Chapter 19 Constance #2
“You are insatiable,” he grunts. “But da, vhen I get back, you can have vhatever you like.” He stands, going over to the door.
I wave bye to him, watching him go before I scramble out of bed, I spray myself thoroughly with the perfume, and open the door just a crack to peek out.
I spot a large, silent man in a black suit posted outside the door.
Misha has not been playing about the guards watching over me since the incident.
I leave the room and immediately, more than a few of the staff avoid my gaze, ducking out quickly like they have something urgent to scrub off the walls.
While others nod politely, their eyes holding a wide, too-bright shine, making me run off and toward the dining hall, but I pause at the door because I can hear a lot of people.
Ugh…. I don’t want to go in there!
I pace in front of the eatery chewing my nail, listening to the laughter and shit, knowing that once my Black ass steps in there it’s going to make the mood awkward as fuck… well duh, bitch!
“Oh, Connie!” Fuck! I turn to see Nadya waving at me from the breakfast nook, sitting on Dimitri’s lap. Next to them, I see Pyper, who’s looking at me like bitch, if you don’t get your ass up in here right the fuck nah!
Ugh…
When I enter, it’s just as I suspected. The entire room goes quiet, making me groan internally and pause by the espresso machine, stalling. I’m definitely going to need some coffee for this!
Everything has gone wrong from the moment I got here. This wasn’t supposed to be all this extra shit. I am not supposed to be having no walk of shames on vacation!
“Ah, if it isn’t our leettle Pechenye. Come sit.
Zhey don’t bite. Not all of zhem, anyvay,” Uncle Vlad laughs, plopping down next to Pyper, chugging down some vodka before wiping his mouth and picking up a fork, stuffing his mouth so full with some of the stacked smoked meats on his plate that his cheeks look like a chipmunk’s.
After fixing my coffee, I saunter over, ignoring all the stares and slumping into the seat next to Nadya and Dimitri, still stirring in my sugar and creamer.
“Y’all ever walk into a room and feel like everyone read a group text about you except you?”
“Haha! Every day, leetle one. I call it family breakfast. You get used to it. So velcome to ze club.” He grins, smelling like alcohol, and I snort, watching him go for the bottle again. This time, I pluck it out of his hand and slide the coffee I’d just made over to him.
“That’s enough for you this morning.” I raise a brow, and he grumbles.
“Fine… but,” he pauses and nudges a bowl of berries toward me. “Eat. Helps ze nerves.” We eye one another before nodding and I pop a raspberry into my mouth with a smile while he sips the coffee, tension unwinding slightly.
“Hov are you feeling, Connie?” Pyper reaches for me as I pop another raspberry into my mouth.
“I’m good… why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know, you just look…”
“Stressed?” I cock my head and she sighs.
“Da, stressed… you look stressed.”
“But vhy, Pechenye? Vee vill handle zhis easily.” Dimitri takes my other hand on the table and I hear the family members murmur disdainfully, but I don’t shake him off.
“Just a lot on my mind.” I smile and Nadya lays her head on my shoulder.
“Vell, don’t zhink about it alone. Vee are here for you.”
“Aww, you guys are so sweet, but I’m fine… I’ve just been in my head.” I grin, reaching for a croissant. “These past few days have been just… a lot,” I admit.
“Mmm,” Uncle Vlad hums, sipping his coffee. “I’m sure, but Misha is competent. He’ll find ze bastard zhat sent ze gift. I nearly spit out my vodka vhen I saw such cheap stones,” he grumbles.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I side eye him.
“I said almost!” he grunts, making me laugh, and I lift my hands in surrender.
“My bad, big dog,” I giggle and he grumbles once more, taking another sip of coffee as I glance around for Alik. “Is Alik not here?” I ask and Pyper goes still.
“He vill be here later,” she answers and I nod, wanting to talk to him about… well… us, I guess. I’ve been denying him because I truly felt there was nothing there, but maybe I was wrong? Maybe… I don’t know, but at least for now the five of us… ugh, what am I even thinking?!
“Hey, you look like you need to relax. Stressing never helps anyzhing,” Pyper sighs, shaking her head, and she’s not wrong, but I doubt she’s got all the worries I have. Still, she’s right.
“I came here to relax, but it seems like the longer I’m here, the more stress I have,” I chuckle and she leans in toward me, her eyes sparkling.
“Zhat’s because you are only vrapped up in Misha. Hov about you go visit ze family museum?” she beams.
“MUSEUM?!” I shout, making everyone in the room look at me. Shit… “I mean, you guys have a museum here?” I say lower.
“Da! It has all ze family history and boring artifacts zhat a nerd like you vould like!” Pyper claps and I scowl at her.
“I’m going to ignore that since I’m feeling generous today, but anyways… and why am I finding out about this now?” I turn to all of them, my jaw on the floor.
“A lot has been going on, Connie, but it’s not like it’s too late. You can go zhere nov. It’s ze perfect zhing to do vhile vee head to zhese fittings.” Pyper smiles.
“Aww, so I have to go by myself?” I look at Nadya, Dimitri and Pyper… hell, even Uncle Vlad would be better than being by myself in this moment. I usually would mind and even enjoy my solitude, but…
“Unfortunately, Pechenye,” Dimitri sighs and squeezes my hand. “But vhen vee get back, vee can have all types of fun.” He winks and my cheeks grow hot.
“You promise?” I tease them and Nadya confirms, giving me a quick, warm hug.
“Vee promise.” She smiles and Dimitri leans over and kisses my cheek.
“Vee von’t be long, Pechenye.”
“Alright, that sounds way better than being the subject of everyone’s silent judgement.”
“Zhat’s ze spirit!” Pyper grabs my hand and yanks me slightly out of the booth. “Go to ze museum zhen relax at spa. You can get to ze museum by going down ze hall on ze East Ving. Vee vill join you vhen vee get back.”
“And you! Vhen I get some time, you, me, and Pakhan vill be having a spade tournament!” Uncle Vlad calls out, pointing his fork at me and I laugh, feeling lighter than I have since the engagement.
“Got it.” I stand, waving at them. “See you guys soon.” I spin on my heel, ignoring the staring family members with newfound purpose, heading for the sanctuary of the East Wing.
As I make my way through the house, I do my best to bypass any lingering family members to the empty East Wing corridor which echoes with my footsteps as I move farther from the bustle. The air cools and thickens, my nerves settling into a curious anticipation because I love history.
I can tell when I start getting close to the museum because the patterns on the walls look different…
almost caveman-like drawings, making me slow my pace, drawn in by the carved panels which come into view.
Two mighty polar bears locked in a silent battle, this one more intricate than the one I saw outside with Pyper and Alik.
My fingers brush over the intricate design, tracing the history etched in wood, and it’s like I can feel the weight of the importance without even knowing what the hell it even means.
“Wow… they really do have a museum in here. Rich people just be having too much money on their hands,” I murmur to myself, quickly going over to the lined portraits, brows raising at how similar they all look.
“These must be their ancestors or something…
this guy looks like Misha, but his hair is much longer, almost if not damn near down his back.
But what’s even more interesting is that his entire body is bathed in a mysterious blue light. Hell even his veins are bright like lightning and his eyes are glowing, white orbs…
“Way to lay it on thick with the lore.”
At the bottom of the portrait are some words that make me lean over and read them, squinting my eyes.
Zakhar Berlov, II- date 1575
Captain of the Crystalline Flower,
Winter Guard for King Kazimir
Birth place 7th Halidome
Current Ruler of 7th hell under
Lord Asmodeus reincarnation 13th
This piece depicts Zakhar Berlov, a figure of legendary renown and one of the royal brothers to King Kazimir. Berlov is most often characterized by his mastery over lightning, a formidable power hinting at the volatile nature of his character and the intensity of his loyalties.
Zakhar is known to his people as a hero who fought for justice for those of the Berlov family, who were tragically banished from the sacred land due to their unique unchanging curse, a detail that speaks to a history of persecution and resilience.
He is best known for choosing exile with King Kazimir after the King failed to protect the Crystalline Flower.
His whereabouts, along with King Kazimir’s, are unconfirmed.
I read the caption again, blinking hard. Current Ruler of 7th hell, Lord Asmodeus reincarnation 13th. My brain stutters. This isn’t a family history… this is advanced, high-budget psychosis… .
“What kind of history is this?” I mutter and I move to the portrait of the woman who looks like a sorrowful, older Pyper before I scan the notes.
Inessa Bershov date 1687-1762
Sister of King Kazimir
Birth place 5th halidome
Current Ruler of 5th Hell-
Under Lord Beelzebub reincarnation 13th
Bershov was highly regarded, earning the favor of King Kazimir and the deep affection of the populace, being renowned as the figure closest to the people within the court.
Banishment and Purge
Her destiny was tragically overturned due to her being afflicted with the unchanging curse.
This resulted in her and her children’s banishment from the sacred land.
Her story culminates in tragedy: Bershov, once a renowned Berlov, succumbed to injuries sustained during the subsequent Great Purge of the Unchanging, and it is recorded that her children were also lost during this brutal pursuit.