How to rule a king

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Ronja:

Shoving my food around my plate made from finest china ware I stared at my grandfather sitting at the head of the table.

"So that's it? You are going to marry me off to that Volkov guy just because you think a girl can't handle the business?"

"It's not about what I think. It's about what my business partners think. It's about what's best for our business."

"Right. That's all that ever mattered to you. Business", I spat.

Raising from my chair I pointed a finger at my only relative left alive: "You never cared for your family. You wouldn't mind selling your own soul if was 'good for business'!"

"That's not true. I always protected you and I will always protect you, but I'm getting old. Can't you see that, моя́ ми́лая? What do you think will happen when I die and my so called friends realise you're the only thing left of the Petrov-empire? Did you think about that? Did you? Let me tell you what's going to happen: The second word of my death gets out they will be coming for you. Maybe you will succeed to fight them off at first. Our men will stand by your side until their very last breath. But they can't win a war fought against every petty criminal on this god damn planet and nobody else is going to team up with a 'little girl', not when they can just take over the 'little girl's' empire and keep her as their personal whore. That's exactly what's going to happen to you if you don't marry Volkov. He can protect you once I'm gone. Make him fall in love with you. Make him your personal executor. He might not be aware of it, but if you play your cards right you will soon not only reign over the Petrov-empire but over the Volkov-empire, too."

I sat down again, eying my grandfather up as I spoke: "Why would he fall for me?"

My grandfather nearly choked on his wine.

"Why wouldn't he. You're beautiful, intelligent, but most importantly, you're kind. Volkov has never been shown kindness in all his life. When you grow up on the streets of Москва́ there's no room for kindness or love. And how did you think did Mikhailovich prepare Alexei for his future role as гла́вный? Hm? Most certainly not with hugs and kisses."

"You're saying you want me to make him fall for me so I can be ruler over two empires?"

I can't believe this shit. Did my granddad go completely mad? Alexei Volkov doesn't do love, as far as I know he tends to kill the girls he sleeps with after getting tired of them.

"All I'm telling you is to use this opportunity I created for you to stay alive, that's all."

Not even bothering with a response I kept playing with my food. It must have been some kind of deer before it ended up on my plate.

Poor thing.

"I know you don't believe me, but I always wanted what was best for you, моя́ ми́лая." He eyed my intensely before shoving back his chair, standing up with shaking legs, grabbing his cane made of pure gold adorned with small emeralds, our family emblem decorating its top, and slowly walking out of the dimly lighted dining room.

I was left alone. Finally. Picking up my plate I made my way over to the window staring out at a starry night while snacking on my side dishes. Even after all these years my grandfather still tried to feed me meat. Although I had been a vegetarian for over five years now. I still remembered telling gramps on my fifteen birthday.

He had choked so hard on a piece of meat that Yuri, his most trusted guard, accidently patted his back with too much force shoving his bosses face directly into his plate. I had never laughed this hard before.