"Oh man. I would have given anything to see the look on Jesse's face," Christian laughed as Dimitri recounted him the brave tale.

"If you are talking about that, then the only face worth seeing was Kirova's," Dimitri laughed along with him. "Totally gob smacked!"

"You bet!" Christian dissolved in another fit. Both the boys were standing on the corridors in front of the library. Though it was Sunday and pretty deserted, they still received some odd looks from the other students lurking around.

"No really. You should have seen it. Roza and I had a hard time keeping a straight face!" Dimitri said recalling Kirova's initial shocked expression at the mention of offensive magic to attack another student, which changed quickly into disbelief, confusion and finally settled to angry. She had almost banged her head on her table as soon as she saw Rose enter her office.

"Roza, eh?" Chistian teased. "How did it go with her?"

A full smile broke into Dimitri's face as he recalled how it went. Except some parts (Mason and Jesse), it had been the best day of his life here at St. Vladimir's.

He would never have thought that Rose and himself would get along so well after the 'greetings' they made at Alto's class earlier but heck! She was so easygoing, that he had surprised himself by talking so much to someone. And to the credit, there weren't even one awkward point in the conversation. Granted that they were sticking to Animal Behavior as their subject of choice, Dimitri knew he could be comfortable around her, as in no need to pretend to be a saint soul.

He now partially understood why almost everyone near her was smitten by her presence. Sporting not only a killer body, but also her good nature, random flippancy added with her extraordinary sense of humor, she was truly a woman of every man's dreams. She was so full of life and spirit that she could light up a whole room with just her smile.

And by some unknown force, Dimitri was driven to make her 'his' woman. The idea of any other guy near her, moroi dhampir alike had his blood boiling. Recalling the look of pure worship on Ashford's face earlier, when he was engaging his Roza in his conversation, Dimitri growled involuntarily.

He knew Ashford was a good man and a decent fighter. Though no one in their year was as good as his Roza or Castile for that matter, Ashford surely secured his place in the top five. Dimitri himself was a good figher, as good as he could be being a moroi, but he certainly surpassed a good number of novices in the class.

Compared to him, Ashford didn't stand a ground in front of him in good – looks, but he certainly was handsome. With fiery red hair, baby blue eyes and lots of freckles adorning his face,he could be a heart breaker. While Dimitri's looks screamed 'sex on legs', Mason was the perfect 'cute' dude.

He could certainly get any girl he wanted, but NO! The bastard wanted his Roza. Huh! Not going to happen! Dimitri pledged.

"What's wrong Mitya? You suddenly seem upset?" Christian inquired seeing the annoyed look on his face.

Be it intentional or a mere co – incidence, at that same time, Mason rounded the corner and started walking down the hallway, they were standing in.

"Сукин сын!" Dimitri muttered under his breath, loud enough for Christian to hear what he was saying. The latter's eyes widened in curiosity as to why his friend, joking with him only moments before started swearing. He followed his line of sight and his eyes fell on the bulky red head.

By this time, Mason had felt someone's eyes on him and looked up to find an angry Russian glaring at him. He knew very well what this was about. Rose.

Mason too sent an angry and annoyed glare at his direction. Like earlier in the library, none of them wanted to back down. They both wanted the same thing, Rose's affection. And both were determined to score her. Christian detected the hint of challenge in Mason's eyes. Dimitri apparently noticed it too as he smirked. 'Game on!'

"I saw you with Rose earlier." Mason snarled.

"So did I," Dimitri replied coldly.

"Listen you well Belikov, very clearly, I don't want you anywhere near Rose," Mason had a sinister edge to his voice and had it be anyone else, he'd have shuddered.

But this was Dimitri we're talking about, nothing unnerves him. Well, a Dhampir brunette does, but that is irrelevant. He smirked,

"And if you find me near her? Then what mighty powers would you execute on me, Dhampir?" he mocked knowing full well that Mason, or anybody for that matter couldn't harm him. He was Eighteen, a Lord and something should be known very well, that the punishments for attacking a student and those for harming a lord were quite different, the latter being supposedly, more painful.

Mason clenched his fingers into a fist, he knew that well too, but nothing would stop him if the moroi even laid a finger on the love of his life.

"Whoa, stop it alright," Christian intervened sensing some sort of unfinished outburst. "Mason, Leave us alone please," he requested politely. While Mason and Christian had never been the best of friends, being the mutual friend of Rose, they both sure respected each other and so, with one long last look of disdain, he turned and left.

"What the fuck was that about?" Christian asked surprised.

"Ублюдок thinks, he could take away my Roza. Well, it's good that he knows that I'm not going to let that happen!" Dimitri said fiercely, with a dark edge to his voice.

Something about his tone had alarmed Christian as he turned to look at him cautiously, "Mitya, Are you alright?"

Dimitri shot him an irritated look and the rhetorical question, but sensing his line of thoughts with his gaze, he nodded.

"I'm alright Christian, just a little riled up," he said calmly.

"It's not because.."

"No," Dimitri cut him off firmly. Christian sighed in relief.

"Thank lord, had me worried there for a moment!" he said. Dimitri just nodded.

"And hey, I forgot to tell you something. Lissa had requested your company at the cafeteria. Apparently, she wants you to sit together with us during the meals, ya know? She said that way, you could spend some time with Rose, get to know her better? But I reckon she had just asked this to keep an eye on you!"

Both Dimitri and Christian laughed at that.

"Of course, I'll join. Any moment to spend with Rose is special," he said with adoration.

"So, see you tonight at the dinner then?" Christian said looking at his wrist watch to see; it was already the time to meet Lissa. Dimitri nodded and he took off.

As soon as Christian left, Dimitri's phone started to ring. Dread filled his features as he recognized the all too familiar number. He should have known better than to think she wouldn't come to know of this. He contemplated on not picking up the phone but decided against it, as it would worsen the situation.

With one deep breath, he hit the answer button, "Belikov."

"Detention for a week, and an additional two days community service, exclusive for me," Rose said replying Lissa's earlier question. "Honestly, I think Kirova's been lenient this time," Rose continued popping a chocolate ball in her mouth that she had so graciously saved in midst of this ordeal.

"Why did you get extra detention? I thought what Dimitri did was more…punishable?" Lissa asked frowning.

Come to think of it like that, Rose hadn't given much thought about it.

"Don't know, Royal privileges?" Rose shrugged.

"That's so unfair!" Lissa said with a scowl. She had an annoyed look on her face, like she didn't like what was going on, but let the matter drop.

"He gave you these?" She asked pointing to the bunch of yellow Roses sitting on her study table.

"These too," Rose pointed to the chocolates in her hands.

"But you don't like roses," Lissa asked curiously, anxious to know what had made her best friend accept the gifts, she disliked with her full heart.

"But I liked the fact that he apologized, minor mistakes can be overlooked and besides I told him I don't like those and to get me peonies next time I get angry," Rose explained popping another Chocolate ball in her mouth, muffling the last part of her speech.

Lissa raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, "And why would you say that to him? I believed you hated Royal moroi, I didn't think you like him enough to hang out with him, give him a 'next time'?"

"It's not true, you're a royal moroi but I like you," Rose smarted off.

"Yes, but I'm not trying to 'get into your pants and make you my blood whore'," Lissa said throwing her own words back at her.

Rose sat straighter, listening to Lissa. "I…I know..but, I don't know, he seemed kind of sincere.." Rose stumbled with her words.

"Relax Rose, I was just teasing!" Lissa giggled. Rose let out a relieved breath, she didn't like to be speculated under Lissa's gaze.

"And besides, I think he's cute," Lissa said stealing a chocolate ball from her box.

Rose chuckled. "Can I confess something?"

"Of course Rose," Lissa said sweetly.

"Usually, as you know, I don't like others fighting my own battles. I'm no damsel in distress; I can take care of myself, but..."

Lissa gave her an encouraging nod.

"But the way Dimitri today stepped up for me, against his own friends, knowing he'd get in trouble but still did it…I really liked it," Rose said, he cheeks burning.

"That's good. It would have been embarrassing for him to have helped you and you slapped him for it!" Lissa giggled and Rose joined her in her chuckles too.

"Liss.."

"Mmh..Hmm,"

"How does love feel like?" Rose asked flaming red.

Lissa looked at her oddly, but sighed nonetheless, "It's like the best feeling in the world. Everything seems happy, beautiful...It's like you see the world in a different light...If he is near you, your heartbeat accelerates and belly flutters, he makes you feel all sorts of things, it's hard to explain..."

Rose sighed. Before today, she had never given the topic of love any thought. It felt like an exaggerated description of an idle man, but after today…she felt something, some sort of spark, she had never felt with anyone. Her complete life had been devoid of love, her mother had never shown her any affection, and sure there were some people fond of her but talk of proper love…..

"How does one fall in love?" she asked softly.

Lissa chuckled, "Rose, love isn't some combat move that you have to learn, you just…fall , there's nothing you could do about it,"

Just then Rose said something, the question that had been reeling in her mind since the moment she left the class for Kirova's office.

"Queen Tatiana," Dimitri drawled boredly on his phone.

"Dimitri my boy, how are you?" a perfectly composed voice sounded from the other end. Dimitri rolled his eyes at the pleasantries, he knew the motive behind her call, but still, had to respect the monarchy."

"I'm good, your majesty. I hope you are doing well too,"

"Ah, yes! I'm perfectly fine. I was just curious about some phone call…"

Here it comes.

"I've been informed by St. Vladimir's authorities about some disturbing breach of the decorum of a classroom involving you…"

"Yes, your majesty. I used offensive magic to attack a student who was creating nuisance in the classroom.." Dimitri said straight.

"Any what was this said person doing..?" Queen Tatiana said calmly.

Dimitri proceeded cautiously, "He was trying to assault a girl…." well' he could bend the truth a little.

"A girl? That's interesting. Who might this girl be to elicit such a reaction from a calm man like yourself?" she said shrewdly.

Dimitri stiffened. No No No No No No No…Tatiana couldn't know about Rose..His Roza. NO.

"That is irrelevant, She is just a classmate and besides had it be anyone else too, I'd do the same," he said not giving anything away.

"That's okay, but I must remind you. Dimitri, you are not just a normal teenage boy, mistakes like these could be proved fatal." her voice was cold and creepy. So cold that an involuntary shiver ran down Dimitri's spine.

"Yes, my Queen, I apologize for my behavior and I promise, I'll make sure this never happens again in the future," he tried to say in his most polite voice and judging by her tone, she had bought it.

"Oh my boy, don't be so hard on you. I'm just trying to do what is in the best of your interest and future," she cooed.

"I understand," he said with a roll of his eyes. Best of his interest, huh! Tatiana never did anything without seeking her benefit in it, but he knew better than to tell her that.

"I'll leave you have a quiet night then, goodnight," she said and hung up before he could reply. He snorted at the little device in his hands. Standing in the corridors seemed no longer useful, so he decided to go back to his dorm to get ready for the upcoming 'group dinner.'

Despite Queen Tatiana's hidden threats, he grinned at the thought of spending more time with his Roza and took off.

…there you go.

What do you think of it? Tell me in the Reviews.

Love,

Lara.