Mother Knows Best (Russia x Reader)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝘁𝐞𝗿 𝐋𝐈

The ominous command echoed through the darkened corridors of the ancient palace as Teresa's malevolent troops split into two groups, scouring every nook and cranny in search of Natalia. Their torches cast eerie flickering shadows on the walls, adding to the ominous ambiance that permeated the once regal halls.

Meanwhile, Natalia, hidden away with her closest confidante, Jovan, cowered in the deepest recesses of the palace, their hearts pounding in fear. They had chosen their hiding spot carefully, hoping to remain undetected amid the chaos that now plagued their sanctuary.

Natalia's chest rose and fell with every ragged breath, her eyes wide with terror. "Jovan, what do we do now?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jovan, ever calm and composed, placed a reassuring hand on Natalia's shoulder. "We must stay hidden and wait until the opportune moment to make our escape," he advised, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.

"I can't believe my own sister would betray me like this," Natalia lamented, her voice laced with heartache and confusion.

"Sometimes, power and ambition can corrupt even the closest of bonds," Jovan replied, his voice filled with empathy. "But we must focus on ensuring your safety and survival. The truth will reveal itself in time."

As they huddled in their secluded refuge, the sound of approaching footsteps sent shivers down their spines. Natalia clutched onto Jovan, her heart pounding in her ears. Fear gnawed at her as she prayed silently for their discovery to be averted.

Meanwhile, Teresa's troops continued their relentless search, tearing through every room and chamber with ruthless efficiency. Each door they opened sent Natalia's anxiety soaring, praying that they wouldn't find her hiding place.

Teresa, her eyes ablaze with malicious fervor, prowled the halls with an air of anticipation. Her eerie laughter resonated through the palace, as though mocking Natalia's futile attempts to escape.

"We're running out of time, mistress," Cairo called out to Teresa, his eyes still glimmering with a strange infatuation. "Shall we intensify our search?"

Teresa's lips curved into a wicked grin. "Yes, intensify the search," she hissed, her tone dripping with malevolence. "I will not rest until I have my sister in my clutches."

As the hunt for Natalia escalated, the palace seemed to groan under the weight of malevolence, the darkness embracing the nefarious intentions that had infiltrated its once grand walls. Natalia clung to Jovan, a silent prayer on her lips, hoping that fate would intervene and lead her to safety.

***

In the dimly lit corner of the ancient palace, Jovan's words hung heavily in the air as he gripped Natalia's face with urgency. "Your majesty, mistress, I might not get out of here alive, but you have to prevail. Come... I'll help you escape," he said, his eyes filled with determination.

Natalia felt a wave of emotions crashing over her as she looked into Jovan's eyes. There was something hauntingly familiar about him, a flash of memories of her late husband, Soviet, suddenly flooding her mind. For a moment, she could almost hear Soviet's voice, urging her to run, to listen to him, professing his love.

But as quickly as the memories came, Natalia snapped back to reality, her heart pounding in her chest. "You..." she began, her voice quivering with a mix of confusion and anger. "You... liar!"

The accusation was like a bolt of lightning, jolting Jovan, and he stood there, watching her with a mix of guilt and remorse. "What?" he stammered, trying to find the right words to explain.

Natalia's eyes blazed with fury as she pointed at him. "YOU LIAR!!!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the empty corridors.

Panicking, Jovan swiftly covered her mouth with his hand, his eyes wide with fear. "Are you insane?! Natalia! I swear, you'll be the death of us!" he hissed, trying to quiet her outburst.

Natalia, however, was not deterred. She grabbed his hand and pushed it away, her tears mixing with her rage. "You asshole! You jackass! You fucking faked your death! And for what?!" she lashed out, her emotions spilling over.

Jovan's shoulders sagged, and he looked away, unable to meet Natalia's eyes. "Natalia, it's not what it looks like," he attempted to explain, his voice filled with regret.

But Natalia was hurt, betrayed, and her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. "You left me, Soviet. You left me to grieve for you, to believe that you were gone forever, with children I was left to raise on my own, and you didn't think to mention you possessed Jovan's body in order to stay alive?!" she choked on her words, her voice wavering. "How could you do that to me?"

Jovan's face twisted with anguish, and he stepped closer to her, trying to reach out to her. "Natalia, I had no choice. There were forces at play that I couldn't control," he pleaded.

Her heart ached with conflicting emotions, torn between the love she once had for Jovan and the pain of his deception. "I loved you, Soviet. I thought you were dead, and you never gave me a chance to say goodbye," she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.

Jovan reached out to touch her, but Natalia stepped back, a mix of anger and hurt etched across her face. "I don't know if I can ever forgive you for this," she said, her voice trembling. "But right now, we have to focus on getting out of here. If you want any chance at redemption, help me escape, and we'll deal with the rest later."

As the echoes of their emotional confrontation lingered in the desolate palace, Jovan nodded, accepting the consequences of his actions. He knew that he had hurt Natalia deeply, and now, he had to prove his loyalty and dedication to her in the face of the looming threat that Teresa posed.