July 20, 2022

Rosenhöhe Park, Darmstadt

Elisabeth, once a much younger Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine, shuddered behind a thick oak tree, glancing at the small crowd around her former tomb. She had forgotten how the cold felt. Versus the gentle warmth of heaven, it felt strange to step on regular green grass again with bare feet. She had even forgotten how it felt to have the cool breezes of the German hills blow through her wavy hair.

The few foreign tourists and local residents were scattered around the tarnished bronze angel, peeking around the tomb memorial. But a few of them were watching her place, wondering what she would do. It had been a few minutes, and a few memorial guards dressed in black, yellow-edged uniforms were approaching the tomb as well. She hid again behind the tree. Her heart beat fast and her mind was racing through many thoughts. There were so many questions she had.

She knew what God had told her. In heaven, she had seen her dear cousins resurrect on earth again by His Will and power. According to Jesus Christ, the world was in the final stages before the prophesied End Times. The reason and mission why her dear Russian cousins and herself had risen was clear.

They needed to prepare the world for the coming of the Two Witnesses. Their second mission was to assist the pair of witnesses whenever they came. The Revelation Protocol was underway, and she could not fail. Her mission was to protect her cousins first… But she needed to get to Russia first.

"Get out from behind the tree, miss! You are under arrest for public desecration of a memorial!"

The former German princess felt annoyed. With every miracle, there would be doubters. But they did not understand at the moment. She could not blame them so harshly. Perhaps a miraculous act would do.

She stepped out, raising her hands to the tree above her. Murmuring Aramaic, the risen princess spoke to the critters among the broad branches of the tree. The guards raised their eyebrows in confusion, glancing at each other.

"What is she doing?"

"We should arrest her before she really does something crazy."

"She looks somewhat familiar to a photo I saw-"

"No way could she have risen herself like the Grand Duchesses," one tall guard scoffed, pulling out a pistol.

He loaded his firearm, pointing it at the legs of the strange lady in the dress…

"Last warning! Comply, please!"

"If I said I am Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and By Rhine, the younger one, would you believe me?" she said, raising an eyebrow at the guard.

"What? No way!"

The twenty squirrels in the large oak tree scampered down at her feet. With a gesture of her arms forward, Ella goaded the squirrels towards the three guards. The little animals pounced onto the tall guard's arms, clawing at his uniform! The guards, startled, stepped away. This noteworthy sight soon caught attention, and some of the tourists began recording the scene on their smartphones…

"What the hell?" the skeptical guard shouted, shaking his arms and legs in vain to get the critters off.

The guards dropped their weapons, holding their arms up in surrender. The former German princess motioned again, and the squirrels jumped off the guard, returning to their home.

Elisabeth stepped closer, and she crossed her arms. No more foolery would be tolerated. She had an important duty to do for God, after all. Perhaps the most important errand of her new existence in a twenty-two year old body.

"Now, I will kindly ask you three. I need just fifty euros total to find myself something else to wear."

The guards wasted no time pulling out their wallets and giving her the requested euros.

"Thank you. And please remember one thing. The Lord is coming soon."

She waved goodbye to the onlookers, some of whom knelt before her and praised God!

Elisabeth looked up at the evening orange sky, and a brilliant glow enveloped her. It outshone the stars and moon, causing the guards to avert their eyes. When the glow faded, she was gone.

"Did we just give a resurrected princess with superpowers some of our money?"

"Ja, ja. That's an act of God alright," another guard spoke, still staring at the empty grassy clearing.

(Some Luxury Hotel), St. Petersburg, Russia

Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova, for the first time in her physical life, watched TV. To hear about modern inventions amazed the Grand Duchesses, but to experience and use them felt like magic. They felt a bit disappointed that they missed such amazing marvels of human progress. But at least they could catch up with their extended relatives and their new lives. Perhaps they would have another chance at finding companionship as well…

"Those Americans have a weird sense of fashion, their actresses wear things that barely cover their skin! This would have made Mama faint," Tatiana blurted.

The two younger Romanov sisters, who laid on their stomachs on the second bed, snickered. Anastasia snorted.

"I must say this, Tatya… You were staring a little closely at the Brad Pitt actor."

"Oh, I just liked his tuxedo."

"Nah."

"Just be quiet."

"Fine. Why must we be sitting ducks again? I want to see places and feel alive!

"I understand, little sister. Maybe we can go outside and explore the new Pet- I mean St. Petersburg," Olga said, smiling.

Maria, though, felt a funny feeling at wearing those "fashionable" dresses. Among the revealing fashions, the sleeveless dresses with the long skirts caught her favor. The thought of dancing to EDM at a large party in the arms of a handsome Russian soldier crossed her mind… She gazed away, pensive in her romantic dreams.

If only she could find someone to be with. Would she have her change? She could only wonder.

"Well, it is a new time and age. No one wears corsets anymore, and I actually like wearing bras more," she commented.

"Yes, they are more comfortable, but I feel strange wearing them, Mashka. This, everything, feels so strange. The ways of life and the people… Both changed so much that it is difficult to become used to it."

Tatiana looked at Olga, with her eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

"How do you accept this new life so easily like Mashka and Nastya?"

Olga sat on her queen sized bed, laying down. She patted a spot beside herself, allowing her sister to lay down. Their new lives had just started. Yes, they would need to guide each other through the experiences and hardships. They could wait until a divine revelation further guided them.

It was ironic how the Governess seemed the most lost of what to do. Perhaps Olga had become the Teacher. Behind every great Lecturer was a great Teacher to lead them, she thought.

"How… How do you seem so calm in all this? I still do not know who I am anymore, nor do I know what to do."

Olga sighed, looking through the large glass window. She thought for a few moments, remembering what had happened. How life had gone before.

"The reason why I can accept all these changes with ease… It is because I realized how dissatisfied I was with my former life. We were trapped in a golden cage, even killed, Tatya."

Before Tatiana could reply, Olga gave her sister a steady gaze. This was important for her sister to know. The old ways and lives they had no longer really mattered. They had another chance to redeem their reputation and rebuild new lives!

"I know that our parents would never have approved of all these changes. But at least we live in a more free world. Think about this. We are still revered like saints in Russia, the Bolsheviks are gone, and we have no royal traditions limiting what we could do… We are safe, also free!"

"Well, I see your points. I should get used to this world, even if I still feel lost and sometimes appalled."

"Welcome to the new life, sister. How about we all go down to the first floor for lunch?"

Tatiana had to admit, she was hungry. Sometimes she skipped a small meal because she had forgotten her mortality. Sometimes she felt saddened about how she would not see her past loves and family. To live again was both a privilege and inconvenience.

She nodded, feeling her stomach rumble…

"Yeah…"

The four of them dressed into their casual modern clothes. They left the room and made sure to take their key card that time. Together, they passed down the hallway from Suite 613, talking and laughing. Thankfully, the Russian government had pre-paid for the hotel services. A week remained until their apartment in downtown St. Petersburg was ready. The hotel would do until then.

Never again would they take the accommodations by their country for granted. Everything cost something.

After the sisters ordered their meals, they were seated at a table among the decorative columns and building plants. Olga chatted with Tatiana about what they would tour around the city, as the Little Pair took out their iPhones to explore the "web".

Anastasia raised an eyebrow. "What is TikTok?"

"No, Nastya. That is a pathetic site," Tatiana scolded, giving Anastasia an unimpressed look.

"Why?"

"Their dances are very promiscuous, and the videos are too short and all seem similar."

"But- But I like dancing to that loud music. Would that keep me healthy?"

"Oh, our food is arriving!"

The Little Pair got off their iPhones, gaping at the large portion of alfredo, sausage, and celery. Well, that was already another good reason to enjoy their new lives.

With happy hearts, they enjoyed lunch together for a few minutes. Olga then heard familiar voices talking behind her. She felt her heart race at the thought of the kind guard and side college student.

She turned around, seeing Anton and Ivan.

"Anton!"

"Olga? Is that you?"

Ivan and Anton went over to the adjacent table near the Romanov sisters with their own meals. Anton grinned, waving at Olga's sisters. They greeted him, as Ivan seemed less than enthusiastic. Perhaps he needed to take it easy about his previous encounter with Maria.

Anton frowned back at Ivan. "Ivan? Are you good, old friend?"

"Not so bad, but being here with Maria feels awkward. What should I say?"

"You already apologized to her before she left the lab. Just say hi."

Ivan glanced at Maria, who frowned. He felt almost terrible…

"Hey, Maria?"

"Yes?"

"I know we did not get to a good start, but would you like to head out with Anton and I to see the shops?"

Anton gave Ivan a thumbs up. For certain, he knew that his older friend, who graduated with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering not long before, would go well with the risen Grand Duchess. He was a brave, competent young man. And also, a descendant of the Ipatiev House guard who was rumored to send Maria a birthday cake. But Ivan had forgotten to tell Maria that.

After their meals were finished, they still could not go outside. Admittedly, the sisters felt tired. Even if they were barred from departing Russia, they could at least spend time in their suite and make new friendships. In a way, their desires for a new, happier life together would come true. They went up to the sixth floor, heading to the suite.

"Anton? How did you get here?"

"I am currently on a break from my job. My commander said that I did well at my duties, so he gave me three days off."

"Oh, that is wonderful! How about we, well, get to know each other? Before, I hardly had friends outside of my family circle."

"Like your old friend Rita?"

"Oh… Rita. What happened to her?"

"She moved to America after the Revolution, but she did save your letters to her for the rest of her life. Sorry if this disturbs you…"

Olga took a hitched breath, fighting back tears in her eyes. "I- I'm sorry. I'm putting my best efforts to cope with the new world, b- but it hurts to hear…"

As Olga unlocked the hotel suite, she gave the keys to Tatiana. She sat on her bed, crying into her hands, as Anton sat next to her and held her close…

Ivan felt sad at the sight of the once regal Grand Duchess weeping. He sighed, feeling Maria pat his hand. He would not know what to do if his best friend died so young or alone. He could relate as well.

Together, they would gather to remember and come to accept the changes.