May 2nd, 1948.

A day that shall live in infamy.

Beth finished pinning Anastasia's hair, sliding the barrette in. Anastasia hastily applied her lipstick as Beth slid her heels on, hopping into one shoe then the other. Beth clasped the her necklace as Anastasia slid her gloves on, before exiting the room.

As she walked into the hall, camera flashes immediately blinded her. Ann smiled and waved as she walked over to her father, sitting down beside him. Her father sipped his tea before muttering, "Were they sure about you wearing something so revealing for a presidential visit?" Anastasia mumbled, "This was what was lined up to wear today."

Edward grimaced before whispering, "This is great. The British press will freak." Anastasia whispered back, "I can go and try to get a shawl to wear." Edward rested his hand on her's as he whispered, "It's alright. You're unmarried so they'll let you go easier." Anastasia mumbled, "I'm sorry. I know this tour is supposed to be about you."

Everyone began to get up and dance, so her father asked to dance with her. They made their way to the floor, and Anastasia asked, "Reminds you of your 20's, doesn't it?" He smiled as he said, "Quite. Other than the war." His smile disappeared as he thought about the war. Her father was never allowed to go fight in the trenches, but he had snuck off a few times to see them. The things he saw never left his mind, and he was traumatized for the rest of his life.

Anastasia asked, "How's Lilibet doing? I haven't seen her in months." Edward shrugged, "I heard from Bertie she was planning on an engagement soon." Anastasia smirked, "Well, good for her. If she wants to be a boring housewife, then by all means." Her father laughed, "I'm sure Shirley Temple will enjoy that."

She snickered at her father's comment before asking, "Obviously, I'm not thinking of marriage. I have 2 years for that. But, I will be allowed to choose who I marry right?" Her father paused before answering, "If they're right, then you can choose. But they have to be suitable and I learned the hard way."

"Why should my parents have a say in who I marry? I thought you out of all people would understand." Her father snapped at her, "Don't you dare say that! I learned my lesson from that situation. The approval of others comes before your own." Anastasia scoffed, "You sound like mama!"

Her father dropped his arms, scoffing as he walked off and sat back down. The president, O'Kelly, walked over and offered to dance. Everyone exited the floor as they danced, as it was an opportunity for a great photo-op for the many photographers and press there. The whole time they danced, she was scolding her father in her mind. She thought she deserved to choose whoever she wanted, when she wanted. Anastasia could care less about everybody loving her husband. All that mattered was that she was happy.

Once the event was finished, she went back into her dressing room to change. Beth helped her change into a much more relaxed outfit, as they were going on a short motorcade to visit a coal mine. Beth took off her tiara and jewelry, replacing them with more a casual and "average" necklace and bracelet. Anastasia slid another pair of shoes on, reluctantly walking out to the entry way to the car. She sat down for about 20 minutes, passing the time as her father got ready and for the car to arrive.

Outside, the crowd of people was getting larger and larger. It was quite hot that day, 20° Celsius to be exact. Anastasia wiped the sweat off her face, her large skirt and petticoat not helping with the temperature. Finally, her father arrived in the hall as the car was pulling up. Both of them were still clearly holding grudges, as they gave silent stares to one another. He fixed his suit as he announced, "Ready to get this pony show over with?"

Anastasia reluctantly dragged herself off of her seat, the two waiters opening the door for them both as the crowd cheered. Obviously, a few yells and boos were heard amongst the crowd but not as many as usual. Photographers took photos as they stepped into the vehicle. About 5 minutes into the parade, Edward cursed under his breath, "My jaw hurts." Anastasia laughed as he continued smiling.

Confusion set in as a few screams were heard, immediately followed by a few gunshots. Anastasia's ears were ringing as she looked over to the sound, to see her father had been shot. "Papa!" Everything seemed to blur together as she fell forward onto the seat, grabbing onto her father. He was hunched over, holding his lower chest with his right hand as he stared out into space. Anastasia ducked down in the car, holding onto her father.

She continued to scream his name, holding her father as he mumbled, "Ann?" Blood fell onto her dress and hands as she tried to hold onto the wound, pressing down. Suddenly, Anastasia felt a burning sensation on her left foot, realizing she had been shot below her big toe. The vehicle drove past the crowded streets, clearly attempting to get away from the shooter, unbeknownst to the driver where they are.

The driver quickly re-directed to the nearest hospital, being only 10 minutes away.

Back in London, the news had not yet reach them of the horrors that had just happened in Ireland. Mary was quietly drinking her tea, reading the newspaper with Louis as he talked about Eton.

Louis yawned as he got up, "Mind if I turn the radio on, mummy?" She shook her head, "Not at all." He tuned the radio, listening to the BBC.

"We now interrupt your program with an important message from Limerick, Ireland"

Mary smiled, "Must be about the gala your sister and father attended." Louis grimaced, worrying about the attention his sister was receiving.

"At 2:32pm, HM King Edward VIII and HRH the Crown Princess Anastasia, Princess of Wales were shot while participating in a motorcade in Limerick, Ireland. They have been sent to St John's Hospital. Their current condition is unavailable. We will provide more information as time goes."

Mary stared in shock at the radio, clutching her fist. She yelled for her private equerry, "Lawrence!" as Louis ran over, consoling his mother as she sobbed. Lawrence quickly walked in, "Ma'am, I was just about to come in and inform you. We are doing everything we can to get information from someone in Limerick." Mary continued to sob as Louis hugged her.

A team was assembled into the room, calling and getting papers arranged. Mary insisted she help with every step, though it wasn't much as she continued to cry for hours on end.

-

Anastasia laid in the hospital room, alone. The only thing consoling her was the sound of the hospital staff coming from outside the room. She glared out the window, worrying about her father. From the sudden rush of adrenaline, the pain had not quite set in. She had no feeling in her foot. The only thing she could worry about was her father.

The answer the nurses and doctors gave were no help. It was always "We have to let you know after surgery." She couldn't help but ask every time they entered the room. No one would give her an honest answer, as it would only upset the heiress even more. The room was dark, resulting in her reaching over and turning the light above her on. She turned the radio on, tuning it to listen to the BBC.

"It has been reported His Majesty King Edward VIII has been sent in for emergency surgery. Her Royal Highness, The Crown Princess Anastasia of Wales is recovering from a mild gunshot wound."

Anastasia stopped listening after the word "Wales." She was utterly shocked at the fact they continued to say her full title, making it difficult to continue listening to hear what was wrong with her. She had never been a fan of protocols, but always followed them out of fear. Fear that what happened to her distant family, the Romanovs, would happen to her family too. Plus, she quietly enjoyed the attention and fame. Something that if she confessed, her mother and May would undoubtedly berate her.

She laid in the hospital bed for hours and hours, waiting for news on her father. Eventually, she fell asleep.

-

"What if there's multiple assassins?" Beatrice panicked, "What if there's more in England?!" Edwin put his hand on his sister's shoulder, "I assure you, we are fine. They went after papa because of his reputation."

Catherine remarked, "What will shooting a sovereign do? He has nothing to do with how anything in England runs." Louis nodded as he continued, "Beatrice is right. It's not safe for us to all still be in the palace together. I've arranged for Alice to go with her nanny to Balmoral. You three will go with her while I stay behind, for mama." He smiled at her mother, who still had small tears trickling down her cheeks.

Edwin protested, "Louis has to return to Eton. I should stay with mummy as I am the next child after him." Everyone turned to Mary, waiting for a response. She looked at Edwin as she said, "You should go to Balmoral. I'll be fine."

Mary's private secretary, Lawrence, walked in and did a neck bow, "Ma'am. The Chief of Surgery of the hospital is on the line. He would like to speak to you."

Mary replied, "Put him through." She quickly picked up the phone, her hand shaking.

"Your Majesty. I would like to inform you that His Majesty's surgery went well. His post-operative status is satisfactory. With that being said, I must inform you of something quite serious."

"Yes?" Mary asked.

"His lungs.. well." He paused, "From what I've heard, he's quite the heavy smoker." Mary interrupted, "What are you saying?"

"He needs to take better care of himself. Cut down on the cigarettes, get fresh air more. It's doing him no good. During the surgery, we found a small tumor. At this moment, we have no reason to believe it was not benign. I also suggest that once he returns to England, he takes a few months off. He needs to recover in a stress-fee environment."

Mary frowned as she responded, awkwardly responding, "Thank you." She hung up the phone as the children spoke at once, frantically asking about their father. She shushed them with her hands before speaking, "Your fathers surgery went well. His lungs on the other hand, are not well. The doctor suggested he gets out more... smoke less."

Edwin took a sigh of relief, "One of us should visit them. They are probably wondering about us." Catherine interrupted, "Edwin should visit, we have to go to Balmoral. Everything's been planned for that already. What do you think mummy?"

Mary thought before sitting down, "Yes, we can send Edwin."

-

Edwin stepped out of the vehicle, reporters yelling as he nodded and waved.

"How is the princess doing?"

"Is the King recovering well?"

He walked into the hospital, before being lead up to Anastasia's room. She was drinking her tea, glaring out the window as he entered. Anastasia stared, "Edwin?" Her brother stared back at her as she smiled.

He frowned as he looked at her, "Did they not give you a change of clothes?" She looked down at her white dress, still bloody on the hem. "No, they've been so busy with papa I was afraid to ask." She smiled, "They're avoiding me at this point. I asked too many questions."

Edwin scoffed as he slid his hands in his pockets, "It's their job to serve you. We do so much for this whole country, and they can't answer a few bloody questions!" He looked out the window as she spoke, "I'll be fine. Go check on papa. I'd be more worried about him than me."

Her brother walked out of the room, quickly walking down the hallway with a stern look on his face. Nurses whispered as he walked past, quickly moving out of his way as he sharply cut corners. He took a breath before opening the door to his father's room. Edwin stood shocked as he saw his father staring blankly back at him.

"Edwin? Why are you here?" Edward asked. Edwin closed the door behind him as he walked over to his fathers side, staring in disbelief. "Answer me!" Edward said as Edwin tried to puke up the words. "Mama sent me, they wanted someone to check on you." His father asked, "How's Ann?"

"She's fine." Edwin sighed, gripping his fathers hand. "When did they say you'll be fine again?" Edward muttered back, "By the Olympics, hopefully."

"I'm not dying, am I?" Edward asked. His son shook his head, "No, the doctor said you were lucky. You need to cut down on smoking, for your own good." Edward shook his head, "I'm much too old for that now. It's too late." His son sighed as he sat down in the chair, fiddling with his hands.

Edward asked, "Where are you staying?" Edwin replied, "Well, here." His father stared in disbelief, "Good God! Why?" Edwin shrugged, "I thought it was best I stay here, as you two recover." Edward shook his head, "Nonsense, I'm as tough nails!" He attempted to get up, before falling back down onto the floor.

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as always, thank you for reading. being an active reader and giving feedback helps tremendously. i will hopefully be updating/publishing chapters more frequently as i am currently quarantined.