ACT 1

THORNES ARE HIDDEN BY RED ROSES

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses."

― Alphonse Karr,

"Are you sure have anything, Talia?" Yvonne asked as the green-eyed female leaned her on the handle of her diaphanous black suitcase, the other one behind her as they stood in the same hangar Talia arrived at a day ago.

"I doubled check, again thank you for your hospitality," Talia acknowledged.

"It's no problem, visit more after we graduate," Yvonne quipped.

"Will do, hopefully, I get in a university," Talia sighed as Yvonne chortled.

"You're smart as hell, Cambridge or Oxford will take you without a second thought. Huh, unlike me who working my ass off to get into Cape Town," Yvonne sighed as Talia felt uneasy on her first statement.

"I'm not sure even if I want to go to Uni, I mean maybe but I wanna take a gap year and travel first," Yvonne stated, looking up as she then looked back at her friend, "What course do you think of taking? Med, Law Engineering?"

"The thing is I hate both of those," Talia's eyes softened as she looked at her canine lounging languorously next to her suitcase making her chuckle, "I mean it's one of those things I have to be good at I guess, at my school I 'barely' passed both."

"Wow, really, I always thought you were going to either. Not to offend you by the way, but you know us with the level of standard-,"

"No, no it's alright. I get what you mean. I mean the thing is with my parents they don't pressure me to do the stuff. But it's sort of, I guess my family. They're not like my parents, or as understanding I suppose. I mean, sure both my parents did respectable courses but the thing is they enjoyed doing it. The people in my milieu I could say are quite... judgemental.

I don't like law or economics, I suck at medicine,  engineering is not something I see worth stressing for. I'm not a genius in art and I really can't see any grand career that will be worth recognition, I'm not a musical prodigy and fashion merchandise isn't my speed," Talia explained with a lingering poignant tone lacing in her words as Yvonne's eyes softened.

"Well, what do you want to do?" Yvonne inquired.

"Architecture," Talia replied with a smile, "Or anything really. And if I had to pick a university as much as Cambridge or Oxford sounds nice I mean Bartlett School of Architecture is the dream or even Melbourne."

"Then go for it."

"What?" Talia blinked in confusion.

"Go for it, Talia. I mean even if your parents aren't supportive of it screw it. Just do what you want to do. It's your life, you can pay for the tuition and have the choice," Yvonne blustered as Talia felt something warm in her heart as a small smile crawled from the corner of her lips.

My life, right.

"If only it sounded so easy as you say," Talia said as Yvonne decided not to ponder any further from the sound of her tone, "So are you going back to the academy?"

"Ah no. It's staff day as they say for the school and there's a salon I have to attend in Moscow," Talia replied.

"You're having a hair appointment all the way in Moscow?" Yvonne's eyebrows scrunched as she exclaimed in bewilderment.

Talia only chuckled at her misconception, "Ah, right, sorry. It's just another term for a gathering hosted by a woman in aristocratic terms. Like high tea.

"Ah," Yvonne nodded as they heard the jet rolling towards them.

"Is anyone picking you up?" Yvonne inquired.

"Ah, actually yeah. My boyfriend," she sheepishly replied.

"Wait? Really?! I never knew? Is he a family friend from your side?!" Yvonne rambled like a speeding bullet.

"Ah, no, not from my side. I met him at my boarding school, well when we're kids we knew each other but we started dating a few years ago," Talia half lied.

"Oh," she expressed, "I thought you were the only one in your family though to attend the school your attending-,"

"He's Russian if you want me to answer, no he's not Asian," Talia chuckled as Yvonne blinked confusingly. I thought her family never approved of marrying people besides (rarely) British aristocracy. That's new, maybe he has some title or something? But what titles can impress a family who are or even above royalty? Yvonne pondered.

Talia could see her surprise as she only mentally sighed. Don't worry it's not like I wanted to.

"Do you love him?" Talia's friend inquired as the green-eyed female was exclusively taken back by the question.

"Yes," No. In a way yes, but no.

"Ah," Yvonne smiled flagrant missing Talia's remorse hidden well like a pin in a haystack. Behind them, the two found the plain rolling in as Cerberus had lifted his head from its sleepy position sensing Mikhail.

In the minutes of anticipation, Yvonne's head was trying to stimulate an image of a man would walk out the door of the jet. Someone that would be approved by Talia's family.

But Yvonne was not definitely not prepared by the reigning six foot two male who was clad in a simple dress shirt and pants. In her life of splendorous travel, she had never seen such a blindingly handsome person in her life. Though she was attracted to a body and face that profited off the western standards, she couldn't feel but admit she was so easily drawn to him.

He seemed too muscular but not in a way that was bulky yet rather his build was somewhat lanky or athletic accompanied by sharp features both in places of his face she would expect but also in other less obvious places that only complimented to how alluring he was.

Yvonne could simply not put her finger on it, he didn't look to the point he looked like a gothic vampire or meth dealer yet nor did he look like the fantastical leather jacket bad boy, no he looked far too aristocratic-looking yet managed to look so athletic.

And though she had never to believe in her younger cousin's belief in auras, it was so rightfully so there was such a unique aura she felt around him that was powerfully regal yet not frightening.

"Hello, I'm Mikhail. I'm Talia's partner, thank you for looking after her and for showing your hospitality to her," Mikhail shook her hand as Yvonne was still processing his presence.

"H-hi," Yvonne stammered as she then cleared her throat, "Sorry, I had something dry earlier, ahem. I'm Yvonne," she introduced as Mikhail chuckled.

"It's very nice to meet you," he smiled as he looked to Cerberus who was wagging his tail.

"I'll give you a scratch a later buddy, okay," he cooed as an attendant led the dog to the plane as Mikhail intertwined his fingers with Talia.

"So, how was it?" he gave her a kiss on the head.

"Great, and hot. But great, Yvonne took me to an amazing food market, with some of the best barbecue skewers. And yesterday Misha, we went to a really beautiful beach," Talia put on her signature quotidian smile, and Mikhail did the same.

"Hmm, I'm glad you enjoyed it, maybe you can take me too next time if we ever visit. If you ever come to St. Petersburg or Moscow, give Talia a call and she'll tell me," he smiled.

"Ah-, that's really nice of you," Yvonne couldn't help but smile at his honeyed tone, as well as how happy he looked with her, "I'll keep that in mind, again that's very thoughtful."

"Just trying to thank you for your hospitality and taking care of Talia. Well, we have a day ahead of us don't we dear?" he snaked his arm around her waist as Talia kept herself composed.

"Ah! Of course, thanks again for visiting Talia!" Yvonne gave her a quick hug as they parted ways.

The moment they were seated in the lounge of the jet, and the moment the attendants left the happy smiles had dropped as Talia's weariness was now so blatantly obvious as she only glared at her betrothed putting her elbow on the table as she leaned her tilted head on her curled fist, glaring at the male.

"What?" Talia chastised as Mikhail, still composed yet the ambience contrasted exceedingly from before.

"Is that how we talk to your betrothed Talia? My my, you're becoming quite bold?" he remarked.

"I can speak however I please, Mikhail," she rebuked as he chuckled.

"I see, you know you could have just stayed with me. It makes things easier than making a more than eleven-hour flight to get you," he replied not bothering to grin or smirk, "After you're little stunt you pulled from Mila-"

"Geez," Talia scoffed, "I'm alright thanks for asking."

"Of course your alright милая, I know better enough something else happened, you're my wife Talia."

"Not yet I am," Talia denounced.

"Not by July you aren't," Mikhail chuckled.

"You're sick as hell," Talia admonished in disgust.

"Aren't we all," Mikhail he winked as he got up, "I'm going to grab some complimentary? Want anything?"

Talia could only stay silent as she looked at Mikhail in an unpleasant manner.

"I'm fine."

---

The Lady Reginas was a longevous golden society group for women that stemmed from the time of where the golden age of European royalty lived. Only for the women of the elite, only those who could in were if they knew the right connections or were born into the right families.

So has it that once a year the annual hunting event would close in with the day of the Lady Regina salons were per custom, as one male per house tried to fight for the best kill to present out of chivalry to a lady of their choosing, whilst the ladies dined to a succulent banquet of what high tea had to offer.

And, it so seemed that this year both the new representative to hold the event was Kadamskiynov in their well vastly exaggerated (or not) landmass grounds. Moreso, the new representative of the imperial house was none other than Mikhail who had properly turned of age*.

*Representatives of each house, if they entered, had to be over eighteen, mostly favoured was when one was soon to be nineteen.

As both partner to the heir, she would be the right hand to the grand hostess herself Bogdana Kadamskiynov and esteemed golden Regina Catherine Kadamskiynov. Whilst escorted by a guard and an attendant Talia only felt like a plain mannequin in a couture gown as her dress was like a dull blooming peony.

As she went down the steps to the bottom floor that's large room led to the door to the greenhouse, Mikhail who was putting on his gloves only smiled as he saw Talia trail down the steps clad in a muted pink chiffon and organdy oversized and tiered and tulle ruffled nightgown-like dress that made her look like a fairy, or more so looked like the goddess Persephone with her golden spiked flower crown.

"Aren't you bewitching," Mikhail smiled as he kissed the back of her hand as Talia only was only left dispassionate and a bit tired but hid it well to the male in a black military coat and riding boots; though Talia had to admit he looked undeniably gallant that could've made a fifteen-year-old version of herself flutter she still held her grudge against him.

"I see you've used a thesaurus," Talia remarked emotionlessly as Mikhail only gave a look that was halfway between a look and a glare, but more than enough to warn her.

"Talia, don't test my patience."

"I see it's working then," Talia smirked as she wrapped her hand around his elbow as he escorted her to the greenhouse.

"Word got to me that you wouldn't let that wh0re of a woman that marquis brought last time, he seems utterly infatuated with her more than his wife with that man from Puerto Rico," Talia chimed.

"I have diminished both from events surrounding us-,"

"Oh dear, isn't that most of them?" Talia teased.

"Such trivial things that are below us shouldn't be talked about милая, as soon as if they need to be dealt with, they should be forgotten," Mikhail on responded authoritatively as Talia only mentally rolled her eyes as the two arrived at the door to the greenhouse.

"Misha," she gave in a smile as she gave a quick peck on the lips as he caressed her thumb on his cheek, "Be safe, don't get shot or shoot anyone," Talia gloated as she couldn't help but smirk as walked away.

---

It was no lie that Talia would never go unnoticed in the event of any associate in the rare stratosphere of both the European and South-East Asian elite. The moment the ebony-haired wonder had stepped into the room, all eyes were on her as they marvelled at Talia's laudable fashion choices that were both accepted and stood out in her sea of roses that resonated of the sound of the mini-orchestra playing Quintet in F minor op 34.

"My god look at her."

"she's like a fairy."

"I swear every time I see her she looks more beautiful than the last time I see her."

As the room's attention was only to be seated at Talia, the female strolled elegantly in the middle of the aisle between the lengthy tables set out a 'U' formation; that only arched at the centre to where Catherine was seated in the middle with Bogdana and her associates.

"My apologies for my tardiness, my flight was of eleven hours over and I rushed as quickly as I could to get ready," Talia did a curtsy as Bogdana only smiled.

"It's alright dear, we have only been seated ten minutes ago," the woman in a Valentin Yudashkin intricate floral lace and chiffon wrap dress with a beautiful flower crown composed of peonies, "Alice, if you may, and please if everyone could enjoy themselves."

As the room continued its light chatter, Alice made her way clad in an a-line tanty gallant embossed dress from head to toe of lace and the most immaculate Lesage embroidery Talia had ever seen to what she described as if an angel had personally sewed it.

"Lady Talia," Alice gave a light crusty as Talia nodded and Alice and the female linked arms as she escorted Talia.

"So what did I miss?" Talia inquired in a hushed tone.

"Well, my mother the seating fanatic had to replace someone in that marquis' partner, well word got to me that he was relinquished of his title actually," Alice informed as Talia only scoffed in her head.

Diminishing from events meant diminishing of their title, which included their land as well Talia baffled.

"She's become quite close to my mother, personally I don't think she belongs here but she comes as a quest on my mother's account. Do you remember the woman of the night we went to my family's gathering earlier this year, I think you were wearing the Rolf & Viktor piece, I think it was white," Alice tried to account.

"That Shi woman?" Talia asked.

"Yes, that one. I will admit she is quite charming to who she chooses, does your family know of her?"

"Sort of, not in our inner circle though. She was one of those prominent families of Asia that were European influenced. Asian blood but grew up in a more western setting, you know more English and an Asian cuisine," Talia explained, "She's been bothering my mother since she almost wanted her son to court me-,"

"That's preposterous," Alice rebuked as she quickly looked back, "You know, I was glaring at her the whole time because she almost sat before Bogdana did, then she seemed so impatient that I was afraid why wasn't anything happening before you arrived."

"Let's just such things behind us Alice, we shouldn't dwell on such matters," Talia simply stated.

"You're so very much wise," Alice smiled as they stopped reaching Talia's seat that was in between Giannia sitting next to her mother who was next to Bodgana and on the other side Alice and her mother.

The moment she sat down on the seat Anna, Gigi's mother wasted no time in analysing every inch of Talia who somehow pulled off such a simple yet fabulous look.

"My goodness, Talia! You look absolutely splendida as always! Da chi?"

"Ah, it's just something I had lying around that I haven't worn in a while, pretty sure it's just something Giambattista whipped up for me when I was in town to visit him for a cup of tea," Talia answered not bothering to try and remember the details.

Yet in reality, it was once the prototype dress for none other than the golden age Hollywood actress Gloria Swanson's nightgown for sunset boulevard that Giambattista managed to get his hands on and reconstructed it with an utmost meticulous of care. Though Talia had fallen in love with the dress when she heard the story behind it, it had -for her- cost a breezy price of somewhere around over a million euros.

At the far end of the tables Ophelia Shi with a loose beehive hairdo and opted in for a neoclassical era inspired dress grew bored that though she knew she bared no importance compared to those at the far end wanted to be part of the conversations who mattered.

The moment Ophelia heard that there was an opening at the exclusive event she grabbed the chance it like it was the last piece of food on earth. Even though she wasn't this 'Lady Regina' that bared on title or in-law to any European power she was one most certainly bored out of her mind, and two still grew no idea why those ladies at the far end were so important.

Sure they had some fancy history -yes, she was truly impressed- but she didn't understand why they were so different to other European families who were more public and who were practically royalty if their country wasn't a democratic one. Turning to one of the ladies beside her that was a distant relative to Eglantine (who was lighting up when she saw the palatable trays of food that she had been craving to taste, Bogdana had always had the best cook who made the most mind-blowing macaroons).

"Excuse Comtesse-" Ophelia decided to show off her impeccable french.

"Risette," she politely answered.

"Comtesse Risette, please forgive my rudeness, but I a merely curious and suddenly invited to such a lavish event. But I aware of such lineage those ladies represent and stem from, but I am confused on why-, what makes them so different to other families who hold the same title." Ophelia tried to say in the most honeyed tone possible.

Risette only tried to process what was her intention and turned the other cheek knowing it was rude to imply she was being nosy. "Madame Shi, please understand though the people you have met are more public or attend events very public. Yes, we may possess the same rank or even some people in here lower ranks than the people you have probably met.

But if you want to talk lineage yes we all have ties to royalty one way to another. The women you see there at the head of the table are wives and themselves are born into Europe's best-kept secret superpowers. They were back in European royalty's golden ages the most influential figures."

"I still don't understand," Ophelia expressed, "I've met and were raised with duke's that can be practically royalty if France or Italy were still a monarchy."

"Madame Shi I don't you think you understand. Just because they would be considered royalty, royalty back then was just a title. You know the de Belluccis may have been once royalty then split but even after that they still controlled and were the most influential investors in all of western Europe. Even to this day, even though normal people, governments in western Europe and these CEO or tycoons still feel like they're in control but they're not.

Everything still belongs to them. They can take whatever painting they want in the Louvre and they'll cover it up with an immaculate replacement. The Vanderhadens, every ex-colony from even outside of Europe, can still be controlled by them however they please. And the Kadamskiynovs is beyond explaining, they are too powerful for this world in my opinion.

You must understand the people you've met may be related to royalty or could be considered it, these people you talk about, controlled royalty," Risette motioned as Ophelia was quiet mouthed.

Back at the other end of the table just pulling away from her teacup from her lips was Talia watching the room in silence as the people around her chattered as if their life depended on it. Biting into a finger sandwich, Talia gazed at Ophelia Shi for a few brief seconds, pondering whether she should give her attention to the older lady. Perhaps the thought of outsiders to the circle was something Talia caught on from the Kadamskiynovs, and her mood was a distasteful one due to the 'turbulence' earlier.

"I forgot to say hello to you last time, Mrs Shi," Talia's voice silenced the room as all eyes were strung onto the outsider that made Ophelia want to squirm in her seat but kept her composure.

"Oh, yes-, I mean it's alright. You're presence is more than enough," Ophelia almost rambled taking back the words, she said that to a girl twenty more years her junior.

"How is this event treating you so far, I'm sure you've been to dozens of these," Talia smiled.

"No-! Not as merely beautiful as this. The food here is exquisite, absolutely divine! And the scenery, I have never seen a grander greenhouse in my life," she eulogized as no one spoke afterwards as she felt a sudden awkwardness to her.

"I love the piece that you're wearing I must add," Ophelia complimented as Talia was interested in the statement.

I thought she hung out with dukes and other nobles Anna scrunched her nose.

"It's just another piece I have from Giambattista," Talia spoke sipping on her tea delicately.

"Oh, of course! He's a good friend of mine-"

He's everybody's friend Elsa Läckerberg snorted.

"I met him through a countess' daughter who's a model for him and other designers, the moment they saw her account and other photoshoots they asked her straight away-"

Just same old nepotism Bogdana scoffed.

"- oh, you've seen Dior's new line right several weeks ago? I'm sure you were there, it was absolutely breathtaking," she peppered as Gianna couldn't help but snort catching everyone off guard.

"There's no point of going to fashion week nowadays, they're all full of these influencers and mediocre celebrities that I should care about! I swear none of them can stop taking selfies! It's absolutely preposterous, none of them actually to attend with a proper understanding of such level of fashion! As soon as the show ends, everyone floods out bothering to ask the seamstresses where the material came from and why did they use it, or the story behind the stitching and the progress!" Jean-Luc's mother Eglantine sniffed as everyone nodded in agreement.

Ophelia Shi, the woman who knew how to please and get into the right crowds had never felt so small in her life. Fortunately, however, a servant in smart livery had whispered into Bogdana's ear and notified her that the men were all ready to start the hunting competition.

"Ladies," Bogdana got up as the ladies did too without a second's hesitation, "It's about to start," she announced as some squealed in excitement as Talia rolled her eyes as Gianna took her arm with hers as they walked out.

"Do you think Mikhail will kill a stag?" Gianna asked as they strolled outside behind the ladies flooding to the door.

"I'm not surprised, I'm happy if he kills a fox for me," Talia replied uninterested in all the excitement as they lined up, watching the men coming out with their horses.

Everyone knew that any boy who didn't attend the military based Christian boarding school wouldn't stand a chance with the ones who did, many of which didn't bother to compete against the vicious powerhouses.

"Oh heavens! Look how dashing Mikhail looks!" Gianna's mother pointed as Mikhail captured the caricature of a debonair aristocrat as talk began to circulate.

"Where is Maxim by the way Bogdana?" Elsa asked.

"He said he was dealing with an important matter, besides, I think he just wanted to give spotlight to Misha this year," she said as the women looked to Mikhail talking to Cesar and the previous year's winner Elroy whose wife (Eglantine) was standing beside Bogdana.

As the horn blew rapturous applause and cheer erupted as the once convoy of males scattered and into the forest.

Emerald eyes only gazed to the sky that was an expanse of sapphire blue, freckled with fluffy clouds with the radiant sun dancing brightly.

Yet if Talia only knew who else wasn't just at the same sky, but the same agate eyes that could possibly shake up the Kadamskiynov name...

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Hey you guys! Trying my best to update!

Dealing with other books and also books that have been in the running for Watty awards. Ironically lol this book could have been in the running if it was completed. Though I think it will be a while before it becomes complete!

Please comment on you're opinions, it keeps me motivated and gives me feedback.

Might be a while till I update (not long long long but just waiting for lightning to strike me with inspiration).

Hope everyone is doing alright <3
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