Couronnez - Tumblr Posts

Makhi Kir-Taban had dodge the bullet that was the crown prince Vasily Lantsov when their mother Queen Keyen Kir-Taban had fallen ill. As the eldest daughter she was to be queen in a matter of months and, therefore, the burden of establishing an alliance with Ravka had fallen on Ehri’s frail shoulders and, unfortunately for her, that seemed to come with an arranged marriage. While most girls her age would fantasize about their wedding, about romance and whatnots, those thoughts had never ever crossed the mind of Princess Ehri Kir-Taban. Marriage had always been nowhere in her plans for the future and neither was becoming a Queen.

❛ Are you alight? ❜ Mayu’s fingers had closed around her wrist, gently, studying her face. Ehri’s hands were trembling as she did her Tavgharad’s hair, giving her the perfect Shu royalty look. The touch had startled her somehow. She nodded slightly. Mayu let go and went back to unfolding the silk of her skirt. Ehri placed the headdress on their head, securing it with gorgeous hairpins. Then, she’d stepped away to observe her masterpiece. Mayu Kir-Kaat was unrecognizable with their makeup and dressed in sumptuous green silks embroidered with silver flowers.

❛ That thing is heavy. ❜ Mayu complained as she touched the headdress sitting on top of their head. It was studded with massive emeralds. They’d scrunched their face in a way that had made Ehri think they were adorable. Sure, adorable wasn’t the first word you would think when you met the Tavgharad but today that was the only thing that came to Ehri’s mind. Adorable. 

❛ You’re such a child. ❜ Ehri said booping Mayu’s nose as a chuckle escaped her, releasing some of the tension in her frame. ❛ And keep your back straight, Princess.❜ She added, pulling their shoulders back to adjust their posture. Mayu stiffened and then obliged. Ehri smiled with satisfaction. There. perfect. ❛ Are you ready? ❜ She asked, standing by the door in her maid disguise.  

❛ To have a playdate with a prince? Of course. I’m delighted. ❜ Mayu replied with a polite grin. Very princess-like. Then, her expression softened. ❛ Are you..? ❜ 

The concern was clear in the Tavgharad’s voice. Ehri didn’t answer but her silence spoke louder than any word. She was terrified. A hand reached out for her shoulder and held it in a gentle squeeze. Toffee eyes met the Tavgharad’s dark orbs in utter silence. You’re not alone, that was what the guard had said without parting their lips and, somehow, Ehri gathered the courage to open the door and together they made their way to the sitting room where Vasily was waiting. 

***

 ❛ How lovely it is to see you, Prince Vasily. ❜ The princess said in perfect ravkan as she curtsied in her emerald green silks. Her voice was soft and polite. So much so that the teasing remark that followed came as a surprise for everyone in the room. ❛ Especially in much much sober circumstances. ❜ She added as she straightened, brown eyes meeting the blue orbs of the crown prince while a sly smile played about her lips 

Mayu! Ehri wanted to shout but the maid she was only hid a smile behind her dark locks as she stood by her princess' side, eyes fixated on the tray she held in her hands, which contained all the necessities for tea. Behind the princess and the maid stood two Tavgharads. Surely, Vasily Lantsov wouldn’t expect the shu royal to walk around the Grand Palace without proper protection. 

 ❛ Hope you do not mind, i asked my maid to bring everything we needed. ❜ The princess kept her head up and proud. A simple flick of a hand and her maid scurried to set up the table for tea. ❛ Tea is sacred for us Shu. We do like it a certain way. ❜ the royal explained as the maid moved things around behind them. ❛ It is nothing against ravkan culture, really, i just miss home already and tea has always been a comfort for me. ❜ 

She makes a better princess than me, Ehri thought as she set up the table for a proper Shu tea ritual like the maid she was. It was an easy task for her since she’d been doing it herself for years. She rarely kept servants around back at the Taban Palace. She liked to be self-sufficient and preparing tea for herself always brought her comfort.

Royal teas, secrets and an unexpected love match

closed starter for @braveandunbreakable

Vasily Alexandrovich Lantsov. Crown Prince of Ravka. Future Tsar of a vast sovereign nation. There was nothing he'd lack other than coffers filled with money and an heir. A sort of safety measure in case anything should happen to him. Truthfully his parents had fallen into a panic about the royal lineage. The Lantsov rule must be secured at all cost.

In all honesty, Vasily despised the thought of marrying someone he didn't love. Even if he'd known it was just wishful thinking to hope for a love match, he had done so. He'd believed his father would allow him to choose his queen rather than sell him off to the first highborn princess that had been offered to him. But Vasily wasn't naive. Above all he served Ravka. He did his duty even if said duty meant spending the rest of his life with a woman he didn't love nor cared about.

Ehri Kir-Taban. The second heiress in line for the Shu throne after he sister Makhi. He'd only ever met the Shu royal family at a disastrous ball in Ahmrat Jen - where he'd gotten so drunk he'd called the crown princess as ugly as a toad and had spilled an entire bottle of kvas onto her immaculate dress as well. So much for a peace treaty with Shu Han - he should be happy he hadn't caused another outbreak of war.

Currently, princess Ehri was residing at the Grand palace in Ravka at the invitation of his mother, queen Tatiana. Rumors of his apparent engagement with her had spread fast and far, an alliance between their countries could mean an end to the Fjerdan border wars and a prosperous new trading route.

Earlier, he'd only briefly introduced himself to her and her maid, before his madraya had ushered them off to show them the castle. A servant had been sent to deliver an official invitation to join him for tea - as tradition would have it.

Vasily was nervously tugging at the sleeve of his fine blue military jacket, the fabric braided with glistening gold. He hated every minute of this - the princess hadn't even arrived yet.

Maybe she will try and assassinate me? Anything to get out of this mess.

couronnez​:

When the door to the sitting room opened, Vasily was caught up deep in his thoughts and almost hadn’t managed to scramble to his feet to the greet the princess properly. He’d been wondering about Nikolai, who he was doing in the infantry, when he’d finally return and put an end to the misery that would be this marriage. He’d written to him and his brother had promised he’d travel to Os Alta. It was only a question of time.

His glance fell onto the lush green silks, the heavy headdress studded with more emeralds than he’d ever seen, sparkling beautifully in the bright chandelier light and the soft sun rays falling in through the tall windows. Saints, they were taking this engagement seriously…

He hadn’t. He truly had thought that there would be a chance to weasel his way out of this. Apparently, a misassumption.

❝ I could say the same about you, Princess. You look lovely, by the way.❞

A nervous chuckle, a vent to release some of the built up tension inside of him. So far so good. He couldn’t mess this up. Not again. Whatever happened next however, he couldn’t have predicted nor prepared for in any way. A laugh slipped past his lips, genuine, kind-hearted, taking the tease as a compliment.

Meet insults with laughter.

❝ Indeed. I guess you’re glad it wasn’t your dress I ruined.❞

A smirk spread over his lips as their eyes met, blue clashing with gold. There was something in them, something he couldn’t place but he was skilled at reading people. She was hiding something. There was the sort of hardship and pain in those irises he knew all too well. Why would a princess carry those with her? What had they done and what had been done to them to justify it? Vasily had his own guards posted at the entrance and the windows, four of them in total to stand against the Tavgharads should the need arise. He doubted it but he’d rather be safe than sorry and dead on top.

Vasily was a little taken aback by her request and yet nodded anyway, dismissing his own servants with an easy flick of his hand.

❝ As you wish, princess. I could assure you, though, that Ravkan tea is excellent.❞

She’d have to get used to it if she was to marry him. For now, anything to make her happy. Anything to not accidentally cause a war. Over tea of all things.

❝ I have never had tea the Shu way, to be honest. Do you add sugar as well? I’d hate to drink mine without sugar.❞

He had a sweet tooth through and through, since always. A light-hearted smile as he gestured toward one of the divans in the sitting room, waiting for to sit down so he could do so as well.

The Shu royal had taken in the compliment like any princess who wasn't incredibly vain would have. With a shy smile. Meanwhile, Mayu was inwardly fighting the urge to throw that damned headdress out the window and take off every piece of jewelry they were wearing. This is for your country, they told themselves. But Mayu knew the truth. Queen Makhi would’ve never got her into a dress and jewelry, even if they had been paid for it. Ehri though… Sweet and gentle Ehri could get the ruthless Tavgharad to agree to all the crazy plans she had as long as it didn’t put anyone in danger. Besides, Mayu did also want to make sure Vasily was a suitable future husband for their princess. So, of course, they had agreed to wear all the dresses and jewelry. She still hated the hell out of the experience but she’d do it all over again. For Ehri. Gold eyes had widened slightly in surprise as the prince met her remark with laughter, though they had been quick to regain composure. 

❛ Oh, you could’ve ruined mine and i wouldn’t have been bothered. I don’t care much for pretty dresses and whatnots ❜ She’d waved off the matter before adding. ❛ unlike my queen…sister. ❜ There’d been a short break after queen. Almost imperceptible, except for people who paid close attention. Dammit. Be more careful. Unfortunately, they’d made sure to add the rest and keep the words flowing from her mouth. ❛ To be honest, i'm dressed this way because my advisor suggested so. You have no idea how heavy that headdress actually is! ❜ Vulnerability and honestly made one likable and usually helped the other person feel more at ease, enough to open themselves up as well. Which was the goal here: getting to know the true Vasily Lantsov.

There was a noise in the background. Like something hitting hard wood. The maid had hit her elbow on the side of the table. Ehri swallowed her pain and kept on scraping the tea leaves off the bamboo tea holder and into the brewing vessel while telling herself she was definitely gonna have A TALK  with Mayu after this. Sure, it was true the advisor had suggested it and it was true that the headdress was HEAVY and that the real Princess Ehri didn’t care much for her pretty dresses unlike her sister but the real Ehri would’ve never told Vasily all of those things. Vasily Lantsov didn’t know Ehri but if the latter was gonna become the man’s wife, it’d be nice for him to actually come to appreciate the real her, not Mayu. Not that the bluntness wasn’t an appreciable trait of the Tavgharad. It was! In fact, Ehri was very much fond of Mayu’s straightforwardness. It hadn’t been a personality trait she had expected from a Tavgharad at all. While the rest of her guards coddled her and rarely disagreed with her, Mayu was blunt when the hard truth needed to be said. And Ehri listened. Always. 

The princess’s head had jerked up before she’d even sat down on the divan, sending the maid a worried and questioning glance to which the maid replied in Shu that everything was alright. So, the princess seemed to relax a bit, finally sitting down, but the tension in her frame was still visible by the way she kept her back straight, not so much as in a perfect-princess way but rather in a there’s-a-bomb-in-the-room-and-that-thing-will-explode-if-i-mess-anything-up kinda way. 

❛ We usually don’t but we can put sugar in yours for sure. ❜ The royal said, glancing to the maid to make sure she’d understood and since it seemed she did, they kept the conversation going, smiling at the prince. ❛ Next time, we’ll get to have tea the ravkan way, i promise. After all, we’re here to befriend each other, aren’t we? ❜ Another bright smile. ❛ I think it’s important we learn and embrace one another’s culture during my stay here. I will not forsake my nation and my culture for the sake of my future husband’s kingdom. Shu Han is my home and my heart. If I ever come to live here, in Ravka, the Court and the people will have to accept that. ❜ She paused, letting the words sink in as the maid brought them their tea, adding sugar to Vasily’s cup and leaving the bowl next to the prince, in case he wished to add more. 

The next part was gonna be the most important. If Vasily answered wrong to her following question, this whole marriage thing would become history and they would go back home. If he answered correctly, then Mayu might have to let Ehri go. The first case scenario would mean war and the other one meant losing someone dear to them. Lips parted as gold eyes met blue ones again. There was a solemnity in them… and an ounce of pain. ❛ Will you or will you not defend your potential bride’s desire and right to keep her heritage alive within these walls? My hand won’t just come with the treasures of Shu Han, Vasily –which I am aware Ravka needs. It will come with so much more than gold and warfare allyship and I want you to be aware of what you’d be signing up for.❜  

couronnez​:

THE TRUE VASILY LANTSOV must be a figure coming straight out of some fairy tale or myth because no one had ever gotten to know him. Not like that. Just a farce, an illusion of his real character. The crown prince was complicated in more ways than one. Honestly, no one had ever bothered to peek behind the protective walls he’d built up around himself to get a glimpse of Vasily, just Vasily. Not the tsesarevich.

Why was he doing all of this then? Why bother finding a queen when it didn’t matter to him anyway. For Ravka? For himself? For his parents?

No - out of all things, definitely not for the tsar and tsaritsa. He’d never particularly liked his father and his relationship with his mother was strained at best. Not that it was his fault, he couldn’t choose his family. Vasily had only ever liked Nikolai - until the tensions and resentments had grown between them and his brother had left for the infantry.

Her answer elicited another amused chuckle. He could have ruined her dress?

❝ Trust me, you wouldn’t want kvas stains anywhere even if you don’t care about dresses.❞

Vasily was entirely too honest again and he regretted it not by the slightest bit. Kvas truly was…

The slight pause threw him off. He was incredibly skilled at reading people and something just hadn’t been right with her pronunciation. It was enough for the suspicion in the back of his head to grow. Maybe lovely princess Ehri wasn’t quite who she was pretending to be…

Alas a mind game and if Vasily appreciated anything, it was toying with manipulation.

❝ I appreciate the effort but please, if I may ask you to come in more comfortable attire next time? There is something I cannot wait to show you but I would hate to ruin yet another princess’ dress.❞

He ran a hand through his soft blond hair, patting down some unruly strands at the side. A horse, he’d gift her a horse. Not any horse at that, a daughter of his beloved Dagrenner.

The tension she carries does not go unnoticed, Vasily knew he had to find a way too make her feel more at ease and home here at the Grand palace, considering she was to spend at least a month here before their engagement - or a declaration of outright war - would be announced to the public.

Vasily flinched at the sudden noise in the back, his head turning to meet the maid’s glance.

❝ Are you quite alright?❞

He asked, a sliver of concern slipping into his otherwise light-hearted expression. Yes, Vasily Lantsov, the Tsesarevich of Ravka, Officer of the King’s Army, and first son to His Most Royal Majesty, King Alexander the Third, Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne cared about ordinary servants. And? What about it? He saw no good in it to repeat the mistakes of his father and disregard the peasants.

Few words were exchanged in Shu, Vasily grasping the most of it and nodding courtly, briefly before settling down on the divan vis-a-vis of Ehri

❝ Preferrably more than just befriending each other, but yes - ❞

There it was again, that easy smile, so alike his younger brother. Vasily watched her intently, going over her words in his head, trying to analyze them, to use them for his own, to utilize and mobilize them.

They should learn and embrace one another’s culture - well Ravka’s culture differed vastly from Shu Han’s, not only because of their monarchies and custom.

I will not forsake my nation and my culture for the sake of my future husband’s kingdom.

Would he if he were her? Could he give up everything for a marriage? Would he… would he sell his horses … for her?

No.

No he wouldn’t. Saints, how much he hated to be forced to do this.

Was Ravka his home? His heart? His one and true love?

Yes - yes and no. It was easy to despise the country that took everything from you and gave nothing back. Ruling Ravka was a brutal but beautiful affair and he couldn’t help but adore his home nevertheless.

Vasily quietly sipped on the tea the maid had brought them - he’d even thanked her again for the sugar - too deep in his thoughts to form a sentence just yet. Her question wasn’t entirely out of the blue but he’d have to think about it anyway. A stir of the spoon, a little bit more of the sugar.

❝ I will. I promise I will defend your desire and right to keep your heritage alive within these walls. No matter the cost, no matter the resistance. I won’t let anyone take away the only things you have left of your home. But I expect you to the same. And I’d ask you to respect and honor our cultures nevertheless. My people want and need a queen that listens to them. Please, I don’t want you to become like my mother.❞

First loved and then despised by the public. The pretty Fjerdan princess, the eye candy. In many way misunderstood and uncared for. Vasily didn’t want the same fate to befall her.

The princess had raised a brow, intrigued, as Vasily had mentioned he couldn’t wait to show her something, something that required her to not wear a pretty dress. A thought came across her mind and she had to contain her excitement. He’s gonna show me the stables, isn’t he? It had been a while since the Tavgharah had ridden a horse. Ehri preferred to travel in the safety of the coach and thus they’d have to sit in the carriage as well. Ehri was also scared of horses since one of the Datong, caught in a frenzy, had almost stepped on her when the Taban royal convoy had been attacked on their way to Fjerda about five years ago. Mayu had slashed the horse in half with her curved blade. Ehri had been horrified at the sight of the kill but grateful to be unharmed. Still, that event had scarred the princess. Her hippophobia wasn’t a known fact. There were rumors though and Mayu had hoped Vasily didn’t know of them because the Tavgharad enjoyed riding and they were thrilled to dress in comfortable attire. 

The maid had taken a moment to reply to her princess in Shu. The ravkan prince’s words had left her a bit…stunned. Are you quite alright? he’d asked her. Toffee brown eyes had met the royal’s blue orbs in utter silence. He genuinely cares, Ehri had thought before curtsying briefly ❛ Da, da, spasibo, moi tsesarevich. ❜ The maid’s ravkan was impeccable. Maybe a little too impeccable for a simple maid. Usually people who knew languages so well were either nobles…or spies. She’d exchanged a few words with the princess in Shu. Nothing compromising. Something along the lines of i’m alright, please do not mind me and my clumsiness, your highness. Then, she’d kept preparing their tea. Eyes widened slightly in surprise as Vasily thanked her for the tea and again for the sugar. Thanking the staff was also something the real Ehri did. She was always kind to the people working for her family, no matter their social status. All human beings deserved to be treated with kindness. She’d nodded at his words, giving him the barest smile and scurried away to a corner of the room, leaving the royals to their conversation. 

Ehri listened to the words flowing out of Mayu’s mouth. Honestly, Ehri wouldn’t have done better. The eloquence, the sincerity, the emotion… Mayu didn’t speak unless necessary. But when she did— it was either bluntness or poetry. And sometimes a little bit of both. Ehri lived for those times. The words her doppelganger had spoken echoed in her. She felt them in her heart and soul. They were hers. Well, they could’ve been hers if she had had the courage to face the prince and speak them herself. Mayu had been her shadow for five years now and more than that. No matter how much Ehri feared using the word friend when it came to her personal guard, she’d come to see them as such. She was painfully aware that Tavgharads were meant to kill and die for the Taban family. And while Ehri was grateful for the protection, her heart ached at the thought of ever losing Mayu to such fate. Realizing she’d been staring at the royals, the maid turned her gaze away, brown eyes falling on the window. 

The Shu princess watched as the ravkan prince took in her words. He didn’t answer right away. He stirred his tea, added sugar again, pondered the question. A politician’s behavior, Mayu thought as they observed Vasily’s movements and features. They studied him. Carefully. Waiting for his next move. Like they played some kind of games in which each of them had the fate of the whole world within their hands. That was basically it though when you thought about it. His answer came. The first part had been expected, diplomatic. His request was totally reasonable. They were even ready to agree to it but he wasn’t done. The last part was unexpected though. Whatever mask Vasily had been wearing had faded for just a moment. He’d implored his potential future bride to not become like his mother. Mayu tilted their head to the side, studying him with care. Gold orbs suddenly gleamed with newfound interest. ❛ You are not what i had expected, Vasily Lantsov. ❜ The royal said slowly, a smile playing about her lips as she picked up her tea.  

couronnez​:

Whatever LOVE Vasily had felt for his mother had mostly evaporated over years of neglect and outright ignorance. She only regarded him when it was convenient for her or to show off her eldest son to her tattling friends so they could confabulate why such a dashing young man hadn’t taken any princess’s hand in matrimony yet.

To be honest, Vasily had never received unconditional love from anyone but his younger brother Nikolai, who was away in the infantry right now, together with his childhood friend Dominik, a simple peasant. Kolya had never meddled with the sons of counts and dukes like he did but instead chosen to stick with kids lower than his social stand. Farmers, sons of soldiers, of simple merchants not nearly wealthy enough to be considered important to the crown.

It was wrong in so many ways that his father had forced his friends upon him without much choice. He was the heir to the throne, he’d rule this damned country one day and yet all he wanted was to run far far away, open up a racing stable and a stud farm and never be heard from again.

He could entertain his greatest love - his horses - even as a tsar if he wished to but something deep inside of him told him he wouldn’t have the time. He wouldn’t be able to pursue his dreams if he claimed the throne. Eventually he would lose everything and anything that mattered to him and he’d be stuck in a loveless marriage just like his parents.

He didn’t want that. For his own sake and Ehri’s as well.

❝ Well, what did you expect? A drunkard? A prince as lazy as can be, his head full of horses and Kvas? ❞

Vasily knew when to wear a mask, when to play part in the illusion that was the crown prince’s apparent personality - a shameful one nonetheless, he was long over his drinking and gambling years. He didn’t have anything to hide from Ehri, in fact, he’d despise to do so.

She came here to meet the real Vasily Lantsov.

Well,

he throught,

then let her meet the real me. Not a facade. Not a shiny doll, not a puppet dressed by its company.

The prince took another sip of his tea, the sweetness of it would have been eye watering to most, a dulcet tang of warm liquid washing down his thoughts and sorrows.

He cants his head as he takes the princess in closely for a second, his focus breaking as he a cough forces its way past his lips, narrowly avoiding her as he turned to release it into the sleeve of his left arm.

❝ I beg your pardon, it must have been too much sugar. Even for me. ❞

❛ Well, ❜ The princess began, slowly, ❛  you made a certain first impression. ❜ She took a sip of her tea. It wasn’t to offend him or anything, it was just a fact. They hadn’t stopped to think that perhaps he had been drunk that day in  Ahmrat Jen  because he was too nervous to attend the ball. Mayu glanced at Ehri briefly whose gaze immediately fell on the floor, like the humble maid she was supposed to be. They could feel their princess’ guilt as well, especially after hearing Vasily’s answer to that previous question where he’d swore he’d defend his bride no matter the resistance.   ❛ I should’ve known better than imagine kvas and horses were your entire personality. ❜ The royal added, gold eyes locking gazes with the ravkan prince once more. ❛ Perhaps there’s a way i can make it up to you, show you that i’m much less judgemental than i let out to—   ❜ They didn’t get to finish. The cough had been so sudden. She’d frowned with concern but before they could say anything Ehri the maid had rushed to his side with a glass of water. 

She’s way too comfortable in this role, Mayu observed as Ehri handed him some fresh water. Even though Ehri had the elegance of the Taban family, she had no desire to ever reign nor be living at court. This wedding would be another sort of obligation, another mask she’d have to wear. Though the masquerade would be never ending this time. Performing in front of a crowd wouldn’t be enough, she’d also have to perform in private to keep this marriage and union between their nations strong. And Mayu couldn’t be sure of how suitable Vasily Lantsov truly was as a husband until they’d found themselves alone together, without chaperones. Her heart ached for the princess. Bearing such a burden felt like a curse. The Tavgharad would’ve gladly whisk her away, provided Ehri asked them to. That would be treason, a little voice scolded them. You serve the Taban Queen and Queen Makhi wishes for this union. Shu Han needs it. Your nation needs it. Her heart was quick to argue. Queen Keyen would’ve never married off her daughter like that. But the first voice countered. Queen Keyen is dead. All hail Queen Makhi. 

As strong as a Tavgharad and cunning as a spider, Makhi was a great ruler for Shu Han. She lacked compassion but war called for actions and ruthlessness. Mayu knew that and yet—— they’d let themselves be charmed by Ehri’s kindness and gentle ways, something they had once believed to be a liability.

❛ So it seems. ❜ The royal nodded slightly as Vasily blamed his cough on too much sugar. They let their back rest on the cushion. Some of the tension in her frame remained though. The cough had startled them a bit, activating some of her Tavgharad reflexes. The tea was just too sweet. He hasn’t been poisoned. Calm down.

The music faded as a performance was about to occur. ❛ You shouldn’t be late to these sorts of events. ❜ Tatiana scolded him, gently, fixing up her son’s military dress uniform a bit. She seemed nervous. It was obvious she had expected him to arrive much sooner, like she had planned for something. More like for him to meet someone. ❛ Need i remind you that you are to be king, Vasily. People are expecting a lot from you and those expectations start with punctuality at an event meant to honor your ill father. ❜ She’d waved off his excuse with her hand. ❛ I don’t wanna hear about what those… grisha are up to. Not tonight. ❜ It was obvious the topic of the second army annoyed her very much. Her eyes scanned the room as she kept talking. She was looking for something. No, someone. ❛ Tonight, we celebrate our current tsar and pray for his recovery. I don’t wanna hear a single word about grisha or the second army and——Oh! ❜ Her eyes had lit up, suddenly. She’d found whom she was looking for. A young woman wearing a feathered mask and dressed in the kitschiest but very much expensive gown in the room. She had a birdcage sitting on top of her head, woven into her hair with flowers and leaves. Of course, this soiree had been an occasion for Queen Tatiana to play matchmaker. The lady waved timidly and Tatiana gestured for her to approach. ❛ Play nice. ❜ The mother whispered, smiling and patting her son’s shoulder.   

It seemed fate was on Vasily’s side tonight because black figures suddenly entered the room running and dancing, startling the crowd of nobles who gathered close to the four walls of the ballroom and watched carefully as other figures entered carrying what seemed to be a giant bird cage hidden under a black veil. They put down the cage in the middle of the ballroom. Unveiled it. The golden cage wasn’t empty. A human figure dressed in all white was trapped inside doing aerial stunts with golden silks and moving with a grace and flexibility unknown to humankind following the melody that was being played. While doing their stunts, the performer shook the bars of the cage multiple times, showing the crowd it was indeed locked. Suddenly, as the dancer seemed to struggle to free themselves from the gold ribbons, even acting as if they were being strangled, the music took a darker turn. Then, one of the black figures threw a match within the cage. Eyes widened in horror as fire circled the performer. Queen Tatiana grabbed her son’s arm as the Little White Bird struggled to escape and the lady Vasily was supposed to meet fainted into a guard’s arms. Then, the room filled with blood red smoke. Panic spread among the guests who began running to the doors but, suddenly, the air cleared as fast as if a squaller had raised their arms and the Little White Bird, smeared in gold and red, was perched atop of the cage, a crown sitting on their head. 

❛ The king prevails. All hail the king! ❜ 

The mood shifted in the crowd. People started to cheer and applaud loudly, slowly closing in on the dancer who jumped off the cage, landing on their feet with one knee on the ground. A humble pose, though a crown was still perfectly balanced on their head. 

❛ Sasha The Undying, ladies and gentlemen! ❜ announced a voice and the crowd cheered again and again. 

The Queen paled by her son’s side, tightening her grip on Vasily’s arm as they approached the cage. That name… Sasha was a pretty common name and pet form in Ravka but somehow she felt uneasy. She’d heard it before. More than once but she hadn’t heard it since she was pregnant with her first child, with Vasily. Sasha belonged to the past. She was dead. She couldn’t deny such a truth. She’d seen the corpse of the once pretty redhead and the original Lantsov emerald at her finger. But something about what she had seen tonight, the flames almost burning that performer alive, has left her pretty shaken up.     

Murder schemes, masquerades and an unrightful princess

~ a closed starter for @braveandunbreakable

Bright chandelier light, reflected by crystals and gemstones framing the tall double eagle doors. Everything was drenched in gold and pale blue, an occasional dab of navy, purpur and ivory then and there. Kitsch was somehow running in the family, Vasily concluded as he strode down the hallway to the ballroom with quick light steps, nodding at the guards standing in attention at the sides.

The tsar had recently fallen ill to an unknown affliction no doctor seemed to be able to cure and his mother refused to let any Grisha near him in fear they might worsen his condition. Not that it could get any worse, he thought to himself grimly as he slowed a little to adjust the mask over his face. To scare the sickness away, his mother had told him when he asked who'd had the glorious idea to throw a masquerade so close to his coronation - with his father on his deathbed and the country in turmoil. He couldn't care less for his father, the sooner he was gone the better. Under his influence, he'd suffered more than he'd like to admit. Nothing had ever been up to him, it was always the tsar who had the last word over everything. Only in recent years Vasily had managed to dig his father's claws out of him and DECIDE on his own.

That's why he wasn't married, why he had no heir, why he'd joined the cavalry and had not taken a more administrative position in the army. The music was audible even from miles away, a soft, gentle Ravkan Waltz, perfect for slow dancing in the dark with the love of his life. If he had one.

Well...

It was complicated.

Sergei Beznikov, heartrender, currently leading the second army while General Kirigan was off hunting the sun summoner or whatever he was up to. The man had caught his eye one night, he'd been assigned to guard him ever since his father's contagion. Out of teasing remarks and banter had grown something more, something intimate he couldn't put into words. The mere sight of him caused his heart to flutter and race, his exhaustion and desperation to fade. He felt at ease. Serene, calm. Happy. It was odd, really, after so many years of not knowing what love was supposed to be, to have and hold someone so close to his heart.

Vasily passed another set of guards, straightening his pompous military dress uniform as he realized he wasn't far from the ball anymore. For madraya, he did all of this for her. Because she believed his father might actually miraculously recover in time before his coronation.

He could only hope it was wishful thinking or else-

Well, he could always have a word with Sergei.

❝ The Tsesarevich, Vasily Alexandrovich Lantsov. ❞

Someone belatedly announced him, countless gazes flicking to him as he walked past the guests, a flute of champagne in his hand he'd just picked up from a tray a maid had been carrying. Never in his life had the smile on his face been that fake. That superficial.

❝ Madraya. ❞

He greeted, hiding the sheer annoyance in his voice. His mother was her usual self, immaculately tailored to look decades younger than she was, swathed in a fine, silky dress studded with jewels.

A dowager queen.

❝ I must apologize for my belated arrival but my general and I had important business to attend to... ❞

couronnez​:

Vasily was aware that the spilling an entire pint of kvas over her sister’s impeccable dress made a MEMORABLE FIRST IMPRESSION of him. Not entirely in a positive way but he could live with it. Besides, he wasn’t always drunk - a lot more often than he’d like but not always. A side effect of the company he kept, sons of counts and dukes who were notorious drunkards.

❝ I can only hope your sister didn’t take it personally. ❞

If only he knew…

Vasily ran a hand through his immaculate blonde hair, exhaling a quiet, almost inaudible sigh. There was a vulnerable side of him no one knew about. His intoxication at the ball had not been the fault of his companions nor the horrible company his parents were during such events but rather his anxiety. HE HAD BEEN AFRAID they would marry him off to some wayward princess without his consent. That they would throw him into the pit for Nikolai’s sake - oh how perfect their second son was, attending the university of Ketterdam to study engineering - so the lovely Sobachka could one day choose his bride or groom. Unlike him. Besides, all those eyes on him - the future tsar of Ravka - had done little to quelch the sickness that had been rising in his stomach. So much to prove, so little he could show off. He was Vasily, he had his horses, he had his kvas and that was that. The prince rarely ever let other people peek behind the façade he kept up with meticulous finesse in fear they might judge him for who he truly was.

❝ A lot of people think that, I won’t blame you for doing so as well . ❞

In their eyes he was just a puppet on a string. Easily pleased, easily entertained, easily manipulated and controlled by the masterful hands. Oh, how blissfully unaware they were of his true strength.

Their eyes met, locked, gold clashing with blue like a treasure sinking in violent seas. Vasily wanted to respond, to answer, to tell her that there was nothing to make up for but his lungs disagreed. A terrifying bout of coughs slipped past his lips, wracking his entire body, the poison flooding his bloodstream, a vain attempt at expelling whatever had caused the irritation in his airways. Vasily barely even registered the maid until she stood by his side, a glass of water in her hands and he reached for it with a thankful expression on his contorted face. A greedy gulp, water almost sloshing down the side of his face as he forced it down his quivering throat, willing it to help.

❝ Spasibo. Spasibo. ❞

He quickly expressed his gratitude towards the maid before refocusing on Ehri, his chest still shaking with the efforts of coughing. Vasily was an expert on downplaying his pain - chest pain in particular was no stranger to him - so there wasn’t the slightest trace of discomfort on his relaxed face.

❝ If you really end up marrying me, I am asking you to not let me pour as much sugar into my tea as I did now. ❞

Vasily laughed, a natural, easy, light-hearted chuckle. He was having fun, saints, he was. There was something about the princess that was refreshingly different from all the other he has met and was forced to court before. A flick of his hand, fast, enough to catch his guard’s attention.

❝ Would you leave us? I’d like to have a moment in quiet with you, Ehri, if you may? ❞

❛ I promise. ❜ The royal replied with a soft, genuine, chuckle, tossing waves of dark hair over her shoulder. He was funny. Worthy of interest. He didn’t sound like a boring husband. Good for Ehri, Mayu thought. ❛ Besides, it’d be a little embarrassing for a king to die of too much sugar in his bloodstream. ❜ They teased with a smile.  ❛ And i suppose as a wife it’d be my duty to make sure you take care of your health properly so you may live a long reign. ❜ It was odd how they’d been so tense earlier but now they were making jokes about their engagement. Well, his and Ehri's engagement. Mayu wasn’t marrying anyone anytime soon. Or maybe ever. The Tavgharad didn’t have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Unlike Ehri.

Vasily seemed to be alright, downplaying his discomfort like a pro. Something Mayu wouldn’t have noticed if she didn’t have military training. No doubt Ehri and her empathic nature had taken notice of it too, though she had resumed her spot in the corner of the room, like the humble maid she was supposed to be.   

At Vasily’s request, the maid had shot the princess an alarmed look, which the royal had caught on pretty fast, flashing her servant a reassuring smile. The real Ehri, in her anxiety, had forgotten for a brief moment that she wasn’t going to be the one left alone with the prince. Mayu had been quick to remind her with a single glance that everything was alright, that there was no need to freak out. The maid had scurried out of the room, followed by the Tavgharads the royal had ordered out with a flick on the hand. It felt odd to order her comrades around like that but duty Ehri called and Mayu always answered. 

❛ Alone at least. ❜ The shu princess uttered, gold eyes falling on the prince. ❛ I must warn you though… ❜ A paused as she sips her tea, a smile playing at the corner of their lips. ❛ They will be listening, carefully, and reporting back to my sister. According to her, i’m ill-suited for politics. I’m pretty sure she expects me to fail already. How about your parents? Do you think they have faith in your abilities to make this whole thing work? ❜

couronnez​:

Vasily huffed at his mother’s remark, entirely too nervous to take her scolding serious. He’d always been the prince of fashionably late and it wasn’t like she was going to get him to change that fast. Besides, Sergei had hurried enough already – he still felt sore and suddenly he was all too glad for the high collar of his uniform to hide the trail of hickeys on both sides of his neck. Her hand came dangerously close to it as she smoothed out a crease on his uniform, Vasily tilting his head in the other direction just in time for her to avoid the worst. She couldn’t know. She shouldn’t. Not now. Not ever. Her HATRED FOR GRISHA blinded her. His relationship with Sergei was one of his best hidden secrets and it would have to remain one at least until his coronation.

❝ Net, Madraya, I am we aware of that. As I said the second army–❞

She interrupted him before he could concoct another masterful excuse for his late arrival. His mother and her senseless fear of anything not Otkazat'sya… Her glance kept swaying, obviously searching for something or someone in the room. He could only hope it wasn’t one of her petty attempts to hook him up with yet another vain princess or the daughter of a rich merchant.

❝ Not even praying to the saints can save papa and you know it.. ❞

Harsh words. A Grisha healer could – with the help of a heartrender and a Materialnik. Not that he’d want them to, for all his father did, he deserved to succumb slowly to whatever agonizing sickness he’d contracted. Soon, when it was all over and he could finally take his rightful place at the throne, he could work on redeeming himself. On making up for the previous tsar’s mistake.

Just before he could ponder his future any longer, his mother had apparently found who she had been looking for and he had to try his best not to let his feigned smile drop immediately. Out of all the women she could find, she had chosen the one with the most obnoxious dress he’d ever seen. On top of that, the gilded birdcage resting atop her impeccably styled hair. If there was a level of bad taste, Vasily was sure he’d just seen a new world record being achieved. Returning the shy wave of her hand with a court nod, his eyes had soon strayed of the nearing women to fall onto the performers rangefinder from the side doors leading up to the ballroom.

Figures clad in pitch black – he couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy at the sight of them.

Play nice.

His eyes darted onto his mother, his glance a tell-tale sign of his annoyance.

❝ Desperate for heirs, are we? ❞

He sounded entirely too bitter all of a sudden. No wonder, considering he’d found love in their own ranks and wasn’t to keen on giving it up for his mother’s sake. Before he could add more salt to the wound that was his apparent Bachelor status, the performers had gone on to set up a golden cage in the midst of the room with an aerial artist in all white expertly maneuvering the silk she was dangling from. Vasily had never cared much for easy entertainment like that, a spectacle to enlighten the masses.Panem et circenses. It was an age old principle to keep the people appealed to the monarchy.

He barely gathered enough will to watch the performance, staying entirely unimpressed when they’d gone as far as light the cage on fire with the artist trapped in silk. They never died. A simple party trick. His mother’s nails dug into his arm, he could feel them through the embroidery of his uniform. Her entire expression was cast in sheer horror and something else he’d never seen on her face before. As if she were gazing beyond the fire, beyond the almost demise of the artist. The woman he was supposed to meet wasn’t faring any better, her unconscious body limp in of of the guard’s arms. Vronkov. He gave the man a quiet, grateful nod.

As quickly as the fire had spread in the cage, it had vanished, replaced with a thick cloud of odd red smoke that send waves of guests running off to the doors, only for the mysterious artist to emerge at last, a crown atop their head, majestic as ever.

❝ Really madraya, this year’s performance is lacking. It was obvious they weren’t going to– ❞

Sasha the Undying. Why had she tensed at the name? What was she hiding from him? He knew his mother, unfortunately enough too well, to tell that something was off, that she wasn’t comfortable with the situation at all. She was clinging to him, harder and harder the closer they got to the cage.

❝ Are you quite alright, mama? ❞

The crown prince stopped her in track, pulling her aside to let the other nobles push past them to admire the artist on the ground before them. Call it instinct, call it pure luck but it spared his heart from meeting one of their blades before the evening had even come to a closure.

❝ I will take care that they are escorted outside immediately if you want me to. ❞

Vronkov held the lady passed out in his arms like he had no idea what the fuck to do with that thing. He had returned the crown prince’s grateful nod with an uneasy smile that had looked more like a cry for help than anything else. Fortunately for him, one of his comrades had come to the rescue. Picking up the heiress, he told Vronkov to go fetch the lady’s parents before escorting her out of the ballroom so she’d get some fresh air. 

Tatiana let Vasily pull her aside but not before she’d caught a glimpse of bright red waves falling on the performer’s shoulders as they unwrapped the fabric that had covered their head and kept their thick hair back nice and tight during the whole performance. They kept their mask on as they bowed and accepted compliments from the nobles gathered around them. 

While the majority of the guests seemed satisfied with the performance that had occurred in the ballroom, the Queen wasn’t. Her face was livid. It almost looked like she'd seen a ghost. There was really no other way to describe her expression. Once the shock had passed, she’d lifted her chin, like the proud queen she was, and spoke in an imperial tone. ❛ I’ll have them in my office. Now. This wasn’t the performance I asked for. ❜

Guards sliced through the crowd making their way to Sasha who’d surprisingly or not let themselves be escorted out (perhaps they thought they were gonna have a pleasant tea with the Queen or something) as an angry and confused man, probably their manager, scurried behind them, arguing that this was absurd, that the show had been a great success and all that.

@couronnez there <3

❛ I’ve never been here. ❜ Ehri admits, picking up the card from the table. It’s not that she doesn’t have the money for those fancy places, she does, it’s just that she never went out much on her own to explore places like this. Her family is very protective of her. It’s a miracle she even got to work somewhere else than the family business. LANTSOV CORPORATION still doesn’t align with her values but it’s still a breath of fresh air for now. She gets to see new faces, meet new people. Hell! She’s even about to have coffee WITH THE CEO! Don’t flatter yourself, a voice whispers to her, he’s just apologizing for spilling coffee on you earlier. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have payed attention to you. She manages to push back those thoughts and smile. ❛ You come here often? ❜    

couronnez​: 

The fine Italian restaurant he has chosen for the occasion is just perfect for a date an apologetic invite to drink a cup of coffee turned dinner, the view breathtaking through the tall windows, city lights glimmering in the distance.

❝ Only every now and then. The food is excellent but I don’t have the time to eat out. ❞

If she knew more about his eating habits, she’d be devastated, he figured because Vasily doubts anyone manages to eat more junk than he does. He is lean and athletic, his build does not betray him. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, a muscular chest. The picture perfect portray of a Lantsov as his mother used to say.

❝ Please, pick whatever you’d like. The pasta is phenomenal. ❞

He returns her smile, easily summoning as much charm as he can muster while studying the menu himself. He finds himself leaning towards Seafood. Cozze? Or rather vongole? A waiter passes them by and Vasily makes a quick gesture, stopping the man in track.

❝ Could we get a bottle of Verdicchio, please? ❞

This wasn’t at all the coffee experience she expected. Is she disappointed though? Hell no! Every dish on the card looks absolutely exquisite. Even the seafood. She isn’t gonna eat any though. That would take her breath away, literally, and Vasily’s doing a great job at that already. That smile… Does he give it to all his interns? she cannot help wondering. While he asks the waiter for a bottle of wine, Ehri plunges her hand in her purse, pulling out a pill box, which she displays on the table. That way i won’t forget, she thinks. Usually, she puts an alarm on her phone but she didn’t want to disturb the date whole restaurant so she turned it off before entering the place.

❛ Absolutely. And what will we be serving you tonight to accompany such fine wine?❜ The waiter barely looks at the man. His gaze is all on the pretty brunette sitting across.  

❛ I would like a paccheri al forno, please. ❜ Ehri says, smiling at him as she puts down the card on the table. Then, she purses her lips together as she closes the menu. ❛ Um, just to be sure—— There’s no seafood in it, right? I’m allergic. I mean, it’s fine if people eat it around me, I just can’t ingest it myself. ❜ She wanted to make sure Vasily understood he could eat the seafood if he wanted, it’s just that she wouldn’t be joining him or kissing him after.

❛ No, madam. No seafood in this dish. I guarantee you it is a safe option.❜ The waiter smiles at her. The kind of smile that lets you know they are interested in knowing you, personally. That’s a bold move to do when the person you’re trying to flirt with is clearly on a date but, oh well, bold doesn’t mean wise. ❛ May i add it is a great choice. You won’t be disappointed. ❜ 

Ehri is completely oblivious. She just thinks he’s being helpful and polite, like a good waiter. ❛ Well, thank you. So far, i’m very satisfied with my experience. ❜ Another smile. A polite one. Nothing flirtatious about that but the waiter seems to read something else. Again, she’s totally oblivious. ❛ Oh! i’ll have a carafe of water as well, please. I tend to get thirsty when i’m nervous. ❜ Did she just say that last bit out loud? Yep. You did, her brain confirms as it replays the scene. Dammit. She wants to facepalm herself right now but that wouldn’t help make it less awkward. Instead, she settles for a nervous laugh while the waiter turns to Vasily, asking him his order.  

couronnez​:

Vasily’s glance flicks to the pill box before her on the table, surprised at how casually she was handling the situation. If he would have to take any kind of medication, he’d likely feel ashamed like no other. He admires her for it. It’s brave. It’s probably just a normal task for her but he finds himself drawn to her more and more as he thinks about it. This smile is reserved for her and her only, no one else has ever seen him this charming before. He isn’t Nikolai but he knowns his way around such situations. He grew up with him after all. That’s why he notices the waiter’s stares, too. He was looking at her like he had done too the first time he’d met. All hearts in his eyes. Jealously rises in him quietly, feeling offended that the other man would even dare to gaze at his date in such an affectionate way. His attention switches back to her as she orders, deciding to ignore the waiter for now, not wanting to get into an argument on his first time taking out someone in a long time. Seafood. She’s allergic to seafood. Just like that he knows what he is going to avoid from now on.

Vasily is just short from lashing out as he watches the waiter continue to sweet talk, glad beyond measure that she doesn’t seem to realize the vain attempts of his.

She’s here because of you.

He thinks and knows that it’s the truth. He could offer the world and if not all of it, he had Russia. That ought to be enough.

I tend to get thirsty when I’m nervous.

Vasily melts at those words. Just like that he’s gone. Smiling. His bright blue eyes afire, brimming with enthusiasm.

❝ I’ll have the same. ❞

No thank you. No please. Vasily only has eyes for Ehri and when the waiter is finally gone, he leans forward slightly to talk to her.

❝ I think I am gonna have some of that water, too. ❞

An attempt to make her feel at ease. Show her safety. Show her a bit of the vulnerability he rarely ever allows himself to wear.

❝ At least a bit of healthiness because I don’t like salads.❞

Vasily has been called a silly toddler by Nikolai several times because he’s the person to pick the greens out of his food. If there’s a remotely vegetable looking shape on it, he will not eat it. Blame his upbringing for it but his father had done it the same way.

He gifts Ehri another one of his smile’s and settles back into his chair.

Ehri has no shame regarding her illness. When you spend years thinking you were fine only for your own heart to let you down, you learn a thing or two about vulnerability. When you’re forced to slow down, be anchored to a bed and look Death in the eyes, suddenly there’s no room for playing pretend anymore. You just get to be utterly vulnerable, utterly yourself. At first, it is terrifying, paralyzing. To let people see you that way. Pale as death, struggling to even breathe. You can do nothing else than stare at the ceiling and think. Think about all the time you’ve wasted pretending your life away. About how many times you said i’m fine, thank you but never meant any of it. When you have to rely on people for your basic needs, you eventually learn to accept the help of others, to welcome it. Ehri won’t pretend anymore, not when it comes to her health. She can pretend she likes Business Management and Economics until she’s done with college, until she manages to gain some independence. This internship is her very first job since her days as a model. And she’d like to believe her impeccable grades got her this position but she’s also aware Tatiana Lantsov and her mom Keyen Kir-Taban have been talking. Talking marriage and grandkids. The other day she was supposed to have a date with Nikolai Lantsov at the Lantsov mansion. Date he canceled (thank god!) because of a family emergency, something about his cousin Rasmus falling down a staircase. And now—— Well, now, she was sitting at a table in a fine Italian restaurant on a date with Vasily Lantsov, CEO of Lantsov Corp AND Nikolai’s brother. What a weird funny universe she had just walked in. She wasn’t complaining though. 

He’ll have the same, he says. No please. No thank you. She would’ve thought it was rude of him—— if she didn’t see his blue eyes afire like that. Damn. She catches her breath. Am i doing this? I—— I haven’t done anything. I’m not even trying. He’ll take some of that water. She smiles at that, understanding that’s his way of saying he’s nervous, too. Adorable.  ❛ Maybe we should’ve order two then. ❜ She teases, feeling more at ease already. She wonders if he really likes the paccheri al forno or if he was just too wonderstruck by her just  e x i s t i n g  that he couldn’t come up with another order. She also notes that he didn’t take seafood either, like he was planning to at first. Because he wants to be safe. Because he wants ME to be safe. And she smiles at that too. Out of the blue. Because that thought alone makes her all fuzzy inside. And, just like that, she forgets she’s an intern and he’s the CEO. They’re just two nervous people on a date sharing a meal together and getting to know each other. He says he doesn’t like salads and she’s genuinely curious. ❛ Well, i cannot blame you for that. Lettuce on its own is pretty boring. There’s various types of cold dishes you might like though, if you’re willing to try. You just have to find the right fit for you. ❜ Her voice is soft and her tone not at all moralizing or patronizing. She isn’t there to turn him into a veggies lover. She just lets him know that the options are there and he can explore if he wishes to. No pressure. ❛ I’ve been on various diets in the past. Some of them I'm not really proud of…❜ She pauses, fiddling with the corner of her napkin. Being a model isn’t as glamorous as the magazines made it out to be. The industry is slowly killing its people with drug usage and insane diets and poisoning the youth with unrealistic beauty standards. She got rid of those habits though. The meal skipping thing, the eating disorder. She didn’t have the choice. With her health condition, it would’ve killed her. That’s a great wake up call there. Death. At least, for her, it was enough. You don’t want to die before your twenties. Especially if there’s a way you can avoid it. ❛ But i’ve learned from those experiences. And i’ve found that the best diet is eating what you love. One shouldn’t look at their plate and think ugh not again or ugh disgusting. I know i won’t be thinking that when i see my plate. And i won’t be feeling guilty about ALL THAT CHEESE either.❜ She giggles, toffee eyes gleaming with pure joy. 

couronnez​:

❝ Maybe we should have. ❞

He laughs, a sound that slips so very easily over his lips. It hasn’t, in a long time, he missed it. Just .. living. Being himself and unapologetically so. The food is long forgotten, a minuscule thing on an evening like this, with her sitting vis-à-vis from him. Her presence was mesmerizing. Otherworldly capturing. A moment spent in quiet, with him just taking in her sight, the beauty of her face and then -

❝I have yet to find something I truly like. But … ❞

He leans forward, conspiratorially, his smile widening so easily, it was clear he was no stranger to doing so. Mischief gleams in his eyes. A desire. He wants her to like him. To meet the TRUE Vasily Lanstov. Not the CEO of Lantsov Corporation.

❝ Perhaps, you could show me? ❞

She might, she might not. It doesn’t matter. He is not keen on finding out whether he likes salad or not - as long as it is made by her he will eat it. That’s the whole deal. Flirting and flirting shamelessly but hiding it away with an expertise previously unknown to him.

Then the conversation turns serious again. It’s about her past. Her modeling career. Vasily understands the struggles, the pain. He knows what she must have been through, starving herself to stay thin. To stay photogenic. What nonsense. Vasily thinks he has never seen a prettier woman in his life before.

❝ You shouldn’t. Absolutely not. You’re perfect … ❞

HE DID NOT. He didn’t just say that, did he? Those few words. Vasily holds her glance despite it all. Feverishly. His blue orbs filled with desire. Need. Longing.

❝ Your- … your looks I mean. Impeccable.❞

He smiles, hides it insecurity behind a layer of charm. Suddenly he wishes for nothing more but his wine. To calm his nerves. His heart is racing behind his sternum, his chest aching with the stress of it all but he doesn’t care. Cannot care. Not when he is so mesmerized by the woman sitting across from him.

❝ Anyway … may I ask … what those pills are for? ❞

That laugh. It had startled her. In the right way. It was beautiful, genuine. Nothing she’d had expected from the all famous Vasily Lantsov who’d gotten so drunk years ago he’d spilled his drink on her sister Makhi who was his date at the time. I have yet to find something I truly like, he’d said. She’d thought it was sad at first, sad that he hadn’t yet found something he truly enjoyed. But then he had leaned forward as if to share a secret with her. Perhaps, you could show me? he had said. And she had known he wasn’t just talking about salads. She’d looked down, shyly, as a smile spread across her pink lips. ❛ Perhaps i will. ❜ She had uttered, fiddling with the corner of her napkin before she’d talked about her past. 

Toffee eyes were locked with blue ones. You’re perfect. Those are dangerous words. She slightly shifted on her seat, a nervous laugh escaping her. She didn’t know what to say or how to reply to this. Honestly, she didn’t think she was perfect. And didn’t aspire to be either. Not anymore. She knew he meant it well but something still stirred inside of her. It’s a compliment, the little voice whispered. Just take it and move on. ❛ Thanks. Many say the same about you, Mister Elected Most Eligible Bachelor of Russia. ❜ She ends up saying, hoping the smile and the teasing would dissipate her discomfort. He didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Get over it!  But she can’t. Lips part again and she’s about to open up about the situation but he suddenly wonders about the pills. ❛ Oh. ❜ She says, picking up the little pill box. She’s relieved. This is something she can talk about without tiptoeing. ❛ Those are Plavix. Well, blood thinners. I take them to prevent heart diseases. I’ve had issues with my heart in the past and had surgery to fix it. ❜ She explains. She is totally open about it. No shame, no discomfort. She’s at ease. ❛ I’m okay now though. Well, i still need to be careful but with the medication i can pretty much live my life as fully as before. ❜ She smiles. A reassuring one. She wants to reassure him. Let him know that she’s alright now and won’t die on him or anything, since she knows a lot of people get scared off whenever she speaks up about it.