The Necessaire

Author's Note- This is an original story that I wrote for my English class so it will not be continued past the current ending, but I would still love feedback! In addition, this story does contain real facts, so it is a historical fiction story.

Katya walked through the streets of St. Petersburg, pulling her coat around her and against the wind. She was headed toward the home of Mr. Faberge, the Imperial artist. He had called a meeting with her brother, Gavriil, but she had come in his place. Katya turned into the alley and walked up the steps to Faberge’s row house. Before she could knock, the front door swung inward, revealing a dark entryway. Katya saw no one, so her hand tightened on the hilt of the knife strapped to her side. She stepped into the house and heard the door close behind her.

“Welcome Miss Ivanova. I admit I was not expecting you here. I believe I called for a Gavriil.” said a shadow.

“And I don’t believe that matters much. All that you expected was a thief.” Katya said. She turned to him. “I also believe that I am a wanted thief and that you work for the Tsar, so if your plan is to turn me in, please know that I have ways of both escaping and getting you killed.” She watched as Peter Carl Faberge stepped from the shadows.

“Quite the contrary actually.” he said. “I would like to hire you to steal something from the Emperor Alexander. One of my eggs. The Necessaire.”

Katya didn’t quite know what to say. If she accepted the job, that would mean being inside the palace where she was sure to be seen and recognized. After all, her picture was plastered on all kinds of wanted posters. “What do I need to do?” she asked. “And more importantly, how much will it cost me?”

“Why Miss, why would it cost you anything?” he asked in a way that made Katya sure that it would most certainly have a toll. “Except, it would require you to, ah, be in the palace for a time. Living there as a servant perhaps.” He smiled at her, a smile so sickly sweet she wanted to throw his offer back at him and run. How could he ask a wanted thief to live in the imperial household? Instead, she smiled in return.

“I’ll get it back. It will take time though. One cannot simply waltz into Gatchina and steal from the Empress”

“Take whatever time is needed. I will be waiting for you when you have completed the task” He opened the door for her and stepped onto the steps after her. “By the way, Miss, I don’t believe Gavriil told me your name. What is it?” he asked smoothly.

She looked over her shoulder at him. “You have no need to know that bit of information, so I see no need to share it.” Katya said before heading out of the alley and back onto the streets.  

+++

“Katya you can not take this job. You are a much too well known criminal. You will be arrested before you can even step into the maids quarters.” Katya was in the kitchen of her family’s country home, arguing with her brother about the Faberge Egg job.

“It’s done Gavriil! I’ve agreed to it! There is nothing you can do!” She had been having this same conversation with alternating members of her family ever since she had returned from her meeting in Saint Petersburg and frankly, she was growing extremely tired of it. “All I need is for you to get me into Gatchina.”

“Wouldn’t it be simpler to just turn in Faberge for conspiracy? I mean we could turn him in and just take the money. That would pay more than this job ever will,” Gavriil said.

“Who would believe us? Dad has been in prison for years and you and I are both wanted criminals. More likely he would deny all involvement and have us arrested on the spot.” Katya crossed the kitchen and leaned against the wooden counter. “All I need is a way into the palace. It doesn’t matter how, maybe as a servant,” she said. Gavriil sighed and walked toward the study.