A Rude Awakening

Chapter 14

November 13, 2022

The Osborne House

"Maria, your late cousin Dickie would have wanted to return this to you."

"Do you truly mean this? I remember seeing online that he kept that photo of me by his bedside for years..."

The heritage site manager kept silent for a moment, glancing at the sunset outside the large windows. It was nearing the end of their last day on tour of England. Also their time spent coming to terms with the past was ending too. It seemed poignant, really.

"His descendants, scattered as they are, all wanted you to have this to remember him by."

The manager held out the old, grainy photograph framed with imperial gold. Maria hesitated for a moment, but as she looked into his pleading gaze, she remembered how the British royalty had tried to mend relations. Memories of a young, teenage Louis sitting and strolling in the palace gardens with her returned. Her eyes watered. Whether from gratitude or sad nostalgia, she did not know. It was an appreciated gesture anyhow.

"Then I cannot say no. I... I am thankful for this."

"Of course, any particular thoughts you had about your visit?"

"I really had a wonderful time here, Mister Wells. Hopefully I will have time to visit again, if the negative attention would stop..."

"Yes, I agree. Sometimes people are infuriatingly short-sighted, but Godspeed to you, Miss Maria. Go see your sisters and our royals outside."

"I will."

"Mashka, hurry up!" the voice of her youngest sister faintly called from a distance.

Maria nodded, grabbing her minty green luggage case. With one last glance around the furnished interiors of the residence, she stepped out into the cool evening air. Anastasia sighed in relief.

"Took you long enough, sis."

Maria only smiled. Olga and Tatiana glanced again at the former royal residence, thinking of the moments spent with their British relatives. They felt at ease with their past connected to England, and they would finally be able to let go of it. Olga had once held harsh feelings for the British abandoning her immediate family. Now she respected their current queen.

Prince Harry and Edward with their families approached them, holding back tears...

"Stay safe, you all. Remember us as not only friends, but family," Prince Harry said, smiling.

Anastasia, who especially liked Prince Harry, sniffled. Maria, who especially respected Prince William as a family man, lowered her head with a bit of sorrow. She almost wanted to shed a few tears too. Where had those days gone? They were gone, and the realization saddened her.

The princes, their spouses, and their children each hugged each of the four visitors. It was a difficult thing to do, watching them go. Still, time continued forth, and the visitors had to leave. The royals watched the four sisters load their things onto a protected van. The sun now seemed sliver thin against the horizon...

When the van drove off, Maria held the photo close to her chest, closing her eyes. She checked her iPhone and opened her Spotify. Sonatas would be the only tracks she heard for much of the trip. As she began to doze off soon into the ride, she dreamed of her long lost cousin Dickie again. However, they faded and were soon replaced by the strange yet attractive lab guard- a descendant of another guard Ivan many years ago.

Olga and Tatiana had also fallen fast asleep, yet Anastasia remained clear headed and alert. She felt excited to see Germany again, and she had daydreamed about seeing rustic lodges among German pines, running through large, sunlit fields, and enjoying nightlife in bustling cities. She still heard her sister Maria murmur incoherently...