Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Rose stood in front of Alexander the most nervous she's ever been in her life. She was not this scared when she broke her mother's favorite vase or when she went against her father to study art. 

All because she felt that this moment was more important in her life. 

In the end, it's all perspective. Some find getting their dream job as important and they'd get nervous as they face the interviewer. She thought studying art was her life and she was so scared to talk to her father. 

But today, she felt a hundred times more of that fear. Thinking that this meeting would be the day it will be decided if she can be together with Mikhail for life, made her insides melt. 

Imagining her life without Mikhail made her feel like she'd lose a part of herself. She had the past days to have a little glimpse of how her life without him after all. 

She didn't want that. 

She got a call from Mikhail this morning. He told her that his grandfather asked him to look after the business in his absence and that's why he can't be there. 

That - she could accept.

But when she expressed her worries about meeting his grandfather, he just laughed. He was of no help and if he was near her, she'd have smashed something on his head.

'Just be yourself! Grandpa will surely like you!' he said. 

But she's very nervous. And she even forgot simple words. But she remembered Mikhail once saying that his grandfather likes not-so-sweet desserts like macarons. And so she made it for him.

But she should say, Mikhail, got his good looks from his grandfather. If only he smiled a little, it would be better.

Why isn't he saying anything? Did he hate it? But he ate everything though!

What should I do? 

It's fine. I am not going to back off. I'll show him my true self. Mikhail loves me and he is not worried and that only means that he trusts that his grandfather will like me. 

And I trust Mikhail.

While Rose gathered her courage, Alexander, on the other hand, composed himself from not falling for the charms of the girl in front of him so soon. 

From the moment he saw her, he saw an odd familiarity and by how she conducted herself, he could understand why Mikhail fell for her. 

Alexander followed her as she showed him around the Erling art collections. It mostly contained the portraits of the previous owners and residents of this castle. Alexander's foot naturally stopped at that portrait of Jonathan Erling that was made when he was twenty. 

It was odd he kept that old picture of him with his ancestors, but that was not the picture that grabbed his attention. It was the portrait beside his. 

So this is Aniko Corvin? No wonder he is obsessed with Jerlina… And is that why he spoiled Delvina too? 

Alexander sighed and followed Rose. She was explaining other art pieces that were collected over the years that were mostly from expensive artists. 

Alexander noticed Rose's expressions keenly. He didn't care about the brushstrokes and colors or any of the stuff she explained, but he observed Rose as she explained everything. 

He thought that she was just another trust fund kid who majored in Liberal Arts just for the sake of having an educational qualification behind her name. 

But he saw the passion and every time she paused and got involved in the art. And the smile in her eyes as she talked about each art with excitement brought a smile to his face. 

She resembles Mikhail's mother a bit, doesn't she… Yeah, there is no one like my wife, though.

He smiled remembering Victoria. She was stomping her feet around on their engagement ceremony expressing her displeasure. She didn't even try to win the favor of his family. 

Well, those were different times and the engagement was announced already and they had to keep their word. His family needed her family's connections and they had no way to say anything to her. 

She was a proud peacock!

"Sir?" 

Rose's voice brought Alexander back. He realized that he's been smiling like stupid. By how happy she was smiling at him, he realized that she thought he was smiling at her.

No! I was thinking of my Vicky, idiot! 

"Ehem," he coughed in his fists to clear his throat and banged his cane on the floor. He didn't want to tell her his thoughts. "What is that picture?" he directed her there and she followed his finger. She was happy to explain that picture to him as he observed her more.

The soft-spoken nature of her and the passion she holds in her heart. She seems genuine and confident.

Just like a Volkonsky should be!

Eh… she won't be bad for Mikhail… She would be perfect for the family too!

"Sir, this one is by-"

"Grandpa," Alexander interjected her. He harrumphed seeing the stupid expression on her face. "You can address me as 'Grandpa'," he added.

Rose's heart filled with delight. "Really? Thank-"

"It's nothing special, remember that. Jerlina addresses me that way too," he interjected her seeing her smile widening. She even started to blush. 

What a stupid girl! But she knows how to respect elders. I'll give her that.

"Okay, thank you anyway, grandpa," Rose said holding her hands over her chest. She couldn't contain her smile even though Alexander started to glare at her. 

"That's right," Alexander wanted to smile back seeing that silly girl but he turned his face away. He cannot be taken as an easy person to please. He is the patriarch of the great Volkonsky family!

"I am not like that pompous prick Jonathan although I am the patriarch of a Noble family with great history…"

"I understand, grandpa," Rose followed him with her embedded smile.

"So don't wrongly think that I've accepted you already." Alexander walked in the front.

"Of course, grandpa," Rose jumped in joy behind Alexander and did a little dance of happiness. 

Alexander saw the reflection of the happy Rose in the glass to his front. "I can see you," he said shaking his head. 

Kids these days… they always count their chickens before they hatch… stupids!

"Sorry, grandpa," Rose let out some deep breaths to compose herself and walked beside Alexander.

She wanted to tell Mikhail everything now. 

-----

Jerlina and Samuel stayed in silence after that. Jerlina checked her time and fifteen minutes had passed after she got out. From the outside, she couldn't hear anything from the inside.

Is he fine? Why is he late? I hope he doesn't hurt himself out of rage. His wound hasn't healed fully…

"What are your plans for Christmas?" Samuel asked breaking the silence. "The Grandsire would be happy if you joined our celebrations this year."

"Oh…" Jerlina who was in deep thoughts snapped out of it. "It's our first Christmas together and we want to spend it together, alone," Jerlina said looking at Samuel.

Joel asked for it and she is not going to deny him.