1.2 | The Prince of Thieves

Chapter 33

A/N: Happy New Year! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

~

Leon was staring straight at the person before him.

'If you're reading The Prince of Thieves or The Yakuza Bride on a platform other than Wattpad, be it hardcopy or soft copy, do be aware that it could be a stolen version. Read the complete and free version only on Wattpad. Remember, this work is copyrighted, and comment and vote while you're at it. As for thieves...' He leant forward, his storm grey eyes narrowing into menacing slits. 'They will burn.'

~

Leon was glad of the fact that Russia celebrated Christmas a whole week after the rest of the world. This meant they could spend ample time with both of their family's without neglecting either or without rushing from one country to another. This also meant that they had an entire week to learn how to dance without embarrassing his family. Oh, it would be easy enough for her, he thought. She was musically inclined and so graceful, and although her sword dance was nothing like a cotillion, it was still a dance nonetheless.

As their chauffeured car crunched to a stop on the gravel path, a well dressed servant hopped nimbly down the stairs and opened the car door for them. He had greeted them with a bow and a reverent 'Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Federov.' Behind him, two others helped to unload their luggages.

'Spasibo, Lukas,' he said, thanking the man by name. 

The wind was strong, threatening to blow him back into the car. He wondered what she would think of the Northern winters as he looked over to her and saw her gathering her things. As he planted his feet on the driveway and straightened up, he tilted his head up to the three-storey white and grey stone walls. Home. It didn't exactly inspire feelings of warmth than of opulence, but still it was home for him. Beside him, Hana had clutched onto his hand. 

'Where's everyone?'

'The family has just finished lunch and have retired to the parlour. Would you like to proceed?'

Leon thought of his family sitting around the parlour, laughing, conversing, drinking tea, then he looked down at the grubby mess that was himself.

'No, we'll refresh ourselves first.'

Lukas bowed again, then followed them up the wide stone steps to the main entrance, which was opened for them by the butler. He had been watching through a side window, his fond smile growing wider as they approached.

'The Young Master is back! And you finally brought her back with you!' he exclaimed, taking Leon's outstretched hand and shaking it. Then he bowed his head to Hana. 'Welcome back, Madam. We have been waiting for you for a very long time.'

'Thank you.' Hana shook his hand as well and was gazing up at him with an adorable shyness. 'You're Sergei, right?'

'At your service, Madam.' He clicked his heels and offered her another bow.

'Your belongings will be sent up to you,' Lukas said before he and their luggages disappeared through a side door.

'The Master has instructed that you and the little Madam take his suite on the second floor,' Sergei continued as he conducted them out of the receiving room; the very room where family and guests alike were greeted by gory war paintings and marble busts and gilded mirrors.

His feet stalled in alarm at the news. What was his father up to now?

'Why? Then where will he sleep?'