Hi! :)

I have nothing to say except thank you so so much, love you all! No, seriously; I would have abandoned this story if not for you guys. I recently read a quote that went like this: "Every unfinished story leaves a void in your readers' heart" and that inspired me to update :D

I hope you continue to enjoy this story :)


Lissa

"Hey!" I tucked my hair behind my ear uncomfortably and tried to smile.

"Hi," came the reply, just as uneasy.

I looked around, hoping beyond hope that someone would enter the nearly deserted library and rescue me from the situation. Except for the old librarian, there were a couple of purple robed alchemists who were gathered around a table, holding whispered conversation.

I'd get no help from any of them.

This was my fault, of course. If only I'd watched where I was going instead of having my head buried in the latest issue of Business Weekly, I wouldn't have collided with the one person in the world that I wished to avoid.

But if I was truthful to myself, I'd been glad to see him happy and whole during Rose's engagement ceremony. Despite everything that had happened between us, I still cared for him and probably always will. But I tried my best to avoid any kind of one-on-one meeting with him.

Even Rose Mazur couldn't dissipate the awkwardness that would ensure when he and I found ourselves in company of each other.

He scuffed his shoe on the floor, the way he always did when he was extremely uncomfortable. I nearly smiled at the reminder of that adorable habit.

"Well, I must be going-" His icy blue eyes glanced towards the door and back to me, taking half a step away.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Why was it that I simultaneously wanted him to leave and also wanted him close by?

"It was nice seeing you, Lissa." He said with a sincere smile before walking away swiftly.

Tears stung my eyes at the sight of him walking away.

"You too," I whispered, scolding myself for the pathetic tears. I'd vowed long ago that Christian Ozera wouldn't be the cause of my tears anymore than he'd already been.

But him walking away from me always brought back bad memories.

I was over him, I knew that.

But I hadn't yet overcome the memories.

Resolving that I needed a distraction, I trudged over to Rose's Nakshatra in the downpour.

She'd distract me.

I knew she'd gone out with Dimitri a while ago but she must be back by now. She'd need me to listen to her and I could thoroughly forget my silly little emotions as I lost myself in pondering over how she'd adjust to her future.

If anyone desperately needed the freedom of choosing her own husband, it was Rose. She'd always been so independent, so fierce, so wild that she never adjusted well when choices were made for her, in her stead.

An arranged marriage was not her cup of her.

But luckily, her future husband turned out to be exactly the kind of man she needed.

Hopefully, she realizes that soon.

When I let myself into her house, I was greeted by her butler.

"Lady Dragomir!" George was an old man but he had the energy of a twelve year old. "You're nearly soaking. You must change your clothes at once."

I smiled at the kind man. "Thanks, George. Tell me, is Rose back yet?"

George's gray eyes widened as he looked out of the window, at the torrential rainfall. "The princess is out in the rain?"

"She's with her fiance," I told him, running my fingers through my wet hair.

"They've taken a car, I hope." He said sternly.

I nodded and sneezed.

"Off you go then, Lady Dragomir." He shooed me towards the staircase. "I'll send you some hot tea."

"Call me Lissa," I insisted but knew it was a futile effort.

George smiled and walked away. "Whatever you say, My Lady."

Shaking my head, I climbed up the stairs to the first floor where my room was located. I had my own place, of course, but Rose still kept this room for me to crash in whenever I needed.

After a warm bath and hot cup of tea, I retreated to the living room to wait for Rose.

She should be here by now. Maybe they were stuck somewhere, unable to drive due to the rain.

"My Lady." Shanaya, one of Rose's many maids, set down a tray full of hot butter cookies in front of me.

"Thank you, Shanaya." I picked up one and examined it. "I take it Chef Vikram is here."

Shanaya smiled and nodded. Chef Vikram was Rose's favorite. That partiality went both ways as Vikram often came over to the Nakshatra to cook tasty treats for Rose before going back to his duties at the Palace.

"The ceremony was wonderful, was it not Lady Lissa?" Shanaya beamed up at me as she settled herself beside me.

Janine had never tolerated the fact that Rose gave her servants so much leeway but Rose was adamant. In fact, it had been her who'd convinced Abe to change many of the existing labor laws to allow more benefits for the laborers.

"It really was," I admitted, remembering the beautiful ceremony that had concluded just hours ago.

"Our princess looked so beautiful," Shanaya remarked before smiling shyly. "As did King Belikov. I must say, he's rather handsome, is he not Lady Lissa?"

"Very handsome indeed." I admitted, suppressing a laugh at the poor girl's blush.

"Did you see the way he looked at our princess?" Shanaya sighed dreamily. "He's just like the kings in fairy tales, is he not Lady Lissa?"

I munched on my cookie as I watched her. "Does that mean he's replaced Prince Neal to occupy the top spot in your list of most handsome men?"

Shanaya flushed a deep red but met my eyes. "Of course not, Lady Lissa. King Belikov is a foreigner; no matter how handsome they are, they cannot beat our own men, can they?"

I nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"Besides, the king is soon to be married and his beauty is for the princess to admire and-"

"-Neal is for everyone to admire?" I interrupted, laughing when she blushed and giggled in agreement.

Just then, we heard the soft sounds of conversation from outside.

"The princess is back!" Shanaya rose to peer out of the window. I turned back to my cookies but she gestured urgently. "The king's with her."

Unable to contain my curiosity, I joined her by the window.

There stood Rose and Dimitri, both soaking wet. The rain had stopped so why exactly where they wet? Unless they stepped out into the rain somewhere…

Shanaya and I ducked out of sight, straining our ears to hear their conversation.

While it was rude to eavesdrop, this was Rose. And Dimitri.

Rose and Dimitri having a conversation that clearly looked flirty.

She'd tell me anyway. I was just saving her the energy of repeating everything.

We heard Dimitri's soft laughter first, followed by Rose's indignant, "That was not my fault!"

"Of course it wasn't." Dimitri's voice sounded placating.

It was quiet for a moment. When they spoke next, their voices sounded closer; they'd reached the porch of Nakshatra.

Ooh! Would they kiss goodbye?

But to my great disappointment, I heard Dimitri say in a formal voice, "Good night, Princess Rose."

Rose's tone was curious when she asked: "What's with the sudden formality? I thought we were friends."

Friends?

"We are," Dimitri's voice was even, betraying nothing. "After all that's happened, it's hard not to be."

"Anyone can see that they're more than that!" Shanaya whispered to me when Rose chuckled and agreed with Dimitri.

Shanaya was right.

Were they so blind that they haven't recognized that transparent chemistry between them?

It'd been pretty clear to everyone in the engagement hall, especially with the 'scoot closer' deal. There was heat in the way they looked at each other, intense chemistry when they touched and obvious understanding in the way they seemed to have silent conversations that no one else could understand.

No, I was pretty sure Rose knew this as well.

She was deliberately trying to maintain a distance between them by labeling them as 'friends'.

Why was she doing this?

"Lady Lissa, the princess is coming!" Shanaya whispered in panic before running out of the living room, no doubt to the kitchen.

I straightened up slowly, my mind spinning as I tried to make sense of my best friend's words.

Rose was pushing him away but why?

Was it that she didn't want to give their relationship a new name? Acknowledging that she wanted him would bring them closer. They'd meant more to each other…and he'd be one of the very few people who actually knew Rose Mazur and was loved by her.

Even though she loved her family, they didn't really know her. Janine sure didn't.

Abe did but not totally.

Only Neal and I could claim to really knowing Rose Mazur as she was but Dimitri seemed to be more. I'd heard enough from Rose to realize that he got her in ways Neal and I didn't.

Was she scared?

"Lissa!" Rose entered the room, shocked to find me on the couch.

I lifted my eyes to hers, scanning her for some hint that I was right.

She looked…different.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright and smile radiant. She was wrapped in a long coat, a duster I think it was called. Her hands gripped the coat close to her body but it didn't cover that fact that she was drenched, completely and thoroughly.

Rose loved getting wet in the rain, yes but she just had to get rid of the soaked clothes the minute she stepped out of the rain. But now, there wasn't even a hint of discomfort in her visage.

No, she was completely and utterly happy.

That look in her eyes though…it was the same look I'd seen staring back at me from the mirror the day that I'd finally kissed Christian Ozera for the first time.

"You kissed Dimitri!" I exclaimed, excitement mixed with confusion.

They kissed and then Rose labeled them as friends?

Rose blushed, a rarity in and about itself.

She nodded, a small smile on her face as her eyes grew unfocused.

"Rose-!"

"I'll tell you everything, Lissa, I will but tomorrow."

I scrutinized her carefully before nodding. "Alright."

Perhaps it was for the best that our discussion was being postponed. There was someone I needed to talk to before confronting Rose about her fears.

"I want to hear everything tomorrow." I told her, picking up a cookie.

Rose shot me a pleased smile. "Of course."

"Go and freshen up," I said, knowing that she wanted to be left alone at the moment. "You look like a soaked cat."

Rose poked her tongue out at me and turned to climb up the stairs.

Just before she disappeared from my view, I called out to her, "Rose?"

She turned back to look at me from the top of the staircase.

"Was it good?"

Rose grinned mischievously. "A lady does not kiss and tell, Lissa."

With a laugh, she disappeared in a whirl of cowboy duster.


Traasa

"Gregory Hamsak!"

Gregory looked up from where he'd been lifting weights in the clearing, deep within the Anaga forest range of Russovia. Here, in traasa base camp, weight lifting was nothing fancy. Just lifting up large and heavy sacks of hay and running from one end of the clearing to another under the watchful eye of their trainer.

Any hesitation, stumbling, moaning and groaning was rewarded with lashes from the whip that the trainer held. Gregory's back was bleeding from all the whip lashes he'd been subjected to just because he'd paused for a small second of rest in the middle of the brutal training.

But Gregory wasn't complaining. He knew, with all his heart, that he belonged here. He belonged with traasa. He belonged in any fight against the monarchy.

That's why he didn't complain. He was dedicated; more than dedicated. That was why he didn't hesitate when he heard his name being called by a fellow brother of traasa.

The man who'd called Gregory beckoned him closer. When Gregory reached him, the man said, "Our leader is waiting for you."

He pointed at one of the massive tents in the area, the one frequently unoccupied. It was the tent of Anaama, the masked leader.

The one who was part of Belikov's famous inner circle.

The supreme spy.

Trying not to betray any sign of nervousness, Gregory strode over to the tent, pausing at the entrance.

"Sir?" he called.

"Come in." said a deep and gravelly voice.

When Gregory hesitantly entered the tent, he looked Anaama wearing his typical mask covering the majority of his face. But his eyes..those shrewd and sharp eyes made of the brightest blue stared at Gregory with a coldly calculating look.

"Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?" Anaama said when Gregory bowed deeply.

Gregory was unsure of how to answer. But the leader didn't give him time to think of a response.

"I'll be blunt with you," Anaama said, leaning forward. His voice, as always, was muffled because of speaking from behind the mask. "We need more spies in the Palace. We need more spies everywhere."

Gregory nodded.

"It's bad enough we don't have a single spy within the army," Anaama muttered, almost talking to himself.

"Er.." Gregory wasn't sure if he had the courage to ask the question but he tried. "Sir, why do we not have spies in the army?"

Anaama sighed, his eyes clouding in anger. "Because of Belikov. He's tightened the rules so not no one can slip through. But no matter. If we infiltrate the administration, the army won't be a problem."

Gregory nodded.

"Your trainer tells me you're ready," Anaama continued. "So, starting from tomorrow, you'll be training with me. I'll teach everything there is to know about spying. If you're up to my standards, you're in. If not..." Anaama trailed off ominously.

Gregory gulped, knowing he'd end up in a body bag if he failed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, soldier." Anaama said briskly. "Be here at five. Sharp."

Gregory managed to mumble a quick thank you before scurrying out of the tent. At the entrance, he turned back to see a grotesque smile blooming on the sketchy cloth mask that the leader wore.

A smile that promised that things were about to get a whole lot worse.


Rose

"No!" I cried, hands held out in a plea to prevent the action from being completed; to stop a crime from being committed right before my eyes.

The knife stilled at my words.

I breathed in sharply, eyes alert for the slightest hint that the action that my words had paused, would resume.

When nothing happened except for a perplexed arch of eyebrows, I relaxed and walked over to snatch the victim from the source of danger.

"You should not be allowed a knife," I said seriously.

Curious brown eyes seemed to laugh at me. "What did I do wrong?"

"Wrong?" I asked incredulously. "You were about to commit a sin, my friend. Be grateful that I stopped you in time."

"All this fuss-" Those beautiful brown eyes flickered to the victim. "-over a mango?"

I sniffed. "I don't like your tone. So disrespectful."

An amused smile danced on those delicious lips. "Pardon me, my dear lady. But I fail to understand the nature of my supposed sin."

I raised my chin haughtily. "You're forgiven, dear sir but please take care to not repeat the mistake. Lohan mangoes are majestic fruits and should be treated as such."

My fiance bowed his head, getting into the act. "Kindly enlighten me about the proper treatment of your royal mangoes so that I may rectify my mistake."

I laughed evilly. "Bow down to the mango, hooman. Tis the best fruit in the world."

Dimitri tipped his imaginary hat to me. "If you say so, ma'am."

I laughed, marveling at this playful side that he kept concealed.

We were at the mango grove of the Palace gardens, sitting on a bench under a huge mango tree laden with sweet fruits that would soon disappear as the rainy season progressed.

Determined to enjoy my favorite fruits before having to bid them a painful goodbye, I'd convinced Dimitri to join me on an early morning walk to the grove.

We'd only just finished our breakfast but mangoes could be eaten any anytime, no matter how full you are. But when we were brought some of the best fruits in the grove, I'd discovered that Dimitri was intent on butchering the fruit with a knife in order to eat it.

"So, how do you eat a mango?" He asked, eyeing the fruit that I'd plucked from his hand.

I held up my index finger primly. "Instruction one: Do not bring a knife or any other dangerous object near the fruit."

"Okay," he said dubiously.

"Instruction two: Make use of your teeth to tear a hole into the skin of the mango, on the tip opposite the stalk."

"Isn't that messy?"

"That's the beauty of eating a mango," I told him seriously. "It's supposed to be messy and sweet and all kinds of fun."

"If you say so," he said uncertainly.

"Look, you need to eat a mango like a street urchin if you want to savor it." I told him truthfully. "Set aside all manners and self consciousness. Let me show you."

I brought the fruit to my mouth and bit a hole into the tip of the mango. Pressing down on the pulpy portion of the mango, I squeezed it upward until the pulp filled my mouth.

I closed my eyes, moaning at the taste; floating away in the heavenly bliss of the deliciousness. Eagerly, I squeezed the mango so that more pulp gushed into my mouth.

Juice of the mango dribbled down my chin but I didn't care. I was enjoying the best fruit in the world and nothing mattered at the moment.

I opened my eyes after two bites to look at Dimitri.

He was not staring at me in disgust as I expected, rather he was studying me with a strange fascination

Yeah, he'd most definitely never encountered anyone as crazy as I was. Well, it was a good thing that I hadn't shown him an even messier way to eat a mango.

Smiling slightly, I gestured to the tray holding a stack of tissues.

"Wrap them around the mango and eat it," I told him, finally taking pity on him to spare his delicate sensibilities.

He did as I said, wrapping tissues securely around the fruit and gently eating it.

"This is good," he acknowledged, eating the mango with some eagerness.

"I told you so," I sang happily.

As he bit into his fruit, I caught myself staring at him.

As always, there was a strange attraction between us but it seemed to have gotten worse after that kiss yesterday.

That kiss.

Oh, that wonderful, sweet, crazy kiss.

I hadn't been able to stop thinking about it at all, even though we were pretending like it never happened.

Well, that wasn't strictly true.

Something had shifted between us. I didn't couldn't pinpoint the difference but I could feel it. I didn't even know if it was a good change or a bad one.

We'd only just managed to clear the air after our fallout; the kiss had complicated an already complicated situation.

I couldn't explain what the problem was. All I knew was there was knot in my chest every time I looked at Dimitri, every time I so much as thought about him; which was almost always.

I felt…simultaneously scared and elated when I thought about that kiss. Why on earth should I be scared?

If I were normal, which I knew I wasn't, then I should be seeing this growing attraction as a sign that Dimitri and I would live happily ever after.

As much as I wanted it to be all sunshine and roses, I couldn't ignore the part of me that was afraid; had always been since the betrothal was announced.

Of course, it didn't take a genius to figure out that I was apprehensive about my future but-why did it hurt to think about Dimitri as more than a friend?

I stood up abruptly, startling Dimitri.

"I'll-" I gestured vaguely to the outhouse close by. "I have to wash my hands-"

"-and your face," Dimitri noted.

I rolled my eyes. "Scoff all you want, mister. I enjoyed my mango. I'll be back in a minute."

I walked over to the outhouse and freshened up, taking my time in walking back to Dimitri.

Spending time with him was quickly becoming both ecstasy and agony. However, the agony was considerably less and I was determined to push it down, to not let it interfere my time with him.

After all, he was leaving for Russovia today evening.

"Rose?" he called quietly, when we were walking through the grove after finishing the mango feast.

"Yeah?"

"I'd meant to ask you something yesterday," he said, eyes focused on the path ahead.

I looked at him curiously, marveling at how the light, from between the branches of the trees lining our path, seemed to illuminate him in shades of light and dark as we walked.

"The Ransham couple," he said abruptly, glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. "Did they come to the engagement ceremony?"

"No," I told him, surprised that he'd brought up the topic. I thought we were done with that chapter already. "She's too ill to travel. I was thinking of sending someone over with the pictures and some gifts for them."

Dimitri nodded contemplatively.

"About that-" he hesitated, clearly unsure if he should continue.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"Don't take this the wrong way," he said cautiously. "This...this can't happen in Russovia."

"Um…what?"

"Hear me out," he appealed, coming to a stop and turning to face me.

I crossed my arms over my chest to listen to him.

Didn't I say agony?

God, this man would be the death of me.

"Rose…Russovia is very different from Loha," he started.

"I've heard that." I told him impatiently.

He shot me a look, clearly asking me to stop acting bratty. "Will you listen to me or should I just save my breath?"

Resisting a number of smartass responses that I knew would irritate him, I merely nodded.

Check me out; learning control after all his efforts.

"You know that the Russovian population is thrice that of Loha," he said, warning me silently not to interrupt him. "Not all of them love the monarchy like they do here. It's very...diverse. You'll find all sorts of people there. There are people willing to die for us but there was also people willing to kill us. Going anywhere without guards is dangerous, even with your disguises."

I shivered, a feeling of danger washing over me.

He was right.

Russovia was not Loha.

But I just couldn't accept the fact that common people, my subjects, would want me dead.

"Traasa's base is in Russovia." Dimitri looked at me steadily to convey his seriousness. "They've established just how unpredictable they are by targeting one of your cities. They aren't playing around, Rose."

I nodded, my fingers curling into a fist.

Ever since I'd learned of the betrothal, my thoughts were only ever concentrated on how I'd adjust to sharing a life with Dimitri. Traasa, Russovia, leaving Loha…well, I'd managed to keep those thoughts in the periphery, preferring to focus on Dimitri and I; us, our compatibility, our agreements and disagreements.

Perhaps in an ideal world, that would be all I had to worry about.

But it wasn't an ideal world.

It was a world where we were the rulers of nations.

Our people came first, not us.

"I cannot stress enough on the danger you'll be exposed to in Russovia." Dimitri's eyes betrayed a hint of pain. Talking about his beloved country like this was hurting him. "You cannot predict what traasa would do to you if they manage to capture you on one of these well meaning visits of yours. I know you can take care of yourself but you can't handle them alone."

I've always been proud of being a warrior; I knew how to defend myself and others if need be. I had a lot of faith, perhaps too much faith, on my abilities. Even now, I'd promise that if I were ever to encounter any of those traasa terrorists, I'd wipe the floor with them.

But the bombing of Gayodha had shown me that they weren't just petty miscreants. It would be naive of me to believe that I could handle them myself.

I hated it but I couldn't do anything, not when I had no idea how I'd deal with Russovia. Or rather, how Russovia would deal with me.

"I understand," I assured him, observing him as he relaxed slightly. "But promise me something?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me that you'll tell me everything about traasa," I told him strictly. "I don't like walking in blind."

A corner of his lips lifted up in a barely there smile. "Soon."

Even after everything that had happened between us, I rarely ever got a full smile from him. Sure, he wasn't exactly the Ice Prince he'd been when he'd first landed in Loha but there wasn't much improvement.

Why did he keep so much of himself concealed?

Why maintain that damn mask, even with me?

The man was to be my husband. We'd established a friendship, a connection to each other. I could safety boast that I knew him, understood him better than a vast majority of people did. Hell, I was probably one of the handful amount of people who actually knew Dimitri Belikov.

Why then did I feel like I'd barely just scratched the surface of the mystery that was Dimitri Belikov?


AN: So, I have no idea when the next update will be but I promise to see this story to it's end :)

Thank you for the support! :)