Hey! :)
Since I'm not able to see the newest reviews, I haven't gotten around to replying yet so I'll just say it here: thank you all for the reviews, follows and favorites. I'm glad you liked the previous chapter :)
This is quite a lengthy chapter. Enjoy! :)
Quick note:
Loha: Rose's country
Nakshatra: Rose's private palace
Russovia: Dimitri's country
Traasa: A militant organization intent on harming the Russovian royalty
Yavana: Russovia's neighbor and enemy, supplies traasa with money and arms.
Gayodha: Lohan city attacked by Traasa
Dimitri
"They have the nerve to threaten my citizens," Abe's voice was low and dangerous, a murderous glint in his eyes. "- just to tell us that they don't approve of the marriage? I don't think they know who they've messed with."
"The problem is more serious than what we'd thought initially," I replied, leaning back on my seat. I made sure my posture was relaxed, even though I was anything but. "The fact that they've entered the Lohan territory is worrying."
Traasa had never done anything as serious as a bomb blast before. It'd been Yavana who'd been responsible for the attacks on border villages in Russovia. We knew that Yavana was helping traasa. But what influence did Yavana have when it came to Loha? Yavana and Loha weren't neighbors. So traasa must have acted alone here.
"We have a lot of work to do," Eddie said thoughtfully, his eyes roaming around the library where we'd assembled. It was a large but cozy space and utterly deserted on Abe's orders. Tapestries hung from dark walls with huge bay windows and the massive doors sealed shut. We were in the ground floor of the library, the staircase from upper floors tapering into the niche were we sat.
I usually associated libraries with a sense of tranquility but it wasn't so at the moment.
My eyes drifted over to Neal whose jaw was clenched resolutely, a look that I'd seen far too many times on Rose's face.
"I'm going to Gayodha," he declared quietly, in a tone that left no room for arguments.
Abe started to protest but Neal wouldn't hear it. "I'm going and that's it. I need to be there."
Eddie sighed. "He's right, Abe."
Abe frowned, unwilling to send his son into a volatile situation.
"Let him go," I told Abe, knowing that Neal wouldn't budge. Really, how similar were the siblings? It was a little eerie. "Neal's presence in Gayodha will boost the morale of the people."
Abe pondered for a minute, looking at his son intensely. Neal met his gaze unflinchingly until Abe nodded.
"Great," Neal said with a shadow of a grin. He rose up from his seat and pulled out his phone, already planning his trip. "I'd better get going then."
With a brief goodbye, Neal left the room.
Rose
I paced back and forth in my room, unable to sit still.
It was all my mother's fault, really.
The moment Dimitri and I had entered the palace, Eddie had whisked him away to some top secret meeting. Mom forbade me from following, briskly pulling me away to Nakshatra. My protests fell on deaf ears, as it usually happened while dealing with my monster of a mother.
My only solace was currently lounging on the sofa, her head buried in a book.
"It's not fair," I repeated for what seemed to be the hundredth time.
"I know, Rose." Sydney said patiently as she turned a page of her book. She'd been listening to my complaints for the past hour. If my grumbling bothered her, she didn't say.
I couldn't get over the unfairness of the situation. I had every right to be in that meeting, a right to know what decisions were being taken to tackle traasa which was a threat to both my citizens and my future citizens. Hell, I should be part of the decision making! Both countries were my own, seeing as how I was the princess of one country and future queen of another.
In fact, I had more right than any of them to decide what to do about traasa.
"What do you think the warning is?" I wondered, remembering traasa had mentioned the blast to be a warning.
Sydney looked up at my question, her eyes bright as she thought. If anyone could find the answer, it was her.
She was an alchemist after all.
Alchemists were a group of intellectuals whose main job was to advice the king of Loha. They were highly learned and well versed in all subjects. To become an alchemist, you'd have to undergo a series of difficult tests, so hard that we only had around eleven alchemists in the whole country.
Despite her young age, Sydney was considered to be one of the brightest minds and hence was chosen to be my adviser/assistant.
But Sydney was more than just an adviser.
She was a friend.
I often trusted her judgement more than my own but didn't always listen to her.
"I think it's about the marriage," Sydney said quietly.
"Hm?"
"Think about it, Rose," Sydney leaned forward, her book forgotten. "Why would traasa bother with Loha?"
"Because of the marriage alliance," I answered, understanding her point.
Sydney nodded. "Yes. They know that an alliance with Loha would undoubtedly strengthen King Belikov's rule. They're unhappy over it. So, the blast was a warning to Loha. At the very least, it was to express their unhappiness with this marriage alliance."
"They can go to hell." I retorted, sitting down beside her.
Leaning my head back against the couch, I let my thoughts wander. "What if they target innocents again? Just to express their unhappiness or whatever it is they're aiming to achieve?"
"I'm sure your father won't let it happen," Sydney said, her tone uncharacteristically soothing.
Wanting to distract myself from the terrible possibilities, I enquired about Lissa's whereabouts.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Sydney said apologetically. "Christian's back. The mission was successful."
I sat up in surprise. "He's back? Why didn't he come to meet me?"
"He did," Sydney said with a smile. "But you were out with King Belikov."
"Call him Dimitri," I said automatically, unlocking my phone. Sure enough, I had about eight messages from Christian.
"So that's why Lissa's missing?" I rolled my eyes as Sydney nodded.
"How long do you think they'll avoid each other?" Sydney asked with a small smirk.
I couldn't help but laugh. "It's been two years since their breakup, hasn't it? I wouldn't hold my breath for a joyful reunion any time soon."
"I know it isn't likely..." Sydney trailed off when the front door opened and my brother slipped inside quietly.
"Neal," I breathed, standing up and walking over to him, hoping he'd tell me what was going on.
Neal's blue eyes, the same shade as our mother's but a thousand times more warmer, softened as he strode forward to envelop me in his arms.
This was why Neal was my favorite. No one, not Dad, not even Lissa came close to it. He didn't need any explanations to understand exactly what I was going through. He had some weird older brother instinct that automatically alerted him to my less-than-happy mental state. He was always there to solve everything and make all problems go away.
If I had a knight in shining armor, it would be my brother.
With Neal, I could still be as childish as I felt like or as mature as I wanted. It was a kind of bond that I couldn't put into words.
Even now, he knew how strung up I was, how conflicted. I often felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have such a brother but I'd never tell him that. Neal had a tendency to let it go to his head and would remain infuriatingly smug for a long time.
"Rose," Neal said softly, patting my head gently. "I know you're going to confront Dad and demand answers. You deserve to know everything. But remember, he's stressed too. Whatever he's planning, he's doing it for your good, okay?"
"Okay," I mumbled, pulling away to look at him. "I suppose you're leaving for Gayodha."
Neal nodded, his eyes blazing with determination.
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to ask him to be careful. We never told each other than, knowing fully well that it would be hypocritical.
So, I settled for a smirk. "When you catch those bastards, give them hell from me."
Neal grinned reluctantly. "Will do, kiddo. I'll see you soon."
He left after pressing a small kiss to my forehead.
I knew then what I had to do.
I had to gatecrash the meeting.
Dimitri
Eddie opened a blue file and perused the contents before looking up at me and Abe. "The search for the offenders is on. They must still be in Loha so they'll be caught before nightfall."
"Tighten the border security in all directions," I suggested. "We can't allow them to escape. It might have been the neighbor countries that helped them into Loha."
Abe nodded. "Eddie, instruct the police to scan all foreigners staying currently staying in our land. Look for any suspicious activity. We've to catch them before they pull a similar stunt again-"
"-and extract information from them," I continued. "Till then, inform your citizens to be in high alert as well. Forbid any events of mass gathering to prevent anymore casualties."
"We can't allow Rose to go out anywhere without proper protection," Eddie told Abe. "Increase her guard."
I knew that Rose wouldn't like it. But it had to be done. If traasa's motive behind the bomb blast was to express unhappiness over our marriage, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that Rose was likely a target.
"Increasing her guard may not be enough," Abe said grimly. "I'm afraid she can't leave the palace grounds until the criminals are caught."
"Not happening, old man." chimed a very familiar voice from above.
Rose.
Turning my head, I caught sight of her at the top of the staircase that descended from the first floor.
She'd changed into a soft sunset-orange gown that emphasized her dangerous allure. Knowing her, she would have chosen the colors for that very purpose.
She looked like a tropical flower in this dark library.
A flower that could kill you.
Her flashing eyes swept over each of us as she descended the staircase elegantly, her gown swishing gently around her form. She looked like a true queen, straight backed, proud and majestic.
A small sardonic smile resided on those cherry red lips as she came to a stop in front of us. "If you think you can confine me, you've got another thing coming."
Rose
"Rose, you are not supposed to be here," Eddie said, completely surprised to see me.
"I'm great at doing things I'm not supposed to," I replied, shrugging. My voice was carefully nonchalant. "But that's not important."
My eyes rested on my esteemed father. "What is important is the fact that you're taking decisions for me, deciding what I should and shouldn't do. You know that I despise it, old man."
"It has to be done," Dad said without a hint of remorse. "Don't fight me on this, Rosemarie."
I scoffed at the use of my full name.
"That might have worked when I was eight," I remarked coolly, adding a sarcastic smile.
Dad's eyes hardened.
"Let's all calm down for a minute," a calm voice cut through the tension. Dimitri.
He rose from his chair gracefully, the movement both laid back and quick. Heat rose up my cheeks when his eyes met mine, taking me back to the near kiss averted by Mason's call.
I was glad that the library was relatively dark.
Dimitri gestured to the chair he'd just vacated. "Sit down, Rose."
Eddie made to give his chair to Dimitri but he politely declined it, his clear gaze fixed on me.
Without consciously realizing it, I moved it sit down on the chair he held out for me. He remained standing behind me, his long fingers lightly grasping the back of my chair.
"Now," Dimitri said. "Let's discuss the issue."
"There's nothing to discuss," I said shortly, resisting the urge to cross my arms over my chest. "I will not be confined to the palace."
"Rose, no one is trying to confine you," Eddie said with a hint of exasperation in his tone. "We just want to keep you safe."
"I'm capable of taking care of myself," I retorted.
"No one's denying it," Eddie reassured me. "But you have to admit the a bomb blast demands for caution."
"And precaution," Dad added, speaking for the first time since I'd sat down. "We think traasa's aim to prevent this marriage."
"I know that," I said briskly, earning surprised looks which I ignored. "But do you think locking me up will help? They'll just target innocents again."
"You'll not be locked up, Rose." Eddie said, a smile threatening to break out on his face despite the grim discussion going on.
"We will ensure that no one will be targeted again," Dad stated. "We just want you to stay protected until the criminals are caught."
"But-"
"Rose," Dimitri's quiet voice interrupted me. I craned my neck to look up at him. "Listen to them. To us. We just want you to be safe."
"Even so-"
He cut me off with an apologetic smile. "You just have to stay put in the palace till the criminals are caught. It'll be few days at the most. Trust me, it would be a great relief to know that you're safe."
Something about that last sentence was sweet.
"Think of it this way," he continued. "If you stay in the palace, all resources which would otherwise be used for your protection can be used to safeguard the citizens."
"Damn you, Comrade." I muttered before agreeing reluctantly. It seemed as though Dimitri had learned exactly how to phrase things to get me to agree with him.
I almost regretted my decision when Abe smiled triumphantly.
"I'm glad you agreed," Dimitri told me after the meeting, when we were leaving the library together.
"I'm not doing this because I fear for my safety," I reminded him. It was somehow important that he knew it.
I got a half smile in return.
"I know," he said, coming to a standstill at the end of the corridor. He needed to go up the stairway and I needed to cross the garden and walk to Nakshatra.
I turned to face him, rubbing my arms to ward off the chill. Night had fallen; the lamps were lit and the temperature was down. Soft wind blew strands of dark brown hair onto his face that was now filled with an odd sort of tension.
"Be careful, okay?" he said softly. "We don't know what traasa is capable of. They seem to be growing stronger, more dangerous. They're a threat to anyone associated with the Russovian empire and that includes the future queen. So please, be very careful."
I could tell that he was genuinely worried because the emotion had managed to bleed through that neutral mask of his. He was worried for his people, his family and well...for me.
"I promise I'll not step out of the palace grounds," I told him because that was evidently what he wanted to hear. "I will be careful."
There was that half smile again. "Good night, Roza."
With that, he turned away to walk up the stairs, leaving me smiling at the nickname he'd given me years ago in the Ozera party.
When I returned to Nakshatra after the meeting, I found that Sydney had disappeared. But she seemed to have left her book behind.
Frowning at her uncharacteristic behavior, I picked up the book to keep it on my shelf when a letter fell out of it.
Giving into my curiosity, I picked up the letter, figuring it must not have been all that personal to Sydney if she'd leave it in her book. That woman was a stickler for keeping things in places where they belonged.
'Dearest princess' was the first line.
Princess? Was this letter meant for me?
I wouldn't have dared to write to you, Your Majesty, if it wasn't a matter of great importance. But it is. I couldn't stop myself. I just had to try. If not for me, then for my wife.
You see, my wife has been ill for a few years now. Tuberculosis, they say. It's quite common in old age. Maybe it was to be expected, Your Grace, but it doesn't make it any less painful. The town doctors warned us that her chances of survival were less. But they gave her a year, princess. A year. After all we've been through together, I was told that my beautiful wife had only one year to live.
We've lived happily despite our poverty. Despite the fact that we lost our eldest son to a brain disease just years after he was born. Despite the fact that we're only just farmers who have to work hard each day to earn our bread and butter. We've had each other and that's all that has ever mattered to us.
I'm sorry to be bothering you with my story, Your Grace. The reason I'm writing to you is simple. My wife's one year is at an end. She's sick, very sick. I've tried my best to fulfill all her wishes but there is one wish that remains unfulfilled.
Her greatest wish is to meet you, Princess Rose.
She absolutely adores you, madam. Whenever your interviews are scheduled to appear on the television, she goes to the local pub to watch it. There is an entry fees there, my lady. She earns the money she needs to watch your interview by working as a maid in the landlord's house. She has saved every newspaper clipping in which you've been mentioned. She thinks of you as her own daughter.
I implore you, princess, please meet her. This is her last and greatest wish. I know it's too much to ask but please, please grace us with your presence. We live in Devagiri, in the town of Aanchal. Please forgive my impudence in asking you to visit us. I'm truly, truly sorry to bother you, especially when you are surely busy with your marriage preparations. But I had to try. I had to request this of you for my beautiful wife Vilaja. Please come, Your Grace. Please...
I do not have much hope but I'll be clinging to what little I have of seeing you here.
Your loyal servant,
Fillian Ransham
I peered around the gigantic clock tower at the palace grounds and carefully observed my surroundings. I was fairly confident that no one had seen me approaching the clock tower from Nakshatra. Even if they did, they'd evidently not suspected that it was me, the princess of Loha. They would've just seen an old woman in a long tribal skirt and a shawl covering her head and concealing her face except for the eyes. An old woman who had a hunched back, needing the support of a stick to walk properly.
"Ready?" Sydney asked from behind me.
I nodded, brushing aside the frail hair of my wig. My face was scratchy from all the fake wrinkles.
I fought the urge to walk faster as Sydney escorted me to the northern gates where two guards were on duty.
The northern gates were the smallest, not meant for vehicles. It was also the least guarded. Besides, the guards didn't exactly check those leaving the palace grounds, only those entering it.
"Purpose of visit?" A guard asked Sydney in a bored voice, barely sparing me a glance.
"The princess had summoned her," Sydney replied confidently.
I was proud of her facade. This was all her idea after all.
She'd told me that she had deliberately left her book at Nakshatra, hoping that I'd discover the letter inside. She'd been conflicted, not knowing if she wanted me to know about the letter or not. Telling me meant that I'd go to see the old couple and hence I'd be in supposed danger from traasa. Not telling me went against her conscience. So, she left it to fate.
When I told her I wanted to see Ransham couple, she'd come up with the idea of disguising me as an old woman.
The guard looked at me now. "Is your meeting with the princess over?"
I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground.
"I'll escort her to her residence." One of the guards told Sydney.
No, no!
Sydney swallowed, "Um, no thank you. The princess asked me to escort her."
"Alright." The guard said stiffly before opening the gate for us.
As I walked out, I was hit by a strong feeling of regret. I was breaking my word to Dimitri. He had enough on his plate without his betorthed breaking protocol and exposing herself to danger.
But I have to do it.
I couldn't live with myself knowing that I'd denied a dying woman's wish just so I could remain safe. What sort of person would that make me? What kind of a princess?
I had no choice but to do this.
Sydney hailed a cab to take us to the Ranshams' house. Once we reached the town of Aanchal, we asked for directions and eventually found the house of the Ransham couple.
It was a dilapidated structure, almost on the verge of crumbling. But it was set at a picturesque spot, in the middle of a small farm.
We walked down the mud path, watching the crops swaying gently in the breeze and the trees laden with fruits. The bright rays of the sun made it all look heavenly.
It would be such a happy place if not for the crumbling house. Looking at it, I was struck by the mile long difference between our lives.
The royalty lived in sprawling mansions, having all comforts, both necessary and unnecessary. On the other hand, the farmers, the backbone of our country, couldn't even afford basic necessities.
With a heavy heart, I followed Sydney into an old shed beside the house to remove the extra effects, leaving me in a simple ensemble of jeans and shirt. Sydney bundled up the old clothes and promised to wait for me there.
When I knocked on the door, I heard the sounds of somebody wheezing and a low call of "Coming!"
The door opened to reveal an old man, most probably Mr. Rasham, the one who'd written the letter. He was tall, thin and balding with an exhausted look on his face. When he saw me, he's eyed widened impossibly.
"Mr. Ransham?" I asked gently.
"Princess?" he asked in disbelief, tears clouding his eyes. "You're here! You're really here."
I pressed my lips together to control my own tears. I've never been one to cry but there was something about seeing this old man's tears, something sad that told me life hadn't been easy on him. There was also something gratifying in those tears. He was happy to see me. And that...well, it meant a lot.
"How's your wife?" I asked him quietly. "Vijala?"
The old man sniffed. "She's the same as ever, Your Grace. She'll be so happy to see you."
Laughing a little as he wiped away his tears, he beckoned me inside. I had to bend a little to enter through the low door.
"I'm sorry for the state of my house, Your Majesty," Mr Ransham apologized. "I didn't ever think that you'd come here."
"It's okay," I assured him, taking in the cobwebs forming on the walls and on the sparse furniture. "Call me Rose, Mr Ransham."
"But...but-" he stuttered, looking at me in wonder.
I smiled, hoping to put him at ease.
"You're so kind," he said, nodding. "So, so kind to do this, Your Maj-" I narrowed my eyes playfully "-sorry, R-Rose. This way, please."
He led me to a small room at the back of the house.
"Look who's come to see you," he crooned to the small figure lying on the bed. "It's the princess herself."
The figure on the bed coughed a little and tried to turn towards me. Mr. Ransham helped her sit up.
"Princess?" the old woman called, squinting in my direction. "Is it really you?"
"Yes, it's me." I answered, moving to sit on the stool that had been placed near the bed.
"Oh god!" Mrs. Ransham gasped when she saw my face closely. "It is! It's princess Rose! Look, Fillian! Didn't I tell you she'd come? Didn't I tell you?"
Her excitement touched my heart. "I'm happy I didn't let you down."
"Let me down?" she asked in horror. "You could never let me down, dear. I know that you have a heart of gold."
She hesitantly touched my cheek.
"I'm not that great," I confessed, remembering how I'd broken my promise to Dimitri.
"Nonsense, Your Grace." She said vehemently.
"It's Rose," I corrected, laughing at her furious denial. "Call me Rose."
"Rose," she said slowly, testing it. "I'm so happy you came here. So happy! I feel as if death could take me right now and I'd die a content woman."
"Don't say that," I protested. "You'll live for many more years."
She smiled sadly, with an indulgent look. "Forget about me, dear. Tell me, how are your marriage preparations going on?"
Again, I felt a stab to my heart when I thought about Dimitri. "It's going well. The engagement is on Tuesday, two days later. If you're feeling well enough, you should come. Both of you. I'll make the necessary arrangements."
"You're too kind, princess," Mr. Ransham said with a bright smile as he looked at his wife's excited face.
"Of course we'll come," Mrs. Ransham promised. "We want to meet your young man."
I grinned. Before I could say anything, Sydney appeared on the doorway.
"We've to go now, Rose." She said, her eyes betraying her anxiety.
I nodded and reluctantly stood up.
"Here," I put a wad of cash on Mr. Ransham's hand. "For Mrs. Ransham's treatment."
"No, no..." He tried to give it back to me.
"Please take it," I requested. "It's the least I can do." Looking at their hesitant faces, I added, "If you don't take, I'll see it as a personal offense."
Mrs Ransham smiled, "Thank you so much, Rose. For coming. You don't know how happy I am at this moment."
"I'm glad I came," I told her, smiling at them. "I'll see you both soon. Take care."
"Take care, princess." they echoed.
Nodding, I left the room with Sydney.
"What's wrong?" I asked her as soon as we were out of the house.
"They found out," Sydney replied shortly, her voice betraying her anxiety.
"Damn it." Taking my shawl from Sydney, I covered my face as we raced off to find a cab to take us back.
I didn't even want to think about what awaited me at the Palace.
AN: Sorry for the constant POV switching! This chapter would, perhaps, be best served as two separate ones but I needed to end the episode at this point. Shit's about to hit the fan in the next chapter ;)
I'm almost sad that such a chapter may be posted around Christmas. Oh, well :p
In case I can't update before New Year, here's wishing you all a happy Christmas! I don't celebrate it so for all those like me, happy holidays :)
