Rogue agents 1: The prima ballerina (Completed)

Making people dissapear

*Karolina*

I sit across the table from the princess, my fingers nervously tracing the rim of my teacup. The delicate china feels foreign in my grasp, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind. Sebastian and Holly are meeting with her father and we are waiting for them.

I steal a glance at Ryan, his brow furrowed as he engages in light conversation with the princess, Arina, but I can’t shake the feeling of unease that clings to me like a shadow… this feels a lot like home, like a gilded cage.

I honestly thought I would hate her, Arina. After all, she is marrying Ryan… the man who has captured my heart despite everything. But as I watch her, I find myself feeling something else entirely. She’s genuine, her laughter bright and infectious, and there’s an undeniable warmth in her green eyes that pulls me in. Yet beneath her poised exterior, I sense a sadness, a burden she carries that mirrors my own turmoil.

“Is everything alright, Karolina?” Ryan’s voice breaks through my reverie, and I look up to find both him and the princess studying me with concern.

“Of course,” I reply, forcing a smile. “Just… lost in thought.”

Arina tilts her head, her expression softening. “It’s understandable. This situation is… overwhelming for all of us.”

I nod, sending her a small smile. “How do you feel about it?” I ask before I can stop myself. The question hangs in the air, fragile and raw.

“Honestly?” she begins, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I feel trapped. My father has orchestrated this marriage because he believes Ryan ruined me… he did not… but it’s not my heart he’s considering.” The flicker of pain that crosses her face sends a pang of empathy through me. “I love someone else, Leo. He’s a soldier… brave, loyal, sweet… everything I’ve ever wanted. But my father will never accept our love.”

“Why not?” I ask, leaning forward, intrigued despite myself. “What’s so wrong with loving someone?”

She sighs, her fingers brushing the edge of her teacup. “Because Leo isn’t good enough. He doesn’t belong to our world.” The hint of desperation in her voice sends a shiver down my spine. “My father believes a marriage should solidify our power, not just in our kingdom, but beyond. He’s made enemies, and he needs allies. It’s all about politics. Which is why… Sorry Ryan… I always wondered why my father is forcing this marriage and didn’t just kill Ryan.”

Ryan shifts uncomfortably, the tension in his posture palpable. “Does your father often resort to… extreme measures?” he asks, his voice steady, but I can see the flicker of concern in his eyes.

Arina’s gaze darkens, and she lowers her voice further. “Anyone who crosses him tends to disappear. He has dealings with dangerous men in Russia now, someone who thrive on chaos.” Her words hang in the air, thick with foreboding.

Ryan stands abruptly, tension radiating from him. “Stay here,” he instructs us, his eyes darting between me and the princess. “I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, he dashes out of the room, leaving us in a silence thick with unspoken fears.

Arina and I exchange glances, both of us unsure of what to expect next. The tension is palpable, and I feel the weight of our collective fates pressing down upon us.

“Do you think he’s going to confront your father?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know,” she replies, her brow furrowing in concern. “But I can’t let him face my father alone. It’s too dangerous.”

I nod, my heart racing. “What if we follow him? We can’t let him go in there like this.”

She looks at me, her eyes widening slightly. “You’re right. If we’re going to change our fates, we need to work together.”

As we rise to follow Ryan, a sense of determination ignites within me. I may have started this day with jealousy, but now I feel something far stronger… a need to protect Ryan.