Chapter 11

September 19, 2022

U.N Headquarters Complex, New York, USA

The United Nations Headquarters towered tall over a dozen stories above their heads, shining like a fortress of concrete, steel, and glass. It was a wonder of the modern age and a symbol of human cooperation. It also struck their minds that the United Nations council was the closest humanity had gotten to a world government. Despite the various conflicts throughout thousands of years of global history, humanity could cooperate and keep some peace. The flags waved close together on their poles, despite their differences.

"Perhaps humanity could understand the greatest Commandment... to love others," Olga thought, as her sisters and cousin accompanied her towards the building.

"I'm very nervous, Ella... Again, why are we here?" Maria asked, glanced around while clutching her handbag tighter.

"They want us to speak about our lives. Maybe they will ask us about the resurrections, but they are a secular organization."

"I don't think that this world council would believe, or even understand us."

"I expect that to happen, considering the unrest and debate around the meaning of our coming. People cannot believe what they do not understand, Maria. It is human nature."

"Well said. At least Olga and her sisters can testify about their past experiences for the sake of teaching humanity a lesson... That we must not allow political conflict to escalate to massacre and genocide. Humanity has fought over many things like immature, prideful children. Now, we have the means to destroy ourselves, and we must buy ourselves time," Bob spoke to Elisabeth.

"You are correct, Mister Atchinson."

"Hopefully, something will be done about the mess we rose into," Olga muttered, squinting up at the flags of Russia and Ukraine.

They entered the United Nations room sometime later after navigating through the various halls and rooms of the United Nations Complex. The room was spacious, with oak paneled walls over fifty years old towering over four floors above the mint green carpets. Desks with signs naming every official nation had been lit up, all surrounding a large symbol of the world: a globe with olive wreaths of peace. In essence this was the microcosm of the little community of humanity.

OTMA, dressed in their business suits and skirts, had to leave Ella and Bob. They sat next to Putin, but their hearts and souls had long since departed Russia. They received a few stares and glares from leaders of certain nations, especially Ukraine and Belarus. Ukraine sentiments were mostly against the Grand Duchesses, as they had conspired and worked with the "Russian autocrat". Belarus, despite being an ally of Russia, had some disdain for the Romanov sisters. They had let down Russia and failed to "help their fellow ally as much as possible".

However, the Romanov sisters had much sympathy from other parts of the world including the Americas, Africa, and Western Europe. Some argued that they were sheltered and manipulated by authorities. Some argued that they had been forced by Putin to serve his interests. They were also victims, and both parties knew that world peace mattered more than land squabbles and resource grabs.

Olga sat down with her sisters near Putin. She glanced further at the German seats where the German chancellor, his closest advisors, and Elisabeth sat. Her cousin gave a thumbs up back, smiling. Then Olga glanced at Bob Atchinson with Biden, who was conversing with Bob and his top staff members. She reminded herself with a silent thought that everything would work out. Everyone would be fine for the time being.

The lights dimmed by a fraction, and everyone in the room knew that the significant moment in history had come. The first United Nations meeting with resurrected human beings, and the first United Nations meeting to address future policies regarding international relations in the 21st century.

Biden then stood up and made his way to the center podium of the top five nations. Putin followed him not far behind, ignoring the grimaces, glares, and rude gestures from other national leaders and politicians. The Chinese president, United Kingdom Prime Minister, and French president also took their positions at the other podiums.

"The meeting will begin shortly, everyone. Take your seats," Biden announced, looking around the large space of the room.

Back at their seats, the Romanov sisters glanced around again. Almost everyone had arrived and sat down. The last few leaders and representatives had almost gotten to their seats. It was obvious the meeting was about to begin.

"Psst, Olga..."

"What is it, Nastya?"

"Do you think we'll get to visit Livadia one last time? Mashka wonders about that too."

Tatiana and Olga glanced at each other. Tatiana frowned, shrugging. "We won't know until the council announces their decision."

"I hope so, even though it's just a museum now."

Soon enough, everyone from news journalists to the attendees took their seats. On balconies high above the meeting room desks, a few cameras recorded the historic scene in color rather than gray, grainy frames. The Romanov sisters huddled together with alert attention for the speech that the United States President would give. Elisabeth looked ahead too, feeling almost saddened. The world would not entirely know what it was getting into, and nor would it do enough to save itself.

The lights brightened to normal again. Under the bright lights, the surrounding attendees and visitors went quiet. All aimless chatter and small talk ceased. This was the time. Before them, the United States President gathered his written speech, clearing his throat.

"I welcome everyone here for our monumental meeting together as one global community today. The past few years have brought much hardship and disasters to the human world. Political tension, pandemics such as COVID-19, and more terrorism. Finally, when no one expected it, five women have... returned from death. With this miraculous occurrence, we realized that there is a higher good we must aim for, and that we must learn from our past mistakes. Now is a new age for new changes."

Murmurs of assent drifted quietly during the brief pause in the speech. Some heads nodded, but some leaders were on their phones or pretending to read papers while the president spoke.

"... and with the delicate situation of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict and those resurrections, we have a great deal to discuss: the summary of the compromise, the reforms needed for social and economic progress, and the fate of these former princesses..."

Anastasia, a few minutes into the speech, yawned. "I forgot how much I hated politics. It's so boring and even pisses people off."

"I know, but just wait. It'll be a couple hours," Tatiana whispered.

"Oh my goodness..."

Biden gave an official statement of the compromising treaty, but his tone had a slight hesitation to it. Zelenskyy crossed his arms, giving a glare at Putin. That meddling madman of a so-called president tore apart his country...

Putin felt no better. Already a few leaders were smirking at him. The now humiliated Russian President covered his face with his hands, wondering what he had done to deserve this mess of a situation. His supporters would be disappointed in him. They might even rebel against his regime in favor of the former Grand Duchesses. But he could not risk a move against them... Even the top Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church warned Putin there would be consequences from God if they were hurt. Even the Orthodox Church did not approve.

At the time, almost the rest of the world hated him and the Motherland...

While Putin silently clenched his fists in frustration, the Romanov sisters continued to listen with some interest in the speech. They did not listen closely until after the top leaders gave statements on other proposals to address global warming and political refugees. They had begun to mention what would be done about the Romanov sisters and the former German princess...

The Russian president cleared his throat, then stating, "With their historical background, I propose that the former Grand Duchesses be allowed to visit the Livadia Palace temporarily. Any further renovation and transfer of ownership to their family organization will require further approval."

"I agree with the proposal, but you should remember that the palace is now a world heritage site. It will take time for such renovations," Biden replied, glancing at Zelensky, whose face was downcast.

"I know. As an alternative proposal, the Alexander Palace in Russia could be restored as a permanent retreat for the Romanov Family Association. It will still be open monthly for visitors."

The Romanov sisters held their hands up high, giving thumbs up and wide grins. Anastasia, of course, waved at the cameras. This caused the United State president to chuckle with amusement.

"Looks like we have unanimous consent from the former princesses."

The leaders of all involved nations continued to discuss the issue for some time. They had some debates over the rightful ownership in the current day, the legal policies of said ownership, and how to treat resurrected people.

In the end, it was undeniable that the five women were back. Thus, they all had the chance to accept their former properties back. However, Elisabeth had lost her former home, the demolished New Palace in Darmstadt, only having the Wolfsgarten Lodge as a possible choice.

The remainder of the two hours passed quickly, as national leaders voted on what would be done on the transferring of such buildings to the former royal families. Just seeing each hand raise for yay or nay made Olga feel tense. Thoughts of her not only being a royal pretender, but a constitutional figurehead made her excited and a bit anxious... But she did want to have her former home back. Living in a hotel became boring for the sisters. Even the arrangement was only a temporary policy by Putin.

But when the decision came, the Romanov sisters cheered and hugged each other tight. They and their distant descendants and relatives would get their Alexander Palace back as a primary residence. Even though they did not get the Livadia Palace back, being in contested territory, they still felt happy.

"Yay, we'll get to go back home after a century!"

Maria laughed, then went silent under a few awkward stares from other leaders. "Yeah, I think we're being too loud though."

"Also, the Romanov sisters and their cousin will be allowed a special status for easy travel among almost all nations. North Korea and some unstable countries are exceptions. The United Nations welcomes them back into the world."

"Really? Olga, did you hear what they announced?" Tatiana asked her eldest sister, who sat with a surprised face as if gasping.

"Of course, I can hardly believe it!"

"But what about our British relatives? Will we get to visit them?"

"No, Tatya. I think they abandoned us. They could have saved us back then, but they must have rescinded their offer of asylum for all of us... I would rather not deal with them," Olga whispered, shaking her head.

"But Olga, not all of them were against us... What about Cousin Dickie, who passed away in 1979? I want to meet his descendants..."

"No, Maria."

"What about Queen Elizabeth the Second? She seems like a kind but well-behaved lady, even reigning longer than Queen Victoria!"

"I said no!" Olga hissed, slapping the table.

Maria huffed, pouting with her big, blue eyes. "Spoilsport."

Olga thought back again to their 1908 family visit to England. She remembered how kind they were, but maybe the war and political dramatics had forced their hand. Even Cousin Louis "Dickie" Mountbatten had a long-time crush on Maria. Well, she would not admit it wholeheartedly, but Maria had a point. This mattered a lot to her, connecting and reconciling with living relatives mattered too.

So did the pout matter to Olga too. She hated to see Maria sad...

"Okay, okay... I'm fine with it, but only to meet Queen Elizabeth the Second, and even Cousin Louis's descendants."

"That's good enough for me."

"I would like to meet Prince Harry, actually. He looks like a handsome and cool guy to talk to," Anastasia said.

Her sisters glanced at each other, but smirked. Anastasia quickly tried to disclaim the implication...

"No, I meant platonically! Nothing romantic, I swear it," she blurted.

"Alright, sis... We'll keep that topic aside, since we will have to testify soon."

They, with Bob Atchinson, were soon called up at the end of the announcement to give remarks. Before over a billion viewers, they gave heartfelt speeches about what they learned as people. Their privilege and out-of-touch lives had cost them dearly. The two World Wars also opened their eyes. They had seen how nationalism ruined countless lives. And with their new lives, the Romanov sisters and Elisabeth would help promote peace and unity.

On that day, the Romanov sisters made their promise to see England sometime within the year. There was much to do, and many places to experience. They would have to face their Goliaths and lions in life. Complacency would not help things at all. Only taking responsibility would do so.