Whoopie, update! Will update another tomorrow.

Rose

I was on cloud nine. Hell I was higher than that but cloud nine is what you say. I took another sip on my wine. The room was still crowded but the evening was coming to an end. I had been looking around for Tasha but I couldn't find her anywhere.

I took another sip and the mysterious look on Dimitri's face entered my mind again. A silly smile painted my lips as I let my mind have it's own free will.

"I know that look"

My bubble burst quickly as Oscar's voice woke me up. I sent him a crooked smile shaking my head as I finished my wine.

"Don't start with me" I said playfully about to kiss him good night and go to my room. Before I could do so he stopped me gently and said "Your father would like a word"

I sighed happily, "Fine, what does the old man what now?" I asked as he joined me walking out the big hall.

"I think he only wants to check in how your evening was before you go to bed" Oscar said with a calm look on his face. There was something off though which I instantly pick up on. I tilted my head to the side and studied him. "What's wrong?"

He gave me a questioning look and I shot him a knowing one, "I know something going on, you have that serious look on your face"

He shook his head as he knew I was right. My father then appeared with a similar look on his face. I raised my brows at the two of them, "What did I miss? The evening seem to have gone by flawlessly, what's with the frown?"

"Rosemarie-"

I made a face at him using my full name. My papa sighed before he continued, "Rosemarie there's something you should know before you make any assumptions-"

"Assumptions? Assumptions about what?" I asked feeling confused now.

"Dimitri" my father said eyeing me. My frown grew as I was very confused now. "What about Dimitri"

"I could see the way you two were looking at each other tonight"

"There was definite tension" Oscar filled in.

I cleared my throat feeling awkward about this conversation, "So what if there was tension?" I asked studying them both.

"Rosemarie, Dimitri is already to be engaged"

I felt my stomach drop suddenly and the frown turned heavy on my face. "He's what?" I asked surprised feeling anger lacing my voice.

"He is to be engaged to a Lady Meredith Andersen from Denmark" My father said with worry lacing his words.

I swallowed pursing my lips. I could have sworn the way he was looking at me, the way he held me, there was definitely something there. You don't just do that to someone when you're already someone else.

"Are you ok my darling?" my fathers voice woke me up from my thoughts and I looked between the two of them.

"I'm fine" I said looking at them like they were crazy, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"The way you were looking at him Rose, we both know that look" Oscar said looking at me with worry.

The way they both worried annoyed me and I let that feeling take over. "Well he was looking at me the exact same way" I said to my defence.

"I know he was" my father said as he pursed his lips, displeased.

I crossed my arms over my chest "So why are you both looking at me like I'm the one in the wrong?"

"Rose he's engaged, you're both in the wrong but you didn't know so we can't blame you" My father was looking at me like I was talking crazy.

"Maybe he doesn't love her, how is it wrong of me then to find that out?" I asked feeling the anger building in my stomach.

"Rose" my father warned as he knew where I was going.

"No I don't want to hear this" I said feeling frustrated, "I waited so long to feel like this and you ruin my night by telling me he's engaged?"

"We wanted to tell you before he led you on" Oscar said confused. "Rose" he sighed, "Lets all go to bed. It's been a long night and we can continue this conversation in the morning"

He gave us both a look and I nodded in agreement. "Good night" I said, kissing them both on their cheeks before I picked up my dress and walked up the stairs to my room. I groaned as I shut the door a little harder than needed behind me.

"Rose?" Tasha's head popped around the corner from the bathroom. "Everything alright?"

I sighed, "No, it was nut now it's ruined"

She gave me a small smile. "Want to talk about it?"

"I'll tell you everything tomorrow. I'm too tired now" I eased the tiara off my head, "Where were you tonight anyway?" I asked taking my earrings out, "I was looking for you"

"I wasn't needed so I had tea with the other maids and then tidied up in here"

I smiled, "Sounds like you had a calm night"

She smiled starting to un pin my hair "I did, but now i'm very curious about your night"

"I will tell you in the morning" I smiled, "Could I please have breakfast in bed tomorrow? I also want to pop into town to go to the market if you don't mind coming?"

"I'd love you, you know I love the Sunday Markets"

I smiled tired towards her excitement. Now I just wanted to go to bed and dream my life away about dreaming with Dimitri.

!

"They were dancing song after song and it was like they couldn't stop" Eddie explained to Tasha. Eddie escorted me and Tasha into town often since I should never walk alone. Since he is such a good friend it didn't feel as much as having a guard with you as having a friend.

Tasha was trying to get all the details from yesterday. Apparently all the maids had seen my long dance with Dimitri and it was the conversation at breakfast. I had breakfast in my room not really wanting to run into my father nor Oscar. I will talk to them again eventually but I was still a bit frustrated with their news. He was engaged? He is engaged… But the way he was looking at me, the way we couldn't stop dancing-

"A penny for your thoughts?"

My head snapped over looking at Tasha as she smiled knowing. She always knew when I was deep in thought.

"Her mind is preoccupied" Eddie smiled, "I heard your conversation in the hall last night wasn't very successful?" He shot me a worried glaze.

I sighed, "Enough with the worrying, my father and Oscar does enough of that!"

"Then what is it? And what was this conversation? Was that why you were upset what you came in?"

I nodded as we walked in silence for a moment. Then the words just seemed to pour out of my mouth.

"I have been waiting so long for someone to catch my eye, someone to just have a normal conversation with. To get that feeling my papa says he felt for mama the second he saw her that night when hey first met. Now I know it takes time and I have been quite ruthless lately with all the suitors coming around and not one of them ever has the courtesy to compliment my personality. It's always my looks" I frowned thinking about it.

"Then the second my eyes fell on Dimitri last night I felt it" I groaned, "Pardon me Eddie but that man is just so gorgeous, kind and so sexy I felt like I was loosing my mind!"

Tasha giggled and Eddie rolled his eyes with a wide grin on his face. "Then he just pulls me onto the dance floor and we dance. I felt so safe and happy the way he was holding me, the way he was constantly looking at me felt like he had nothing to hide. Like he really wanted to be here"

Then my shoulders dropped, "I was in such a buzz after my father and Oscar pulls me aside and tells me he's engaged?" I felt the frustration coming back.

"He's what?" Tasha's eyes went wide.

"That's why everyone was so curious about the situation yesterday, all eyes were on them as they were dancing" Eddie filled in, "I wanted to tell you before but I couldn't find you"

Eddie gave me an apologetic look and I smiled sadly, "I'm glad you wanted to tell me and I am happy in a way that papa and Oscar told me but-"

I stopped suddenly and it felt like my mind was going hundred mils an hour.

"But what?" Tasha asked taking my hand in hers.

"I could've sworn he was flirting back with me" I said looking at Tasha as if I had a hard time believing what I just said. "The way he was holding me, the way silence was enough, we didn't have to say anything to fill an awkward silence. it was just us" I took a deep breath, "I know it sounds silly but," I looked at Tasha and Eddie, "Would you do that if you were happily engaged?"

A frown painted Eddies face, "What do you mean?"

"I mean why would he do that if he was happy in the relation he already has? Does it mean he wants me or what does it mean? Cause I could never do that if I was with someone else?"

Tasha had a guarded look on her face, "I don't think anybody should do that if they're in a relationship wether they're happy or not"

"Then why would he?" I asked feeling confused and upset, "I know you must think I'm crazy but he never once mention or spoke of her. Doesn't that tell you anything?"

Eddie grimaced, "I don't know Rose, it feels like your entering dark water"

I sighed and nodded, " I know I am"

"I'm sorry" Tasha said and put her arms around me. I half hugged her back sighing again, "Let's go, I need food to distract my mind"

"Food is always your go to" Eddie joked. I rolled my eyes at him as we got closer into town. He was right though. Food is always a distraction.

The market was busy, I had remembered to dress down so I wouldn't stand out too much. I knew the regulars I use to visit always recognised me but I didn't mind that at all. The people were always kind and they weren't afraid to be real with me, which was something I always appreciated.

My father approved of me walking into town alone from I was sixteen as long as I always brought a guard. Eddie was a new starter at the time so I started bringing him along as well as Tasha. It had now become a little tradition of ours to go into towns once or twice a month.

Music was playing and the market was vibrant with colours and smiles. I usually wore a scarf over my head to take attention away, my hair was something a lot of people recognised, the long and dark curls.

Tasha had picked out a lovely dark green dress with embroiled golden details. A Matching soft gold coloured lace scarf covered my head and shoulders as we were walking through the crowds. Tasha had wore a blue dress that I knew was one of her favourites. At the market I always said she could dress as she wanted because we weren't at the palace where maid attire was essential for staff.

Tasha and I were holding onto each other as we were pushing through the crowds to our favourite dress shop. We walked in and the owner instantly recognised us.

"Rosemarie, Natasha so lovely to see you again! Did you like the dress she got you? The midnight blue one?"

I grinned towards Louise who I knew was greatest seamstress I have ever met. "It's lovely to see you too Louise"

"The dress was perfect" Tasha winked, "She owned the room last night"

I grinned, "All thanks to you"

Louise blushed slightly, "I have some new ideas I am trying, would you like to have a look?"

Tashas and my gaze met and we were then distracted for a good hour. Eddie took a trip around the market picking up some bits for himself and we agreed to meet by the bread and pastries stand. Mr Goode was always the best to go see during the market, he was a definite favourite.

"Rose oh how lovely! Here my child come and have some samples" I laughed letting go of Tasha walking over to give Mr Goode a quick hug. He was the first stand I stopped by on my first trip here, I've come back ever since.

"It's good to see you Simon" He didn't like it when I called him anything formal. He was an old man but nobody could bake like him. "Here my love, try this" He held up a piece of bread and I popped it into my mouth. I moaned in pleasure and smile towards him, "How do you do this? You always manage to come up with new flavour better than the last one"

He grinned proudly, "Mary" he then shouted, "Look who's here"

I turned around and saw Simons wife make a little scream on joy as she put her arms around me. "Oh my dear Rose has finally come back" She kissed both my cheeks and I laughed as she pulled my scarf back and kissed my head. This couple was so full of love it was impossible not to love them.

"Rose?"

My head then snapped up as a familiar voice made my stomach jump. On the other side of the table he suddenly stood. Wearing a dark blue jacket, white shirt black trousers and boots.

My eyes narrowed as I took a second look, "Dimitri?"

A grin came across his face, "What are you doing here?"

"I-I" I smiled again feeling this rush of happiness run all over me, I was so surprised yet incredibly happy to see him.

"I always come to the market every now and then" I said then tilting my head taking him in, "I thought you had left town"

He put his hands in his pockets "I had business in a village not far from here, so I thought I'd come by for lunch"

Mary cleared her throat and I jumped a little, "And who might this young man be?" she raised a brow towards me.

I smiled, "Sorry Marie" I put an arm around her, "Dimitri this is Mary and Simon Goode, they are my favourite bakers in town" I said sweetly.

"Pleasure to meet you Mary" Dimitri said taking her hand across the table giving his a small peck and a wink.

I could have sworn she was about to faint. I giggled as Simon rolled his eyes and laughed, "Where are you from Dimitri?"

"Russia sir, I traveled here for yesterday's event at the palace"

"How lovely, now are you a suitor of Rose?"

"Simon" I said elbowing him shaking my head. "Excuse him, I think I should leave before he starts his twenty questions"

Dimitri laughed, "Would you like to come for a walk with me?" He asked meeting my gaze. I bit my lip and nodded. I knew I probably shouldn't but I had no will power in me to say no.

I gave Simon and Mary a kiss on the cheek and told them I will be back for more bread soon, my father will love it! They laughed as I walked around to the front of the stand. Dimitri offered me his arm and I looked at it for a moment hesitating. I took a breath before I took it.

He started guding me through the streets. "I think I saw you earlier today but I wasn't sure. Then when I saw you behind the counter at the bakery stand I just had to say hello"

"Why didn't you think it was me earlier?" I asked curious.

"Firstly I've never seen a princess alone at a town market before" He chuckled, "You were covered by the scarf so I couldn't see properly. As soon as Mary took the scarf off of your head I knew it was you."

I smiled, "What gave me away?"

"Your hair" he said. I noticed he was studying me.I hadn't even thought of my hair was all out. I hadn't done anything to it this morning so I was just falling around my shoulders. "Your hair is beautiful Rose, just like you" he said his gaze not wavering from mine.

I ran a hand through it trying to hide my blush. I bit my bottom lip feeling like a little girl.

He then stopped and I felt his hand under my chin, gently turning my face towards his, "Don't hide" He murmured lowly." my eyes traveled up his face. His lips looked so good, soft and inviting. I bit my lower lip again before my eyes moved to his eyes.

Amusement filled them and a smile tugged at his lips, "You're even more beautiful when you blush"

My heart was pounding in my chest as his hand was still under my chin. I swallowed as i felt his eyes wander across my face.

"Rose?"

Dimitri's hand quickly disappeared from my chin, both our head turned to the side seeing Eddie and Tasha standing there eyeing us carefully.

I gave them both a small smile, "There you are" I said before I looked towards Dimitri, "Dimitri was just helping me find you"

Dimitri gave them both a small nod moving his arms behind his back. "Um, Dimitri this is my good friends Eddie and Tasha"

"Pleasure to meet you" Dimitri smiled, before they could say anything Dimitri touched my arm, "I should go"

I opened my mouth to say something when he lifted my hand to his lips, his eyes firmly on mine, that secret small smile he always gave me. His lips pressed against my skin for a few seconds longer than what was appropriate. My breathing became uneven as he pulled away, "Until next time"

Then he was gone.

Right, Thoughts?

Hope you have a good evening xxxx