The Scoundrel's Tribute

Alliance

Rene

While we were dancing my heart raced insanely. First the ladies, now Uncle's favorite rat and my dimwit nephew are also in the picture. I'd been too focused on solely avoiding Dina's poisoning in the future and I forgot to take care about the other possible obstacles. However, right now, I had an urgent matter to resolve.

- What made you change your mind since this morning? - I asked as Dmitry swirled me around the dance floor. I heard some amazed gasps and soft gossiping. He looked into my eyes and smiled.

- I've thought thoroughly what you said about the chess pieces and I realized that your actions lately, really deserve some recognition and trust. Needless to say, that if you betray me or Dina, I'll blew your pretty head off of your nice neck. - I giggled and he raised his thick eyebrows.

- I never met a woman who'd laugh after being threatened like this. Aren't you afraid? - he said and I shrugged.

- Of you? Not at all. I have no intention to betray neither you, nor your lovely daughter. I'm more worried about what dirty tricks my Uncle might try to pull. He didn't send his beloved son here out of mere respect.

- Yeah, I got that far myself as well. What did Lord Daquir meant by not replying to their letters? I hate to admit, but we went through your post each time before handing it to you. - he looked a bit embarrassed.

- I knew it, and no problem. I understand your point perfectly. Dmitry, you share a fascinating hobby with my Uncle, both of you wanted to kill me and kept me under supervision.

- I don't understand, why would he try to kill you after going through the trouble to get you married to me? - he asked and he had all his rights to be confused. This whole situation made no sense.

- I'm not pregnant and haven't given birth either. I'm in his way. That's why he tried to get rid of me, when he couldn't, he tried to harm Dina.

- That accident with your carriage! I knew it was too meticulous to be a real accident. - Dmitry's grasp tightened on my hand and waist.

- I understand your frustration, but please don't break me. - he immediately noticed what I meant and relaxed his hands.

- Sorry, I'm just worried.

- I'm worried a bit too, but back to topic. Uncle kept sending maids to check on me and letters expecting me to report each of your movements.

- Did you do it? - I laughed.

- How would I? You avoided me! - Dmitry laughed as well.

- Our dance for anyone who watches would look like a romantic and happy dance of a couple madly in love. - Dmitry said and I chuckled.

- They have no idea that we are trying to figure out which conspiracy theories are valid! - Dmitry pulled me closer and asked.

- May I know what was your last message to your Uncle?

- After he tried to hurt Dina, I sent him a message saying "Wrong bet, Uncle!" - Dmitry pulled further and his eyes widened at me like a puppy's at their owner.

- Did you openly rebel to the Emperor? - he asked and I nodded proudly.

- Nobody has the right to mess with Dinara as long as I'm alive! - the song ended and Dmitry held my hand.

- Let's continue our conversation later, I like what I'm learning about you. - he kissed my hand and I smiled.

- See you later! - Dina ran to her dad and he asked her for a dance. I took a glass of wine and sipped a bit before the nuisance my Uncle sent appeared by my side.

- We need to talk. - I kept watching Dina and Dmitry's dance. She smiled so wholeheartedly and I was glad that she enjoyed her birthday to the fullest. I was proud that we managed with Dmitry to get everything what might ruin it, out of her way.

- I don't feel the urge to talk to you. I'm in a good mood and chatting with the Lord, will definitely ruin it. - I said and that moment Daquir grabbed my arm and pulled me out to the balcony behind us. He shut the doors closed and tried to intimate me by cornering me between himself and the railings.

- You are forgetting your place Rene. You are nothing but a stain in the Royal Family tree, a rotten apple! You are here and you are only alive because you had a purpose! But you are not fulfilling it!

- Remind me again, what was it? - he stormed to me and grabbed my hair yanking my face closer to his.

- To f**k the Duke and give birth to a child! But you are even useless to be a slut! You are too stupid to even use your beauty to seduce a man? - he kept insulting me and I just sighed. If it was me from my first life, I'd be crying on the floor, Rene from my second life would've already threw him over the railing and to be honest, that decision seemed to be tempting this time as well.

- Contrary to Lord Daquir, Duke Rankin is a man of honor, he would never touch a young girl who hadn't even come to age, yet alone sleep with her! - Daquir yanked my hair harder and he hit my side.

- You are being too reckless Rene... Should I reeducate you? - he asked and grabbed his belt I couldn't help but laugh out loudly. He slapped me to make me shut up.

- Oh my dear God! I guess with age you became stupider! This is hilarious!-I said and pulled myself straight. I didn't care about my hair that pulled the skin on my head. I took a step towards Daquir and said.

- Go on, take it off, hit me with it. Let's see how that's going to end for you Lord Daquir.- Suddenly someone grabbed the Lord from behind and hit him against the wall of the castle. The man who now stood between me and my childhood abuser was no other than my husband, Dmitry. His nostrils got wide and his knuckles pale from anger.

- You dare to come to my Duchy uninvited on my daughter's birthday, and with those filthy hands of yours, you dare to touch MY WIFE?! - he shouted the last part and I put my hands on his shoulders. He glanced at me but Dmitry got only more pissed seeing my messed up hair.

- Dmitry, let's calm down and take care of him in silence, we don't want to ruin Dina's birthday because of him. - I said and he growled like a wild wolf but nodded. With a quick movement he hit Lord Daquir on the back of his neck and knocked him out.

- Take it to a dungeon but pretend that you take him to an empty room. - he said to someone and that was when I noticed Victor standing in the shadow. He nodded, with his convincing smile he grabbed the Lord and I heard him saying inside to the worried guests.

- Please don't worry, he just had too much fun! We'll take care of him. - I looked at Dmitry who was still furious.

- Thank you. - I said and he just asked.

- For how long?

- Sorry, what are you curious about?

- How long have you been enduring this? - he asked looking deeply into my eyes. I've never seen myself so vulnerable and pretty as I looked in the reflection of his intense gaze.

- All my life, it got worse after my father killed my mother. - I smiled.

- What are you smiling for?

- It's funny, he killed her to avoid her leaving him, and my mother poisoned him, so he'd never go after her. - I took a deep breath and fixed my hair.

- We should go back, Dina might be looking for us already. - I said and unexpectedly, Dmitry's strong arms wrapped around my waist and shoulders. He rested his head on top of mine and said softly.

- I'm sorry, I've been a really bad husband. - I pat his arm and looked up at him.

- You have been a wonderful husband to the wife you loved. I was an obligation, not your choice and I might resented you for your actions in the past, but I'm not anymore.

- Thank you, and I'll be working hard to be better husband for you too.

- I'll do my best to be a good wife for you and a wonderful stepmother for Dinara. - we stayed like that for a few more moment before Dmitry said.

- That doll, was a beautiful gift. Did you do it intentionally? - I've nodded.

- Catherine is her mother, and she'll always be. I'm more like a godmother or a not so evil stepmother. But, as I told to Dina already, I'll never convey Catherine's place neither in her, nor in your heart. - Dmitry tightened his hug around me and I snuggled a bit to him, inhaling his cologne.

- You are making me feel guilty about my own actions. - he said and pouted. I giggled and caressed his arm.

- Let's say we are even, I haven't been an angel myself either.

- Let's start with a blank page as allies. - Dmitry said. He released me and bowed deeply.

- Nice to meet you, my name is Dmitry Rankin, Duke of the Rankin Duchy. I'm a widow and I have a nine years old daughter whom I adore the most. - He held my hand and I bowed as well.

- Nice to meet you too! I'm Rene, the Emperor's niece, I have no children for my own, but I might like one with time, until then, I have a stepdaughter who is the most perfect angel! You need to know that I'm ready to die for her. - I said and Dmitry kissed the back of my hand before holding my face in both of his hands.

- I think we already have something in common. - he said and I chuckled. Dmitry leaned closer... The door opened and Dina sighed with relief.

- Finally! I was looking for Mom... - she said and got all blushed when she saw us almost kissing. She squeaked and shut the doors closed, trying to give us privacy. We looked at each other with Dmitry and bursted in laughter, before we headed after Dina.