A Curse For Life Pt. 4: Holy and Royal Duty (Continued)

Alexander arrived at the Winter Palace by a horse- drawn carriage. He was dressed in fully military attire. His father, the Tsar, was also dressed in his military uniform, whilst his mother, the Tsarina, was dressed more lightly. She was, without a doubt, more beautifully dressed, although, Alexander was handsome when dressed in his ceremonial uniform. It was something of a trait that ran in his family. Gentle, and soft, features, a stern demeanour, yet the most striking of physical beings there ever were.

Alexander entered the chapel and took his place. Already inside were the Holy clergy and the Patriarch. Somewhere, amongst all the goings- on behind the iconostasis, Stephanje was there too. Alexander, now more than ever, wanted to see his cousin, to hear him say: "Nothing will change." He stood there, all alone. He was nervous, and his inner- self trembled with fear and angst. He tried to hide, thus, he looked to the front at let forth a silent and entreating prayer. There was a God, and he was merciful. Alexander had to tell himself this.

Maria also arrived via horse- drawn carriage. Her fathr, like the Tsar, was in full, ceremonial, military dress, as per the Danish standard. Her mother was dressed equally as beautiful as the Tsarina. However, like Alexander, it was to Maria that all adoration and cheer went from the crowd. Her pure silk dress was simple, but stylish and beautiful. It had a trail of ten meters, and was carried by four boys, two of the Royal court of Denmark, and two of the Imerial court. Maria's heart was pounding the entire time.

Before she entered the chapel, Maria's mother stopped and watched her daughter enter the Winter Palace, for the last time, as her own. She smiled, walked over and planted a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead. She smiled once more, placed her hand softly on Maria's cheek, then left. Maria instantly thought of Stephanje. She didn't know why, but her mother's display of affection seemed to have triggered the affection she felt for Stephanje. Maria begun to think if her mother's touch had actually awakened the feeling that she may have been making a serious mistake.

Maria's heart beat faster, if that is possible. However, she, somehow, composed herself and calmed her heart down. She breathed easy and made her way, serenly to the entrance to the Imperial chapel. The doors were closed. Guards stood in front of either one. They neither moved or looked at her. One of the servants on the outside of the chapel approached her, as was agreed, to alert her to how they were going for time; If she was to make an immediate entrance, or if she could take a moment longer to compose herself.

The maid approached her. She was middle- aged. Although she knew that she was not allowed to communicate more than her job required her, the maid smiled gently and kindly. She courtseyed to her knew tsarevitch and offered her congratulations and well- wishes. Maria smiled in return and recieved the blessings with sincere thanks. She forgot all prior thoughts. Despite her yearning for Stephanje, she had to do this, if not for herself then for him. He was the one who convinced her to marry Alexander in the first place. This was her duty to him. Although, she would have prefered it if she was marrying Stephanje, and not Alexander. Duty first, self second. It was a lesson of sacrifice she still had to learn.

"They are ready when you are Your Imperial Highness."
"Thank- you, i just need one more moment." With that the maid courtseyed again, smiled once more, then made her way to the kitchens. Maria looked after the maid smiling gently. She offered up a small prayer to the good God above to watch over the maid. For the first time, Maria got a glimpse at how much she was truely loved by the Russian populace. She took that moment she asked for to listen carefully. Outside she heard cheering from the crowd. It was a constant chant, sometimes rising to a crucendo, other times lowering to a scream. It was the fact that there were still so many of them out there which made the chant so loud. "MARIJA, MARIJA, MARIJA" was the chant of the Russians. Maria got goose- bumps. She looked to the soldiers, drew herself up, looked at them both.

"You mention to anyone what that maid said, and no Tsar, or God above will save you." Maria recited this warning in immaculate Russian that the guards looked at her, both shocked, and genuinly scared. It was the first threat of life they'd recieved in the service of the Imperial house. They took in their stride to forget the incident prior to the Grand Duchess' entrance to the Imperial chapel. She smiled after scaring the day- lights out of the guards, nodded and waited to be presented to the Russians once more, no longer a Princess, but their Grand Duchess. As of the moment she would take her first steps as bride to Alexander, Maria would be Her Imperial Highness; She would be higher than the rank of Princess. She would be a Grand Duchess to the throne of Russia. Maria was ready for it all. Her heart swelled with pride and love. This was now her life, and she would embrace it all, wholely and completely.

c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009