Roots

Roots - Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

The Price of Truth

The ride to Count Dubrov’s was an agonizing ride, because my body was filled with so many emotions blending together.  My head was swimming with thoughts, questions, assumptions, and I probably had played out how the whole night would probably go at least ten times, by the time we reached the gated entrance of the estate.

“Lisa, please, you’ll be fine.  You’re smart and you have a lot more of your great grandmother than you may realize.  Trust and believe in yourself, you’ll find the confidence and courage that you’ll need.  I must also make you aware of something as we are almost there.” Mr. Poloski said across from me in the black stretch limo.

I couldn’t respond, I just took a deep breath and let it out, trying to calm my nerves as he began to continue.

“Lisa, once we leave this car, I will not be addressing you as Lisa, I’m afraid in the presence of other royals such as my uncle, and the position we are in, I will have to address you formally. Lisa, you can do this.  I’m right here beside you, and you’re great grandmother thinks you are ready for this. Yes, I’ve already informed Her Grace, about this evening’s agenda.” Mr. Poloski said as he saw the confused look on my face.

“I also must prepare you, I am not sure who all will be here, but one this is for certain, there will be someone to do a DNA test, but it won’t be so bad.  Under no circumstances can we give the exact location of your great grandmother.  I’m still figuring out who can be trusted.  I understand you want to reconnect one or two family members with your great grandmother, but we need to be sure yalls safety is secured.” Mr. Poloski said as he leaned in showing a serious face that matched his words and voice.

“Yes, of course.  Will they make me choose tonight?  I don’t know if I want this or not. And what about Ros?” I asked, my head starting to swim more with fearful thoughts.

“I’m not sure if tonight’s meeting is that kind of meeting, usually you would publically announced, but I’m really not sure what’s going to happen tonight.  As far as Ros is concern, I’m not sure if he’ll be here tonight, and either way he’s about to discover what all the secrecy has been all about. But don’t be worried about that, you just need to focus on being your charming self; we’ll get through this together.  Just think how many times your great grandmother had to attend parties like these, and think about how graceful she was at them. You can do this; remember you are a Grand Duchess, act like it.” He said with a smile and a wink before the car door opened and he got out holding his hand out for me to take it, so I could follow him and be escorted into the very large mansion that was built out of grey stone.

I can do this, just breathe, don’t trip, think about what would Nunna do in this situation, I coached myself as I took a deep breath before Mr. Poloski rang the door bell.

“It’ll be fine your highness.” Mr. Poloski said to confort me, but hearing him call me that formally just made a little bit more nervous, before the door opened up revealing an older man in a suit and no facial expression what so ever.

“I’m Count Rasputin, Count Dubrov is expecting us.” Mr. Poloski said in fluent Russian as what I finally assumed was the butler escorted us in to the foyer, which was very grand, not like the palaces’ foyers, but still very large.