Author's note: Welcome to my first fanfiction based on the movie/musical Anastasia! It's also inspired by actual events and I researched a lot about it. I tried to make it as historically accurate as possible and put in some quotes and letters of real-life Anastasia. I'm probably going to edit it in the future. Hope you like it!
St. Petersburg, February 1913
It was cold. Snow was falling in St. Petersburg as Anastasia and Dmitry had a snowball fight in the backyard. When they had a pause, she asked, "Dmitry, do you want to go to a ball tonight?"
Dmitry's eyes widened. "Did your parents approve?"
The girl nodded in excitement. "Papa said it's okay. He would love to see you!"
"But I can't even dance!"
"Neither do I."
The 14-year old kitchen boy crossed his arms. "I watched you dance several times, and you're a great dancer."
"Wait, when did you see me dance?" She asked confused.
"Well, you shouldn't keep your door open when I'm around," he smirked.
Anastasia rolled her eyes.
"Anyways, I don't have any suitable clothes for a ball."
"We'll find something for you. I think Papa has an old tuxedo you could fit in."
"You don't have to do this for me. I'm sure I'll be needed somewhere during the celebration."
"No, I already settled it," she responded. "Come on, Dima! Let's have some fun! You deserve to be part of it. Olga invited her crush too, so I can invite you, because you're my friend."
Dmitry gave in. "Okay, if you really want it…"
Anastasia hugged him tightly. "But you have to teach me how to dance," the boy added.
"No problem. I'll meet you in the ballroom at 2 o'clock."
After Anastasia changed her dress, she went to the Alexander Hall to meet Dmitry. "Let's start our lesson!" She exclaimed.
"First, you have to put your right hand on my waist, and clasp my right hand in your left." He followed her instructions, but he didn't come too close to her, because he was scared of being caught dancing with the Tsar's daughter. "Come closer, I don't bite!" She said as she took position.
After they mastered the basic steps, they practiced the turns. "You're a good dancer," Anastasia remarked.
"You think?" He asked, looking down to the short girl.
She nodded. "And you learn very fast. We've been here for only 15 minutes and you didn't step on my feet yet!"
The young boy twirled her around, so that her blue dress spun round. "Okay, now we're ready to dance to some music!" Anastasia turned her gramophone on.
The girl could hear her friend counting quietly while she was dancing with him. "One-two-three, one-two-three ..."
Soon, they were gliding effortlessly around the ballroom. "What are you doing here, Dmitry?!" A thundering voice interrupted their dance. "Stop pestering Her Imperial Highness Anastasia!"
The two turned around and saw the angry cook. Anastasia smiled and said, "He isn't pestering me. I'm just teaching him how to dance. I thought we talked about it?"
"O-of course, your highness." The man bowed and left the hall.
Dmitry turned to Anastasia and asked, "Are you sure I won't get into any trouble?"
"Certainly."
In the early evening, Anastasia handed Dmitry a black tuxedo. "Papa said you can try it on. It has to be the right size." She walked up the stairs to her bedroom to change her clothes. "I'll meet you at the staircase."
Thankfully, Dmitry fit in the old tuxedo. He waited at the lower end of the Jordan Staircase to receive Anastasia. Suddenly, a man approached him. "Ah, Nastya gave you my old tuxedo." It was the Tsar.
"Oh, I'm sorry! She asserted Your Imperial Highness permitted it."
The Tsar laughed. "That is right. I don't fit into it anymore, so it's no problem. I have to say it suits you, young man!"
"Thank you!"
As soon as Nicholas left, Dmitry looked up the stairs and saw Anastasia standing there, beautiful, bright, and proud. His heart beat faster than usual at the sight of her smiling at him. The girl was floating down the steps as Dmitry's heart pounded faster and faster. The grand duchess was wearing her light pink court dress with golden ornamentation, a kokoshnik of the same color, long, white gloves and a red satin sash.
Dmitry reached out with his hand and led the princess to the ballroom. Hundreds of people were there. The ball's occasion was the tercentenary of the Romanovs. Out of all the women, the ones of the imperial family were the most outstanding guests. Not only because the girls wore their court dresses, but because of their regal appearance. Every one of the grand duchesses was pretty, although most people considered Maria the prettiest. Dmitry had to admit to himself that she was indeed beautiful, but something about Anastasia made her the most "normal" and loveable girl to him.
After the Tsar and the Tsarina shared the first dance of the evening, everyone else joined in. Dmitry bowed to his friend. "May I have this dance?"
"It would be an honor." Anastasia took his hand and they moved to the dance floor. The pair took position and started waltzing to Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite. To Dmitry's happiness, they didn't have to change their partners. He was used to dance with Anastasia only, and it would have been embarrassing for him if he made mistakes while dancing with strangers. Just don't mess up. You don't want to make yourself a fool in front of all the royalty! Concentrate. The girl noticed his nervousness and whispered, "Calm down, Dima. You're dancing well, don't worry."
After that compliment, he was more confident – until the Tsarina gave the boy a death glare and said something to her husband. When the music ended, Anastasia took him aside. "Are you having fun?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes, I have!"
"What's the matter? I see it when you're concerned."
He sighed and whispered, "Your mother isn't happy that I'm here, right?"
Anastasia looked around to make sure nobody is listening and sighed. "It's not easy with her. She doesn't value ordinary people in general, so please don't take it personal." She fumbled about her pearl bracelet. "My father is completely different. He likes you very much!"
"I guess I should accept the situation that your mother will never like me."
"It doesn't matter to me if she likes you or not, as long as we're friends, but let us not think about that now."
Dmitry stopped talking because he didn't want to ruin the evening for her. "Let's continue dancing." He offered her his arm. "May I?"
After hours of dancing and talking, he escorted the young girl to her room. "Thank you for being with me tonight!" She whispered.
"I should thank you for inviting me to this ball. I really enjoyed it!" Dmitry responded.
"Good night, Dima."
The boy gently kissed her small hand. "Good night, Your Imperial Highness Anastasia."
Anastasia blushed and disappeared in her bedroom that she shared with her elder sister Maria.