The Belle of St. Petersburg •The Tudors

chapter •arrival

I DECIDED TO KEEP ANNE BOLEYN ALIVE A BIT LONG.

Jane was angry --no, she was furious! She was embarrassed that Henry had made her an official mistress. She wanted to be queen! Who is this Anastasia of Russia? Jane just had to wait, wait for the queen in the tower to die and the Grand Duchess to arrive.

Anastasia was on a ship, on her way to England. Her ladies were there as well, along with Anastasia's brother, Stiva. He is the second son and the second heir to the throne if the Tsarevich of Russia were to die. God forbid.

Stiva and Anastasia sat in a room, playing cards. "What are you thinking about?" Stiva asks. Anastasia looks up from her cards.

"Why do you wish to know?"

"You are my favorite sister, I wish to know how you feel." Stiva said, placing a card on the table.

"I am being married off to a man who divorced his first true wife to marry the Boleyn girl, only to accuse her of adultery three years later. Anne of a thousand days, people will remember her like that. What do you think will happen to me if I don't give him a son?" Anastasia asked, with no fright but in curiosity, she put down a card.

"If he decides to divorce you or try to cut your head off, then Russia will start open war on England." Stiva reassured, but it didn't help Anastasia that much. Her mind trailed to a day before she had left. The last time she had seen the love of her life, Joseph.

"What is wrong, my love?" Joseph, a soldier, who was brushing hair away from Anastasia's face.

"Let's not talk, just hold me in your arms." Anastasia pleads. Joseph wraps his strong arms around the young woman. She didn't know what to say, so she didn't. She left, never to see her first love again.

Stiva was the first off the ship with Anastasia hooked to his arm. They met with an older man, he bowed low.

"Your Highnesses, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Welcome to England."

"Thank you, Your Grace. It's an honor to be here. Allow me to introduce my sister, the Grand Duchess Anastasia." Charles looked at the face of the beautiful Russian woman in front of him. He knew that Henry would definitely be pleased.

"I trust your voyage was pleasant, Your Highness." Charles asked.

"Indeed. The trip over was with ease, thank God." Anastasia spoke. Her voice was powerful, Charles knew she would make a great Queen. But something was troubling him. It's that she looked a bit like Anne Boleyn, who was still alive in the tower.

Anastasia gave a smile before excusing her, her ladies followed to tend to her. Stiva looked at the Duke with a stern look.

"Tell me, Duke of Suffolk, how will your king treat my favorite sister?"

"His Majesty was informed of your sister's beauty and grace. She will, with no doubt, be a wonderful queen. He will treat her with respect she inherently deserves." Charles answers. Stiva nodded at the response, satisfied.

"Good. That's good. I have a message for your king that I want you to tell him."

"Yes?"

"Just know this. Anastasia is not just the prized gem of Russia, but of Poland, Rome, Scotland and France. If my dear sister is killed by your king for not producing a prince, these five great kingdoms will declare open war on England." Stiva stated to Charles. Charles was surprised by how loved one woman is, to declare war just for her. Charles nodded at the Russian man, before Anastasia had joined them once again.

"Shall we be going?" Anastasia asked. Charles led them to a carriage, they were off.