E.Kir-Taban - 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​: 

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.