A Single Moment

Chapter 3 ~ Heart Break

The evening wasn't of any particular importance; Maria was enjoying a relaxing evening with her mother at Pavlovsk Palace. Being early March, it was still quite cold; the royal fender smiths were standing ready to light the fires. In the distance the phone range, the royal secretary answering swiftly. As the footsteps made their way down the long hallway, Maria was blissfully unaware of the knowledge she would be given.

"Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty may I speak with you?" He said as he bowed to them both.

"Yes, of course." Getting up, she dusted off her velvet dress. "I'll be back mamma." She said as she walked down the hallway, Skye and Leu followed. Reaching the office, her secretary turned to close the door. "No, don't. Whatever you have to say the door doesn't need to be closed."

Nodding, he agreed. "Ma'am there was a bombing at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. At this time the Prince wasn't accounted for." He said trying to let the news sink in

Running back to the Drawing Room she frantically tried to ring them, but nothing. For the rest of the evening, Maria lay in silence not able to sleep in the hope that he would ring. Guilt ran through her as she recalled her last words to him.

With every fibre of her being, Maria didn't want to see that place, but it was her duty. The usually busy city was quiet, people stood and watched at their Tsarina, dressing in mourning black, was driven to the bomb site. Duty first, self second, she repeated in her mind, yet nothing would ever prepare her for what she would see; the whole building was nothing but rubble.

The crowd that had gathered stood silently has the shocked Empress turned away trying so hard to hold back the tears. Walking over to where people had started to lay flowers she read the heartfelt cards, the crowd had no idea that Prince Stephen was in there until Lady Anya who stood by her side handed her the letter. 

The night before, after hearing the news, Maria used her lack of sleep to write a letter of farewell.

Dearest Stephen,

When we vowed to love each other until death parts us I hadn't expected it to be so soon. I will forever cherish the happiness we had here on earth. See you soon my dear.

With sorrow and love, your wife.

Placing the letter with the rest, the crowd now knew the truth. In the days that followed the rescue officers confirmed around 160 deaths, including the Princes. The palace was in overdrive as plans for the state funeral were in action, Lady Carmon and Stephen's parents made their way to St Petersburg, and the guest list was being drawn up.

As Maria made her way to her office, after her weekly meeting with the Prime Minister, her Aunt caught up with her.

"Your Majesty, Maria, I'm told you wished to speak with me?" She said.

"Yes, do you think my mother will be able to cope with the service?" She asked as she ushered Lady Margaret into her study.

"Yes, she can cope, but she will need help." She replied. "She hides most of it from you," Margaret added as she sat.

Taken back by the comment, Maria began to get a bit emotional. "What do you know?" She asked as she stood.

"Ma'am, I think she should be the one to tell, not me."

Her footsteps could be heard coming down the hall of the palace, arriving at her mother's suite she knocked on the door. "Mummy, are you there?" Hearing someone inside, she stood back from the door.

"Your Majesty." Said the nurse as she opened the door. "The Grand Duchess is resting, can I help?"

"I need to speak to her," Maria replied. Her hand began to feel sweaty, rubbing them on her woollen train skirt she paced while her nurse checked in with the Grand Duchess. Getting the nod from the nurse, she turned the corner to see her mother place her book on her side table. "What exactly are you hiding from me?" Maria yelled.