The Romanov Diary

Chapter four

April 23, 1917

The spinning finally stopped when Milo opened his eyes. His head feels heavy and swollen, like the feeling you get when you've slept terribly. Or when you're suffering from a terrible hangover from a night out. His heart is pounding at the sight of the new environment. The grey hotel room is switched out with golden walls, a beautiful corridor and furniture worth more than he could ever pay. The floor is shiny and clean. By the walls stand pedestals with fine vases and small statues. He's also completely alone, apart from voices coming from the other side of the building. The walls are clear white with golden pillars and above him hangs a beautiful golden chandelier.

"What the...?" He asks himself.

His friends are nowhere to be seen. The only thing that followed him from London was the diary, still in his left hand. But now it looks different. The leather looks fresh and the pages are shining white. It almost looks brand new. His eyes are trying to take in all of the new impressions around him as he brings the diary toward him. The cover that before was impossible to read is now just as easy to understand as English. He's never studied, read or understood the language before, but now the words and letters are processed in his mind like running water. The name on the cover says Anastasia.

A gasp behind him startles Milo as he turns around to face the other side of the corridor. A woman is standing in front of him. She's tall, slender and elegant with short dark auburn hair, blue eyes and she's wearing a white dress with gold details and pearl jewelry. She can't be older than 20. She's one of the most beautiful women Milo has ever seen, and he loses his breath at the sight of her. Anyone could easily tell that the woman in front of him must be a nobility, possibly even royalty. Her dress is long and white with pink and gold gemstones. A waistband marks her curves and her make up is simple, yet sweet. She's also taller than him, probably with two inches. The two strangers study each other's features, and Milo's eyes can't let go of the gorgeous woman in front of him. Actually, she reminds him of someone. There's something about her features that seems familiar. She's looking at Milo with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth.

She was on her way to her bedroom when the mysterious man appeared in front of her out of thin air. One second the corridor was completely empty, and now a strange man with weird clothes and exotic characteristics is standing in front of her. Tatiana is usually a very reserved, smart, orderly and responsible woman, and the right thing to do at this moment would be to call for the cossacks since this might be an imposter or revolutionary who wants to hurt her or her family. But the man with his kind brown eyes looks just as confused as she does. Her instinct is telling her to run, but her heart which always has seeked a friend and a taste of adventure is telling her to stay with him.

"кто ты?" she asks the man with a determined but quiet voice to not bring any attention to her from the guards or anyone from the court.

Somehow, Milo understands her question even though he's never studied or spoken this language before. Her voice is deep, confident and serious. She asked him who he is, and when Milo is going to answer he's startled by the fact that he himself answers in the same language.

"My name is Milo, and I believe I might be lost. Can you tell me where I am?"

"You're in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo. Tell me what you're doing here or I'm calling for help!"

Before Milo can answer the question, Tatiana notices the book in his hand.

"How did you get that? That book belongs to my sister, she's been looking for it all day."

Milo, who's magically transported to this new place, has to think wisely. The wrong move could most likely get him in trouble, possibly even killed. By the name of the place, he knows he's in Russia and the woman in front of him is someone with high dignity. But he doesn't know how he got here, or what time he is in. It looks as if he's transferred to a living museum. Many of the artifacts and furniture remind him of the Royal Collection Trust.