March 12, 1914

With the arrival of 1914, Elizabeth celebrated her 19th birthday. As she had promised a few years before, she would write frequently to her Russian cousins. Every letter received by her from close cousins lifted her spirits during the tense times. To hear from Olga made the young German princess feel happier and closer with her best friend.

Olga had long since moved on from the shocking revelation that her adored officer was courting another noblewoman. However, the eldest Grand Duchess soon realized that her parents did not tell her beforehand about the confession by Pavel. This upset her for some time. She only forgave them when they apologized for their poor communication about the situation.

And Elizabeth began to feel worry not only for her dearest cousins, but the tensions between the great powers.

Even resolution for family drama would not ease the overarching atmosphere of dread. It was a lurking fear of war that hung over the Western nations. Secret, covert operations had been happening between the Entente and New Central Powers. Both sides had sent a few agents to enemy territory and had funded insurgents in those lands. The hope that each side had was to weaken and destabilize its foes for dominance! Yet, both alliances remained cautious. Any revealing of involvement would enrage the masses and lead to a worldwide war.

The Polish, Armenian, and the Alsace-Lorraine regions had secret rebels unknowingly funded by their secret supporters. Word still could not escape thanks to the efforts of intelligence agents to silence any investigation and defector.

A few naval incidents had also happened between Entente and Central Power ships. Warning shots had been fired, narrowly missing the encroaching foe. Whatever ships had intruded would retreat back to home waters.

This did not stop either side from being wary of the other whenever an attack or raid occurred. The only factor that prevented the outbreak of war was the lack of concrete evidence...

(Line Break)

New Palace, Darmstadt, German Empire

Elizabeth sat at her study desk, feeling the gentle breezes cool the stuffy air in her bedroom. She glanced at the framed photo of her four Russian cousins and herself smiling by the playhouse all those years ago. A smile crept across her face, yet it did not last long. The blissful memories faded before reality.

She gazed out the window with her mind drifting deep in reflection.

Yes, she was privileged to live in a palace under the care and protection of staff. But as sheltered as her life was, she had kept in contact with her "Uncle Willy" and the housemaids. They would often inform her of events... They troubled her.

Most of her estranged British relatives had disliked and even hated her ever since the alliance between Russia and her homeland. The French hated her as much for "sparking Russia's betrayal of their alliance". Ever since that shocking year, her fellow German royalty and Russian royalty remained banned from Entente nations. Not even letters were taken!

And now, signs of hostility began to arise. She had heard of the close shots by warships in the Bering and English-German waters. She had heard of the increased border patrols and military drills. This worried the young princess. It had not been her intention to spark hostilities. Perhaps her uncle was right... The British and French had portrayed Russia in poor light, and resented her homeland. They were the ones at fault.

Elizabeth did not want to think much about the worsening situation. The memories of being a young girl stung. She would never see or live another peaceful time like that again. Even if her childhood had been marred by a bitter divorce and loneliness, she missed those years.

Her hands reached for the paper envelope on her desk. Again, her father had to visit his art academy. Again, she was alone in her home, wishing for the feeling of company again. A look at the last unopened letter from her cousin Olga would do.

"To my dearest friend and cousin, Olga," Elizabeth read.

She opened the envelope and took out the letter. She opened it and silently read the cursive.

Dear Cousin Ella,

I am happier to hear that you are well. We, too, are doing well at home.

I am very touched by your consolations, especially about the parting and the times. Hope for a better future is what we need in troubled times like these. The news of the skirmishes and tensions trouble my parents and family. We do not sleep as well whenever the dreadful news arrives. To hear from you brings us joy, comfort, and hope.

We still continue our studies and breaks in the palace grounds. I prefer learning about history. Writing and reading many books is a bore and a chore. Nastya is ever more the funny (and naughty) one during Gilliard's lessons. Perhaps I may grow accustomed to her jokes about ahem- restroom business.

I sometimes wish that you were with us to play on "children's island". Alexei is growing to be a strong boy, and he already loves rowing canoes to and from the island. Maria as well. Someday, we will meet again. I have much that I wish to tell, do, and share with you. I still miss you.

Gentle hugs from afar. God bless you and your family.

Your closest friend,

Olga Nikolaevna Romanova

Elizabeth grinned from the joyful thoughts of her cousins living safely and happily. The thought of Anastasia making such remarks before her tutor made her snicker, slapping the letter down.

"Oh, Olga... I miss you too. It is a shame that matters have torn people apart."

She glanced at the framed photograph again.

"But life will improve. I believe that God bends the arc of history to a better place."

The princess took a pen before beginning to think of her reply...

(Line Break)

April 14, 1914

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoe Selo, Russian Empire

"Olenka! A letter has arrived just for you!"

"Thank you, Mama. I must see it!"

Alexandra smiled at her eldest daughter, before giving her the envelope. It bore a reddish wax seal with the imprint of the German eagle. Olga knew where it had come from. Her closest friend and cousin had replied! The Grand Duchess grinned, taking the letter.

She rushed back from the Mauve Room to the bedroom shared with her sister Tatiana. Tatiana was laying on her camp cot, humming along with the pleasant ragtime that drifted from the record player. Her eyes were closed in bliss. For a moment, everything seemed better. And, their wonderful "Cousin Ella" had replied!

"Tatya! Cousin Ella wrote back!" Olga chirped, waving the letter in her right hand.

At once, Tatiana stopped humming, and she sat up. She slid off her cot. With her eldest sister, she would read the reply from their best friend.

Both of the elder Grand Duchesses tore the envelope open with care, and they opened the letter...

Hello, Cousin Olga,

I am very, very happy to have read your reply! Before, the terrible news of sea skirmishes in the northern waters along with rebellions in Alsace-Lorraine put me at unease. I often prayed for the safety of our countries and families. Yet to hear that your family is managing well brings me hope and comfort amongst this turmoil.

Unfortunately, I am alone at home more often, as my father and mother commit to various affairs of state. My father visits his art school and checks on his honorary regiment in the German Calvary. My mother has been visiting hospitals and teaching fellow princes to ride horses. It saddens me that I do not see them as often.

I also admit that life at home bores me. I still enjoy playing the flute for the adorable squirrels and birds. My efforts at practicing the flute rewarded me well enough. On occasions, I perform with the flute at my father's music school. To see my music bring smiles on students' faces brings me a smile too. Another hobby I have found is writing stories. I wish to keep the plot a secret at this time. Whenever our families reunite again, I will reveal my story draft.

I send a faraway hug to you, your wonderful siblings, and your family. Take care and do not lose spirit and hope.

With sincere regards,

"Cousin Ella"

Olga frowned. To hear of her friend cooped up in her palace alone stung. The words in ink rang with a melancholy tone. Even the lighthearted bits within the letter did not break the sad, lonely moods.

"Aww. Cousin Ella sounds sad in the letter... Should we buy her a gift?"

Tatiana glanced at the photograph that laid in a brass frame on her desk. In frozen shades of black and white, their cousin was smiling with crutches besides her relatives. She thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hands...

And an idea blossomed in her mind.

"Olenka, how about we take another family picture for Ella to keep?"

"Oh, that is a brilliant idea! We must tell our family!"

The two Grand Duchesses went out of their shared quarters. They went downstairs and went to the Mauve Room. Their mother sat before the grand piano, playing Liszt. Their father sat beside their younger sisters and brother, nodding his head to the melodies. He got off his plush chair at the sight of Olga and Tatiana looking at him. Did they need something?

"Alix? I believe that Olga and Tatiana need to tell us something."

The Tsarina ceased to play piano, getting off of the chair. She looked at her two older daughters with worry. Did the two find bad news?

"Tatiana, did something happen to your cousin?"

"Not at all, Mama. She sounded melancholy in her letter. Ella is often home alone."

"My poor niece," the Tsarina sighed.

"We thought of sending our cousin a newer picture of ourselves as a gift."

"I like the suggestion. It would mean a lot for my niece."

"I agree as well!" the Tsar said, smiling.

Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei all looked at each other. A grin crept across their faces. A gift was what they needed to return! Alexei, who had been a young boy during the Livadia reunion, wished to get closer to his favorite relative. Unlike the strange Prince Carol, Elizabeth was a more well-behaved one.

They all began to clamor about ideas for the picture, from silly faces to simple smiles. Only the modest rebuke of their parents could silence them.

"Hush, we will find the photographer. Wait here."

Their children quieted down, nodding in assent. The Tsar and Tsarina went out of the room for some time, looking for the palace photographer. And when they took the picture not long after, they decided to stay with convention. The Tsar and Tsarina stood with their five children in the sunlit Mauve Room. Becoming still took a while for Alexei and Anastasia, but the photographer was able to take his picture soon enough.

In a flash, the image of a smiling family was saved forever for family and posterity.

Over a month later, Elizabeth received her gift. It would certainly stay on her desk. This was one of the greatest gifts she had ever received!

She went to bed that night, feeling less alone. Her friends and family were not there in person, yet they felt closer than ever...

(Line Break)

Osborne House, England

King George V of England swore as he stomped on his spent cigar. This was not how it should have gone. His once close cousin Nicky had betrayed- abandoned the alliance. And now, The Entente and New Central Powers held tensions. The world was at risk of war.

He clenched his fists and threw a small rock afar, which landed with a thud. He looked at the orange-hued, setting sun in the distance without a word. It was almost laughable to think that only thirteen years ago, Queen Victoria had been here to see her great-granddaughter Olga. Now, his other cousins and their family would never be so friendly again.

And it was all because of that meddling Hessian princess.

The temptation to ask his secret agents to stage an assassination for her was strong, but the King of England was not a rash fool. He would plan with meticulous attention to all possibilities and details. There would be a time for Russia and Germany to repay for their injustices and betrayal. And he would enjoy every bit of it.

"Father? Are you well?"

"Return home, Edward. Let me be... I must think about what our empire and alliance must do about our foes."

"Tis' a shame... The Romanov girls were quite pleasant the previous time in Cowes..."

"Well, frankly put, they are no longer family. They left us and chose their side."

"Additionally, if they even lay a hand on any of our fellows, they will regret that dearly," the king added, scowling.

The heir knew better than to argue. Something did not sit right with him about the hostilities. They were all family regardless of alliances. The Hessian princess had a point all those years ago. If only they could get along, he thought.

"Yes, Father, you have a point," he lied, keeping his tone steady.

The British prince returned inside, leaving his father to sulk.