"But...but mistress, the princess always asks myself and Ivanka to dress her, why does she need new servants to dress her now?" Yelena asked, following Lady Fedorov's skirt tails closely. "The princess has demanded new servants. She is mourning... your old faces reminds her of her poor, deceased father..." Lady Fedorov said, almost sympathetically, "But my Lady-" Yelena began, "I want no more of this, Yelena. Back to the kitchen with you, there is much to be done!"
"Das...I understand." Yelena replied, bowing with the intention of doing as she was told.
She slowly walked to the lower levels of the castle, where the kitchen and laundry room resided. She walked in, a solemn look etched on her face, and began to prepare beef stragonoff and Borscht for the nights dinner, while the other servants prepared Balyk Sorpa with rice, Svitanak and Abzhorka along with some desserts. She sliced onions, deep in thought, 'Why would my little Aarti wish...for new maids?' she sighed, 'Poor little sveetheart...'
*Meanwhile*
Lady Fedorov entered the princess' room to see three new maids dressing the 'princess' in a pencil skirt suit, a well fitted blazer, and an inner pink shirt, a pair of patterned black pantyhose and real shine leather pumps. Her make-up was lightly done, with bright red lipstick, her hair in a traditional bun. They placed the sash of the princess on her, and the last piece, 'her' crown was placed on her head.
"All of you are dismissed," she said, authority strong in her tone. The three curtsied, and left the room. As they closed the door, the former queen made her way over to the 'princess'. "Now, here are your instructions. Do not fidget, do not embarrass me, and most important of all, DO NOT SPEAK."
"But what if they ask me a question?" The prostitute's voice was high-pitched and timid, nothing like the smooth, proud, authoritative tone like Aarti's. Lady Fedorov rubbed her temples, "Shut up! I told you not to speak, did I not?"
The young girl quickly nodded and took a step back in fear.
"All you have to do, is nod 'yes' or shake from left to right, 'no'. That is it. You aren't dumb enough to mess that up, are you?" the Lady said, taking slow strides closer to the young girl. The girl replied with a firm shake, her head bowed in submission.
"Now come, we must leave to go to the courthouse where you shall meet with the high judges of the country and decide when your coronation shall take place. You see? I have not betrayed my word, you shall be Queen of Russia, and I shall take my place as your chief advisor," the older woman said, a sadistic smile etched on her face.
A wide smile graced the girl's face as well. 'One minute I was selling my body on a corner, and now...I shall be Queen of my country...'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dozens of security guards lined the entrance of the palace, along with police in cruisers and horses, along with a black stretch limo, the Russian flags perched on each side on the bumper. Six security guards surrounded the princess, the former queen and Baron, a title the recent King bestowed upon him, Sasha, as they entered the limo.
They drove in silence to the courthouse, a large crowd gathering at the entrance. The limo came to a slow stop. An attendant opened the door, allowing the Lady and Baron to exit the vehicle, then the 'princess'. Dozens of media personalities and cameras flooded the the square, Russian flags waved among the crowd, and people screaming "Bless the princess!"
The young woman sat in the limo, she took a deep breath, and for a split second, wished she was back on her corner, eating Shashlyk(a popular Russian street food, like a kebab). She quickly shook the thought from her head. She would be Queen, and would be able to get whatever she wanted. No more worrying about where the next meal would come from, or if she would be raped or killed today. Or if her landlord would kick her out of her tiny, insect-infested apartment for unpaid rent. She sighed for the last time and nodded in conviction. As she exited the sleek limo, she did a full turn, waving to the people, a small smile on her face. Never did she feel so important, or even special. As she took her first step towards the courthouse, a shot echoed throughout the whole square, loud gasps and screams heard from the crowd.
The guards and police scrambled, as the people shouted and panicked, everyone fumbling over each other, people falling and stepping on each other. As the crowd cleared, three distinct figures could be seen.
A man holding an older woman, both with a fake look of horror on their faces, and a young woman on the ground covered in blood.
The princess was dead.
Spoiler alert! *there are none -____-*
