Loved the reactions to the last chapter! Got Part II ready for you already :) Enjoy!

Rose

Dimitri had stayed outside my room for over half an hour last night trying to get me to speak to him. It wasn't that I was trying to be annoying or childish. It was the face that I didn't want to hear another excuse, it felt like in such a short period having me in his home he's just so use to making the decisions, like he's the traditional man in this relationship and I was suppose to sit sweetly and wait around for him? I don't think so.

I was getting ready to go down to the meeting with the council. It was starting at two and I was making sure I would go down on five minutes ahead. Knowing Dimitri he would go down early hoping to catch me before. I wasn't going to give in that easy.

It's not only Dimitri I'm frustrated with, it's the majority of the leaders in this country. I know that all countries work differently and all have their own routine, but what they are trying to achieve, what they are doing is absurd.

Trying to stay calm as I was walking to the meeting, not to be worked up getting there and cause too much of a stir up, it wasn't truly working. Dimitri was visible the second I came walking down the hall. He was pacing around the hall, arms behind his back, hair falling around his face as he looked deep in thought.

He looked up as he heard my heels as I was walking down the hall. I kept a neutral look on my face as I came closer. I was right on time for the meeting to start.

"I was hoping you would come down earlier so we could talk before the meeting start" He said annoyance lacing his voice.

"Well I\m here and the meeting is starting now" I said simply, "Shall we go in" I continued starting to walking in, but he caught me before I could take more than two steps.

"You're not planning anything are you?" He asked. His eyes were intently searching mine as his face was mirroring his stern voice. Raising my brow towards his hand around my upper arm before meeting his eyes I said calmly, "No Dimitri, I am not planning anything. I am here for a meeting and then I will return to my room"

"Rose just-ugh" he sighed, "Could you not do this, I don't want to fight with you, I love you, just please don't do anything stupid in there"

I felt annoyance wash over me as he said that. Taking a deep breath, doing my very best to hold back in saying anything hurtful, "Believe me, I won't be the one saying anything stupid in there, the rest of you will do that for me" And I left it at that. Pulling my arm out of his hand I walked towards the door. He followed suit.

The long table was filled with only two seats empty, Olena was sitting at the head of the table, we were seated on her right. Dimitri pulled out my chair as we got there and as soon as we sat down the meeting started.

Olena stood up, "Thank you all for joining us today for our second monthly meeting for this year. Today I have asked my sons girlfriend Princess Rosemarie of England to join us. I want her to see the way our great country is run and also to get a deeper insight and maybe even opinions on todays main subjects. I here by open this meeting and hand over the word to Lord Marx who will go through todays discussions"

The first hour of the meeting was pretty much like any other meeting. They were discussing everything from budgets to important events coming up. It wasn't until they brought up the two main subjects when I felt confused. First was changing the age of military recruitment, secondly came asking for a higher contribution for the annual military budget.

Frowning the first thought that his met was, Why is this the only important topics? Is this the way every meeting go or is it some strange military theme this month? And where are the people requests? Where are the troubles the people is having that they need a higher authority to make a decision in the matter?

My frown stayed on as they started to discuss the first topic. the current recruitment age is Seventeen. Which is already three years younger than what it is in England. I could agree that Eighteen is a suitable age as well but as I was sipping on my water I almost choked as I heard one of the academy officials speak up on their suggestions.

"I'd like to suggest the age of Fifteen to start recruitment for The military academy. Yet also set the roof higher for recruitment in a war situation to sixty five years instead of Fifty. I believe the earlier we can train and shape the younger generation of this country the stronger and more prepared we will be. And raising the age of staying in the army we leave the proud men of this country with a longer purpose"

I could hear people all around agreeing and silently discussing among themselves. As I looked around a lot of people were nodding.

The man continued, "We want to protect our own and the best way in doing that would be strengthening our defence and making sure nobody will ever think of starting anything with our great nation"

Russia was a proud country, I had heard of their people to be very proud and their army was a piece of work. I couldn't blame them, they worked incredibly hard, but I don't understand how this is going to make their country more successful? It only sounded like a group of men playing a war game.

Pursing my lips I took a deep breath biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself from saying anything. I could feel Dimitri's eyes on me. Not being able to help myself I glanced his way. I couldn't read him for some strange reason, his face was stern, focused. I wanted to grab his hands, lace my fingers through his under the table, but I knew he wouldn't appreciate it in a moment like this.

As the meeting continued they went around the table to get opinions on the subject and the academy's suggestions. In that moment I felt hope, I thought somebody must object. At fifteen you're still a baby. You can't even sit through a whole meeting without becoming restless, how are you suppose to train for the army?

As each member around the table gave their opinion I was stunned. Each person agreed more or less and it lit up something in me. Who is defending these teenagers who barely have started their life? Worse is that they might not even have a choice to join judging by the way this meeting is going. And taking away fathers from their families for even longer? Do they even have a heart in this country?

I knew my emotion must be like a heart on my sleeve, I was trying hard to keep myself contained, I just didn't understand the way this meeting was going nor how it was going to end. Here are these people sitting around a table making decisions for a people I'm not even sure they know.

Continuously I was shaking my head as they continued. They were talking about the militaries previous budget and what they wanted to achieve and what they needed to get there.

What are they doing?

Dimitri had spoken a few times, it was always very brief. In situations like this it was more left for the council to discuss and offer their opinion as they went.

By now I was sitting with my arms crossed and not even looking at the council. I felt childish for some reason, I wanted to leave. I felt like I couldn't just sit there and let them do this to their own people. If only I could just-

"Rose"

As Olena's voice rung out catching my attention I instantly pushed my thoughts aside. The room was quite, I straightened up in my chair.

"Yes?" I asked meeting Olena's gaze.

"I would love to hear your opinion on these matters"

I raised my brows slightly, not really thinking she actually wanted to hear what I had to say. Before I could kindly decline she said, "I have been studying you as the council has been discussing and I think that as a outside opinion you might not agree with everything or have some sort opinion to offer?"

One of the officials stood, leaning on the table as he said, "My queen is this really necessary-"

"I want to hear her opinion" she said eyeing who ever had spoke up. The man sat down quickly, staying silent. Olena's gaze moved to mine, "Rose, Please" she said holding her hand out as if I now has the floor to speak freely. "And be honest, I always appreciate honesty"

Swallowing I slowly rouse in my chair. Taking a deep breath i steadied myself, I had spoken in front of the council back home many times, I could definitely do this.

"From what I know, this nation have one of the greatest armies in the world. Nobody can compete with you. You have a people that is incredibly proud to be a part such greatness and I'm sure it has been a lot of work building all this" The room looked proud, each member that I was just going to agree and kindly encourage them with they suggestions.

How wrong they all are…

"But after listening to your discussions I am quite surprised and shocked even to be very honest" I said placing my hands on table.

"About what?" One of them asked.

Biting my lower lips I considered once more if this was really a good idea… But I decided to go with it.

"Firstly, as bluntly as this may sound, I'm unsure if you even know your own people, do you even know what they want?"

"Excuse me?" I heard someone blurt out.

Olena held up her hand for them to stay silent and only nodded for me to continue.

"I know the people are proud to have their sons and fathers to be able to be a part of the most powerful force of the world. But I cannot believe that lowering nor raising the recruitment age will help you with anything"

"And you know this because of experience?" One of them said, his voice full of venom. I knew I would get a lot of comments on this, and I hadn't even started fully yet…

"I know that protecting your own is what's important and I am sure that's how this started. But why build up and army when there is no war?" I asked.

"This is ridiculous" The general of The academy said, "You have no education within this matter, you are clearly speaking out of emotion, you don't know what's out there!"

Narrowing my eyes I met his gaze full on, "If I have no experience, then maybe I'm not a princess over one of the most successful countries in the world either?" I said firmly giving him a harsh look, "And since you do seem to have the answer to everything general, please, tell me, who are you building this army for? The world already know of your greatness, why are you building up an army if there isn't anybody to fight"

"It is what we are known for, we cannot back down" he said firmly.

"I am not telling you to back down, what I am trying to say if I think there is plenty more things to set money towards than an army that is clearly already achieving greatness. You are wasting people lives by constantly staying prepared for something that isn't coming. What's the point with that?" My voice had authority and even an edge of sharpness.

"I cannot believe that we are sitting here listening to this" he said then, "No disrespect my queen but is this necessary?"

Before Olena could answer I leaned forward to catch his attention, "Why is it that my opinion is unnecessary when you cannot even answer a simple question. I have asked you twice and yet you cannot seem to come up with a legit answer"

Dimitri placed his hand on mine, "Rose, stop" he warned. I moved my hand away from his as I continued.

"If there is something that unnecessary it is taking away people from their families at an even earlier stage. You are tearing apart family, taking away sons from their mothers, taking away their fathers. Doesn't that mean anything to you? You're ruining peoples lives!" I said looking around the room. "Why are you sitting here planning a war nobody but you are preparing for?" Silence fell, "The world is at peace, why disturb that just to flex muscle?"

"I find this truly offensive" The general stood up once again, "Are you trying to say that we, the council of this country, along side it's queen and future king do not know how to run our own country?"

I glared at him. He had just done what I hoped he wouldn't. He had twisted my words into something that's it's not. If you were to listen to only part of what I was saying then yes it could come off that way. But that was not what I was trying to say.

My head was going hundred miles an hour trying to find the correct words to say.

"Are you?"

It felt like a punch in the stomach when I heard his voice ring out on the silent hall. Slowly shaking my head I felt betrayed.

Slowly turning towards Dimitri, he was leaning back in his chair, resting his cheek on his knuckle as he had a dangerous look on his face. He raised his brows, silently asking me again, daring me to answer and talk back to the prince himself. Little did he know that titles didn't matter. If you are being ridiculous with your opinions and cannot handle when somebody questions it, tough.

Licking my lips I made sure I looked Dimitri straight in the eye as I said, "It is not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is if all of you actually spent time focusing on more important things, I believe your country would be even greater"

I could see Dimitri's fist clenching and fire igniting in his eyes. "What is that suppose to mean?" His voice cold.

"It means if you were to focus more on your people, taking them in consideration, this would be a much more useful way spending your time" Turning towards the council I continued, "If you do not know your people, then who are you leading? Who are you here for? Because to me it seems like the military is the only thing that matters anymore"

"How dare you speak like that?" The general hissed. "You know nothing of this-"

"I know nothing?" I interrupted huffing before giving him a big fake smile, "If I know nothing than how is it that a general of the great academy cannot even take the heat of a woman questioning his motives? That's not greatness, that's someone trying to cover up when they know that I'm actually right. Why don't you Man up!" I said

Dimitri was out of his seat grabbing my arm, "Rose, Stop it"

"Or what?" I snapped, daring him to stop me.

Meeting his gaze I glared, "I am not going hold back because he cannot handle it" I snapped. "You're all suppose to be big strong men and yet you cannot handle it once a woman speaks up and actually points out what is wrong with the routine you are stuck in. Can't you see it? Or are you truly that blind?"

"Enough!" Dimitri half shouted. My head snapped in his direction. Shaking my head I pulled my chair out, "Fine" I said through my teeth, turning to the council, "Continue to play war and gear up for a war that's not going to happen, recruit every single person into your army, drive your people so far into the ground until you don't have anyone left to protect, continue pretending, but i'm not going to listen any further to this, I find you all absolutely ridiculous and excuse me but too far up your own arses to know any better"

Turning to Olena I said, "May I be excused?"

She had a half amused, half trying hard to hold it in look on her face as she nodded once. As I turned Dimitri a caught me, telling me to stop. Pulling my arm away I turned to him hissing "You can't tell me anything, if you cannot handle it then I'm just too much for you!"

With that I turned and walked out.

Shutting the door I walked down the hall. Moments after I could hear someone coming through the door and I knew he was coming for me. God knows how this would go down…

I should have continued walking, but Feeling so worked up and angry after that meeting, I couldn't help but stop to face him. But before I could say a word Dimitri's voice was ringing through the hall, "Do you understand how incredibly stupid and embarrassing that was? Do you even comprehend what you do sometimes? Or do you just decide to act as reckless as you can?"

I rolled my eyes, "If they cannot handle the truth then what are they doing on the council who's guiding this country?" I challenged.

Dimitri groaned, "Rose you cannot just speak-"

"Is it my fault their opinions are dated back to more than a hundred years back? Is it my faulty that this world is dominated by men and no matter what I would have said it would have been seen as Ridiculous in their eyes?" I asked. when he didn't reply I was shaking my head, "But do you know what I'm having so much trouble comprehending, it's the fact that you let them think this, you let them get away with it!"

"Don't you dare put all their opinions on me, it is not up to me to say what they should think!" He snapped back.

"But it's up to you to lead!" I argued, "Who the fuck cares what I said in there, what is needed is somebody who can see what is good for the people and that is clearly something they do not see"

I could tell I was pushing Dimitri towards the brink of sanity, but the truth is rough sometimes.

"Change them, update what is outdated and look after your country-"

"If you tell me one more time that I do not know how to run a country that I have been co running since I was eighteen I will make sure you regret it!" He threatened.

Growling I was shaking my head, "Threaten me all you want, this is who I am Dimitri, if you can't handle that then-"

"Meredith never brought me this much of trouble" I heard him say under his breath as he was shaking his head.

Stopping mid sentence, my eyes narrowed as I felt myself freeze as I was completely in aw to what he had actually just said. Closing my mouth I felt my lips go tense, clenching my fists I could feel rage spurting through my veins. Angry tears starting to sting my eyes, pressing my fists along my sides I hissed "What?" Through my teeth.

The moment his eyes met mine I knew he instantly wished he could take back what he just had said. Too late now.

Running his hands through his hair he sighed, "Rose I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean-"

"Yet you still fucking said it!" I screamed. I felt the urge to slap him, felt the urge to hit him so hard he would feel it for weeks.

He took steps closer but I pushed him away as he came too close, shaking my head violently as my tears were at the brim. "I can't fucking believe you" I said through my teeth. I was shaking with anger. "You inconsiderate, arrogant, asshole!" I swore. Screaming out loud, the sound was bounding between the walls.

"Rose I-"

Turning away from him I was doing everything within me to not say anything equally hurtful in return.

"I cannot believe what you just said. That after all we've fucking been through you take that and you throw that in my face?" Tears were now rolling down my face. "And here I continuously hear and think that I'm the childish one?" I huffed shaking my head, "The tables have clearly turned" I said venomously.

"Rose please, I know that was-I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking I-"

"That seems to be something you're doing a lot lately' I snapped cutting him off. Coming up close to him, I stopped just a few inches away from him, "With everything within me I want to so fucking badly badly call you every name in the book, I want to call you something even worse and make sure that you're the one hurting tonight, but that continuously, for some reasons seems to be me" I said bitterly.

As he was trying to touch me I held my hands up baking away, "You know what Dimitri, don't hurt yourself. Look out for number one, and that's clearly yourself" Bitter anger was written all over his face, "I seem to be the only one who's been growing up in this relationship, I'm not really sure where this is going to be very honest"

He had a very stern look on his face, as I laughed humourlessly while shaking my head, "The worst thing is that you're not even defending me in anyway. Do you even want me here?"

"That's a ridiculous-"

"Really?" I asked "It's your mother who wants me around!" I half shouted, shaking my head, "Why don't you let me know when my Dimitri is back, the one I fell heedlessly in love with and would do anything for! If he's even in there, because ever since I've been here, the Dimitri I have seen isn't what I imagined" I snapped.

Which that I walked to me room and slammed the door.

D POV

When Rose slammed the door hard, I jumped.

Resting both my hands on the table I growled. The room was silent, it continued until my mother cleared her throat, "Well I think she's right"

My head snapped up as I was caught of guard. In that moment I knew I had to go after her. I was raging on the inside, I just couldn't believe she would do that? It's being incredibly disrespectful towards the whole council the way she acted. It was just out of control.

I felt like I wanted to agree with her, but I just felt too emotionally involved with what she had just said. I asked her before we went in not to do anything, yet she does? It's infuriating!

Going after her I knew she would give me an earful but I couldn't take it. I was angry and irritated she wouldn't listen, she never does! But at the moment when the words have left my mouth, Meredith never brought me this much trouble I instantly knew I had done wrong.

Thoughtless and very, very stupid.

When she started to question if I even wanted her here I was getting even more infuriated, how could she doubt that? How could that thought even enter her mind?

As she was walking away, seeing the angry tears falling down her cheeks. I knew I had to follow. Banging on her door I knew she didn't want me there. But I couldn't just let her be after what I've said.

I was angry, I felt guilty and I am too proud.

How will this end?

What do we think? Is this the way you thought it would go? Surprised? What will happen next?

xxx