Chapter Twenty-Three

A Judas Heart

The next morning I woke up with the sounds of light footsteps exiting the room and the door closing somewhat softly.  I slowly allowed my eyes to take in the softly bright room as I opened them; the sun shining through the grand window through the white drapes.  White drapes? I thought suspiciously realizing that this wasn’t my room, causing me to sit up quickly in the bed to look quickly around trying to find something familiar.  Thankfully a few seconds later I spotted the familiar clothes that belonged to Mandy on a chair across the grand spare bedroom and then noticed her luggage barely peeking out from the open closet.  I smiled, trying to slow my racing heart as I slid out of the bed and walked back to my room to get dressed for the day.  However, today was different than yesterday or the day before.  I couldn’t figure out what it was, but something just wasn’t the same.  Could it be that I had defied Ros and snuck out of the manor last night to see Marc?  Could it be the fact that someone within these walls, someone that was supposed to be my “loyal” subject was actually a traitor?  I wondered as I watched myself in the expensive gold mirror putting on light make up and making last final adjustments before making my way down the hall to go downstairs.

As I approached the grand staircase I was almost too lost into my own thoughts to hear the loud whispers coming from the foyer at the bottom of the staircase.  I began to slowly and quietly walk towards the edge of the hallway, and stopped just before the grand staircase’s banister began.  Keep out of sight and be quiet.  I heard my gut commanding my mind and body as I strained my ears to hear what the two voices were saying quietly downstairs.

“No, she must not know.” I heard one male voice whisper frantically.

“But I, I mean, we shouldn’t hide this from her Imperial Highness.  She should know it’s her own family that we are talking about here.”  The other voice whispered and I couldn’t tell if it was male or female.

“Until we know more, we can’t just act upon assumptions and rumors.  The best thing we can do is, not say a word.” The male voice said more calmly and with authority.

“And the other two?”

“They will soon find out that none of this should concern them anymore.  And if anyone finds out, I will know whom they heard it from.  Do I make myself clear?” The male spoke a little louder causing my eyes to grow wide as I recognized who it was.

“Yes, sir.” The voice spoke as I heard the conversation coming to an end.

“Good. You may go.” Count Dubrov spoke again to the other whispering voice.

“And who are we spying on?” A Russian voice spoke quietly against my ear. Causing me to jump and let out a gasp of fear as I looked back to see a smirking, annoying prince.

“Shhh, God Ros, don’t scare me like that!” I said as I turned around and covered his mouth with my hand looking back towards the foyer praying that Count Dubrov wasn’t still down there.

“Hahaha, you should’ve seen your face Lisa, haha. Oh I just may scare you again to get that facial expression again. That was priceless.” Ros said with a laugh as he moved my hand from off his mouth.

“Shhhhhh” I shushed him again hitting him in the arm as I slowly started walking down the stairs to the now empty foyer.

“Wait Lisa, sorry, don’t be upset.  It was just a prime opportunity to scare you.” Ros said as he quickly followed down the stairs after me.

“What were you doing anyway?” Ros continued after he reached me and notice I was looking all around.

“I heard people whispering…Count Dubrov was one of them, but I was trying to hear what they were saying.” I said honestly in a soft whisper.

“And you couldn’t just ask them to tell you what they were talking about? You had to spy?”  Ros asked with a curious expression as he placed his hands on my shoulders while hold back more laughter.

“No it’s not that it’s just…” I started saying before a maid entered into the foyer holding a basket full of clean towels, she quickly bowed as she greeted me and Ros formally before rushing up the stairs, looking back twice with a red face.  Something on her face made me take a look back at Ros and analyze just how close we were standing, which was too close if you asked me.  Great well this will give the maids something to talk about. I groaned in my head as I let out a sigh and started down the corridor allowing my nose to find the wonderful delicious smells of food being made.

“Just what?” Ros asked as he caught up with me as we both entered into the dining room that was already being set for lunch, butlers and maids entering in and out of the room, and as I counted all the place settings I notice there were a great deal more people expected to be eating with us.

“Ros, what is going on? Who all is coming for lunch?” I asked, grateful that I was able to stray from telling him why exactly I was spying; it was an argument from last night that I didn’t want to repeat quite yet.

“Oh, I thought you knew.  Count Rasputin and his uncle thought it would be great to have a few well known reporters to eat lunch with us, and slowly make you known to the public eye.” Ros said with a shrug.  They thought what? And when were they going to discuss these plans or ideas with me? I thought as my heart raced and my eyes narrowed at the eight extra place settings.

“Well, they could’ve asked me about this…where is Mr. Polo…William?” I said with shortness in my voice.  I couldn’t let them make decisions for me anymore.

“Um, I don’t know, Lisa what is going on? First you are spying on people and now you are upset that people are coming to meet you and make you publically known.  I know you are still suspicious from last night’s conversation with that traitor, but you can’t be eavesdropping on every conversation or second guessing everyone’s actions and decisions.” Ros said as he reached over to pluck a few red grapes that were in the center of the large elegant table.

“Later okay Ros.” I said with a soft groan as I started walking down to the library where I could usually find Mr. Poloski.

“Lisa, all I’m saying is that if that you can’t trust everything that Marc is telling you, especially when you don’t know the guy.” Ros said as he caught up with me.

“Oh and you do? Ros, I really don’t want to have this conversation right now, but we will talk later.” I said trying to end the conversation.

“Fine, later then…but just remember what I’ve said before you can’t trust everything that Marc is telling you.” Ros said ending the conversation as we entered the library finding Mr. Poloski at a desk that was filled with open books and scattered papers.

“Ah Lisa, Ros, I was just about to come find you both.” Mr. Poloski said as he shut a book that he was reading intently.

“William, why are all those people coming today and why didn’t you and Count Dubrov even think about telling me?” I asked as I frustrated put a hand on my hip.

“Lisa, I’m sorry I thought this is what you would want and that you would’ve trusted my judgment on this matter.” Mr. Poloski looked at me with sincere eyes as he stood up and came around the desk.

“It’s not that…I do trust you, but it’s just that you need to tell me these things…I need to know everything that is going on in this house from now on William.” I said as I looked at him in the eyes, driving home the point with my authoritative voice. I knew that he was still my teacher, and the man who has helped me so much these past few chaotic weeks, but at this point everyone was under the suspicion radar. Sure I didn’t know Marc that well, but I could tell he was telling the truth about a traitor being within the Imperial Household.

“Yes, Lis…you’re Grace.” Mr. Poloski said as he looked taken aback before bowing his head slightly towards me.

“Now, I would suggest you fill me in exactly what I am to say and not to say to these guests.  I don’t want to start another Revolution.” I said with a half-smile, as I looked over to Ros then back to Mr. Poloski who was both looking at me as if I had become a completely different person over night.

“Well, I see this is where I’ll make a run for it and leave you two to discuss these boring things. Lisa, find me later.” Ros said as he exited the room, as Mr. Poloski took out a folder full of photos and biographies for me to skim over before the press arrived for lunch.

As soon as Ros exited the library, I sat down in a chair and began to do a little bit of research on our lunch guests.  Traitor, that word repeating with Marc’s voice and intense eyes over and over in my mind. I knew I was acting a little differently, but wasn’t this how the heir to the throne was supposed to act? Wasn’t I supposed to know what was going on within the walls that I was sleeping in?  If I couldn’t handle the task of taking care of internal affairs within this estate, how was I going to take on the affairs of an entire country?

While Mr. Poloski continued to give me a summary overview about each person who was to visit this afternoon, I began to think about what Ros had said about Marc. Was Marc really all that bad?  Besides his name and his family lineage, what was so wrong or awful about him?  Finally I guess I got lost in my own thoughts and questions in my head that I missed what Mr. Poloski had said or asked me because I came back to reality by the sound of my name and a throat being cleared.

“What sorry?” I said looking over at Mr. Poloski who had closed the books and folders of all the biographies that we were just looking over before the luncheon.

“Lisa, I know I should still address you formally, but I’m concerned, you are acting very differently this morning.  What’s the matter?” He said with the look of genuine concern. I couldn’t help but to smile softly and let out a small sigh.  This is Mr. Poloski, the guy who has helped me in so many ways to figure out who I am.  I could trust him; couldn’t I? I thought to myself as I made the decision to just ask what he knew about Marc and his family.

“How do you know about Marc?” Mr. Poloski asked with hesitancy.

“That’s not really the point of the question.  Ros seems to think that he can’t be trusted, but what do you know of him?” I asked again.

“Very well, I hate to disappoint you, but Ros is right when he says to not trust Marc or anything that he says or does.  He is what we call to have somewhat of a Judas heart.”  Mr. Poloski said with a sigh.

“A Judas heart? What do you mean like Judas from the Bible?”

“Precisely.  He seems to be good people at one moment, he pretends to be your friend, and you can truly feel that you can trust the boy, however you need to watch out for the traitorous kiss.  He will give you over to the hands of his father and those who wish to do away with our family.  He is bad news Lisa, your Grace. That’s the bottom line.  I know you feel that you can trust him, but you must see past his lies and see that he’s trying to manipulate you.”

“But why and how do you know this?” I asked softly as his words began to sink into my mind.  He was speaking logic to me, I could see that, but something inside of me begged for him to be wrong about Marc.

“That’s a Ros question.  You will need to ask him for his story on the subject. Now has Marc said anything to you to that was a bit strange?” Mr. Poloski asked as he began to flip out his international phone and text or type something.

“Um just that….just that…” I began to say hesitantly. Was Mr. Poloski right about Marc? Should I tell him about Marc’s warning? There was no way I could even know until I talked to Ros and possibly Marc again.

“Yes Lisa?” Mr. Poloski pressed on.

“Oh just that I should watch my back while I was here in Russia and that I could trust him.” I said with a small smile as I told him the partial truth.

“Is that all Lisa?” He asked me with a raised brow.  I was such a bad liar.

“Mmmhm.  I think we are done here, right? I want to go find Ros.” I said as I quickly stood up.  He knew I was hiding something; I had to get out of this room before he started asking me more questions.

“Um yes, you’ll need to be ready to greet people in about two hours.” Mr. Poloski said as I started to exit the room.

“But your Grace, Lisa wait…please…” I heard him calling after me as my feet started walking faster out the door and down the hall.  I had to get away from his questions and find Ros to ask him what he knew about Marc.  Was Marc really like Judas and if so then why did I still have this feeling that he was good?  I thought to myself as I looked through every room until I ran into Mandy and Eric who were laughing in one of the grand parlors.

“There you are we’ve been looking all over for you.” Mandy said with a big smile on her face as she hugged me.

“Yeah, did you just wake up?” Eric asked as he took out his other ear-bud that was attached to his ipod.

“Hey, and not exactly, I’ve been talking with Mr. Poloski.  Evidently, there’s a big luncheon with lots of reporters today.” I said with a groan.

“What? Are you sure?  What do they want? Do they know?” Mandy started asking one question after another as she started to freak out, like I had in my mind earlier.  That was the way our friendship was.  Whatever I was feeling or thinking, Mandy somehow knew and would voice it.

“MJ, calm down, I’m sure it will all be fine. I mean, this was bound to happen sooner or later, right?  I’m sure Mr. Poloski wouldn’t allow anything that would cause Lisa harm to happen.” Eric said as he folded his arms across his chest.

“Yeah, trust me, I’m not excited about it either, but Mr. Poloski and Eric are right.  This was going to happen sooner or later, at least right now we have it all under control, and it’s not being leaked out and causing chaos.” I said, finally seeing Mr. Poloski’s reasons for allowing the luncheon to take place so soon, but I only wish I felt more ready for it and that I didn’t have so much going through my head.

“Well then what time is this lunch then and who were you looking for earlier when we found you? You were looking for someone right?” Mandy asked as she looked down at her cell phone clock.

“It’s in an hour and I was looking for Ros.  Have yall seen him?”

“Nah, but when you do, tell him I burned him the cd he was wanting last night.” Eric said as he started walking away.

“I thought I saw him heading down towards the lake, where we were at last night.” Mandy said right after Eric had finished.

“Hey where are you going?” Mandy called after Eric.

“I’m going to change clothes. I’m sure once the news is out about our little friend here we are going to have to answer a few questions, and I myself want to look decent for my future fans.” Eric said towards me and Mandy with a smile and a wink.  I could only laugh and roll my eyes as I turned back towards Mandy who just smiled and shook her head.

“I guess he’s got a point.  I’ll see you in a little bit.  Good luck with trying to find Ros.  If I see him I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.” Mandy said as she took the nearest staircase to head up towards her room leaving me alone in the grand parlor to continue my search.   However, as time starting ticking away, and I still had yet to find Ros, I began to wonder just what was I going to ask Ros?  How do I ask why he doesn’t truly like Marc? More importantly could I trust Ros with asking him who he thinks the traitor may be? My mind raced with questions as I walked closer and closer to the lake.

“Lisa?” I heard the Russian voice say my name with surprise as I finally reached my destination.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I slowly closed the distance between us.

“Just thinking about everything, about you, me, and what’s going to happen after today.” I couldn’t help but to smile and let out a soft sigh as I walked over and stood by the blonde headed prince.

“Yeah I’ve been thinking a lot about that too.  Things are really going to change after this, aren’t they?” I asked as I looked out across the lake.

“Yes, they will, but it’s the price we pay for wanting to know the truth and doing what’s right.” Ros said softly as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a side hug to comfort me a little.

“I’m not ready.  I this is happening so fast.” I said as I realized a small tear left my eyes and slipped down my cheek, causing me to lightly brush it away.

“Look at me.” He commanded as I turned and looked up at him before he continued to speak. “We never feel ready, even the most powerful kings and queens throughout history didn’t feel one hundred percent ready.  That’s why we must have faith in God that he will give us enough wisdom to help us through trials.  Lisa, you can do this.  Before you showed up, I had to go through all of this, but you can handle this.  You are ready.  I and your friends are right beside you to help you through all of this.  But you just have to believe in yourself, and believe that you are the right person for this task.” Ros said as he smiled down at me.  I couldn’t help but hug him tightly.  I was truly grateful to have him in my life.  I couldn’t believe at one point I thought he could be the traitor.

“Thank you.  I needed to hear that.” I said as I smiled up at him.

“No problem, I was once told that, and I felt you needed to hear it too.” Ros said, as I began to pull away and look out towards the lake.

“Ros, I do think there is a traitor within our mix.  I know you don’t trust Marc, and I really want to know why, but last night, he went way out of his way to warn me about the traitor. Please I have to know everything.” I finally asked as I looked back over at him with pleading eyes.  I knew I was spoiling the moment, but I just had to know.

“Fine, however we don’t have much time for me to explain, so how about we walk and talk.  I can explain more later, I promise.” Ros said as he started walking slowly back towards the mansion.  I couldn’t exactly say no, so I walked alongside him as he began to tell his story.

“I always say Marc is like Judas because he and I were once friends.” Ros said, making me stop in my tracks.  They were friends? I repeated and questioned in my head.

“What?”

“Hush, and let me finish explaining. Yes, we were friends.  I didn’t know who he was though.  I knew his dad was a busy business man, and from the few conversations Marc and I had, they didn’t have the closest relationship.  However, at about the time my title became public knowledge, Marc started acting a little different. I thought it was just because his father was more around at that time; however there was more to it.  So, he and I started to hang out less and less, until I invited him to my eighteenth birthday.  That night, he said he wanted to talk with me alone, to apologize for the last few years, so we went outside.  We had just talked it all out when he looked at me with sad eyes and said, ‘I’m truly sorry about this, friend.’  The next thing I knew I was knocked in the head from behind and everything went dark.  I awoke a few hours later in some abandon warehouse, with at least a dozen men watching my every move.  I couldn’t ever get them to tell me what they wanted from me.  I told them I could pay them whatever amount if they just let me go, but they didn’t.  They weren’t interested in money.  I was asked countless times if I was indeed the last Romanov; I was beaten every time I gave them an answer.  So, finally I didn’t answer back, which didn’t help.  No one knew where I was, I knew that they wanted to kill me, and the worst part about it, Marc, my friend Marc, was in on all of this.” Ros said, as he paused.  Lost in his thoughts remembering back to that dreadful night.

“Then what happened, Ros?” I said with a shaky voice.

“A few days later, Marc came to see me.  He took one look at me, and had shocked and wide eyes, as if he didn’t know they were going to do this to me, but didn’t say a word.  He just stood by the man that I could only assume was his father, and obeyed his every command, which included punching me a few times in the face.  His father mocked me asking, how I could befriend his son, knowing who I was, and if I was really the last Romanov, why wasn’t anyone looking for me?  A few hours later, Marc’s father came in with the phone in his hand and with an annoyed look he told his son to release me.  It wasn’t but moments after everyone was gone that police arrived.  Yet the one thing that will always stick in my mind was the true apology that Marc said to me while he released me. So, I left his name out of all the names that I gave.  It wouldn’t be until several months later, to realize that Marc’s father was hired out by someone else to capture me, and from all I could tell that person was the leader of the Bolshevik party.”  Ros finally said as he stopped right outside the doors that lead to the grand parlor.

“Who, who was it?” I asked.

“We still don’t know.” Ros said with a somber look as he began to open the door to lead us inside to get ready for the luncheon.

“Ros, wait.” I said placing my hand on his arm.

“Thank you, thank you for explaining.” I said with sincerity.  It was a hard subject for him to talk about, for anyone to talk about, but I was grateful that he told me.

“Lisa, I haven’t spoken to Marc since, but he is bad news.  He might not seem bad at first, but just keep in mind; neither did Judas when he betrayed Jesus.” Ros finished saying before he left me at the door and went to get ready.

Walking to my room and getting ready seemed to happen like I was in a trance.  Did Marc really betray Ros like that?  How could anyone do something so vial?  Who was this mystery person who was now in control of the Bolshevik party, if it wasn’t Marc’s father, the rightful leader by blood? I knew I had to concentrate on what to say to everyone who was about to arrive, but I just couldn’t. 

My mind was filled with even more questions than before as I began to descend the staircase to meet up with Mr. Poloski and Ros outside the dinning room, yet one constant reminder flashed in my head…my time here in Russia was running out.

**Author's Note: Hey Yall, I hope you enjoyed Reading! Please take a moment to click the orange VOTE button that's on the left hand side of the screen. Thanks so much for all your support.

This Chapter is dedicated to jesseelves who created the amazing story ad located on the side of the story. thank you so much.  This chapter is also dedicated to everyone who has been patient while I've dealt with the craziness of life.  Yall are the best!