Page 19 of King’s Promise

“I can figure out shopping. It’s called Google.”

He gives me a smirk. “Funny. And how are you to pay for designer dresses?”

“That’s why you’re going, I imagine,” I sass him as I pick up the book, and brush past him making a perfect exit.

“Ten, be ready. Dinner tonight, usual time,” I hear him say as I make my way into the hall.

“Got it.”

After studying and texting Darci, I make my way downstairs as Mum and Katerynia arrive with Sergei.

I greet them at the door, and they are shocked as soon as they step inside the grand foyer.

“Have you gotten lost in the house?” Katerynia asks as she waltzes in the foyer. “Does it echo?”

She’s out of school, so the wedding planning comes at a good time.

“I don’t know,” I reply as she peers up at the staircase.

“My goodness, this is amazing,” Mum gushes.

“Thanks, let’s go into the living room. Hazel made scones and we’ll have tea.” I nod to Sergei, who wears a smirk. I wonder what that’s about. He’s turning into an arrogant jerk since Papa died.

We spend an hour planning the wedding, the flowers, the cake, nothing too elaborate. My sister has the list of guests Nikolay delivered to her via Sergei. The invitations will be hand delivered by courier due to the short notice and needed privacy.

“There aren’t many people,” Mum says.

“It’s fine. I don’t really want a large group.” In my mind, I don’t want to be different from my friends, who all profess to never marry or have kids. Besides, my life mate has been decided for me. Ergo, no option.

“Oh, did you hear the sad news on Baran?”

“No, what?”

“He was found dead in his flat, shortly after Papa was found. We were questioned,” Katerynia continues.

“No, no one told me. I never imagined. I thought it strange he wasn’t around the day of Papa’s…”

“Right, strange, huh?” My sister has a point. I involuntarily shiver even though the room isn’t cold. Nikolay dispatched Pavel to make sure he paid for Papa’s untimely end. Did Nikolay’s order do this?

“Don’t dwell on it, girls,” Mum intercedes the sad news. “We must be going. I’ll write out the invitations. You need to pick your menu items for the dinner after the ceremony.”

“Fine,” I concede. It’s not so bad doing this with help. It’s not what I dreamed about, but then again, Baran’s death reminds me of why I’m agreeing to this antiquated ritual of marrying for wealth or power. In my case, it’s both.

Dinnertime comes and I slip into a nicer dress knowing Nikolay likes to keep dinner formal. Tonight, he surprises me by showing up in jeans. I’m confused.

“I thought dinner had a dress code.”

“I had time to change,” his nonchalant reply surprises me. He pulls my chair out and I sit, tucking my dress in like a lady.

Hazel arrives with our dinner plates. I admire her smooth serving skills and how professional she is when it’s evident she cares for the family. She tends the house like it’s her own. All day she cleans and cooks and always has snacks for anyone no matter what time of the day it is.

“I see you planned dinner,” he muses as his hamburger and fries sit under his nose.

“Not any burger, these are made with the best meat, you’ll love it. Dip your fries in the aioli sauce with truffles.

He shakes his head as if in disbelief a burger is his dinner.

“I thought I could pick food,” I explain.

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