Hi! :)
After a whole lot of traveling and changing cities and stuff, I've finally settled down in a whole new city and adjusting to a whole new lifestyle. Even now, I'm not sure that I'll stay in the same place seeing as how I've not yet been allocated a project in my company but let's not dwell on that. Let's all enjoy the engagement of one Rosemarie Mazur to the handsome king, Dimitri Belikov :p
This chapter is dedicated to one of my best friends. Nam, if you're reading this, it's for you :)
Rose
"Wait here, Rose." My mother ordered as she left the room next to Niketana, the age-old engagement hall at the palace. All my ancestors had had their engagement ceremony in that particular hall, right from the very first king of Loha. Funnily enough, he'd never even seen his fiancee before the ceremony. Yeah, I was better off by leaps and bounds.
"It's so strange," I mused as I sat down with Mia, Lissa and Sydney. "The concept of engagement ceremony is nothing new but why is the Russovian version so different from ours?"
"That's the beauty of it," Sydney pointed out with a smile. "It would be boring if all of us had the same traditions, wouldn't it?"
Mia agreed while Lissa just acted as though Sydney hadn't spoken.
"Lissa!" I said sharply, fed up of her behavior. "Stop it."
Lissa's jade eyes widened innocently.
"It's not Sydney's fault that I went to see the Ranshams," I told her clearly. "It was mine. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it but I knew you'd have tried to stop me."
"You should have been stopped," Lissa said with her eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't have been encouraged to flee-"
I scoffed. "I'm not a child, Liss. Do you really believe that Sydney or you, for that matter, could have stopped me? If I wanted to go, I would've found a way to go. You know that."
"Yes, but-"
"Oh, come on, Lissa!" Mia interjected. "Rose does what she wants. Why are you blaming Sydney for that?"
"Well, if she hadn't shown her the letter-"
"-then I wouldn't have remained true to myself," Sydney retorted obstinately. "That letter came for Rose and giving it to her was the right thing to do."
"Lissa, please…" I appealed to her when it looked like she had more to say. "I did what I had to do. Or, what I thought I had to do. If Dimitri can forgive me for breaking a promise, you can forgive Sydney for whatever offense you think she's committed."
There was absolute silence for a moment as all three blondes stared at me. As if in sync, all three of them started talking at once.
"So that explains the tension between the two of you!"
"You broke a promise?"
"He forgave you? He was equally wrong-"
"Did you make up? Did you kiss-"
"Oh, for the love of god!" I clapped my hands over my ears, my bangles jingling violently. "It's my engagement today! I have enough on my plate without adding your truckload of questions to it."
"But-"
I held up a hand, silencing them instantly. "I'll have you all thrown out of the room if you don't shut up."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Mia said with a fake simper.
"Princess?" Daphne, one of my maids entered the room hesitantly. She must have knocked but we hadn't heard it over the ruckus. "Your presence has been requested in the hall, Your Grace."
I dismissed her with a nod and turned back to my friends silently.
"This is it," Lissa said with a huge smile as she took my hands in hers. "You'll officially be Lady Belikova today."
"No one will ever call her that-" Mia pointed out, "-which is a pity because it has a nice ring to it."
"Speaking of rings," Sydney said. "Do you know that Russovian marriages generally consist of exchanging rings?"
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Yes," Sydney nodded. "Since your marriage will be according to our custom, the Belikovs decided to fulfill a part of their marriage ritual in the engagement ceremony?"
"What does that mean?" Mia asked her.
Lissa gasped before Sydney could answer. "Does that mean Rose is as good as married today?"
"Freaking out, guys!" I pointed out breathlessly as I stared at the ceiling.
"No, it doesn't really mean that." Sydney clarified. "However, they generally consider engagement ceremony as half a marriage."
"So, Rose is as good as halfway married?" Mia asked.
"Stop it, please!" I whispered weakly, wondering if I was about to have a panic attack.
"Oh, come on!" Mia hugged me quickly before stepping back. "Do you know how many women would kill to be Dimitri's Belikov's fiancee? He'll be all yours after today, you lucky girl."
I rolled my eyes. Sydney stepped forward, standing beside Lissa to look at me quietly.
"There's no backing out after this," I told them softly. "This is it."
Lissa shook her head. "Rose, this ceremony changes nothing. It'll just make the betrothal official, that's all."
I shook my head. "It can't be broken without severe repercussions-"
"Rose," Sydney interrupted strictly. "Don't lie to yourself. You wouldn't have broken the betrothal, you know that. You didn't want to break it before and you will not want to break it in the future. Lissa's right, the ceremony changes nothing."
That's what I repeated to myself as I walked towards the hall with Lissa and Mia walking behind me. The ceremony wouldn't change anything. Dimitri would still be the same man I'd gotten to know in the past few weeks.
Nothing would change.
The doors of the hall were thrown open when I approached and the herald announced my presence loudly.
The noise level from inside the hall fell abruptly and a hush fell over the gathering, emphasizing the soft classical music that had been playing in the background.
As I walked in, I noted how beautiful the hall looked, all decked up for the occasion. Flowers garlands hung from the ceiling and windows were thrown wide open, bringing in the scent of flowers from the gardens. Sunlight poured in through the windows and the skylights, giving a happy and bright glow to the hall.
Seats were arranged to face the front of the hall where two grand divans stood facing each other. It was clear that the divan on the left was meant for me as Mom and Dad stood behind it and Olena stood next to the divan on the right.
Mom and Olena wore identical smiles when they saw me while Dad seemed a little emotional. Viktoria was grinning happily and-
Dimitri…
He was standing with Neal, looking gorgeous in his navy blue sherwani, which is a knee-length, fitted coat usually buttoning up to the neck. Dimitri's was partially buttoned, however, giving a glimpse of his toned chest. Sapphires and black diamonds formed swirls and designs on the navy blue coat. He wore black pants to accompany the sherwani. The colors looked so hot on him that it was surprise no one was drooling. Or maybe they were. Hopefully, I wasn't.
It was with difficulty that I tore my eyes away from him and met Neal's bright blue eyes which were full of laughter. He must have seen me staring at Dimitri.
Damn it, I'd thought I was discrete.
Tearing my eyes away from them, I looked around at the assembled people, returning smiles as I walked. There was a faint buzzing beneath my skin, like a thousand ants were crawling underneath.
Having Dimitri's intense eyes fixed on you tended to have that effect. Faintly, I wondered if he liked what he saw.
When I neared the front of the hall, Neal came over to escort me to my seat.
"Shut up," I warned under my breath as I gripped his elbow.
Neal chuckled softly. "I didn't say anything, kiddo."
With a kiss to my cheek, he left to sit beside Viktoria in the front row, next to Eddie and Madhri. Adrian sat with them and when I met his eyes, I got a small smile in return.
Glad to see him okay with everything, I moved to sit on the divan with my mother and father flanking me. Olena then sat down on the divan in front of us. With a split second hesitation, Dimitri gracefully sat down beside Olena.
A pandit: a priest well versed in Russovian traditions, came forward and sat on the chair between our divans.
"Shall we begin, Your Majesties?" He asked, looking between us.
Olena nodded.
The pandit cleared his throat and began with raised voice: "Under the grace of the stars ashwini and rohini, in the auspicious time of the planet Guru, we have gathered here to witness the engagement ceremony between King Dimitri Belikov of Russovia and Princess Rose Mazur of Loha. This ritual marks the beginning of the wedding concord."
My eyes sought out Dimitri's, which were already on me.
Something warm and powerful shot between us the moment our eyes met. His gaze was intense as he looked at me, something hidden in those depths of brown, something that I didn't understand. I hastily averted my eyes from him as the pandit continued.
"The engagement starts with the ring ceremony which is to formalize the betrothal. From this day forth, the couple will be committed to each other. Any act of disloyalty will be viewed as a sin. The betrothal is full and final."
This was it.
There's no turning back after this.
"Betrothal is full and final."
Could I really live with this?
Yes, I realized as I looked at Dimitri. I could. We might not have gotten off to the best start but I'd gotten to know him in the past few weeks. I'd trained with him, spent almost all my time with him…I understood him, in as much as anyone could understand Dimitri Belikov. More surprisingly, he understood me so well. He was like me in so many ways, especially when it came to our duties.
Yes, he'd hurt me but that had been my mistake as well. I'd hurt him too, I knew that. I'd hurt him by breaking my promise.
At the end of the day, I had to accept that I was quite lucky to be betrothed to Dimitri Belikov. My fate could have been a lot worse, a whole lot worse. Dimitri had accepted me, with my fiercely independent nature and reckless ways; he'd even confessed that he'd rather have me than all the other 'proper' princesses.
I knew I'd rather have him than anyone else. But that didn't mean I wasn't apprehensive.
But I had to do this.
"Princess Rose, King Dimitri; please exchange rings." The pandit told us.
Trying to smile, I stood up when Dimitri did.
Since it was his turn first, Dimitri turned to take the ring out of the box that Olena held open. He contemplated the ring for one silent moment before nodding to his mother who smiled and kissed his cheek.
Turning back to me, he smiled that endearing half smile of his before slowly extending his left hand towards me.
Ignoring the butterflies in my stomach, I placed my left hand on his, flinching slightly when electricity sparked at the contact.
Dimitri's half smile changed to a small smirk as though he was amused by my reaction to the contact. I tried to ignore the warmth spreading through my body as his long, calloused fingers held mine softly and delicately.
When he bowed his hand, a few strands of hat soft brown hair fell down to cover his face.
Vaguely, I wondered what people would say if I smoothed it back.
I felt the cool kiss of metal on my skin when Dimitri gently slid the engagement ring along my ring finger. The ring was beautiful with platinum band holding a round cut ruby in the center, flanked on either side by a leafy pattern of small diamonds.
It was befitting a queen, no doubt, but it was not obnoxious. I could wear it always, even while fighting.
Dimitri did know me well.
Looking up from my ring, I smiled at Dimitri appreciatively.
I could only hope that he liked his ring as well. It was also platinum which was the standard material for engagement bands in Russovia. Instead of the usual stones, I'd selected a large, square cut blue topaz for him. When the royal jeweler had painstakingly explained the significance of the precious stones, I'd known that the blue topaz would be the ideal choice for Dimitri.
I could only hope that he understood the meaning behind the stone.
Steeling myself, I stretched my left hand out to him.
He placed his right hand on mine, again making me reel with warmth and energy that seemed to flow between our hands.
Just before I slipped the ring onto his finger, I looked up to meet his eyes again.
His intense eyes were reassuring now, as if he knew what I was looking for at the moment. 'We'll figure this out,' they seem to say. 'We'll be fine…'
I hope so too, comrade.
Slowly, I slid the ring onto his finger, releasing it quickly before the effect he had on me could be visible on my face.
I exhaled shakily. It was done.
We're officially engaged.
Dimitri was well and truly my husband to be. My fiance.
Suddenly, a shower of rose petals fell on both of us from above and the guests started clapping happily.
Dimitri chuckled at the surprised look on my face, drawing my eyes to him. A single petal was tangled in his hair and a few rested on his shoulders too.
I glared at him halfheartedly for laughing. "Shut up, you."
He grinned at me, an innocent look in his eyes which made me smile again. He looked…he looked handsome as always, of course. But that innocent look made him look cute, if that word could be applied to a stoic man like him. A hint of cuteness mixed with that rugged handsomeness-
The pandit brought me back to earth by asking us to resume our seats.
Removing some rose petals from my dress, I sat down again.
"Now, I invite the Mazur and Belikov families to exchange gifts to strengthen the bonds between the two families."
My mother stood and gestured gracefully to Olena. On her command, a line of our maidservants emerged from the back of the hall- all of them carrying large gift boxes containing everything from packets of dry fruits, sweets, special fabric weaved only in Loha and a variety of jewelry. Olena stood as well and nodded to Viktoria who gestured for some of their servants to bring forward their gifts to us.
Olena personally exchanged gifts with Mom and Dad while Neal went over to Dimitri with his gift. Unfortunately, I didn't know what it was since Neal refused to tell me. I'd just have to ask Dimitri later.
As Eddie, Madhri and some of Dimitri's relatives approached each other with more gifts, Viktoria came to me with a large box that she was struggling to carry. By her side was a tall, slender, well-dressed woman with brown hair and the characteristic brown eyes that seemed to run in the Belikov family.
But I could see that this was not just a relative.
No, her face was eerily similar to Viktoria's with traces of Dimitri in them.
This had to be another one of his sisters.
I smiled when the woman met my eyes, her gaze searching and sharp. She smiled back reflexively but it was small and calculating.
Immediately, I was on the defensive. She looked like she was silently measuring my worth and I hated it.
Deciding to ignore the woman for now, I turned to Viktoria as she unceremoniously dumped the gift box at my feet, wiping at her forehead theatrically. "This is for you."
I smirked at Viktoria. "Either you're gifting me rocks or you're too delicate for your own good."
Viktoria huffed and threw back her hair, golden highlights glittering. "I go to such lengths to give you a nice gift and you mock me? Where's the justice in that?"
I snorted. "Alright, drama queen. Thank you for the gift, whatever the hell it is. I honestly dread to open it."
"You'll enjoy it." Viktoria promised with a wink.
"I sincerely doubt that," I said, eyeing the box. Viktoria loved her little pranks and I wouldn't be surprised if the gift was one of them.
"You're right to be wary," the woman interjected with a mysterious smile.
I looked her in the eye. "Have you already formed an opinion about me or would you like some more time to assess my worth?"
Viktoria gasped but astonishingly, the woman let out a peal of laughter.
I'd realized how insulting the words sounded the minute they left my mouth, sure that she'd take offense. I was honestly surprised that she seemed amused rather than insulted.
How exceedingly puzzling.
"See?" Viktoria turned to the woman with a smirk. "Didn't I tell you that she's not like the others?"
"Is that good?" I asked, slightly guilty. I wouldn't usually care but she was Dimitri's sister.
Should have thought about that before I opened my mouth. Oh, well.
The woman smiled widely. "Oh, Rose! It's such a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sonya."
Sonya.
That explains it.
I grinned, almost at ease. "I don't know how you can say that with a straight face but I'll take it. It's nice to meet you, Sonya."
Dimitri had told me many things about his sisters, his voice particularly soft as he talked about them. I loved those moments, the way his eyes shone as he recounted tales of his childhood. He'd said that Sonya was like him; Karolina and Viktoria inheriting their mother's warm nature while Dimitri and Sonya shared their father's rather stoic personality. Sonya was more of a recluse than him, Dimitri had admitted.
I'd teased him about being an 'Ice prince' and he'd laughed, confessing that Sonya too was known by a similar title, partially thanks for her personality and partly because she was the queen consort of 'Tushara republic', a small country at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Sonya was known to be closed off and severe but Dimitri had said that her family was an exception. She was warm and kind with those she loved. From the way he spoke of her, I could see that Dimitri had a special bond with her.
I could see why. Now that she'd deemed me acceptable, her features relaxed to a genial, amused smile.
My insult must have won her over.
Huh.
As if reading my mind, Viktoria looked her sister speculatively: "I didn't know that insulting you was the way to your heart, Sona."
Sonya rolled her eyes.
Turning to me, Viktoria said, "You may be the first person outside her family to make her laugh, Rose. Keep up the good work."
"But she is family," Sonya said with an elbow to Viktoria's side. "She's our sister-in-law."
"To be," I added quickly, to the amusement of the sisters.
"I like you, Rose." Sonya admitted. "You really live up to your reputation."
"And yet, you like me?" I joked.
"I don't trust press reports," she gestured dismissively. "If they're to be believed, I'm the dreaded witch out to poison the world. Nor do I believe gossiping royal wives who have nothing better to do. No, my source is quite authentic."
Viktoria chuckled as I raised my eyebrows in question.
"Somebody told me that you were, and I quote, 'bold and beautiful'." Sonya said slyly.
I dipped into a small curtsy. "That's me."
"I think I can guess who your source was," Viktoria told Sonya and the pair giggled.
Honestly, they giggled.
This sophisticated, calculated, elegant young woman who called herself Sonya giggled.
So much for dignified.
First impressions were really the worst impressions, not the best.
My eyes strayed over to Dimitri who was in conversation with my father and one of my uncles. Catching my eye, he smiled slightly and inclined his head.
I titled my head towards Sonya and Viktoria who were laughing at yet another thinly veiled tease.
Seeing them, Dimitri's smile widened before my father distracted him.
Just as well.
"Please resume your seats," the pandit called, prompting everyone to return to their seats. "It's time to write the invitation."
As I moved to sit opposite Dimitri, the pandit looked up and smiled. "Princess, please sit down beside His Majesty."
I froze for a second, wondering if the pandit himself was joining in on all the teasing.
Dad grasped my elbow lightly and led me over to Dimitri, shooting us a wink when I sat down beside him, careful to maintain a respectful distance between us.
"My dear sweet sister." Neal's voice were smooth and sly, carrying over the now quiet hall. "You can sit close to Dimitri now. He's your fiance, after all."
The hall rang with uninhabited laughter. I flushed and avoided looking at Dimitri.
"What's the matter, Mitya?" Sonya asked with false concern. "You can move closer to the lady if she's too shy to."
"I think it's Mitya who's shy, Sona." Olena chimed, laughing merrily at our mortification.
"Our Rose has never been shy person, Olena." Mom said, adding to the mockery. "It's a strange but pleasing sight."
I glared at her as they all laughed again.
"Come on, Mitya!" Viktoria almost whined. "Scoot closer to your betrothed!"
"Come on, Rose!" I swear that had to be Mia.
"Don't act like strangers now," Eddie said, high-fiving Neal.
"Strangers?" Dad just had to add his two cents. "They're quite good friends, aren't they?"
"Oh yes," Adrian added unexpectedly. "Friends."
While I fought hard against the blush creeping up my neck and cheeks, Dimitri was rubbing his forehead lightly with a small, embarrassed smile.
A number of remarks were passed before the audience, as one, starting chanting "Scoot closer!" like some kind of war cry, led by our enthusiastic siblings.
As they grew louder and more insistent, Dimitri and I turned to each other at the same time.
Dimitri arched an eyebrow and I shrugged slightly, letting him know I was okay with it.
"Look at their little telepathy!" Viktoria said loudly.
"So cute!" Lissa crooned from beside Adrian. I spotted Christian and Sydney standing to the side, clapping with the others.
"Why are you hesitating now?" Neal called, though his voice was softer and meant only for us. "You certainly didn't hesitate during that dance yesterday."
I wear I'll murder Neal when this is over.
"Scoot closer! Scoot closer!" The crowd chanted happily.
Biting my lip, I peeked at Dimitri.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he moved closer, sitting right next to me.
The crowd roared in delight.
I was pretty sure I'd have resembled a tomato if I were any less tan.
Our shoulders were almost touching now. I could hear his breathing when the hall quietened again as the pandit began to speak.
But I couldn't concentrate on him.
What I did concentrate on was Dimitri's clean scent, the warmth of his body scorching my shoulder, the awareness of his tiny movements; the heady sensation of being so close to him was messing with my brain.
Despite being engaged to him, I'd never even hugged him properly, training and stumbling aside.
What would it be like to be wrapped in his embrace?
No, this was not the time to wonder about my fiance.
God, fiance…
No, I had to listen to the pandit. It would be disastrous if anyone suspected that I was daydreaming…about my fiance.
When I did manage to rein in my thoughts, the pandit was saying: "-the study of stars and their movements. Accordingly, there are four auspicious dates available this year. There's one next week, one date nearly two months later, one after four months and one after seven. These four are the most suitable ones for the union of princess Rose and King Dimitri. Which one do you choose, Your Majesties?"
Dimitri and I sat silently as my parents and Olena discussed it. Finally, Dad turned to the pandit. "We'll take the one two months later. We need time to prepare."
The pandit nodded and wrote it down. Then, he stood up and announced: "On the 4th of October, under the sacred star of Magha, at the favorable time of 12.32 p.m, princess Rosemarie Samaira(enchanting) Vanya(graciousness of God) Mazur of Loha will be wedded to King Dimitri Atulya (incomparable) Belikov of Russovia."
The audience stood up and clapped, congratulating each other with smiles and hugs. While our families greeted each other, Dad approached me and Dimitri. "Come on, everybody wants to meet the two of you."
Much like the get-together party the previous night, Dimitri and I stood side by side, receiving guests upon guests. After greeting what seemed like the thousandth guest, I leaned over to Dimitri and whispered, "Can we please escape after lunch?"
I was mostly joking, which was why I was surprised when Dimitri smiled and said, "Sure. Why not?"
"What happened to the comme il faut Dimitri Belikov?"
Dimitri simply shrugged, "He got engaged to you."
AN: So, they're engaged. I know many of you want them to talk about their misunderstanding and they will. The next two chapters contain pure romitri fluff with the much awaited first kiss ;)
The meaning of the rings will be discussed in the next chapter. As for the full names of our couple, it's 'Rosemarie Samaira Vanya Mazur' and 'Dimitri Atulya Belikov.' I found the middle names after a lot of searching and here are the meanings:
Samaira - Enchanting
Vanya - Graciousness of God
Atulya - Sanskrit word for 'incomparable'
You know what else I found in my research? The similarities between Russian and Sanskrit have always intrigued me and I found that the two languages indeed share a common root. An ancient link between Russia and India, I suppose :)
So, did you like the chapter? If you did, please leave a review. I could do with some encouragement :)
