Chapter 309: Buy One, Get Two Free With Chaos On The Side

[ROMANOV]

The Romanov household had been in silence for the past week. Since the explosion, the manor had not been the same. The accusations thrown at their child were something they didn’t take lightly.

As a matter of fact, they had been ready to go after the malicious people talking shit about Katya online. They were ready and had the resources to silence them. It wasn’t even that hard.

But then Svet and Andre showed up at the doorstep.

"We’ll do the dirty work like we have always chosen to," Svet had said.

The conviction and rage in her voice were a stark reminder that the Romanovs may have had only one biological child, but somehow their child had come with older siblings who would burn down the world for him.

"This is dangerous. This is Moskowsky level of dangerous, Svetlana," Masha Romanov had said to her, like she was trying to tell Svet that things could go awry really quickly.

"We know, Mrs. Romanov. It would have only been too dangerous if the old bastard believed Romanov betrayed him," Svet said, holding her hand gently.

Sergei had made it obvious from the very first day that he didn’t believe what everyone was saying about Katya and the video. Frankly, this made their work easier because it meant that Katya would be safer now.

Sure, they wouldn’t have changed their mind even if Sergei hadn’t believed Katya. They would have fought for their friend regardless, because that was what family was for.

Maybe after all this, there would be a way for them to come to an understanding, but even that could take a little longer because this wasn’t just a simple troll they were going after.

This was an entire criminal organization.

"You three must come back to me then. Alive. Even if wounded, I’ll nurse you back to health. Promise me, both of you," Masha had said then. She knew these two; she knew damn well they would stake their lives for Katya.

As heartwarming as that was, she always hoped that they would always come back because they were Katya’s greatest friends. They were all Katya had trusted for the longest time, and if Katya lost either of them, it would be too heartbreaking for her son.

"We promise," Svetlana said in earnest.

But Andre had gone quiet.

"If our lives are needed to save him, you know what we will choose without question," Andre added, and Masha facepalmed.

On one hand, she was happy her son had very fierce protectors, but on the other hand, she just wanted everyone to be happy. Surely that wasn’t so hard, right?

"Fight and make sure you come home, Andre. And if it so happens, make sure you fight until the very end. I want my children back home, not lost out there," Masha had said.

Her eyes filled with silent tears as she realized that this was the phase of life she had always dreaded. She’d always known there would come a time when these two would snap, but she’d never imagined it would be this soon.

Goodness, they had all just started being happy again.

"We promise to do our very best," Svet reassured.

That was five days ago.

Today, the press conference was still playing on the morning segment. People were confused as to what Aleksandr’s intention had been when he touched on the miscarriage, and frankly, it was something that many didn’t understand.

"I still can’t believe he did that," Masha said as she set the table with the help of Svet and Andre.

Ever since the explosion, they had made it their mission to stay with the Romanovs because they knew they would be worried sick.

Svet and Andre had taken their accumulated work leaves and sick leaves to come and join the fight. It wasn’t even a need because, frankly, they didn’t know how long this would take.

But then again, if ever there came a choice between work and loyalty, it wasn’t hard to tell what they would choose, seeing as they now lived in the Romanov manor instead of going back to their homes.

"My son has questionable taste in men," Mr. Romanov sighed, the newspaper in his hand doing so little to hide the disappointment in his tone.

"They love him in questionable ways," Masha said instead, making her husband put the newspaper on the table and look at his wife like they had not been seeing the chaos this whole time.

What the fuck was that even supposed to be for them?

"First, it was Yaroslav. Boy cheated and found an excuse for cheating in the name of love," Mr. Romanov began, so ready to detail all the disappointments his son had gotten hitched with.

"Then the senator, who was nothing but kind until he started parading his insecurity out in public," the alpha continued, like he had a long list of people he had to go through.

"Don’t even get me started on the madman who looks at my son like the moon and stars are hung in Michka’s eyes," he huffed, not believing that this was what they had been reduced to.

"Of the three, the last one sounds like the sanest of them all," Masha teased as if she didn’t know why and WHO Sergei was.

But then she knew.

She knew a little too well.

Because she had seen the way Sergei had been protective of Katya. The way Sergei had made sure to start a cleanup of Katya’s name. The way the investigations were completed and the data had been sent to the Romanovs, too.

Sergei was doing everything right, even in his warped state of mind, and how he was sure he loved Katya. And Masha wasn’t going to interfere with that.

Their son had a right to choose whoever he wanted, even if it was questionable men and a barbarian who worshipped the very ground Katya walked on.

"I must say I’m impressed with his rationality through all this," Mr. Romanov said before adding, "If you tell him I said that, I will deny it to my grave."

Svet and Andre snorted as they sat at the table, ready for breakfast.

Katya’s chair between them was still empty, and frankly, they knew it would take some time for Katya to come home. But they would bring him home.

Because even now, there was an empty plate and a set of cutlery beside it, as if Katya was going to walk in any moment.

Maybe he would.

Maybe not today.

But until then, Katya Romanov’s space at the table would always be preserved.

"Well, we don’t want you dead yet, so eat up," Masha teased, making her husband huff and groan even though he listened to her.

"Sergei loves Romanov," Andre said quietly, the conviction in his voice evident.

"Unfortunately," Mr. Romanov sighed like he still couldn’t believe the kinds of men his son attracted.

"All the normal people out there in the world, and my son is a barbarian magnet, just great," the old man grumbled.

"At least you acknowledged he loves our Michka," Masha teased.

"Please, anyone with eyes can see how his loose screws keep directing him in our son’s direction," Mr. Romanov grumbled again.

"It’s not one-sided anymore," Svet mumbled like even she couldn’t believe what they had gotten into.

Mr. Romanov was about to say something when...

"Hello, Mr. Romanov," a familiar voice was heard, only for the steak knife to fly in its direction, stopping behind the wall, right beside the person’s eyes.

"Aleksandr FUCKING Petrov," Svet seethed.