A.N: Hey guys!

Thanks for the reviews so here is the Queen/Rose & Adrian confrontation you have all been waiting for but I guess you didn't expect that one did you? Lmao.

Anyways tell me what you think about it by reviewing ;-)

Take care =D

Chapter 26

"Honestly Adrian, I don't think it's such a good idea," I said as the plane took off from the Academy taking us to our two hours flight to his house near St. Cloud.

"It is a good idea Rose. I promise," he said wrapping his arm around my shoulder as I rested my head on his shoulder. "My parents are going to love you…well my dad for sure!" He said so sure of himself.

"But Tatiana will be there," I said worried for him. "We really don't need to cause a family feud with your parents picking sides or anything." I added, preparing myself for the worst.

"Well, we're bound to face her eventually no?" He said calmly "and I know we probably won't see her that much afterward."

"No?" I asked curiously.

"No" he chuckled kissing the top of my head. "I know you don't like this whole protocol life and I don't want us or our child to be raised under these scrutinizing eyes to make him or her feel like he or she doesn't belong."

I huffed with relief. "Since my mother's reaction today, I had that in the back of my mind. I mean our little one won't fit with the Moroi community because… Well it's going to be a dhampir but it won't fit with the dhampirs either as his/her surname will be Ivashkov." I shook my head against his shoulder and breathe in his sent that was always so calming and ironically enough it was making me feel safe even if I was the one born to protect.

Adrian started to rub my arm gently. "Well, you know I'm working on that still but I know something for sure it's that you love the others and I mean the 3 musketeers, as you call them as if they were your real family."

"I really do…" I said but I was confused to where he was going.

"And they need to be a full part of ours and the baby's life," he said and even if I didn't have a view of his face I knew he was smiling. "So, I know you'll enjoy the little house my dad bought for us just outside Hanover it's just---"

I moved away from his embraced to look at him. "Your dad bought us a freaking house?" I asked completely astonished.

Adrian nodded and chuckled "I told you he approved of us completely."

"Yeah, I guess you said but I don't know usually people who approve give you a hug or a old family crest thingy but not a house!" I said shaking my head. "Well, I guess your craziness over expensive gifts is a learned behavior."

"Yes it is my Rose," he said kissing my lips. "And you are the only one who seemed to have a problem with that but I guess that's also one of the reasons for which I love you."

"A house…" I repeated still accepting the news. I went back to cuddle against him.

"We'll have a lot more to discuss in the next few weeks my Rose but it's only some technicalities as long as we're together." He said taking a strand of my hair and curling it around his forefinger.

"Like what?" I asked trying as much as possible to keep my mind off what's going to happen in now 90 minutes.

"Well, I did get a pretty good job in Hanover as to take care of international placements for a big firm so…I was thinking that maybe you would want to study you know…University and all." he said nonchalantly.

I was surprised that he seemed so concerned about my education and it touched me deep down. Everything was either making me cry or super mad… Damn Hormones were starting to eat my brains up.

"Well, sure I would love to consider higher education now that I'm free from being a guardian but I think I'll be busy in the months coming up," I said rubbing my belly. "And I really don't feel like leaving the baby with a stranger and all that."

"I knew you would say that," he said tightening his grip around my shoulder so now I had my face completely buried in his neck. I softly kissed his jugular, making him shiver. "So I've got about 15 catalogues from many different Universities and colleges offering distant learning classes." He said proudly.

"You really are too sweet to be true," I said in his neck.

"It's all logical when you love someone as much as I love you." He said moving a bit so he could reach for my face.

He cupped it into his hands and looked into my eyes. "Whatever happens tonight won't matter in any way. She can talk but she has no more power over us and that's going to be a punishment enough believe me," he said kissing my lips softly.

"Yeah…" I said only half convinced. "Well I run fast too," I said with a grin, repeating his earlier words.

I probably drifted into sleep in Adrian's arms because it seemed only minutes after our little chat and he softly kissed my face.

"Come on my Rose, wake up." He said very softly. "We landed."

As we went down I could see the Court jet not too far from ours and I had to wince, for it reminded me that the Queen was here.

"It's all good," he taking my hand walking us toward a beautiful Black sleek sedan car with a chauffeur standing beside the rear door.

The car was a Mercedes S600 and I was sure the price was scary.

"Finally home of the summer?" Asked the Chauffeur politely but yet amicably.

"Well, not really Hector." said Adrian with a low chuckle wrapping his arm around my waist. "I came home to introduce my beautiful fiancée to the family." He said winking.

I could see that Adrian was sweet with the people working for them he was not a spoiled brat, even at home and it reassured me.

"Rose this is Hector. I've known him my whole life," he said with affection. "Hector this is my fiancée Rose Hathaway" and I could hear pride on his voice, like I was a lottery prize, it tightened my chest.

"Nice to meet you Miss Hathaway." Said Hector bowing a little.

"Nice to meet you too but please call me Rose," I said uncomfortably to be called Miss.

He smiled kindly to me before looking at Adrian. "All I can say is that you have fantastic taste!" He said opening the door for us to get in the car.

"Holy shit!" I said without thinking as I slid into the car and sat on the large leathery seat. "Oh my...I could marry that car…no offence" I quickly added taking Adrian's hand as he sat beside me.

"None taken," he said, intertwining our fingers bringing my hand to his lips for him to kiss. "But I don't think the car could satisfy you the way I can…" He said totally nonchalantly.

But when my mouth popped open and my cheeks turned bright red he laughed.

"Well, yeah I'm sure there is an option for it…" I said teasing.

"Well, this one is the full options so…maybe I could help." He said wiggling his eyebrows subjectively.

"This is so not the right time dude!" I said laughing, "but I'll remind you later." I said kissing him. "But honestly how much does a car like this cost?" I said looking around totally awed. Everything about it screamed "luxury!" and the windows were so darkly tinted that I knew he would not be a problem for a moroi to drive even in the Arizona desert.

"You really want to know?" He asked knowing how money issues where making me uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I'm fine since it won't be mine or anything like that…" I said with a smile.

"Well, this model with the options and stuff cost about $ 150,000" He said looking at me. "But it's not even the more expensive," he said really liking the car subject. "Cars have always been one of my dad's weakness and he just bought the new 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR last week. Well he paid it about $500,000" He added tracing patterned on my wrist with his thumb making me shiver.

We talked for the 15 minutes of the car ride, but as soon as I saw the house, my eyes widened like saucers. He said it was a house. I would call that a freaking mansion/Castle!

"How don't you get lost in that mansion!?" I asked, as Hector was about to take our small bags out of the trunk.

"No, it's ok I'll take care of that," he said to Hector taking the bags in his left hand and taking my hand in his right. "Well, we wear some GPS device and if you are lost you just press the alarm button," he said jokingly.

I stuck my tongue out.

"Oh, my Rose. Let me show you your room before meeting my parents in case you want to shower or something," he said gently.

"Oh, thank you!" I said as I know craved for a warm shower. "But…" I blushed slightly, "we don't get to sleep together?" I asked in a low voice.

Adrian winked. "Do you honestly think I could sleep in the same house than you without holding you in my arms?" He shook his head. "You'll see," he added with his evil grin.

We took a right and walked to the end of the corridor and took a flight of gray marble stairs.

Adrian stopped in front of the 3rd door. "Well, this is my room," he said pointing to the door just next to the one we were standing in front of. "And this one is yours," he said opening the door to a room so huge that I was pretty sure that my room at the academy plus Lissa's and Christian's put together would not be as big as this one.

I walked in to discover a huge king size bed, which seemed to be so comfortable with big fluffy pillows.

Adrian put my bag on the bed and walked into the walk-in closet, gesturing me to follow him.

"But here is the trick my Rose," he said lifting a little piece of wood that opened a small door leading to his own closet.

"Oh sneaky…" I said laughing.

"Yeah, my mom is old fashion you know…" He said grimacing, "but I managed to get you this room so I could sneak into your bed and attack your virtue," he said with a French accent pretending to twist some imaginary mustache.

"Well, that virtue is pretty much screwed now…" I said putting his hand that was holding mine on my belly.

"Oh, you don't know Mama!" He said laughing. "I'm pretty sure she'll find some Holy way to explain this pregnancy to herself."

"Yeah, well she'll need to give me that reason I can't wait to hear it," I said with a smile.

"Mmhmm," said Adrian, wrapping his arms around my waist. "But I can show you the way it has been conceived if you don't remember that well." He whispered to my ear.

"I would love that but later okay?" I said with a wink. "Your parents are not sleeping near right?"

He laughed his deep throaty laugh. "Nope. They are resting in the other wing." He said kissing the top of my head.

"Good to know…" I said pretending not to care. "Well, shower time." I said letting go of him reluctantly.

"Yeah, you do that and I'll meet you outside in 30 minutes ok?" He asked putting his bag on his bed.

"Yes…" I said nodding walking back into my super luxury bedroom that surely topped the most expensive room at the Hilton.

I was just walking out of the bathroom when I heard Adrian's voice in the corridor. I smiled, rushing to open the door but the second voice left me frozen on the spot, the hand on the handle… Queen bitch of course!

"My dear Nephew!" She said with a voice so sweet I wanted to get out and beat the shit out of her. "I just came up to try to find you, since I'm about to leave… How are you doing?"

"Oh, I couldn't be better," he said and I could hear the laugher in his voice. He had a plan and I couldn't wait to find out.

"So…I heard by your father that you just got engaged?" She asked apparently pleased and I was sure she would send a message to me for that…bitch!

"You heard well."

"I bet Althea is thrilled!" She added and I had to snort at that one.

"Well, yeah I think she is… I mean she was such a great support all the way through my dark moments," he said and I could hear that his voice was closer to the door. "But wait my fiancée is just here." He lightly knocked and opened the door. "Honey come out please," he said stretching his hand into the room.

He winked under my quizzical look and I could see the devilish light in his eyes.

"My aunt is thrilled you're here," he said taking my hand pulling me to him.

"Queen Tatiana, this is my fiancée, Rose Hathaway." He kissed my cheek. "My Rose, I think you already met my Aunt Queen Tatiana."

I really thought the Queen was about to faint under the shock and surprise. However, she almost immediately regained her composure and looked at me with pure hatred and fury.

"You must be joking!" she said with a grimacing smile. "Your father will never approve of her," she added completely ignoring me.

"Oh, but he did actually," said Adrian standing straight keeping me tightly against him.

I saw incredulity cross her face but then she concentrated her attention on me and gave me a 'you-are-so-doomed' look.

"I have to say, I'm surprised to see you here miss Hathaway…really," she said and I could hear the underlying threat in her tone.

"Don't you dare to even think threatening her do you understand me?" Said Adrian through gritted teeth. He then chuckled coldly it was so different than his usual carefree laugh that he made me chill. "Because don't forget Tatiana," he said with total disrespect. "Two can play this game."

"Are you threatening me?" She asked with defiance.

"Am I threatening you? Ummm…" he said pretending to think. "Am I threatening her?" He asked rhetorically, looking into my eyes. I felt nauseous but I didn't want to move away as I didn't want her to think that I felt threatened. He looked back at her again "Yeah well, I think I am… What do you know uh…" he added with a wide grin.

"What do you think you can do little boy?" She said smugly. "I'm the Queen."

"Not for long dear auntie." He said so sure of himself that I looked up to him with utter disbelief. "You know I have a little…how could you call that…gift?" He said letting go on his grip around my waist just taking my hand so he could step closer to her looking deep into her eyes. "I call it super compulsion and it works on everyone. Moroi included."

She looked at him like he wasn't making any sense.

"There are two ways to change the royalty staying on the throne well, death excepted." He said frigidly. "I've checked the texts and either the Sovereign can name a successor after each period of 15 years of sovereignty or He/She can be overturn by the Committee by an absolute majority that will appoint a successor" he added sounding like a lawyer.

She laughed. "I know the law little boy but I don't see where you are going with that. I would never resign and no member of the committee in his right mind will listen to you… They see you as a drunken fool," she added.

"You--" I started but Adrian squeezed my hand to shush me.

This time, Adrian gave the coldest scariest laugh I ever heard. He was not the man I loved right now… He was an Army commander at war. "Well, the drunken fool compelled all the members of the Committee and I made them reveal to me their darkest most shameful secrets," said Adrian with a wink.

My mouth popped opened and the Queen eyes widen as comprehension filled us. Oh my god… My man was an evil puppet master!! I thought both impressed and scared by his evil genius.

"Oh yeah…" He said even closer to her. "If I blackmail them they'll do anything I want them to and you are only a year away of your 30th year as Queen of our Kingdom so let me give you some friendly advice." He said through gritted teeth. "I give you one month to announce the successor that I will have chosen or if not I'll make the Committee destitute you and it will be the worst shame you could ever imagine."

"You wouldn't…" She said though narrow eyes probably assessing his motives.

"Try me…" He said so threatening that he managed to make Dimitri look like a kitten. "I guess the ability to destroy lives is a genetic gift but I'm smarter than you. I thought it through and I won't hesitate not even a second to destroy your life and any other life I need to destroy to keep my Rose happy and safe… Do you get me now?… Do you?" He asked and it sounded like a roar.

She looked at him dumfounded I could see the woman never lost a fight before.

"I repeat. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" He almost shouted I thought he was about to hit her.

"I do!" She said trying to conserve the bit of dignity she had left.

"Good," he said squeezing my hand again. "Come on, let's go my Rose," he said as he was back in his usual loving self.

He turned around and I was about to follow him, but the nausea was getting pretty huge now. I let go of his hand to go back to the room but the Queen caught my hand.

I turned around to ask her to let go but as soon as I opened my mouth I vomited on her shoes.

I blushed with embarrassment as she looked down with disgust.

Adrian chuckled and took a handkerchief from his pocket to gently wipe my mouth.. If that wasn't love! I didn't know what it was!

"Come on Rose That's nasty!" He said laughing. "It was Prada! You don't vomit on Prada…Well, I guess it depend on who is wearing it." He said kissing the top of my head.

"Sorry…" I whispered but I didn't mean it really she deserved it.

"Don't need to apologize my Rose," he said pretending not to see the Queen boiling with anger. "I guess the term 'morning sickness' is just an expression since well it's late afternoon," he said rubbing my back.

The Queen gasped.

"Yeah, I'll be a proud dad very soon! Imagine if he/she has his/her dad's Evil genius and his/her mom's smartass sarcastic attitude," he said with a wide grin. "It's a blessing right?" He asked her but it was not a really question. His tone was imposing an answer.

"Yes… Yes it is," she said reluctantly.

The Queen being at someone else's Mercy… I guess that is a revenge worse than death I thought as Adrian gently led me to the room.

"Go freshen up my Rose and I'll call someone to clean that up… The vomit not the aunt," he said chuckling to his own joke. "Then we'll go see my dad. He can't wait to meet you." He added giving a last look to the Queen before walking back with me in the room.