Chapter 13

Glad to be back. Here is the Romanov sisters' visit to England!

Brief

Olga hoped that the royal family would receive her and her sisters better. Her cousin Elisabeth awaited them in southwest Germany, so she had gotten off lucky. As someone not affiliated with the now disgraced and despised Russian nation, Elisabeth was the more beloved of the risen princesses. Her kind, gentle personality had also swayed the hearts of millions...

The Romanov sisters had faced negative attention from social media and news outlets ever since they landed in England within the United Kingdom. From troll posts on their Youtube accounts to having blunt objects thrown at their rides and escorts, the British public which had supported Ukraine absolutely did not have any liking to this. The royal family had declined to make an official statement in most cases.

The few British royals who had noticed their presence on social media and official news had long since accepted their return as reality. They had even looked into their tragic pasts twisted with self-serving politics and violence. Against the pressures of anti-Russian sentiment, they had risked their reputations by voicing some sympathetic remarks for them. For this, Olga had gained a grudging respect for the British royalty.

"Despite their role in the Russian war effort, I believe they were used as tools by the madman. They were and still are, victims of their political environment. Based on their unfortunate past, I know that they are not intentionally vile," Prince Harry had spoken earlier in an interview.

"People must understand that they come from a different time. I cannot fathom how people would go out of their way to bother them. I, as a young prince, disliked the overbearing spotlight of attention as well..." Prince William had stated in his own interview.

November 5, 2022

Sandringham House, Norfolk, U.K

The skies had grown gloomier and darker. The mist from the English seas had come along, and raindrops were falling from high above, soaking the land. Some vines and moss had already spotted the foundations of the red brick facade that had hosted history itself. A royal blue limousine, with its headlights fading into the further mist, pulled into the driveway of the once bustling residence. Four other pitch black cars stopped not far behind, and the infamous British Highlander guards stepped out, carrying umbrellas. To the four resurrected women within the limo, they needed to face their gloomy past before they continued to their uncertain, murky future.

The leading officer of the guards stepped out, ordering the guards to take position by the limousine. He barked orders above the noisy splattering of the raindrops everywhere...

"To formation, men! We will escort them inside!"

"Yes, sir!"

With their sub-machine guns hoisted over their shoulders, the guards lined up by the limousine doors. The head officer then opened the doors of the limo. Out came the former Grand Duchesses, stepping onto land that they had not visited for more than a lifetime.

Olga squinted ahead, seeing two suited men approaching from the front doors of the Sandringham House. They carried umbrellas over themselves, walking calmly ahead with mild smiles. Medals glinted under the dampened sunlight. Olga knew that these were British princes, judging by their distinctly decorated uniforms. She wondered who they were... Maybe they were the infamous two on public media?

When Olga had stepped out with her three other sisters, she thanked the leading officer of the coated guards. He smiled at them, shading his eyes from the rainfall with one gloved hand. The leading officer then turned around to briefly bow and address the two men.

"Your Royal Highness, Duke of Sussex," the captain addressed Harry.

"Your Royal Highness, Prince of Wales," the captain addressed William.

Anastasia smiled upon seeing the respectable prince Harry. In some ways, he resembled her in personality. He talked down to earth, and he was a kind, vivacious soul within. She had seen him in a favorable perspective since he was the first to speak for her and her sisters. She then wondered when she would forgive the British royalty for rescinding asylum from the Bolsheviks long ago...

"Prince Harry, I've seen and heard a lot about you and your brother," she said, smiling.

"Likewise for you and your sisters. Now come along inside, the rain is absolutely pouring today."

The guards escorted the six royals into the royal residence. When the front doors were closed, a peaceful quiet air filled the foyer. The Romanov sisters then noticed two other women with children. One had darker hair, wearing what Tatiana knew was a modern, minimalist American fashion. The other one had light brown hair cascading down her shoulders- They were the well-received Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton!

Tatiana glanced at Olga, wondering what to say or do... No one spoke a word. It felt strange, seeing each other as long lost relatives over a century apart.

"I thought this was the moment where we say hi and act like besties," Anastasia spoke.

"Aww, the kids look adorable," Maria whispered to her sister, who shot back an unimpressed look.

Harry chuckled. "Perhaps we forgot, but yes. Anastasia has the right idea. How about we all get to know each other before we meet our honored queen again?"

For a half hour, both sides of royalty embraced and greeted each other. Small talk became conversations, and conversations sprouted little jokes. Laughter and pleasant chatter filled the halls and rooms of the residence.

Yet as much as they enjoyed breaking the ice of shyness, they all knew the true purpose of the visit. They had to make peace with their tragic, political messes of the past. Even the well-favored princes and their families knew the significance of the infamous Romanov sisters coming back to their homeland.

The chatter died down when Prince Harry stepped further away, calling for attention.

"Her Royal Majesty, erm, Great-grandmother, has texted me. I apologize for the interruption, but she expects to see our four guests soon."

"Aww! But I like talking to Maria, she's a nice lady," one royal child complained, her eyes pouting.

"I agree with my sister, why do they have to go?" her brother murmured.

Prince William went over to his children, hugging them. "No worries, they will stay for a couple nights before their tour. You both can talk with them later today."

"Why are some people mean to them?" his daughter asked.

"That's a grownup's question, but they will be alright. Behave for Mother and I, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

(Line Break)

Prince William kept quiet near the bedroom where the revered Queen Elizabeth II rested. Prince Harry nodded for him to knock. So they did so gently, waiting for the feeble reply. They knew her time on earth was waning to a sliver, yet she still lived. It was as if she were holding on just a little longer.

"Come in," a muffled voice spoke.

Prince Harry closed his eyes, clearing his throat before opening the door. Prince William had noticed his uniform ribbon was crooked, so he quickly fixed that unkempt article. They stood straight and aside the doorway, gesturing for the eldest Romanov sister to enter first.

As Olga stepped in, she realized a few things. The old woman in bed watching her was technically her great great great niece, placing Olga in a more official royal status. It felt strange to see someone with the air of a strong matriarch around her, almost like her late grandmother she knew. Even she herself had been anticipating- even excited to see a very special person linking her to the past. It was the closest representation she would get for a certain uncle... the one who abandoned her immediate family.

She needed closure only by honest answers. What did the late King George V believe about her family that made him abandon them?

"I am glad to finally see you and your sisters. I presume you all know why you are here?"

Anastasia shrugged.

"Well, the crux of the matter comes from one of the greatest regrets my grandfather had."

With wrinkled hands, the British Queen picked up a worn leather journal. She cleared her throat, then flipping page after page. She settled on a middle page, closing her eyes and frowning.

"But why... What things did he truly think about my immediate family to leave them to be slaughtered?"

"From what I have seen from his journal, your Uncle George was very conflicted between his family and the whole mess of politics after World War One... He did want to save your entire family, but the progressive Parliament and the people threatened to withdraw support. Unfortunately, not even his efforts to secretly mobilize the MI6 could begin... Other governmental officials found out and pressured my grandfather again."

Olga opened her mouth to speak, but the queen silenced her with a firm gaze. "I know you came for plentiful answers, dear... Unfortunately, this is all that I have about your late Uncle George the Fifth. It will be difficult to accept, I know, judging by your looks... All I ask is that you forgive us all. In troubling times like these, we have learned that family and loved ones matter the most. I am unable to change history, but we now have second chances ahead of us. At least we can mend things and try again."

Olga glanced at Tatiana, who placed a hand on her shoulder. Only then did she notice that her other hand had curled into a fist, grabbing the skirt harder. Well, it felt wrong to harbor any harsh feelings to this old woman. Certainly she was the one that allowed and made arrangements for their visit to England, and she had risked her reputation to try reconciling with the Romanovs. Olga knew that as much as she had a right to be upset, she needed to place feelings aside for her duty as a representative of her royal line.

"I see. To be honest, I felt bitter for a long time after I had stumbled across reports of what they did to our bodies after we died. I had seen the Wikipedia articles about our murders, and I became angry too... Yet I never knew that the British people pressured Uncle Georgie as much as you said they did."

"Of course. I do not expect immediate forgiveness for the Windsor line, but I promise that the door for your family will always be open from then on. I have made various arrangements for your safe tour around England, especially the Osborne House..."

"Thank you, Your Royal Majesty, yet I have another question."

"Yes?"

"If I am technically your great auntie, am I allowed to refer to you as my great niece? Well... My youngest sister wanted me to ask you that question earlier."

"I would not mind."

The Queen chuckled, as Anastasia smirked.

"You better not have any funny ideas again, little sis," Tatiana lectured Anastasia, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, not really. Even a prankster needs a little break... for now."

The conversation between Olga and the Queen shifted to one at ease. It became clear to the Romanov sisters that they could regain trust in the Windsors again. Even talking to them had a similar comfort. This reminded them of their family visit in 1908 to England.

Then Tatiana, with graceful, soft steps, went closer to sit by the Queen. She, too, enjoyed speaking with the Queen. If she had been the eldest, she would have made a perfect representative of the Romanov line. A natural born royal.

Not far behind were the two younger sisters. To the relief of Maria, the Queen confirmed that the late Louis Mountbatten had remembered her long after her death. Even the statement that he kept a picture of her on his nightstand was true.

Anastasia did not have much to say except that she thanked the Queen for accepting her family. She, too, enjoyed a conversation with the Queen.

Dinnertime with the modern Windsors would be an enjoyable one for sure!