The visit between the leaders of the United States and the Russian Empire had caught much attention around the world, and feelings varied across the globe. It was not a surprise that most Americans and Russians supported the new trade treaty and later plans to ally, but not all of their neighbors were so fond of the political maneuver. The German Empire, or First Reich, felt more intimidated and fearful by the growing prestige and developments in its Eastern European rival. The Austro-Hungarian Empire also felt fearful of the growing Russian giant. In contrast, the leaders of France, Italy, and Denmark welcomed the rising power of the Russian Empire, a close ally of theirs. The other two powers of Great Britain and Imperial Japan also felt wary of Russian intentions...
September 24, 1916
Winter Palace Office, Petrograd
"... finally with the new trade agreement, we will receive American manufactured items to help Russia avoid being obsolete in these changing times, as long as we do our part," Olga said.
"And how do we avoid the possibility of our economy being too depending on the Americans?" one advisor asked.
"I will discuss antitrust laws later, so that the Americans do not dominate all of our economy. I am certain that such actions are allowed by the treaty."
"Understood, Your Imperial Majesty."
Olga feigned a smile. She placed the copy of the treaty into a case, as all the advisors chattered over the specifics of the treaty. The questions were all based on how the anti-trust legislation permitted by the treaty would be enforced. What organization would protect the Russian businesses? What businesses activities would be permitted? All of those questions would be left to the advisors and Empress of Russia to decide soon. For the time being, the Empress needed a hiatus from all of the burdens associated with her royal birthright.
The Empress of all Russias, in simpler terms, needed rest. She excused herself, telling the advisors that the meeting was adjourned. The two guards standing outside of the door saluted her. Olga nodded at them, putting them at ease. And so Olga went through certain hallways of the Winter Palace, once inhabited by Alexander II, her great-grandfather. She stepped into the White Dining Room, where her ancestors once dined. Only Maria, Anastasia, and Dmitri Ivanov were there, sitting next to each other beside the covered dining table.
"Stay here," Olga whispered to the guards, who took their positions beside the door.
As the young Empress approached her two younger sisters and their friend, she felt a strange sensation, as if she was not as close… She knew one possible reason why her life seemed so routine and drab now: she had grown up, drifting away from her sisters. She frowned, feeling a pang of sadness. As much as she had done for Russia, she often had recent nostalgic daydreams about her younger years. She missed flirting with officers on the Standart. She missed spending consecutive hours with her sisters. Most of all, she missed her strong, warm-hearted father.
But Olga knew those sad thoughts would not help her. She breathed deeply, and exhaled slowly as her late father had often told her to do. The technique reminded her of her father, and that calmed her to some extent. Her father would be still with her in spirit and in his legacy, even if not in person.
"Mashka, Nastya?" Olga asked.
Anastasia turned around, smiling as usual. "Olya! How was the meeting with your advisors?"
"It went very well. They now know the right course of action about the treaty with our American friends."
"That sounds wonderful, maybe our homeland will finally be prosperous and strong," Maria said.
"Of course. If Cousin Mitya learns to put his childish ways aside… Perhaps he may make a good consort someday…"
Anastasia laughed. "Having fun, actually."
"At least he could not cause trouble, humph!"
"But is allowing yourself to ease your nerves-"
"I am aware of that!" Olga snapped.
Maria and Anastasia left their mouths open in a speechless silence. They had suspected that Olga would have frayed nerves from the stress of her duties, but only her outburst had driven that home. It was not long before the Empress realized her mistake.
"I- I'm terribly sorry, my attitude must be horrid," Olga said, quieter than before.
"I understand why, Olya. You simply need a rest from your burdens. In fact, we were going to tell you later about playing a game with Cousin MItya."
"I… I would love to. What is it?"
"Perhaps a tournament of chess against us?"
Olga softly stroked her chin. "What are the stakes?"
"None, except that it would be an embarrassment to lose first."
"Believe my words, I shall not," Olga said, smirking.
Anastasia and Maria then left their seats, and they beckoned Olga to follow them. She complied, feeling eager to enjoy time with her family alongside her sometimes annoying cousin Dmitri Pavlovich. After allowing the guards to accompany them, all three of them made their way through the various rooms and halls of the large palace. They eventually reached a lounge room, where Dmitri Pavlovich sat with his sister, Maria Pavlovna.
"Hello, Cousin Olya," Dmitri greeted, and Maria Pavlovna gave Olga a small smile.
"As much of an annoyance you are, I am glad to meet you once again," Olga said, then smiling back at Dmitri.
"And it is good to see you too, Maria Pavlovna," she added.
"Thank you, how has the meeting gone?" Maria Pavlovna asked.
"It was a large cross to bear for me, but thankfully everything has gone well."
"Wonderful, now how about we relieve our inner tensions?"
"Of course!" Olga said, and Anastasia went to a cabinet to take out a chess box.
"Here you go, Olya! I hope you lose…" Anastasia said, then smirking.
Olga raised an eyebrow. "I-"
"Oh, I am only joking with you!"
"I have no problems with that, Nastya. Always be the shvibzik, little sister."
Anastasia set up the chessboard on a table, and Dmitri Pavlovich sat with Olga to play against her. The rest of the Romanov daughters and Maria Pavlovna took seats on a couch nearby, chatting about their lives. Olga looked into the eyes of Dmitri Pavlovich and felt her cheeks grow warmer under his intense gaze.
"Let us have a wondrous time, Olya."
"Yes, and you may make the first move."
Dmitri looked down at the chess board, with one of his hands fidgeting the hem of his uniform as he thought. He pushed forward a pawn, leaving the next turn to the Empress. She too scrutinized the chessboard, and could not help thinking of her role as Empress of Russia as a high stakes game of strategy and planning. One wrong move would cost her country lives, peace, order, or all of those.
But at the moment, the Empress and her family were in good standing with most Russian citizens. There was nothing of major concern just yet. For the time being, the Romanovs and their loyal subjects could relax.
"You should teach me your tricks in chess, Olya," Dmitri said, capturing a pawn.
"Perhaps I should, I grow weary of winning these games," Olga said, laughing as she captured a knight with one pawn.
"There is plenty of time for that. I admit… being with you is a nuisance no more."
"I could say the same."
As Olga and Dmitri Pavlovich played chess together, a familiar brown-eyed kitchen servant stepped in. Anastasia was the first to notice the entrance of her Dmitri, who stood at the door frame and grinned wide. The young Grand Duchess smiled in return. This would be an amusing meeting yet again!
As Olga played chess with her cousins, Anastasia sat next to her favorite palace staff member. Maria sat beside her younger sister as well, chatting about her plans to see England again. The second youngest Grand Duchess had fond memories of her visit to England in 1908, and she had enjoyed the company of the British royalty and nobility, especially Mountbatten. She hoped to find her future love someday, just as her younger sister had.
For the youngest Grand Duchess, she now understood why Maria longed for a romantic companion. The thought of being alone for the rest of her years was horrid! Now that she shared a mutual love between herself and her Dmitri, she would never go back. The love felt fulfilling for every strand of her being, as if she had found something she had been missing her entire life.
"Olya?" Anastasia asked her eldest sister.
"Yes, Nastya?" Olga replied, after capturing another pawn.
"May I go with Mashka and Mitya?"
"You may," Olga said.
With a grin, Anastasia sprung off the couch she had been sitting on. Maria and Dmitri followed her out of the lounge room. After sometime, they stepped outside into the enclosed palace plaza. There in the middle, a dozen tall oak trees rose, shading a few benches below their extensive branches.
"Come on, Mitya, Mashka!" Anastasia said, running to the trees.
"Nastya, what are you doing?"
"Well, climbing a tree, of course! Follow me!"
Dmitri followed Anastasia, who had begun to climb the sloped trunk. Maria remained behind, shaking her head no. The thought of seeing her younger sister fall worried Maria!
"What if you fall?"
"I will not fall."
"But Nastya-"
Anastasia, who had already climbed onto a thick, low-hanging branch, groaned in exasperation. "Really?"
"You can do it, Nastya, and I will be with you… wherever and whenever," Dmitri whispered.
Anastasia looked at the ground below, and she continued to climb. There was something exhilarating about climbing trees, something she had once often done in her childhood. And even better was the fact that her best friend and now beau was with her.
"Alright, you win, Nastya! Just be careful then, little sister," Maria said, walking to a nearby bench to sit on.
As soon as the youngest Grand Duchess and her beloved servant boy both sat on the thick branch, they looked around at the windows facing the inner palace plaza. At that moment, it was as if they were at the top of the world! They felt unstoppable… except in the case of their eldest sister and Russian Empress.
"So, how have you been feeling today?" Dmitri asked, looking into her blue ones.
"Me? I was simply, extremely, bored!"
"Oh. I was bored as well, and completely tired from the head cook's orders."
"Sounds as if the Cook should be called the Governor."
"Like your sister Tatiana, the Governess?" Dmitri said, then smiling.
"Yes, but you are, and will be my Prince."
"And you my Grand Duchess…"
Anastasia and Dmitri leaned towards each other until their foreheads met. The feeling of skin on skin and their body heat was a welcome one. They kissed, gently meeting their lips, until they pressed their lips together a little more… Desire and an indescribable yearning filled their very being, fresh and vivid. They opened their mouths, tongues meeting in their French kiss. When they pulled apart to take a breath, Dmitri sighed contentedly.
"You are a good kisser, Nastya. How-"
"I read one of Mama's old books on… well..."
"On what?"
"Lovemaking, but of course I would not do such an act!"
Dmitri blushed. "Uh, yet?"
"Yet?!"
"Sorry about that, I just said the first word I thought would fit," Dmitri said, looking away.
"That would not be a bad thing, except that I'll look as big as a whale."
Dmitri laughed, and Anastasia playfully smacked him on the shoulder. For now, they would be safe and sound. But there was the issue of keeping their newfound romance a secret from the more proper Olga and the other servants. How would they take such news? Likely not well. Both the youngest Grand Duchess and the young servant shared this realization. This would surely remain a secret!
A.N: To all of my readers, sorry for the long wait! This chapter only sets the stage for later parts of the novel, including a shocking surprise! If you have any questions or suggestions, just PM me or review!