The Romanov Diary

Chapter seven

June 10, 1917

Almost two months have passed since the four teenagers first arrived in Tsarskoe Selo, also known as "the czar's village" outside of Petrograd. Ella and Ophelia still haven't seen their friends, but the palace is huge and they are probably not moving in the same areas. But what they have seen is the royal family. They've served them dinner and breakfast, cleaned their rooms and brought food for their dogs. The children are lovely and have no problem with talking to or helping their servants.

The youngest of the grand duchesses, Anastasia, often pulls pranks and practical jokes on her family members or even servants. Once, Ella found two eggs hidden in her shoes and heard the young girl laugh behind a corner, hoping that Ella would stick her feet down and get all sticky. Even though her antics can cause some extra work and trouble sometimes, she and Ophelia could never be mad at her. Seeing her spread positivity and happiness in a time when she's supposed to be a prisoner is very refreshing.

They still don't know that it was her diary that brought them there, or that she sees Milo almost every single day.

When Ella and Ophelia aren't working around the palace, they spend time with the other homekeepers. A woman whom they both have grown very close to is Irina, the lady who showed them around on their first day. She's almost like an extra mother to them and taught them everything about the palace. She worked there before the revolution and has served Alix och Nicky - the official nicknames on Alexandra and Nicholas - for years.

Today is Tatiana's 20th birthday, the second daughter of the former czar and czarina. Usually, there would be a bigger stir than this year. Perhaps they would have been on the royal ship The Shtandart on their way to Livadia or they would be preparing a celebration at Peterhof. But during the circumstances, they are only allowed to have a small celebration. Ella and Ophelia are in the kitchen making a slightly more luxurious breakfast than usual.

"Maybe we should ask the girls if they've seen Milo or Theo?" Ophelia suggests as she and Ella finish the last details on the grand duchess' cake.

"Don't you think they would have told us if they knew that two other people from the future ran around in their home?"

"Maybe... what if they aren't even here?"

"That's what I'm worried about. We haven't seen Milo whatsoever, and we haven't seen Theo either since he left with Kerensky two months ago."

"I really hope they're okay." Ophelia takes a deep sigh and dusts off the flour on her hands.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Tatiana, happy birthday to you" Milo quietly sings as he opens the bedroom door to the grand duchess' room.

She turns around and looks into his eyes. She's wearing a white dress with gold and pink details, pearl earrings and necklace and she kept her hair natural and curly. She wore the same dress during a photograph with her sisters and they all have similar ones. It's one of her favorites, and she wanted to wear it on this special day. Her hair is flattered, but the ends are curled upwards toward the silver diadem on her head. Her shoes are white and golden, matching the gorgeous long dress. Her make up is simple, yet very beautiful. Her lips are strawberry red and golden eyeshadow lays upon her eyelids. Her cheeks are slightly red from her blush and her eyebrows are neatly cleaned up. Her eyes look outstanding as she smiles, spreading warmth into Milo's bone marrow.

Tatiana and Milo have grown very close during these past weeks, often talking and laughing when they are out of sight. He often stays close to the family for their protection instead of patrolling the area with the other soldiers. To initiate a relationship between a soldier and former princess during revolutionary times would be absolutely insane, and even though they both feel attraction for each other they keep their boundaries clear.