Robert was sipping tea on the terrace while he waited for her flight. He was nervous, she should have been in front of him a long time ago. Thought he had given her enough time to cool down and stop pouting. She was supposed to come, or so her mother had said. He wasn't going to explain himself to anyone, let alone apologize to her, especially since she hadn't given him the opportunity to talk. He didn't like it when things didn't go his way. However, he didn't guess how much he would have to change his plans.
- Master Robert ... - heard a low, uncertain voice suddenly from behind him. - I received information that Miss Nadia will not come today at your invitation.
- Is something wrong, Gustav? - he asked, trying to stay calm.
- The only thing I managed to find out was that the young lady flew to Paris early in the morning. - the butler replied sadly. - I'm sorry, Master ...
- Then it's time to pay Oliver a visit. - the young man said, getting up.
~~~*
Oliver was surprised by her plea, but didn't argue. He guessed what she was coming to him with, especially when she pointed out that it was a face-to-face conversation. Nadia didn't look very well, her honey-colored eyes fading away. They sat side by side on the soft beige sofa in his room. Her fists clenched nervously, covered with a soft, light sweater, on her long pants, something definitely was biting her.
- I see something's wrong. - he replied softly, touching her hand. - You can tell me. Spit it out.
She hid face in hands, crying uncontrollably. He didn't know if it would be appropriate, considering she was officially his friend's girlfriend, but feeling that she needed it, Oliver hugged her. Nadias petite body, so close to his own size, trembled, shaken by strong spasms. He had expected it to not be easy.
- Oliver ... I'm heartily sick of this ... - she sobbed in his arms.
- What? - he asked, though the answer was obvious.
- The family arrangement, and above all that I try, I do exactly what he could expect, I do not bring him shame, I support him every time, I gently try to open him, reach him ... and he is cold and cold all the time. So insensitive! All I want is for him to talk to me normally! I don't know what I'm doing wrong! - she blurted out regret. - The biggest joke is that after all, he does not intend to stop it all, but keeps on wading because it pays off! Only because! I feel like a piece of meat on sale!
- Robert is very loyal to his parents ... - interjected the green-haired man, putting her on his lap. - ... only child, always brought up according to duty.
- I'd love to get away from it all ... I don't want to see him anymore! - she hissed, feeling her heart break in two. - Tell me, how long can you go on in a relationship like this? What is our marriage supposed to be like? It's a sick joke!
He didn't know what to say to that. In fact, things weren't going very well, and he knew perfectly well that their families were pressing them both. Moreover, nothing else mattered to her mother. Boulanger perfectly remembered how the girl had almost suffocated after being shocked by the question about the children, and Mrs. Koroliov had completely failed to react, staring at Jurgens. He found few words of comfort. He didn't want to say it aloud so as not to intimidate, but Oliver thought they fit together. They just had to discover it, get along. He wasn't going to interfere, but apparently he had no choice since they were not coping on their own.
- Think about it, please. Give him one more chance. - he replied softly, stroking her hair. - Even people like Robert burst sometime.
He only released her when she was completely calmed down. Watching the Russian girl fly away, he made a firm resolve to talk seriously with his friend. The occasion for this, by coincidence, was his imminent appearance in Paris.
~~~*
Robert was shocked by his own reactions, he had no control over his anger. He wanted to tear them both apart. Her for ignoring his invitation, even though he had set aside most of the day for her. His because he didn't intervene, though he should have stopped her from leaving. He stormed into the living room where Oliver was waiting. At the sight of him, the Frenchman calmly stood up and waited for them to be leveled.
- Do you realize what you did? - Jurgens hissed straight in the face. - You knew I was chasing her, I know it, and yet ...
He was interrupted by an unforeseen, hard cheek. Looked shocked at his green-haired friend, who was apparently boiling from the inside. He had never seen him get carried away, and this time it felt as if he wanted to throw it down Jurgens throat. He mechanically touched the stinging place.
- It's YOU, tell me if you know what you're doing! You treat her like your porcelain doll! Like a thing to match your suit! - Oliver growled unexpectedly. - You make Nadia a total mess! She doesn't want to see you!
- What are you talking about? - he sighed in surprise. - This is nonsense.
- I know how things are between you, it's not easy ... but I also see that she is trying, and you are still resorting to correctness and some messy rules. Stop kidding yourself and hiding from her!
- I don't understand what ...
- I can see the way you look at her! Tell her what you feel! If not you, I will, but know that when Nadia finds out from me, she will hate you for the rest of her life and break the contract! - the green haired man threatened. - You're breaking her heart! Are you so calculating?!
Robert sank heavily into the armchair beside him. He bent head and sank hand into the lush fringe. He had not expected such outspokenness from by far the most gentle of his friends.
- You're right ... I ... I don't think I can tell her ... - he muttered, dejected. - ... maybe because I do not fully understand what I feel.
- Not everything in life is understandable, yet it happens. -Oliver announced brutally. - Save what's left of your relationship. Otherwise, the family contract will end.
Young Boulanger knew that if he didn't get into the business, he wouldn't shake Robert up. He hoped what he said helped. It remained to wait for the development of events.
~~~*
Robert thought about what Oliver told him. The friend was right, he could lose too much, but he was wrong on one point - it was not his parents' business that he cared about the most. He began to realize it that day, when she showed up at his court shortly after the Bladebreakers arrived. He didn't understand what she caused in him, he wanted to laugh at his own awkwardness. They say first impressions are more important. When he saw her, despised, expecting a shallow, not very bright girl. The second time around, saw a lot more ... and something completely opposite to what had expected to know before. First of all, the relentless WOMAN, the kind he has always wanted to see at his side, subconsciously. Sweet and submissive were fun, but that wasn't what he meant. He respected strong and self-confident people, and her strength overwhelmed him at one point. Given the fact that no one has been harassing him so far, she has not told her parents about the tense. He wasn't going to confide in that either. They were adults, it was a matter between them, they had to solve it themselves. He sent to Moscow a mass of the most beautiful flowers, Belgian chocolate she liked, even jewelry decorated with diamonds. She didn't say a word. All he got were the withered stems of the roses and Dutch tulips he had been pulling for her from the best farms. He knew for sure - she couldn't be bribed. The simplest of methods didn't work, Nadia demanded more of him. He felt inexpressible pressure, he had to take the last step, in his case desperate. He took elegant stationery set aside for special occasions from a drawer of an antique desk and picked up a pen in his hand. If she didn't want to listen to him, she would have to learn the truth a little differently, though he still wasn't going to tell her everything. There are things that are not appropriate to talk about remotely. Robert waited impatiently for any answer, unable to concentrate on anything. He was sitting in the living room with a book of poetry reading the same passage again when someone knocked on the door and opened it slightly.
- Master Robert ...
- Yes, Gustav? - he said impassively.
- I received information from Moscow. - replied the valet, and the young man shifted in his chair. - Miss Nadia's presence at the banquet with her parents was confirmed.
- Thank you. - he replied, not believing what he heard.
So she will come after all. He will see her again, this time live, not in the photos without him. He was overwhelmed with joy, he felt himself trembling with excitement. If so, everything had to be perfect. He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
~~~*
She was opening the door to someone every day. Every day, sometimes several times, she received another gift. Chocolate, jewelry, books, flowers. She tossed all the parcels dispassionately into the largest wardrobe in the least used guest room, without even carefully examining them. Maybe someday she will come back to them, if not, she will have an interesting collection of gifts for others. This time he sent another bouquet of roses. Always incredibly beautiful, each time intoxicating with scent, blood red. She knew the floristic symbolism, red meant love. In this case, it was hard for her to believe in the truth of the message. This one turned out to be unique, the biggest, the most beautiful of all. She took the whole thing with both hands.
- Please wait a second. - she said to the man, then called deeper into the house. - Svieta, I would like a secateur!
A tall, slender woman in a white apron on a navy blue gown approached her with a tool in her hands. She watched with pain as the girl skillfully grasped the scissors in her hand, then cut the flower buds at the base again and again. A sea of ruby petals flooded the floor around her. When she was done, and only the stems were left of the bouquet, she returned it to the courier.
- Please send it back to the sender. Thank you. - she asked, giving him the appropriate amount of money.
The dismayed man took the package and disappeared behind the locked door. The blonde reached for the nearest empty bowl, which served as an ornament on the plinth, knelt among the carpet of red, slowly collecting each flower bud and each petal.
- Miss, please stand up, I'll do it. - the landlady caught up with her.
- Relax, Svieta, I made a mess. - she replied sadly, then sighed heavily. - Such beautiful flowers ...
- I'm sorry, Miss, I shouldn't interfere ... - The woman sighed, helping in the collection. - ... but it seems that Mr. Robert cares very much about You. Why is Miss so cruel? Did he deserve it?
- I want to make him talk to me. Even something as trivial as his opinion about the weather. I won't speak as long as he doesn't say a word. - she replied brutally. - Besides, he has to learn that I am not his property, so that he can dispose of me freely. I have my honor.
- Miss ...
- I don't want to end up like Tatiana, Svieta. I do not want. - she sighed, becoming more and more moody.
They collected all the flowers in a bowl. She stood up, gently taking one of the petals and putting it to her mouth. It smelled incredibly beautiful and kind of desperate. She sensed that a moment of patience was enough, a moment for a crack to appear in that immaculate armor. She noticed the gleam of the snake's ruby eyes on her forearm. He thought so too.
- Svietlana, I feel sorry to throw away these flowers. Could you make a perfume out of them? Or maybe oil ... rose water?
- Of such a quantity, everything that you mentioned, Miss. - The landlady replied with a smile. - I'll let you know when they're ready.
- You are a golden woman, dear Svieta. - The blonde whispered, returning the smile.
She hung a hanger with a silk gown from the railing that held the canopy above the bed. She looked at it closely. Intricate embroidery, almost blending with the material, translucent sleeves, slit on the sides, sticking only to the black cuff and a small cuff in the area of the elbow bend. Coated, beautifully draping skirt. She touched the delicate material, it gave her indescribable pleasure. It was wonderful. She thought. Hadn't received anything from Robert for several days. He didn't even call. It is possible that he gave up. She reached for the scissors and sat in the armchair opposite the bed, examining the outfit, wondering how to cut it to send it back efficiently and legibly. Before she made the first incision, someone knocked on her door and opened it.
- Miss Nadia, I received a letter to Miss. - a low, male voice said.
- Thank you, Danil, please put it back on the table. - she replied, looking at him.
As soon as he left, she slowly stood up, put down the scissors and took in her hand an ornate, elegant envelope, sealed with an old method - a wax seal with the Jurgens family coat of arms, a majestic griffin. She guessed it was from him before she saw the symbol. Recognized the handwriting on which her full name was written. She opened it. Inside, found a bundle of beautifully ornate pages written in small, sparse, yet elegant, handwriting. She returned to the chair, sagging in it a bit. Reached for a cup of tea with a fig prickly pear standing nearby. From the content of the letter it appeared that something was reaching him. Slow, reluctant, and painful, but she achieved her goal. Finally, he began to talk about the fact that he was left behind with new tasks, work to be supervised, competitions organized at his stadium. About the fact that their acquaintance is a complete novelty for him, because the only interpersonal relations with which he had contact were family ties, optionally fleeting acquaintances with players, not counting three friends to whom, in her humble opinion, he also had a somewhat characteristic approach. About the fact that he was not used to compromises, he was always in command and she smashed him with open rebellion. He openly apologized to her for his behavior, for being completely heartless and cold to her, while promising that he would try to change it. He promised to support her and always speak up when things go wrong. All he asked was that she should stop being angry with him, give any sign that she was accepting the apology. Nadia smiled. She was full of admiration for it all. Guessed how much it cost him to open up to her, she was very flattered. The bracelet on her forearm glowed with a silver-blue beam, and after a while at her feet, with a slightly flattened head in her lap, was a snake.
- I think you got to that unrepentant German, Dina. - he hissed at her, and she stroked him absently on the head.
- I hope so.
He twisted around her as she stood up, pacing slowly towards the phone. She dialed the number, hoping that anyone but him would answer. Heard a deep, slightly screeching low voice in the receiver.
- Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens residence, with whom do I have the pleasure?
- It's me, Nadia, Gustav. Please don't mention I called.
- Of course. Would you like to leave a message, Miss?
- Please confirm my and my parents' presence at the banquet.
- Master Robert will be honored. I will pass it on immediately.
- Thank you. Goodbye, Gustav.