He was waiting for her to come as salvation, he didn't know why. She made him think about what she had said on the ship, couldn't refuse it or understand it. Even more so, Robert didn't know how to respond to it, what to do. On the one hand, he knew, on the other, it was at odds with his vision of marriage. He dreamed of the scenes from the banquet all night, seeing her in the arms of a laughing Frenchman, woke up terrified, covered in sweat. Couldn't help but search the Internet to see her face. One of the first photos he saw was from a banquet, in the arms of a photographer, posted on some social networking site. She looked happy, smiling happily, as beautiful as ever ... at least with him. The next photos belonged to her sister's collection, and she looked perfect in all the outfits. He closed the laptop nervously. He was terribly impatient, and when noticed the plane from the window of the room, he personally ran to the landing field with three friends with whom he had trained since the morning. As usual, she strolled proudly, delicately positioning feet tucked in leather tied boots with a small heel. This time she replaced the tights with thin, long socks in the colors imitating the cosmos, with them she put on a short navy blue skirt and a black, close-fitting blouse with short sleeves. On one thigh and neck, he noticed dark leather bands with a metal heart-shaped link. Her hair was released loosely, usually throwing a large part of it to one side, revealing a long earring with Saturn hanging on a chain. A leather travel bag on a long strap was slung over her shoulder. He swallowed hard. Even though he wouldn't call it a typical outfit, liked it incredibly. He guessed that she was going to spite him, in the end the effect was the opposite. He had a great, incomprehensible desire to pull one of the hearts, preferably at the neck, so that she would come closer to a breath's length or even less. He must have been staring very visibly because he felt Oliver's bony elbow insistently pressed against his ribs. As soon as Robert noticed him, the green haired boy pointed at the girl with his eyes. Well, he forgot about manners completely, it was just right to say hello. He met her, and as he looked at the honey irises, almost forgot his tongue. He felt terribly confused, didn't understand his own behavior, after all, it was just a business, a deal between their families. She apparently didn't feel this problem, her eyesight was unfazed, as always calm, she didn't express any emotions, the smallest muscle of her beautiful face didn't twitch. It started to worry him a little.

- Welcome to my humble doors, Nadia. - he bowed slightly and kissed the delicate skin of right hand, near the silver snake's head.

- Hello Robert. - she replied impassively. - Nice to see you again.

As soon as he pulled away, she took her hand away with such lightness as if his gesture were indifferent to her. He guessed it had to do with the conversation on the ship. He wasn't going to explain himself. She honored him with a completely unfeeling gaze, then passed by, adjusting her bag to greet the other three, definitely more enthusiastic. She ignored him. His head was buzzing. He looked questioningly in their direction. She was smiling again, quite naturally. It didn't get any better for the rest of the day. She irritated him, showing no warmer feelings. Intelligent jokes, sparkling laughter, furtive glances are gone. Even when they were standing side by side, she would move away a few steps. Fact, she often admitted he was right, didn't interfere with his training methods, watched in silence and concentration ... but it was this silence and concentration that hurt him the most. Especially since she spoke to the rest from time to time, supposedly commenting on their strengths, but silently sticking a pin in him, then looked meaningfully in his direction. She was provoking him, he knew it, but he couldn't figure out what she wanted to lead to. He didn't owe her, he didn't intend to give up easily. The pride and honor of the Jurgens weren't something to play with, and she was going to conform as his future wife.

At dinner she sat on his right, he at the head of the table as he should. She didn't say a word, but he could see a lot of things she wanted to say, and so did he. Johnny broke the dead silence.

- How's the cruise going? Did you manage to organize some interesting contacts?

- I think fruitfully, many companies were interested in the project. - she replied a bit evasively. - Right, Robert?

- Yes, especially the group you have honored with your company. - he replied sarcastically. - With this photographer at the helm.

- Excuse me? Are you suggesting something? - she asked, trying not to lose her balance.

- Oh no. I find it completely natural and desirable that you mix private and professional matters. Bravo. Very professional.

- Please forgive me. Next time I will "as contractually" make the pillar next to you, adoring your divine self.

The atmosphere around them became so dense that he could cut it with a knife. She surprised him with stubbornness. She should have realized long ago that she was to remain by his side, as befits a high-born lady, his future wife. This was what had become in their circles and it was supposed to stay that way. The other three looked at them in dismay, not knowing what to do or take any action at all. One decided to take a risk.

- It must have been a very interesting event. - Enrique snapped. - For sure you met a lot of interesting people from various industries.

- Lots is an understatement, and most people were interested in Nadia. - Jurgens said. - They almost ate her.

- You envy my popularity? - the girl asked ingratiatingly. - Does it bother you that you propped up the walls?

- You were outrageous towards ME! - he growled. - But what could I expect from a blonde ?!

Robert braked when he understood what he said, especially since didn't want to. He didn't mean that at all. He knew perfectly well that she was not an empty idiot, but emotions took over. He couldn't pass by indifferently, especially since could still see her smiling at everyone except him in his dreams. She was supposed to be with him, talk to him, smile for him! There was a silence, the girl looked at him deeply shaken by what she heard. He wished he had known a way to turn back time ...

- If you hadn't acted like the last idiot looking up your nose, they surely wouldn't have ignored you. Jean-Pierre is an incredibly social man. - she grunted angrily, getting up from the chair. - And if you were so jealous and wanted me to stay with you, all you had to do was do the right thing!

Completely agitated, she burst out of the dining room, slamming the door with such force that they could fall out of the doorframe. The blonde-haired Italian looked uncertainly at Jurgens, expecting some reaction, but not seeing a twitch, he jumped up and ran after her.

- Nadia! Wait!

He sat completely shattered by what she said. He couldn't believe she could judge him so harshly. On the one hand, he wanted to chase her, on the other, he completely didn't understand why he would. She led him to a shoemaker's passion, arousing new, new feelings for him. He understood less and less, especially since she refused to comply. It should be so! The family hierarchy is clear and clear!

- Bravo, I wouldn't have played it worse myself. - Johnny snorted, tempting himself to ironic, sluggish applause.

- Like an elephant in a china shop ... - Oliver muttered, eyeing him sidelong. - I don't recognize you, Robert.

- She has been inciting me for a long time. - he grunted, not glaring at them.

- This time it's your fault, Robert. - the redhead assessed severely. - Sorry, Nadia at least tried to talk normally. You started it yourself.

- Can't you see that she's been treating you exactly like you have treated her since she flew in? - asked the French rhetorically. - It wasn't her, it was you.

He couldn't believe his ears. After a moment's thought, he agreed with them, but wasn't going to say it out loud. Pride did not allow him, although honor said something else entirely. He also did not plan to confide in them or explain his decisions. He believed that everything he did was in accordance with the rules of what the world order was like. He just wanted her to conform. It was a long time before the young Tornatore appeared.

- What about her? - asked the green haired man with concern.

- I don't know ... she locked the door, didn't speak to me. Judging by the sounds coming from inside the room, she is crying. She is completely distraught. - Enrique replied sadly, turning seriously to Robert. - You bent, all the way.

He watched in a daze as the friends left the dining room.

~~~*

She ran forward, biting her lip nervously so as not to burst into tears in the corridor. She heard Enrique rushing after her, but completely ignored him. Emotions released only when the key clicked. She automatically walked over to the bag, throwing all her things into it, leaving only her pajamas on top, which she quickly changed into a moment later. She heard the boy knocking on the door.

- Nadia, let's talk! - he asked. - Robert didn't mean that at all, I can guarantee you! Open up!

She wasn't going to. She couldn't contain her tears, she didn't want to show herself to anyone like this. After a long moment, Tornatore realized that this effort was pointless, the silent footsteps gradually fading away. She fell on the bed. She didn't understand how he could be so brazen. And it was he who reproached her alleged scandalous behavior ?! As can see, offended pride hurts incredibly. She knew it was going to hit her, that was the plan, she wanted to play this sensitive string. She just didn't think it would affect her so badly. She planned it, wanted to show him what it was like. She expected a different effect, rather a defensive reaction. She hoped that if she would make him jealous and anxious, Robert would feel that although he cared a little, he would force her to spend more and more time together just by the two of them, to keep others away from her. She hoped that, sensing the threat, he would come closer. It turned out that he rather saw the guilt in her, that she should strive for him, strive and beg for interest, bask in his splendor and glory. She wasn't going to be the meek woman of her man. She was silent for a moment, hearing a hiss at her ear, feeling something heavy, scaly all over her body. A large silver head rested beside her head. She turned sideways so she could hug him, hugging him tightly. She needed a little tenderness in this cold castle. The tangle tightened around her.

- Cry out, Dina. - he replied softly. - Although this German is not worth your tears yet.

- But I ...

- I know. I see. But he doesn't seem to get it. The time will come, you'll see. - he muttered, licking the wetness from her face with his long tongue. - Now cry, child, let it out.

She wasn't going to hold back. She wanted to get rid of that immense pain in her heart, that she would have forgiven if he had come and apologized, hugging her. She didn't notice when she fell asleep. A soft knock on the door woke her. She rubbed her face and slid off the bed to open it.