Chapter 2

I ran back to my room and slammed the door. Sophie jumped in surprise at my entry.

"Anna, what is going on?" She said, looking out the door to see what upset me.

I just shook my head, whether to answer her or to clear my thoughts, I wasn't sure. I went to sit on the edge of my bed. Sophie left the room for a few moments and came back with a glass of water.

"Now tell me what happened." She said calmly. It's times like these where she seems older than me. More like an older sister than a friend.

"I was appointed a new personal guard." I told her after a deep breath. She still looked confused.

"And you are upset about this?" She asked.

"No. It's just that I knew this man before. He was a childhood friend of mine." I told her. My behavior seemed more and more childish now that I had a clear head.

"Calm down and tell me about it." She commanded.

(Flashback)

A ten year old girl sat on the benches outside the royal stables, swinging her legs. Her friend had promised to come with her riding today, but he was very late.

Dmitri was the son of one of the soldiers in the Russian army. His father had been stationed at the Peterhof palace to oversee military operations and brought along his wife and son. But a few years back, tragedy struck and his wife died of fever, leaving him to take care of Dmitri alone.

Normally a friendship between the princess and a commoner would not be accepted but everyone felt sympathetic for the boy and his family. They were allowed to continue their friendship – until they got older that is.

The girl saw a familiar head of blond hair come out into the stables.

"Dmitri!" She cried and ran over to him. She wanted him to see the new horses brought in from Arabia. She pulled him over to see the horse and only then did she see the solemn look on his face.

"What's wrong?" She asked, cautiously.

He went to go sit down on one of the wooden beams in the stables and looked at her.

"My father is leaving the palace." He said quietly.

"Oh." She said. "Is that why you were late? You were saying goodbye to him?" She asked.

He shook his head, looking slightly frustrated. "No. He hasn't left yet. Tomorrow he leaves." He said, slowly.

She looked at him, not understanding what he was trying to tell her.

"And I have to leave with him. I don't belong in the palace. I am to join the military. I am leaving tomorrow morning." He said so softly, the girl hardly heard him.

She couldn't comprehend the fact that her best friend may not always be there with her.

"You – you're leaving?" She said, more to herself than him.

He nodded and leapt off the beam. And for a minute they just stood there, staring at one another.

"Goodbye." He said softly, and before she could react he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. He turned and left her standing in the stables as she watched him leave.

He didn't look back.

"So he just left? And you never saw him again? Until now, that is." Sophie asked.

I nodded. "I was about ten and he was maybe eleven or twelve."

I looked back at Sophie to see her reaction. She looked….happy and surprised. "Dmitri is his name?" She asked. She put her hands under her chin and looked up dreamily. "Is he handsome?" She asked.

I'm surprised at how much that question bothered me, and I was even more surprised at the answer.

"Yes." I said. I thought about how handsome he looked in his military uniform. But there was a hardness in those green eyes of his. A coldness that hadn't been there before.

"And he is to be your personal guard?" Sophie clarified. I nodded. "That should be interesting." She said.

I went to swat her playfully but she ducked out of the way and grinned.

"But really, it isn't so bad. Today is your birthday." She said gently. "You should enjoy today. You have your ball in a few hours and then you can dance the night away, like the princess you are." She joked.

I nodded. Sophie could always make me feel better. "And speaking of the ball, you should be getting ready. So get your royal butt over here so we can start." She ordered.

I obeyed. I figured it would be far easier that arguing with her. She was like a force of nature when she wanted something to get done.

We didn't talk about Dmitri again. We sat talking and going through clothes and jewelry. She was arranging my hair in long curls that hung down my back. She braided my hair into a crown at the top of my head. Right where my tiara would be.

I slipped into my dress and it slipped easily on. The silk twirled around my ankles. I had never worn a dress like this before. Sophie tied the back into place and spun me toward a mirror.

I felt myself take a sharp intake of breath. I stared at the mirror and staring back was the face of my mother. I never knew I looked like her.

Sophie smiled at me in the mirror, and gave me a quick hug.

"You look beautiful, Your Highness."

I spun around so quickly that Sophie stumbled and nearly fell into the vanity.

I turned to see Dmitri leaning against the door to my room. I should have known he'd remember where it was.

"What are you doing here?" I said flustered.

He grinned and my breath caught. He really was handsome when he smiled. "I am supposed to take you to the ballroom, princess. Tsarina's orders." He said, making no move to apologize for his intrusion.

Sophie recovered herself before I did. "Hello, I am Sophie." She said.

He bowed slightly. "Good evening, Sophie." He said politely. I saw Sophie swoon slightly.

Oh sure. He is a perfect gentleman with everyone else. He just enjoys taunting me. I thought.

"Now," He said. "We really must get to the ballroom." He said, offering me his arm.

I glared at him, but a nudge from Sophie brought me back. I took his arm with a fake smile and bid Sophie goodnight. She gave me a mischievous look just before turning to go to the servants' quarters.

Dmitri and I walked in silence to the ballroom but I was painfully aware of every move he made.

This had never been a problem between us before! I thought frustrated. I turned to see if he was feeling any of this too. His jaw was clenched and he looked distracted. His gaze kept on going from left to right.

"Anastasia!" My father boomed as we finally arrived at the grand staircase. The guests were already pouring in from the main entrance. I was to wait to be announced before entering.

"Thank you for bringing her." He said to Dmitri. Dmitri nodded in acknowledgment and went to stand by the door.

"You look beautiful, dear." My father said affectionately. My mother's eyes shone with pride as she looked at me.

"Just one thing is missing." He said as he placed my tiara on my head. It fit perfectly.

"Now, you are ready." My father said as he looked at me. My sisters were already gone, dancing and twirling to the music.

"You look every inch a Romanov." My mother said before taking my father's arm. My father turned to wink at me before walking down the steps.

Dmitri stood in the shadows, not intruding on our family moment. You could hardly see him. Unless you were looking for him. I tried my best to forget about him. I was determined to enjoy myself.

I looked into the mirror one last time. So many strong men and women have been in our family. Strong mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I heard the music come to as stop and the herald announce my full title. I took a deep breath.

Tonight I would make them proud.

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