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V SEL'SKOY MESTNOSI DENMARK

The excited chatter of the press filled the courtyard of the Dowager Empress's estate. Sofie opened the large french doors to the estate and drew in a deep breath to address them all. And Suddenly, a slew of questions flooded the young woman's ears.

"COUNTESS!! COUNTESS SOFIA!!"

A reporter shouted.

"A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME COUNTESS!!"

another shouted.

"Has the princess been living far or near?"

"What sort of letter did the Dowager Empress receive?"

"What sort of proof does the woman have to present that she is actually the grand Duchess?"

"GOOD AFTERNOON!"

Sofie shouted so all of them could hear her.

"I AM THE COUNTESS SOFIA MALVESKY-MALEVICH!"

She shouted but that didn't seem to stop their chattering.

"Who took her in all that time?"

"What does she look like?"

"THE DOWAGER EMPRESS IS RUNNING LATE. I AM SORRY BUT UNTIL SHE ARRIVES YOU WILL ALL HAVE TO WAIT WITH YOUR INQUIRIES."

Sofie added and finally the group settled down for only a moment until another piped up, shouting a single question which led them all to shower the countess with questions again.

"Why is the Dowager Empress late?"

"Has the princess been lost again?"

Another asked.

"WAIT!"

Sofie shouted.

"WAIT PLEASE!"

She added.

"YOUR QUESTIONS WILL ALL BE ANSWERED AT THE ARRIVAL OF THE DOWAGER EMPRESS!"

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"Everyone is waiting, milyy."

The Dowager Empress said.

"When I was younger I had this music box..."

Anastasia said, her and her grandmother had been talking about the times before the Romanovs were over thrown, it seemed to be the only conversation they could have without viciously arguing.

"It had dancing bears along the side and inside there was a beautiful swan on the lid with painted wings."

She added.

"It played the most beautiful and special melody."

She told her.

"And inside was Alexandria and Nicholas Romanov, my parents, dancing together."

"Was it this music box?"

Her grandmother asked as she pulled a small round box from a shelf. Anastasia's eyes lit up.

"Yes it was."

The dowager empress placed it in her hands and Anastasia wound it up as she remembered it's familiar melody. The lid popped open once it was fully wound up and her parents, Emperor and Empress of all of Russia appeared and danced together.

"Your father loved your mother very much, Anya."

The dowager empress told her.

"He used to say that he believed Alexandria's life was his future."

Anastasia's eyes widened.

"What did you say?"

She asked.

"He believed your mother was his future."

It suddenly clicked for Anastasia, she now knew why Bruno had seen her life in his vision. She was his future, and he was hers.

"Your grace,"

Sofie said as she entered the room, interrupting the moment between grandmother and granddaughter.

"There is someone here for the princess."

"Who isn't?"

The dowager empress said with a scoff.

"Well... yes... but this one is a bit different."

"Different how?"

Anastasia asked.

"He well- he- well..."

Sofie finally just stood aside and Anastasia's eyes met those familiar green ones.

"Bruno."

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"You're here? How?"

Anastasia said as she stood and. But Bruno couldn't find words to form sentences. All languages escaped him. Anastasia was the pentacle of beauty, truly a princess. Her rough looking clothing and cloak that he got used to seeing her in had been done away with and instead she wore an elegant red gown that was shoulder-less and embroidered with gold thread and crimson jewels. Her porcelain skin looked like warm sand against the crimson gown. White gloves that seemed to be the smoothed satin extended up to her elbows. Hanging from her neck was a simple gold necklace that had only a few rubies beaded along the glistening gold strand. Her makeup had been done as well. It wasn't much but her red lips matched the shade of her dress perfectly. Her hair had been removed from its messy braid and was now in an elegant updo. But what stood out the most and signified her status above all else was the crystal embedded diadem that shined brightly on her head.

"I-"

he began, trying to form at least a sentence.

"I feel like I should bow."

Bruno said nervously.

"It is customary."

The dowager empress said, looking at Bruno with narrow eyes. Anastasia walked over to him before he had the chance, however. She placed her gloved hands on his shoulders.

"But you, lyubov, are the exception."

She said before she brought her arms around him in a warm embrace. And instantly they both knew this was the hug Bruno had seen in his vision. There was so much warmth and happiness in this simple hug and in their reunion.