Chapter 38 Nikolai
I was in my study going through reports when Katya barged in without knocking.
Again.
"Nikolai, we need to talk," she said. Her voice was sharp.
"I am busy, Katya." I said without looking up from my papers.
"This is important. It is about that slave girl." She said. Her voice was full of disdain.
My hand tightened on the pen. "Her name is Anya."
"I do not care what her name is." She walked closer, smiling smugly. "I saw something this morning. Something you need to know about."
"What?" I asked coldly.
"I saw her with Dmitri. The new advisor." She crossed her arms. "They were walking together. Holding hands and laughing like there was no tomorrow."
My blood went cold. Then a hot rage filled my chest like fire.
But I kept my face blank and emotionless.
"So?" I said, flatly.
Katya blinked. "So? Are you not angry? Your mistress was with another man!"
"She is not my mistress anymore. You made sure of that when you sent her back to the servants' quarters." My voice was cold.
"But... but she was yours. And now she is with someone else. Does that not bother you?"
"Why would it?" I leaned back in my chair. "She is just a maid. As you keep reminding everyone. Maids can talk to whoever they want."
Katya's face flushed red with anger. "You are lying. I can see it in your eyes. You are furious."
"Am I?" I stood up and walked around my desk. "You came here expecting what exactly, Katya? For me to rage? To storm out and punish her? To prove that I care?"
"Yes! Because you do care! Everyone can see it!" She exclaimed.
"Then everyone is wrong." I stepped closer to her. "And you are interfering in things that do not concern you."
"I am your fiancée! Everything in this house concerns me!" She screamed, throwing her hands up.
"No. You are a guest in this house. A temporary arrangement. Do not forget that." I said coldly.
Her eyes widened. "How dare you..."
"Get out." My voice was quiet.
"What?" Her brows raised in anger.
"Get out of my study. Now. Before I have you thrown out."
"You cannot speak to me like this! My father..."
"Your father is not here. I am. And this is my house. In my house, my words are final. Get. Out."
Katya's face went pale.
She had expected me to explode. To prove her point. To show weakness.
Instead, I had embarrassed her and made her look foolish.
"This is not over," she hissed.
"Yes, it is. Now leave."
She stormed out. The door slammed behind her.
I stood there, breathing hard. My hands were shaking.
Dmitri. That bastard was holding Anya's hand?
But maybe Katya was lying. Maybe she made it up to make me jealous. To prove I still cared about Anya.
I called for a guard. "Find Mikhail. Tell him I want to see him now."
Five minutes later, Mikhail walked in.
"You called?" He said.
"Tell me about Dmitri." I said immediately.
"What about him?"
"Why is he really here?" I sat back down. "And do not lie to me."
Mikhail sighed. "He is here to help. You have been distracted lately. I thought..."
"You thought what? That bringing in someone new would fix me?" My voice was cold. I could barely contain my rage.
"Something like that." He said flatly.
"And do you trust him?" I looked at him closely.
"Should I not?" Mikhail's eyes narrowed. "What is this about, Nikolai?"
"Katya said she saw him with Anya. They were holding hands." I said, sounding like a child reporting his friend. I was embarrassed at myself, but I had no choice.
Mikhail was quiet for a moment. "And you believe her?"
"I do not know what to believe anymore."
"Then go ask Anya yourself. If you still care so much about her."
"I do not care about her," I lied.
"Keep telling yourself that." Mikhail turned to leave. "But we both know the truth."
He left.
I sat there alone with my thoughts. My jealousy. My rage. My fear.
I wanted to storm down to the servants' quarters. Demand answers from Anya and pull her into my arms and never let go.
But I could not. Because Katya was watching. Mikhail was watching. Everyone was watching.
So I buried it and pushed it down.
I locked it away, like I had done with everything else.
That evening, I avoided everyone. I stayed in my study and worked late into the night.
At midnight, I heard footsteps outside my door. Then a soft knock.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened. Dmitri walked in.
"Pakhan," he said. "I hope I am not disturbing you."
"What do you want?" My voice was cold.
"I wanted to introduce myself properly. I know I arrived suddenly. But I am here to help. To serve you in any way I can."
"Are you?" I studied him. He has green eyes and an easy smile. "Tell me, Dmitri. What do you know about Anya?"
He did not flinch. He did not look away. He stared into my eyes. "I know she is a maid here. I met her this morning. She seemed nice."
"Just nice?"
"Yes. Why? Is there something else I should know?"
"Stay away from her." I said plainly.
"I do not understand." He chuckled.
"You do not need to understand. Just stay away from her. That is an order."
"Of course, Pakhan. If that is what you wish." He bowed slightly. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes. Who do you really work for?"
His smile widened. "I work for you, of course."
"Liar."
"Pakhan?"
"Get out. Before I do something we both regret."
Dmitri studied me for a moment. Then he nodded. "As you wish."
He left quietly.
And I knew instantly that he was dangerous. He was hiding something.
But I could not get rid of him. Not yet. Not without proof.
So I would watch and wait. And pray that Anya stays far away from him.
Later that night, I could not take it anymore. I needed to see her.
I put on my hoodie and cap as usual and slipped out of my room. I made my way to the servants' quarters.
To Anya's door.
I knocked softly.
There was no answer.
I knocked again, still nothing.
I tried the handle. It was unlocked.
I pushed the door open slowly.
And froze.
Anya was not alone.
Dmitri was sitting on her bed, talking and laughing with her.
And she was smiling?!