It was his father's round birthday, for which the immediate family and some of the others were invited. It had been a long time since he had seen the Jurgens family complete, probably since his grandparents moved into a villa on the coast. Robert didn't remember very well, he was a child then. There was now an opportunity for them to meet his future wife. He couldn't wait, although had mixed feelings. They had to present themselves properly, so Nadia asked her sister for a special order. She didn't want to show him the results, she promised he would be pleased. He waited outside the ballroom, slowly getting impatient. In the light of the setting sun shining through the windows, the golden buttons of his dark navy blue double-breasted jacket, worn over a black shirt tucked into equally dark trousers hanging over the toes of elegant leather Chelsea boots, gleamed. He was so excited that he didn't notice when she came. Only felt a thin arm creeping gently behind him, a hand resting on one side.
- I think we should go now, Robert. - she whispered, looking at him with honey eyes.
- You look lovely ... - he muttered with a smile, leaning down to her cheek, then placed a subtle kiss on it.
Tatiana did better than he expected, Robert was indeed pleased. He definitely liked the bow tied at the neck, to which the girl fastened a golden brooch with a red stone and two chains connecting the corners of the collar. Her navy blue, double-breasted coat with slightly protruding, unrolled cuffs, was also fastened with golden buttons, and a black, slightly frilled, quite voluminous skirt protruded from under it. Knee-long leather shoes on a flat sole, tied with dark laces, added a touch. She tied her hair into a slightly loose braid draped over her shoulder, revealing one ear with diamonds glistening in it.
- I have to warn you ... paternal grandfather is terribly despotic and cranky. - he muttered in her ear as they passed into the room. - He moved out because my father stood up to him. He now lives with my grandmother in the family villa in Heiligenhafen.
- Good to know ... I'll try not to step on his print. - she replied softly, with a slight smile. - I just hope you don't expect me to play the submissive sheep?
- Oh no, honey. - he replied, embracing her tenderly.
~~~*
The Germans continued to surprise her with their love of order. Even at family events, the hierarchy struck you in the face more than a hard cheek. They didn't practice one long table, rather several smaller, round tables, which might suggest some tension. They got on with the one belonging to his parents. The rest, scattered along the walls of the hall, somehow split the guests in half. Nadia looked around furtively at all the faces. Robert moved closer to her so that he could introduce her to all the most important people. She smelled the intoxicating scent of the expensive perfume she liked so much. Ginger with bergamot, pepper, a tempting combination of vanilla, cinnamon and cedar. She cast a glance in his direction, he was looking at her with a slight smile. He amazed her once again. He noticed that she liked this combination. After what she had previously recorded, she didn't think she would have a problem remembering a face, especially with such a clear division. Their parents sat the closest to the hosts, on both sides. On Greta's side, golden-haired Heidi and her husband Franz Wagner, looking curiously at the young Russian woman through a shiny monocle, next to them Gabriel, the eldest son with his wife, blue-eyed Luise, and two daughters - the older Marie with astonishingly beautiful curls, sitting with her handsome boyfriend, Marcus, and the younger, slightly withdrawn Maud. At the next table, the two youngest of the family, dark-haired, somewhat out of touch with reality, Odette with the artist-looking Leon Schrodinger, her husband; next to her the resolute Porzia and equally fierce husband Rudolf von Treskow and their son Theophilus, as if learned from the cradle to sit perfectly straight. That was where his mother's family ended, so he turned slightly towards his father. His grandfather, William, she would have recognized at the end of the world. Robert looked very much like him. The same fierce expression on his face, keen eyes sweeping the surroundings as if from above the clouds. He caught her eye and winced a little. Beside him, offering him an appetizer with an at least servile face, sat his wife, still pretty Salome. Nadia thought that if she smiled more often, she would have more wrinkles, but probably an even more beautiful face. Next to the mother sat the host's older sister, Yvonne, with her husband Konstantin Engel, son Klaus, and daughter Wilhelmine, her grandfather's beauty apparently inherited. At the next table, dark-haired twins: father-like Erik with a beautiful wife, model Stella and daughter Milena, and sedate Elias with his wife Jasmine. The last table of the Jurgens family was occupied by the youngest of the sons, the quiet Friedrich, his wife, a dark red-haired Fabienne, and Fritz, who was similar in age to Nadias nephews, who looked like a little laugh and a prankster. They didn't mix a close family with the next branches of the family tree. The rest of the guests were extended family - cousins and other affinities. William kept his eyes on Nadia, she noticed. From what she had been through with Robert, she could have guessed that his grandfather would not leave a dry thread on her, especially if she showed that she didn't bow to a partner like Salome. She wasn't going to get under, but planned that if he attacked, she would respond with a sword.
~~~*
Robert was very curious if Nadia would be able to remember everyone. She had a lot of things on her mind and adding a row of names could be problematic. However, she looked as if she could easily keep up, even organizing additional information on her own. He noticed his parents' eyes. They were happy that the couple got along so well. Robert too, even more so. He was also glad that Nadia had always found a balance between showing affection and professionalism. She didn't spare him tenderness, but she dosed it properly. He regretted it a bit. His hands itched at the thought of being so close, and he couldn't touch her the way he wanted to. For the time being, gentle brushing of his hand, sweet glances and affectionate words exchanged secretly from behind a glass of red wine had to suffice him. To reign in the room, his father collected gifts after lunch. In many cases, they were more bottles of wine from around the world or other interesting alcohols, there were wardrobe accessories, such as cufflinks, which Wilhelm almost threw at him. Robert and Nadia thought for a long time what to give to someone who has or can have everything. After meditating in the living room of her mansion, she dug up information from the depths of memory, which was expanded by a hastily found book. The solution was not easy, but worthwhile. They set off any contacts they had to make everything work. He finally stood proudly in front of his father, slightly hugging the blonde at the waist.
- What will the only son and the future daughter-in-law bring to the old father? - the host laughed heartily.
- Youth is something that does not count in years, but in the joy of life. And there is no shortage of this, Mr. Jurgens. - she replied with a slight smile. - We hope that our gift will be appropriate and worthy of its future owner.
- The search was not easy, but I think it worked. - Robert added proudly, then turned to the exit door. - Gustav!
The door swung open and the man in the tailcoat stepped back a little, letting four tall men drag into the room, pulling something large, obscured by ruby cloth. They left the strange thing behind and moved away.
- After an in-depth study of the antiques that adorned the entire castle, we noticed that at least one was missing. - the girl began. - We found out that it was stolen from the Vandals by the Varangians hundreds of years ago. Time to go back where it belongs.
- Monument to the progenitor of the Jurgens family, Cedric the Great! - Robert said, removing the thick cover.
His father, speechless, got up from his seat, slowly walking towards the huge gift. They knew that he loves antiques, especially those closely related to the family. He was a collector. Additionally, it wasn't without reason that William gave his son this and not another name - Cedric. Robert glanced at his blonde companion. She smiled gently at him. The recipient liked the gift, and the rest of the family was seething with envy. Objective achieved, although the nervousness of relatives was only an addition. Soon after, he had time to introduce Nadia to everyone. In fact, it turned out that he didn't have to, the whole family, despite the feuds, was one large intelligence network. He was glad that the girl was warmly received, only Grandpa Jurgens worried him. Robert knew that he didn't like the Russians, and combining this with his disposition, a quarrel could result. He was not too mistaken. Grandfather was already old and had a serious leg contusion, so they forgave him with his parents the fact that he should stand up to greet the lady. He glared at the girl, even though she was absolutely impeccable, as usual with the rest. It irritated him with this stubbornness.
- Father, you could at least... - Cedric began conciliatory, but a sharp tone cut him off.
- Ihr Sohn sollte seine zukünftige Frau aufpumpen, damit er nicht auf den Kopf kommt!* - he grunted, completely not looking at the girl.
It bricked him up. He expected grandfather to only snort angrily, and the old man openly called for the subjugation of the blonde. The young Jurgens knew perfectly well that it would be useless, because Nadia was not a docile German, but a tough Russian. He felt small hands on his shoulder, tightening slightly. He looked at her.
- Geschichte ist eine lustige Kraft - sie rollt herum und vergeht gleichzeitig. Ist es nicht, Robert?* - she asked sweetly, with an enigmatic smile.
- Ja, Nadia... komisch...* - he replied confused, trying to be serious.
He understood what she was referring to. Apparently Wilhelm understood in no time, because he froze, completely shocked. She had given the old man two reasons to take her seriously: first, she knew what he had told Cedric; second, she was not going to be seated. He thought it was impossible, but he loved her more every day. Especially at times like this.
- Speaking of history, why not take a walk in the garden? You haven't seen it for a long time. - Robert replied after a short reflection. - The roses in the moonlight look amazing.
- Of course, dearest. - she replied with a smile, giving him a gentle hand.
He took a deep breath as they finally left. He remembered the day of their first stroll among the maroon and ruby flowers. It was beautiful and sunny, and he spent most of his energy figuring out a way to get rid of the girl. This time the sky was enveloped in an inky night, and the colored petals faded slightly in the silvery rays reflecting off the moon. The air was extremely light and pleasant.
- Remember the last time we were here? - she asked softly.
- Yes of course. - he replied, pulling her to him and hugging her around the waist.
- It was the worst day of my life! - She laughed pearlly.
- Why? - he muttered, bringing his face closer to her. - You didn't like me?
- My parents dragged me about two thousand kilometers, to the house of a handsome stranger young man who was planned to be my husband. This handsome young man took me for an almost romantic walk, and the only thing I thought about when I left the house was how to get rid of both sore feet effectively! - She replied, trying to be serious, then added with a slight smile. - Tiana was sewing my shoes in a great hurry and they were too narrow, or the skin didn't have time to part. I wanted to die, and you made me walk in the garden and admire the roses!
He laughed, completely amused by the story. At the same time, he mentally admired her composure, since the pain was so terrible, and she was completely unrecognizable. Robert realized something else. He was so busy devising a plan to get rid of her that he forgot, for example, the cultural question of how the flight was or how she was feeling.
- How do you know my language? - he asked finally.
- I know five foreign languages. One of them is German, by accident. - She announced, stroking the petals of one of the nearby roses. - Although, who knows, maybe the parents were influenced by this when choosing their son-in-law.
They were at the edge of the garden, he could clearly see the terrace that emerged from the ballroom. Everyone had the best of it. It didn't look like anyone would disturb them. He clung to her, kissing hotly, at the same time trying to unnoticeably untie the bow at the girl's neck. Robert had wanted this moment from the moment he saw her in the castle. He broke away for a split second. She didn't notice the trick.
- Robert, what if someone sees? - she laughed softly.
- I'm not interested in that. Anyway, look, no one is watching us. - he muttered in her ear, pointing slightly at the castle windows.
She turned her head, and with a few movements he unbuttoned the two buttons on her collar. He leaned towards her neck. She smelled of rose oil again. As he placed kisses, he felt her back tense slightly, placing her hands on his shoulders, pressing her fingers into the hair on the back of his head. Jurgens impulsively attached himself to the pale skin, leaving a red mark on it around the collarbone. He couldn't break away. Followed her neck, her ruddy cheek straight to her ruby lips.
- Come on! - she huffed reddishly as he finally pulled away. - Love bite ?!
- Nobody will notice under the collar. - He replied calmly, buttoning small buttons with a smile, then kissed her on the very tip of her tiny nose.
They came back just in time for the birthday cake. It was beautiful, stately and very elegantly decorated. Before they sat down to the table, Robert noticed that she was looking at WIlhelm. He was left alone at the table, his companions dispersed around the room, chatting with the rest of the family. Even the meek Salome has disappeared somewhere. It surprised him that his grandfather was never alone. Jurgens Senior didn't allow it.
- Forgive me for a moment, Robert. - she whispered, standing up and taking the plate with her slice away.
Ihr Sohn sollte seine zukünftige Frau aufpumpen, damit er nicht auf den Kopf kommt! - [Germ.] Your son should temper his future wife so that she does not get on his head!
Geschichte ist eine lustige Kraft - sie rollt herum und vergeht gleichzeitig. Ist es nicht, Robert? - [Germ.] History is a funny force - it revolves in a circle and at the same time passes away. Isn't it, Robert?
Ja, Nadia ... komisch ... - [German] Yes, Nadia, hilarious ...