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filhadoboto · 1 month ago

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The chosen one

Summary: During the reading of his mother's will, Aleksander Morozov discovers that, so that his inheritance does not end up in the hands of his hated cousin Malyen Oretsev, he will have to get married within a year.

AO3

chapter 1; chapter 2; chapter 3; chapter 4; chapter 5; chapter 6; chapter 7; chapter 8; chapter 9; chapter 10; chapter 11; chapter 12; chapter 13

Chapter 14 - The Wedding - part 1

With five days left until the wedding they embarked back to Morozov Hall accompanied by Ulla and Genya. Mrs. Yakovleva remained behind to receive the last orders for Alina's trousseau and send them to the Little Palace, and she would also organize Ulla's things for their trip to Os Alta in a few weeks.

Their plan was to go to Os Alta only for the week of the ball, but after Nikolai's letter mentioning his parents' concern over the fact that he had not yet chosen a bride, Aleksander had talked to the three girls and they had decided to go to the capital earlier than they had planned both so that Alina could be properly introduced to the royal family and so that she would have time to adapt to the court and meet some people before the ball.

His godmother, Duchess Yelena Petrova, and part of her family were already in Os Alta, and Aleksander hoped that she would receive Alina with the same affection and respect that Ulla and Genya had received, and that she would help his wife navigate the court as she had taught so many other young women. Nikolai would certainly be surprised by his choice and give him a lecture, but he would be more angry that he had not been invited to the wedding and, Aleksander hoped, would go out of his way to help and befriend his wife as well.

The journey back to the Little Palace was both joyful and tense, as Ulla and Genya accompanied them in the same carriage. The vehicle was spacious enough for the four of them to travel comfortably, but it was the conversation between the girls that sometimes made him tense. For some reason Ulla and Genya had decided that this was the best time to tell embarrassing stories from his life to his fiancée and he couldn't do much other than listen, observe Alina's reaction and correct any exaggerations the other two might have made. And, as they were having so much fun with the situation, the exaggerations were constant.

Of course, he tried to retaliate a few times by telling embarrassing stories about Ulla and Genya, but he soon realized that he would not be able to win that battle. So Aleksander admitted his defeat and spent most of the trip silently watching the three girls interact with each other with a neutral expression but a heart full of tenderness. He loved those women and was very happy to see that they genuinely liked each other and that Alina was completely comfortable with them.

During the trip, the three girls also talked about what Alina should expect from the court when they went to Os Alta to attend the winter fête. But Aleksander knew that there was a big difference between hearing what might happen and what Alina would actually have to face. When news of not only their secret marriage but also who he had chosen as his bride spread throughout the country, it would certainly cause an uproar, especially among those women who had hoped to be chosen by him. Many families had expected him to choose their daughters as his bride, but he had chosen a mere maid, and without a doubt, those families would feel absolutely offended by this and would pour out their frustration and resentment onto Alina.

Furthermore, he had no doubt that Alina would be scrutinized and judged by everyone she met. Alina was not a girl raised to be part of the court, she had been raised to serve those people and he had no doubt that, despite her new position, people would make a point of reminding her of her origins. She, like him and his family, would be the target of malicious gossip and rumors. People would try to use her to take advantage of her new position. People would try to destroy her just for the fun of it. As much as Ulla, Genya, and Mrs. Yakovleva tried to prepare Alina for what was to come, he knew that only experience would give her the weapons she needed to deal with it all.

And Aleksander had no doubt that Alina would do well. His fiancée looked like a different girl than the one he had first met in the stable and even more different from the one who had come with him to Os Kervo about a month ago. And it wasn’t just because she was now dressed to suit her new position. Her body posture had changed, the way she spoke, moved and carried herself had changed. She not only looked more relaxed and calm, she also looked confident and happy. Her smiles were spontaneous and her laughter was sincere. A good part of those changes were due to the classes in Os Kervo, but he couldn’t deny that confessing the truth and being forgiven by those she had wronged had lifted a huge weight from her shoulders and allowed her to blossom.

It was already late morning when they passed through the gates of Morozov Hall. Mrs. Stepanova had already prepared the rooms that Alina would occupy after the wedding and stored everything that had been delivered there. Despite their tiredness from the journey, the girls insisted on spending the rest of the afternoon there rearranging and storing the things they had brought with them, but his stubborn bride continued to refuse to occupy it before the wedding.

“Do you like the rooms I have chosen for you?” he asked when they gathered for dinner.

Her cheeks flushed and she gave him a shy smile before replying, “Yes, I liked it. It’s much bigger than the room I shared with the other children at the orphanage.” She hesitated before adding, “When we were in Os Kervo, Ulla said we should take your parents’ quarters, but I’m relieved you chose another one. I wouldn’t feel comfortable staying there, at least not yet.”

“I figured as much,” he said, but he didn’t tell her that he wouldn’t feel comfortable occupying his parents’ old chambers either, even though it was his right as Duke, and he didn’t tell her that he had decided to occupy the room next door that was connected to hers by a door. He would only tell her that after the wedding.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll remain in my room in the servants’ wing until the wedding.” she informed.

“As you wish, Alina.”

At that moment the sound of Ulla and Genya’s laughter reached them and made them smile. The two of them entered the room soon after and refused to share with them what had made them laugh. However, the way they looked at him and Alina and exchanged a knowing look made him suspect that they were the reason.

During the meal, the girls talked about their plans for the wedding celebration dinner and Aleksander agreed with everything. He would love for their wedding to be something grand and for them to be able to invite more people, he would love to be able to invite his other family members and for them to get married in the cathedral in Os Alta so that everyone could see his bride and for their celebration of their union to be so grand that it would outshine even the royal ones, but it would not be possible. They could not risk his odious cousin finding out about the wedding and trying to stop it.

After dinner, Aleksander invited his fiancée to his study for a private conversation, and just as the girls had spoken to her about what to expect at court, he spoke to her about what would await them both in the coming months.

Aleksander knew he was repeating himself, but he couldn't help but warn her that it wouldn't be long before news of the wedding spread after their union was announced in the newspapers and became public knowledge and they would both be the target of speculation and gossip throughout the country due not only to the social difference between them but also to the sudden marriage. When they attended the winter fête and then Malyen's wedding, people would try to find out as much as they could about her, about the circumstances that led to their marriage, and when they couldn't get the information they wanted, they would invent things that satisfied their curiosity and fit their theories. She should expect to hear extremely offensive and unfavorable rumors about her, where she would be portrayed as a gold digger who had seduced him to climb the social ladder. Despite her new position in society, many people would ignore her and try to make her an outcast in society. It wouldn't be easy for her to have to deal with all of that, but he would be by her side the whole time.

His fiancée assured him that although she was still afraid of what was to come, she knew she would not be alone, that she would have the support of people who truly cared about her.

Aleksander also told her that she would experience on a larger scale in Os Alta what she had experienced in Os Kervo. However, a t court people would be polite in front of her, but would say absurd things behind her back and some would even go so far as to plot against her. There would be very few who would welcome her and accept her sincerely. After news of their marriage became public, many people would assume that he had only married her to secure his inheritance and would then expect him to get rid of her to marry a woman more suited to his position or even to remain single.

Alina tensed up at this, and there was a mix of fear and distrust in her voice as she asked, “Do you intend to do that, Aleksander? Get rid of me after securing your inheritance?”

Her question took him by surprise and her suspicion was like a knife to his heart. He stared at her in silence for a few seconds and answered her question with another, “Do you think I would be capable of doing that to you, Alina?”

She pressed her lips together and avoided his gaze as she pondered her answer, as if she was trying to keep her thoughts from being voiced or seen in her eyes, and he felt a stab of fear.

Alina took a deep breath and looked at him before saying, “No, I don’t think you would be capable of doing that to me, but I wouldn’t blame you or be hurt if you decided to get rid of me or exile me somewhere where I can’t embarrass you after securing your inheritance.” And the barely concealed pain in her tone filled his heart with anguish.

Before he realized what he was doing, Aleksander was kneeling before her and holding her hands in his. Alina seemed as surprised as he was by his gesture, but she didn't push him away.

They stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds before he asked, “Do you remember my words when I asked you to stay and marry me?” but he didn't wait for her answer before continuing, “I told you that if you stayed and agreed to marry me, you would have your reputation saved and you would have all the comfort and security that being my wife could offer you.”

“I remember,” she whispered.

He gave her hands a squeeze before commenting, “I am a man of my word, Alina. Trust me when I say that you will have everything I can give you.” She nodded and he studied her for a few seconds before he said in a confident, sure tone, “I know that our marriage is nothing more than an arrangement that suits both of us, Alina, but trust me when I say that unless you don’t want it, my wish is for you to be my Duchess and to be by my side until death do us part.”

Her face lit up and his heart skipped a beat.

“I want the same, Aleksander,” she said confidently, and there was a hint of relief in her voice.

The Duke smiled and kissed her hands before saying, “I’m glad we’re in agreement.” Before he could stop himself, he added, “Only a fool would try to hide a rare and precious jewel like you, and I know I’m many things, but I’m not a fool.”

Her cheeks turned pink and she looked away from him. Satisfied with her reaction, he stood up and returned to his seat.

“Can I ask you a favor?” she asked after a few seconds of silence.

“Of course.”

“If you ever change your mind,” she began and he saw her swallow hard before continuing, “If you ever change your mind and wish to have a more suitable woman by your side, I will be the first to know.”

That will never happen, he thought about saying, but he just said, “You have my word.”

She let out a sigh of relief, and he promised himself that he would do everything he could to make her know that she was and felt irreplaceable.

----

In the following days, Aleksander saw the three girls only during meals, as they were busy helping Alina to decorate her new quarters to her liking and making the final arrangements for the wedding .

The atmosphere in the Little Palace was one of anticipation because of the preparations for the wedding. According to Mr. Sokolov, all the servants had been very careful and kept the wedding a secret. Aleksander was grateful for this and had no doubt that his servants understood that they would suffer the consequences if he did not marry before the deadline set by his late mother. Aleksander had noticed that even though Alina was not yet his wife, the employees were already treating her like the lady of the house and that made him quite satisfied.

Alexei arrived two days before the wedding. As his fiancée was busy with the preparations with Genya and Ulla, Aleksander was able to show Alexei the room he had chosen to be transformed into Alina's studio and the two were able to talk without fear of being discovered by her. He also received a visit from Ivan to inform him that all the necessary legal arrangements for the wedding and for him to officially receive his inheritance had been made.

On the night before the wedding, everyone retire d to their rooms right after dinner , as they would have to get up earlier than usual . The wedding was scheduled for early afternoon, and at Alina’s request, she would prepare for the ceremony at the parish house. Ulla, Genya, and Mrs. Stepanova would accompany her to help her. Alexei and Mr. Sokolov would accompany him. The other guests, Magistrate Zakharov, Ivan, Fedyor, and Sonya would go straight to the church. That way, he would only see Alina again at the altar.

Aleksander was more anxious than he had ever been in his life. He couldn't calm his mind enough to sleep, and the scenarios his anxious mind was creating only made him more restless. Tired of tossing and turning in bed, he decided to get up and walk around a bit to burn off his nervous energy.

As if they were two parts of a whole that were always attracted to each other, Aleksander's feet took him to the gallery and he was not surprised when Alina joined him moments later looking as sleepless, nervous and anxious as he was.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked as soon as he saw her.

“No. I’m too anxious.” she replied with a slight smile.

“Me too.” he confessed. “And I thought a walk might help.”

“Me too.” she said with a smile.

The two continued their walk and, after a few seconds of silence, he asked, “Are you afraid of what awaits us tomorrow?”

“A little,” she replied. “By this time tomorrow I will not only be a married woman, I will be the wife of a Duke.”

Yes, you will be my wife, my Duchess, he thought proudly, You will be mine.

She gave him a quick glance before adding, “It’s a very drastic change in the life of a poor orphan girl, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

“You can still give up,” he said lightly, but his heart was filled with fear. “You can still accept the offer I made you. I can give you enough money to start over somewhere else if you wish.”

His words made her stop and he realized they had stopped in front of the painting he had bought for her.

Alina spread her arms and turned around before saying in a playful tone, “And give up being the owner of all this? I have no doubt that every single young woman in Ravka would like to be in my shoes and I would be a fool to give up this opportunity just because I am afraid of what the future holds.” They both laughed and she added “If I don’t get married tomorrow, my fiancé may lose his inheritance and I couldn’t live with the guilt that he lost what is rightfully his because of me.”

He almost said that he could marry someone else if she backed out, but he thought it best not to put that idea in her head with less than a day to go until the ceremony that would unite them.

Before he could comment, she continued, “Besides, I can’t deny that a part of me is looking forward to seeing people’s expressions when they see me arm in arm with my handsome Duke. Especially the expression on a certain suitor’s face who humiliated me when I refused to help her win the Duke’s affection.”

He knew very well who Alina was referring to and he couldn't deny that he would love to see Zoya Nazyalenskaya's reaction when she saw the two of them.

“I have no doubt that the Duke in question feels the same way,” he said with a mischievous smile.

At that moment she realized where they had stopped and turned to face the painting. Then the two of them stood in silence, observing it.

“I really love that painting,” she commented. “It would be one of the many things I would miss if I were gone.”

“I’m glad to hear it, because it’s yours,” he said without thinking.

Alina turned to face him and asked, “What?”

He smiled at the mix of surprise and disbelief in her eyes.

“I bought this painting for you, Alina,” he confessed, looking into her eyes. Her eyes widened even more and he continued, “When I first saw Mr. Krupin’s work, I couldn’t help but think how fascinated you would be by his work and would spend hours studying it if you had the chance.” He smiled before adding, “So when I happened to find out where his studio in Caryeva was, I paid a visit, and when I saw this painting, I knew it had to be yours.”

Alina looked at the painting and back at him.

“You bought this painting for me,” she repeated in a surprised tone and he nodded. “When I was just your maid.”

He nodded again and explained, “It was supposed to be a wedding gift. Your wedding to another man, I mean.”

Aleksander knew he didn't need to say which other man he was referring to when he saw understanding in her eyes. He remembered the night she had told him about the man she loved and how she had hoped they could have a life together, and he had no doubt his fiancée had remembered the same.

“If you agree, it can still be a wedding gift,” she said and then gave him a mischievous smile that made her beautiful brown eyes sparkle before adding, “Our wedding.”

Aleksander could not describe the emotions that took hold of him.

He nodded before saying, “Yes, I agree.”

Alina smiled and took him by surprise when she stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. He felt his skin heat up and had to stop himself from grabbing her and kissing her. “Thank you for the gift, Aleksander,” she said as she pulled away from him. “It’s perfect.”

He smiled when he saw her cheeks flushed, knowing his own were the same and said, “I’m glad you liked it, Alina.”

She looked back at the painting as she said, “This is a part of our history that I will be proud and happy to tell our children.”

How could Alina be so cruel to mention children at this moment when all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless?

“This is a really great story and I hope there will be more memorable ones in our future to tell our children,” he said with a smile, his heart full of love for her and hope for their future, and her bright smile told him that she hoped the same.

“Aleksander?” she said hesitantly after a few seconds of silence.

“Alina,” he said, turning to her.

“I also have a wedding gift for you,” she said after studying his face for a few seconds.

That information took him by surprise.

“A gift?”

She nodded and explained, “It’s not like the gifts you gave me.” She stopped and looked at her hands and back at him before adding, “I made it with my own hands.”

He couldn't help but smile at that.

“Then that makes it even more precious to me.” he commented.

Her face lit up and she asked in an excited tone, “So you would accept it?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied. “I would never offend you by refusing to accept something you made for me with your own hands.”

She looked down the hallway that led to the servants' wing and said, “It’s in my room. I was planning on giving it to you tomorrow, but I can get it if you want it now.”

Curious, he said, “I can’t deny that I’m curious, Alina.”

She nodded and hesitated before proposing, “You can wait here while I get it, or you can come to my room with me and get it.”

Aleksander felt his heart beat even faster.

“Would it be appropriate to go there with you at this hour?”

“We’ll be married in a few hours, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem. And you can wait at the door.”

He nodded, and as the two of them headed to her room, Aleksander tried to distract himself from his inappropriate thoughts by trying to get Alina to tell him what she had made him as a gift. He knew Alina was good with her hands and had been complimented on her steady and talented hands many times, so he figured she had embroidered a handkerchief for him or something. But she only smiled and piqued his curiosity until they reached their destination.

As agreed, he waited outside, and when she was out of sight, his gaze was drawn to a niche where some candles were lit. Upon examining it carefully, Aleksander immediately recognized the image surrounded by small shells and lit candles. It was Sankta Maradi, the Patron Saint of impossible love.

Alina came back and saw him looking at the small altar.

“I wanted to thank Sankta Maradi, and since we’re going to have a busy and tiring day tomorrow, I wanted to make sure I did it today.” She explained, and he remembered that Alina had mentioned that she had already said a prayer or two to the saint.

He wanted to ask her why she would thank the saint if she wasn't marrying the man she loved, but he thought it best not to bring it up, so he just nodded.

Alina looked at her hands and he followed her gaze. She was holding what looked like a rolled-up sheet of paper held together by a golden satin ribbon.

She looked him in the eye and, with a shy smile, handed him the paper and said, “This is your gift, I hope you like it.”

It was definitely not what he had imagined. He took the paper, pulled the ribbon and, curious and eager, unrolled it. In his hands was a drawing of him with Ulla and Genya. Alina had drawn them in the living room of the house in Os Kervo. The three of them were smiling and Alina had managed to capture their expressions masterfully. The drawing was full of details and he couldn't help but wonder how long it must have taken her to complete it.

“Did you like it?” his fiancée asked in an uncertain tone.

“Yes. It’s beautiful!” he exclaimed in a whisper of wonder and then looked at his fiancée before adding, “You are very talented, Alina.”

Her cheeks flushed.

“It’s not a painting made by the hands of someone famous and talented, and I know it doesn’t compare to the gifts you gave me, but I wanted to give you something too.”

“It’s more valuable to me than any jewelry or anything made by another artist, Alina,” he said in a serious tone.

She gave him a smile that lit up her face and made his heart race. Before he could stop himself, he closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek just like she had done to him minutes ago. He heard her take a deep breath and could have sworn he felt a slight tremor run through her body.

Aleksander allowed himself to savor that closeness for a few seconds before whispering in her ear the same words she had said to him: “Thank you for the gift, Alina. It’s perfect.”

He pulled back to see that her cheeks were even redder and the beautiful brown of her eyes had almost disappeared. He saw her eyes fall on his lips as she moistened hers and it took all of Aleksander's self-control not to close the distance between them again, take her in his arms and kiss her.

Alina swallowed hard and looked him in the eyes before saying in a hoarse whisper that did nothing to help maintain his self-control, “You’re welcome, Aleksander.”

The two of them were surrounded by an anticipatory silence as he carefully rolled up the paper and she helped him tie the ribbon back together. A shiver ran down his skin as her fingers touched his.

He cleared his throat before commenting, “I have no doubt our children will enjoy hearing the story behind this drawing.”

Bringing up the subject of their children at that moment, with them alone in her room and so close to each other, was not the smartest thing he had ever done in his life. Before his inappropriate thoughts could take over his mind and his self-control, he took a step away from her before asking, “Are you tired yet? Do you think you can sleep?”

“No. And you?”

“Me neither.” he replied.

Without needing to say anything else, the two walked through the silent corridors of the Little Palace for a while longer until they both began to yawn and said goodbye with a mutual “See you at the altar.”

When he returned to his bed, Aleksander was so happy that he had no trouble falling asleep.

----

The following afternoon, Alina Starkova became Alina Morozova and officially became his wife.

Officially his.

The wedding ceremony was something intimate and discreet. Besides them, only Ulla, Genya, Ivan, Fedyor, Sonya, Alexei, Mrs. Stepanova, Mr. Sokolov, Reverend Sobyanin, and Magistrate Zakharov were present.

Aleksander was overcome with a mixture of anxiety and fear as he waited for his bride at the altar, but it was replaced by admiration when he saw Alina in her wedding dress entering the church on Alexei's arm.

Her wedding dress was simple but elegant, and it didn't distract from her beautiful flushed face and sparkling brown eyes. Her dress was white with the sheer outer layer embroidered with small crystals in vertical rows that ran from the neckline to the hem. Her veil was long enough to touch the floor and was embroidered with the same crystals as her dress, but the shapes reminded him of animals. Her long, silky brown hair was partly down, styled in waves and adorned with the simple diamond tiara Genya had chosen.

His bride was beautiful, but it was her smile as bright as the sun that made her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. If the people witnessing their union had any doubts that Aleksander was in love with his bride, those doubts were surely dispelled when they saw the awed way he looked at Alina as she slowly approached him.

The world narrowed down to him, his bride, and Reverend Sobyanin as Alexei handed her over to him with a proud smile and tears in his eyes. Aleksander and Alina repeated the reverend's words, answered his questions, exchanged vows and rings, and his heart was beating so fast that he barely heard Reverend Sobyanin pronouncing them married and telling him he could kiss his bride.

Aleksander placed a trembling hand on Alina's cheek and stroked her warm, flushed skin before leaning in and lightly pressing his lips against hers. He felt her hands land on his chest, gripping his lapels and pulling him closer to her , not to deepen the kiss, but to prolong the contact of their lips . Time seemed to stop and the world around them disappeared. There was only him and his bride and the warmth of their lips finally reunited. He felt Alina smile and it was only then that he managed to gather enough courage to pull his lips away from hers.

His wife's cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining and her smile made his heart race.

His wife!

Alina was his.

Finally his!

Finally his wife!

“You are my wife now,” he heard himself say in a whisper that only his wife heard. “My wife. My Alina.”

It was only when she looked away that he realized he sounded more like a man in love than a man marrying for convenience.

Then Alina looked him in the eye again and whispered with a mischievous smile that made his heart race and his body burn, “And you’re mine too, Aleksander.”

His fiancée, no, his wife, had no idea the effect she had on him! Aleksander smiled and it took all his self-control not to kiss her again.

She smiled before adding, “ Now you won’t be able to get rid of me.” and then g ave him a wink, making it clear that she was referring to the conversation they had had when they got back to the Little Palace .

He didn't have time to tell her anything else, as they were soon approached by Ivan and Magistrate Zakharov to sign the necessary papers.

“Congratulations, Your Grace. Morozov Hall is officially yours,” Ivan said with a slight relieved smile when they were done.

“Thank you, Ivan.”

The lawyer turned to Alina and bowed slightly before saying, “Congratulations, Your Grace. My family and I wish you a very happy and prosperous marriage.”

“Thank you for everything, Mr. Kaminsky,” Alina said shyly, but Aleksander couldn’t help but notice her pleased smile.

Ivan nodded and said, “Believe me, it was my pleasure, Your Grace.”

They were greeted by Magistrate Zakharov and Reverend Sobyanin next. And as the papers were being put away he could not help but realize that a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He still could not believe that he had not only managed to marry the woman he loved but had also managed to take revenge on his mother and cousin at the same time.

Aleksander took a deep breath and turned to his wife before asking, “Shall we go?”

She nodded, and the two walked arm in arm outside, toward their new life together.

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filhadoboto · 2 months ago

Text

The chosen one

AO3

chapter 1; chapter 2; chapter 3; chapter 4; chapter 5; chapter 6; chapter 7; chapter 8; chapter 9; chapter 10

Chapter 11 - The Engagement - part 2

Two days later, Aleksander and Alina were on the road to Os Kervo.

Since his family ring was an object easily recognizable to those who lived with Baghra, Alina left it in the Little Palace safe. Even though only a few days had passed since he had placed it on her finger, Aleksander didn't like looking at her hand and not seeing the ring, but they needed to keep the engagement a secret and people would know she was his fiancée the moment they saw the ring on her finger.

Although Aleksander suggested that one of the Little Palace's maids accompany them on their trip to Os Kervo, Alina refused. Her argument was that no one would think she was anything other than a maid accompanying her master, and that she doubted anyone would even pay her any attention when they made a stop . Knowing the society they lived in, Aleksander was forced to agree. Even dressed in her finest clothes, Alina would never be mistaken for anything other than a maid.

Although he didn’t like his fiancée’s self-deprecating tone at all, she was right. Anyone who saw her would have dismissed her as a maid traveling with her master and nothing more. In a way, it was a good thing that things were this way, as it would reduce the chances of anyone who saw them deducing that Alina was his chosen one and of news of the marriage spreading and reaching Malyen.

The journey took about five hours, but he couldn’t deny that he was glad to have so much time alone with his fiancée. The last three days had diluted the awkwardness that had arisen between them after he had discovered the truth and the easy camaraderie between them had returned.

She was nervous and afraid of Ulla’s reaction and, at Alina’s request, Aleksander listened to her entire story to help her focus on something else. His fiancée began by telling him that she actually had no memories of her past, her life before the orphanage was a big blur in her mind. She didn't remember anything about her parents or where they had lived before she was taken to the orphanage in Keramzin. Alina told him that she sometimes remembered a field at dusk and fireflies, the sound of laughter and the gentle voices of people she believed were her parents. She confessed to him that she sometimes dreamed of a man and a woman in a field full of fireflies at dusk, but she didn't know if this was a memory or just a reflection of her desire to know where she came from.

She didn't remember her birthday and wasn't even sure of her age, but the person in charge of the orphanage thought she was eight years old when she was taken there. Alina only remembered her name and that the person who had taken her to the orphanage had found her wandering near a village somewhere in the Dva Stolba valley. Alina was starving and very sick, and if the man hadn't found her and taken care of her, she would have died. She never saw this man again after he left her at the orphanage, and she didn’t remember his name, only that he had a kind smile and a musical voice. She was very sick and weak when she arrived at the orphanage, and she not only had trouble eating but also sleeping. The people who worked at the orphanage believed that she wouldn’t survive long, but she did.

A few weeks after her arrival at the orphanage, a friend of Duke Keramzov, Mrs. Margareth Oretseva, Aleksander's aunt, visited the orphanage. Mrs. Oretseva made occasional visits to the orphanage, and during the summer she would often welcome the orphanage children to her family's estate so they could have fun in the large park and with the animals. Upon being introduced to the newly arrived children, Margosha showed great interest and genuine concern for Alina and her health. At Margosha's insistence, Alina was taken to Os Alta and examined by one of the woman's trusted physicians.

After a few months of treatment, Alina fully recovered her health and, in a sense, was adopted by the woman, as she spent more time with Margosha at her home than at the orphanage. It was only at this time that Alina learned that the woman had lost her daughter a few years earlier and that she would have been the same age as Alina if she were alive. Although Margosha had told her that she had a son, Alina only met Malyen in person when she returned from Os Alta.

Despite their differences in social class, she and Malyen got along well and the two soon became inseparable friends. Seeing this, Margosha decided that Alina would be her protégé and, as such, would receive the same education as her son. Mrs. Oretseva paid for Alina's education and sent her to a good girls' school in Polysnaya, as she wanted to ensure that she would have a good future and find a good husband.

As he listened to her story, an old memory came flooding back to Aleksander. His aunt Margosha had said on one of the rare occasions when the whole family had gathered at Morozov Hall that she had decided to honor her daughter Anna by giving financial support to the local orphanage. And occasionally, in their letters, she had mentioned how she had a special affection for one of the girls at the orphanage who was the same age as her daughter would have been if she were alive. Now he realized that the girl was Alina Starkova. His aunt helped with her education, and Alina and Malyen had practically grown up together because of their bond.

There was a mixture of pain and resignation in her voice when Alina confessed that she had loved Mal yen from the first moment she saw him, and that she had always believed that she knew him, that he truly cared about her, and that she would love him forever.

A heavy silence hung between them as she made this confession.

Would Aleksander's heart ever get used to hearing those words without suffering?

But at that moment his suffering was insignificant compared to hers. He wanted to hug her and comfort her. He wanted to tell her that Malyen had never deserved her and never would, but his fiancée had already understood that and was beginning to accept the truth.

He wanted to tell her that he was in love with her and that he would do anything to make her happy, to make her heart whole once more. But he just looked at her and, realizing that Alina was lost in her thoughts, waited patiently for her to continue her story.

Alina shook her head as if to dispel the memories and took a deep breath before continuing with her story. Time passed and she and Malyen grew as did her love for him. All the care and attention she had received from Margosha had caused Alina to transfer her affection and love to the woman and her son. She was sent to the girls' school in Polysnaia and she looked forward to the answers to her letters to Malyen and Margosha and the reunions during the summer and the end of the year in Keramzin. During her visits, Alina used her free time to visit and entertain her benefactor, Mrs. Oretseva, and sometimes when Malyen was away, she would spend a few days with her at her residence to keep her company. Mrs. Oretseva loved to hear her play, even though Alina was not very talented, and she also often read aloud to Margosha.

Knowing that their differences would keep them apart, Alina hid her love and contented herself with being Malyen's friend and confidant. He would often tell her about the girls he found pretty, about the people he knew, and about his adventures in the new places he had visited . And even though she felt jealous, she never had the courage to talk about it or reveal her true feelings for him.

After finishing her studies, Alina returned to Keramzin and discovered that Margosha had several suitors in mind for her and had even taken on the role of matchmaker a few times, but Alina rejected them all, claiming that she did not feel ready to be a wife yet. The truth was that she could not imagine marrying another man when she loved Malyen. In her deluded heart she held out hope that as long as he was single there would still be some chance that he would fall in love with her.

Aleksander couldn't help but wonder if the only reason Alina had accepted his marriage proposal was the fact that Malyen had set the date for his wedding with another woman and that everything else Malyen had done would have had no bearing on her decision if his cousin was still single. Alina loved Malyen deeply, and even though it hurt a lot, it was hard to believe that Alina would give up any tiny chance of being with Malyen as long as she believed there was any hope of her feelings being reciprocated by him.

Alina returned to live at the orphanage and gave music and drawing lessons to the children as a way of repaying them for what they had done for her. Duke Keramsov even praised her dedication to the children and considered the idea of her becoming the successor to the orphanage's administrator, but Alina wanted to get a job as a tutor for a family and her experience teaching the children at the orphanage would probably help her in this. She loved Malyen and knew she could never marry him, so her plan was to spend some time in Keramzin while she looked for a governess position in some family’s residence. With that in mind, she applied for a few governess positions she had seen in the newspapers and was waiting for responses.

Alina was visiting Mrs. Oretseva and listening to her praise the eldest son of one of her tenants and talk about what a good husband he would be for Alina when the news of Baghra's death arrived. The news, however, did not make the woman sad and her reaction was to continue the conversation as if nothing had happened after instructing one of the maids to pack her bags for her trip to Kirbrisk for the reading of the will.

Having grown up listening to Mrs. Oretseva talk about where she grew up and how she and her sister had a terrible relationship, Alina was not shocked by her reaction to the news of her sister’s death. And it was to Alina that Malyen confided about his hatred for his cousin over the years, a cousin whom Alina had also learned to despise in support of the man she loved. So Alina was happy when they returned from the reading of the will and informed her that Malyen could inherit his maternal grandfather's family fortune if the cousin he hated did not marry within a year.

The next day, Malyen visited her alone at the orphanage and asked her to take a walk with him. Alina, who had never refused him anything, accepted. This was not the first time that they would take a walk alone around the orphanage or the Oretsev family estate. When they arrived at a meadow where they had often gone since childhood, Malyen revealed his true intentions in taking her there.

Malyen confessed that he had loved her all his life and that he was also aware of her feelings for him. He explained that he had kept quiet because of his financial dependence on the family's money and because he knew that his mother would disown him if he chose her as his wife, who belonged to a social class so far below his own. She felt like she was in a dream as she heard him say that now that there was a possibility of him inheriting Morozov Hall, he felt for the first time that there was hope for them and decided to reveal his feelings in the hope that she would agree to help him secure the inheritance.

Alina was so happy that her feelings were reciprocated that she didn't hesitate to agree to help him and told him that she would do whatever it took to ensure that they would be together. Then he told her his plan and how she could help him. Malyen wanted her to write to Alexei asking him to help her get the job as a maid at the Little Palace and to spy on his cousin so that he could take action to prevent Aleksander from getting married before the deadline.

His plan surprised her. Alina hadn’t hidden anything about her life from Malyen and his mother, and had told them not only about her friendship with Alexei, but also about the letter her friend had sent her informing her about the maid position at the Little Palace. But what she hadn’t had the courage to tell them or anyone else was the reason why Alexei wanted her to apply for the position. Both Alexei and his master had praised her drawings and paintings, and her friend had mentioned that Duke Morozov patronized artists he thought were talented, and Alexei was certain that he would become her patron if he saw her work. Alexei felt that a job as a maid at the Little Palace was her best chance of gaining his patronage and realizing her dream of owning a studio.

Aleksander couldn't help but smile at that. Alexei knew him well and he wasn't wrong in thinking that he would indeed recognize Alina's talent when he saw her work. And it was at that moment that he realized what would be the perfect wedding gift for Alina, one that he would need help preparing, but that would certainly make Alina very happy.

However, from everything Malyen had told her, Alina did not believe that Duke Morozov would be so generous, and it was only when the position began to represent the possibility of a future with the man she loved that she became truly interested. However, she had already committed to another employer. While Malyen and his mother were in Kirbrisk for the reading of Baghra’s will, she had received a reply to her application for a position as governess to a family living near Ivets asking her to visit the family as soon as possible. She had told him so, but Malyen had insisted that he needed her to be his spy at the Little Palace and help make sure that Aleksander would not be married on time.

Before she could argue, Malyen had told her that he loved her, that she was the only person who could help him, and then he had kissed her. At that moment, overwhelmed by her own feelings and hopes, Alina found no strength or reason to deny him anything. Much less access to her body, because Malyen didn't just want to kiss her and she couldn't deny him her body since he had always had her heart.

Alina stopped talking and the two of them were silent for a few seconds. She was pale and he imagined that not only remembering but confessing all of that to him must be very painful.

His fiancée closed her eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath before opening them and continuing her story. Determined to help Malyen, she had written to the family in Ivets informing them that for personal reasons she could not visit them and had replied to Alexei's letter telling him that she would love to work at the Little Palace and try to secure the Duke's patronage. Malyen was so anxious for her to get the job that he visited her every day to see if Alexei had replied to her letter.

After receiving Alexei's reply in which her friend informed her that he had taken all the necessary steps and made all the necessary arrangements for her to take the position, Malyen had offered her the family carriage to take her to the inn where Alexei would wait for her to accompany her to Morozov Hall. She didn't stop to consider the morality of what she was doing until she had been at the Little Palace for a few weeks and had had the chance to meet Aleksander and talk to the other employees.

“You already know the rest of the story, Aleksander.” She finished in a tired tone and he nodded slowly.

Yes, he knew the rest of the story. They had developed a friendship and he had fallen in love with her.

“Do you still love him, Alina?” he heard himself ask and it took them both by surprise.

Why had he asked that? Of all the things she had just told him, why ask about that? He already knew the answer, but he wanted to know if she still loved him anyway. And what difference would it make to him to hear confirmation that she still loved Malyen? Even if Alina would never come to love him as much as she loved Malyen, he knew he had enough love for both of them.

Alina looked at her hands clasped tightly on her lap for a few seconds and ran her thumb over her ring finger. The same finger that had carried his family ring until that morning. When he thought she wouldn’t answer, the girl looked him in the eye and replied simply, “I’ve loved him almost my entire life.”

Aleksander felt immense discomfort at hearing that answer. Although it was an evasive answer, he knew that the obvious answer was yes. Alina had made it quite clear that she loved Malyen both in her letters and in her story. Aleksander couldn’t help but study her as he tried to understand why she hadn’t given him a straight answer.

He saw fear in her eyes as she asked, “Has knowing all this changed your mind?”

Changed his mind? Not even death would make him give up on her, for he would search for her in another life and keep searching until he found her again.

He gave her a mischievous smile to hide his true feelings and replied, “It’s not that easy to get rid of me, Alina. Besides, it’s not your love that I need to receive my inheritance. Your consent before the reverend and the magistrate is enough.”

Alina nodded and began, “You asked me if there was any chance I could be carrying his child. I was wondering and I need to ask.” She stopped and looked him in the eyes before asking, “Aleksander, would you still propose to me if I was pregnant?”

He thought carefully about her question for a few seconds. He wouldn't be happy raising another man's child, especially someone he hated, but he was in love with Alina and he couldn't imagine rejecting her because of that.

“I would not mind raising his child as my own, since that child would be linked to me by blood, as long as he never knew of the child's existence.”

She gave him a small, relieved smile and he couldn't help but ask, “Would you marry me if you knew you were carrying his child?”

Alina seemed taken aback by his question, but answered after a few seconds, “If I were carrying his child, I wouldn't have hesitated to tell him.”

That didn't answer his question, so he persisted, “But would you marry me?”

Alina took a deep breath and answered honestly, “It's complicated. I couldn't hide something like that from you or him. The guilt would destroy me.”

He nodded and was taken aback when she asked, “Do you want to know what I wrote in the letter I sent him informing him that I would no longer spy on you?”

The letter that had triggered the response Aleksander had read and led him to discover everything. Without that letter he would never have known of his cousin's plans. Without that letter he would never have discovered Alina's true intentions in coming to Morozov Hall. Without that letter he would not be engaged to the woman he loved.

Curious, Aleksander nodded.

Alina looked out the window for a few seconds before saying, “That letter was the hardest I’ve ever written in my life, but at the same time it made me feel relieved when I finished it.” She looked at him and added, “I told him that I had decided to listen to my conscience and stop spying on you, and that if you found a bride, word would surely reach him in time for him to act to prevent your marriage.” He nodded and she took a deep breath before continuing, “I assured him that I would keep his secrets, and I asked him to keep mine. And I ended by informing him that I would not return to Keramzin and that we would probably never see each other again.”

“So you had no plans to go to him?” he asked before he could stop himself. All this time he had assumed that Alina intended to return to Keramzin to wait for his cousin to fulfill his promises to her.

“No, I hadn’t,” she answered truthfully.

“I assumed that you intended to return to Keramzin at some point and…”

“And force Mal to fulfill all the promises he made to me?” she finished, and he nodded. “I still didn't know where to go, but I knew I didn't want to go back to Keramzin at that point.”

“May I ask why?” he asked in an anxious tone.

“I prefer to keep my reasons to myself,” she replied, repeating his words and giving him a teasing smile before adding, “At least for now.”

He smiled at her using his words against him and simply said, “It seems fair to me.”

Alina laughed, making it clear that she felt comfortable with him. He couldn’t help but join her.

He might not have her love, but he had her friendship and that was enough.

---

The afternoon was beginning when their carriage stopped in front of his family home in Os Kervo.

They had planned to stop to stretch their legs and get something to eat halfway, but Alina had fallen asleep shortly after finishing telling him her story and Aleksander preferred to let her rest.

Aleksander watched her the whole time as he fell into a delirium about what their life would be like, if one day Alina would fall in love with him, if they would be happy even if she never loved him. He thought about what it would be like to spend his days with her and grow old by her side. He thought about whether she wanted children and if one day he would be able to hold one of their children in his arms. In his mind, he lived entire lives by her side and it was only when they entered the city that he was pulled out of his delirium and woke her up.

His fiancée watched the streets and people curiously and attentively, and he watched her expressions and reactions as closely as he could. And it was only when the carriage turned onto the street where the Morozov residence was that he felt a pang of fear. What if his fiancée's fears were realized and Ulla would not accept Alina as his bride? What if Ulla and Genya tried to convince him not to marry the woman he loved? What if he had to choose between his sister and the woman he loved? What would he do?

He shook his head and banished those thoughts to the back of his mind. There was no reason for him to suffer in advance. He would look for a solution to problems when they arose, if they arose.

As soon as they got out of the carriage, Aleksander heard the door of the house open and Ulla and Genya came out to greet them with wide smiles of welcome and he had no doubt that the two had spent at least the last hour looking out the window and waiting anxiously for them. He smiled and waved to them before helping Alina to disembark.

Though her expression was serene, he felt the tremor in her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Alina gave him a grateful smile and the two of them turned to the girls waiting for them. He watched the two of them and noticed that Genya looked intrigued and curious and Ulla didn't seem the least bit surprised to see Alina with him, holding hands with him.

Ulla walked over to them and hugged him before greeting Alina with a smile and a warm embrace. His sister did not look at the carriage again or ask if there was anyone else inside and when she took Alina's arm and introduced her to Genya as her dear friend, Aleksander's intuition told him that his sister had already deduced that Alina was his fiancée.

Or maybe she's just happy to see her friend again and is thinking that Alina has accompanied me and that my fiancée must be on her way with her family , he thought.

Genya wrapped her arms around him and told him she was happy to see him again and before he or Alina could say anything the newcomers were ushered inside. Mrs. Yakovleva was waiting for them at the entrance and greeted them as well. The four of them went up to the living room and made themselves comfortable. Even though they didn’t know she was his fiancée, Ulla and Genya welcomed Alina with all the attention, consideration, and affection he knew he could expect from them.

They only had time to answer questions about how their journey had been before two maids entered the room carrying refreshments and a light meal.

“You must be starving,” Ulla commented and looked at Alina before adding, “My brother always needs to eat something sweet when he comes back from a trip.”

Alina nodded and commented with a sweet smile, “I know. Mrs. Stepanova never lets the Little Palace kitchen run out of sweets.”

Aleksander couldn’t help but smile. The four of them sat down and ate while Aleksander, Ulla, and Genya exchanged information about their mutual friends and other family members. His sister and cousin would include Alina in the conversation when they explained who they were talking about. Although Alina didn't know who most of the people they were talking about were, she seemed interested in the gossip the other girls were telling them and laughed as she heard about the embarrassing things these people had said or done or that had happened to them.

“So, Aleksander, when are you going to officially introduce us to your chosen one?” Genya asked when they had finished their meal, her intelligent golden eyes fixed on Alina.

Of course, they had already deduced that Alina was his chosen one. It had been foolish of him to think otherwise.

Alina looked at him and he saw a mix of uncertainty and fear in her eyes. He gave her a small nod, stood up, and offered her his hand. Alina held it tightly, stood up, and stood beside him. Aleksander gave her hand a comforting squeeze before turning to the other two girls who were looking at them with curiosity and expectation.

“Sister. Cousin,” he began, and there was a hint of nervousness in his voice. “I would like to introduce you to my chosen one. Miss Alina Starkova.”

He expected surprise or even protest, but the two girls exchanged a knowing look and a conspiratorial smile. Then they both looked at Alina with sincere smiles, stood up and hugged her again as they congratulated her on their engagement. His fears were dispelled, for he knew the girls well and knew that their reactions were sincere. His Alina seemed surprised by the reaction and reception of the other girls, but accepted the congratulations with a grateful smile.

Genya then hugged him and whispered in his ear, “I’m glad you found a solution, Sasha.” referring to the conversation they had at his godmother’s house in the Lake District.

He looked her in the eyes and said with a smile, “Me too.”

Genya kissed his cheek and gave him a mischievous smile before adding, “I can’t wait to hear every detail about you two.”

Before he could comment, Aleksander was being hugged by his sister, who simply said in an emotional tone, “I’m so happy for you, brother!”

He hugged her tightly, relieved that his sister had approved of his choice, and couldn't help but smile back as he looked into her eyes and said sincerely, “I'm very happy too, sister.”

“I have no doubt that you two will be very happy together, Sasha!” she added, looking at her future sister-in-law.

He looked at his fiancée too and saw that Alina was smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes and he could see that she was tense even though she was so warmly accepted .

She's feeling guilty, a voice whispered in his mind, she feels guilty for what she did and this warm welcome and immediate acceptance must be making her feel even worse.

His sister must have noticed Alina’s discomfort, for she remarked, “How insensitive of us! You must be exhausted from the journey, Alina.”

Alina gave her a guilty look and nodded before commenting, “I didn’t expect sitting in a carriage doing nothing for a few hours to be so exhausting, Miss Morozova.”

The two girls nodded, but Aleksander knew that other things had contributed to her exhaustion. Alina was emotionally drained after telling him about her life.

Ulla gave her a disapproving look and corrected her, “We’ll be a family soon, my dear friend. Please call me Ulla.”

Alina nodded, but still looked uncomfortable with the idea.

“Your quarters are ready,” Genya commented and called one of the maids and asked her to accompany Alina to her quarters, leaving the three of them alone.

He had promised them both in his letters that he would explain everything to them in person. Although he could see the anxiety and questions in their eyes and expressions, they did not voice it, much less pressure him to explain his change of mind or his choice. He knew that they would wait for him to take the initiative and tell them what had happened so that he would not only change his mind but also choose a maid as his bride.

“I promise I will answer all your questions after I rest,” he said.

The two agreed and he retired to his quarters.

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