After the feast, Anastasia and Viktor took a walk in the garden. Her ladies followed behind with a distances between them. They were silent, simply enjoying each other's company. Viktor had many questions running through his head. The well-being of his sister and her child was on the top of the list. Stiva had told him about Henry's mistress, Jane Seymour. The Seymours were no doubt the enemies. Enemies of him, his sister's reign and of Russia.
"Kak pozhivayet papa i mama?" How is father and mother? Anastasia breaks the silence. Viktor turns his head and smiles.
"Otlichno. Oni i nashi brat'ya i sestry posylayut svoyu lyubov'." Very well. They and our brothers and sisters send their love. Viktor responds. Anastasia smiles before it disappears.
"YA khochu vernut'sya." I wish to return. Anastasia murmured. Viktor looks at her to find some sadness in her eyes. Anastasia continued. "Kakoye-to vremya. Chtoby uvidet' moyu sem'yu i dlya nikh, chtoby uvidet' moyu Margaret." For a while. To see my family and for them to see my Margaret.
Viktor nods and wants to hear more of his siser's daughter. "Kak moya plemyannitsa? YA polagayu, ona seychas polzet." How is my niece? I suppose she crawls now.
"Ona delayet. Ona nachinayet formirovat' slova. Medsestry govoryat, chto ona budet samoy obrazovannoy printsessoy v istorii." She does. She is beginning to form words. Nurses say that she will be the most educated princess in history. Anastasia says with new happiness in her voice. The mere mention of her daughter brightens up any of her sad days.
"YA rad slyshat'." I am glad to hear. Viktor says. He wondered if he should distribute his own good news. He was interrupted by a tiny voice calling.
"Mama!" The sibling turn around to find Tatiana and in her arms was Princess Margaret. Viktor smiled, not only for the first look of his beautiful niece but of Tatiana.
"My Margaret." Anastasia exclaimed. She took Margaret out of her arms and kissed her cheek. Tatiana bowed before stepping away. She kept her eyes on the ground and refused to look at the heir apparent.
"She is as lovely as a summer day." Viktor says with the Englishmen's common tongue. Anastasia smiles and hands over her daughter for Viktor to hold. Viktor gladly took her and smiles. Margaret didn't fuss at all when in his arms. She was such a calm child, and curious since her eyes were so alert at the world.
"I have news of my own, sister." Viktor says, not taking his eyes away from Margaret. They sat down by the pond, letting Margaret see the fish. "Cecilia is with child."
"Pozdravlyayu, brat." Congratulations, brother. Anastasia exclaimed. If she had to be honest, I did hurt a bit that her brother was going to have a child. At the same time she was happy.
"YA khotel by, chtoby vy byli krestnoy. Eto oznachayet, chto vam pridetsya nenadolgo vernut'sya v Rossiyu." I would like you to be godmother. Which means you would have to return to Russia for a while. Viktor adds. Anastasia smiled at the idea. The smile fades at one thought.
"I would have to ask Henry if I could go. I'm not sure if he will allow it."
"Do not worry, sister. YA pogovoryu s nim." I will speak to him. Viktor assured her. Anastasia looked at him skeptically, not knowing how it would go but she also had faith in her brother.
YOU ARE READING
The Belle of St. Petersburg •The Tudors
Historical FictionJane Seymour was thought to be the next Queen of England, until the Pope decided to use the daughter of a Tsar to make Henry VIII cast the Seymour girl aside. Anastasia I of Russia will be the next Queen of England.
