Hope Against Doubt - A Romanov Timeline

[EdwardRex]

“Anastasia! Anastasia, wake up!” Someone tells me. I recognize this voice as that of my sister, Tatiana.

“I am awake!” I respond, somewhat snappily.

As I rise, I look over to my two other sisters, Olga and Maria. They look just as tired as myself, and have the same inquisitive look on their faces.

I ask the question all of us are thinking; “Why are we up at such an ungodly hour?”

My all-knowing sister Tatiana beckons us to the center of our small room, forcing us to get out of our cots.

“My dears, I think our friends have come to save us! We are being taken to the basement for our safety.”

As if to confirm this, our mother bursts in our room, with a genuine smile on her face, a rare spectacle.

“Girlies get up!” “Olga, arrange the medicines!” “Anastasia, let the dogs out!” “Mashka hurry up!”

I rush to get my jewel ridden corset on, followed by my plain white blouse. Tatiana combs everyone’s hair, and we leave our room.

There I see my dear Papa, along with Alexei. Baby is half asleep in Papa’s strong arms. Our four remaining servants, as well as Mama are with them.

Papa tells us “Children, it is almost over. In a month or two, we will be in England and this will seem like a bad dream.”

Yakov Yurvosky, the leader of the red pigs that keep us confined here, takes us down to the cellar. The room is small, and with eleven people, and two dogs, quite cramped. [1]

We stay there for some time. Mama can not stand for long, and asks for a chair.

“May we not sit?” She says.

The guard snickers at her, and turns his back. Very rude indeed! After what seems like an eternity, Yurovsky and his henchmen suddenly bust in the room.

I suddenly get a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. We are going to die. I know. I cling to Maria, who I can tell feels similar, If not the same, to me.

Yurovsky pulls a note out of his pocket, and reads it out.

“In light of the fact of the imminent peril to take place in Ekaterinburg, the Citizens Romanov are to be taken to a newer and safer location. They are to be loaded into two trucks and taken to the nearest train station.”

He also adds “Alexandra Feodorovna and her children must be taken away first.”

I breathe and audible sigh of relief, and I think Olga does too. The guards step forward and begin to take us away.

They roughly grab Alexei from Papa, evoking a scream from my terrified brother. They roughly tell us to walk on, and began pushing us to move along. I do not know how to react, so I move on.

Suddenly, Mama screams “Nicky! Nicky! I love you!”

As a guard roughly shoves her down to the floor, she cries “No! No! No! No! No! No, please! No! You can’t take me away!”

They do not listen.

I am apparently walking too slowly, as one of the guards pushes me along “Hurry up, fat one!”

Partially due to the shock off all that is happening around me, partially of my general clumsiness, I trip and fall, letting go of my Jemmy. I collect myself and try to find him, but I am roughly pushed along.

We are all crying hysterically at the point, knowing this separation is permanent, even our usually reserved Mama. Maria, always the strongest of us, breaks away from the guards and tries to run to Papa, screaming his name. The drunk guard grabs her collar and throws her back beside me. I manage to keep her from falling.

We are roughly pushed into a truck, after passing through a storage area. Olga stands, refusing to move, and screams “Papa, I love you!” I don’t think he could hear her. Maria is thrown in by her hair, and the drunk guard nearly catches her foot in the door.

Over our sobs, I can hear gunshots.

I know my dear father is dead.

[1] Apparently, it was actually not possible to fit the Imperial Family, their retinue, and all the guards in the same room.

Hello! Thank you for reading! Since this is my first narrative style timeline, constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

 

[EdwardRex]

Bumping

 

[ahmed1ghoneim]

Well, I'm interested.

 

[Unknown]

So am I...

 

[C.Z.A.R]

Watching this thread.

 

[pugnhippo01]

+1 on interested.
I think you have set yourself a challenge by going 1st person for a young girl, i will be very impressed if you manage to capture the voice well.

 

[EdwardRex]

+1 on interested.
I think you have set yourself a challenge by going 1st person for a young girl, i will be very impressed if you manage to capture the voice well.

Not every chapter is going to be from Anastasia’s point of view, the others will be her sisters. But I believe it is a bit of a challenge! Thanks!

 

[EdwardRex]

I am miserable. No one talks.

We are stuck on a small compartment on a train, the train that will take us to our new location. We cannot leave this compartment, unless we have to use the bathroom. Even to do that, we have to be escorted to the bathroom. I was terrified that one of the brutes would barge in on me.

After a few hours in the train, I told the guard that Ortino, my dog, needed to urinate. He took the dog from me, and I haven’t seen the poor thing since. But right now, my pet is one of my lesser concerns.

The first day, we weren’t given any food. Yesterday we were each one thin slice of black bread, along with some strange cheese, that upset baby’s stomach. It likely upset his stomach because he ate Mama’s portion, because she did not eat.

Poor Mama. I watch her carefully. She does not speak, she does not cry, and only sleeps a little. Poor dear. I find myself, at this moment, watching her sleep. Dear Alexei is resting his head on my shoulder, and on the other side of the cabin, I see my three other sisters.

Anastasia is furthest from the window, since she got in trouble for trying to look out the window. Maria is in the middle. The dear is trying to make Anastasia happy, but Anastasia is not receptive to this. Olga is sleeping.

The guard suddenly speaks up “We are almost at Perm.”

So that is our new destination.

The train suddenly stops, awaking the ones who were sleeping. I help Mama stand up, and I see our strong Maria picked up Alexei. We all walk out of the cabin, and the out of the train. I notice it is in the early hours of the morning.

We are told to get in a black automobile, and we comply. It is then I realize that have no power now. I want to cry, I want to scream. I manage to keep the tears in my eyes. Mama needs me to be strong.

Once the short and silent ride ends, we disembark. I look to see our new destination. The house is large, around the same size as the Ipatiev House. It is a bright blue, with white decorations. I see the windows have once again been painted over, just like at our last location. The large wall makes escape impossible. We are guided into an office, a strangely green room, like the color of the sea. There I notice a strange man. He is short, shorter than me, and has much facial haired, which has greyed.

“I am Commander Oleg Alexandrovich.” The man introduced himself. “And you are the Romanov citizens. Now, I am going to guess each of names, tell me if I am wrong.”

He manages to guess all of us right, with the exception of Maria and Anastasia, whom he mixes up.

“There are, of course, many rules here. You are not allowed any of the guards quarters, which are downstairs. You are allowed into the kitchen and dining area. Your own rooms are upstairs, along with a bathroom. Since you were not allowed to take any possessions from Ekaterinburg, I have taken the liberty to add beds, and sheets, along with another pair of clothes to your inventory. Any questions?”

“Can we go outside?” Anastasia asked.

“You can once a day, for an hour, right before supper. You will be heavily guarded, of course.” The commander answered.

“How long will we be here?” Baby asked.

“However long is necessary.” The commander responded gruffly.

“Now, Pavel,” the commander said, referring to a guard stationed nearby “take the Romanov citizens upstairs.”

Once we are upstairs, I sit on my bed. I have never slept in a bed before, always on a cot. Strange that my sleeping arrangements are better here than at Alexander Palace. The room is that same green as downstairs was. The room has three other beds, meant for my three sisters. Meanwhile, Mama and baby will be in the room beside us. There are two somewhat small windows in our room, over our beds, but they have been painted over.

We each take our turn in the bathroom, which surprised me by being quite large. The bathroom is a dark yellow, with brown floorboards. There is a bathtub, along with a toilet, mirror, and sink. There are three hairbrushes beside the sink, along with a razor.

After we all finish, we all walk down the stairs, to eat. The kitchen is separate from the relatively open house. The kitchen is yellow, the same color as the bathroom. There are many pots and pans. There is a woman, about 40, I would say. She is cooking our food. For breakfast we are having eggs and bread. I manage to get Mama to eat a little bit of her eggs, but she is still depressed. After we finish eating, the lady introduces herself.

“My names is Anya Petrov. May I take your dishes.”

I respond “Oh no, we can do that.”

All four of us girls pick up the dishes, and take them over to the large white sink.

The cook responds “You are very kind, dears. After you finish, I have something for you.”

I wonder what this mysterious gift will be? Anya left and returned with seven packages. They were Bibles.

“I know that the commander is not a religious man, so I took the liberty of giving you these.”

We all gave genuine thanks, and Olga even gave her a big hug.

She responded “Why, goodness, you are all quite friendly.”

After this all, we went upstairs, prayed, and read our bibles. Maria discovered a pack of cards, which we passed the time with. Pavel, the Guard, took us outside. There was nothing in the lawn, minus a clothes line. We walked for a time, and then sat in the lawn.

Suddenly, Anastasia asked “I am so sad. What can make me happy?”

I looked at Olga. We weren’t happy. I was dumbfounded.

Maria, always the best at speaking, responded “Well, dear, none of us are quite happy right now.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“Try to think of the kindness of others. Anya was really nice.” Maria said.

“Yeah, the only kind person here. The guards won’t speak to us, and the commander is terribly rude.” Anastasia responded.

Suddenly it hit me. Our servants had died because of us. The thought was so terrible that I began crying.

I was still sobbing when we came inside, and ate our dinner, bread, with chicken. I managed to get Mama to eat all of her food.

After dinner, we decided to play cards, and after that more Bible reading and prayer, we went to sleep.

After I was sure my sisters were asleep, I finally let my built up emotions run free. I begin sobbing. I stop when I hear Olga doing the same.

As I turn over to look at her, she tells me, “I don’t want to sleep.”

“Why dear, you know we must.” I respond.

“When we never have a day with Papa in it again.” Olga responds.

 

[EdwardRex]

Today has been horrible.

This morning I awoke to Anastasia screaming at the top of her lungs. As we sat up in shock, a few guards rushed into our room to see if everything was ok.

The poor dear was so embarrassed. She had had a nightmare, a nightmare so bad she had wet the bed.

I made the mistake of saying, when all of those guards were in our room, “Why, you’ve wet the bed!”

I tried to comfort my sister, but she pushed me away. I took it upon myself to go down to the commander to request a cleaning of the bedsheets, and of Anastasia’s nightgown. I have slowly come to the realization that Commander Oleg Alexandrovich Volkov is not very intelligent, thus, I had to explain why Anastasia needed a new nightgown and sheets.

Anastasia was so embarrassed she refused to come down for breakfast, and it took much convincing to get her to come down for lunch. As usual, I carried Baby down the stairs for both meals.

I also managed to make Tatiana mad. After lunch, it was my turn to sit with Mama.

Mama is very strange now. She doesn’t speak, else than a few incoherent phrases. She also randomly breaks into sobs or screams. I don’t know how to interact with her, which is strange, since I am the best with people out of my siblings.

I asked her how she was, and she mumbled something. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, I offered to play cards with her. When I showed her the cards, she broke out of her trance, and began screaming and crying very loudly. Tatiana ran up the stairs to see what was happening.

I began speaking first. “Tatiana, I didn’t…”

Tatiana, usually the quite one, screamed “Out!”

“But…”

“Out!” She screamed as I ran out of the room.

I am now sitting at the bottom of the stairs. I tried to talk to Anastasia, who was sketching on some paper at the top of the stairs. She turned her back on me.

I stand up now, I guess I will talk to Anya. I notice out of the corner of my eye that Alexei is socializing with a guard. I suddenly feel protective of my little brother. I walk myself over to the beaming Alexei, sitting in his wheelchair, and the guard, kneeling beside the wheelchair.

“And who may you be?” I ask him.

“Pavel Ivanovich Petrov.” He responds “I know who you are, but which one of the girls are you?”

“I am Maria.” I respond.

I look down to see what my brother is holding in his hands. A wooden solider. I snatch the toy from him, and examine its thoroughly. No splinters, luckily.

Alexi made a sound of displeasure “Maria! Give it back!”

I returned the toy to my brother.

The guard who looked nervous, looked at me and said “I made sure there were no splinters.”

So he knew of my brothers illness.

“Would you like to walk out in the gardens? It is time.” Pavel asked.

I nodded my head in agreement, and looked at his face for the first time. He was very tall, and his blonde hair hidden under his cap. What really struck me was his eyes. They were a very blue. Much like father’s had been. As I thought this thought, a sudden wave of melancholy rushed over me. I managed to refrain from crying.

I asked Anastasia if she wanted to join us outside, but she gave me a nasty glare. I walked over to Olga, who was playing a sad song on the piano while sobbing. When I asked her, she shook her head.

Pavel volunteered to stroll Alexi’s wheelchair. So the three of us walked out into the gardens.

“So, if you are Maria, which of your sisters are which?” Pavel asked.

“Anastasia is the one on the stairs, Tatiana is upstairs with Mama, and Olga is the one playing the piano.” I said.

“She plays very beautifully!” Pavel exclaimed.

“So what do you guards do for fun?” I questioned. I have always been interested in the lives of others.

“Nothing too terribly interesting. We talk, play cards. I sometimes bring a book to read on my break.” Pavel kindly tells me.

“What books do you read?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing too interesting.” He quickly responds. I feel somewhat disappointed about this, because having a book to read would be much fun. It would have cheered up Olga very much.

Alexei breaks the silence by asking Pavel “Are you married?”

Pavel chuckles and says “No, not yet. But I’m still young. After all, I’m only twenty. I’m sure I will someday.” It has always been my dream to marry and have a large amount of children.

As usual, I lazily daydream throughout the following days. I notice my husband and our children start looking remarkably like Pavel.

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Ooh, this is interesting. Can't wait to see how it'll develop

 

[EdwardRex]

Ooh, this is interesting. Can't wait to see how it'll develop

Thank you! I will say that Pavel is a very important character in this TL.

 

[Carlos I de Quito]

View attachment 729583

Today has been horrible.

This morning I awoke to Anastasia screaming at the top of her lungs. As we sat up in shock, a few guards rushed into our room to see if everything was ok.

The poor dear was so embarrassed. She had had a nightmare, a nightmare so bad she had wet the bed.

I made the mistake of saying, when all of those guards were in our room, “Why, you’ve wet the bed!”

I tried to comfort my sister, but she pushed me away. I took it upon myself to go down to the commander to request a cleaning of the bedsheets, and of Anastasia’s nightgown. I have slowly come to the realization that Commander Oleg Alexandrovich Volkov is not very intelligent, thus, I had to explain why Anastasia needed a new nightgown and sheets.

Anastasia was so embarrassed she refused to come down for breakfast, and it took much convincing to get her to come down for lunch. As usual, I carried Baby down the stairs for both meals.

I also managed to make Tatiana mad. After lunch, it was my turn to sit with Mama.

Mama is very strange now. She doesn’t speak, else than a few incoherent phrases. She also randomly breaks into sobs or screams. I don’t know how to interact with her, which is strange, since I am the best with people out of my siblings.

I asked her how she was, and she mumbled something. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, I offered to play cards with her. When I showed her the cards, she broke out of her trance, and began screaming and crying very loudly. Tatiana ran up the stairs to see what was happening.

I began speaking first. “Tatiana, I didn’t…”

Tatiana, usually the quite one, screamed “Out!”

“But…”

“Out!” She screamed as I ran out of the room.

I am now sitting at the bottom of the stairs. I tried to talk to Anastasia, who was sketching on some paper at the top of the stairs. She turned her back on me.

I stand up now, I guess I will talk to Anya. I notice out of the corner of my eye that Alexei is socializing with a guard. I suddenly feel protective of my little brother. I walk myself over to the beaming Alexei, sitting in his wheelchair, and the guard, kneeling beside the wheelchair.

“And who may you be?” I ask him.

“Pavel Ivanovich Petrov.” He responds “I know who you are, but which one of the girls are you?”

“I am Maria.” I respond.

I look down to see what my brother is holding in his hands. A wooden solider. I snatch the toy from him, and examine its thoroughly. No splinters, luckily.

Alexi made a sound of displeasure “Maria! Give it back!”

I returned the toy to my brother.

The guard who looked nervous, looked at me and said “I made sure there were no splinters.”

So he knew of my brothers illness.

“Would you like to walk out in the gardens? It is time.” Pavel asked.

I nodded my head in agreement, and looked at his face for the first time. He was very tall, and his blonde hair hidden under his cap. What really struck me was his eyes. They were a very blue. Much like father’s had been. As I thought this thought, a sudden wave of melancholy rushed over me. I managed to refrain from crying.

I asked Anastasia if she wanted to join us outside, but she gave me a nasty glare. I walked over to Olga, who was playing a sad song on the piano while sobbing. When I asked her, she shook her head.

Pavel volunteered to stroll Alexi’s wheelchair. So the three of us walked out into the gardens.

“So, if you are Maria, which of your sisters are which?” Pavel asked.

“Anastasia is the one on the stairs, Tatiana is upstairs with Mama, and Olga is the one playing the piano.” I said.

“She plays very beautifully!” Pavel exclaimed.

“So what do you guards do for fun?” I questioned. I have always been interested in the lives of others.

“Nothing too terribly interesting. We talk, play cards. I sometimes bring a book to read on my break.” Pavel kindly tells me.

“What books do you read?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing too interesting.” He quickly responds. I feel somewhat disappointed about this, because having a book to read would be much fun. It would have cheered up Olga very much.

Alexei breaks the silence by asking Pavel “Are you married?”

Pavel chuckles and says “No, not yet. But I’m still young. After all, I’m only twenty. I’m sure I will someday.” It has always been my dream to marry and have a large amount of children.

As usual, I lazily daydream throughout the following days. I notice my husband and our children start looking remarkably like Pavel.

next tsar of all russias?

 

[EdwardRex]

next tsar of all russias?

Pavel? No. The Tsardom died with Nicholas II. Alexei or Olga might be “Tsar/Tsarina-in-exile”. One thing that will become apparent soon enough is that the Imperial Family sign a “pact of silence”. They cannot reveal their true identities to the world.

 

[EdwardRex]

I like Anya, she is nice.

She always makes good meals, and asks me how I am. Today we are having turnips, which is kinda gross, but Anya is boiling them, so they will probably taste better. We are having soup.

Anya pours soup in the bowls my sisters put on the table. I wish I could do that, but I still can’t walk. Actually, I can a little, but only a few steps, and those are painful.

Anya tells me everyday, “Eat up! You need to get some meat on your bones.”

I am surprised when the turnip soup is good. I eat it quickly, making a noise when I slurp up the last bit. Anastasia begins laughing, while Olga and Tatiana give me disapproving looks. I don’t care.

As I wait for everyone else to finish, I examine the solider Pavel gave me. I like Pavel, he is really nice, but Mashka likes him more than me.

Olga helps me stand up out of my chair, and helps me sit in my wheelchair. Tatiana helps Mama upstairs. I miss Mama, at least how she used to be.

Olga wheels me to the couch outside of the kitchen.

“Would you like to play a game of cards?” She asks me.

I nod my head.

As Olga begins shuffling the deck, I notice two guards I’ve never seen walking towards me. The commander is walking behind them.

The commander announces “Citizens Romanov, you have been called to my office.”

I wonder what this could be. My heart skips a beat.

Olga wheels me to the commander’s office, where my mother and sisters exchange looks nervously.

The commander speaks up after making sure we were all there.

“Good you are all here.” He speaks in his silly voice, which sounds like how I imagine a pig would talk.

“The Citizens Romanov are to be taken to a new location.” Everyone gasps, including myself.

“Well, not all of you.” He continues.

Separation, the thing we dread most. This can’t be happening.

“The heir is to be taken to Moscow.” He finishes.

Me, alone? This can’t be happening. I feel the tears forming in my eyes.

One of the unknown guards speak up. “One of the Romanov women may accompany him.”

My mother speaks up, “I will go.”

Tatiana looks at Mama and says, “Mama you are too weak! I will go!”

Tatiana steps forward. Olga pushes her to the side, saying “I will go!”

Tatiana begins to protest but Anastasia interrupts saying “I will go! Me and baby are closest in age. I will keep him company.”

Olga speaks again, “No dear, you are too young.” She turns to all of us. “You are all too young. You have your life a head of you.” She pauses for a time, struggling to keep her emotions together. “Everyday, when I look at my reflection in the mirror, I don’t see a woman of 22, I see a sickly middle aged woman. I should be married with children now. You are all still young, you can have that. For me, it is too late.”

Olga sighs, and turns to the commander, “I will go.”

As if this is all the things they need to hear, the strange walks forward. The short one, with greasy dark hair, roughly picks me up from my wheelchair. My injured leg hits one of the arm of the chair, which makes me cry out in pain.

Mama is hysterical as she is grabbing on to Olga. She looks mad. The taller guard grabs Olga by the arm and begins pulling her away from Mama.

The guards walks me around one of the couches where I reach down to retrieve my little solider. I barely am able to do so. The greasy guard violently begins pulling me away from my mother and sisters. Anastasia manages to grab onto my hand.

I am carried outside, with still Anastasia clinging to my arm. I see her beautiful eyes. Will I ever see them again?

“I love you!” She screams to me. I want to tell her I love her too, but the words never come. A guard roughly pushes Anastasia to the ground.

The guard sits me in the car, and the other guard, who was particularly mean, physically throws Olga in the car. Olga holds me in her arms as we sob as we are quickly driven away.

One thought lingers in my head. Will I ever see my mother and other sisters again?

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

So a multi-1st-person narrative: Anastasia, then Tatiana, then Maria, and now Alexei. But how will this continue, if the family is separated?

One thing that will become apparent soon enough is that the Imperial Family sign a “pact of silence”. They cannot reveal their true identities to the world.

If they are in the USSR, their guards know who they are.

If they leave the USSR, where could they go to live where no one could recognize them? And did the Bolsheviks ever get around to confiscating the gem-laden underclothes? If they keep that into exile, that will be a dead giveaway, even if they say nothing.

 

[EdwardRex]

So a multi-1st-person narrative: Anastasia, then Tatiana, then Maria, and now Alexei. But how will this continue, if the family is separated?

If they are in the USSR, their guards know who they are.

If they leave the USSR, where could they go to live where no one could recognize them? And did the Bolsheviks ever get around to confiscating the gem-laden underclothes? If they keep that into exile, that will be a dead giveaway, even if they say nothing.

The POVs will change to show what is happening at Perm and in the new destination. Olga will get one as well.

Of course, right now, their existence in Perm is semi-secretive. They are not allowed to send letters to their relatives, or go outside much. But, the guards, their families, and many commoners at Perm know they are there. A later chapter covering the investigation into their supposed deaths will cover this.

Pretty much anywhere in Europe. They would have to assume false names, and they would be protected by relatives, such as the Kaiser or George VI, or Alfonso XIII. They cannot come forward with their claims. Relatives and former servants may know, but they have to keep the secret.

No, the Bolsheviks haven’t, yet. And I do not see why that would be a “dead giveaway”. The jewels could keep them wealthy, yes, but having lots of jewelry is normal for nobility.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

Pretty much anywhere in Europe. They would have to assume false names, and they would be protected by relatives, such as the Kaiser or George VI, or Alfonso XIII. They cannot come forward with their claims. Relatives and former servants may know, but they have to keep the secret.

Why? Let us say that the Romanovs are secretly released to Britain, under the protection of George V (George VI doesn't succeed till 1936). That means George and the British government know who they are. So will their attendants. If they don't remain in complete seclusion, many people will guess who they are, or recognize them from former acquaintance. None of these people would be bound by the "pact of silence". (George might sign up as a condition for the release. Also I suppose the government; but a government is a lot of people, and its members change.)

No, the Bolsheviks haven’t, yet. And I do not see why that would be a “dead giveaway”. The jewels could keep them wealthy, yes, but having lots of jewelry is normal for nobility.

There were swarms of exiled Russian nobles all over Europe, and even in Shanghai and New York. And nearly all of them were broke. If a Russian noble family shows up somewhere with a fortune in jewels, they're going to be prominent. And if they are not the Romanovs, who are they? They have to be somebody.

 

[EdwardRex]

Why? Let us say that the Romanovs are secretly released to Britain, under the protection of George V (George VI doesn't succeed till 1936). That means George and the British government know who they are. So will their attendants. If they don't remain in complete seclusion, many people will guess who they are, or recognize them from former acquaintance. None of these people would be bound by the "pact of silence". (George might sign up as a condition for the release. Also I suppose the government; but a government is a lot of people, and its members change.)

There were swarms of exiled Russian nobles all over Europe, and even in Shanghai and New York. And nearly all of them were broke. If a Russian noble family shows up somewhere with a fortune in jewels, they're going to be prominent. And if they are not the Romanovs, who are they? They have to be somebody.

Not everyone in the government needs to know, just the ambassadors to Russia, and the royal families themselves. And how would they know? The women were more English than Russian honestly. They are not going to live with other Russians. The story will explain it all.

 

[EdwardRex]

I don’t know what to say. I don’t known what to think. I don’t know what to believe.

On one hand, this is my duty. I must be with my brother. On the other hand, I know this will be my death.

Someone suddenly barges in on our compartment. Baby is startled, and jumps in fear.

The man who walks in on us is tall, very bald, and is wearing the traditional costume of the communists. He has a smug look on his face.

He walks himself up to us, leaning down to look at us and tells us, “Well, they said the Citizens Romanov might be difficult to handle. But you two invalids look closer to the morgue than your aunt Elizabeth.”

Alexei breaks into emotional sobs, shaking as he cries into my shoulder, which is difficult since he is as tall, if not taller than me.

I look at him, unmoved. I straight into his brown eyes. He keeps the smug look on his face.

“Aww, is Baby going to cry?” He smirks.

“Is my aunt Elizabeth dead?” I ask. I silently pray she is not.

“She died on July 18, the day after your blood-sucking father. Do you remember?” He asks grinning.

I can no longer keep the tears in my eyes. They begin to fall down my checks. I look away, I can’t look at his face.

“Do you want to know how? We thew her down a mine shaft and set her on fire.”

I let out a small scream, and grasp Alexei’s hair, holding him close to me.

The man roughly grabs my arm, and pulls my ear to his mouth.

He whispers to me, “And if you don’t behave, little brat, you’ll die too.”

I can’t even think about it, this can’t be happening. I feel a sharp pain in my chest. It is unbearable. Is this a heart attack? I’m too young. I can’t die like this. I struggle to breath as I gasp for air. I don’t know why, but I can’t. I hear the man laughing as a struggle.

Finally, I stop my struggle, but I can’t stop the emotions.

Alexei, who has been crying as well, turns to me.

“Olga, why did you come with me?” He asks me.

This is how I get repaid. For letting myself die for him, all I get is a simple question.

I manage to not show my anger. “Alexei, I didn’t want you to be lonely in Moscow.” I lie.

“We’re going to die. I’m sure you know that.” He responds calmly. “So, why then did you come with me?”

I did not expect him to think that. Sure, he would often make comments implying he would die young, but he never had said anything like this. Thus, for a moment, I remain silent.

Finally, I come up with something to say.

“Oh, dear, don’t think that. They probably just need us there for a week or two, and then they will take us elsewhere. Remember? Tatiana said she overheard the commander talking about taking us all to Kiev.”

He looks at me, with tears in his eyes, and says, matter-a-factly “If they truly killed our aunt Elizabeth, a pious nun, who had no claim to the Russian throne, why would they hesitate to kill us, simple children, heirs to a dynasty they are out to eradicate?”

“Tatiana overheard that they were going to take us to Kiev, to someone named Chicherin, and then to Germany. They are not going to kill us!” I respond. I don’t really believe this will happen, but Alexei at least deserves hope.

“You know that’s not true!” He begins crying. He sinks into my arms. I join him in his tears.

As I look into the glass on the door of the train compartment, I notice something. The guard is right.

We do look awfully close to death.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

Not everyone in the government needs to know, just the ambassadors to Russia...

What ambassador? Britain has no diplomatic relations with the nascent USSR. In fact Britain is providing support to the White forces in the Russian Civil War.

... and the royal families themselves.

And the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and Special Branch. The political and security implications are far too serious for the King to do this on his own.

And the Admiralty, which will have to provide a ship to transport the Romanovs to Britain. And the officials of the royal household (the Lord Great Chamberlain etc), who must provide accommodations for the Romanovs.

And how would they know? The women were more English than Russian honestly.

???
Alexandra was born and raised in Germany. By descent she was almost entirely German like the rest of the British royal family: her most recent non-German ancestor was her 7-greats-grandmother Elizabeth Stuart.
The girls were all born and raised in Russia.

They are not going to live with other Russians. The story will explain it all.