Winter Palace, February 1913
A luxurious ball was held in the capital to celebrate the Romanov Tercentenary. Tatiana had granted me the honour to be her escort before she fell ill with typhoid. She is recuperating in one of the upstairs bedchambers. I visited her first to wish her a quick recovery. She appreciated it and told me not to worry about her, wishing me a pleasant evening.
None of the grand dukes or princes had offered to escort the grand duchesses to the ball. To save them from embarrassment, officers from the Tsar's Escort voluntarily partnered Olga and Anastasia. I took the opportunity to ask Marie if I could accompany her, and she blushed as she delightfully accepted. She introduced me to her friends and relatives. Some of them joked that I was too thin for her. My low rank was also unimpressive to them, but Marie was not discouraged. She admired my full dress uniform and preferred my company more than her social equals.
We proceeded to the dance floor after dinner. Olga, however, remained at the table, apparently unenthusiastic about the party. I learned from Marie that her sister had fallen for a naval officer and was heartbroken when he got married. I wanted to cheer her up, so I later approached her for a dance. She was resplendent in her pink dress. While on the dance floor, Olga and I fell when I made a misstep and tripped. There were bursts of laughter all around us. I felt ashamed for humiliating her, but she smiled and insisted we finish our dance. The grand duchesses were talented dancers. I only wish Tatiana could be here.
As the evening wore on, I accompanied Olga and Marie to the grand staircase where we bade each other goodnight before they retired to their rooms. Anastasia was behind me, visibly upset because I never danced with her. I offered her my hand, but instead of returning to the ballroom she happily took me outside to dance in the garden. Afterwards we sat on a bench to rest. Anastasia was softly humming music that was playing in the ballroom, all the while leaning against me with her hands grasping my arm.
Anastasia has rarely ever showed her charming side to me in the past three years. As time went by, I saw less of her pranks and more of her loveliness. Either I have finally won her affection or merely satisfied the imp temporarily. I carried her back inside when she dozed off. I will never forget this night.
A luxurious ball was held in the capital to celebrate the Romanov Tercentenary. Tatiana had granted me the honour to be her escort before she fell ill with typhoid. She is recuperating in one of the upstairs bedchambers. I visited her first to wish her a quick recovery. She appreciated it and told me not to worry about her, wishing me a pleasant evening.
None of the grand dukes or princes had offered to escort the grand duchesses to the ball. To save them from embarrassment, officers from the Tsar's Escort voluntarily partnered Olga and Anastasia. I took the opportunity to ask Marie if I could accompany her, and she blushed as she delightfully accepted. She introduced me to her friends and relatives. Some of them joked that I was too thin for her. My low rank was also unimpressive to them, but Marie was not discouraged. She admired my full dress uniform and preferred my company more than her social equals.
We proceeded to the dance floor after dinner. Olga, however, remained at the table, apparently unenthusiastic about the party. I learned from Marie that her sister had fallen for a naval officer and was heartbroken when he got married. I wanted to cheer her up, so I later approached her for a dance. She was resplendent in her pink dress. While on the dance floor, Olga and I fell when I made a misstep and tripped. There were bursts of laughter all around us. I felt ashamed for humiliating her, but she smiled and insisted we finish our dance. The grand duchesses were talented dancers. I only wish Tatiana could be here.
As the evening wore on, I accompanied Olga and Marie to the grand staircase where we bade each other goodnight before they retired to their rooms. Anastasia was behind me, visibly upset because I never danced with her. I offered her my hand, but instead of returning to the ballroom she happily took me outside to dance in the garden. Afterwards we sat on a bench to rest. Anastasia was softly humming music that was playing in the ballroom, all the while leaning against me with her hands grasping my arm.
Anastasia has rarely ever showed her charming side to me in the past three years. As time went by, I saw less of her pranks and more of her loveliness. Either I have finally won her affection or merely satisfied the imp temporarily. I carried her back inside when she dozed off. I will never forget this night.
