-December 21 and 22-
These days are to be two balls of a kind. The first one is for high-class people joining the Imperial family for some old fashioned dancing including the waltz, and then the second one is for the staff of the Winter Palace, doing folk dances including the squat dance.
The 11 Christmas Trees are pushed to the walls, and the Pear Tree is moved outside to the courtyard carefully because of its residents, knowing that the noise of people, music, and conversations are prone to be loud during balls.
The Winter Palace has never looked more beautiful than now, all decorated, cozy, warm, with the moon beaming through the great windows of the Great Ballroom, the stars twinkling here and there. 9 rows of Ladies danced with their consorts or husbands including most of the Romanov women while single men attempted to chat and butter up with Grand Dowager Marie and Grand Duchess Anastasia.
Anastasia was most annoyed by it, but knew she had to go along with it for the sake of her family, especially her father, mentally wishing to dance with Dimitri instead of those single men who's obviously here for the money, fame, or just plainly the lifestyle of the Romanovs, not her for who she is.
She wished she'd be like her grandmother, only intending to have polite talk, dance a little, and just be on the sidelines, but she realized that the only reason her grandmother's like that because she couldn't marry again, always in love with her dearly departed husband. She deeply hopes that it couldn't happen to her and Dimitri. Dying and leaving each other if sudden, as to explain specifically, really.
She loves Dimitri so much and in return, Dimitri loves her as much. She's relieved that her grandmother's keeping it secret and wants them to be happy as long as they can. Tonight, she barely managed to have fun at this high-class ball, and only glimpses of Dimitri who has been watching from the secret passage every hour or so.
Of course, seeing him later at midnight in her rooms, Anastasia blushed at Dimitri's compliments upon her beauty, dressed in a gorgeous sunflower golden gown with transparent sleeves, light blue bows upon the waist and in her hair, a necklace of pearls, and of course, her silvery white crown.
He then told her to come to the ballroom at midnight the following night, and she's going to receive a surprise that Dimitri bought after the turtledoves days ago, having been glad to find out that he had some remaining money to buy the surprise. Anastasia couldn't wait to see it, and hoping by what he asked her of, she might have her wish come true.
The following day was upon cleaning the ballroom once again, for the high-class people was rather tipsy and quite loud, drinks and half-bitten snacks all over the place. The Romanovs spent their time relaxing and sleeping in after the night they had, but Anastasia was quite jittery, and after dinner, she went to her rooms, wondering if the surprise present has gotten there yet, and to her joy, it had.
She opened it up, and fell in love with the dress at first sight. A brilliant sky blue color with slight accents of brown and white. She knew she had to try it on, hoping that it fits her, and went on to do that when a knock came. Quickly, she threw the dress under the covers of her bed, shoving the box under the bed.
"Come in!", Anastasia called out, and with a click, the door opened, revealing Marie who smiled warmly upon her granddaughter who smiled widely, "Grandmama!". Marie then closed the door with her cane, chuckling softly, "Hello, Anastasia. Has the present arrived yet?".
Anastasia widened her eyes, "You know about Dimitri's surprise present?", staring at her in awe, and Marie smiled warmly, "Not about what's inside, but I knew he had bought it, and that it would bring out the real you.".
Anastasia smiled happily, "It arrived already. I love it already, look!", sweeping the covers away to reveal the dress, and Marie smiled widely, "Oh, my, it's lovely! Quick, go try it on! I want to see you in it first before Dimitri has his opportunity to do so.".
Anastasia giggled softly, heading to her bathroom with the dress in her arms, taking a while as Marie took a seat upon one of Anastasia's chaises, smiling to herself as she has a feeling that Dimitri's going to be quite excited to see how Anastasia looks in his gift.
"Grandmama, are you ready?", called out Anastasia as she peeked slightly through her bathroom door, and Marie spoke excitedly, "I am ready to see you, granddaughter. Come out, don't be shy.". After a moment, the bathroom door opened, and walked into the bedroom is a all changed Anastasia, looking beautiful in the dress.
Marie gasped softly, "Oh, you look quite wonderful, Anastasia. Dimitri has picked well! That color truly brings your eyes and hair color out quite lovely!". Anastasia smiled happily, "Thank you, Grandmama! I really love it! It fits me really nicely.", twirling softly with pink dusting her cheeks.
Marie nodded, "Indeed. Come along and sit. I believe I have the perfect bow to go along with your hair after it's brushed.". Anastasia smiled lightly as she went on to sit besides Marie as she grabbed a brush to frame her hair downwards.
After a hour of putting semi-transparent leggings, shoes, and the bow all in sky blue, Anastasia looked quite like herself truly, and she couldn't help dancing in it momentarily as Marie watched on with a amused smile, "Save your energy, Anastasia. After all, you are to dance with Dimitri tonight.".
Anastasia smiled happily, "It feels like my wish is coming true, Grandmama. I am finally going to dance with Dimitri...He has been working so hard those last few days. He deserves a break.". Marie nodded, "Of course, through there's something missing...Oh, wait, wear your turtledove necklace! That would complete you quite well.".
Anastasia nodded, "I would never forget my beloved turtledove necklace!", heading over to her dresser, pulling out her diary, wryly smiling as she untucked the necklace from the binding, freeing it out. She went over to Marie who grabbed it from her as Anastasia turned around, lifted her ponytail to the side, giving Marie the chance to put it on around her, "There, perfect.".
Anastasia touched it gingerly as she turned around, "Thank you, Grandmama, for everything..", holding Marie's hands happily and almost gently, and Marie smiled happily, "Seeing you happy makes my heart glad. I love you, dear Anastasia, and I know Dimitri's going to be quite happy, in love every moment he sees you.".
Anastasia hugged her warmly and softly, "I love you too, Grandmama.". Marie only responded by squeezing her shoulders a tad harder, saying that she heard her granddaughter, and then pulled back, "Now, you must stay here until I fetch you about a half hour before midnight. I shall tell the others that you were too tired and proceeded to sleep after I left your rooms.".
Anastasia nodded, "Of course, I shall read a book or write something in my diary to pass the time.". Marie smiled warmly, "Excellent. Until then, granddaughter, and don't worry, Dimitri will be there. After all, it was mostly my idea.", making Anastasia smile at the thought of Dimitri, and kissed her grandmother softly before Marie left her rooms.
Like Marie planned, the family was quite understandable about Anastasia needing sleep as she was quite jittery all day, and they went to sleep about 10, a half hour after the ball of the staff dancing and talking finished for the night, knowing that they have work tomorrow to do, after being in 10 rows of men leaping around their lovers/wives.
At 11:25, Marie emerged from her rooms, silent and gracefully, heading to Anastasia's rooms, whispering her and Anastasia's special lullaby as the signal that everything's clear, and Anastasia came out, wearing a coat over her dress, realizing that she is in deep cover until she's in the clear of the ballroom.
With silent gestures of body language, the two women left the premises of the children's quarters, gracefully and swiftly heading to the hallways that will lead to the ballroom, not knowing that 10 minutes later, Alexei was exiting his rooms at Pooka's insistence to go do his business, and not wanting a mess to happen again, he took Pooka out.
Pooka then picked up the scents of Anastasia and Marie, confusing Alexei, but still convincing him to follow Pooka anyway. He and Pooka went on quietly and wondered about what's going on, and then with a brief shortcut, Alexei then glimpsed his sister and grandmother walking on, whispering and exchanging smiles all the way.
Marie recognized the hallway that led to the grand stairs of the ballroom, and chuckled softly, "Wait there for a minute. I must check first, and ask Dimitri if he's ready to see you.". Anastasia fidgeted lightly, "I am so excited and nervous at the same time! Did this happen to you long ago?".
Marie laughed warmly, "Just be yourself, my darling. He will be feeling the same like you. Wait until I tell you to come out.", then walked on to come out into the stairs, searching for Dimitri who's waiting at the base of the first landing of the stairs, and gave him a expression that he understood immediately.
Dimitri nodded firmly, gesturing that he's ready, and Marie smiled softly, came back to Anastasia's spot where she already removed her coat, and spoke, "He's ready to see you, granddaughter. He looks more handsome than ever!", giving her a little wink of amusement, teasing her slightly, and Anastasia blushed slightly before taking a deep breath, passing the coat over to Marie who took it gently, and moved forward, stepping into the landing.
Dimitri gasped almost silently, gaping as he moved his eyes from bottom to top, falling in love more and more as he then saw her face, her smile stretching from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight, her red hair vibrant in contrast against the sky blue dress, bringing out everything of her even more.
Dimitri himself is dressed in a black tuxedo, but slightly less high-class in its quality, and his turtledove necklace rests upon his sky blue bow tie, truly handsome indeed. Anastasia smiled brighter as she loved his new look, and figured that Marie had a helping hand about it.
She walked down gracefully, feeling happy as she felt like herself, and she met Dimitri's outreaching hand as he breathed softly, "You look beautiful, Anya...", kissing her hand. Anastasia giggled softly as she blushed lightly, "You aren't too bad either..Grandmama was right...You are more handsome than ever.".
Dimitri grinned lightly, "Thank you. Shall we?", bowing gracefully with a gesture to the empty ballroom, and Anya saw the stars twinkling, the moon shining through one window, and she then noticed that something's missing as they walked down the stairs.
"There's no music.", Anya spoke softly in confusion, and Dimitri chuckled softly, "Oh, don't worry, your grandmother has it in hand.", stepping down finally into the floor of the ballroom. Suddenly, the sound of 'Once Upon a December' echoed through the ballroom, and the song then stirred the partridge bird and her hatchlings to join into the music, their voices somehow in harmony with the music box.
Anya exhaled softly, "Oh!", and Dimitri smiled softly, seeing her eyes sparkle in delight, and went to wrap his hands closer around her, "Dance with me, Anya.", staring at her lovingly. Anya smiled widely, attuning into the waltz he intended for them to do, and soon, they became oblivious to everything around them, too absorbed in their feelings and the sensation of music deep in their souls.
Meanwhile, Alexei and Pooka was returning back to the royal quarters, walking carelessly as they were happy to see Anya looking quite herself, having peeked around the other door of the grand stairs, and saw her meeting a fresh-looking Dimitri. Somehow, he isn't annoyed by seeing them being in love, and he isn't jealous or lonely anymore because he got Pooka now.
As for Pooka, he met Dimitri two days ago, and saw how he interacted with one of his mistresses, Anastasia, and he somehow didn't mind seeing them happy as he recognized the scent of attraction between those two, and besides, after listening to Alexei about stuff, Pooka is happy to have his boy at his side no matter how big or small the family is at times.
"Come on, Pooka. It's way late, and besides, we aren't supposed to be out here. I think they will handle themselves just fine, and besides, I have enough of them kissing in front of me already.", spoke Alexei quietly as he stalked slowly to his rooms, opening his door.
"Who are you talking about, Alexei Romanov, and why were you out there at this time of night?", spoke a harsh and stern voice, and suddenly, the room is filled up of Nicholas, Alexandra, and Alice, staring at him and Pooka angrily.
Alexei gasped out in shock, "Father!". Nicholas glared at him, "Don't act so innocent! Your mother saw that your light's on, and she saw that you were gone, causing her to come to us and tell us. Why were you out there?!".
Alexei stammered softly, "Pooka had to go outside. I guess I fed him too far many treats tonight.". Alice scoffed harshly, "Without someone to consort you? Where's Mother and Anastasia? I saw that they're gone.".
Alexei blinked softly, "I don't know.". Nicholas snapped angrily, "Don't patronize me, Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov! I know you're lying!", scaring Pooka who went to hide under the bed, and Alexandra begged desperately, "Please don't lie to your father, Alexei. You made us worry and fear that you were dead! Where's your sister and grandmother?".
Alexei gulped visibly, looked at his father who looked very angry, "Tell me the truth now!", clearly acting as the Tsar, and Alexei remembered all too well, that in those kind of situations, his father is the Tsar, and he has to obey the Tsar no matter if he's the heir and son, and feeling guilty inside, he then told the truth, praying that his sister will forgive him one day...