Woke Up In A New Decade

Chapter Nineteen

Picture: Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana

November 1912

As a birthday present I've gotten the news of not getting surgery. A wave of relief washed out all of the anxiety when I heard that. Mama said it would mess up my head and that grand duchesses are supposed to be beautiful. It sounds like an excuse and Rasputin must've advised her. Then I have to owe him. I sat knitting a yellow scarf, with my sisters in grandmothers tea room.

We sat in silence as Cian and Kiki walked past the door several times. Olga then spoke up, "I would like to play the piano for a bit. May I?" Tatiana nodded her head as she focused on her knitting. Olga looked at me, I gave her a small nod and looked at the scarf I was knitting, Olga began playing tunes I did not recognise. Then the wonder of why mama did not support the surgery rushed through my head.

Did she realize on her own or did she go to Rasputin for help? Did she ask Rasputin if I should be sent to Denmark? Why couldn't I stay in Russia with Grandmother?

I was done with the scarf and went to make a matching hat. The room was silent. Cian's little weird origami thing that sometimes flew inside the room was the only noise but still it was quiet. It felt nice as it was just us three. Olga played tunes on the piano. Did Tanya know anything? Perhaps mama told her? Or she overheard? I wanted to ask her in private but Olga was in the room. "Olishka." I broke the silence as Olga stopped playing to turn and look at me. "Yes darling?" "I think Auntie Olga wanted to speak with you, well I heard someone with an O and L be called." I lied as she nodded and walked out the room.

Tatiana turned to me with an eyebrow raised. "I need to talk to you." I said. "Go on dear." "Why did mama agree to send me to Denmark?" I asked. "I don't know what you mean." Tatiana replied as she tried to think of that. "You know what I mean, I'm not stupid," i replied to her. She bit her lip. "I don't know, Cian would know." Then Cian walked in like it was on cue as his paper origami went flying past my head and landed on the floor.

"I heard my name. I'll tell you what I saw. She as telephoning Rasputin. She called him and he advised your mother to let you and Kiki and me go. He said it will help with your memory." Cian shrugged as he took the paper origani. I turned to Tanya. "Did he advise mama about the surgery?" I asked. It got Cian interested so he stayed. "I don't know." She answered a bit too quickly. "You aren't lying, are you?" I asked.

"No I swear!" She said. I nodded my head and Cian went to open the door, I thought of a question to ask as Cian left which made Olga appear from where he was and look furious. "Auntie Olga didn't need anything!" She complained. "Sorry. It must've been Olivia." I apologized, she rolled her eyes and sat down and began playing a much harsher tune on the piano.

We sat in silence again as i knitted a blanket with different patterns and stuff. The room was silent as the only noise was the more peaceful music Olga began playing after her anger. Auntie Olga soon came in with a worried looks, "were all of you sitting here all day?" She asked us. "Yes." Tatiana replied as she looked at the clock. "We should do something fun, how about a game of chess?" Auntie Olga suggested.

"I don't know how to play.." I admitted. Auntie Olga sat next to Tatiana and watched her knit. "How about a walk?" She suggested again. A blush crept onto my face as it felt as if the room got hotter and my ears burnt. "No! It is too cold auntie Olga! When we went out the other day I nearly froze to death!" Olga exclaimed. I mentally thanked her.

I want ready to face Malcolm again, he got the wrong intention. When he started to bombard me with the questions, I couldn't disappoint him. I am not wanting to be romantically I love with someone, ever. I kept my eyes on my nearly complete blanket. "Later tonight, there's a charity that we got invited to. It starts at 7:00 tonight." Grandmother said as she walked inside the room. I finished knitting and my eyes wondered up to her and my face turned into a confused face. "Why such a late notice, Granny?" Tatiana asked.

Liesel walked in to answer that as Grandmama let her, "The mail got lost and then someone came to check if you guys were coming. I told them we got no letter, it was very hectic." Liesel informed us as she curtseyed. Grandmother sat down next to me, her cane against the couch. "When should we get ready?" Olga asked. "Now, it's 5:30 isn't it?" Grandmother answers as she looks to the clock.

Olga nodded as I looked at my hands. "Where's Papa?" Tanya asked grandmama as Cian and Caoimhe walked in. "He is on the phone with your mama." Cian answered. "Well, we should start getting ready." Grandmother decided. "The ladies in waiting will help." Grandmother stood up with the help of her cane and walked out with Aunt Olga. Cian and Caoimhe were already ready. We were put into separate rooms to get ready.

After we were finished with the pampering, I was put in a light purple dress on with my hair in a tight braid. It hurt my scalp, it felt like my head would fall off. Liesel helped me in my light pink and white coat. We walked to the front door where I saw Grandmother, Aunt Olga and papa chatting, Cian and Kiki. The big pair weren't here yet. I smiled at Cian and Caoimhe and put my head down until the big pair came.

They wore matching yellow dresses and nicely done hair. Once everybody seemed ready, we got on the carriage to charity.