this chapter is dedicated to all those who have been awaiting update for this story

Chapter 7

Sleep did not invade me easily tonight. I recalled everything that happened hours before. Just a few hours ago I was cursing every woman in the world and now I am sheltering one of them. For some reason I felt Rose is different from all the others. The women who used to be in my company either worshipped me for my body or my money. But Rose she has so much innocence filled in her eyes that I wish she never loses it. Her eyes remind me of my mother, same brown eyes. Those eyes that could convey so much just by looking at them. She was such a sweet girl why did destiny have to be cruel towards her. Why do every time innocent people suffer from so much pain. The reason why I want to help her is a selfish one. Don't get me wrong I do respect her and will never land a finger on her unless she wants me to. Why am I thinking that way? She must be only seeing me as her protector and her protector I shall be. I want to help her because I want to do something right. Also because I have guilt hidden in me. The guilt of not being able to save my mother. Everyone thinks she died due to sickness but only me and my sisters know that she died almost every day by the beatings she used to receive from our father. My father was a heartless creature. He used to beat up my mother like hell. I never tried to stop him. That's the guilt that still hurts me from within. Major part of the reason I don't want to marry is because of the fear that I might turn into my father's steps. I don't want to harass an innocent girl. I saw to it that my elder sisters were married to honorable gentleman but still I can never move away from my past.

"Dimitri are you asleep." I heard a whisper. I found her sitting on the bed and the sheets drawn around her to protect her for the cold.

"No. Are you not able to sleep? Is something bothering you? Is the bed cold?"

"No it's just that I can't stop thinking of what will happen tomorrow"

"Don't worry we will find a way"

"I don't think there is a way out"

"As per me you can either go into hiding until you are 21 or you could marry a man of your choice. But be warned going into hiding means you will be denounced from the heritage it will go to your guardian. That bastard will get what he wants."

"I can't let my father's hard earned money to go to that evil person but I can't even marry someone just like that. I don't think I can trust anyone except myself and you off course" she said looking directly into my eyes.

"Thanks for the gratitude my lady but you have to marry someone that's the best option for you"

"But even if I agree who could marry me without any selfish motive. After what's happened I can't even trust men"

I thought about it for a moment what if

"But you trust me don't you?"

"Yes but you are different you are an exception" she said shrugging her shoulders

"Well than could you marry me?"

"What?!How can you even think of that?" she screeched and got up swiftly from the bed.

"Rose listen to me before you get a wrong idea. I am trying to help you. You and I could get married and stay together for a couple of months so no one has any doubts. I will legally inherit your property and after that we will file for a divorce and I will give your heritage in settlement. This way you could get your right and be free from that guardian and then you could marry someone you like. I promise you this will only be an arrangement between us just to show the people. There will never be any relation between us."

"And why could you do that for a stranger?"

"Well I did help you."

"But sheltering someone and getting married are two different things. And I can't ask so much from you without being able to give you anything in return."

"Well if it gives you a peace of mind the marriage might even help me."

"How?"

"A woman wants to force me into marrying her if I were married to you all her threats could be neutral"

"Why is she threatening you? And with what"

"Marrying me could give her a social statue and if I don't she could ruin my life. I am not ready to get married" I thought keeping the fact that she threatened to expose me as a father of her child could be good for now.

"Why don't you want to marry?"

"I just don't want to"

"I really don't know what to do?"

"It's your decision I won't force you into anything that you are uncomfortable with."

"Ok"

"Ok?"

"Yes I will marry you but I have a small condition. You will have to give me your word not to touch me ever"

"You have my word."

"Where will we get married?"

"Well give me some time I will think about that"

"I know I am becaming a burden for you. How I wish I could I could help it."

"Don't worry. But you will have to leave the inn in the morning before anyone gets up. I can't leave with you because it can raise suspicion. You have to take your horse and ride towards the north. After three hours you will find a hotel go there and ask for me. You will meet my valet he will show you a place to stay until I reach there. You can't go by the door you will have to climb down by the window. Do you think you can do all this?

"Yes I can very well try."

"Ok you can go to sleep now I will wake you up in the morning when it's time to leave."

"Good night Dimitri"

"Goodnight Rose"

And good night to all my readers