Wife ? ? of Vladimir.

Title: The Journey Home
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EPISODE (6)

"I can't remember if I had any dreams that night, but it wasn't that much of a problem to me. My night had been filled with laughs and pleasure, so much so that it was hard to be angry for having another dreamless sleep. But now I realize it was because I was sleeping next to my dream; Rosetta.
She was still sleeping when my eyes opened the next morning, cuddled up to my bare chest. Her arm was draped around my waist, her head resting just above my heart.
I found that one of my hands was intertwined with hers, the other resting on her own bare waist, covered by her brightly colored locks of hair.
I smiled as I looked upon her, remembering the day before with her.
I would have to thank my father when we returned home; he had blessed me with a woman that had taken the anger right out of me. Perhaps she had some sort of power, one where she could hypnotize any man she wanted to fall to their knees and beg her to be with them and them alone. Maybe that was how she managed to break my wall I had spent hours putting up on the trip over within mere minutes, even seconds. purple and white wedding dresses
It was believable.
But Rosetta was too kind for that, or at least from what I had seen. She didn't seem like the woman who was waiting for your downfall when you least expected it, waiting ever-so patiently to overthrow another Kingdom.
No... That wasn't Rosetta.
I let her sleep for a little while longer, my eyes watching the closed windows nearby, mostly hidden by transparent white curtains that had little movement to them.
While I didn't wish to wake her and interrupt her slumber, I knew that getting home was a bit more urgent. After all, she could always sleep the way there.
When I thought it was time, I began trailing my fingers through her hair, tilting my head to be able to kiss her forehead.
'Darling,' I whispered. 'Time to wake.' I squeezed her closer to me instead of shaking, finding that it might prove to be easier on her.
She mumbled something and moved closer, moving her face into my neck, where there were already some marks from her.
I smiled, running my hand up her back.
'We've got a long trip ahead of us. If we wish to make it there before nightfall, it would be best to leave soon.' I explained, to which she sighed and slowly started to sit up, stretching.
'Ugh... I don't want to move...' Rosetta yawned, rubbing at her eyes.
'Then allow me to move for you.' I got off of the bed, standing up and retrieving my clothes. I dressed and buttoned up my shirt, for the servants had brought in my bag yesterday during the wedding, and went towards her closet.
'Have you any idea of what you're wearing?' I called out as I opened up the doors, my eyes scanning the numerous amount of dresses of practically every color.
'The servants had one ready for me. It's behind the divider.'
Rosetta stood and began gathering her underclothes, sitting back down on the bed to put them on.
I followed her instructions and found the mixture of a pale and dark green dress hanging up. I took it off the hanger and folded it carefully over my arms, spotting a pair of dark shoes near it. I hooked my fingers in the back of the shoes and lifted them, carrying the items back over to Rosetta, mentally thanking the Lord for making me Male.
But as I stopped near Rosetta, she spoke up again.
'Can you help me tie this?'
It was her corset.
'Are you sure you wish to wear this? We're going to be in a carriage for quite some time... That could get uncomfortable quickly.' I warned, already sensing a problem.
Rosetta bit her lip and looked away. 'I... Well... No... Not really... I... If I'm being honest... I hate it...'
I laughed. 'If you don't like it, then why would you wear it?'
'It's a rule here.' She explained softly. 'All women must wear them. It pleases the men.'
I found myself sighing. This Kingdom was messed up beyond belief. I had no doubt that the King was the one who put the rule into place. It made sense to me.
I gently grabbed the two sides of the corset, unlacing what she had already done, keeping quiet. Once it was untied, and reached forward and pulled it away from her waist, throwing it onto the bed.
'Rosetta, my dear, there is only one man you should please, and I stand right here. And you alone, without any additional pieces of clothing or anything else, is what pleases me.' I put two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her eyes up towards mine, pecking her lips before I smiled.
'Forget the corset. Okay?'
She smiled, then hesitantly nodded.
I couldn't wait to get her back home, away from the horrid place. There, she would be free to do anything she pleased. Rosetta could embrace what she loved and push away what she didn't. She would have choices and she would be respected. She could blossom.
Within a little over an hour, Rosetta and I stood at the castle gate next to a carriage, packed with my bag and some of her things. The rest would come on a later date, within the coming weeks at least.
Henry stood before us, two guards behind him, followed by some servants watching from the doorway of the castle or the windows, waving to Rosetta, who happily waved back.
'Take good care of my daughter, Vladimir.' Henry spoke, his voice cold like a stone frozen over with inches of ice.
I knew he wasn't too pleased with me, but I could honestly care less. The way he had treated Rosetta was too horrid to imagine. It was uncalled for.
'I will.' I promised, nonetheless.
It was more than a promise, I felt; my words to him. It was a statement. A fact. A lifestyle. A way.
'Goodbye, Father.' Rosetta curtsied to the King, keeping her eyes away.
'You will make a wonderful wife, my dear. Have fun.' Henry walked towards her and hugged her, something I was surprised to see, then placed a kiss upon her forehead. 'I love you.'
'I love you too.' She smiled and kissed his cheek in return, waiting for him to let go of her before turning towards me, signaling she was ready.
'It was nice meeting you, King Henry. Farewell.' I put my hand up in a wave, then turned and placed it around Rosetta's waist, leading her to the carriage. I opened the door for her, then helped her inside. Once she was seated, I pulled myself in and shut the door behind me, taking a seat beside her.
'He knew... That... That's why he hugged me...' Rosetta suddenly spoke up softly as the carriage started to move.
'What?'
'He... He knew I wasn't wearing it... My... My corset... He...'
'Has no power over you anymore.' I finished for her, caressing the side of her face before kissing her forehead. 'My Darling... You are with me now... You will be safe.' I tried to relieve her of her worry, but it wasn't working.
Rosetta sighed and held her head between her hands, mumbling something beneath her breath.
I could only watch her, do my best to try and figure a solution to the situation.
Eventually, I reached over and grasped one of her hands within mine, causing her to look at me. 'Come here...'
She hesitated very little to move into my side, pushing her head into my chest again.
I leaned forward and hooked my hand beneath her knees and lifted her up, letting her sit sideways upon my lap.
I put my hand through her hair again, letting the strands travel between my fingers as a smile grew upon my face.
'Sleep, my dear Rosetta... We will be there soon... And when we get there, everything will be wonderful. All of your worries will be my worries, and all of your struggles mine as well. We'll get over this. I promise.'
She faintly smiled then nodded. 'Thank you, Vladimir.'
'You're welcome.'
The hours passed just as slowly as they had my way there. Rosetta had long ago fallen asleep, still snuggled in the position I had placed her in earlier.
When we finally arrived in Transylvania, relief was filling the air around me. I decided to wake Rosetta, to show her her new home, something I hoped she would enjoy.
Transylvania was nothing like Invea, especially when it came to the people. Everything was thicker and more vibrant, miles and miles between villages, sometimes even houses and castles.
But it was home.
As we started to come through the village closest to my home, I kissed Rosetta's cheek and smiled against her skin.
'We're here.' I whispered, to which she woke a bit faster than she had this morning.
Her tired eyes gazed out the window in small amounts of awe, before she spotted a group of villagers. This seemed to catch her attention more than anything else.
I watched in a slight amazement as she moved away from my lap and towards the window, waving towards the people standing nearby.
'Hi!" She called out with a grin, as if she hadn't just been out cold.
I laughed, watching as the villagers waved back then began whispering to themselves.
'Oh... You don't think they're talking about me, do you?' Rosetta frowned and looked back towards me.
I smiled. 'Of course they're speaking about you, Dear. You're a strange woman in the carriage of the Count's son.' I teased. 'We'll announce it soon. You... You're going to love Father.' I dared not tell her he was sick. Not yet. I would tell her that later.
Her smile reflected mine. 'I can hardly wait.'
Within minutes, we pulled through the gates of the castle.
Rosetta gasped as she laid eyes upon the dark masterpiece built long ago by the people of this land. 'This is where you live?' She asked in astonishment.
I chuckled. 'Yes, Ma'am.' I answered, waiting for the carriage to come to a stop before I pushed the carriage door open, then lifted Rosetta down.
I couldn't help but watch as she took in all of the new surroundings, all the flowers that added small pops of color to the gargoyles that sat upon the ledges and roofs of the castle.
When her back was turned to me, an idea came to my mind.
I snickered and snuck up behind her, lifting her back up into my arms just like I had the day before. I then started carrying her towards the door.
'What are you doing?' Rosetta laughed as she held onto me, resting her forehead against the side of my head. 'I have working legs...'
'I know that, but it's a common practice to carry someone you love over the threshold.' I explained, wondering if Henry had kept that from her as well.
I only wish I had woken Rosetta earlier.
I carried Rosetta in through the front door, about to take her up the stairs and show her to what would be our room, when a servant dressed in black approached me.
It was an odd thing to see, as the servants never wore black unless there was something going on.
Slowly, I put Rosetta down beside me and stared at the servant in curiosity.
'What is it?' I asked with a raised eyebrow.
Then he spoke the words I had always dreaded to hear.
'Sir... Your father is dead...' "

TO BE CONTINUED..... "