Here we are, Sophie's house. Hey, that was my nose! I grumbled from being locked out along with Alexei, and I followed him to the reachable bench. Together, we watched everything. I giggled at Alexei's short attention span, as he's falling asleep slowly, and then the question of the escape came. I paid attention to Dimitri and watched his surprise and shock at Anya's question. He finally got it! Oh, my, he realized now that he has fallen in love with the duchess, who is really Anya. He got memories coming back to him, I can tell. I watched him leave, and I came off the bench to check on him. At the patio, he looked so miserable and shocked. I whimpered as I nudged him at his leg. He startled, looked down at me, and sighed as he put his hand on my head. I gave a questioning look.
"Oh, you couldn't believe this, but Anya is really the duchess! I love her, but now what? Should I let her go or tell her the truth?" semi-whispered Dimitri. I tilted my head, and turned my snout to the house as he gave a questioned look.
"Tell her? I can't, Stripe! What if she doesn't love me then?". he asked. I growled and whined. Dimitri pinched his nose and sighed, "You're right, Stripe. I should do it. I need to tell Vlad of the truth, and he'll help me to tell Anya". I barked happily, and nudged his left hand. Then Vlad came out, excited, blabbering things, as Dimitri tried to talk.
They soon left for the shopping trip to downtown Paris, while us dogs Alexei and I took pleasant naps and chatted quite a while. When they got back, I saw Dimitri and I realized that he didn't talk to them yet. Anya looked really excited and nervous for the play later tonight where she'll meet her grandmother. The boys left to get changed, and Anya changed from her pretty pink dress whch she looked really great in it. She wore the beautiful sapphire blue gown. Oh, she looks so gorgeous! Dimitri will be really surprised. I sneaked into the car where Anya will ride in, and then got off, exploring the grounds around the opera house, watching Anya & the others go in after complients and greetings. I waited patiently while I sneaked in some snacks from nearby shops, and saw Anya running out, crying. I realized that the scene went on, causing everything upside down. Then I found Dimitri with his head down at the stairs. I barked softly, whined to get his attention. Dimitri looked shocked, asked, "How did you..., never mind. You probably saw Anya, huh? I messed up, Stripe. Now I have to fix this. Anya deserves to have her family again, and the grand empress is it". I barked and glanced to see the empress Marie coming out. I nudged him, he startled, and then went to the car, pulling the driver out as I got in the side. He got in his seat, began driving, and Marie upset and angry. I dug into Dimitri's pocket, caught the music box gently with my teeth, drew it out with Dimitri's impressed look at me. I turned, dived into the backseat with Marie.
She looked insulted, saying, "Get your dog out!". Dimitri replied, "I can't, because Stripe here has something for you. Show her, girl".
I leaned closer, and she looked surprised, and gasped, "The music box!, where did you get it?".
Then we arrived at Sophie's house where Anya is, and Dimitri turned, looked at Marie, replied, "Let's say I had it for a reason. Please go talk to Anya. She simply wants a family, and she's losing hope because of me. I failed her. You probably don't want to fail either, do you, your highness?".
Marie sighed, gently received the music box from me. Dimitri went out, coming around the side, opening her door, and Marie coming out, containing the music box into her purse, and going in the house. I went out, sitting beside Dimitri, and we waited for the happy reunion. We heard it, and Dimitri pat me on the head, telling me to stay with Anya. I whined and licked his petting hand, and watched him leave. I got up, went tp push the door inward, and went in, and upstairs, where I saw Anya and Marie happily hugging and crying. I happily smiled, then barked for their attention. Anya happily called me over, and I went to them, being petted by her, and Marie amused to see me. Anya was confused, and Marie explained my involvement of the reunion and Anya was surprised, turned to hug me around the neck once again.
I settled down, watched them remember old times and all. They gladly talked all night, and I went to sleep with a last look at them. Next is Dimitri's leaving, and Rasputin.