The Tsar's Wife

Hour and A Half of Pictures

Olive could tell what Alexei had meant when he said pictures were and hour and a half of pure suffering, and he wasn't exaggerating at all. It wasn't a simple pose and go photo, the photographer was very precise and wanted each of them posing a certain way, smiling a certain way, and they had to stay in that pose for almost an entire minute. Alexandra was adamant that the photos be done, so no matter how much either of them complained about the photos, -and that included Anastasia and Maria, who Alexandra had wanted photographs of as well- there was no getting out of it.

Olive had never had formal portraits done before, but she knew she never wanted them done again, though Alexandra had clearly said she wanted lots more done before and after the wedding, which was set for February 21st, in a little over two months. Olive didn't know how they were going to fit in an imperial ball while making arrangements for the wedding in the Grand Church Of The Winter Palace, where Nicholas and Alexandra had married back in 1894, just a year before Olga was born. Tatiana didn't complain once about any of the photos being taken of her by another photographer just a few feet away, and her poses were the pure definition of regal.

So far, they had only snapped two of Olive and Alexei, and Olive knew that Alexandra wanted many more. She was sitting in a chair, and Alexei was standing beside her, and when the photographer would pause for a moment to check the film, Alexei would lean over and whisper to her. "Its not too bad." Alexei tried to assure her, taking his other hand that wasn't on the back of her chair to rub her shoulder. Olive nodded, waiting for the next photo to snap as the photographer turned his attention back to them. Her dress was a lot heavier than her usual clothes, and the jewelry Alexandra had insisted she wore seemed to bite into her skin. "I think the posing is the worst part, we can't even smile, Russia won't be very convinced that we are madly in love." She joked, as the photographer changed the film roll.

Alexei chuckled, being sure to keep his voice down. "Well in that case, just look at me like you can't stand me." He teased, pulling a mock hateful look at her. Olive laughed, covering her mouth with her hand so her giggles wouldn't escape. The photographer stepped back, holding his hand up like a picture frame. "Your Highness, rest your free hand on her shoulder, and Lady Olive... Leave one hand resting in your lap, and the other just barely hold his hand. " He instructed, and Alexei and Olive posed the way he told them too. The photographer gave a grin, pinching his thumb and forefinger together. "Excellent!" He confirmed, and went back behind the camera.

He snapped the camera a few times, then stepped back, judging which pose to do next. Alexandra walked over to where they were taking pictures, and the photographer bowed deeply. "Your Majesty." He greeted, and reached out to kiss her hand, but Alexandra pulled it away sharply, her empress face nowhere in sight. "That isn't necessary." Alexandra said sternly, though she was smiling. She turned to Olive and Alexei her eyebrows raised in amusement. "Having fun, I presume?" She asked teasingly, and Alexei and Olive both immediately shook their heads. "No, I've never had formal pictures done but I never want them done again." Olive lamented, wishing she could loosen up the dress around her.

Alexandra gave a pitiful smile, but Olive knew she wouldn't be dissuaded from making them take more photos in the future. "I'm afraid once you become the Tsarina you will have to take many more photos. Just keep in mind how fun it will be to look at these photos one day and reflect." Alexandra said, and Olive gave her a small smile. Alexei turned to Olive, leaning down a bit. "That makes the pictures worth it a bit, doesn't it?" Alexei asked gently, giving Olive a genuine warm smile. It did make the pictures all in all worth it, if it made warm memories in the future. "Yes, I suppose it does." She said turning her head a bit and smiling at him. The photographer cleared his throat, and held up his hands again. "Stay like that, I want to capture that." He said, stepping back as Alexei and Olive followed his instructions.