Pretending To Be Royal

"I'm so happy!" Dimitri exclaimed, his voice echoing through Vanessa's room as he danced with her, twirling her around and holding her close. A wide, almost childlike grin stretched across his face.

Vanessa could barely contain her laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice light and teasing.

Dimitri walked towards the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, a dreamy expression on his face. 

He placed his hands on his hips, his voice a hushed whisper. "We kissed! We freaking kissed! Oh god!" 

He covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Vanessa smiled, a warm glow spreading through her chest. 

"Aww, the baby boy's all grown up," she teased, her voice laced with affection.

"I never expected it, that she would say she liked me too," he said, his voice filled with wonder, pacing around the room like an excited child.

"Wow! Who would've thought Dimitri would go crazy for a girl?" Vanessa laughed, her eyes twinkling.

"I mean… oh my goodness," he stammered, his words failing him.

"I feel bad though. I'd be stealing her away from you," Vanessa said softly, her voice laced with guilt. 

She watched as Dimitri's expression turned serious, his movements halting. 

He walked towards her, his gaze intense, and took her hands in his, his touch gentle.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with remorse.

"Hey, it's fine," he whispered back, his voice strained, though he knew it wasn't fine. 

He had finally found someone who filled his thoughts, but he'd be losing her too.

"I'd have to make the most of it. I have a year until she comes to the palace, and then in five months, she'll be released, and back to her people for good…" 

His voice trailed off, a flicker of despair in his eyes as he realized he might never see her again.

"Dimitri… about that…" Vanessa began, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

"What? What is it?" he asked, his voice sharp with agitation.

"She might be coming over in two months. Eric is in town. And she might not be leaving in five months…"

"I don't understand…"

"We found the first step of the cure, finding the family that cursed me… I believe that if we find them, and they forgive us, then…"

"And what if you don't?" Dimitri asked, his voice cold, his gaze piercing through her veil.

"I…" Vanessa's voice faltered, her eyes welling with tears.

"What if you don't find them? Or they don't forgive you? Are you trying to say Fiona will be here for a long time? We can't even stall the engagement for that long!" He looked at Vanessa, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

"Wait… you don't plan to get her engaged to Eric, do you?"

"Dimitri, it's the only way!" she cried, her voice laced with desperation as she held his hands.

He stood up, flinging her hands away, his expression filled with disgust. 

"No! No… Eric, Eric cannot take her away too…"

"Dimitri, please. If they get engaged, I'll be sure Eric won't leave me. So even if it takes a long time, he'll still believe we're engaged, and he'll still wait for me," she sobbed, her voice breaking.

"That's nonsense. Why do I have to be at the losing end?" Dimitri spat, his voice filled with bitterness as he stormed out of the room.

...

Fiona could finally think clearly now that Rose had left. She wondered how their future home lessons would be. As much as she hated to admit it, Rose was a very good teacher.

Mrs. G had asked Fiona and Maria to get some groceries for the week.

"I hate going to the market!" Maria groaned, her expression filled with disgust.

"Come on. It's not that bad?" Fiona giggled, linking her arm through Maria's.

"Why do you dress in big hats and sunglasses, by the way?" Maria asked, her eyes narrowed with curiosity.

Fiona couldn't reveal that she had to hide from being noticed by anyone, as she was still a fake princess. "Um… the sun?" she replied, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"Okay," Maria answered happily. "You make it look good."

"Thank you," Fiona smiled.

"By the way, have you and Mr. Dimitri hooked up?" Maria asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

"Maria!" Fiona exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.

"What?" They both laughed as they walked towards the meat market. Fiona was so busy looking for the right store that she accidentally bumped into a stranger.

"I'm sorry," they both said in unison. As Fiona raised her head, she recognized him.

"Michael?"

"Fifi?"

"Her name's…" Maria began, but Fiona pinched her discreetly. "Fifi… Her name is Fifi," Maria groaned.

"What are you doing here?" Fiona asked. She noticed the guards behind him and then, as she stared at him again, she realized he was dressed like royalty.

"You're…"

"A prince. I know," he chuckled nervously, a hint of awkwardness in his manner. He stretched out his hand. "I'm Prince Eric."

Maria gasped, her eyes widening. "Oh my…"

"You're Prince Eric? But the other day at the market, you wanted to buy that Sun Globe…" Fiona said, her brow furrowed with confusion.

"Ah, yes. I was buying it for someone. And we happened to meet," he smiled nervously, avoiding her gaze.

"Why'd you lie then?" she asked again, her voice laced with suspicion.

"I didn't want to reveal my true identity. I'm trying to surprise Princess Vanessa," he admitted, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Fiona's heart pounded against her ribs. This can't be good.

"You know what? We have to get going," she said, grabbing Maria's arm.

"We do?" Maria asked, her voice laced with confusion.

"Yes, we do," Fiona said, gritting her teeth.

"Ah, okay. Bye, Prince Eric," Maria waved as they walked away.

Fiona couldn't believe she was arguing with Prince Eric the last time. 

What if she had blown her cover? She was grateful she wore a disguise. 

Prince Eric looked a lot like Dimitri. He was tall, really handsome, and had the same piercing blue eyes. 

But while Dimitri had dark short hair, his hair was blonde, smooth, and straight, falling on his shoulders. 

He carried himself with a regal air, a hint of nervousness underlying his confident demeanor. He looked like a god.

Then it clicked. If Prince Eric was here, that would mean… 

She would be going to the palace very, very soon.

.....

"My patience is wearing thin, Takachi," V stated, her voice a low growl that echoed through the damp cave. 

She strode into his chamber, the largest of the cave's openings, her movements tense.

Takachi lounged on his bed, the rough stone a contrast to his smooth, strong body. 

He wore only dark shorts, his bare chest catching the dim, flickering light of the cave's glowing moss.

"Relax, my viper, relax." he purred, his eyes tracing the line of her figure as she moved.

V shrugged off her shimmering robe, letting it pool at her feet like liquid moonlight. 

The dim light revealed the sleek curves of her body, clad only in dark, intricate undergarments. 

"They're getting too close, Takachi. She's already figured out the first step to the cure." Her voice trembled with a mixture of frustration and a dark, eager anticipation. 

"Just as I planned." Takachi grinned, a flash of white teeth in the dim light.

"You planned this?" Surprise crossed V's face. She moved to the edge of his bed, her hand tracing his jaw. "I want to see their perfect world break apart."

He caught her hand, his touch sending a jolt through her. 

"My beautiful viper, she thinks finding the last family of the victims is the key. A simple answer to a hard problem." 

He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "But that's where she's wrong. It's the spark that will start the kingdom's destruction."

A sly smile appeared on V's lips, mirroring his. She leaned closer, her breath touching his skin. 

Takachi's hand tightened on her neck, gently pulling her down into a deep kiss.

He broke the kiss, his eyes locking with hers. "Just watch, my love. Fiona will be their downfall."