"There once was a time where Russia was beautiful. Where it glittered with crown jewels and dazzling parties full of my family and friends. My son, Nicholas, was the Tsar of all Russia. He was a kind man who loved his daughters and son and who wanted what was best for them. They were all so beautiful, with smiling faces and laughs that made one's heart soar with joy.

But, the Russian people grew angry. They grew violent, lusting for blood and vengeance. They tore down images of my blessed son and replaced them with jarring images and demanding slogans. They became blind, following the wolf named Lenin down to their demise in Hell. 

They spilt innocent blood and painted their new country with the colour. I lost everything I loved that night. They killed them all, damning themselves for eternity. Now Russia is nothing: an empty husk of a December night's dream."

"You're very poetic, Your Majesty, but I still must ask. Why are we here?"

Maria Feodorovna looked up from her reminiscing, letting the world around her refocus. "Pardon?"

Count Leopold sighed. The vodka lacing his breath could be smelt from a mile away. "Why did you bring us here? To lament about your problems? The revolution affected us all, not just you! I don't have time to listen to pity stories."

The Dowager Empress rose to her full height, staring the snivelling man down with her sharp gaze. "Judging by how your waistcoat seems fit to burst, the revolution hasn't affected you at all. All you care is that you have a steady source of vodka and pockets full of cash!" Leopold cowered under the elderly woman's power. "I lost my family. I lost my honour, my dignity, my country and my son! You couldn't possibly know what that means."

Leopold watched with beady eyes as Maria sank down into her chair, He desperately wanted to ask about the money, but decided against it. "May I be permitted to ask why you brought us here?"

"Because I believe that somewhere out there, my granddaughter is alive."

That caught everyone off-guard. Lily, who had been sitting quietly by the Dowager's side took the woman's hands gently. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry. No one survived."

"I refuse to believe it." Through the window Maria could see Le Pont Alexander, the bridge named after her late husband. "I know that somewhere out there, Anastasia is alive."

"She's delusional," Leopold muttered.

"How dare you!" Leopold whimpered as the Empress glared at him. "You are nothing but vermin, waiting for my death so you can claim my fortune as your own! Leave!"

The rat of a man obeyed, scurrying out of the room with his vodka breath. Maria watched him leave before her shoulders collapsed, every ounce of regality draining from her frail body.

Lily waited for the tension to dissipate before speaking again. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Lily?"

"If she is alive, how will we find her?"

The woman sighed. "There will be a reward for whoever can find and bring to me my granddaughter."

"How much?"

A pause.

"Ten million Rubles."

Lily's eyes widened, but she swallowed her words and nodded. "I- I will get to that right away, Your Majesty."

"Thank you."

Lily rose to her feet, walking to the door. "Is their anything else you need?"

Maria gave no reply. She was already lost in her memories, staring blankly at the little girl in the picture frame.

"We'll walk the bridge together and go to the ballet every night."

"Oh Nana, take me to Paris with you now!"

"I already have, my precious Anastasia. Remember our lullaby and you will always be with me, no matter where we go."

"Come home, Anastasia," she whispered, letting the tears fall into her lap. "Come home."