A.N: Hey Guys!

See it's Thursday and another brand new chapter for you. I don't have much to say except that I love you for taking the time to review, you don't know how much it means to me and also a big thanks to Jessa for taking the time to proof read my stuff, yo know how much I appreciate.

Just so you know I posted a new poll on my profile, it's about my NEXT story so go and vote!

Don't forget to review I love reading you.

Bear hug to all.

Steffy.

Chapter 8:

I settled on the bed, closed my eyes and gently slipped into Lissa's head. She was already sitting beside Adrian on a sofa. She was looking around, and I could see that almost everybody was there already. Well at least the first degree of Ivashkovs, the ones directly related to her.

"So do you think she left something to everyone?" Lissa whispered to Adrian.

He shook his head, a small sardonic smile on his lips. "Nah, probably not. They just hope that they kissed her butt enough to be in it." He snorted. "Only the people who have been 'invited' are sure to get something."

"I still don't get why I was invited." Lissa was clearly uncomfortable to have been favored over some people who were actually related to the Queen. "It's not like we were close."

Adrian studied her silently for a minute. "Don't feel bad Lissa. Believe me, most of the people in this room aren't worth a dime, and-"

"Hello Princess. Lord Ivashkov," said a voice that I recognized at once as Ambrose.

Lissa quickly assessed his clothing. He was wearing every day clothes, he clearly wasn't working.

"Ambrose, how are you?" she asked trying to hide her curiosity.

He nodded with a small smile, "Not so bad, at least considering the circumstances. How are you two doing? And Rose?"

"We're fine," answered Adrian. "And Rose… Rose is getting there. So, what are you doing here?" he asked the question that Lissa was dying to ask.

"I've been invited," he said pointing to the Lawyer who was setting stuff on the table in preparation.

Adrian chuckled, "That's brilliant!"

Ambrose looked at him questionably. "Well I'll see you later." He walked away to find a seat at the back of the room.

"You're such a snob!" Lissa hissed in mortification and slapped Adrian's leg.

"What?" he asked clearly confused.

"If the Queen wanted him to have something it's- it's"

"Hey, I don't have problem with Ambrose being here!" Adrian said raising his hands in surrender. "He was good to my aunt, a lot better than most people in this room. And did you just call me a snob?"

I could feel heat rush to Lissa's face as she blushed slightly and shrugged.

"I'm in love with a dhampir for God's sake!" He shook his head. "I just can't wait to see Rufus' head when Ambrose gets something, he'll probably have an aneurism."

"You know Rose is probably in my head right now, right?" Lissa asked. She was worried because she didn't know we, at least Adrian, had already said 'I love you'.

"So what? I knew she wouldn't miss this for the world." He grinned, "My Rose is a curious little dhampir."

I snorted, but Lissa confirmed. Was I that curious? Well not really, I just didn't like things to happen around me without me knowing about it. So… okay. I guess I was curious, but it was the healthy kind.

"I think we're all here," said the lawyer as soon as Rufus entered. Rufus glared at Ambrose before going to sit in the front.

"I hope he gets a package of peanuts," Adrian whispered to Lissa who had to do her best not to burst into laughter.

The lawyer set some envelops on his desk before sitting down. "Our late Queen wrote letters for some of you. She gave me new ones to replace the old every month."

Wow apparently she did expect her life to be in danger, I thought.

He grabbed a remote off the table and pressed play. The room turned eerily silent as the Queen appeared on screen. It was so odd to see her sitting behind her desk now that she was dead. I even had to admit that I would miss the old shrew.

"Hello to all of you. Thanks for gathering for the reading of my will. I know some of you are going to be disappointed, but that's how life is." She took a deep breath and looked straight into the camera.

"First, I'm giving the gold, platinum and diamond chess board to Ambrose Demer. I know this game will mean a lot more to you than anyone else. We've spent hours playing. Thanks for being such a devoted and honest friend." She smiled kindly, the kind of smile I hadn't really seen on her face before.

The Lawyer paused the DVD before looking through the pile of envelopes. "This is your letter young man." He extended his arm for Ambrose to come collect the letter.

Ambrose walked forward with his head held high to pick up his letter, and didn't look down when his eyes connected with Rufus'. I didn't know if he felt at ease or not, but if he didn't he sure hid it well.

The Queen continued, "Vasilisa Dragomir. You are inheriting the Manor in the French Alps." The Lawyer took out an envelope and gestured to Lissa. "I'm explaining everything in this letter, but just so you know, if my last wish is granted and you become the Queen of our Nation, you will need a quiet place to get away to sometimes. This place has always been a source of peace for me."

I felt a huge wave of sadness and guilt from Lissa as she stood up to retrieve her envelope. She was starting to think that maybe she had misjudged the Queen, and that she had probably projected the tough image to get things done without being contested.

"I also have to admit that I misjudged some people around me," Tatiana continued as the Lawyer resumed the film. "Some I should have trusted more, others I should have kept at bay, but the one person I think I have most wrongly judged is Miss Rose Hathaway." Me? I thought almost slipping out of Lissa's head I was so surprised.

"I didn't invite Rose to join us because I knew she wouldn't want to be here, and I really didn't want to be a pain to her in death, I was enough when I was alive." I couldn't help but smile at that, the woman knew me well.

"I'm giving Rose five percent of my pecuniary estate, which is approximately $250,000." Holy fucking shit! Lissa and I thought simultaneously, we weren't best friends for nothing.

"I give that amount of money because I know she deserves it and because I want people to see something that took forever for me to realize. She's not with my Great Nephew for his money or name, and I need to tell you all now, through death, that I approve of their relationship. I'm sorry that I didn't take the chance to do this sooner. I have a letter for her as well. Please Vasilisa, take it for her."

Lissa took the envelope the lawyer extended to her. You will so have to let me read that letter Rose, she thought loudly as she sat back down. I was still too dumbfounded to even think straight, but I could see through Lissa's eyes the enormous anger in the rest of the Ivashkovs. There will be hell to pay that was sure. This gave them one more reason to disavow Adrian.

The Lawyer didn't seem to notice the discontent spreading through the room, and started the video back up. "I asked Mr. Lewis to do a thorough assessment of what is left of my estate." The Lawyer whom I now presumed to be Mr. Lewis took out a piece of paper and paused the DVD, yet again.

"I did update the estate as of yesterday's date. As far as the stock options and share values are concerned," he said scanning the room.

"First, there is a total of properties worth forty-six million, which includes the manor in the Republic of San Marino, the cabin in Aspen, Colorado, the mansion in New York, the small castle in the Loire Valley, France as well as the villa on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla."

"I wouldn't mind the mansion in New York," Adrian whispered to Lissa who nudged him to shut up.

As for me, if Adrian were to inherit a property, I would have loved it to be the castle. I had seen pictures of it, and Adrian had taken me there two or three times in my dreams. It was magical! It had like forty bedrooms, two lakes, woodlands… Everything! But Adrian wanted New York, and I knew only too well why.

"Adrian…" I sighed internally.

"There are stock options and shares amounting to one-hundred-twenty-eight million as well as the sole ownership of Glamour Cosmetics." Dude that was such a famous brand! They even produced my favorite lip gloss!

"And finally there are cash dividends in her diverse bank accounts totaling at ninety-seven million."

I sighed internally, the rest of the splitting would take forever! I had known the woman was loaded, but having that much money? It was completely indecent! Well sure she wasn't Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but still it made a total of what? Two-hundred-seventy million!

I could see Rufus' and Nathan's faces light up when they heard the exact amount of the Queen's remaining fortune…. Vultures!

Mr. Lewis started the video again, and Queen Tatiana was now standing straight, face serious. "Well I give everything I have left; estates, shares, stocks and my money to one person. The only person of my blood who meant the world to me, and who I know loved me for me. My dear and loving Nephew, Adrian Ignatius Ivashkov."

For once I saw Adrian lose his smug attitude. I watched as his eyes widened and his mouth dropped wide open.

Mr. Lewis came to where Adrian and Lissa were sitting and tried to hand Adrian his envelope. Adrian was frozen. Did he go into shock on us?

Mr. Lewis finally gave up. He laid the envelope on Adrian's lap and started the video again. "Well we're done here. Thanks to those of you who made my life better." She smiled as the screen turned black. She was gone.

"What?" shouted Rufus jumping from his chair. He looked from Adrian to the lawyer in pure fury.

"That's impossible! She can't give everything to him!" joined Nathan.

Nice father this one, I thought wishing I was there to hit him. If only for calling him Ignatius! Fuck, who named their kid that? It was just plain cruel, even for a middle name.

"Well it's the clearest point in her will, Prince and Lord Ivashkov," explained Mr. Lewis without losing his calm and professional tone. "That's how our late Queen wanted things to be. Everything has to given to Lord Adrian Ivashkov."

"I-" Adrian's father looked at him as if he were seeing him for the first time. "I don't understand," he admitted finally.

"It simply means that you won't threaten me from being disavowed anytime soon. At least I think so," said Adrian finally finding his voice again. Of course he had to say something stupid. His father just glared, but stayed silent as Lissa elbowed Adrian silently.

"I am now, if I'm correct, the richest Ivashkov," he said ignoring his father's glare and Lissa's warning. Yes, I always knew my boyfriend was a masochist, which was probably why we were so good together.

"Yes Lord Ivashkov, I presume you are. I also think you might be the richest Royal now, or at least you're in the top three," added Mr. Lewis.

"Marvelous!" said Adrian, but I could see he really didn't care about that at all. He just loved the idea of having this leverage over the family that always treated him like a liability. "Aren't you proud… Daddy?"

Nathan ignored him and sat back, white like a ghost. Rufus continued to look around like he was looking for some hidden cameras, Like this had to be just a big joke. I could understand him, for me it was a big joke too.

Adrian just inherited two-hundred-seventy million, I still couldn't believe that. Well at least he was right about one thing, with that much money he wouldn't be disavowed. They were greedy enough to keep him close now, no matter what.

I got out of Lissa's head not even believing I had two-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars myself. I never thought I would have that much money. I didn't even know what I would do with all that.

A little while ago I would have said that the money didn't matter, because I would be protecting Lissa no matter what. But I knew that it would be impossible now to be appointed to her. I had pretty much messed that up when I dropped out of the Academy. Not to mention that taking the little trip to break Victor out of jail made me a deserter, simply putting the final touch to my screwed up resume.

But now… Now I didn't know. Maybe I could go back to school. I had always resented having my life decided for me. But I hated that because of the impossibility to be with Dimitri, right? Well, now I didn't have Dimitri, and whatever I was doing I would never been seen as suitable for Adrian, especially now since he was a millionaire.

I sighed, closing my eyes. I'll give it a year… a year and then I'll have to figure it all out. I would have to make decisions… make the choices I didn't really want to make.

I couldn't wait for Lissa to give me the letter the Queen left me. She was probably high when she wrote her Testament. Two-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars to me? In what kind of alternate realty?

I decided to stay in my room. To wait patiently for Lissa or Adrian to come. I didn't have to wait long. Not even ten minutes later I heard an urgent knock on the door. As soon as I opened the door Adrian rushed in and closed the door behind him.

"Damn this crazy family is hard to get away from. Being a Millionaire sucks!"

"Awww, poor baby millionaire," I said rolling my eyes. "Being you is so hard."

"No, it's not hard yet, but we can work on that," he said with a devilish grin.

"I don't und- Adrian!" I chastised

He shrugged dismissively, walked to my sofa and sat down heavily. "So what do you want to do with your millionaire boyfriend?"

"You know I don't care about that. It doesn't change anything for me," I said sincerely sitting across from him. "You were already rich for me before."

"Ah Rose, your view is so refreshing. Plus you have quite a lot of money too, or at least you will soon."

"It's secondary for now. Right now we need to -"

"I know," he said with a weary sigh. "We're still up for Las Vegas then?"

I looked at him thoughtfully, he seemed worried about something. "Listen Adrian, if you don't want to come I understand. I won't be gone for long, and-"

"No, no I'm coming!" He jumped from his seat. "I'll go get ready and book a jet. I'll meet you there early in the morning?"

I nodded, walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, standing on my tip toes. He leaned down and started to kiss me, chastely and softly at first, but the more we kissed the more it seemed we wanted it, and it was getting passionate. The same heat and calming sensation was filling me like every time he kissed me. It still took me by surprise, but it was so nice that the more we kissed the more I wanted him to kiss me. We finally parted breathless. My lips were sore and swollen, but it was worth it.

"I love kissing you," he whispered against my lips.

"Yeah… It's not bad," I said nonchalantly, like it wasn't making me weak in the knees.

"Not bad…. right…" he teased. "See you tomorrow morning. I love you," he said gently brushing my cheek and kissing my forehead.

"See you in the morning, millionaire boyfriend," I said with a wink. "Liam Trent is coming with us by the way."

Adrian stopped by the door and turned to face me. "You know then."

"You knew?" I asked taken aback.

"It wasn't my place to say, but yes I know," he grinned again. "I told you, your father approved of me… Just remember that."

"How could I forget? I'll go see Lissa now before packing," I said reaching for my keys.

As soon as we made it outside Adrian took my hand and we walked in a comfortable silence before separating at the fountain.

I had just entered Lissa's building when Dimitri exited the elevator. What was I supposed to do? Say 'Hi'? Completely ignore him? I was sick of him making the rules, talking to me only when he wanted to, never taking what I wanted into consideration.

I gave him a quick nod hello before passing him on my way to the elevator.

"I've heard you're going away on vacation tomorrow," he said just before I pressed the elevator button.

"So?" I asked turning around to face him.

"Do you think it's very wise to go now? After all that happened and what is probably preparing?" he asked in a hush tone looking straight ahead.

"What do you mean?"

"Well we both know that if someone wanted you out of the picture, it was to weaken the Princess."

"So what am I supposed to do? Take some time out?"

He shook his head and sighed. I half expected him to say something like 'Ah Roza, you can get so impetuous sometimes', but he wasn't the same man. "Of course you should go on vacation. As I told you before, Ivashkov is good for you. I just never thought you would favor your own amusement over Lissa's security, that's all."

He couldn't have hurt me more if he had punched me. Not wanting me was one thing, but judging my work? Judging my ability to keep Lissa safe? That was something else. "Listen. I'll be moving to New York soon, in case you didn't know. Lisa needs to depend on someone else now. Plus isn't that the new goal of your life? Keeping her safe? Well," I shrugged slightly, "If you can keep track with that goal. Your mind switches very easily."

I saw his jaw muscles bulge with anger, but he didn't say anything.

"And do you really think I would go fool around with my boyfriend while Lissa might be in danger?" I shook my head. "Don't answer that."

He looked at me for a couple seconds before frowning in suspicion. "What are you up to?" The old Dimitri would have realized straight away that I had an ulterior motive - to get away. He wouldn't have doubted, not for a minute.

I shrugged, "It's irrelevant. It has nothing to do with you."

"Rose please."

"What?"

"Tell me what you're up to."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, but it's something that I would only share with my friends. You said it yourself; you and I are not friends."

"That's what this is? Revenge?" he asked incredulous.

"You really think that?" I asked getting more angry and disappointed by the second. "Do you really think I'm that petty? Ready to put Lissa in danger, or risk Adrian, just to get back at you?" I asked still not believing he could think that. "You told me how you felt, that you didn't love me anymore. I get that," I said trying to sound nonchalant. I just hoped he couldn't see the agonizing pain in my eyes when I said those words. He probably didn't since it was like he didn't know me anymore, like our connection had been lost.

"Ros-"

I raised my hand to stop him. "You have the right to feel the way you do. You can't force yourself to love or not. Believe me, I know. You've been honest enough to tell me that your love faded," I shrugged. "Fine! But never say - never even THINK - I would risk the life of someone I care about just to get back at you or anyone else. It's- Do you even know me?" I sighed getting in the elevator as someone exited eyeing both Dimitri and I curiously. "You know what? Don't answer that. I'm pretty sure that whatever the answer I will be disappointed," I said just as the doors began to close.

Was he confused, or did he really have such a low opinion of me? If he really did think that, I wondered how he could ever have loved me in the first place.

I was still a bit sullen when I made it to Lissa's room.

"Wow Rose, you look pretty beat up for someone that just inherited a quarter million dollars," said Christian when he opened the door.

"It's not that. It's just knowing that I would come here and see your face. It makes me sullen".

"Ahahahah Aren't you funny?" he said moving out of the way to let me in.

"Yes, yes I am."

"Oh Rose, can you believe all this?" asked Lissa as soon as she saw me.

"No, not really," I said sitting heavily on her very comfy sofa. "I think it will take me some time to register it all."

"Adrian…" Christian shook his head. "He's one lucky bastard, I tell you that."

"I guess…" I said not really convinced. I didn't think Adrian cared that much about inheriting everything. "But I think that he would rather Tatiana was still here instead."

We all fell silent at my words, unsure of the proper way to answer. Lissa looked close to tears, and I instantly felt bad for saying anything at all.

"What are you going to do with the money?" continued Christian trying to bring the conversation back around. I got from Lissa's brain that they had talked about it, but she didn't have the nerve to ask me herself. That wasn't something Christian lacked, that was sure.

"Honestly I don't know. But don't worry, I'll figure something out," I said trying to sound teasing. I didn't want to be the downer. Obviously Queen Tatiana cared about us and wanted us happy. Why else would she include both Lissa and me in her will while leaving out almost every single family member she had.

"I bet you will" Christian replied.

"Oh wait! I almost forgot!" said Lissa rushing into the kitchen. She came back and sat in front of me with an envelope stating 'Rose Hathaway' in the Queen's elegant handwriting. She looked at the envelope in my hand expectantly.

"Sorry Liss, but I don't want to read the letter now."

"Oh it's okay, no worries," she said unable to conceal the wave of disappointment coming from her. "So… How long are you going away with lover boy?" she asked trying to sound cheery, but I knew she was worried and that she'd miss me. She kept telling herself that soon enough I'd be gone with Tasha, because there was no way to stop that.

I shrugged. "Not too long, a week or so. I really need it. We really need it."

Lissa nodded. "Yes you do."

I stood up and hugged her tight. "I will always be one call away," I said tapping my forehead.

She smiled brightly. "I know."

"I'll give you a call when I land, okay?"

"Take care of her, will you?" I whispered to Christian and gave him a quick hug.

"Like you need to ask. And you take care of yourself too, alright? She needs you safe."

"I'll do my best."

He patted my shoulder. "Have fun."

I hugged Lissa once more before going back to my room. I was hoping that leaving her in the dark wouldn't come back to bite me in the ass.