Woke Up In A New Decade

Chapter Thirty Four

Picture: Group picture of NAOTMAA and the Romanian Royal Family when the Romanovs visited Romania, 191

JUNE 1914
We were on our way to Romania. Cian looked like he wanted to actually kill himself at the news. He always did though, he always looked like that. I was surprised because everyone was feeling a little Cian about this trip. Olga planned this trip for us, she took us out in the sun and got sunburns on our faces. Except for Cian and Kiki even though they were way more pale than us. They ended up getting it on their arms instead. I think I know why she did it, she doesn't want to leave Russia and doesn't want her sisters to leave Russia either.

I thought it was genius of what she planned. She always expressed wanting to stay in Russia when marriage was brought up. And when Marie expressed on how amazing and magnificent it would be if Olga was a queen of a different country. Olga insisted she shouldn't leave because Russia has everything they need.

When me, Cian and Kiki were away, Prince Carol of Romania (an absolute dickhead, or nob as Cian said, according to Cian) came and visited Russia. Both families wanted to see if Olga and Carol would get along, maybe even consider marriage to each other. According to Tatiana, he was more interested in flirting with ANYONE else but Olga.

We were on the Standart and Olga was speaking to mama while the little pair were around a group of officers and fooling around and playing games. Cian was staring at the sea and Caoimhe was joining the little pair in their games. Meanwhile Tatiana and I played chess, well she was teaching me how to play chess since I didn't know how. So far in the game I was loosing, miserably.

"Asya! You used to be the best out of all of us in this game! You used to beat anyone that played you! Except Cian and Kiki, what does Ireland teach their kids? How to beat people in basically everything?" Tatiana exclaimed as she took away one of my chess pieces. "Tanya, you know what happened. You know I can't remember anything before 1912."

"Asya, um, I don't mean to come off as rude but did you even try to remember? Maybe it you really tried to remember, you could. I mean you would-" I was starting to get annoyed, I could not remember anything that had happened before. This was established a very long time ago. How could anyone think this? I cut off Tatiana before I said something I would have regretted. "I need to be alone, go talk to the others or something like that."

I got up from my seat and left to an area of the boat where less people were around. I walked past Cian staring at the sparkling sea. I looked to the sea too, no land in sight just different shades of blue. I started to wonder about Astrid in the past, like Astrid Nikolaevna before 1912. Was she different? Did she have a different personality to me? Who was she closest to out of all her family members?

My mind started to wonder off and I started to think of 1912 and this ride. Then I started to think, where on earth was Malcolm? I usually see him around and this is where we first met. Or at least what I remembered. I wondered what he was up to and if he was on this ship. I could use some company that isn't my family. I wasn't going to bother Cao or Cian though. They looked busy.

I wondered about Liesel and if she hasn't forgot about me, or maybe she has. Was she happy? Did her marriage work out? Does she miss me, Cian and Caoimhe? I took a deep breath, having my nostrils filled with the scent of salty air. "We always seem to meet here, Asya." I heard a voice from beside my ear. Breathing down my neck. I turned to see Malcolm. His uniform seemed different, like he was now ranked higher than he was before. His hair was a little longer than the first time but still looked freshly cut. It was styled nicely. He looked different but he still looked nice. He didn't look like the boy I met a few years ago.

"Malcom!" I exclaimed, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him. It was like greeting an old friend. He seemed taken back from my action but ended up hugging me back. The last time I saw him was in Livadia for Tatiana's birthday. When we both pulled back from the hug, we sat down and immediately began talking. We told each other well, everything. Malcolm was quite funny, randomly throwing in jokes and telling me how happy he was to see me healthy again. He asked a lot, A LOT about Cian. But still, he seemed off. Like he was wanting to say something but didn't know when he could and wasn't sure when.

I guessed my laughter was slightly too loud because Maria and even Dazed Cian came over. "Astrid! Who's this? Where are any of the officers?" Maria asked. Cian had his head down, staring at the floor. He looked really high, AGAIN.

Maria was holding him up. And I knew when she asked me about the officers she meant the ones in charge of watching us but I said nothing. From the tone of her voice she seemed quite happy to catch me actually talking to an officer since the only ones I did talk to where Cian and ones from our family. I always showed little interest in boys or, I guess men. Maria always asked me about Malcolm but I dismissed the conversation. Maria was quite the flirt with the officers so I wasn't surprised when she dragged Cian over, threw him into a chair and then sat between us and began talking to Malcolm.

I looked over to Cian. "Ci, are you okay?" He looked up at me. "Mentally and physically and emotionally not. But sure, I'm okay. What about you?" He asked me. "I'm.. okay." I replied. "Where's Caoimhe?" I added. "With Nasia. I think they're playing chess. And it seems that Nasia is loosing miserably." He smiled. "Are you high?" He shook his head. "Tired, and seasick." He replied, looking dazed. "I'm just gonna read a book. You can pat me if you need anything." He said.

I looked over to Maria. She straight up introduced herself with all the titles and stuck out her hand for Malcolm to kiss. Malcolm did not seem stressed at all and introduced himself as well, kissing her hand. Maria seemed satisfied with this interaction and began questioning Malcolm.

"When did you first meet Astrid?" She asked.

"I met her in this spot about two years ago."

"How romantic! I see our darling Asya has kept your friendship a secret from us!"

"Oh, really?" Malcolm said looking over to me with an amused face. I could tell he was enjoying this conversation with Maria. I turned my head so I was facing Cian's direction to hide my blushing face. Cian smirked at me. I was glad Maria was sitting between us because she was shielding me from him. I sat playing with my ring as they continued to talk. "You want some weed?" Cian asked me. I smiled. "No.. it's okay Ci."

He shrugged. "More for me, I'm gonna go now." He said and he stood up. Walking to a more popular place with his book in hand. I noticed he was limping. Was he okay? "You are quite charming Malcolm! I'm so surprised Asya hasn't talked of you before! You should join us with the other officers. You would get to see us more often..." Maria started. "Maria, let's not disturb Officer Malcolm from his break, I don't think he'd wanted to spend it talking to a teenage girl. Also he might have a different job on this ship than being a nanny to little girls." I muttered.

Maria sighed and looked back at Malcolm. "Well, it was great meeting you Malcolm. I hope to see you around and reconsider my offer." She got up and left, leaving me and Malcolm alone again, leaving a big empty space between us. "I'm really sorry, she can be quite a lot sometimes." I murmured an apology, Slouching into the bench.

"I don't mind at all. I think she's the most outgoing out of your sisters." Malcolm said, looking over to me.

"That's true. Anastasia right next to her in line. Both are so talkative and chatty, Olga is more closed off and Tatiana won't speak to you unless she fully trusts you." I agreed.

He smiled to me as we sat in silence. I felt him observing me on the right far side of the bench. I felt my face grow hot slowly and I could not bring myself to lol at him. I didn't know why I was reacting like this but I heard somebody call my name. One of my sisters probably.

"Bye Malcolm! I'll see you around!" I said while getting up.

"Bye. Wait!" He stopped me. I looked back. "Who was that tall ginger haired kid?" He asked me. "Oh. That was Cian." I shrugged and began walking back to the populated part of the ship.

I left a shocked looking Malcolm alone thinking of what I just said rather casually to him.