The Belle of St. Petersburg •The Tudors

chapter •grand duchess anastasia

I AM MAKING UP CHARACTERS. THERE WAS PROBABLY AN ALEXEI V, BUT I AM MAKING PEOPLE UP. NOT PART OF HISTORY. LAURA BORGIA IS A REAL PERSON, THE DAUGHTER OF GIULIA FARNESE AND THE BORGIA POPE.

Anastasia walked on the beautiful snowy grounds of her palace in St. Petersburg. She was with her younger brothers and sisters, along with her ladies in waiting and the nurses of the youngest children. She was happy in her beautiful home, and didn't wish to be anywhere else.

"I'm what?" Anastasia asked in angry. Her father, Tsar Alexei V of Russia had just informed her of the Pope's request. Anastasia is to become the three wife of Henry VIII and the next Queen of England. She had heard about him, casting aside his first wife, Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, only to end up sending Anne to the tower only because she could not produce a son.

"Do not shout, dearest." Anastasia's mother, Alexandra of Poland, hissed. "Be happy, you shall be a queen, the Pope demands this marriage. Russia is a friend to Rome, remember. Your grandmother Laura, my mother, is an Italian. Daughter of the Borgia Pope and Giulia Farnese, niece to the current Pope. We are the daughter and granddaughter of Rome. You, alone, will be able to bring Henry VIII back to the Catholic Church."

"But mother-"

"It is an order from your father, the Pope, and God. Remember your place." Alexandra hissed.

"My place is here. In Russia." Anastasia said stubbornly. She looks at her father, with a pleading look in her eyes.

"It is what must be, my darling daughter. You will be a Queen, and do what the first two wives failed to do. Give Henry a son, and when he lets you make a request, request for his daughters to be put in the line of succession and to return to the one true Church." Alexei instructed. Anastasia knew that there was no backing out of this plan.

She will marry the King and become Queen of England. But how will she break to news to the man she loves?




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Henry VIII was surprised by the letter from the Pope. His Holiness was willing to accept Henry's Church of England if he married the Grand Duchess of Russia. Charles Brandon sat next to his friend, who had a worried face on. Thomas Cromwell stood behind Henry, peering over to read the letter.

"Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" Charles asked, looking at the letter. Henry threw it on the table and rubbed his chin.

"A letter from the Pope, says he is willing to accept the Church of England only if I make a deal with him." Henry said, summarizing the letter to his friend.

"What kind of deal, Your Majesty?" Cromwell asked.

"I am to marry the Grand Duchess of Russia, Anastasia I."

"Your Majesty, if I may..." Cromwell asked for permission to speak which was granted. "If you accept the deal, you will not only have the Pope on your side, but Russia as well. England will be the most powerful nation."

Cromwell spoke with utter confidence that England will be powerful and Henry was utterly astonished. With Russia on their side, no one would dare to attack. Anastasia could give him what his sweet Jane couldn't, power over all. And maybe, just maybe, Anastasia could give what Henry has been longing for, what his two previous wife couldn't. A living male heir.

"... but what about my sweet Jane?"

"If Lady Seymour truly does love you, she would accept the title as official mistress, Your Majesty." Charles spoke.

"Your Majesty, this also came with the letter." The servant handed Henry a portrait of Anastasia. Her beautiful chocolate brown hair in ringlets and olive green eyes with hazel in the center. She is truly the most beautiful woman.

"Cromwell, start writing a letter to the Pope and the Tsar of Russia. I will be take Anastasia is my wife."

MAKE SURE TO READ MY STORY CALLED MISTRESS OF FRANCE, BASED ON KNIGHTFALL.