New beginning

The early morning light filtered through the curtains of Emily’s room, casting a soft glow on the walls. She stirred in bed, her eyes blinking open slowly. She had slept peacefully, but something felt off. She wasn’t sure what time it was, but the quietness of the mansion was unsettling.

As she stretched and yawned, her stomach gave an audible growl, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before. Emily hesitated, glancing around the room as though expecting someone to appear. But the room was empty. The thought of asking Viktor for food made her nervous—he had been so cold and distant, yet protective, and she didn’t know if he would approve of her wandering around the mansion on her own.

Her hunger, however, outweighed her fears. She quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed toward the door, hoping not to wake anyone. She was unfamiliar with the layout of the mansion, but she figured she could find the kitchen if she just followed the scent of food.

When she reached the hallway, everything seemed eerily still. No servants, no guards, just silence. She walked down the grand staircase cautiously, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. The house seemed massive, almost like a labyrinth. She tried not to think too much about being alone in such a large house, and her stomach led her down the corridor to a large, modern kitchen.

The kitchen was pristine, the counters gleaming with a shine that only someone with an obsession for cleanliness would achieve. Emily stood there for a moment, trying to figure out what she could cook. She had never been much of a cook—her upbringing at the orphanage had left her with little experience—but she wasn’t about to starve. She looked around the kitchen, spotting ingredients for eggs, bread, and some vegetables.

"Okay," she whispered to herself, "let’s see what I can make."

She began working, carefully cracking eggs into a pan, stirring them gently as the smell of sizzling eggs filled the kitchen. Emily smiled to herself. She had never cooked in such a well-stocked kitchen before. She felt oddly independent, despite the strange circumstances that had led her here.

But before she could finish cooking, a door slammed open from behind her, and the sound of fast footsteps echoed through the kitchen. Emily spun around in shock, her heart leaping in her chest.

And there, standing in the doorway with his dark eyes narrowed, was Viktor. His tall figure towered over her, his presence almost suffocating. But what made her breath catch in her throat was the speed with which he moved.

Before Emily could even react, Viktor rushed toward her, his powerful arms sweeping her off the ground and into his embrace, lifting her bridal style.

She yelped in surprise, instinctively clutching at him. "W-Wait! What are you doing?!"

His gaze was intense, his jaw clenched in frustration. "What do you think you’re doing, cooking in the kitchen by yourself in the morning?" he snapped, his voice cold. But there was an underlying fury there—an unspoken concern that sent a strange shiver through Emily.

"Viktor, I... I was just hungry..." she stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"You're not supposed to be here alone," he growled, his grip on her tightening just a little, as if he wanted to make sure she didn’t try to escape. He marched over to the kitchen counter, holding her effortlessly, before gently setting her down on a chair as if she were something fragile.

"All of you!" he shouted suddenly, his voice booming through the spacious kitchen. "Where are my maids? Where is everyone?"

Several women in uniforms appeared almost immediately, startled by his commanding tone. Emily shrank into the chair, her face turning bright red. She didn’t know what to say, feeling humiliated and small under Viktor’s intense gaze.

"Why was my fiancée cooking on her own in the morning?" Viktor asked through gritted teeth, his voice dark with anger. "She is not to lift a finger. You’re supposed to take care of everything for her, do you understand?"

The maids trembled under his gaze, each one nodding quickly. "Yes, Mr. Romanov. We’re sorry, Mr. Romanov. It won’t happen again."

Viktor’s eyes softened only a fraction as he turned back to Emily. "You shouldn’t be doing this," he said, his voice lower now, though still firm. "You’re not here to cook or take care of anything. You’re here to rest."

Emily nodded quietly, feeling like a child caught in the act. She didn’t want to cause any more trouble, but at the same time, her pride refused to let her feel completely helpless.

Once the maids were dismissed, Viktor returned to Emily, his earlier anger dissipating. He gestured for her to follow him. "Come, it’s time to eat."

He led her to the breakfast table, where a lavish spread of food had been laid out. Eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee—everything one could dream of for a perfect breakfast. Viktor pulled out a chair for her, silently urging her to sit down.

As Emily took her seat, her nerves seemed to settle. She tried to avoid looking at Viktor too much, but the warmth of the breakfast table and the scent of the food made her feel at ease. Viktor, however, was watching her carefully, his eyes soft but intense.

After they had eaten in silence, Viktor took her hand and led her back to their bedroom. He sat her down on the bed, his expression contemplative as he studied her.

"I have a question for you," he said, his tone serious but gentle. "Where are your parents?"

Emily’s heart sank at the mention of her parents. She had never known them, had never felt their presence in her life. She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the ache that always came with that thought.

"I don’t know," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was left at the orphanage when I was just a baby. I’ve never known anything about my parents."

Viktor’s expression softened, and he gently cupped her cheek. "I’m sorry you had to go through that," he said quietly. His words, though simple, carried an understanding that made Emily’s heart flutter unexpectedly.

Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Do you want to go to college?"

Emily’s eyes widened, not expecting the question. Her face lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yes, I would love to! I’ve always wanted to go, but I... I never had the chance."

Viktor smiled faintly, a tenderness in his eyes that was rare for him. "Then we will make it happen. I’ll take you there."

The excitement bubbled up inside her, and without thinking, she bounced on the bed, a big smile on her face. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes," Viktor said, his gaze never leaving her face. He looked at her with a mixture of admiration and something softer—something that made Emily feel seen, for the first time in her life. "You deserve to have the chance to learn. And I will make sure you get it."

Later that day, Viktor drove Emily to a prestigious college, its towering buildings an imposing sight. When they arrived, he led her inside, where they met the principal. Viktor wasted no time, making his presence known.

"I expect you to treat her with respect," Viktor said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She’s my fiancée, and I will not tolerate anything less than the best for her."

The principal, visibly intimidated by Viktor’s presence, nodded quickly. "Of course, Mr. Romanov. She will be treated with the utmost care."

Viktor’s gaze softened as he turned back to Emily. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch both protective and tender. "When you’re done, I’ll be waiting for you outside. The bodyguard will go with you everywhere, so don’t worry."

Emily nodded, feeling the weight of Viktor’s words. She felt a strange sense of comfort in his presence, even if she didn’t completely understand the complexities of their relationship. For now, though, she was starting to feel like this was the beginning of something new. Something that, for the first time, didn’t scare her as much as it once did.

And with that, Viktor kissed her gently on the forehead, a silent promise of what was to come.