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geekywritings · 3 years

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Rise of a Queen - Nikolai Lantsov x OC - PART 2

"We will need support at court.", Zoya stated, as they were all sitting around the fire, barely a two day journey away from the capital. "There is no saying whether the Grisha will support Alina."

"There is also no saying how the rest of the court will react to me.", Nikolai threw in. "I doubt my brother will want to roll out the carpet for my return."

"Is there anyone we can count on within the palace?", Mal asked and Aline's eyes moved to Nikolai.

"What about that friend of yours? You did mention that she comes from a powerful family." Now Nikolai cursed himself for having talked about Taya more than once with the sun summoner. Maybe she could help, but still. If this was to be his first letter to her after all these years...

"Well, we should use any chance we have.", Mal said with a shrug and so Nikolai almost felt peer pressured into writing those damned lines and sending them ahead to Os Alta.

________

Whether it had been with Taya's help or not, their arrival at the capital was quite the sight. People littered the streets to catch a glimpse of the returning prince and his glorious sun summoner. All the shows they had put on before now culminated in this grand finale, even though Alina had made it abundantly clear that she wanted no part in the story he had fabricated. And as they rode through the streets of his childhood towards the palace, Nikolai wondered himself if the story had been a mistake.

The court had gathered in the gardens to welcome him, his parents at the front, but Vasily nowhere in sight. He had probably left to gamble somewhere or appear busier than he actually was. Surrounding his parents he spotted more familiar faces, but his eyes stopped on one. He had almost missed her for a split second, but it had to be Taya. Taller, more womanly and dressed in the latest fashion, she looked like everything she never wanted to be. And her expression carried both surprise and anger. It could only mean that his letter had reached her after all.

Before he could even think about speaking with Taya, he was swept up in the commotion. His parents were glad to have him back but furious with Alina. There were many questions to be answered and before he realized it, two days had passed without him seeing more than his parents, the little palace, and his bedroom.

That evening however, there was a ball to be held in his honor and while he disliked the idea, it was the perfect opportunity to finally speak with Taya and explain himself. What he would say? He honestly had no idea.

________

Fine silks, colorful brocade, happy music, and fine food... just another annoying ball full of empty flattery and court intrigues. Even if the occasions changed, the balls themselves never did. But this ball Taya was not annoyed. Not like usual. This event was held in Nikolai's honor to celebrate his return after his long absence. Five years to be exact. Four of which he hadn't sent even a single letter to her. He had practically vanished off the face of the earth and the next time Taya had heard of him, he was rumored to marry the sun summoner. She wasn't angry at him for that. No, she was angry for having been worried about him without a letter. She was angry for him to only write a few lines to her two days ago, asking about the mood at court. She was angry at him for not taking the time to find her after his return.

But she couldn't show that anger, as she walked around the ballroom with the glass of champagne in her hand that she would love to empty in one go. And then she spotted him, practically glowing amongst all the other guests in his uniform. For a moment she glanced left and right until she realized that he was walking towards her. Instantly she straightened her back, ready to greet him, but instead, he just mouthed a familiar line to her. "Meet me in the garden." Even after all these years, she still understood perfectly.

Making sure nobody noticed, she sneaked out of the ballroom and headed into the garden, still careful to remain unseen. She slipped through a wall of ivy and found herself in their secret spot. There he stood, looking unbelievably handsome and nervous and so very very real. Not one to hold back, Taya rushed to him, throwing her arms around him and holding him tight. From the way he tensed, it was obvious that he had not seen that coming. "I was so worried.", she said. She felt his arms sneak around her, returning the embrace, but after only a second she pushed him away, hitting him repeatedly with her fan. "Why did you never write?! Why did you just disappear from the army?! Why is the first letter I get from you after all these years only three sentences long?!"

"I would explain if you would stop hitting me.", he said, putting up a feeble attempt to defend himself. "You do know that hitting a prince is a crime, right?"

"Not when he absolutely deserves it!", she snapped back. She looked glorious, Nikolai realized, even as she stood there, mad at him. She had been a very pretty girl, but now she had grown into a beautiful woman. Her dark curly hair was already escaping from her tight updo, some strands falling out and her blue eyes were only enhanced by the light makeup around them. The dress she wore underlined her womanly figure and he caught his eyes wandering from head to toe twice. It only earned him another hit with her fan.

"You owe me an explanation."

"I have none...", he said. He had thought about what to tell her, but he honestly didn't have any kind of excuse or story to tell her. The only thing he could offer was the truth, which he tried to shorten as much as possible.

"You became a pirate?"

"Privateer."

"You had your own ship? And a crew? And real adventures?"

Funny how those were the things she seemed to be stuck on. There was admiration in her eyes, but also disappointment. Because those had been her dreams, as well, he realized.

"I should have written to you.", he said, really meaning it. "But I got lost in that new life."

"You were free.", she stopped him. "You let go of everything."

The words cut him like a knife.

"Why come back now?"

"Because Alina can stop the Darkling and destroy the fold."

"And what about you becoming Tsar?"

So she had heard about that. Of course, the rumors had flared up the moment he had reentered the picture. From what Nikolai had gathered, Vasiliy wasn't exactly regarded as a good candidate for the crown. With his achievements and popularity among the army and the people, the younger brother suddenly had good chances to be named as the Tsar's successor after all.

"That is my plan, yes.", he admitted to her and Taya just accepted with a nod. Silence fell between them. The kind of silence they had never experienced before. It was uncomfortable, cold even, as if they were strangers.

"How have you been, Taya?", Nikolai asked into that atmosphere, if only to fill it with talking.

"I have been well. I've even grown used to the embroidery and dancing."

A ghost of a smile passed over Nikolai. "I don't believe it. You?"

He expected her to joke back, but she didn't. "I had to.", she just said. "It was a small price to pay to stay unmarriagable." A problematic wild woman was far more likely to be married off to the next best man, while a proper lady was a prize to be won.

The news of her being free still was surprising to Nikolai, based on her family and appearance, but he was also strangely relieved to hear it. "Vasily has not started chasing you?"

"I didn't say that." Ah, so his brother had made his move. "He just isn't fast enough to catch me."

The first genuine smile crossed their lips and the awkwardness melted away. "I'm still mad at you though.", she reminded him, giving him another hit with her fan for good measure. "And now tell me, how can I help you?"

____

You can also follow the series on my Wattpad!

https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/275585861-rise-of-a-queen

#nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov x oc #nikolailantsovxoc #grisha #grishaverse

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