Ibrahim

Everything was set. I had looked over every guest list, every sleeping arrangement for the people staying over. I had even doubled checked everything in the kitchen was up to schedule. The October ball would be a huge success!

It was an event my wife had started in combination with the harvest festival the town always had. I had promised myself that I would keep this even alive until the day I die. I know this was an even Rose always looked forward to yet I could see this year she dreaded it at the same time. She had been so quiet lately. It was like she was holding whatever emotion she had in, I could sense that it was taking it's toll on her.

She had been great with all the tasks I had thrown her way and executed them flawlessly. I was proud to see how strong she's grown to be and how well she interacted and spoke to people. She was her mothers shadow and I knew she was strong, but I think when she found out that Dimitri and his fiancee would attend it was like taking a blow beneath the belt. Ever since then she has worked and worked, she had been head of decorating, music and anything related to the ball. Everything looks absolutely stunning, I was just worried she would let Dimitri and Meredith ruin her evening.

Lately I have spoken to her about Prince Antoni of Italy is coming. I have met him many times and he is a very kind and generous soul. He can come off a bit strong at times but it would be interesting to see how they get along. Duke Jean Bordeaux from France had also accepted. I knew he had always been a big fan of Rose. Hopefully she will allow herself to be distracted and maybe even give one of them a honest chance.

"I know that face" Oscar said as he entered my office. I smiled as he handed me a tea. I bought it to my lips, "Do you think she's ok?" was all I said.

"She will be, I think seeing them together might make it more official, it might be like a slap in the face, but it will help her move on" Oscar said guarded. He cared so deeply for her, I knew he would beat the living shit out of Belikov if I would let him. I was struggling with this as much as he was. Dimitri Belikov was one of my favourite up and coming rulers in Europe. He was a great man and he was incredibly talented and smart. I can see every bit in why Rose would have fallen for him, I want to hate him for how things are turning out. But the reasonable side of me says it isn't really his fault. Attraction is the thief in this game, he should be strong to resist.

I sighed shaking my head getting up, "Are you ready?"

Oscar grinned, "I am indeed, how do I look?"

I rolled my eyes, "Like a cute little button" Sarcasm was dripping from my voice. He laughed.

Oscar was dressed in all black with a red jacket with white details. It was tradition for the October ball for all men to wear Black, red and white.

"Do you reckon your daughter will wear something scandalous tonight?" Oscar joked as we left the office.

"I hope not" I grumbled under my breath. Knowing my daughter I knew she would always dress to impress, but as Oscar said the words I suddenly had a feeling she would definitely would exceed the expectations of beauty tonight. To be honest I would do the same, why not look so fucking great in front of someone you can't have, just to get that last final Revenge?

Rose

Tasha had curled my hair, it was falling gracefully down my back. I wore a pair of big emerald earrings with a diamond halo. A strong red lip and dark lined eyes made me feel like I was taking my look to the next level.

Stepping into the dress, Tasha helped me pull up the sipper. The dress was the most gorgeous and sexy thing I have ever seen. It was a complete black lace dress. It had a nude fabric underneath giving the edge that I had looked for. It was an off shoulder with long lace sleeves. The detailing was amazing, it was hugging my waist and hips before cascading down onto the floor with a small train at the back.

Moving back Tasha took in the full view and she had this evil smirk on her lips. "You look ready to conquer the world"

I looked at her over my shoulder, "Do think I'll win?"

She laughed, "Definitely! Now remember Prince Antoni, I've heard such great things about. Let him be your focus of the evening. Dimitri does't deserve a bit of you!"

I nodded taking in my reflection in the mirror. I took a deep breath. Show time!

Papa and I had planned this together for two weeks now, I had put my heart and soul into this ball. I knew it was my mama who was the creator and I wanted to prove to both my papa and myself that I could do this.

The decorations were very elegant, my idea was to create a warm and very romantic vibe in the autumn darkness. I think I had placed out over one hundred candelabras on tables and all around the room to set a mysterious vibe. Papa had a final inspection last night and he told me this would be the best one yet.

The tradition was all the guests arriving and then Papa and I would arrive together as the host and hostess of the party.

Walking down the stairs I saw Papa and Oscar waiting for me outside the big doors leading to the ball room. Stopping behind them I cleared my throat to get their opinion. Oscar turned first and his eyes went wide as his eyes laid on me. He nudged papa, as he turned he just taken a sip of something and the second he saw me the drink when down the wrong pipe and he started coughing.

I snickered, "I take it I'm making a statement?"

"You could say that" Oscar chuckled patting pappa's back-

"What-Where did you get that?" Papa said between coughs.

I smiled, "Louise dress shop in town, she said that she never knew who would ever be able to wear this but seeing me in it" I looked down, "She thought I could"

Papa cleared his throat, "Rose-"

I held up a hand stopping him before he could give me a speech, "It might be a revenge dress but I feel beautiful and like it or not sexy in this. This is what I will wear no matter how many people will whisper about me"

Oscar grinned, "Spoken like a true Queen" He said and winked. "You do look gorgeous"

"You look beautiful, to be honest your mother always tried new fashions and she was always first. This shouldn't really surprise me"

I smiled, "So I look ok?"

"Stunning" Papa smiled moving a strand of hair behind my ear. "Now, we have guests waiting" he offered me his arm and I took it.

You could hear the music playing through the door, It slowed down and turned into a grand string piece and the door opened.

The room was crowded with people and they were all facing our way. Papa guided me in and I smiled and nodded to people as we were walking by. I could tell my dress was already the topic of conversation, I didn't care, I loved it.

Papa stopped in the centre of the from turning towards the crowd. "Welcome dear friends, to the annual October ball" He grinned proudly, "It was an event my beautiful wife created many many years ago. This year my beautiful daughter had work had to make this the best one yet. I am very proud and I know your dear mama is too" He smiled towards me. He then turned back to the crowd, "Please, help yourselves to drinks and something to eat. Everything we have here tonight is form the local town and it's the best England can offer. Enjoy!" He said bowing his head slightly.

The crown applauded him. I curtsied to the crowd as a thank you. Music started again and people instantly danced. Papa led me to a group of people near by. We greeted and spoke to several couples. Papa was deep in conversation with a man who I think was the King of Austria as a footman came and handed me a glass of wine. I smiled and raised my brows slightly and he just smiled and nodded. He knew I wasn't a fan of wine, I was so thankful I didn't have to go find a way to weaken my wine.

I took a big sip as my eyes started scanning the crowds. I saw several familiar faces.

"You look beautiful" Oscar came up beside me and smiled. I smiled back feeling my shoulder un tense slightly. "Thank you" I smiled, "I'm happy this evenings finally here"

"You've outdone yourself Rose, have you seen Prince Antoni yet?"

I shook my head licking my lips, they had spoken about Prince Antoni all week long and I couldn't say I wasn't curious. "Where is he?" I asked.

Oscar looked across the room, "He's the gentleman right in the middle of that ocean of girls"

I rolled my eyes and Oscar laughed, "He is a nice man"

Studying him from a cross the room I had grimaced slightly. He was very handsome, he had dark brown almost black hair, tall and slim figure and a killer smile on his lips. The thing that put me off was the sea of girls hanging around him. He obviously thought quite highly of himself as he was clearly enjoying all the attention.

Oscar chuckled and I turned shooting him a glare, "What?"

"You're face says it all" He smiled. I sighed shaking my head letting my gaze move back to Antoni. "He obviously enjoys the attention" I said.

"And that's bad?"

I shrugged, "If you enjoy the attention of many ladies who says one is enough" I said giving him a meaning look. He nodded taking in what I was saying.

Looking up again my eyes fell on somebody else. She had blonde hair in perfect curls falling to her shoulders. Some strands pinned up. She was wearing a soft pink dream dress. Very sophisticated and classic princess. Full skirt and a sweet heart neckline. She was taller than me and had a narrow form. She looked beautiful, she looked like the sweetheart your parents hoped you'd bring home if you were a man. Her arm rested on a red jacket. It was fitted and shaped after his broad shoulders and tall form. His shoulder length hair was out looking very tidy. He had a small smile on his lips as the couple were talking to a small group.

She was clinging to him and wearing a dazzling smile. I felt my heart dropping and my hands going cold. I looked down instantly feeling like I wanted to leave.

I touched my dress, I felt so great as I walked in but seeing what she was wearing I just felt out of place.

"Don't you dare think anything less of yourself"

Oscars sudden words made my head snap up and meet his serious gaze.

"What?"

He looked quickly across the room. "I can tell you're comparing yourself, don't" I bit the inside of my cheek and shrugged in defeat. Oscar shook his head, "You knew she would be here tonight"

I nodded looking at my feet "I just hoped she'd be ugly"

Oscar chuckled before he nudged me, "She might be pretty, but she's got nothing on you"

I smiled sweetly. Looking up I sighed as I took in Meredith's form. She was pretty, beautiful even. My eyes were suddenly caught by Dimitri's. I swallowed as my gaze didn't move from his.

A cold wave went over me, I could see his eyes taking me in. My lips parted slightly as I could see him licking his lips.

I looked away instantly, feeling like I wanted to cry. Oscar had left my side, I looked around but he was nowhere to be seen. I closed my eyes for a moment, I remembered I still had wine in my hand. I put the glass to my lips before I tipped the glass back and emptied it within second. I put it on a tray before nodding towards one of the footmen to get me another one. I was definitely in need of a drink if I was going survive tonight with a smile on my face.

Another glass was placed in my hand and as I look up I was taken a back, Meredith and Dimitri were right in front of me.

"Your majesty" Meredith smiled and curtsied. I gave her a soft smile, "That's not needed" I said feeling odd as she curtsied.

"Oh" she blushed slightly before tugging slightly at Dimitri's arm. Dimitri who I now noticing were staring at me, now looked down on Meredith and smiled. "Sorry dear, Meredith Anderson, this is Princess Rosemarie Mazur"

"It's so nice to finally meet you, I've heard so many things of you" She said sweetly. I hated that she was so sweet and kind. Why couldn't she be a bitch?

I kept a small smile on my lips, "Nothing bad I hope" I fake laughed, "And please call me Rose"

"Rose" she smiled, "Have you and Dimitri met before?" She asked looking between us.

I licked my lips, "On a few occasions, congratulations to your engagement. My fathered mention it to me a few weeks ago"

The look on Dimitri's face almost looked like I'd punched him. I gave him a cold look before smiling towards Meredith as she spoke, "Thank you, I'm very lucky lady to have someone like Dimitri"

I just smiled before I tipped my glass back and emptied it. Meredith look a little stunned at my action and I smiled back at her, "It's an english thing, we like to drink"

She giggled nervously, "So um, are you engaged Rose?"

My smiled sobered up slightly and I exhaled, "No not yet"

"I'm sorry" I could tell Meredith felt bad for asking. Good.

"It's fine" My eyes moved to Dimitri as I said, "I have plenty of suitors, I just need to take my pick"

He shot me a glare, "Good for you, hope it's not a burden with so many suitors" I could hear the sarcasm in his voice. I rolled my eyes as no one was looking before I said, "Not at all, but it's hard when most men only enjoy a pretty face"

Meredith gasped as I said that and Dimitri sighed shaking his head. From the corner of my eye I could see papa coming over with no other than Prince Antoni. I sighed before they got within earshot, I put a smile on my face.

"Antoni, please meet my daughter Rosemarie" Papa smiled, "Rose this is Prince Antoni"

"Princess" Antoni but on a sickly grin as he took my hand and kissed it, "You are more beautiful than what the rumours are saying, you look very-" he eyed me up and down, "Stunning tonight"

My eyes flicked over on Dimitri and I caught him glaring at Antoni. I put on a dazzling smile and giggled, "Why thank you Prince Antoni, I have heard so warmly of you"

"Brilliant" he grinned.

"Dimitri" My papa smiled, "I don't believe I've met your Fiancé?"

Looking over Dimitri smiled looking down on his beloved, "Meredith, this is King Ibrahim, he is Roses father"

"Your majesty" She curtsied before smiling towards my papa.

Papa smiled, "It's lovely to finally meet you and congratulations of your engagement, Dimitri speaks very fondly of you"

She blushed and giggled, "Thank you, and thank you so much for having us tonight"

"It's a pleasure to have friends over, Isn't it Rose?"

Antoni was practically undressing me with his eyes and I felt annoyance starting to run through my veins. I smiled towards my papa, "It is"

"Why don't we go dance my princess?" Antoni took my hand and placed one of my lower back. I bit my lip to keep myself from telling him to get off me.

I put on a fake smile and nodded. I met Dimitri's gaze, "Lovely to see you both"

His eyes were fixed on me and his lips were in a straight line. I could feel them burning in my back as Antoni guided me onto the dance floor.

We got into position and move with the crowd of people. Antoni had a great smile on his lips, "I'm so please to finally meet your Rose"

"Me too" I said giving him a fake smile. I could feel his hand resting a further down my back than was appropriate. As he spun me around, over his shoulder I got a glimpse of Dimitri. He was looking at us both with that stone cold expression. His eyes looked black from here. For some reason it really annoyed me the way he was looking at me.

He had already decided, he didn't want me, he'd said it himself, he was the one walking away in Copenhagen, not me.

"You look absolutely beautiful" Snapping me out of my thoughts I looked up and saw Antoni's eyes travel towards my dress neckline and his grin grew, "You look absolutely exquisite tonight"

Disgusting.

"Thank you" I sighed.

"I can sense an attitude?" He raised his brows at me. I met his gaze without wavering, "I just think there's more to me than my looks" I said cleverly.

"I believe that a woman beauty is what should be here pride and joy" Antoni said with a daring voice.

Narrowing my eyes I continued to look at him, "So you're saying a woman's looks is all she have?"

"Don't be so literal Rose" He laughed. "I'm telling you how beautiful you are" He rested his head and his lips to my ear, "You look delicious tonight"

As he said that I could feel his hand slide down towards my bum. I huffed and moved back looking at his face. He sent me a sexy grin, I narrowed my eyes at him, "You truly are a piece of work aren't you?"

"Please Rose" he said shooting me a ridiculous look, "We both know I'm gorgeous, we both know how amazing we would look together. Stop fighting this and go with it" He pressed himself closer to me. I was dumb founded, I wasn't scared, I just found every word that left his mouth ridiculous and rather infuriating.

"Oh you mean why don't we just leave and go out in the hall were you can find out what's hiding underneath this dress?" I said with fake excitement.

He was just about to reply but I caught a head of him, "No thank you" I said moving his arms away from me turned and walked away.

I could see his smug smile as I walked away from the dance floor and it just pushed my buttons. No matter how hard I tried to stay away from Dimitri he kept being visible. It pushed me even further how pleased he looked that I was alone again.

I sighed feeling tired of this evening already. Dimitri was here with little miss perfect Meredith Anderson, Prince Antoni was just as self centred as the rest of the world. Looking up I saw Daniel Romanov and Jessie Zeklos. I felt ridged. I didn't need this, not now.

I could feel my eyes rolling as if on queue the two walked up to me. "Hello Rose" Jessie said as I could feel his eyes browse my body.

"Rose you look so beautiful tonight" Daniel grinned.

"Look I don't want to be rude but I really want to be alone-"

"Rose, i don't believe our dance was quite finished" Prince Antoni suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I pressed my lips together, annoyance was taking over. Three men, none of them which I liked, to be honest I found two of them appalling.

"I was going to ask her for this dance actually" Jessie said moving to my side. My brows pulled together, "Jessie I was just saying that I just want-"

"Since we were already dancing I believe it's my right to have Rosemarie to myself" Antoni said as if this was obvious.

"I'm not really in the mood-" I started again but Jessie cut me off.

"Since when is she yours?" Jessie spat.

I could feel my temper starting to boil, "Does anybody care if I even want to dance?"

"Drop the attitude Rose" Antoni rolled his eyes before turning back to Jessie, "Who are you anyway? It's clear her father already approves of me so why don't you just go home"

My jaw fell as Antoni snapped at me. I tried to step between them, I wouldn't let anyone walk over me like that. Before I could say a word Jessie pushed me back getting up in Antoni's face, "I've met Rose several times, she obviously appalled by you, why don't you get your ugly face home to Italy where at least someone appreciates it"

"Enough" I said through my teeth but nobody heard me. They were arguing about me talking like they actually fucking knew me yet they ignore me?

"Oh please, like she'd ever settle for anyone like you?"

I groaned and I crossed my arms over my chest and looked to my right. Dimitri's eyes were staring right at me. Meredith had her back towards me, her arms around Dimitri's waist. Dimitri's hands were resting on either side of her face.

I could see it in his gaze, I knew what he was doing. It all happened so quickly, but I could feel my stomach dropping. His eyes never left mine as he slowly leans in. I slowly shook my head, his eyes still meeting mine, as he places his lips on hers.

It was like someone knifed me in the back, he was doing it on purpose. He wanted to make sure I suffered and he had the nerve to kiss her while looking me straight in the eye.

It was the final straw, this evening I was suppose to forget about whatever past Dimitri and I've had and this prince Antoni was suppose to be my distraction?

I closed my eyes clenching my fists feeling the rage run through me. Dimitri's eyes flashed within my head and the image of him kissing her fell on repeat. As I heard Jessies and Antoni's voice I snapped.

"ENOUGH!" I screamed.

Shit 'bout to go doooooown! what will happen? :O

hehe, excuse my evil cliff hanger

xxxx