A Rose For A Rose

Chapter 14

Lissa was beside herself when we formally announced our engagement. Viktoria still seemed hesitant but congratulated us with a smile. My parents looked at each other knowingly before congratulating us, my mother kissing my head and hugging Dimitri.

Ivan kissed my cheek in praise and Adrian made a joke about joining the family. The only person who hadn't been joyous about our engagement was Natasha. She sat with a sour expression on her face, arms crossed in defiance. Christian glared at her as he wished Dimitri and I well wishes, shaking Dimitri's hand.

Eddie was genuinely happy for us as he hugged me, whispering how he was glad I found someone. I pulled back and smiled at him, flicking my eyes towards Dimitri.

"Maybe it was just a fleeting emotion," I said softly. Eddie canted his head slightly before our conversation from months back made sense to him. He smiled and nodded, shaking Dimitri's hand.

"Hey, you know this means we're family now," Eddie snickered, clapping my shoulder. I chuckled and shook my head.

"I'll be the most annoying sister-in-law you'll ever have," I retorted.

Viktoria snorted a laugh and covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sure that title will go to Sonia."

Dimitri choked on his laughter and ran his hand over the back of my head. "I think Vika is right, that will most likely be Sonia. She is quite crabby as of late. The further into her pregnancy she gets, the fouler she can become," Dimitri whispered in my ear, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke. I smiled to myself at the sensation.

"I've heard being with child can do that oneself," I said looking up at him, "And I can be foul on my own. You should be prepared, Your Grace."

Dimitri smirked at me and there was a flicker of something in his eyes. I couldn't place what it was exactly, but it was a soft and caring look.

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I knocked on the study door out of courtesy and waited for Dimitri to call out. I could hear him moving around inside, things being moved. I waited moment before knocking harder.

"What!?"

I raised my brows in disbelief and pushed the door open, finding the office in disarray.

"What happened!?" I asked, my bewildered eyes taking in the chaos of the office. Dimitri looked up and saw that it was me standing in the doorway and his eyes softened.

"My Rose, I apologize. I didn't realize it was you."

I nodded my head in understanding and stepped further into the study. Drawers were pulled out of his desk, books pulled off the shelves, and all the paint supplies and canvases moved away from their spot.

"What is going on?" I asked again, picking up a few canvases and setting them back on the table. The portrait Dimitri started the other day was torn.

"My mother's ring is missing."

I raised my brows and lifted my hand but he shook his head. "No. I had that ring made custom for you. I was going to offer the choice but I couldn't find my mother's this morning. I've looked all over this study for it," Dimitri sighed, running his hand through his hair. I frowned and approached him, stroking his arm soothingly.

"We'll find it," I said softly. Dimitri seemed so stressed about the loss of his mother's ring. He sat down in the chair by his desk with his head in his hands. I knelt down in front of him and rubbed his shoulders gently, waiting for him to calm.

"I know that my mother's marriage was not ideal, but it's still her ring. I wanted to give it back to her, or even have it ready if one of our children wanted to use it one day. It should have been safe in here."