Page 31 of The Pakhan’s Unwanted Bride

"Of course." I keep my tone neutral. "I'll have my staff show you to the guest quarters."

"That won't be necessary." Benedikt's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "I'll be staying in the east wing, close to Princess Anastasia's suite. Ivan's orders."

The presumption grates, but I let it slide. Picking a fight with Ivan's man over sleeping arrangements isn't worth the political headache. "Fine. Make yourself comfortable."

I move past him toward the entrance, but I feel his eyes on my back. When I glance over my shoulder, I catch the expression on his face before he can mask it. Pure, undisguised hatred. Not the professional wariness of one soldier assessing another, but something personal and visceral that makes my instincts flare with warning.

Inside, I find Ana in the main sitting room, directing staff as they unpack more boxes from the Rostova estate. She's wearing dark jeans and a soft blue sweater, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She looks younger like this, less like the polished princess and more like the woman I saw crying over her mother's letter last night.

"Samuil." She brightens when she sees me, and something about that genuine smile makes my chest tighten. "Benedikt arrived with more of my things."

"So I gathered." I watch as Benedikt enters behind me, his attention immediately zeroing in on Ana. "He'll be staying in the east wing."

"Perfect." Ana crosses the room to greet her bodyguard, and I see the way his entire demeanor softens when she approaches. "Thank you for bringing everything."

"Anything for you, Princess." Benedikt's voice is warm, the complete opposite of how he spoke to me. "Your father wants to make sure you're comfortable and safe."

"I am." She glances at me. "Samuil has been very accommodating."

Benedikt's jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. "I'm glad to hear it."

I watch the interaction carefully, noting the way Benedikt positions himself slightly between Ana and me. The way his eyes watch her every movement with an intensity that goes beyond professional duty. The way he looks at her when he thinks no one's watching, like she's something precious that needs protecting from threats he alone can see.

Ana laughs at something Benedikt says, her hand touching his arm in casual familiarity, and something hot and unfamiliar twists in my gut.

For the first time in my life, I realize I may be jealous.

17

ANA

Iwake with my mother's letter still clutched in my hand, the paper slightly crumpled from where I fell asleep holding it against my chest. Sunlight streams through the tall windows of my suite, illuminating dust motes that dance in the air like tiny stars.

Last night keeps replaying in my mind. Not just my mother's words, though those still make my throat tight with emotion. But Samuil. The way he sat across from me, his massive frame settled into the leather chair with unexpected patience. He had listened without interrupting, without offering empty platitudes. He'd just looked at me like he actually saw past the princess façade to the lonely daughter underneath.

I don't know what to do with that version of him. He'd shown genuine compassion and apologized without being asked. He'd stayed when he clearly wanted to leave. It doesn't fit the image I've built of the cold, controlled Pakhan who can barely stand my presence. And that unsettles me more than I want to admit.

I shower and dress in dark jeans and a cream cashmere sweater, pulling my hair into a loose braid. When I head downstairs for breakfast, I find Benedikt already waiting in the dining room, standing near the windows with his hands clasped behind his back. He's wearing his usual dark suit, perfectly tailored, his expression serious as he surveys the grounds outside.

"Good morning, Princess." He turns when I enter, and his expression softens. "I hope you slept well."

"Well enough." I pour coffee from the silver service on the sideboard, adding cream and sugar. "Have you eaten?"

"Hours ago." He moves to pull out my chair. "I've been reviewing the estate's security protocols. There are some concerns I need to discuss with Pakhan Galkin."

I settle into the chair and reach for a croissant from the basket. "What kind of concerns?"

"The perimeter cameras have blind spots. The gate security is adequate but not optimal. And there are too many staff members with unrestricted access to the private wings." He remains standing, his posture military-straight. "Your father would not approve of these vulnerabilities."

"I'm sure Samuil has his own security measures in place." I spread butter on the croissant, watching it melt into the flaky layers. "He's managed to stay alive this long."

"That's not the point." Benedikt's tone sharpens. "You're here now. That changes everything. You're royalty. He's not."

I look up at him, studying the hard lines of his face. Benedikt has been part of my life since we were kids. He's always been protective, sometimes excessively so, but I love him like a brother and his overprotectiveness usually makes me smile.

"Walk with me?" I set down my coffee cup. "I could use some fresh air."

We leave through the French doors that open onto the back terrace. The estate grounds are extensive, with manicured gardens that give way to natural woodland at the edges of the property. The morning air is crisp and clean, carrying the scents of pine and damp earth. I pull my sweater tighter around myself as we follow a stone path that winds through beds of late-blooming roses.