After I Chose You

T w e l v e

It was the first night since we had stumbled upon the Benoit's humble abode that I had so much as touched my jewelry. I had buried my crown and ruby red earrings in Dmitry's suitcase what now seemed ages ago...years, even. I had nearly forgotten they existed. That is, until Dmitry went through his suitcase and asked if he should wear my tiara to Nana's.

"Do you think Nana would like me better if I too were royalty?" He asked, a goofy grin plastered on his face as he placed the golden crown on top of his head and paraded around the room, waving to his invisible subjects and admirers.

I was overwhelmed with laughter as I followed him playfully around the room, making attempts to take back my tiara. "Treason! Treason! There is a man disguised as Anastasia! Arrest him at once! By orders of the Grand Duchess!"

Dmitry stopped at the vanity and continued his act. He began to pantomime. From thin air, he grabbed two imaginary somethings and "set them down" on the vanity. I began to jump up and down behind him to try and snatch the crown off of his head, but I was much to short. This only made it harder for Dmitry to keep his act going smoothly. Each time he looked at me and my determined leaps of desperation, his composure faltered and a smile threatened to take over. He tried to contain his laughter as he continued, but ended up chuckling immensely between words. "Two cans of beans, comrade? And you won't say a word about my whereabouts to the Grand Duchess, should she ask."

"Don't take them!" I yelled, trying to jump higher. I grabbed his shoulders and tried hoisting myself up but failed miserably, causing Dmitry to accidentally let himself laugh once. I smirked at his reflection in the mirror and he struggled to hold back a grin.

He continued the act. Dmitry grinned at me in the mirror. "You'll take them, sir?"

"No!" I protested, "Don't—" I lunged for his sides and tickled him, causing Dmitry to laugh and try to push my hands away. I made a grab for the crown, but he dodged my grasp. I frowned at him in a playful manner, causing the corners of his mouth to part into one of his sweet smiles.

"Good," Dmitry stated to his imaginary negotiator, "The deal is struck."

"Arrest that man!" I pointed at Dmitry's invisible accomplice, which caused Dima to nearly begin crying in amusement from laughing so much. "And as for you, imposter," I grinned wildly, shifting my finger to now point at the reflection of my soon-to-be husband.

"As for who? Me?!" Dmitry squeaked in utter shock, "How dare you speak to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov in such a manner!"

I smirked, "Oh, I'll show you Anastasia Romanov." With that, I grabbed Dmitry's shoulders again and this time successfully pulled myself up onto his back just as he turned away from the vanity. I wrapped my arms around his neck and finally snatched the tiara off of his head and placed it in mine.

"I'm being assaulted!" Dmitry cried, laughing harder than before, if it were possible. He placed his hands around my thighs to help keep me up. I couldn't help but feel a few butterflies as he did so and my cheeks warmed.

"Ha, ha!" I grinned triumphantly, "Now, for the dungeon with you!" I cupped his head in my hands and buried my nose into his hair. I beamed softly. He really did smell indescribably and perfectly wonderful.

Dima continued to chuckle, "Oh, really?"

I nodded, giggling once, "Yes, really."