The Tsar's Wife

Maria and The Garden

  The day after Olive and the Romanovs arrived back at Alexander Palace, Olive went to the gardens with Maria while Alexei caught up on his studies or papers he missed out on and Tatiana tended to Alexandra, who was dangerously stressed out. Olive honesty wasn't sure where Anastasia had gotten off to, and guessed she might have been in her dancing lessons or pestering Tatiana since Maria wasn't around to keep her company. The two girls were usually inseparable, giving them the suitable nickname 'The Little Pair'. Olive had been like that with Emma as she recalled, but not entirely that close in sistership.

After dinner, Maria had came up to Olive after everyone else disappeared into their rooms to retire for the night, and asked if her and Olive could spend some time together alone in the gardens the next day, much to Olive's surprise. She had always wanted to be a bit closer to Maria and Anastasia,  though they were a bit too rambunctious for her and she proffered Tatiana and Olga. Olive agreed of course, not one to be rude or dismissive. This may be her chance to grow a bit closer to Maria, she would be her sister in law soon enough. Maria had looked relived as well as happy when Olive said yes, as though she expected her to refuse. Olive wouldn't refuse any of the sisters offers to be alone together for a little while, not even mischevious Anastasia.

They were sitting on the small wooden bench by the lake now, looking at the evening sun casting a golden halo on the water. Maria was idly petting Joy, who had followed them out. "The waters so pretty, Olive." Maria said, smiling while looking over tithe water. Olive noted how beautiful Maria's smile was, as well as the rest of her. Everyone thought Tatiana was the most beautiful,  but Maria had something about her that made her seem a different kind of beautiful. "It is. I need to come out here more often." Olive agreed, smiling with Maria. The Gardens were absolutely beautiful, and though Olive hated to admit it, she was usually cooped up inside the house reading or writing letters to Emma, Miss Peregrine, or Enoch.

Maria ducked her head, as if she were in shame of something. "Maybe we could some out here tomorrow, like a little getaway. " Maria said quickly, her face tinging light crimson as if she had suggested something horrible. Olive bit her lip as she thought about it, but soon realized she couldn't give Maria a yes or no answer until she knew for sure when her dreaded lessons would start back up.
"If you aren't busy,  or course." Maria piped up quickly, almost as if she could read Olive's mind. Olive sighed, tucking back wisps of hair that had escaped from her regulation bun. "If I'm not busy I will, though Tatiana was saying she may need my help in the library with sorting books since the librarian is on holiday." Olive said, remembering Tatiana asking her for help.

Maria looked disappointed, and Olive felt guilty for not being able to spend much time with her. "Oh, alright." Maria said, and Olive felt her guilt double at the sadness and disappointment in her face and voice. Olive was with Tatiana most of the time, and when Olga was still living with them she had spent a lot of time with her too, but she hadn't spent much time with Maria or Anastasia alone. "I'm sure if you helped us it would go a lot faster and I may have some time before supper." Olive said, trying to lighten Maria's mood up, but Maria was shaking her head before Olive was even finished speaking. "Tatiana won't like me in there, she'll say I crowd the library up." Maria said, and Olive knew she was right. The solemness had faded out of her tone a bit,  and Olive took that as a good sign.

"It didn't sound that fun anyways." Maria said, turning back to Olive with her usual sweet smile. Olive felt relieved she wasn't upset anymore, smiling along with Maria. "Are you excited for the wedding?!" Maria asked enthusiastically, and started grinning like a bobcat. When she grinned likely that, Olive could see her tooth gap that all the children shared, another thing they inherited from Alexandra. Olive laughed, shaking her head at Maria's enthusiasm. "Yes, but I don't think I'm as excited as you.' Olive teased, making Maria giggled and wrinkled her nose like a rabbit, something Alexei did a lot.