Pretending To Be Royal

"I can't believe it! It's your birthday and you're keeping it a secret?" Maria exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.

Fiona, her heart heavy, continued chopping carrots for the soup, the rhythmic thud of the knife against the cutting board a temporary distraction from the turmoil within her. 

"It's nothing special," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Besides, it's also Miss Rose's birthday, and Mr. Dimitri seems so happy about celebrating with her." 

She shrugged, trying to appear indifferent, but the tightness in her chest betrayed her true feelings.

"Still!" Maria protested, her voice laced with concern. 

She paused as Dimitri entered the kitchen, his presence instantly changing the atmosphere.

"Hello, ladies," he greeted, a warm smile gracing his lips. Fiona's heart skipped a beat, a flutter of nervousness rising within her.

"Hello, Mr. Dimitri," Maria replied, her voice adopting a demure tone that starkly contrasted with her usual boisterous nature. 

She winked at Fiona, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I smell something amazing," Dimitri said, his voice laced with playful curiosity. 

He moved closer to Fiona, who was washing her hands at the sink. She froze, her body tensing as she felt his presence behind her, his warmth radiating against her back. 

Her heart pounded against her ribs, the air filled with the unspoken tension between them.

"I... I think Mrs. G is calling me," Maria lied, her voice barely concealing her amusement as Fiona turned her head towards her, mouthing 'no' . 

She gave Fiona a wink and a reassuring pat on the shoulder before slipping out of the kitchen, leaving Fiona alone with Dimitri.

Fiona turned to face him, her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding. 

"Mr. Dimitri," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I would appreciate it if you'd exercise patience, as the birthday dinner is still three hours away."

Dimitri chuckled, the sound a warm rumble that sent shivers down her spine. 

He stepped back, giving her space, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You've been avoiding me," he stated, his voice soft yet firm.

"No, I don't think so," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She avoided his gaze, her eyes fixed on the countertop.

"Then why aren't you looking at my face?" he asked, his voice gentle yet persistent.

Fiona's cheeks burned. She hadn't realized she was avoiding his gaze, her subconscious betraying her true feelings. 

"I... nothing," she mumbled, her voice laced with a nervousness she couldn't hide.

Dimitri took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. 

Fiona's heart pounded, her breath catching in her throat. 

Why does she feel this way when he's around her? she wondered, a mix of confusion and longing swirling within her.

He leaned down, his face inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. 

"Are you sure?" he whispered, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

Fiona swallowed hard, her mind racing. She couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes darting nervously around the room. 

Before she could formulate a response, a voice interrupted them.

"Dimitri?" Miss Rose called from the entrance of the kitchen, her voice light and cheerful.

Dimitri straightened up, a smile spreading across his face. "Rose! Didn't think you'd arrive so soon." 

He opened his arms, and Miss Rose stepped into his embrace, her laughter echoing through the room. 

Fiona watched them, a pang of jealousy piercing her heart. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"I was bored at home," Rose said, her voice laced with a playful lilt.

"Come on, let's head to the living room," Dimitri said, glancing back at Fiona. 

He noticed the flicker of hurt in her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped slightly. 

She looked... hurt? 

…..

It was finally time for the dinner party. 

Rose's friends, the maids, and Dimitri had planned a surprise celebration, but Fiona couldn't shake the feeling that Rose had already been expecting it.

The dinner proceeded with forced cheerfulness.

Pauline and the other maids, dressed in their best casual outfits, exchanged polite conversation with Rose's friends. 

Fiona, however, felt like an outsider, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions.

"Fiona, blue suits you," Rose commented, her eyes fixed on Fiona's dress.

"Thank you," Fiona replied softly, her gaze fixed on her lap.

"Yes, she looks gorgeous, not just in blue," Dimitri added, his eyes lingering on Fiona. 

Maria, sitting next to Fiona, gave her a playful nudge. Fiona managed a weak smile, but her heart wasn't in it.

"So, Fiona," Rose began, her voice laced with a subtle edge, "where did you come from?"

"She's from the southern village," Dimitri interjected, his voice firm. 

Fiona, though grateful for his intervention, felt a pang of guilt at the lie.

"Oh, so you mean you were handpicked by Dimitri to come live here freely, get a good education, and cook for him?" 

Rose smirked, her eyes fixed on Fiona. "I hope you don't get confused and think of yourself as his wife?"

"Rose!!" Dimitri exclaimed, his voice sharp with disapproval. 

The table fell silent, the atmosphere thick with tension.

"What? It's true. Your special treatment might have her confused. She might think she's someone special to you," Rose continued, her gaze unwavering.

"Hey, don't listen to her," Maria whispered to Fiona, who was staring at her hands, her cheeks burning with shame. 

I wish I could just disappear, she thought, her heart pounding.

"Rose, you have to stop now!" Dimitri demanded, his voice rising.

"I'm not done," Rose retorted, her eyes gleaming with malice. 

"Didn't you tell her? We shared a special kiss? Back then, when she first came to the house?" She smiled, a cruel twist to her lips. 

"Oh, Fiona, I just don't want you to get any ideas. After all, you're just a village girl who wishes for things she can't have!"

Fiona's breath hitched, her heart clenching with a mixture of anger and humiliation. 

Rose's words pierced through her, shattering the fragile hope that had been blossoming within her. 

She couldn't take it anymore. 

She rose abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor, the sound echoing through the silent room. 

She fled towards the balcony, her vision blurred with tears.

"Fiona! Fiona!!" Dimitri called out, his voice laced with concern. But Fiona didn't stop. 

She needed to escape, to breathe, to find a moment of solace amidst the suffocating tension.

She stumbled onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief against her burning cheeks. 

She leaned against the railing, her body trembling with suppressed sobs. 

What was she thinking? she berated herself. How could someone like Dimitri ever fall for her? 

He must have kissed her that day because he was sick, not because he meant it.

She wrapped her arms around herself, allowing the tears to flow freely. 

She wished she had never agreed to stay, to pretend to be Vanessa. 

All she wanted now was to go home, to escape the tangled web of lies and deceit, to find a place where she could be herself, where she could heal her wounded heart.

She thought of Takachi's words "Very soon Fiona, you will join me."