Heavy Lies The Crown

by delirious-girl

In a Moroi world where women never mattered much, Rose is forced to marry Ivan and take her place as his obeying wife. Stubborn as always, she won't give up without a fight and when she becomes too difficult to handle, a stoic but boring Russian gets assigned to keep an eye on her. What can Rose do when feelings start to arise for her protector but never for her soon-to-be husband?

5. I can't wait to play catch with this guy

So, it is snowing a lot where I live, which means no Friday night out for me. I guess you guys are in for an early update because I have the time to review the chapter :)

Have a nice weekend people.

Love you lots! ❤❤❤

Plus: am I the only one whose heart got completely shattered over the cancelation of the TV series?

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CHAPTER 3 – I can't wait to play catch with this guy

Rose's POV

"Belikov." the Lord points his hand toward me and the guardian gets moving.

He approaches me and kneeling, he kisses my hand. Oh, I fucking hate these showings of respect. Couldn't we have, I don't know, shake hands?

"It's an honor to serve you, Princess."

I don't know what I should do as I see him still kneeling in front of me, and I'm guessing something is expected of me. I don't know anything about the etiquette, and not that I really care about it, but this shit still feels embarrassing. I pull my hand out of his and pat him on the shoulder. Some servants chuckle behind me, and that's the second I'm aware that more people joined us. Looking around me, everyone's smiling. Fuck, it seemed like a good idea!

Even if I expected it, no one made a mocking comment about it, so Belikov gets up and remains beside me as the great Anton Zeklos is filling the room with useless words to boost his ego. He starts explaining how he thought to bring the greatest guardian around to deal with me, and then goes on to tell everyone that they won't get a pass just because Dimitri is here, as they will still have to pay attention to me, and if they mess up, there will be consequences.

When he started kissing his own ass a little too much, I take half of a step back and lean a little closer to my new guardian.

"Honor my ass. You don't like me."

Keeping his eyes pinned forward, I can barely see his lips moving as he speaks.

"My preferences don't matter. I am here to serve you and keep you safe and that's it."

"You could serve me by jumping off that window."

I know so damned well I have met my match in him, not only in skill, but in ego too. I will not be able to fool him that easily and he sure doesn't hold back from responding to my stings. From now on, this house is close to inescapable and unbearable. But that doesn't mean I'll stop doing my best.

"That will go against what I have to do. I cannot protect you if I'm dead."

"I don't need protection."

"You do. And mostly from yourself, from what I've already seen."

"Remind me to kill you later. You know, when I'm the queen."

"I thought you didn't want to be the queen."

"It's not like I have much of a choice, don't I? But maybe doing something about you will make it worth this shitty marriage."

"Anything you wish, Princess."

"Oh, I'm so going to enjoy getting rid of you, Belikov."

His upcoming comment gets interrupted by Zeklos, who starts instructing him to show me the rest of the house and some other things too, but as he speaks about me like I am not even there, I stopped listening along the way. I resumed to looking at all the expensive stuff on the shelves, wondering how mad will the Lord get if I started smashing them against the walls. I mean, it's worth a shot, right?

That little gathering is soon dismissed and I'm glad I can leave. God knows where, but I get out of that room and just walk.

Belikov falls in step with me as we go along one of the hallways. Even though I am the one in front, I keep an eye on him, letting him lead the way.

"So, all of a sudden, I'm allowed out of my room? He's letting me out to play with others, in the big house after two weeks in the annexes? What changed?" I wonder what else this change will bring.

"Maybe the Lord thought it's time for you to adapt to the place you're going to live in for some time."

"For how long?"

"I am not the one to decide that." Of course. He is only here to serve and protect.

Looking around, I see the place is full of servants that might get gossipy and I don't dig that. And don't get me started with the number of guardians. I won't ever be able to get out of here unobserved.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I think I preferred the annexes."

"Why? Those were easier to escape?"

"Kind of. Fewer servants. Fewer guards." I mean, yes, they all spend their free time in the annexes, but they're not outside their rooms too often. There were times when I even thought I was the only one in there. "In here there is someone at every corner."

"Not for long. It's just because you fled that they're in here now. Usually, there isn't much personnel around."

I am surprised and to him, I show an exaggeration of that. "Did you just give me some escape advice, comrade?"

His eyebrows shot up. "Comrade?"

"Yeah, you know…"

"Stereotypical much?"

I shrug and continue to look around, trying to pay attention to the house as he is presenting to me the main spaces. But I get distracted by something.

"Tell me, why do all the maids look at me like that?" I barely got here and none of them came by my room at the annexes, so they don't know me.

Well, only one of them knows me. The first and the only one they sent inside my room. That bitch. But it was my fault too, I won't deny it. I did throw myself at her.

"You are known around here to… have a temper."

"Oh."

As I said, it was my fault too, but in my defense, she started it. I mean, it's not my fault she's jealous over something I didn't even ask for. If she wants Zeklos Jr., I'm gladly giving him to her. Whose fault is it that he banged her and never put a ring on her finger? Still, I wonder what came of her. I didn't see her around today.

"So that's what everyone thinks about me around here, that I'm the biggest bitch?" He shrugs. "You think that too?" for whatever reason, I'd like him not to think that.

"I just met you today, Princess."

"Still, my reputation precedes me."

"I like to form my own opinions, not to listen to the ones of others."

"And did you form one?" considering all the things he witnessed today, he has plenty of reasons to think I'm not a pleasant companion.

"I keep my opinions to myself."

"That's a nice answer for 'I think you suck'."

"Princess Rosemarie, as I said, I have just met you."

I stop in the middle of the hallway, so he does the same.

"Don't you ever call me that. Ever." He is startled by my reaction and I sigh. He wouldn't understand if I'd explain. I don't even know how to explain the pain I feel when someone calls me that. "Please, for the love of god, call me Rose."

He nods right away. "Alright. Princess Rose it is."

"No. Just Rose."

"But I cannot-"

"I'm allowing you to." he shakes his head. "Please? I hate that title. At least when… when there's no one around, could you do it?" If I got things right, he will be around me a lot and him saying princess left and right will drive me insane.

"I cannot."

"Then don't fucking call me anything. I am not even asking for much but you have to be so obtuse!"

We completed the rest of the tour just by passing by rooms. He didn't open his mouth to add anything, and I didn't ask for any explanation.

The last place he takes me into is a room where a bunch of women are, all non-royal Moroi. I am informed that I should choose one of them to be my personal lady, as being so important will definitely need some assistance in the future, and I should get used to that as soon as possible.

Of course, I refuse. But Belikov's answer is prompt. The Lord insisted. I bet he did. He will make her his little spy. All my steps will closely be followed and I hate that. Wasn't it enough with guardian borsch here? Does Zeklos Senior need to know what I do inside my bedroom too?

There is a line of women that forms in front of me, some looking down, some others judging me silently. They really hate me, all of them. Just because of Mia.

"So… which one of you doesn't think I'm a bitch?

One of them speaks first, the oldest of them. She is appalled by my language and poor her, she didn't even hear half of what I'm capable of.

"Your Royal highness, none of us could ever-"

"Zip it, Yolanda." Is that even a Russian name? Is she Russian? Who cares, right? If they think I'm a bitch, then hell, I can act like one. "I've especially seen you watch me with those judgmental eyes earlier in the salon. And I don't care to change your opinions. You can think whatever you want about me. I just want someone that would not think I am that insupportable to decide to stab me in my sleep. If any of you thinks it's up to that, fine. If not, I am not going to burden you with having to assist me." Only silence is my answer. "Wow. So, no one wants to be around me? Fine. I can manage on my own then."

I turn to leave when I hear a faint voice.

"I- Princess…" Looking back, I see that a blonde woman took a step forward. "I have no opinion about you. I didn't even know who you were before you entered this room. I'm new here. I came from the Court this morning and-"

"I'm sure you've heard plenty about me even if you came here this morning. And a lot more since I was brought back."

"I did."

"And after everything you've heard about me, do you want to do this?"

"I've heard a lot of things about a lot of people, but very little of them turned out to be true. So I prefer to make my own opinions about people."

I smile and eye Belikov. "She's one of yours, I see." the corner of his lips curl, only so little. "What's your name?"

"Vasilisa. Vasilisa Dragomir. But if it's easier for you, you can call me Lissa, I don't mind."

"Then you can call me Rose. You know, just for things to be easier for both of us." She opens her mouth to protest, just like all the other ladies around, but I stop them. "And I will not have it in any other way. Now, let's go. I would love to take a bath."

"Sure. I'll prepare everything you need."

She stays behind as Belikov and I get walking again.

We've gotten upstairs, and as we pass some other hallways, I'm feeling chatty. Truth is, I'm trying to figure him out. There must be more than no fun and pure boredom about him, right?

"So, you're going to be with me at every step from now on?"

"You're still going to try to escape?"

"Of course."

"Then I guess you got your answer."

Great. I can't wait to play catch with this guy.

We finally make it to my room and he remains outside as only I enter, followed by Lissa, who caught up with us.

When we're alone, I convince her that I can manage to get bathed and changed by myself and send her away to bring me something to eat, even though I've had plenty at dinner. Not that she knows that.

After she leaves, I wait for a couple of minutes before I sneak out of the room.

I know the risk of finding my guardian outside my door is high, but I have to try, don't I?

To my luck, there is no one in the hallway. Yay! Belikov was right. The guardians and the servants have gotten scarce after the danger of me running away again disappeared. Too bad they thought I would stop trying.

When I reach the end of the hallway, I hear a voice behind me, which makes me yelp.

"You'll freeze to death only dressed in that."

"Fuck! Where the hell did you come from?!" I am pissed at myself for not paying enough attention to my surroundings. I was taught better than that, but the happiness of no one being around got the best of me.

"If you want to run away, at least do it properly. Until you reach the gates of the domain, you'd wish you never left so undressed. It gets very cold outside at night." I don't listen to him, I keep walking. "Princess, you're walking in the wrong direction."

"Of course I am walking in the wrong direction! I've never even been in this hallway before!"

Plus, all the hallways look the same and I turned left when I should have turned right and damn it, I forgot almost everything he showed me. God forbid I get lost on the ground level too, looking for the exit. That if I even make it to the ground level.

"Then come this way."

"Sure. Like you'd take me outside. The only route you have in mind is the one back to my room."

"I promise I am taking you outside."

"Yeah, and you'll let me leave too. I believe that one hundred percent."

"I will. I am here to do what you say, aren't I?"

"Bullshit."

"I am giving you my word."

"And you're a man of your word, right?"

He shrugs. "I guess you'll have to find out for yourself."

I don't know what game he's playing, but I'm in.

"Great. Then take me outside, guardian."

I'm surprised to say that he keeps on to his word and takes me outside. I still didn't figure out what he's after, but I don't plan to sit around and find out.

"Well, I guess I should say it was nice to meet you, but you know, you fucked up my great escape so..."

I turn around and walk away. I remember how to find the previous place I escaped through, and even if someone might have taken care of it while I was away, I still take my chances.

But I don't walk alone. He is at my side.

"What are you doing? You said you'd let me go away."

"I did. But I don't remember telling you I'm giving up on my duty of protecting you." so that was the catch.

"You want to protect me?" He nods. "Look, I understand-"

"You can go wherever you want to. I am not here to restrict that right of yours. But I'm coming too."

"Fine. Suit yourself. We'll have a very pleasant walk together. If I ask you nice enough, will you help get over this tall wall too?'

"If that's what you want."

Oh, him mocking me… I swear he's going to pay for it one day.

I don't give him much attention and head toward the spot I know and to my surprise, it's still covered in the way that I left it. So they didn't find out how I got out. But now Belikov knows so he can do whatever he wants with that information.

I wait for him to stop me, but to my utter surprise, he lets me pull away the old branches and get through the little hole in the wall that I discovered a while ago. Seeing he didn't prevent me, at this point I am more curious about what he is up to than actually wanting to escape. He follows me out through the crack and doesn't say anything. I don't bother to speak either.

The first time I got out, it was light outside. But now, the darkness isn't my friend, and as I was making my way around through the trees around the property, I guess I took a wrong turn where I shouldn't have, because we've been in this forest for far too long and I don't remember this vegetation since last time I was here. I even think I passed the same place three times already, but I'm too ashamed to ask. Damn it, I always sucked at making my way through natural environments. Cities I could do all day long, but when there's too much green, I get confused.

At some point, I will need to declare myself defeated. Not yet, though.

In my stubbornness, all I manage to do is to get ourselves back to the brick wall that's surrounding the property. I wasn't even capable of returning to the place we left from!

"You knew we'd get here, didn't you?" He nods. "Why didn't you say anything then?"

"I thought this is where you wanted to get," he feigns innocence.

"You very much didn't!"

"Then where do you want to go?"

"I don't know! I don't fucking know!"

I pick a direction and start walking straight. I take no curve, I only move out from the straight trajectory when I need to avoid a tree.

But not it's even worse. I don't know how far we're from the town. From the house either.

We've been walking for a while now and I got nowhere.

"Fucking shit!"

"That's quite a language for a princess."

"If you don't like it, I don't know, rip off your eardrums!" I pace left and right in front of him. "Oh, I just want to get away from that place!"

"Well, we are away from the house, so I think you reached your goal."

"Screw you, Belikov! And stop mocking me, alright? You're enjoying this shit too much."

"If I'm enjoying seeing you freeze? Not at all."

If he is in for saying 'I told you so', I will not give him the satisfaction of admitting I'm cold to the bone.

"I am not cold."

"Sure. And your teeth clacking prove just that."

He gets his guardian coat off and wants to cover my shoulders once more tonight, but I move out of his way.

"I do not need that."

"I think stubbornness is a good quality. But not in this situation."

We do a little staring contest, but I eventually have to give in. Walking, I didn't feel so cold, but now that I haven't been moving for a while, my whole body started trembling. With a sigh, I let him help me put that coat on.

"Good game, comrade."

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, if you wanted to find a way to pay me back for ruining your duster, I hope you found delightful my suffering for the past half an hour or so."

He frowns. "I wouldn't seek revenge for such a trivial thing, Princess."

"Then why…" why do I need to ask why? He wanted to prove me something and he did a hell of a good job at it. "Would you take me back?" I mumble, defeated.

"Back where?"

"I would say the town or even home, but I know that is highly improbable to happen, so I'll say to the house. I am done with escaping for today."

"Is that so?" he sounds rather amused, but I don't share the feeling.

"I'll have a better plan next time," I warn.

"And some better clothes, maybe?" He says as he buttons the coat up to my neck and lifts the collar.

"Yeah…"

Just to prove once more how cold it is outside, the wind blows and brings my hair to my face.

I wanted to get my hand up to remedy the situation, but he already had his hands closer so he's the one to do that, arranging the strands of my bangs, his fingers brushing past my cheek in the process.

Pulling away, he straightens his back and clears his throat.

"We should go back before they notice we're missing. Plus, you have some things planned for tonight that you should not miss."

"Do I? What is it?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

The last time he told me that, I didn't like it. Why do I have the impression this thing will be worse?

Because it is.

Not only Lissa but two more women are waiting for me in my room when I get back. I don't get scolded for disappearing because they're too busy taking care of me, as too much time has been wasted already. And by taking care of me I mean they are dolling me up for Anton's son's arrival later the night. They are turning me into a walking present for him!

Despite all my protests about how I am perfectly capable of doing it all by myself, they still keep on fumbling around me in the bathroom as I'm bathing, and even after that, as they put on nice-smelling cream and spray me with perfume and dress me up in some flimsy-looking black satin nightie.

When they want to take care of my hair and come up with the idea to put on some makeup too, I'm already fed with them and I am very adamant about sending them away, except for Lissa. She is agreeable and convinces them she will get the job done.

"First, I am not putting any of that on my face," I warn her when she starts looking at the foundation bottle, so she ditches that idea. "Second, that was some tiring shit," I say as I take a seat in front of the mirror.

I see myself for the first time since I exited that bathroom, and good lord, I am so naked in this shit. I need to retrieve my clothes ASAP.

Lissa starts drying my hair and I close my eyes for a second. That feels good.

But curiosity gets the best of me.

"Hey, have you met any Mia today?"

"Like in, Mia Rinaldi?"

"I've only known her as Mia."

"You're talking about the woman you got into a fight with?"

"Everybody knows that, huh?"

"It's hard not to. After all, that black eye you gave her was impressive. Or so I heard."

"Yeah, I won't apologize for that. She deserved it."

"She's not here anymore."

"How come?"

"I don't know. I only know I came here to replace her."

"Well, I can say I prefer your company better."

She repays my remark with a smile. "Can I say something?"

"You can always say what you want. You don't need my permission to talk."

She nods when I look at her in the mirror.

"You know… about this thing… we would've let you prepare by yourself, but the Lord gave us the order to make everything perfect because he thought you'd-"

"Damn right I wouldn't have agreed to it. The only thing preventing me from fleeing again was that there were three of you against me and I was in a bathtub, ready to be drowned."

"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to force you…"

"I get it. You needed to obey him." otherwise they'd face the consequences. And I've given in because I don't want them to suffer from my refusals. I'll find a way to not do what I've been told sometime later, I'm sure of it. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it. I hate it. I hate this nightie too."

"Well, the Prince will get rid of it soon enough, so-"

"What?!" I even jump off the chair at her statement. "Why would he do that?"

"I mean… you're going to meet him tonight."

"Yes. But why does that have to mean he is getting me undressed? Aren't I undressed enough?"

"Well, you're his and-"

"No, no, no. Let's make some things clear. I belong to no one. That bastard will not get to lay a single finger on me."

She smiles faintly. "I think that might be hard to do. After all, you'll be spending the night in his room."

"I am doing what? I am not meeting him, I don't know, for tea or something?" Even though having tea in this outfit sounds stupid now that I think of it.

This time, Lissa laughs and I eye her angrily.

"I'm sorry. It's just that… that's not how things usually work. I'm sorry to say this, but things will not go your way around here. Rose," she adds like testing it and I nod at her, encouraging her to do it more often. "Not when… you know…"

"Well, they won't work his way either. I will make sure of it."

"Can I say one last thing?"

"Sure. And don't ask." I see we still need to work on that.

"It's easier if you don't fight them. Because one way or another, they still get what they want. They always do."

Wait a second. What is that supposed to mean? My brain catches up to me and I get a sinking feeling in my heart.

"Lissa… have you… did someone-"

"No! God, no. Really, no. I just… I just heard stuff. At the Court, it's always like that. And I wouldn't want you to get hurt. I thought you should know, at least, what to expect."

I cannot believe this! Who the hell does he think he is? Who the hell do they think they are?! This Zeklos little shit is delirious if he thinks he'll have me tonight. Not in a million years!

"I'm not the one who's going to get hurt, you can be sure of that. The only thing that entitled little shit will get tonight is a black eye and nothing more."

She meets my declarations with some reticence and decides it's best to change the subject.

"We should go. The Prince is going to arrive soon and he should find you in his room."

I don't have much of a choice in that, but at least I managed to convince her to let me go to his room by myself, as I need a second of peace to come up with a plan, just in case he is already waiting for me. I only wish I was able to take the hairpin I spotted on the dressing table. It seemed sharp enough to become dangerous if used right.

When I get to the room I was supposed to reach, I see no Prince in there. Don't get me wrong, the room isn't empty. I am met by none other than my guardian, freshly out of the shower, with nothing more than a pair of black boxers to keep him covered. Seeing those broad shoulders, lean, defined arms, chiseled chest and abs, and muscular thighs starting just where that too-small material ends, I find myself having to gulp hard before I open my mouth.

"What… what are you doing here?"

It's hard for me to speak without my eyes wanting to drift off his face once again. His image makes me aware of the male body, in ways I never thought about before. But who would have thought that his plain guardian uniform hides all that?

In contrast to my flustering, he doesn't seem embarrassed by my presence. If I were in his position, I would have screamed already and I would have thrown something at him to determine him to get out, but he is so calm!

I know I stared at him too, but the way he looks at me makes me overly conscious of my own nakedness. I can only thank god that the nightie came along with a robe, and even if it isn't much longer than half of my thighs, I can at least squeeze the material around my chest, where the biggest exposure is.

"The question is what are you doing here?" I feel such relief when his eyes finally meet mine again.

"This is Ivan's room," I remember to argue when I realize he asked me something. I hope I remembered the Prince's name right. "Lissa told me…"

"Are you sure about that? Maybe you are good at making your way through a forest," he still mocks me for the shit I pulled off earlier. "But in here, you don't seem to be doing a great job."

And that is because of all those hallways that look the same!

"I… Lissa told me… cover yourself goddamn it!" I can't talk to him when he looks like that!

"Wait here."

He gets his clothes from the bed and goes to the bathroom.

He comes back looking decent, no guardian uniform on, just plain, comfy clothes. Still, a part of me liked the previous version better. I mean, it's hard to think he is doing any guardian duty and he's not spending all his time in the gym, working on that abs. And oh, that V-cut, heading toward-

"Let me take you to your room."

Oh, shoot. My mind started wandering to weird places. Since when am I charmed by some muscles? It's not like the other guardians in training didn't have abs and other such muscles. Not like him, though, but I still remember not having my mouth water when any of them took off their T-shirts. Maybe it has something to do with him being a cocky six foot seven god-like killing machine.

God, Rose, shut up! You should fucking hate this man!

"Princess?"

"Yeah, um…" what did he say to me? I stare stupidly at him for some seconds and I am tempted to start spiraling once again, but I finally process what he told me. "You mean Ivan's room."

"I mean you, as in you two."

"I don't want to share the room with him."

"This is a talk you should have with him, Prin-" I throw him a look, warning him not to finish that word. "Princess," he continues.

Is he doing it on purpose? I bet he is. There are so few ways you can mess with a Moroi as a guardian and I bet he has plenty of things to pay me back for.

"Let's go."

On our way to Ivan's room, my tongue is itchy and I am doing a very bad job at keeping that to myself.

"If you have something to say, say it."

"It's not… it's rather a curiosity I have."

"Name it then."

"Why are you… in here?"

"Why I'm sleeping in the house and not in the annexes?" I nod. I thought it was an intrusive question and I didn't know if to ask it or not. "It's thanks to you."

"What?"

"It's easier to keep an eye on you if I hear your door opening."

Wait a second. His room is so close to the one I use? Then how come I ended up in the same place that I left from? Oh, this house is so confusing. Or maybe some higher force wanted me to see a great piece of abs. Good lord, I'm getting obsessed with that!

"So I guess I'll be more silent from now on when I get out of there. Again, thanks for the advice."

"I'd be careful with it though. The Lord's next solution is to put me in the same room with you if you run again."

"He plans to do what?"

"We arrived."

With that, he leaves me in front of a door, without providing any explanation for the shit he said.

He doesn't leave too far, though. He stops at the end of the hallway and watches me. He is waiting for me to enter the room, but that means that I get to be alone with Ivan and I am not looking forward to that.

But the uncomfortable feeling I get when I realize he can see so much of me from there surpasses the fear of meeting Ivan. So I enter.

To my relief, the room is empty, which only gives me the space and the time to sit around and think of what exactly Ivan would want to do with me. To me? Will he really not stop until he gets what he wants? Of course he won't! That's what Moroi men do! Haven't I heard enough stories from the communes? What was I thinking by willingly going into the wolf's mouth?

As fear starts to creep up, I forget about how courageous I was in front of Lissa and all the promises about hurting him if he wants to try something. All I want to do is flee. Only that I'm met with a guardian at the door, that dares to lock me inside the room when I insist I want to leave. I guess Belikov predicted I'd try to leave and took care of that.

The only thing that remains for me is to wait. Wait, with all my thoughts spiraling and getting out of control in my head.

But he ceases to come. Ten minutes turn into thirty, thirty minutes into an hour and I find myself lying in bed, not able to resist the tiredness of such a full day.