Interlude: Irina and Ivan Rudolph (late 1860s)
Third Person POV
Sometimes, love could come unbidden, unexpected. Nothing in Prince Ivan’s life was unexpected. Everything had been laid out for him. Plans. Wealth. Education. Causes. Women.
Prince Ivan was to become king. His father was ill, and it looked like he was facing his father’s abdication and an early coronation for himself.
Lady Rita had always been there. She was the obvious choice. So, why fight it?
She was not exactly beautiful, but she was not plain, either. She had long brown hair that she curled and twisted in braids and buns. She had intelligent hazel eyes and slightly plump cheeks that made her look even younger than she was. The illusion helped because she was at least a couple of years older than Ivan.
So, one cou
