The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Recoup

"He said he didn't even remember the details. I mean... who the hell says something as insensitive as that?"

After finishing her sentence, Natalia gulped the rest of the contents of her glass of champagne. Tata had finally shown up to the party, and Natalia was filling her in on her disastrous meeting with Nicholas. They both sat in a corner, glaring at him from across the room. He was now talking to Dmitri, happy as a child, while he gestured with his arm up and down, seemingly mimicking the jumps Dmitri and his horse made on the field. 'They are really talking about horses!' she thought to herself, still feeling the wave of humiliation burning her face.

"Men are dogs, Natasha. I'm sorry that you had to find out this way, but the earlier you know, the more heartache you save yourself," Tata replied, perched on top of a mountain of wisdom Natalia didn't know her friend had built. "That's why I dragged you away from him that night. Sometimes you just have to take a look at someone to know they're bad news."

Natalia sighed and played around with the empty cup in her hands as she glanced over at Nicholas again. At that precise moment, he didn't look particularly dangerous. His full grin lit up his entire face and made him look like a little boy, but she understood what Tata meant. She was talking about the other Nicholas, the one who so confidently had lured her into a kiss and made her have unsavoury thoughts about pillars.

"He knew it was my first kiss," she said quietly. Her tone was steadier now but no less wounded. "I told him. He must have known I'd always remember it. It's not like I'd kissed anyone before him... and I haven't since." She gave a hollow laugh, her eyes still on Nicholas. "Of course I'd remember every detail."

Tata's gaze softened, and she leaned forward, nodding slowly as if she understood every unspoken word in Natalia's heart. 

"That's because it was important to you," Tata said, her voice quiet but firm. "But men... don't really see first kisses like we do. They're always so busy pretending nothing affects them. But don't you dare feel bad, Natasha. He's the one who should be ashamed. Not you."

Natalia's gaze lingered on Nicholas for a heartbeat longer before she pulled her eyes away, letting out a breath she'd been holding. "Yeah," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "He should be."

She remained silent for a long moment, then looked at Tata as doubt crept into her mind. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her glass, and she hesitated as she tried to find the right words to formulate her question.

"Tata," she started slowly, glancing away for a moment before finally looking at her friend again. "Has Bodia ever... I mean, has he ever treated you like that?"

Tata's eyes widened, undeniably surprised at the question. She blinked rapidly, and her cheeks flushed briefly before she composed herself. It wasn't a subject they'd ever openly discussed, and it felt strange to do so now. After all, it had only been only a few days since Natalia discovered their relationship. But she made sure to show Tata that this wasn't really about her and Vladimir—she was just trying to find answers in the confusing world of love and relationships.

"Of course not," Tata finally replied firmly. "Vladimir is... different. He's thoughtful and patient in a way most men aren't. He actually listens—not just to the words coming out of my mouth but to what I'm not saying, too. When I'm upset, he doesn't try to fix it for me. He just... stays. I know that if I need anything, he'll come rushing to help."

Her eyes grew distant momentarily as if she were replaying certain memories. "And he's considerate. Even when I've told him he's thinking too much about my feelings, he doesn't stop. It's like he's trying to show me that he's safe. He's never tried to humiliate me. Not once. I think that matters more than people realize."