Prince of Russia

Rosa had been friends with Maggie long enough to have met Ivan over the years. She sometimes got the feeling that she annoyed the Russian more than most but that didn’t mean she didn’t still try to at least be friendly with him. So, as she saw his looming figure while coming back from a short walk around the gardens, she shooed her guard away as politely as she could before walking towards him. 

She hadn’t expected him to snap before Rosa had even opened her mouth but she could understand his frustration. Not only was his country entangled in something that nobody wants to be entangled in but he had also just technically lost a member of his family. “I was actually just coming to say hi and see if you needed anything.” This was probably where she should have turned away and left him alone but it wasn’t in her nature to do so. So, she took a seat next to him on the steps and smiled up at Ivan. “I don’t know much about it anyway. My brother is probably handling most of it and communication here sucks. You can’t trust anything. I like gossip as much as the next person but at least make sure it’s true, you know?”

Looking up to find Rosa didn’t exactly help Ivan to relax. He had met her several times through Maggie and in his opinion he was yet to have a conversation with her that was completely painless. This first time they had met he was pretty sure he had to step around a puddle of drool that had emanated from her. Yet he knew about the type of people that his sister mostly seemed to keep the company of and so he wasn’t entirely surprised when she claimed she was merely there for his well-being. “Depends, do you happen to have a bottle of anything alcoholic on you at the moment?”

Taking another drag of his cigarette he held the smoke in for several seconds, before releasing it in a cloud. “So you only start gossiping once you’ve verified it with the source?” He asked, green eyes flickering to her. “Sorry I don’t have much for you to take away with you”

Bee looked at him with her round blue eyes. “Are they here?” She asked before she decided whether she had to rephrase her initial sentence or not.

She could feel his gaze on her, and instinctively, she glanced away, unable to bear such scrutiny, and his words drifting in the air made heat travel up her cheeks. If Bee knew the prince any better, she would have dared to say he found enjoyment in her discomfiture. Outraged, she cried out. “No!” Far too fast to make it a believable statement, and she shrill in her voice also serving as a telltale to the lie. Gulping, she attempted again. “I mean… I did no such thing,” she argued, moving her hands frantically in the air to help her negative. With a defeated sigh, Bee finally worked up the courage to look at him again. “I think it’s time we put this little blip in our acquaintanceship behind us, yes?” Not that she would stop talking about it if given the chance. She just needed him to stop bringing it to her attention whenever they met. “Okay, so,” she paused, gathering her thoughts. “There must be something I can do to make you let go of that. So, what is it?” Bee asked tentatively.

“Here? God no. If they were I’d have the information I need by now,” Ivan replied. If they were here, or he there he would merely have to stomp into whatever room they held meeting in and demand an answer. The lack of communication to outside of Khatanga was really starting to do his head in.

The speed she responded made the corners of his lips curl up. Not to mention the blush that was spreading across her face and the sudden wild gestures. It really was entertaining. “Are you sure about that?” He had been right, this was definitely a good distraction. Then she made the fatal error, a bargain that would make him stop. If it wasn’t for her reactions he wouldn’t have even brought it up again. “Hmm I could maybe think of one thing,” he started, shifting to extinguish his cigarette before resting his chin on his hand. “Make things a little more even. It’s not very fair that you’ve seen all of me and you have all those clothes on.”

Margarita was twenty eight, and for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel like partying. She didn’t want a ball, she didn’t want a cake, she didn’t want to dance she didn’t want anything- not when so much was still happening. How could she even think about throwing a party? Not to mention, her funds were running low all the while the legalities of her disownment were being worked on. A little bit longer, and she’d actually need a job.

So she found herself in the Lilac, nursing a half empty glass of wine. This was so unlike her, even Maggie had no idea how to act. “You know, I’m dreading the day when I turn thirty.” She spoke to the person nearby, finally picking up her glass. “If this is how I celebrate my twenties, I’ll be in bed by eight in a couple years.”

Ivan had been looking all over for his sister on her special day. He had stopped by every friend she had in the castle to see if she was with any of them, even braving it to see if she was hiding away in Matthias’ quarters, after he had tried her cottage and found it locked up and dark. He was actually starting to get worried before someone in the village kindly informed him that they had seen her headed for the Lilac.

Once inside it only took a second for him to spot her, catching the words as he approached from behind. “Don’t start fretting yet, if you’ve managed to get any of the Romanov genes you’ll find by 30 you’ll be sleeping even less,” he stated, sinking down beside her. “Happy birthday младшая сестра.”

She’d heard of the tensions between Russia and the Netherlands, of course. And of course, Lena knew that, as the crown princess, these things were her concern now- but that didn’t make the prospect of trying to get information out of Ivan any more appealing. The Russian prince didn’t even look up as she approached, and his words weren’t exactly comforting.

“Do you know anything?” she asked, before realizing how harshly it came off. “Sorry, I just meant…. I’ve heard so many conflicting stories, and I would just really like to know if my country is going to be caught up in this crossfire.”

Ivan looked up at her with her words, his green gaze boring into her for several seconds before he took another drag of his cigarette. “I know they refuse to go back on their decisions because it would be seen as weak. I also know they consider their pride to have taken a hit.”

Reaching down he pressed the stub into the stone step to extinguish it, before resting both arms across his knees. “Does that give you any answers?”

“History has this annoying way of repeating itself when no one learns from it,” Avery responded as she accepted the cigarette and tapped it against the palm of her hand for a moment. She leaned to light it and gave it a few moments before taking a long drag. “Thanks for the cigarette. I s’pose not many ask how others are feeling, rather than demanding information.”

The nicotine had the calming effect she craved. Her grandfather smoked. Her uncles smoked. A single one wouldn’t kill her, despite her father’s hatred of them. 

“Or chooses to ignore it,” Ivan added, reaching to scratch his nose. He waited for her to light the cigarette before holding his hand out for the lighter. Even if she had pilfered it, it was engraved with his initials, but he was rather fond of it.

“Let me guess? You’re different and intend to make sure I’m not too distressed?” It was presumptuous of him, but then again she was already generalising people.

princeromanov​:

“And yet here you are crying over a photo.” The words were basically automatic and yet Ivan certainly didn’t feel bad about them. It was the truth after all. Sniffing idly he looked the Austrian prince up and down, before glancing beyond him. “If you think you can cope standing here alone…I have more rooms to see to.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but then he remembered what had transpired a couple minutes ago…and promptly shut his mouth. Turning back to the destroyed room, Valentin looked at the destroyed room one more time and shook his head. “Nah-think I’ll go and find me something to do.” he said, turning away from the room and going the other way. 

“Russia, of course,” Frédéric said matter of factly, closing the book and leaning back to look over at the Russian. Ivan was one of the few crown princes he could actually stand, perhaps it was how similar the two were - which wasn’t without competition. Maybe he even liked that, needed it. “Isn’t that was Siberia is for? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten rid of all of those gulags?” Frédéric raised an eyebrow. 

“Hmm,” the prince drummed long fingers on the desk, almost negligently. “Somewhere warm, I think, maybe a rainforest. Whatever the exact opposite of this godforsaken place is.” 

“Oh no, they’re very much still there. I can arrange a visit for you if you’d like,” Ivan answered, a brow rising in return. “We tend to save them for criminals, deserters, and spies these days.”

Ivan gave a bare huff of laughter with the prince’s decision, the corners of his lips curling up. “Expecting me to wilt away with the heat?”

“Yes, well, can’t say it was much of a surprise considering Maggie gave up her title for me.” Forced out of it was the better way to state that but aggression was not the goal of this meeting nor was arguing. So he kept his tone level, cool, as he continued. “Why does it matter to them? They don’t consider her a part of Russia’s royal family anymore and the alliance was already broken years ago. This makes no sense.” It was something he hadn’t been able to stop questioning ever since the rumors had hit him. Why would the Russians want to start a war over something they’d already washed their hands of?

The confirmation of the possibility had Matthias sighing, disappointment hitting him almost instantly. “You know, they’ve been talking about my father setting me up and to be honest with you, as much as I don’t like listening to gossip, it wouldn’t surprise me if it were true and he was somehow pulling the puppet strings here. I am so tired of him doing things like this. I think it’s time I showed him that his reign as king is coming to an end.” He looked up, his eyes meeting Ivan’s as if to ask if the prince was with him on this. “We’re going to be kings, right? Lets start acting like it.” 

“Wasn’t it? I’m sure both sides probably believed it was done and dusted once she lost her status. I can’t imagine the king and queen of the Netherlands were all too happy to hear the next queen would be no more than a peasant as far as titles go.” Ivan hadn’t wished for it to go as far as it did, though he’d be lying if he hadn’t initially leaked the goings on back to his parents in the hope it would end their union. It was clear now though that Maggie held a decidedly romantic approach to life that was love wins all. With Matthias’ question of motive though the Russian couldn’t help but glance to the advisor as if there would be an answer to why the other even needed to ask. “You’re kidding right? Have you forgotten how much pride my parents have? They made a move they can’t take back and they think the Netherlands now have all the chips.”

Ivan had to admit though, he wasn’t expecting the admission of Matthias’ own father setting him up. Nor the fact that it had clearly happened before. The Russian didn’t necessarily blame the king for doubting Matthias’ commitment and capabilities to his country, though if the tests were now including other countries involvement it was going a step too far. Ivan met the other’s gaze confidently, the corners of his lips turning up, it was probably the closest he had come to approving of Matthias in over a decade. “To the new generation of rulers. What do you propose?”

Bee had planned a small trip down to the village to buy a few more things to shield her from the cold. Since it was her first day off in a while, she seemed to finally have the time to talk with her mother about what had happened in the past couple of weeks. “No, I already told you I don’t know which to pick,” she audibly sighed as she closed the door behind her. “I know, I know, but it’s so haaaa,” not looking where she was going, she nearly tripped over the prince on the front steps, catching herself when she heard his voice. Unfortunately, however, she still squealed at the sight. Clearing her throat, she quickly whispered on the phone. “I’ll call you right back,” she ended the call before her focus returned to the prince.

Prince Ivan. Of course. Maybe the third time would be the charm. “Can anyone?” Bee chewed on the inside of her cheek.

“I can think of at least four people,” Ivan replied. It was just a shame that two of them refused to give a straight answer and that there was no way to contact the other pair. Realistically Ivan knew that he was going to have to contact Matthias to try and sort this whole thing out, but the idea was less than appealing.

Tilting his head towards the blonde maid though he couldn’t help but look her over. She had after all seen him in all his glory and he quite enjoyed the way she still seemed embarrassed by it. Perhaps this would be a welcome distraction. “You ended that call quick. Were you hoping I was in something a little more revealing?”

“It would be ridiculous of me to assume that you would have all the answers, Your Highness.” James commented as he approached Ivan. Naturally, he had heard plenty of what had been happening; the country where the Royals were in was calling all the wrong shots. Yet he still couldn’t get involved, no matter how much he wanted to. “I would be more curious to hear as to what you think of all of it.”

“Others don’t seem to think so,” Ivan answered, his lips wrapped around the cigarette as if it might save him. So far it certainly seemed as if others believed he could magically know everything going on and his parents thoughts on the rising situation. As if it was easier for him somehow to communicate outside the village than it was for everyone else. With the question he peered up at the guard, looking somewhat skeptical. “Honestly? I think it’s a bunch of bullshit. They don’t care about Maggie and she’s clearly going to be with Matthias no matter what anyone says or warns. This is all for their pride.”

“I’m not giving you morphine.” Maggie argued with a slight frown. She wasn’t bothered by this sort of use- they’ve all been young and reckless- but she wasn’t going to have her brother do this in front of everyone else. “Although, see if they have anything to knock people out. That should keep everyone from biting each other’s heads off.” She mused, going through the cupboards herself. It was silly- most of the things were all about first aid, without the good stuff out in the open.

“Who said you had to give it?” Ivan implied, noting the disapproving reaction from his sister. Trust her to get all uppity about his using right now. In his mind it was probably the most excusable reason so far for the stronger drugs. “Right, so you disagree with the use of morphine but will gladly knock us all out.” There was a certain curl to the corners of his lips though that showed he was actually somewhat amused. Scanning over several shelves his eyes landed on a locked cabinet. “Bingo.”

He nodded before he heard the question. He shook his head, though a weak smile appeared on his face. “Nein,” Valentin answered. “Why am I gonna cry over some old bible I rarely read?” A rhetorical question, yes, but Valentin wasn’t the type to cry over an old book. “I rather help people than cry over something i can’t control.”

“And yet here you are crying over a photo.” The words were basically automatic and yet Ivan certainly didn’t feel bad about them. It was the truth after all. Sniffing idly he looked the Austrian prince up and down, before glancing beyond him. “If you think you can cope standing here alone...I have more rooms to see to.”

when: mid afternoon where: tatishchev library  who: open

He liked the quiet that came with libraries, for a moment he could almost imagine he was back in Zurich, or Geneva - somewhere he and his sister belonged instead of this isolated liability. The selection here wasn’t even that horrible, although his stubbornness would never permit him to admit such a thing to anyone else. Really, Frédéric was killing time, which seemed to be something he would have to do a lot of here. Maybe the looming conflict between the Netherlands & Russia would be a welcome distraction… 

“Lurking is punishable by banishment in this part of the world,” he did not look up, merely scowled as the shadow of another person fell across the text he was reading, blocking the light. “Which, if you ask me, is quite generous.” 

Ivan had of course known of Frédéric’s arrival at the castle, had even been there to oversee the arrival and welcome the prince to Khatanga, as he tended to do with all. Almost two years there and he still felt a responsibility to place host. He had quickly forgotten all about the Swiss prince though as he returned to his daily tasks. They were old acquaintances anyway and despite getting on well enough some people might say that they were a little too similar. 

Seeing him as he traipsed through the library though, Ivan couldn’t help but make his way towards Frédéric, leaning against the edge of the nearest bookshelf. “Now would you be referring to Russia or yourself specifically?” Ivan questioned, a smirk slowly curling up the corners of his lips. “And where would you try and banish me to?” 

Rasa bent down just enough to unceremoniously pluck the cigarette away from his fingers. Under normal circumstances, she would never venture outside with that weather, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Instead of addressing Ivan’s foul mood, she crossed an arm over her chest and leaned the elbow of her left hand into it before taking a long drag out of his cigarette, holding the smoke in before tilting her head backward and blowing it out into the air.

“I thought of asking whether your misery cared for some company, but clearly you prefer to commiserate alone,” she rolled her narrow eyes at him. “And, in case you’re wondering, no, I do not intend to return this,” she flicked her wrist, moving the cigarette gently in the air. “You might as well light another,” she announced. Even if a war was imminent, it wasn’t as if Rasa didn’t know who her parents would side with, but beyond that, Rasa might have already made her mind long before this happened.

The act of plucking the cigarette from him only made Ivan’s scowl deepen and if it was almost anyone else he probably would’ve snapped at them, or snatched it right back. Luckily he found Rasa tolerable, and a pleasant enough figure to have in his bed when he wanted it. And knowing how the day was shaping out to be he’d probably want it soon enough not to make any retaliation worth it.

“And yet here you are,” he commented. When she gave him the fact he merely fished into his pocket for his next cigarette, bringing it and the lighter to his mouth. “If you’re going to be here and steal my smoke are you at least going to offer me a blow job to make up for it?” Crass maybe, but he could go the release and the clarity afterwards.

Rumours spread quickly, and the first thing that Maggie wanted to do was to find her brother. She knew writing to the people that were once her parents would be useless, and she would most likely get the letter back. So, not wasting any time, she made her way over to the castle, hoping to find him somewhere public.

Luck was on her side this time, and as she spotted Ivan on the steps leading to the gardens, she made her way over to her brother, ignoring the comments that he made. She never bothered about those, even if Ivan was intimidating to most people. To her, he was her big brother, and that was it. Sitting down next to him, she eyed the cigarette, more tempted to take it from him and smoke it herself, rather than push it out of his hand. “Have they at least told you anything about it?”

While Ivan hadn’t bothered to actually look at who was approaching he wasn’t entirely surprised to find it was his sister. The rumours would have reached her too and even if she hadn’t been disowned it would’ve been him she came to, to find out the details. Another fine example of the great communicators their parents were.

He didn’t respond straight away, lifting the cigarette to his lips once more and drawing in deeply, before reaching down to extinguish the stub on the step between his legs. “What do you think?” He started, reaching up to rub his face. “They didn’t deny the military movement. Father did laugh when I asked if they were actually going to war over you though.”

Receiving a request to meet Ivan wasn’t the most unexpected thing in the world but Matthias still was begrudged to comply. For all he knew the Russian prince wanted to try and convince him to drop Maggie’s hand in marriage or hell, punch him in the mouth again and he wasn’t in the mood to entertain either action. But, as he was taught, Matthias set those ideas aside and went to meet the future crown in hopes that this would be a more civil occasion than their past encounters. 

And surprisingly, those hopes weren’t dashed as soon as he walked through the door. He noted the presence of the advisor with a nod in greeting before Ivan’s words hit him and Matthias did his best to hide the bit of shock that came over him as he took his seat. “I would agree if I knew anything more than you did. My father has been ignoring most of my correspondences at the moment. I can’t help but believe the blames me for this…as he should, I suppose.” He sighed, glancing at the advisor again before he leaned forward. “All I’ve heard is that Russia is readying  their troops. My father, if he’s heard that, is most likely doing the same to defend. Do you know if it’s true?”

Ivan looked at the other with a measured gaze, taking in everything he could about Matthias in a bid not to be caught out at any moment in this meeting. Which meant he saw the flicker of shock that was quickly controlled, as Matthias took his own seat. The advisor was between them, both to give advice and to mediate if things went south. “Well, you did go and propose to the one person they didn’t want you to,” Ivan commented. It was however, frustrating and disappointing that Matthias seemed to know as much as he did.

Straightening as he looked down at the scrawled on pad of paper in front of him it was almost infuriating how little they had to go on. Then he was focusing back on the Dutch prince. “My father laughed at the thought that he would go to war for Maggie, she’s no longer his responsibility.” The words sounded harsh but they were his father’s and he was compartmentalising as always taught in these situations. “But he didn’t deny it when I said people were talking about military movement. So I think we’re best to presume that’s true.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t give two shits about rising tensions. You lot tend to make big deals about nothing. I just wanted to see if you’d share a cigarette.” 

While she could practically picture her father lurking around to take it from her and grind it into the dirt, Avery needed the release nicotine could give her. She normally never cared about what other people thought, but her family held a dear place in her heart. 

“Mind if I bum one?”

Ivan glanced up at the figure, not a royal and brave enough to walk straight up to him of all people and assume generosity of a cigarette. She certainly had some balls on her.

After a few seconds he decided to play along, for now at least, and drew another cigarette and his lighter from his pocket, holding it out to her. “That’s because we’ve all been taught how little it takes to start a war. People have every right to be concerned.”