The Last Romanovs

Ch-4:- A sad truth

Hey,guys! So, so sorry for leaving this story alone, but real life calls... Figured out that I'd dedicate the whole story to sweetladyjane2012, instead of chapter by chapter. So, here's the chapter, and tell me if you like this format or the POV one better,though next chapter is POV style.

Early in the morning after that travesty of a wedding, Maria woke and stretched. Nikolai, her darling son, was quite willful, much like his father, her beloved Alexander, she mused upon waking. 'What I wouldn't give to have you by my side, love.' she breathed to his shade. As she went about her tasks, a knock sounded at her door.'Mother?' someone called. She immediately thought of Nikolai, maybe Misha, and opened it.

It was Xenia, her daughter. Maria quickly hid her disappointment.'Xenia.' she greeted corrosively. 'Why were you not present at your brother's wedding?' Xenia looked at the floor. 'I only just arrived,Mother.' She smiled shyly. She always was shy, this daughter of hers,just the opposite of Olga, her sister.

'Nicky does seem quite happy in his marriage, I am told.' Maria frowned. 'So he does. Where is Olga?' Intuitive enough to know when Maria was displeased, she replied, 'Olga's out for breakfast. What is the matter?' At her question, a cloud of rage took over Maria. 'Really?'she sniped. 'You ask me what the matter is? Oh, nothing much.' Her voice dripped sarcasm.

'My son married a hysterical harlot and parades her in front of me. He forgets himself and follows her around like a puppy in love. I am supposed to teach her Russian Culture today. As if she would understand!' Xenia tried  to interject, finally looking heavenward.

'Mother',she whispered, 'Love is no crime. You and Father loved each other.'That, apparently, was the wrong thing to say, for Maria's face reddened, her ire mounting. 'Yes, but he, apparently, does not. His marriage was indecently hasty. He is abusing his office. Did he not love his father?' Not this again.Xenia thought. Trying to pacify her mother, she replied, ' I am sure he did. Nicky's-'

Her defense of her brother was interrupted by her mother hushing her. She did not think it was wise to remind Maria that she had been a Princess of another country, too. Suddenly, Maria opened the door.'What?' she asked tersely, drawn tightly as a bow. Xenia, bewildered at her inexplicable mood change, reproached, 'Mother, nothing is wrong. Relax, alright?'She tried to calm her.

Outside,a terrified herald awaited them. 'Your G-Grace,' he stuttered. 'The Tsar has called you for breakfast.' Maria nodded. The poor boy almost ran out of her sight. 'Mother!' exclaimed Xenia. 'What on Earth?'Suddenly, her gaze fell on the window.

Misha,accompanied by a woman, was crossing the palace gardens, laughing and talking with her. 'Even Michael is vulnerable to her charms!' Maria spat. Huh? Xenia was perplexed. Then, it dawned on her. 'Oh! That's the Tsarina.' Xenia took a deep breath. 'Mother, we had better go.'Maria nodded, an they left.

As they crossed the Royal Gardens, Xenia saw a drawn, hunched figure sitting forlornly near the garden fountain. The lady was staring at the statue of Cupid gushing out water. Xenia almost ran to her. It was Victoria.

Inclining her head slightly, giving her mother a "go ahead" signal, Xenia walked sedately to her cousin and waved.

'Good Morning, Victoria.' She nodded. 'You look out of sorts. Is everything alright?' At her gentle question, Victoria all but burst into tears.Xenia held her tightly and listened to her soulful woes, her face hardening.

Maria controlled herself with almost superhuman effort. She had arrived  at the Hall just in time to witness Nikolai make a fool of himself in front of the esteemed gathering. By the time breakfast was over, she was ready to burst a vessel. She noticed her daughter-in-law at the corner of her eye. Nikolai had  her arm. 'Mother?' her son asked.'Alicky...' Maria put a smile on her face, and gently led Alexandra to her rooms. She looked back and saw Nicholas lower his eyes in relief. He strode away quickly, conversing rapidly with someone.

Maria turned to Alexandra, nodding as the girl curtsied. She was graceful, Maria had to concede. 'As Tsarina, you will have various responsibilities. The Russian public will look up to you. You must remember to uphold the prestige of our family. I am sure you are well-versed in the courtly arts, and need no instruction in that.'

The girl nodded slightly, clearly uneasy. 'I hope that I have the opportunity to please you.' she replied blandly. 'Oh, you do.' Maria asserted. 'Relinquish your hold on my sons and consider me well pleased.' Maria commanded. 'Never forget, they are mine.' She hoped that her tone brooked no argument, and watched with satisfaction as Alexandra blanched.

'Victoria?'Xenia asked. Her shoulders were shuddering. 'Xenia, I am sorry!' she cried. 'My husband and I, we married for political reasons, I know that, but prince Ernst does not like me, he-he just, I do not know what I have done to displease him!' Xenia looked at her, disheveled,with red-rimmed eyes. She felt a surge of anger root inside her towards Prince Ernst.

Suddenly,Victoria came to herself again, and edged away from Xenia. 'Do not tell Nikolai, please.' she pleaded. 'He is married to my husband's sister!' She sighed. 'I had hoped for a sacred, unbreakable bond, a bright future, but, alas, that is not to be.'

Xenia felt a pang of guilt in her as she replied, 'Never fear, Victoria.Your secret is safe with me.' Victoria looked relieved as Xenia took her leave, her joy at Nikolai's marriage a long forgotten wisp of emotion.

Witha heavy heart, Xenia wondered if women were wrong to seek happiness in marriage. After all, men were so much stronger than they. With a twinge of dread, she hoped that her bother, her Nikolai, was a better man.