Immediately after the dressmaker left Lydia's room, she clutched the bundle in her hands and tiptoed out, her heart hammering. She prayed not to run into anyone. But just as she turned the corner, she bumped straight into Alexander.
The force made her stagger, and the note slipped from her fingers. Her face went pale. Alexander caught her by the shoulders to steady her and frowned.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" he asked, suspicious.
Lydia lowered her head, avoiding his gaze. "I have to deliver the queen's dress," she stammered, not wanting to explain more.
Alexander grunted, stepping aside. "Then you must hurry."
Relief flooded her, and she almost dashed off, but his voice stopped her.
"Wait," he said, bending down.
She froze, her heart skipping a beat. He picked up the note. She could feel her stomach twist as he glanced at it, but he didn't seem interested, simply handing it back to her.
Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. If he had opened it...
To be fair, Alexander didn't think much about it. He probably thought it was just some sewing measurements or a list of fabrics.
"Be careful next time," he muttered, turning away. "You wouldn't want the queen to be kept waiting."
She nodded quickly, clutching the note tightly as she made her way toward the palace.
When she arrived, Queen Olga was already waiting. She admired the dress with a cold smile.
"It's beautiful. You may go," the queen said, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.
The dressmaker swallowed hard, but before leaving, she hesitated and, with trembling hands, handed her the note instead.
"Your Majesty... a note from Lady Lydia Andreyevna."
The queen unfolded it, her sharp eyes scanning the brief message: "I will do it."
A wicked smile curled her lips as she read.
"Perfect," she murmured to herself, eyes gleaming. "She has agreed."
She quickly waved the dressmaker away. "Go now, and inform the others. I have much to prepare."
Without a second thought, she hurried to find Czar Vladimir.
They met privately in a quiet room. The queen wasted no time, speaking in hushed but urgent tones about the wedding.
"You know, the Andreyevnas own over twenty large ships — something we desperately need," Olga said, her voice laced with urgency. "Especially with tensions rising against neighboring kingdoms."
"I know that but where are you going to with this?" Vladimir asked out of curiosity.
"Let's have have Ivan get married to Lydia Andreyevna. That way you can have access to their ships and it will also give Ivan backing." Olga added.
Vladimir rubbed his beard, frowning deeply. "It's too sudden," he muttered. "And Ivan may not agree to it. You know how he is.".
"I know. Think about Ivan too," Olga added with a fake worry, "he is still injured. He is eager to return back to . Everyone there fears him. Who will tend to his wounds."
"I know. You're right. But he may not agree" Vladimir said still unsure.
Olga shrugged, a sly smile playing on her lips. "If we delay, she might marry someone else. Besides, you are the Czar. You control everything. He doesn't have to agree. It's for his protection."
The Czar stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he sighed heavily. "Fine," he said reluctantly.
That very evening, the peaceful quiet at the Andreyevna estate was shattered by the loud clatter of horses. A royal coach gleamed under the moonlight as it stopped at the front steps. Servants and family members hurried outside, confused and murmuring.
Alexander pushed his way through the crowd, his brow furrowed. "What's going on?" he demanded.
A man in royal uniform — the royal herald — stepped down and unrolled a scroll sealed with the royal insignia.
"In the name of His Majesty, Czar Vladimir Romanov," the herald proclaimed in a booming voice, "Lady Lydia Andreyevna is hereby engaged to His Imperial Highness, Grand Duke Ivan Romanov. The wedding shall take place in two days' time."
Gasps filled the courtyard. Whispers began immediately. News of it would spread like wildfire across the kingdom before morning.
Alexander stood frozen, disbelief etched on his face. He stormed into the house and straight to Lydia's chambers.
She sat calmly by the window, reading a book as if nothing had happened. She didn't even look up when he barged in.
"Explain yourself!" he barked, his frustration boiling over. "How did you suddenly get engaged to the grand duke?!"
Lydia turned a page lazily, then said without emotion, "How would I know? You locked me up for days, remember? Besides, it's the king's order. It's not like I can refuse."
His face twisted with anger. "So that's where that hag took you. I won't let you win, Lydia."
She finally looked up, her eyes cold. "And what will you do? Break a royal decree? Lose all our heads?" she said with a soft, mocking smile.
She set the book down slowly and stood, walking toward him with deliberate slowness.
"You were the one desperate to see me marry a powerful man. Now I'm marrying the most powerful one — and you're complaining. Why? Are you scared that once I'm Grand Duchess, I'll throw you out and take back everything you stole?"
Her words stung like a slap. Alexander opened his mouth, but no words came out.
She stopped in front of him, her gaze steady and unyielding. "Don't worry," she said quietly. "I'm not like you. I won't hurt my cousins. They aren't cruel like you are."
Her voice was so calm it made his blood run cold.
"I would like to have a good night's sleep," Lydia said, opening her door wider gesturing her should leave. "I have a lot to do. I'm getting married in two days."
Alexander stared at her, speechless. He turned sharply and left her room, his mind spinning. He needed answers.
At the palace, the throne room doors slammed open as Ivan stormed inside. His face was red with rage.
"You can't do this!" Ivan shouted at Czar Vladimir. "I won't marry the Andreyevna girl — whoever she is!"
Before he could finish, Vladimir's voice thundered through the hall.
"I wasn't asking you, Ivan. It's an order!"
Ivan clenched his fists, trembling with fury. The Queen sat calmly by the Czar's side, a pleased smile on her lips as she watched Ivan's outburst.
Realizing he was powerless, Ivan turned and stormed out, the heavy doors rattling behind him.
Not long after, Alexander was brought in. He approached quietly, bowing low.
"I seek to understand," Alexander said carefully, his voice steady but full of frustration. "My cousin was already engaged. Preparations were underway. This sudden change..."
Olga's voice cut through the room like ice.
"Good," she said coolly. "Then your preparations won't be wasted."
She leaned forward slightly, her lips curling into a smile.
"There will still be a wedding — just with a better groom. So why the complaints?"
Her gaze fixed on him, piercing and full of expectation.
"Unless, of course, you have some secret reason for objecting to a royal order?"
Alexander's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Czar Vladimir stood, his robes sweeping the floor as he looked down at Alexander with cold authority.
"The matter is closed," he declared. "The wedding is final."
Alexander had no choice but to bow again and retreat, biting back the anger and fear that swirled inside him.