Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Thirty-Four

The group of soldiers who were accompanying us left once were safely into Russian territory. I was still fuming, but Dmitri had at least one more day until we would reach Moscow and he would feel my wrath.

"Please try to calm down, Anya." Anfisa put a comforting hand on my shoulder. She had moved across the carriage to sit next to me. "He was only doing what he thought was best for Russia."

"I know that," I sighed. "But I explicitly told him not to make any major decisions. And starting a war is a pretty major decision. It was supposed to be my choice, and my choice was no." I huffed, turning to look out the window. "How many people do you think are going to die for this?"

"Don't think like that, Anya, please." Elisa reached out across the gap and put a hand on my knee. "You'll make yourself sick with worry."

"Try to get some sleep." Anfisa pleaded. "You tossed and turned all night last night." Elisaveta seconded her.

"Fine." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against the carriage wall, closing my eyes. Slowly, I felt myself slipping into sleep. The last thing I remembered before I was completely out was my hand slipping into my pocket and feeling the folded up piece of paper that was sitting there.

When I woke next, it was to a rumble growing outside the carriage. I was slowly stirred from my sleep, as the sound grew louder and louder. Blinking, my eyes adjusted to the bright light filtering in through the windows. The road was smoother now, like it was well worn.

Anfisa and Elisa had fallen asleep as well, but they began to stir at the loud noise.

"It's the Tsaritsa!" I heard a voice shout.

"Our Angel has returned to defend us!" Another said. It was followed by loud cheers.

"The Tsaritsa has returned!"

"What is going on out there?" I asked Anfisa, who was peering out a window on the other side of the carriage.

"It's the people, Anya!" She said, obviously. "They are celebrating your return."

"Those soldiers must have sent word ahead about your return." Elisa added, looking over Anfisa's shoulder out into the streets.

Cautiously, I pulled back one of the curtains, and looked outside. Immediately, a large cheer erupted from the crowds pushing and shoving in the streets. Our guards had formed a tight perimeter a few feet from the carriage, preventing the people from getting any closer.

"We will be saved! The Angel Tsaritsa has come home!" The people called. Our pace had slowed considerably, as the crowds tried to press in on the carriage.

I hadn't realized just how much the cult Dmitri had told me about had spread, but if it meant the people would accept my rule, then I couldn't complain too much. The only thing that worried me was that they would become too trusting of me. That they would be too eager to please me, and end up laying down their lives for something unworthy of such a price.

I forced myself to smile until we cleared the edge of the village, and then retreated back into the safety of the carriage.

"I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that." I said after a moment, looking at Anfisa and Elisa. "I didn't think they would be so happy to see me."

"Why not?" Elisa asked, tipping her head to one side.

"I don't know. Since I've been crowned I've spent most of my time abroad. The people haven't gotten to know me." I muttered, glancing out the window. We were almost there. Though we had passed countless fields, I would always remember the fields that surrounded my home.

"The people know you've been looking for a husband." Anfisa reasoned.

"Yes, except it seems that the people don't exactly look forward to their 'Angel Tsaritsa' getting married." I sighed, my hand tracing the folds of my paper again.

"We'll cross that road when we get there. If the people really love you, then they will learn to accept Francis when they see how much you love him." Elisaveta cut in. I gave her a look, but didn't say anything. She only smiled in return causing me to roll my eyes.

The shouting and cheering returned in full volume as we reached the outskirts of Moscow, at which the center lay the palace. While I didn't really like being called the Angel Tsaritsa, as I was no angel, I couldn't deny that the praise made me feel good.

Maybe the people would forgive me forgetting them into this stupid war with Poland and Sweden. Hopefully they wouldn't blame me for the losses of their husbands, sons and fathers, even though I know only I could be blamed for leaving the reins of the country in the hands of my brother. The moron.

The courtyard was deathly silent when we arrived. Like everyone was preparing for a funeral, but I didn't let it bother me. Dmitri was the only one standing waiting when our carriage came to a stop.

I let Anfisa and Elisa leave the carriage first, and watched through the window as they took their places preparing to stand behind me. Slowly, I stood from my seat and stepped down on the gravel. I let my anger towards Dmitri shine through in my eyes, and gained a small shred of satisfaction as he swallowed nervously.

"Welcome home, sister. We've anxiously awaited your return." I could tell Dmitri was trying to keep his tone confident, but I could hear a little waver in it.

"Thank you, Dmitri. I would have stayed away longer had it not been for the Englishman, who told me you were starting a war." I spat, angrily. "And I thought you were keeping me so well informed with your little reports."

Dmitri opened his mouth to answer, but I cut him off. "Don't bother now. You'll have your chance to beg later." Without another word, I walked away, Anfisa and Elisa keeping their well practiced formation behind me as we entered the palace. The doors slammed shut behind us.