Work Text:
Nikolai and Zoya sat in the front of the fire in the royal suites. On the low table between them were pieces of paper covered in names.
Zoya picked up one of the sheets. "What about Linnea?" she asked, reading the name of the paper she was holding.
Nikolai nodded. "Definitely. I'll add her to the invite list" he said, adding another name to the growing list on the paper closest to him.
Zoya read the next name on her list. "Alexander Lantsov and Tatiana Lantsov." She frowned. "How about no."
Nikolai looked conflicted. "They're my parents Zoya. Well, the people that raised me. I'd like them to be at our wedding," he said.
Zoya raised an eyebrow. "What did they do to deserve an invite? We both know what an awful job they did at raising you -and at being king and queen."
Nikolai looked up at her. "Please Zoya. I know they're not good people, and they've done some bad things, but it's just a week. I... I'd like them to be there," He said, his voice a little shaky.
Zoya sighed. "I don't agree with this decision, but if it means this much to you, we can invite them. I just don't think Genya will like it." She grabbed Nikolai's paper, and began writing down the two names.
She peered at him again. "Why do you want to invite them?" She asked curiously.
Nikolai leaned back in his chair, looking at the gilded ceiling as if it had the answers."I guess I just want to see if they ever loved me. If they'd be proud of how far I've come. It's a stupid thought though. I mean, one of the things I had to do to get here was banish them," he said, his voice straining slightly on the last part.
Zoya placed her hand on his, her voice gentle. "Nik, look at me. It's not dumb. Your looking for something you never had, and I was guilty of that many times. Genya will understand." She picked up her sheet again. "Ok next name is Inej Ghafa and her family"
Nikolai smiled slightly. "You're a queen now, yet your still just as ruthless as when you were a general. Let's invite them," he said, writing her name down.
Zoya shot him a mildly scathing look. "Planning a royal wedding is a lot of work. There's no time for slacking. Also, as you mentioned, I am now the queen, so watch your tong."
Nikolai smiled for real this time. He got back to work.
The end