"Tonight, we celebrate not just my son's engagement, but the future of this family." His eyes landed on me, sharp and assessing. "Dmitri has proven himself time and again. His loyalty. His strength. His ability to make the hard decisions that keep us safe and prosperous."
I kept my expression neutral, but my pulse quickened.
"Therefore," my father continued, "it is time for me to step aside. Dmitri will assume leadership of the Volkov family, effective immediately."
The words hung in the air like a detonation. Shock rippled through me, but I didn't let it show. Around the table, reactions varied—some nodding in approval, others exchanging glances, my uncle's jaw tightening with barely concealed anger. He was a supporter of Cori.
"To Dmitri," my father said, raising his glass higher. "The new head of the Volkov family. May he lead us with the same strength and vision that has kept us powerful for generations."
"To Dmitri!" The chorus echoed around the table.
I stood, lifting my own glass, accepting the mantle even as my mind raced. This changed everything. The weight of it settled on my shoulders—heavier than I'd expected, more final. I glanced at Natasha. Her face had gone stoic, her smile frozen in place.
Fuck.
The dinner continued, but I barely tasted the food. Conversations swirled around us—congratulations, questions about my plans, thinly veiled challenges from those who thought themselves more deserving. I handled each one with practiced ease, but my attention kept drifting to Natasha. She'd gone quiet. Too quiet.
Finally, she leaned toward me, her voice barely audible. "I need some air."
"I'll come with you."
"No, I just—I need a moment." She stood, smoothing her dress. "Excuse me."
She walked away before I could protest, heading toward the terrace. I gave her thirty seconds—enough time to breathe, but not enough for the panic I'd seen in her eyes to take root.
Then I followed.
I found her on the far end of the terrace, gripping the stone railing like it was the only thing keeping her upright. The city lights spread out below us, but she wasn't looking at them. Her shoulders were tense, her breathing uneven.
"Princess," I said softly, approaching slowly.
She didn't turn. "That's quite an announcement."
"Yeah."
"Head of the family." Her voice was tight, controlled. "That's a lot of responsibility. I guess you know about Cori, huh?"
"It is and we do."
She finally looked at me, and the vulnerability in her eyes nearly broke me. "Is that why you wanted to marry me?"
The question hit like a blade between the ribs.
"What?" I stepped closer, but she held up a hand.
"Your father just made you head of the family at our engagement dinner, Dmitri. That's not a coincidence." Her voice cracked slightly. "Did you need a wife to secure your position? Is that what this is?"
Rage and pain twisted in my chest—not at her, but at the doubt I'd somehow planted there. I closed the distance between us in two strides, gripping her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me.
"No," I said fiercely. "Absolutely fucking not."
"But the timing?—"
"I didn't know." I pressed my forehead to hers, my thumbs stroking her cheeks. "I swear to you, Natasha, I had no idea he was going to do that tonight. I wanted to marry you long before any of this."
"How can I know that?"
"Because I asked you before he even hinted at me taking his place. Because I've been obsessed with you since the moment I saw you. Because—" I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes."Because I would give up every bit of power, every piece of this empire, if it meant keeping you."
