Anastasia Romanov

by Svetlana Ivanova

  I dropped myself on a cushioned armchair and reached over to switch off the lamp as the bright light stung my eyes. With a long exhale, my hands effortlessly broke the red wax that sealed the envelope and took out a piece of creamy white paper. Almost immediately, I came across the content dealing with the state of my royal government. They were all written with the same purpose, to beg me to return to Russia.

  With a loud groan, I tossed the letter back onto the tray. Then a whiff of fragrant scent floated into the room— the scent that was all too familiar yet I could never get enough of it. A smile fought its way to my stiff lips. I imagined the only person could have such effect on me coming towards the room.

  "Alex!" a soft melodious childlike voice resonated like music through the closed door. I chuckled at the lovely call. They say when someone loves you, the way they say your name sounds different. I was utterly lucky to know how it felt each and every day.

  "I'm here," I said although I knew she could find me easily wherever I might be. The notions that we both were constantly searching for each other was still one hell of an excitement to my pumping heart. A sharp screech of the white oaken door made me smile even before she entered.

  I stood up and was greeted by the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on.

  "Look what I baked for you!" Avery said with a lovely bright smile. She was holding a plate of baked pastry. I looked at the frosty dessert and rolled my eyes.

  "Cupcakes again?" I said.

  "What you mean, cupcakes again? You don't like my cupcakes now?"

  I would have laughed to tears, but Avery insisted us to be as normal as humanly possible, and I didn't want to ruin her mood. With a smile, I walked up to her, wrapped my arms around her petite waist, and pulled her flush against me. She smelled like a field of flowers and honey. I placed my nose on her neck.

  "I love your cupcakes," I murmured into her soft cold skin and inhaled, "especially the ones I bake with you in bed."

  Avery gasped then slapped my arm.

  "You're not eating any with that dirty-mouth of yours," she said and pushed me away with her free hand. In her flowing flirty sundress, she was breathtaking. I watched my lover walk towards the small table and placed the plate down. Then her violet eyes drifted over the cluttered letters on the silver tray.

  "What are these?" she skimmed through the papers with a frown.

  "Ignore them..." I said as I hopped onto the bed.

  "Alex," Avery gasped. "You've been ignoring these?"

  "Yes." I shrugged and lay back on the pillow then snatched a nearby book from the nightstand to read.

  "I don't want to intrude into your political life, but I don't think you should..."

  "I don't want to talk about it now," I said, thumbing through the pages of the book without looking at her.

  "Aleeeex!..." Avery said my name in a long irritating syllable. She always did that when she wanted my full attention, and I was trying my hardest to ignore her, but it was still the most difficult thing to do. Something I could never succeed even after all these years. But who was I to kid? I would give this girl the moon if it was possible.

  As I continued reading in silence, Avery walked up and got on the bed with me. I felt the fabric of her dress brushing against my legs. Before I knew it, she was crawling over to my chest and poked her head through the gap of my arms. Her face blocked my view from the book.

  "What are you doing, sneaky kitten?" I asked, looking down at those striking eyes that were staring at me. Avery's perfectly arched eyebrows furrowed as she gave me a pouty look.

  "Tell me what is going on," she asked in a soft sweet tone that I couldn't resist to smile despite the annoying subject. With a low sigh, I closed the book and placed it back on the nightstand. The whole time, Avery kept observing me with concerns.

  "They ask me to go back," I simply replied. "And I don't want to."

  We both gazed into each other's eyes for the longest moment. Then Avery leaned in to kiss my lips. My hands wounded around her soft delicate form, trying to cling to the warmth that emitted from our bodies.

  "I can't tell you what to do, Alex," she said, resting her forehead on the curve of my neck, "The decision is yours. But I honestly don't think you can ignore whatever the problems might be."

  "I'm just tired, Avery," I said, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair as I absentmindedly smoothened the silky strands. "For almost a century, I'd carried the legacy of my family and the nation only to realize that it's not what I should live my life for. Now that I have found love and peace with you, I do not want to go back to that chaotic world anymore."

  "I know, ignorance is bliss," Avery said. "Everyone is just trying their best, but maybe only you know how to untie the knot."

  I tightened my embrace around her and kissed the top of her head. She was right. The more I ignored the call, the louder it became.

  Chapter 7

  Anastasia

  THE GREAT FAÇADE OF the cathedral glimmering with gold onion domes rose in a multicolored mass opposite the Red Square.

  My eyes were a bit sensitive and my mind was still hazy, but I could still make out the city layout for miles. The beautiful Kremlin, in the heart of the City of Moskva as known in Russian, was still a huge walled enclosure containing many magnificent buildings and monuments as I had remembered. Beyond this central area were vacant highways and railroads that divided the city into five great circles with their own gates.

  Turning back from the window to look around my enormous dwelling, I realized that I had not been here for quite a long time, but the heavy feeling that kept stirring in my chest still hadn't ceased.

  Candles were burning in the golden chandeliers, casting dim light through the dark palace room. At the far end was a richly carved fireplace made of white marble that loomed out of the shadow. The table was laden with red roses in the center and overflowed with food and fine wines and other delicacies the palace maids had prepared.

  The food was ordered for my human companion, who at this early hour was still deep in her innocent slumber.

  I was fully aware of how cruel I was to the human girl and last night was no different. She was nothing but sweet and obedient to me, but it was my predatory nature to hurt and ravage the prey merely for the joy of it.

  Walking into the bedroom again, I looked to the king-size bed where Lyra's creamy white nakedness was half-covered in the red silk comforter.

  Seeing the rise and fall of her breathing chest, my stubborn mind rewound to those vivid mornings I used to spend with the one woman I could never forget. Coming back here clearly didn't lessen the heavy feeling that kept taunting my heart.

  I let out a quiet sigh before placing my wine glass down on the nightstand. The dull thud of the crystal against the wooden surface caused Lyra to stir from her sleep.

  "Your Highness?" she said in a croaky voice and tried to rub the drowsiness away from her eyes.

  "How many times do I have to remind you? Don't call me that," I said then went over to sit on the edge of the soft bed. "Now get dressed and come to have breakfast with me."

  She nodded.

  I got up again and went back to the main room. Sitting down at the head of the grand table, I waited until Lyra eventually appeared a few moments later.

  She wrapped herself in a long nightgown. The silken material cleaved to her curvaceous figure as she wore no underwear. The Moscow chill made her nipples harden against the fabric. Lyra blushed and hugged herself before slowly walked over to the table.

  "Are you cold?" I asked. The girl lowered her head in embarrassment before nodded silently.

  "Must be difficult for you to adjust to the winter here," I said and then got up from my chair again. "Sit down."

  She did as she was told. Lyra's green eyes followed me as I walked to the bedroom again.

  Entering the massive walk-in closet, I traced my fingers over the variety of expensive clothes and then decided to take one of my double-breasted pea coats from it
s hanger. I returned to Lyra, who was sitting quietly, waiting for me.

  Without another word, I draped the thick coat over her shoulders and sat down into my chair again. From the corner of my eyes I could see a surprised look on Lyra's face.

  "Thank you, your...er...Anastasia," she said softly. I gave her a small smile before looking at the food on the table.

  "You must be hungry," I said and pushed the plates towards her. She stared blankly at the traditional Zakuski, pancakes with Siberian salmon caviar, gherkins, smoked herrings, followed by Russian-style ravioli. Some desserts, consisted of fruit pies and cakes, were also set elegantly on the table before her. Lyra instinctively swallowed as the delicious aroma floated in the air. For a brief moment, I wondered how she and other humans had been treated back in France.

  "My palace might be different from where you used to live, but I promise you that you will be fed properly during your stay here," I said, causing Lyra to look at me with eyes dancing against the candlelight. I gestured to the food as if to tell her to start eating. At last, she picked up her silverware and went through the myriad of small plates with great appetite.

  I smiled and poured myself another glass of wine and slowly sipped it. Suddenly Lyra turned to me again.

  "You haven't drunk from me yet. Would you like to?" she asked as if it was the most normal thing to offer. I frowned, which caused Lyra to tense up a little.

  "I'm fine," I said.

  Lyra didn't say anything again, but the fact that a human girl was so condition to her life that she would feel obliged to let me drink her blood made my heart heavy.

  Then we heard a knock on the door. A royal guard stepped into the room and bowed from the distance.

  "Your Highness, a lady by the name of Estella wishes to see you," he spoke.

  "It’s alright. Let her in," I said.

  The guard bowed again and walked out. A moment later, Estella appeared through the door. She walked up to the table and sat down beside me.

  "I can't believe they didn't let me see you," she said as she frowned sulkily. "I told them I'm with the Grand Duchess, but those red-eyed dummies still refused my entrance. Can you believe it?"

  "What do you want, Ella?" I said, using her nickname to cool her down. She shifted herself and flipped her glossy brown hair back.

  "Well, I want you to show us around your city," she said with a flirty smile. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see everything.”

  "You and your sister can go ahead and enjoy yourselves," I said then put my wineglass down.

  "But it wouldn't be the same without you, Anastasia," she whined, reaching her hands over to grab my hand. "Claire and I have been dying to see Gorky Park and the Botanical Garden. And oh...Claire also wants to explore the Izmaylovskiy Forest where the Czars used to hunt..."

  "I'm busy," I cut her off with a stiff tone. "I have a meeting with the Council this afternoon."

  "Already?" she said, trying not to let her disappointment show. Then she turned her head to Lyra, who was sitting across the table from her.

  "What's she doing here?"

  "She needs her meal, Estella," I told her.

  "Alright," she said then turned back to Lyra. "If you're done now, come here!"

  Lyra looked up from her plates with rather nervous eyes, but she obediently got off her chair and walked towards Estella. I knew too well what was going to happen. Once Lyra was within reach, Estella grabbed her by the waist roughly and turned the girl around, pulling her body onto her lap.

  Estella pushed the girl's hair back and tilted her face to the side in an impatient manner. I could have stopped this, but I didn't. Instead I looked away as Lyra flinched when the sharp white fangs buried into her soft delicate skin. As I let my vampire friend take pleasure in feeding from the human girl, a flash of memory ran through my mind. I was once so disturbed by the sight of this cruelty, but now I felt nothing. I had become the cold-hearted monster, incapable of showing my emotions anymore.

  "Then can I borrow her for a day?" Estella said after she had unleeched her lips from Lyra's bleeding neck. The girl briefly glanced at me with a distressed look. Her hand went up to cover the remaining blood from her wound.

  "And why do you need her?" I said. "Aren't you satisfied with your own humans?"

  "She tastes better," Estella just said with a shrug. "Besides I'm bored. She could entertain me while you're gone."

  All the while, Lyra fumbled with the sleeves of her coat. I could tell she wasn’t comfortable letting someone else take her other than me. And that was something I still hadn't fully understood. An old guilty feeling settled in my stomach.

  "If you're that bored, I have an invitation from a Count, who will host a play tonight," I said, earning Estella's undivided attention. "The event is held at Ostankino Palace. You and Claire can come with me if you want."

  "Oh my god, really?!" she said in a bright perky voice, "Oh Anastasia, of course, we would love to!"

  Then she pushed Lyra off her lap and smoothed out her dress as she stood up. She grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe her crimson lips, as though she had just finished her own meal. Estella now turned to me with elated violet eyes.

  "Thank you very much, my sweet princess," she said, forgetting all about Lyra as she leaned in to kiss me on the lips. "Now I really need to find something nice to wear."

  She kissed me one more time before walking off without a second glance. Lyra found her way back to her seat again. She looked somewhat paler after the blood loss.

  I stole a glance at her and somehow felt overwhelmed by sympathy and embarrassed by my lack of compassion earlier.

  "You should have some rest," I said then stood up and strode away.

  Chapter 8

  Within the confinement of the marble-covered building, Beliy Dom, the White House of Russia, I sat among the parliament members, listening without the slightest interest in their contents of the meeting.

  "Grand Duchess, we would like to inform you of a few cases that you haven't reviewed from the past few years," one of the men spoke with a respectful bow. Moscow had a council with as much power as the government of a republic. The city was divided into ten districts and each elected its own council representative. Behind me was a white marble wall hung with the royal emblem of a two-headed eagle made of gold. I sat in my respective place, which was actually a throne for the Czar.

  I sighed to myself, thinking of all the lineages and histories that had woven into this seat. I shifted my body uncomfortably. As the acting head of state, I couldn't really escape this horribly boring meeting.

  "I have been waiting for you all to get to the point,” I said at last. “My time is valuable to me if not to you, and you're wasting it."

  My eyes still fixed on the view outside of the marble building, looking far across the city block to Chekhov House, which was one of my favorite places in Moscow.

  "Forgive us, Your Highness," Konstantin, who was the general of our Ministry of Defense said. "I believe we're trying to get to them..."

  "I'm afraid you may want to skip to the important parts before I lose my care altogether," I said again.

  The pale man gave me a frown before turning back to his comrades. They shared a few whispering remarks and then turned back to me again.

  "My apologies, Your Highness," he said again then cleared his throat. "As you insist, I would be brief with the issues. However, we also demand your attention for this is an important matter, not just for us, but for the whole Empire."

  I tore my eyes back from the city vista. My steady gaze sent a wave of uneasiness to the men sitting around the table.

  "You may proceed," I merely said.

  Konstantin rose from his leather chair and went over to the other end of the room. The ceiling opened up and a large transparent crystal screen appeared. Then the light in the room dimmed down.

  "We are constantly receiving rumors regarding the new creation of one of the Allied Nations," he said as he typed in several data on the
transparent keyboard embedded on the table's surface. "German doctors and engineers had discovered ways to return their fallen soldiers from World War II. Under the patron of their Kaiser, they are using mechanical power and clockworks to restore the dead. These soldiers are kept alive by special stimulant gas."

  I sat up, feeling rather surprised by what I had just heard.

  "They refuse to disclose their motive times and times again," the pale vampire said. "But the fact that we are being threatened by their new invention is obvious. They are now building soldiers, deadlier than ever. The German Empire undoubtedly wishes to overpower the other Nations. We certainly cannot let them continue their act of treachery as it is against our agreement."

  "However, Your Highness," Konstantin went on, "we have been preparing for this worst. Our Russian scientists are also conducting an experiment."

  "What experiment?" I said with a curious frown.

  "We call it, 'the Russian Sleep'," he said. "Our researchers have discovered a new method of improving the quality of human subjects," he went on and clicked on a slideshow. "We selected random humans and intoxicated them with an experimental drug."

  Pictures flashed across the large transparent screen, showing a chamber with several humans inside. They were sleeping on metal beds and being monitored by a group of scientists through a one-way glass. There were various pipes attached to a large tube filled with blue substance.

  I watched and saw one of the test subjects started screaming as the red-eyed nurse injected something into the side of his neck. The screen flashed another picture of the improvement, showing the humans' transformation from frail and normal appearance to unrecognizable ones. Their eyes were all black with no white. Their skins were either green or blue in color. They hissed like snakes, showing their sharp jagged teeth that reminded me of reptile creatures.

  "These subjects have their memories erased but are capable of following instructions," Konstantin continued. "They have developed immense strength, which is almost comparable to that of our kind. I think the humans can be a good asset to our military force if we turn them into..."