You guys are so awesome reviewing immediately! I would like to apologize, I was a little tired when I wrote the first chapter so some crazy words might have appeared out of no where. Also, I'm not the best writer and don't know when I should but Shakespearian words in. I'll try my best. I would also like to add that Disney Princess's have helped me out with this. Here's the next chapter!
"Do you wish to go home, or no?" Clinton asks her.
"Thank you, Clinton, but no. I would not like to return there for a while." Natalia says.
"I have a home just at the border of the town. There is an extra room with a bed, and plenty of food." Clinton says.
"I don't wish to intrude on you." Natalia says.
"Please. No one lives with me. I do not mind." Clinton says.
Natalia sighs and agrees. Clinton helps her up and they slowly start walking. It was a long journey before they reached his house. His house was small, but cozy. Natalia felt at home as soon as she enters.
"Are you hungry? You seem famished." Clinton says.
"Not really, thank you. I normally don't eat much." Natalia replies.
Clinton nods and shows her to the room. He leaves her so she would have some privacy. It was small, but suitable. Just the right size for a night or two. Knowing Ivan, he would find her easily. The town seemed to be full of spies. But Natalia didn't want to leave. She had a right to stay, didn't she? It didn't matter. Her father would force her to go home.
The next morning Clinton was awake when knocking was heard. He opens the front door to see Ivan and Alexei.
"Are you the man that has Natalia?" Ivan demands.
"Yes. She's asleep right now." Clinton asks.
"Did you take her?" Alexei asks.
"I found her crying at the fountain and invited her in." Clinton answers.
Natalia wakes up and goes to find Clinton. She tenses when she sees her father and Alexei talking with Clinton.
"Natalia! How dare you run away and go with this man!" Ivan says.
"Father, I can explain." Natalia says.
"No. You are coming home right at once." Ivan says.
"But Father! Clinton is a good man." Natalia says.
"Please don't argue. Come home with us." Alexei says.
"Yes. Come home with us now. Tell Clinton goodbye and meet us outside." Ivan says. They both walk out.
"Thank you Clinton for letting me into your home. You're a very kind man and I'm sure you'll make your family very happy." Natalia says.
"You are welcome her anytime." Clinton says. He kisses her hand and lets her leave.
"I don't want you to ever see that man again." Ivan tells her as they walk.
"Father-" Natasha starts.
"No. Alexei is the man you will marry." Ivan says.
"You cannot force me to be happy if I do." Natalia says.
"He has promised to make you happy." Ivan says.
"I would do anything to make you happy." Alexei adds.
"Please, may I just have time alone?" Natalia asks quietly.
"If you insist. You and Alexei are going out to the market at noon." Ivan says.
Natalia sighs and nods. When they arrive to her house, she goes to her small room and starts reading her book. It was almost noon when she put on a simple teal dress for their outing, which she wasn't looking forward. Hopefully she would be able to get a new book.
"Natalia? Are you ready?" Alexei calls.
Natalia comes out, her hair pinned back out of her face. Alexei smiles and takes her by the arm as they head out. There wasn't much talk as they went around.
"Tell me, Natalia, what kind of flowers to you like?" Alexei asks her.
"I've always been fond of the cymbidium orchid." Natalia answers.
"Let me by you one." Alexei says.
"There so expensive! I wouldn't want to waste your money on a flower." Natalia says.
"Please, Natalia. Let me." Alexei says.
"If you insist. But I'll have to pay you back." Natalia says.
"Being my betrothed is enough." Alexei says.
Natalia only sighs. Alexei gets her the flower and asks where she would like to go.
"Could we go to the library?" Natalia asks.
"The library? Why?" Alexei says.
"I just love books. They always have lessons." Natalia says.
"Even the ones with no pictures?" Alexei asks.
"Those are the best." Natalia replies.
"I really don't think you should be reading. Feeling your head with all this silly stories." Alexei says.
"The are not silly." Natalia says.
"Fine, Natalia. We will go to the library." Alexei says, leading the way.
This was the best thing to happen to Natalia all day.
It was almost sundown when they got home, so Natalia started cooking while Ivan and Alexei had some 'man time'. This was Natalia's least favorite task. She loathed cooking beef stew. But it's what her father wanted, and you have to make your father happy. It took some time, but it was finally perfected an hour later. Natalia ladled it out and put it into bowls. She set the table and put rolls out. Then, she goes to outside to tell them it's ready.
"Father! Alexei! Supper is ready!" Natalia calls.
The men both come rushing in, clearly hungry. Natalia sat politely, not making a mess, noticing how Alexei and her father ate. The splashed the stew everywhere and talked loud about war. She grew bored quickly.
"Natalia had me go to the library with her. Such a boring place." Alexei tells Ivan.
"Oh, she loves the library. Don't you, Natalia?" Ivan asks.
"Yes, very much." Natalia says.
"But there's nothing interesting. Just books. Most of them don't even have stories about war." Alexei says.
"Exactly how I feel about it, my boy." Ivan says.
"Maybe if you two would just use your imagination, you would enjoy the books." Natalia says.
"You are just feeling your head with stories." Ivan tells her.
"Excuse me, I must be getting ready for bed." Natalia mumbles. She quickly leaves.
Natalia gets herself ready for her sleep. All she wanted to do was see Clinton again.