose was so lovely that I hope to recreate it," I said quietly, "But I should inform you that I have not entered society."

"You haven't?"

I shook my head. "No. My parents aren't here to introduce me; Andre is unable because of the difference in our title. I don't want to lead you to believe that I am available. I should have said something when we met."

There was a softness in his eyes and an even softer smile on his lips. "Just because you aren't available doesn't mean I don't enjoy your company."

I bit my lip to hide my smile. "You've been in my company once."

"You made a lasting impression."

I laughed and shook my head, walking with him towards the counter to pay. I picked up a few new brushes as I went and set them on the counter. We were both silent as I paid, the void of discussion oddly comforting. When I took my purchase and stepped outside, Pipa was standing where I left her, a knowing look on her face.

"Is it just you and your maid?"

"Yes. We walked. I enjoy the evening breeze. It's a nice respite from the parties and the dresses."

"May I walk you home? Of course, if your maid is agreeable," Dimitri asked, turning to address Pipa. She glanced at me and I nodded, taking his arm as we walked. I glanced at Pipa and gave her a reassuring smile before turning to face forward again.

"Where has your father travelled to now?" Dimitri asked, resting his hand on mine where it rested on his arm. I glanced at our hands before answering.

"France. Meeting with someone about mining," I answered.

Dimitri made a noise of acknowledgement and nodded. "I have to admit, I did know your brother, Aslan."

I swallowed and looked down at the flagstone beneath my feet. I hadn't willingly thought about my brother since his death three winters ago, and thinking about him only made my heartache.

It was sudden. A fever took over him so intensely that he was delirious, screaming out in pain. We were at our country estate, and he had been moved to an unused wing of the estate, but I would linger by his door. I couldn't go in, but sometimes I watch him. His skin was patchy with red, and he looked like he was in agony.

It was a blessing when he passed. I hated watching him suffer.

"Aslan was a fine man," I said quietly, swallowing back the emotion that built up in my throat. I blinked to stop the tears that formed in my eyes, tilting my head up in vain.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to distress you," Dimitri said softly, but I shook my head.

"You didn't. I don't think of my brother often," I said adamantly, not wanting him to feel guilt over the conversation. Dimitri hummed in the back of his throat, and we kept walking, the breeze ruffling around us.

"He spoke fondly of you when we were at school together. I didn't put it together until Viscount Dragomir formally introduced us. Aslan used to speak about how he looked forward to coming home during the holidays to see you."

I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. Aslan was always the person I looked up to growing up. He was my brother, any young girl would look up to their brother to show them the ropes. I remember when he took one of my paintings with him. I always wondered if he actually took it, or just said he did to appease his nine-year-old sister.

"Thank you for telling me," I whispered, looking up at Dimitri. "I needed to hear that."

Dimitri canted his head and a ghost of a smile. "Did you receive an invitation to Lady Badica's ball at the end of the week?"

I snorted a laugh and nodded my head. "I did. Lissa, Andre's sister, told me that if I missed tonight, I had to go to that one. I'm already dreading it."

"So am I," Dimitri said with a chuckle. "Some ladies are not as tactful as you."

"Oh?" I asked looking up at him again. Tactful?

"At least if you want to dance with someone, you don't throw yourself at them. Well, aside from when you threw yourself at me," Dimitri said with a laugh.

I gaped at him before laughing. "I did no such thing. I happened to be running from a potential dance," I returned.

"From whom?"

I clammed up a little and cleared my throat. "Mr. Jesse Zeklos."

Dimitri's eyes twitched at the corners and his jaw tensed. "Ah. Well, you can throw yourself at me to get out of a dance with him anytime."

I laughed and covered my mouth, my laugh loud and boisterous. If my mother heard the casualness between us, I think her face would turn as red as her curly hair.

"I might just hold you to it," I quipped with a grin, batting my eyes. I was taken aback by how easy conversation came to us, and I genuinely enjoyed his company.

"Good, because I might have to dance with you a few times at Lady Badica ball. Too many mothers fawning."

"What? The Grand Duke isn't in the market for a wife? Isn't that why men go to such functions?" I asked humorously

Dimitri's carefree expression hardened for a fraction before relaxing. "Not now. I want to settle into my new title before I seek the endeavour of marriage."

I nodded and noticed that we were only a few paces from the Dragomir Estate. I frowned to myself before turning to face Dimitri, smiling at him. I sensed that the subject was a sore spot for him, and thought it was best to let it be for now.

"Thank you for escorting me home," I said, pulling my arm from his. Dimitri smiled at me.

"It was my pleasure," he said, extending his hand. I placed mine in his and watched him bring it to his lips again, pressing a quick kiss to the back of it.

"Have a good evening, Rose."

"You too, Dimitri," I said softly, bowing my head. Dimitri gave me a smile that made me smile too before he turned and walked down the flagstone. I watched him round the corner before leaning against the frame of the door. I took a breath and looked at Pipa, trying to hide my grin. She looked at me knowingly before laughing, striding up beside me.

"If you weren't in society, I'm sure he would have snatched you up already," Pipa giggled. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"He isn't looking for a wife right now," I stated but Pipa snorted.

"Right. Well, if a gentleman looked at me the way he looks at you, that'd be a different answer."

I furrowed my brows as she walked past me and into the house. What did she mean by that?


The world around me barely registered with me. It didn't matter how hard Pipa pulled my corset and pinned my hair, nothing could pull me from my thoughts. It was as if my conversation with Dimitri opened a vast wound that couldn't be closed.

My thoughts swirled around nothing but Aslan the last few days.

"Rose?"

I looked up from where my eyes were focused on the tread handing from the vanity. Lissa perched herself on the edge of the vanity and tilted her head.

"Sorry," I apologized quietly, giving him a meek smile.

"Where are your thoughts? You've been quiet all afternoon. All week really."

I licked my lips and then chewed on my lower lip. "I've been thinking about Aslan."

Pipa's hands stilled in my hair for a fraction of a moment before continuing, her eyes flicking to mine in the reflection. Lissa slid off the vanity and sat on the footrest just in front of me, folding her arms on my legs and resting her head on them.

"What brought that on?" Lissa asked softly, "I know you don't like to think about him often."

I clicked my tongue and sighed. "The other night I went to get more paints and ran into the Grand Duke," I explained, "Did you know that he went to school with Andre and Aslan?"

Liss shook her head. "No. I didn't."

"Aslan and he were good friends. May the three of them and Lord Zeklos were mates in school. Dimitri passed his condolences and told me that Aslan spoke fondly of me. I didn't realize just how much I missed my brother," I said quietly, toying with the skirt of my dressing robe between my fingers.

"Aslan was a good man, and he was always proud of you. When it hurt to think about him, think about how much he loved you. It helps," Lissa explained as she stood, brushing her knuckle under my eye. I smiled at her softly and nodded at her as she made her way around my chair, standing beside Lissa.

"Are you sure you want to go with the white one tonight?" Lissa asked.

I shrugged. "I guess. Why?"

Lissa smirked and stepped away from us, humming a tune as she slipped into the hall where she kept her dresses. I looked at Pipa in the mirror with raised brows. Pipa smirked at me but when back to doing my hair, slipping Gypsophila into the weaves in my hair. Lissa came out a few moments later with a large dress box in her hands and set it down on the vanity.

"What's that?"

"A gift," Lissa simpered as she pulled the lid off the box. I sat up a little straighter and gapped at her as she pulled a dress out of the box. It looked like it was silk spun out of gold. Pipa removed her hands from my hair and I stood up, letting my fingers brush over the fabric.

"Where did you get this?"

"Your father," Lissa said, "He had the dressmaker start it right before they left for France. It was finished this afternoon. Thought it would be a nice surprise."

I took the dress between my hands and rubbed my fingers over the fabric. I turned and looked at Pipa. "Would it be too much trouble?"

Pipa shook her head. "No. I did your hair like this for a reason. Let's get you changed."

It didn't take long for me to get dressed, smiling to myself once I saw the dress on. It made me think of some of the dresses I had seen in Constantinople. The gold beading, the scalloped neckline that exposed my collarbones. It made me smile to see the designs mix with the British styles.

"Do you think that you'll dance with Aaron again?" I asked Lissa while I slipped the arms of my dress over my shoulders.

"I think so, he is quite the dancer," Lissa replied, "Are you going to dance with the Grand Duke if he makes an appearance?"

I giggled quietly to myself and Pipa snickered too as she finished fastening my dress and handed me gloves that matched. I smiled at her as I slipped them on, admiring my appearance in the mirror. I turned so I could see the back. There was almost a shimmer to the fabric and it caught in the light.

"Wow," I said to myself. It was simple but elegant.

"The Grand Duke won't know what to say if he sees you," Pipa whispered and I laughed with a slight shake of my head.

"Remember what I said."

"Oh, I remember. But once your father returns, the Grand Duke could ask for your hand if he wanted," she said with a wink. I rolled my eyes and thwapped her arm with my fan lightly. She was a bit of a hopeless romantic.

Lady Badica was known for throwing extravagant balls, but that was an understatement. The summer night was pleasant and the ball was being thrown on the grounds.

Lissa had a coy look on her face as she kept her arm linked to mine. I was happy to see her enjoying the evening already. The best I could hope for her was that she'd met someone that made her happy.

We hadn't even been there for ten minutes before she was approached by an impressive man. I winked at her as she was swept onto the dance floor. I smiled to myself and joked to Andre that he'd need to be ready with her dowery by the end of the month.

My attention was drawn my sandy blonde hair friend approached, extending his hand.

"Oh, I don't know. I don't believe my chaperone will allow it," I feigned but cracked at the end and took Eddie's hand. Eddie laughed and tucked my hand into his arm as we walked to the floor.

"Are you alone tonight?" I asked once we got to the floor and curtsied.

Eddie bowed his head and stepped towards me, taking my hand in the dance. "Yes. Mason needed to be home," he explained and I frowned, dancing around him before facing him again.

"Is it Milly?" I asked quietly. Milly was Mason's younger sister and she was sickly. She always had been, and sometimes Mason had to care for her while their mother was out working in some unkindly places.

I never once said what I thought about their situation because it was never my place to make such remarks, but, I did worry about Milly. She was so young and fragile that every winter that passed, I worried it would be her last. But lately, once the heat got to higher temperatures, the harder it was for her to breathe.

"Have they found anything that works?" I asked. Eddie dipped me slowly and brought me back up with a small crease between his brows.

"Miss. Singer at the apothecary suggested smoking dried thorne apple with a bit of tobacco. It's a bit steep on the price though, which is why Miss. Ashford is working tonight."

I frowned and nodded to myself. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to make a stop at the apothecary and buy some for Milly. Just enough to get her through the summer months.

"I know that look," Eddie said with a smirk.

I smiled and shook my head a bit. "You both would do the same if it were me."

"Of course, we would," Eddie said as we switched partners for a few steps. I smiled politely at my temporary partner before stepping back into my dance with Eddie.

"But we also care for you. I see you as family. And in a way, so does. We would do anything for you," Eddie continued kindly as our dance ended. I smiled at his truth and bowed my head, walking off the dance floor with him towards the refreshments. Eddie poured us both a glass of whatever was being served, I let my eyes wander over the crowds.

"Who is that? I don't think I've seen them before," I asked Eddie. He looked in the same direction and shook his head.

"I don't think I've seen them before either."

"That is Ms. Natasha Ozera and her nephew, Lord Christian Ozera," Lord Zeklos said striding up to stand beside me. I looked up at him unsure and he tipped his head down.

"Remember the scandal about Moira and Lucas Ozera? The ones who were a part of that gem fraud? They took their lives?"

I sighed and nodded my head. I remembered the scandal that caused. It was the talk of the town for months, and Christian ended up leaving town to live with his Aunt for the rest of the year. He only made a reappearance now.

Christian was not someone that liked to draw attention to himself but did no matter what he did. He was tall and lanky with fair skin and hair the colour of fresh ink. It was set off by how vivid his eyes were, they were the colour of cool ice. He would have been handsome if he wasn't so odd.

"I'm surprised they came back," Eddie murmured, sipping from his glass.

"I'm not. He needs a bride," Lord Zeklos said with a snort.

"Oh?" I asked, turning to look at Lord Zeklos.

He nodded and poured himself a glass, taking a long sip of it before speaking again. "The man might be a little off, but he had merit. The whole Estate was left to him, now that he's of age, it's expected that he finds a wife. I think his Aunt is pushing to so that they can give their name some positive credibility."

I hummed and looked back at the pair of them. I had never really seen Ms. Natasha Ozera before and from her she was beautiful.

Beautiful was an understatement, she was positively stunning. She resembled Christian with her complexion and hair, but her eyes almost seemed to glow against her skin. Her hair was long too, pinned back elegantly.

"She's lovely," I said and Lord Zeklos snickered.

"Only on the outside. She always has something else planned, even if she says it differently. If I were you, I'd hold your cards close and never let her know who you have your eye on," he chuckled, making me furrow my brows.

"Why?"

"She loves drama as much as she loves money. As long as Christian finds a bride with a respectable dowry, she'll get exactly what she wants. And if you and my friend are in the same room with her, I'd stay close to him. For both of your interests."

I nodded but didn't understand what he was getting at as he bowed his head and walked away from us. I looked at Eddie who didn't seem to be as confused.

"What did he mean by that?" I asked.

Eddie looked down at me with a light sigh. "I think he was saying that Ms. Ozera might try to set her eyes on the Grand Duke and that you being acquainted with him might be enough to keep her at bay. You are only a few ranks below him, but far enough higher than her that it would be illogical for her to try and impose."

I raised my brows at him, hoping that he would elaborate it for me. He smirked at me.

"I mean that you could act as a bit of a shield. From what I've heard in the men's cigar room is that Duke Belikov has no interest in finding a bride this summer, and you aren't available to accept any proposals. The two of you could keep the others at bay," Eddie explained again, making me nod my head.

"I get it now," I chuckled and smirked.

"Knew you'd get there," Eddie laughed, "Speaking of."

I followed the gesture of his hand and smirked. The Grand Duke stood off to the side, conversing with an older woman I had seen before, but looking at her I noticed that the two bared resemblance. The woman had kind brown eyes and brown hair twisted up behind her head.

"Is that Lady Belikova?" I asked Eddie, gripping onto his arm. Eddie looked and nodded before pulling his arm from my grip, and then tucked my hand into his arm. I let him lead me through the crowds and glanced at him when I realized where we were heading.

"Your Grace, how lovely to see you both," Eddie said kindly, bowing his head respectfully at the two. Lady Belikova turned to us and tilted her head with a small smile.

"I don't believe we've met," she said, looking at her son. I glanced at Dimitri and felt a smile grow on my lips.

"Mama, this is Lord Eddison Castile and Lady Rosemarie Mazur. Lord Castile is the youngest son of Baron Andrew Castile. Lady Mazur is-"

"Lord Aslan Mazur's younger sister. Yes, I remember you now. I met you once when you were young. Trailing after your brother. I am very sorry for your loss," Lady Belikova said, reaching her hand out to take my hand. I took it and swallowed back the lump in my throat.

"Thank you," I said with a slight bow of my head. I could hear Dimitri whisper something quickly to his mother in Russian before she took in a small breath.

"Oh, I apologize. I was not aware that his passing was still a tender subject."

"No apologies necessary, my Lady. You were not aware."

She hummed and looked at her son. "You've met my son, The Grand Duke?" she said but I could tell from the twinkle in her eye she already knew that.

"Yes, we were acquainted at the opening of the season," I said politely. Lady Belikova smiled at me and then at her son, saying something quietly to him before turning to me again.

"I think it's time for a dance. Lord Castile, will you join me?" she asked. I let go of Eddie's and watched Eddie lead her to the floor, glancing a confused look at me. I chucked and looked at Dimitri with a raised brow.

Dimitri extended his hand to me. "She's meddling," he said as I took it. I laughed and nodded my head, letting him lead me back to the floor.


Let me know what you think!:)