The Romanov Diary

Chapter twenty seven

June 30, 1918

Ella and Ophelia are making the beds in the guard's room, cleaning and making sure that the house is hospitable. Sweat runs down from their foreheads, reminding them that they're alive. The sun shines through the white painted windows and heats up the room. The sheets have turned from pearl white to sand beige, both from the heat but also from the soldier's dirt. The pillows lost their function a long time ago, now they are as much pillows as they are pieces of fabric.

Milo walks up to the room. The door is open. He rests against the doorframe and knocks to alert the girls of his presence.

"Hey Milo." Ella says through her breaths.

"Everything okay here?" He asks and enters the room.

"Just tired. And sweaty." Ophelia wipes of some sweat from her forehead with her hand.

"I feel bad for not talking to Theo." Ella sighs.

She walks up to Milo and gives him a hug. Milo and Theo grew up together and have never gone a day without talking to each other in one way or another. This is the first time they've fought for real.

"That's what I came here to talk with you about. I feel really bad." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"I've been thinking a little bit. I don't think we can blame him." Ella admits and takes a few steps back.

Ophelia looks at her questioning.

"I mean, we know Theo. Whenever he goes through a heartbreak or something he finds comfort with other girls. And I still think he's hurt after Edith. And then you put him, a very handsome tall man, in a cramped house and limit his contact with the outside world. After that we throw four young hormonal women, all very gorgeous, who've barely met men of their age, and we expect them to not be all over each other?"

"Sounds like you're saying that Theo only used Maria to deal with his emotions."

"No, of course not. Ot, maybe at first. But I think they really started to like each other, maybe even love each other."

"She's right. I mean, you are kind of into Tatiana as well." Ophelia points at Milo.

"But I can control myself, unlike him." He snorts.

"But you don't handle breakup the same way. After Leia, you've isolated yourself and refused to meet other girls. Theo's the opposite." Ella says.

Milo knows they're right, so he just nods.

"So what should we do?" He asks.

"Apologize, I suppose. Talk to him, and Maria. We haven't exactly treated her any better." Ella bites her lip.

"I agree. I'll go and find Theo."

"Good luck, soldier!" Ophelia winks and returns to her work.

Milo leaves the room to find his friend. He hates admitting that he's wrong, or apologizing for that matter. But it's the right thing to do. Both Theo and Maria have felt incredibly guilty since the tragic events on her birthday. They haven't even spoken to each other. Theo has been wandering the house alone, too ashamed to take the first step with his friends. The family haven't said a word to him either.

Maria's situation isn't any better. Her mother and Olga got so disappointed that they've been keeping their distance from her for days. Nicholas' still disappointed, but it's gotten better. Alexei was never angry with her in the first place, neither was Tatiana and Anastasia. But the rift between the family members is as clear as a glass of water. If Milo, Ella, Ophelia and Theo are going to save them, they have to solve their problems. Because the goal is still clear: